Kinetic Nova 135cc Review - A Novaholic’s confessions!!

Kinetic Nova 135cc is an innovation from the Kinetic Automation India and the tagline of Nova 135cc is 'Enjoy the ride' and you will enjoy if you happen to buy one!

Kinetic Nova 135cc is also the first gearless 135cc scooter in India and is an improvised model of the Nova DLX version. Unfortunately, the Nova DLX was a disastrous model from Kinetic people after the very successful Kinetic itself. People expected so much from the looks and the 110cc Nova DLX failed to live up to people’s expectations.

The shock was enough and Kinetic engineers must have poured their heart and soul while engineering the Nova 135cc and you will believe that I am not exaggerating only if you take a test drive of Nova 135cc or if you are an old owner of it just like me.

The metro sexual scooter looks great with Eurostyling and Nova 135cc suits to either sexes. Body is available is double colors. There are 2 rear view mirrors. The build of the body is plastic (believe me its quite sturdy) made. If other scooter brands are giving the mobile charger facility inside the glove box maybe after 2007, I would say that it’s an innovation of Kinetic, Nova 135cc is the first scooter to have that. Lift the seat and you will actually be surprised to see such huge under-seat storage. It actually allows you to buy one month’s worth of a grocery or put two helmets together (in some states where pillions also need to wear a helmet can use this space itself). The storage space also houses 2 small LED lights on either side and they lit up once the seat is lifted, and I still remember how many people peeped in to see that feature at petrol pumps.

Engine of Kinetic Nova 135cc is a single-cylinder, 4-stroke, air-cooled one with actual 134.9 cc displacement delivering maximum power of 8.65 bhp @6500 rpm and produces a maximum torque of 10nm at 4500 rpm and has non-geared variomatic type of a transmission. The low torque implies that its acceleration is too good and it outscores other competitors in fuel economy. And the power is good enough for us to take 3 people along. Never I felt that my Nova was gasping to carry even heavier persons. It has a self-start as well as kick start options. I was initially struggling to rest the vehicle on the main stand but now I can do it with ease.

The horn is quite loud and clear (in fact many times people thought it were a car when I honked. J). The fuel tank can accommodate 6.5 liters petrol. Wheels are aluminum alloy type and broad enough to give that balance and stability. The front tyre is a puncture-resistant puff-up tube one, when even when the tyre punctures it can take you safely to a puncture man. Then, Nova 135cc has AAHO technology, meaning Advanced Acceleration and Handling Optimizer.

Nova 135cc comes with a throttle sensor for mileage that indicates with a beep alarm if you are going in a range of low mileage (going too slowly or too swiftly). You are going to say 'AAHO' for this smart fellow that cautions you on optimizing the fuel. I recall literally saying ‘OK’ to it when it beeped. It comes with 130mm drum brakes and they are big enough to counter the 135cc power. The acceleration is again envious and I prove it every time I get one chance zooming past all bikers at traffic signals. It goes up to 45 km in about 4 seconds.

The ground clearance is great, and I would say that its only on very few instances that the scooter received hits from a high speed breaker or high hump. I also drove Activa, but I feel Kinetic Nova 135cc to be gliding much smoother, and mind you it glides without noise.

I am one shortie, and I’d had that glitch of reaching the ground, but it was only for the initial months. As of now very comfortable with the height factor as well, and would proudly say that my Nova 135cc is my very reliable friend that I am madly in love with. Ah! And, you wanted to know the mileage? It runs 45 km per liter on the city roads and as I didn’t go beyond Kengeri (Bangalore) can't tell you about the highway mileage, but believe me it should be over 50 km per liter easily and not less than 50kmpl.

I have been driving a black-colored Kinetic Nova 135cc for the past 2 years and 10 months, almost everyday, and my honeymoon with it is not yet over and I believe its going to be an everlasting one because I eventually had become 'Nova'holic by now!

PS: In all honesty, I admit that these are my own opinions and not fabricated!

Left over rotis? Check what I made out of them!

I was informed of some guests for evening supper yesterday and I always take pride that I'm almost perfect in my caluculations when it comes to preparations. Alas one time I did fail. Somehow I was feeling they will not be enough and the guests will love to have a couple of them more and ..? So I am there again with more rotis than asked for. I felt I dont have to clutter my drain throwing the left over rotis instead will make a nice treat out of them.

In fact we can do few things with these left over rotis, but the important thing here is to remember that rotis are made crisper before processed further. Here is what you can do:

Divide the roti into whatever shape or size and oven at 150 degrees Celsius, until they become crisp.

Make salsa of chopped coriander leaves, tomato, red pepper (even a green capsicum would do), garlic paste and lime. Add salt and pepper to taste to the salsa prepared. Use this salsa as topping to the roasted roti pieces and tell me if it doesn't make a good snack. Because we in our family loved the snack.

Optional: People who love curd can take generous curd and add salsa to it and can eat roti pieces with this.

February? And this month has so much in store for all!

Ice Maze at Satoland

Dancers all ready for a whole-night dance theme behind beach back-drop: A thing to see

Carnival is one word I can describe about the month of February. Be it any part of the world February has something for everyone. The first week of February will see this western India's small enchanting beach state, indulge in what is called as Goa carnival 2009. An integral part of the heritage of the portuguese Goa Carnival 2009 marks a total non-stop festival for 3 days which fill the air with abundant colors, song and music. If you have plans to come down and be part of the Goa Carnival 2009, make sure you have itinerary of joining the entourage of King Momo as it marches down the Panjim streets. Goa Carnival 2009 is again a great time to feast on fingerlicking seafood menus. If you freak on seafood, this is going to be the best one you would've ever had, so make sure you are pampering the gastronomer in you the Carnival 2009.

