Sabya's Niche

Gym time! Instruments at home fell lacking in meeting my needs, courtesy John Little's schedule. So joining a gym near home, named 'Fitness Drive'. It's complete with instruments, trainer and all. Will start tomorrow. 6:30 am sharp! Feeling very excited. Another chapter's opening in my otherwise oh-so-boring daily existence.

Sorry folks - a really long gap this time. I shan't make any excuses. Just too busy due to the oncoming annual vacation of our Court.   I'm into the fourth month of driving and bodybuilding! Getting benefits in both. Initially I was getting confused since there's so much literature on bodybuilding on the net. However, I'm getting somewhat accustomed to understanding the needs of my body.  As far as driving is concerned, the teething troubles of the new driver seem to be over. Now I'm trying out techniques in 'hypermiling' i.e. extracting more mileage out of your car than the brochures say. E.g. using the brakes and gas pedal (accelerator) less, shifting the gear to neutral and idling long before you reach traffic signals and so on.  Hey.. saw a movie in the meantime which touched me. It's 'Mumbai meri jaan', using a cliche from an old Hindi movie song to good effect. It's about the change in lives of different cross-sections of the Mumbaikars...

The only thing that I know about this latest fiasco about the Indo-US nuclear deal is that I know nothing about it. In fact, no ordinary citizen of India knows exactly what are the clauses of the deal, though their fate is apparently going to be sealed by it. After a much-hyped Parliamentary hullabaloo about the confidence motion, the ruling party remains with a new set of allies (Politics makes strange bed-mates, somebody said?) and the leftists have reverted back to their more accustomed role of the Opposition. But how are the general masses more enlightened or benefited by this tempest in a tea-cup? Ask me, and I'll say a big Nothing. It is a boon you know, to keep the general people uneducated. It serves two-fold purposes : 1) People would ask less questions 2) They'll be taken for rides (directly into the ballot-box even) more easily.

Have entered into the second month and phase of my weight training schedule. Increased the schedule from 20 minutes to 50 minutes. Believe me, it's real hard work but absolutely worth it. At my age and in my profession, physical fitness is a necessity and nothing can keep one more vital than a moderate dose of planned weight-training. The schedule's three-days a week with weekends off, so it's not too harsh on time too. I feel fresh each morning, though a little tired on the workout days. All said and done, I'll positively recommend some form of exercise for all of you out there. I'm reaping its benefits, want you people to do so too.

Though not a techie, I've tried various operating systems. This time downloaded the latest version of Ubuntu - the 'Hardy Heron' and am using it; in fact, I'm posting from it right now. It's like visiting a new country every time I venture away from the well-treaded Windows path. Yet Ubuntu has its own charm, the homely feeling of smelling one's native soil. It does not have the finesse or sophistication of its superior competitor, but is miles ahead in utility and experimentation. You can mould your own operating system a lot and learn more about the functioning of computers through Ubuntu. The chief con is that most software we're used to don't run on linux. Although there are substitutes for most, but many licensed software do not have any linux version at all. Anyway, I'm on a dual boot - a (legal!) version of Windows XP Media Center and the Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) (freeware, so obviously legal). So no problems - I can feast both my workaholic ...

Saw a great video the other day on the net that moved me. I won't burden it with unnecessary words. Follow the link and see for yourselves . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2AJ7Vcxk3w

Haven't been coming to the net much lately. How're you all? Two new things. The swift has been kissed on the left rear by a bully bus.. became very sad but recovered. Driving it with full care though! Anyway, the second new thing is my restarting my exercise regimen. Bought weights and started full-blast with a very good schedule by John Little, a reputed bodybuilder, which I found on the net. Already slimmed a bit and feeling more energetic by the day. Driving my own car - the challenge and the responsibility - is changing my outlook altogether. It's as if I've been catapulted from the back-seat of a somewhat passive existence to the driving-seat of life - participating actively and interacting with various situations like never before. It is really amazing how a little change in the pool of life brings with it ripples of unforeseen changes in unexpected corners of it. Anyway folks, too many deadlines to meet tomorrow for Court. See you later. By the way, here's a...