Miniature world ...

A miniature world sprouting off a lump of soil . It was so hard to see them properly through naked eye . I was taken aback by what the macro lens captured ... a tiny magical world in a mundane lump of soil ...

The last Bird

Aqua Doodle ..

My version of The Phoenix..

Muse

An experiment with melted Crayons ... the melted drippings acquired a life of their own. An unintended face appeared . Enjoyed the process thoroughly!

Abstract

Derailed

 

The shiny tracks were all

Set for me to jump

On with steely wheels

And cruise towards my

Predestined …

 

The path was conveniently

Laid to greatness

No effort expected

Just  measured steps

There was absolutely

No chance of a miss

I was on the predictable

Road to bliss…

 

I was almost yawning

Towards certainity

And out of arrogance

Or perhaps ignorance

I decided to jump off

This bored easy existence

 

And lo and behold

I derailed

People think I

Failed…

 

I now sit aside watch

 Other’s steely wheels

On predictable paths

Race towards the predestined

 

While I lie derailed

Listening to a bird

Watching a bee

Letting a creeper

Grow over me …

I sneeze staring

At the sun..

I freeze under

The sudden snow…

 

I feel it thaw

I taste the glow

I have certainly

Failed

And I am deeply

Derailed…

 

But do I miss the

Predictble …

 

Oh I have sailed

To another world

Where everyday

Comes with a surprise

The meanings of words

And silence bind with

an honest thread

And this simple life

 

I shall continue to tread

 

 

Far beyond the understanding

Of this uncomplicated world ..

They think I have failed

But I am just happily derailed..

 

 

 

The Lady

Tree

Boy with the Lotus'

Water color version of a photograph.

Holi on Canvas

10 K finally achieved !

The last post ended with my aspiration for reaching the 10 k mark. It was a very positive frame of mind and I knew I was going to achieve it very very soon. I had steadily progressed to an 8 k PB (personal best) by the end of January 2014 and was so near reaching 10 k within a couple of days.

However ,it seemed I jinxed myself and my biology and physiology turned against me. I had a couple of health issues and my positive frame of mind depleted. I started feeling that I was probably pushing myself unnecessarily.A sedentary person like me is not meant for running. I did occasional labored runs an it seemed like a deep struggle after the break. After being almost there and then coming back to square one was like a snakes and ladder game. I was bitten by the snake and I was far from getting any ladders.

Meanwhile I planned a relaxing vacation in Goa and met an old school friend 'S'. She is a runner and far ahead of me in training. I did try running on the beach and it made me even more sure that I am not meant for running. After the vacation however my mental exhaustion had vanished and a good rest for about a week ( which includes the much needed good night sleeps ) left me rejuvenating. During my vacation I discovered that another of my school friend 'V' has also been running and has been planning to participate  in a half marathon. I reconnected with this friend  and discovered that he has not only participated in the half marathon but also finished it in an awesome 1 hour 43 minutes. He was an athlete and a football player  in the school days , so I wasn't really surprised . But to have maintained that fitness even now is highly commendable. He shared with me a lot of good articles about running and with that I developed a new interest and outlook towards running.

This week I finally decided to see the dentist for a recurrent tooth problem . He advised a root canal surgery and for past one week I have been undergoing the sessions of this horribly painful procedure. I discovered that the days I ran during this week  I felt better . It was like a happy spot.

Yesterday 'V' sent me a link which was about half marathon training . The problem with reaching 10k was that I was trying to maintain a fast pace and do it non stop which exhausted me within 3 to 4 kms . I was drained by then and had to stop else I exhaust myself to the point of falling ill. This article gave me an insight into a method which I had spontaneously devised to achieve the 5K target . I ran for 4 minutes and walked for a minute . This article talked about 4 minute run followed by 2 minutes walk.

I got really motivated and decided to reach the 10k target this very day. I kept my speed slower than usual and used the 4/2  run -walk ratio . I speeded up gradually in between to have a decent finish timemaking sure that I kept myself hydrated well during the run . Surprisingly this felt very easy and I was actually enjoying my run after days of struggling on the treadmill. Both my legs and lungs were in tune and even the sweat wasn't bothering me.

I finally finished my first 10k on 27 feb 2014 in 1  hour  44 minutes and 28 seconds .... It was a wonderful PB and has motivated me to keep running. I might after all be a runner !!

Run Scribbler Run!!!!

For no particular reason I have always liked this part of the movie Forrest Gump. The idea of running fascinated me. However I had never believed I could actually do it.

Year 2011 I was inspired by the blog of a fellow doctor who had started running and blogging about it. He went on long runs in the nature and posted pictures of his track and videos of the runs. One particular day he ran in the rain to a waterfall where he shot a stunning video of the mighty waterfall rejoicing in a happy downpour. I felt proud when he ran his first marathon and posted the picture of the shiny medal and certificate.I asked him for  tips on running and he did give me some, but I wasn't ready then . 

Year 2013 I decided I would run. The above mentioned friend introduced me to www.dailymile.com. I started enthusiastically dreaming of a half Marathon as my goal. I couldn't actually start with running as my physical fitness wasn't enough . So I walked a few times and then fizzled out.