And, Goa Carnival 2009 is a customary orgy that is only meant for people to feast, drink and make merry and comes just before the austere 40 days of Lent fasting and penitence. The Carnival usually will conclude with the very popular red and black dance that is done at the Clube Nacional. So are you there for the feasting-drinking-dancing-merrymaking ecstasy promised by Goa Carnival 2009? Given a chance you are not missing it!

Then, there is the Sapporo Snow Festival 2009 in Japan where the entire place is converted in to a snow museum and is witnessed by millions of globetrotters. It was first started in 1950 when few highschool students erected less than 10 snow stautues. Now, there will be hundreds of beautifully carved snow statues and ice monuments and sculptures to greet one and all at the Odori Koen Park, grounds at Satoland as well as Susukino streets. Susukino is more or less an entertainment district and the nightlife during this part of the year is so vibrant. The Sapporo Snow Festival is an ice festival make the entire place as winter dreamland.

The Sapporo Snow Festival 2009 will happen for week days between February 5th and 11th and the entire places is thronged by global tourists and the skii resorts are almost overbooked for the wonderful skii avenues Sapporo has. The snow mazes and the snow slides there during this time transcend life into fairytale world where kids become ecstatic and adults become almost kids. If you are there during this time you will come home with a tip or two in ice carving and cross-country skiing. If you are a second time or a third time visitor of Sapporo Snow Festival, you will never want to miss one.

And there is anyway cupid heading its way to strike us all with the valentine. So I wish you all a romantic and a memorable February 2009.

TVS Scooty Streak: A Preview

TVS is one brand that’s so popular in villages and in metro cities equally. To achieve such a position, I wonder what kind of strategies the Sundarams would have adopted, but I am obviously amazed at their innovations to please all. I don’t feel hesitant to say that TVS Scooty has become a brand in itself. I will tell you one example: While I drive a 135cc some other brand scooter, my friend always identifies it as TVS Scooty. No! It’s not that she is one who can’t write or read. But it is like how SURF has replaced detergent powder, that I mean this TVS Scooty has replaced a scooter term per se. I salute the guys and innovators at TVS, Scooty will be remembered for a very long time for sure.

Scooty will now pave way to its new kid, the new TVS Scooty Streak, which is the latest addition to their portfolio. I had the chance to sneak into a TVS showroom today when I’d been to Mathikere to give my 135 cc scooter for servicing. The all-new 4-stroke scooterette TVS Scooty Streak seemed like it greeted me with a Hi. I am not a weirdo, but I talk to my scooter and love driving and my vehicle so much that I talk to it literally.

And yes! TVS Scooty Streak sported certainly impressive newer looks relative to Scooty. But I did notice that the double-colored body sentiment has been retained, and it’s only the styling that received much of a tweaking. I can vouch that it is going to appeal the late teens and early 20s’ college population. I especially liked the protuberant striking snout of the front and believe that Scooty Streak can complement a women office commuter’s style and their combination will look cool.

And a 4-stroke Scooty Streak runs on a LiTech engine (a lithium-ion based battery technology). So what? It offers several advantages such as enhanced performance and safety as well as low cost. To support the battery performance, the Scooty Streak is fitted with LED tail lamps, which consume very little power. The headlamp looks as if it’s sporting a smile and I just liked it. I also liked the new side turner lamps, which are elongated triangles and mounted on the sides of the body apron.

The seat contour may be something that TVS is trying and I would love to know how people are going to receive it. Leave that, if you want to know the shock absorption talents of Scooty Streak, well the aluminum shock absorbers are cool and as good as they can be for a 100cc scooter so the ride will be definitely smooth and bump free. In addition, the tyres seem to be broader than Scooty and it will ensure stability and balance. The tyres also are skid resistant according to company sources, so one can freak on a Scooty Streak even on a rainy day.

The glove box houses a mobile charge facility and its cool. The glove box can also be locked. The under seat luggage space is also big enough and the fuel tank is behind under the seat. Mirrors are of the same color as the body and adds to the looks. The footboard is broad and not clumsy.

The 100cc plus Scooty Streak gives better performance than its forerunner Scooty series. The TVS Scooty Streak promises to give best in class mileage and fuel efficiency. TVS Scooty Streak will come under Rs. 40,000 ex-showroom and if you are planning to buy a scooterette to your son or daughter or your young wife, you can go ahead and get one and gift them a TVS Scooty Streak. You have TVS quality and I am not one who is needed to vouch for the TVS’ servicing and customer support.

TVS Scooty Streak is designed and developed to position against big ones from Honda, Suzuki and Kinetic. Basically, Scooty Streak compete with Suzuki Access, Aviator and Kinetic 4S. But as I see this, I think they will not even come close to Scooty Streak in terms of competition. They will be looked as big scooters and only middle-aged male population will look at these with intention of buying them. Quite the contrary, teens (both sexes), the 20s (again both sexes) and the 30s (the ladies) will eye on the new TVS Scooty Streak, and TVS aimed it for the metro sex and can be as grand a success as Scooty is. The new TVS Scooty Streak comes in 5 bold colors; Red, Black, Blue, Pink and Mauve all perfect for metro people. If my TVS Scooty Streak review helped you in anyway to zero in, will you let me know? Happy Scootying on the new Scooty Streak!

TV9 Launches news channel

I was wondering for all these days when Bangalore has a silicon valley of its own; with the country's IT major headquarters and corporate offices here why not Bangalore have its own English News Channel. And here, namma Bengaluru makes it big with the new 24/7 English news channel launching today. The channel is named news9, and is an off shoot of the ABCL which earlier launched the TV9 Kannada for the local people of Karnataka. Although I didn't like the logo pretty much, the tagline 'catch the big news live' is impressive and wish and hope the news9 channel Bangalore is going to rock the news making world.

Come today the country will have a new national news voice from South, precisely from Bangalore. The local news channel TV9 launches a 24-hour English news channel in Bangalore. The local kannada news channel TV9 is quite a popular channel and finds a lot of favor with the sandalwood celebrities, healthcare people, NPOs and even politicians.'

Now the successful channel TV9 together with ABCL takes a leap further and sets its sights on the basically the local news and targets the upwardly mobile young audience and news9 future plans include coverage of the Indian and international news in the most preferred language, English and launches its all new News9 channel Bangalore. The test signal is on air right now and I take pride as a Bangalorean and wish from my heart all the very best to News9 channel. Hopefully, the news people cover facts and takes the name of Bengaluru high on the world map.

Make sure you all 'catch the big news live' from news9 channel Bangalore!

Laugh out loud!!

We all know sardars are laughed off for their follies.
And now for a change ........when a Sardar acts smart...

A Sardar, a German and a Pakistani got arrested consuming alcohol which is a severe offence in Saudi Arabia , so for the terrible crime they would all be sentenced with 20 whip lashes each.

The three will be preparing for the punishment, and the Sheik announced: "It's my first wife's birthday today, and so she has asked me to gift you with one wish each before you are whipped."

Thrilled at this..
The German thinks for a while and says "please tie a pillow to my back." This was done, but the pillow did last for 10 lashes and then the crying and bleeding German had to be carried away.

Then Pakistani was up. After watching the German in horror, he says smugly: "please fix two pillows to my back." But even two pillows could not last for 20 whip lashes and could only take 15 lashes. The Pakistani was also led away whimpering loudly.

The Sardar was the last one up, but before he could say anything, the Sheikh turned to him and said: "You are from the most beautiful part of the world, and your culture is one of the finest in the world. For this, you may have two wishes!"

"Thank you, your Most Royal and Merciful Highness," Sardar replies. "In recognition of your kindness, my first wish is that you give me not 20, but 100 lashes."

"Not only are you an honorable, handsome and powerful man, you seem to be very brave." Sheik says with an admiration on his face. "If 100 lashes is what you desire, then so be it. And what is your second wish?" the Sheik asked.

Sardar smiles and replies, "Tie the Pakistani to my back"

Maruthi Alto: A review

During the last week I did post my review on the Reva Electric Car. For sure I was under the impression that Reva car would appeal very strongly to my site visitors and readers. And, ah! It did appeal but only those eco-friendly geeks. And, how I misjudged before posting that all women could be green lovers? Guess you might have found Reva to be too small a car for single-child families and even no-child families.

Anyways, this week I did lay my hands on Alto, the Maruthi’s very successful small segment car and would like to review this Alto for you to view! Let me request you to not compare the Reva electric car and the Alto. They are way too different and dont fit for a comparitive study.

Anyways....V…V….Vroom….read my Maruthi Alto Review…let’s go!

And, if someone thought only males are crazy about automobiles, I beg to differ, I knew of so many women who are as passionate about clutching and gears as men are! And, for that matter I believe that women give more attention to detail and look for comfort as well as styling when it comes to choosing a car and then the price tag is one that women take a close look at.

If you check out this small yet cute little car, Alto, I would summarize in one phrase that Maruthi Alto is worth a drive to find out what you’ve been looking for in a family car. Ask me for the looks, I would say its cute yet contemporary. It also looks bigger and sturdier than its predecessor the Maruthi 800. It can be taken that Alto is a reliable update and cross between a Maruthi Zen and a Maruthi 800.

Maruthi Alto is bigger than the 800 version and a smaller one than Zen. It has a perky 1100 cc engine with multipoint fuel injection (MPFI) system, which performs well and is defiant even on what are called disastrous kind of Indian roads. The power steering is optional and comes with the Lxi and Vxi models. Power steering, I would say is a thrill on traffic jammed roads and enables you to inch out and swim through with such ease.

While both Maruthi 800 and Alto are fuel efficient cars from Maruthi, Alto has a bigger engine and is also heavier than 800 so although the economy might not be as good as the Maruthi 800, I would bet that it still be better choice for its sheer driving experience. Alto comes with better air-conditioning (but the power comes down when you switch on the AC), and the gear shifting is quite smooth in the Alto. The varying seat height levels and features like lights on alarm or key in reminders are just so sweet in this cute little devil. The visibility is quite decent from the dashboard and the hatchback windows makes Alto as loveable as one see it on roads.

Alto gives a mileage of 18-20 km per liter with AC on and 20-22 without the AC. No wonder Maruthi Alto is adjudged by customers as the best entry level car and is fast becoming the most preferred and sensible choice for the conservative middle class car buyers. Will you believe that there are over 1 million Maruthi Alto cars plying on Indian roads? And for sure to me, Maruthi Alto had been a fun to drive.