I couldn't believe anymore that I could actually run. Even Half a minute of running was exhausting. So I decided for a smaller target and my Half Marathon target shrunk to 5K. Shrinking the goal however did not really change anything I was still only walking on my treadmill and that too occasionally. 

Then one particular day I came across an inspirational video which turned out to be a Nike ad. As the Law of attraction works I serendipitously ended up in a sports store the very next day and bought a pair of Nikes.

However this didn't help either. A few walks on the road and thats it. Seemed like it won't work at all . Read some training programs for 5K. Then it all took a back seat while I fought with health issues.

In November I happened to log on dailymile.com again and I realised that almost the entire year had passed without  achieving even 5 minutes of running!!! I decided to start again. Fellow walkers and runners motivated me. I graduated from brisk walking to running in between and then I could run a km in 10 minutes . Which was an absolute breakthrough for me !!

I kept basking in the glory of my meager achievement. I didn't cross the 1km mark for several days until I was asked "It's great that you are running. But why do you stop at 1 km?" . That made me realize that I haven't gone beyond a Km not 'cos I can't do it but because I stop before I can do it. I ran 5 kms in 51 minutes two days later.

 From there began an unbelievable journey for someone completely non- atheletic and sedentary like me.

I have been learning a new language of highly determined and focused people called RUNNERS. In the last two months of 2013 I have run 64.36 kms  with the longest distance of 7kms  (64min 46 sec) and the best pace of 1km in 8 minutes 43 seconds. Total distance spanned in 2013 including walking and running amounted to 114 kms !!!

My stats till January 4 , 2014.

The next target is a 10K . Looking forward to a more fit and challenging 2014 .

Happy Running :)

Paper Quilling Ganesha

My Mother's contribution to my blog.

Mother and Daughter

Oil paint potrait of my favourite photograph

The New Parents

 

Medium: Oil paints

 

Paper tubes astonishing emergency architecture

A  couple  of  months back  I learnt  a  very   fascinating  use  of  newspaper . The  art  of  turning  newspaper  tubes  into  baskets . I  made  one  in   4  hours .  Started  the second  and procrastinated  till yesterday  to complete  it  .  The  finished  product looked  decent  despite the lack of symmetry.

 

 



 



I  marvelled at  the  sturdiness of   the newspaper  tubes  as  the  first  one  I made  six  months back survived   and   is  still  in  use .

 

 

 



The first one I made.

 

This made me wonder  how  many  useful   eco-friendly  things  could be  created  with  paper.  Let's  attribute  it   to the  Law of  Attraction , I found  a video that gave an astonishing insight  .   An  architect  who  created  Emergency  shelters  from  paper  tubes  in disaster  areas .  

 

 

 

 

Have  a  look  at  this  video  and  be  amazed. I am sure you would end  up  admiring  creativity  and  innovation   all over  again :). Hats off !!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





Flora from my backyard

Pastel version of a painting

Journey to the 'Dragon's Lair'

"When are you leaving ?"

"Tomorrow  evening ...didn't get leaves ...."

"Still you should have a look at the Dam and the Forte before you leave "

"Sure bro" I said unconvincingly very keen on my morning sleep.

" You should really walk beneath the dam in the tunnel ...I would arrange the permission from the authorities"

I looked at him blankly with  are- you -kidding- me- that- sounds- scary look .

It was August 2012  my niece's (my cousin's daughter) first birthday and there was  grand party at Jhansi where my cousin was  posted in administrative capacity.


The month of August and a nice drizzle added charm to a road trip to Jhansi which I thought would be nothing but drab. I tested my new Nokia lumia all along the way clicking pictures through the moving vehicle.

                                     

                     

         


                            

I was thrilled when the hills started appearing. My geography isn't bad but I had no clue that Jhansi had hills.
                     
                           

                               



But after the party when this conversation happened I was sure I was stepping no tunnel.

However we woke up early morning and it kept drizzling . A sweet intoxicating drizzle when you dream of steaming oil drenched pakoras.

I was informed that we will pass Babina which is a cantonment town and  has a air base of strategic importance(if I remember correctly). The storm and rain the night before  made a tree surrender and block the road. The army men and locals  rescued the trip.

 

We finally reached Sukhwan-Dukhwan dam . Oh ! did I mention the name earlier? So it was the guest house first and then a little stroll to the dam .



   


                                                       
















The gush of water was spectacular and the rain made the place look even more beautiful. I spotted a cable car.



 
                                                                       


















Then came in the part to step in the recommended place . The Sukhwan Dukhwan Dam Wein. I wasn't going !The howling of the water wasn't encouraging.

Then some sudden rush of a 'never before' enlightenment made me walk down the steps .



As I stepped down my heart pounded. It felt that down below that dark alley were imprisoned a hundred roaring dragons spitting out fire and would engulf any mortal.Or perhaps an army of Lions ready to tear you apart.

 Instead the last step brought a gush of very strong cold  water drenched air. The roaring waters drowned our excited voices and  I walked through the wein occasinally finding the courage to really peep down.

.

It felt like this strong therapy  ... wind mingled with a water spray and a sound that would drown your thoughts .

( Tried to upload my own video but some technical issues . So till I do that posting a youtube video to show what it's like.)

The water fell down beating the drums of eternity telling you that even if it feels scary sometimes a walk down the steps to a strange sounding tunnel could help you find something unexpectedly magnificent.