The LX model is the most-value-for-money version of the Alto and its features:
Engine: Four-valved MPFI with about 1061 cc displacement
Acceleration: Alto vrooms 0-100 kmph in 20 seconds and does a max of 160 kmph delivering a maximum power of 45 bhp and 6000 rpm.
Colors: Alto is sold in Solid bright red, Laguna blue, cool silver, Miami gold, Coral beige and Superior white, wine red, Carribean blue, brilliant yellow colors.
Looks: Proportioned looks although conventional
Capacity: Four persons
Price: INR 275,000 (+ 50,000 )

Affordability and low maintenance cost is the philosophy of Maruthi Alto. So next time, you have a car TBD, make sure you drive an Alto without fail. Let me know if my Maruthi Alto review had been of any help to you.

Who would want to be called fatty?

Well. No one wants to be called fatty and more importantly noone want to be unhealthy right?

Did you know? Andy Rhine of California was weighing about 480 kgs when he breathed his last at 35 years of age. He was seen on his couch in his apartment and was then shifted to hospital after calling a crane to lift him to hospital bed from his apartment where he died. Itseems his organs were crushed because of his body weight and his heart became so tired and could not cope up with pumping blood into every nooky and cranny of his monstrous body. It stopped beating at 35 itself.

Priscilla Stone weighed 550 kg and she had to depend on a truck for transporting her. All things in her home were tailored including the chairs, beds, doorways...even the restroom stuff) to suit her big plus size.

Pick your jaw up from off that floor and think a while. If these stories have been your nightmares, well you are certainly not alone.

Obesity causes so many side effects; trauma, anxiety, depression and plays a havoc with mind. It simply implies that there is nothing else thats worthier than a slim and prim proper body. And. I would say that only a miniscule per cent of population fall in this standard.

And did I tell you that obesity will also push a person into destructive eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia? You know how fat people are a target of ridicule and mockery and butt of jokes amongst friends, society and even in pictures.

What about the numerous health disorders that are caused by obesity such as the coronary artery disease, arthritis, diabetes hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and hyoertriglyceridemia? And did you know that many researchers linked causes of some cancers to obesity?

Scarry?? Dont lose heart!
The age-old combination of balanced diet and exercise regimen can turn your life. And the benefits of regular exercise are by far many:
Fat loss
Increased strength and stamina
Improved self confidence
Increased body flexibility
Improved cardiovascular efficiency
Increased alertness of brain
Denser; implying stronger bones
Increased life expectancy
Improved sleep
Decreased blood pressure

These apart, you will notice a dramatic improvement in appearance and physique. Remember that the goal of exercising is not to bring your body to fit into a predetermined contour or fashion mould or faking you to look as somebody else. Indeed make yourself more vibrant and healthier.

There are so many factors to affect a person's weight; genetical factors, body type, environment, dietary habits, and metabolism. A sedentary lifestyle also will result in obesity. One must consider the following factors:

Activity: Aerobic activities, which cover a large sphere and include swimming, cycling, stair climbing, racketting games, walking, jogging and many many more.

Intensity of the activities: It must be ideally within a person's fat burn zone or otherwise popular as training zone or target heart range and this varies with individuals and governed by several factors as well such as afe, goals of activities, current fitness level, health problems if any, etc. For instance if a person is taking some medications it might affect his heart range and a good trainer will caluculate your heart range and monitor it throughout.

Frequency of activities: For fat loss, one needs to start working out for at least 3 times a week to gradually upping to about 5-6 times.

Duration: Raise your heart rate to the target range and stay there for over half an hour.

**Make sure you come back for some useful pointers.

Blue chip stocks might be your best buy right now!

Everyone indulged in trading will be aware of this basic rule of playing the stock market: buy low and sell high. Ah! if only it were that simple, ain't it?

Well, as of now the market is at low ebb and a lot of blue chip scrips are also at low levels (some of them indeed at lifetime low). This could well be the time for you to pick up stocks (and how many of you removed your sandals to throw at me?....read further before doing that......), as a long-term investor and then step back to enable your portfolio to develop.

So said, make sure you have some knowledge about the sector and the industry behind every scrip you are investing. Don't assume that Blue chips mean that they are not prone to crashes and tumbles. They are as good as any other scrips and prone to fall downs. But what you probably need to ascertain is whether the company has a strong place within its sector or not and check out its prospect for growth and how the leadership within the company is (after Enron and Satyam's fiasco you guys ought to check this) and how and if it had pulled itself from turbulent weather situations in the past.

A firm's resilience is quite an important factor to consider so at the current market trends when your risk factor is not that great, start researching and go for it!

Happy trading!

Could man live in a computer program?

Does your life ever bore you, to the point, that you wish you could live in a computerized program? Well, according to Michael McGuigan, a scientist at Brookhaven National Laboratory, technology is "just a few years away" from allowing you to get in touch with your inner Neo (?). How McGuigan hypothesizes that computers will be able to generate lifelike images is interesting, yet unsubstantiated.

As told to newscientist.com, McGuigan explains that computers are ready to produce artificial scenes and textures that can pass themselves off as real to the human eye right now. Right now!? Evidently, it is the case, but presently, it takes hours to render such detailed images. To fully create a passable virtual reality, McGuigan claims that this ability must be sped up to the point that computers can render these scenes in real-time.

Think of the possibilities of such a program. You'd like to go golfing, but you get off work too late; go to the VR golf course. Don't have the time to go on vacation, spend an evening at a VR tourist spot. This technology could revolutionize how leisure time is spent. Potentially, it would also allow those strapped for money to be able to visit exotic locales at discounted rates.

However, we shouldn't get too carried away with ourselves. After all, it is easy to set up an arbitrary timeframe for, but hard to actually come through when the time comes. And by a few years, does McGuigan mean two to three, like most people would take "a few" to mean. Or does he mean that in the absolutely perfect scenario, this type of virtual world could be available in such a short time. Maybe the more realistic expectation is within a few decades. At any rate, everything attached to this story is mere speculation. Perhaps it is better to leave it at that, opting to dream of the possibilities instead.

Few things women do!

Check these...these are good ol' ones, but brought a grin on my frowned jobless-for-the-day face for sure and so can bring one on yours. If not let me know!

The Silent Treatment
A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving eachother the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day,hewould need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning businessflight.

Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on apiece of paper, "Please wake me at 5:00 AM " He left it where he knew shewould find it.

The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and hehad missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go and see why his wifehadn't wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. The papersaid, "It is 5:00 AM . Wake up."

Ha ha men for sure are not equipped for these kinds of contests! What say?


Wife vs Husband
A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position. As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, "Huh! Relatives of yours?"

"Yep," the wife replied , " my great in-laws"


Women's revenge
"Cash, check or charge?" I asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase.
As she fumbled for her wallet I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse."So, do you always carry your TV remote?" I asked."No," she replied, " but my husband refused to come shopping with me,and I figured that this was the most evil thing I could do to him legally."

W O R D S
A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day; they are 30,000 to a man's measly 15,000.
The wife replied, "The reason has to be because we have to repeat everything to men...
The husband then turned to his wife and asked, "What?"

Creation
A man said to his wife one day, "I don't know how you can be so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time.
" The wife responded, "Allow me to explain.
God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me;
God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you!

Who does what?
A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning.
The wife said, "You should do it, because you get up first, and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee."
The husband said, " You are in charge of cooking around here and you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee."
Wife replies, "No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible that the man should do the coffee."
Husband replies, "I can't believe that, show me." So she fetched the Bible,and opened the New Testament and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says ..........."HEBREWS"
God may have created man before woman,
but there is always a rough draft before the masterpiece.

Welcome President-Barack Hussein Obama

Entire world, and, in particular Washington State is all ready to witness the US’ 44th president step into the Whitehouse, and the man is no other than a young 47-year-old Barack Hussein Obama, the first black national to become US President. By becoming one, what a history Obama has made? Alas! I wonder that Obama will be welcomed with US citizens sporting a fake smile. To sport a real smile when the country is suffering a deficit of about $1.2 trillion is a difficult task.

Democrat-elect Barack Obama might be little shaken at the things he’s got to fathom and act at once he is taking charge of the White House. Still, I wonder to see that infectious smile on the man’s face not only during his pre-election campaign but also during those pre-inauguration rounds. In fact, I believe that smile reflects the strength he is building inside to face the slowing down nation’s economy, recession everywhere, burgeoning unemployment and ever-worrying teen issues.

Obama, as of now, maybe seen by all chilling at the eateries and restaurants in the city and trying hotdogs. If you think he was pampering his taste buds you are just not getting this man right! Indeed this man is gazing the pulse of the city and taking time to learn about the place he’s newly come to stay. Guess he is not in a culture shock! He’d paid a visit to the Abraham Lincoln’s Memorial with family and would have certainly gotten some tips and advice from the great leader’s soul. What a nice theme on the banner ‘ A new birth of freedom.’ I can only pray that he be endowed with more strength so he frees people of United States from unemployment, tax surpluses, recession and downsizing, wounded democracy, and poor international image.

What a big task in front of this small man (small I meant by his physical size). He needs to find those roads to recover from financial stress and fight with the slump country is suffering.

It’s finally admitted that US is hit by what is said the worst ever financial depression and Barack Hussein Obama already pledged for a 90 days moratorium on mortgage defaulters. Indeed isn’t this sub prime crisis the culprit for economic collapse of one of the world’s largest economies? And subsequently we see how the European and even the Asian markets tumble down and crash leaving many millions jobless and homeless.

Obama also hinted how it’s onus of every person to help country tide away with the economic crises. How he’s going to handle the Iran’s nuclear crisis will be a thing everyone is waiting to see. And, it’s on 20th day of January afternoon time that Barack Hussein Obama will be sworn in as the 44th US President, and I wholeheartedly wish him the best.

Welcome President, we are waiting with our fingers crossed to see how you can salvage us (US) from the current slump!

Me and thou….enou..

Alone here I stand

me alone and none to hold my hand…

did you understand…

this still will not be my end…

I’ve had so many dreams now I gather...

dreams to love and live for one other forever...so,

this will not be the end…

my dear friend...my only friend…

End of every night I’m weeping in prayers...

wishing that all stars stay twinkling through the blanket of the dark sky...

for your million-dollar smile that helps in my recovery

so, this will not be the end…my dear friend….my only friend…

It’s your finger that can wipe my tears
to bring forth that lost grin
to transform the stack pale leaves around my soul to supple stubble

'cause green is the season that can wipe away sorrowful reasons…

Just like an autumn milieu I know I’m unfertile, arid and dull
and I know I don’t have words so colorful
but I want to have your blissful soul

I believe it’s you that can only ensoul..

Reva, the revolutionary electric car

Reva launched in 2001 by RECC (Reva Electric Car Company), Bangalore is an incredibly cute small electric car. Reva in Sanskrit means 'new beginning' and according to namepedia Reva means 'revived.' I am sure why the manufacturers named it so, expecting that Reva will be the new beginning to eco-friendly automobiles in India.

Reva appeals very strongly to all those eco-friendly drivers, and surprisingly many of whom are women. With a toy-like appearance, the electric-powered car runs on a pair of batteries. These batteries can be recharged from a plug point in your home or garage or there are a few charge centers in cities like Bangalore which is basically the home of Reva as well as many buyers of the car also are Bangaloreans.

The car is silent when you start it up and its a smoothie on roads. Available is so many color options (as many as 5000), and 6 standard colors, the go-green Reva is friendly to city roads and its quite easy to manoeuvre on crowded streets and deftly wedge the car through even the smallest of the parking space owing to its tiny size. Additionally, its such a plus to women who aren't crazy for clutches or gears as Reva doesn't sport one.

The downside; however, is that Reva has only 2 doors making it not a car for an increasing Indian family. It does make sense to have Reva as a second or even a third car by a family with many kids or old parents who themselves can drive it.

The car can reach a maximum speed of 65 kmph and goes upto 80 km with a fully charged battery which takes 6-7 hours for fully charging the battery in a 15-ampere socket. Furthermore, the impressive feature of the car is the dent-immune material used in making the car body.

The engine delivers about 17 nm torque and the car picks up a speed of 0-30 kmph on 3 seconds time. The looks are cute and adorable and is built as a perfected vehicle for city using renewable energy. Vehicle cost is though high at Rs. 250,000 its still great if you see the almost zero maintenance costs for it.

Brain gym to enhance brain power

By brain gym, I didnt mean that its a place or a gymnasium where you have ropes, weights or lezims and stuff like that. I started wondering when we are taking time to exercise the body are we are taking same time out to sharpen the mind and thinking? I guess we need to, especially all of those who've crossed age 30 should take sometime to at least know how their reflexes are and how sharp they are acting and where their IQ is.

I checked a couple of PC games the other day to see how old is my brain and how fast are my reflexes. Here is one to know the age of your brain http://flashfabrica.com/f_learning/brain/brain.html
The instructions will be in Japanese, so I am helping you how to go about playing the game!
1. Click 'start'
2. Wait for the count down from 3, 2, 1.
3. Memorize the number positions appearing on the screen and then put the same in an ascending order; meaning smallest number to the biggest number. It starts with 3 numbers appearing at a time and goes on up. In case you memorized the number positions wrong when there are 4 numbers, the next game you get again 3 numbers. Its a game of 10 sessions.
4. At the end of the game, it will tell you a score meaning age of your brain. So catch up with let me know your respective scores. :). My score was 39! I am still unsure what it means. When I learn to interpret the score, I will post an update on the blog.

And, here is a game that tells of your reflexes: http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/sheep/reaction_version5.swf
It's a dart game. There will be sheep on one end that will try to cross to the other end (left to right on screen) in front of you. You got to shoot (clicking the mouse) the sheep and not allow them to go. The faster you shoot implies the faster your reflexes are. Its a cool game and PETA people dont have to play it with a pinching feeling, as in the making of game no sheep are harmed. I got a score of 0.176 seconds meaning I am a rocketing rabbit. I wanted to be as sharp as turbo charged cheetah though :(

If you are not fond of playing these games, a few tips to train your brain:
1) Stay curious as well as involved; mind you learning is a lifelong process.
2)Read, write and process (work) on puzzles like crosswords.
3)Theater is another great way not only to bust your stress and its also a brain gym but train your brain. So when there is a play in a theater in your neighborhood take time to attend.
4)Gardening is another great stress relieving activity.

And let me tell you one good brain gym activity; perhaps one you haven't heard of. I know like me most of you are computer buffs. So if you are using one hand to operate PC mouse, try using the other one on a particular day. I know its so difficult to operate accurately, but this brain gym activity can create fresh neural connections and strengthen the existent ones. Similarly, play badminton with the hand you are not otherwise playing; use similarly other hand to brush your teeth, cut your vegetables, write, dialling a phone and even eating. You are teaching your brain to learn a new skill.

Similarly dress or wash your face with eyes closed. Communicate with family members with just visual clues for an hour every week. Explore to go to your work place through different routes and memorize the new routes.

All of these work great as stress busters and indeed are refreshing than sitting and watching a toon show on television like a dumbass. If you dont mind let me know how these worked for you! Well I do some of these brain gym exercises with my kid and enjoy playing some of them quite a lot!

Chandni Chowk to China Review

CC2C or Chandni Chowk to China meows much to the disappointment of Akshay Kumar fans!

The movie Chandni Chowk to China, released on 16th January 2009 had no doubt grand openings but Akki’s fans who pinned so many hopes on the movie had to return back with disappointment. Trailers could be deceptive is what can be said of this Bollywood action-comedy flick. And, after so many movie hits at the box office in 2008, this one will disappoint Akki himself if not his diehard fans.

Storyline of the movie Chandni Chowk to China goes like way: Sidhu (Akki) is a lazy young lad who works in a shop at Chandni Chowk. The shop trades paranthas and our Sidhu does odd jobs here. His dada (Mithun Chakraborthy) keeps reprimanding Sidhu for being lazy and he believes that the boy is worth more than being a vegetable cutter.

Somewhere North in a Chinese province…
People of the village become intolerant to the tyrannical attitude of a gang lord named Hojo and approach an astrologer for a solution. The bloke says that a Liu Shung who is reborn can salvage them. Two of the villagers with their astrologer come in search of the warrior hero (who once upon a time protected people of china on their Great Wall).

The twist here…
According to the Chinese astrologer, Siddu is the re-born Liu Shung and the legendary hero. The trio (villagers with astrologer) come and coax him to go with them to the Chinese province to help the villagers. The astrologer interprets mandarin of the villagers to Sidhu and this is where the comedy track runs, so pathetically, that it made me almost puke. If not the Balcony class viewers, firstbenchers may enjoy the comedy, and I still doubt.

In the interim, Sidhu meets Sakhi (Deepika Padukone) who works with TSM selling gadgets and its like love at first sight for our hero Sidhu only to realize that her ladylove is a knack thief. But the thief is none but one Meow Meow (twin sister of Sakhi) who was brought up as chinese so is an athlete and sexier than Sakhi. The drama is that they were separated when babies (and now didn’t we have had enough of these 'lost and found' dramas of siblings during 70s?).

Sidhu reaches the Chinese province and salvages the villagers from the clutches of Hojo and rises to fame in China as well as at Chandni Chowk. Well, how he does that forms the climax part of the Chandni Chowk to China story.

The picture misses out on the main story plot and seems to have had so much of already seen drama and emotion. Akki reminds us of the 80’s Amitabh in his antics and it’s such a boring stuff to see him remind of Big B. So said, still, Akki is the USP of the film CC2C. He is too good in the action scenes, and his Kung Fu fights would thrill the frontbenchers and the kiddos equally. Lyrics of songs and their composition are good, and I would say that the picturization is even better with you seeing some virgin locations and rich settings and these will be a great break from poor story. Deepika Padukone supported Akshay Kumar no doubt essaying 2 roles; one the sexy Meow Meow and one as Ms. TSM quite comfortably. But then when is it that we are learning to see a glam-tagged Bollywood heroines beyond just supporting a hero or just beyond pelvic twistings?

I would rather love use my 100 bucks to buying some tasty Paranthas at a Chandni Chowk eating joint rather than seeing such crap and believe CC2C is simply not worth my 2-1/2 hours of time. But, in case you don’t mind for some nonsense comedy, poorly-woven drama, femme fatale and some good music and beautiful locations, catch up with the movie Chandni Chowk to China; rest assured don’t expect anything interesting and exciting please!

Sahm or Wahm give them the respect they deserve!

I've wanted to share this with you all for a long time. And you know that I am a housewife or a wahm or a sahm. And you must be having your own views of a sahm or a stay-at-home mother or a housewife and guess you must be evaluating a SAHM like this- an overly (not overtly) inflated barbie doll with kid/s around pranking, throwing toys and throwing tantrums, hair unkempt, sauce stains all over her apron, little time attended on her (visible through grown nails, untrimmed hair and unwaxed hands) and yeah not a great sight to say that she is beautiful after all!

Quite the contrary if you think of a career woman you get see the right-sized barbie with so high heels that even she’s tipping over, dressed immaculately, communication so civic (to say a hello would calculate so much in fact) and articulate, laptop bag dropping on her shoulders, tortoise-shelled glasses, a high job title with of course taking huge (enviously huge) pay every month…so she’s very sexy and no doubt attractive.... Now this takes me back to what I want to say...this is typically the case of SAHM and a career woman.

If I ask you who is more worthy? I know you would yell it’s a career woman. But let me tell you without any jealousy, housewife when I mentioned above is I believe an occupation...unfortunately, what to say, unpaid occupation with chief job being caring for family and kids. It's still a job (if I am not harsh an inglorious job at that) agree?

And caring for loved ones should be and indeed be the most graceful career and salute to the women brethren who do that practically without any expectations unselfishly and working unconditionally for their families.

Then, what is it you people throw that ah’s and oh’s when some one say that she is a stay-at-home mother?.Mind you, they indeed work more than you folks.

In fact, if I had a choice my way, I would love to have all sahms just for these reasons; they are multitaskers, they can handle stress much better than a high job woman or a man (imagine handling screaming kids whole day and sleepless nights end of it and her next day is more or less normal, and sinkfull of vessels to clean, loads of laundry, cooking this boiling that, milking her and bathing him)! They are ready for a evening walk with husband and would to render one or two bedtime stories to kids. I regard them as very superior breed in a society!

And still funny, someone looks at me puzzled when I say I am a wahm (a work-at-home mom). Oh! Sit at home and work? They laugh at that and I am obviously annoyed. In fact, I’d love to explain I am successfully handling two jobs; one as a housewife and one as a freelance writer.

Maybe wahms and sahms should be given much more respect than they are actually treated! Let me further elaborate, take a wahm or sahm and put them in a high profile job, she would be handling it easily (if she has the required skills) but take a high profile job woman and couch her as nanny, she would become hysteric amidst army of kids! Agree?

I’m comfortable in my own skin-Are you too?

For those of you who have been reading me without knowing me, I am a middle-aged, 37yo woman. I don’t have to hide my age because I don’t see a reason why I have to, at the first place.
So what?
Even at my age I see women gawdily dressed slipping into pointer heels, have their faces packed in almost an inch-thick cakes, heavily accessorized, brows and upper lip trimmed, and trying to look more youthful than they really are. Well why should one hide age after all?

Well, I for one, sadly, don’t fall in that category of women . Read me further….
I went out today on some work with my hair unbrushed; and leave alone cake of madeup face I didn't care to apply even a sunscreen lotion or a moisturizing gel. I'd just put on my dullest unironed jeans and shirt and headed (and jeans! How I love this?).

"Aruna you need to try your best to hide your real age," says a wonderful lady today. Alas! What a pity people are doing? And, as because all of you have eyes and mouth, do I have to follow you all like a blind sheep?

I know you are going to mouth about a person just by seeing what he/she wears! And if you see me with an inch-thick caked up face and a pencil-head pointer heels wearing a red carpet dress, I’m judged as a superior and woman (?) by you lest I am judged a normal and some go to the extant of calling me eccentric. Isn’t this ridiculous?

I rather put my face in a steamer for an hour than choking my skin with thick makeup and rather sit in a sitz bath than wear a dress that makes me feel unease.

Even at my age, most women are judged by their looks, and it is also based on how successful they are in their respective lives; I mean the gawdier you are dressed the more you are respected because they believe you are very very successful.

So unfortunate that fashion has become a staple diet of our society, and we are desperate to cook beauty (I only mean external beauty here) by adding all ingredients like fashion and uncomfortable trends. And, sadly, we are suffering from dyspepsia!

I would never want to pressurize myself into hiding my age. After all why should I? The dark circles around my eyes show the tolerance I’d been enduring in my family and societal life and it’s a grace certainly not disgrace to me, I wish people see them so they learn from me. The stretch marks that are shown on my belly are an evidence that I’m a complete woman and I’ve contributed to the society and I advice if you have these do show them to your kids, they would imagine how they played inside your womb, and believe me they’ll love you more to know that have endured so much of a discomfort when they were inside you.

Start feeling comfortable in your skin even if they are wrinkle rich… let that comfort reflect in your confidence and it will add to your persona. Sadly (or happily), not many women are like me, well its okay if they aren’t okay. But, if you are getting influenced by the society or by spouse I advice you please don’t. You don’t have to force yourself to starve or use creams to hide growth lines, or perm your hair to give a bird-nest look. If you cant walk your normal with those strapped heels throw them and get in to your open-toed slip ons.

With deep regrets to the society that tries to influence me, I am not the one it can change so easily. I can’t sashay around in uncomfortable attire rather gowns but will rather strut in my clumpsy jeans or an old-styled salwar. As for the creams, I rather leave my skin open to air si it can respire and perspire. In fact, I love it so much so I can’t stive it.

Given a choice I like to go out confidently, yes, without so-called make up but rather make up my mind how I talk or behave wherever I head to so my persona is respected. I like myself to be me and not a reflection of society or someone either. I am still significant in the society without any of these stuff!

PS:
I didn’t mean to post this to point out at someone that they are doing wrong. No, and I don’t and can't do like them also implies that I am not doing something wrong. Let people be judged based on what they are by heart, and not by what they wear.

Freebies ka zamaana

There is a custom of gifting freebies and if you aren't aware its an act of persuasive selling, maybe the old school book kinda trick to sell a product. During earlier days, I remember of Summer Special sales or Winter Special sales otherwise dubbed as off-season offers coming once in a way and I still remember the excitement on my mother's face (who have been desperately waiting to clinch on a deal).
And, its no different now and I do see special offers these days as well , in fact more often and not restricted to any particular season. In fact when there is lot of floating money, the manufacturers find no reason to not wait for the season.

When I visit my grocer, often times, I see a guy or a couple of salesmen standing under a small umbrella offering sample freebies, of say, a sachet of a cappuccino or a small shampoo gel pack, or even a detergent powder or a sink cleaner tablets pack. There are times when I see sales people of some companies coming up survey questionnaires as to which toothpaste I've mostly been using like that. And then there are some other offers where these guys call me saying madam buy one and get another one for no extra cost. Countless times I'd have tasteless noodles countless times and ended up throwing them into drain.

And, these days I often see buy-two-get-one and even buy-one-get-two offers as well. I know and believe strongly that I dont get anything for free in this world, but unfortunately still, will become cynical when I see a new offer thrown up and bore hole through my wallet. Sadly, they are many fools just like me who believe in the romance of consumerism and assume strongly that the manufacturer is doing a fairplay and are quite generous to offer disocunts/sales/freebies, whatever.

So said, let me share the element of romance that I enjoyed particularly on the occasion we bought our washing machine. It was Godrej Washing Machine that we bought an year back and ask me what else we got? Branded 3-piece non-stick cookware free along with a steam iron box and a washing machine full body cover for the price of just the machine. I thought it was certainly a heart-warming offer, and my logic is that I would have anyway purchased the same brand/model washing machine, and with the offer it became such a lovely choice.

There were instances when it became hard to resist the free offer that I'd invested buying 3 squash bottles to get at the most a tumbler for free or bought 5 soap cakes for a free plastic soap case. Freebies and free offers are hard to resist for anyone, so whether you think you are rational or irrational you ultimately would have wasted so much money for silly free stuff!

Television or Books?

Someone was asking me which is better, a television or a book. I had my own argument that books any day are a better choice than TV for the reason they make great friends to you, and what else? You can carry books wherever you go, and the best part still is that they widen a reader’s imagination, especially when it comes to reading fiction.

Whenever I read aloud a story to my kid, I see that she puts up a smile on her face and open her eyes widely. She keeps asking me to repeat the interesting excerpts of a story (which not only gives me a kick) because I believe that when whatever she’s been imagining must be giving her thorough kick and entertainment. Quite the contrary, let's say we are watching a program like Tom and Jerry cartoon by Walt Disney. It is beyond doubt that Walt Disney produced a great piece of work, but it becomes hard to imagine beyond his work and, that’s it, there ends your imagination and creativity.

Even a small joke I read, I try imagining people enacting it and if its good to me I am just lost in a different world for a while. It might sound insane to a few, but that’s what me is and I’d love to invest time and my money on books any day! I also love to see my child up with love for books!