31 March 2014

Early morning Nikispeak

Since Monday is a non-run day for me usually and my first meeting was close to home, I did not start very early this morning from home. And thanks to that, I experienced something interesting. I heard Nikita’s alarm go off – multiple times – once at 6:00, once at 6:15 and then again at 6:30. Interestingly, the three alarms were completely different tunes.

When she came down, the following conversation took place:
Me: “Good morning! Had a good sleep?”
She: “It is Monday morning. I never have enough sleep on Monday mornings!”
Me: “Hmmmm.. seems like you need to go to bed earlier on Sundays. By the way, why do you have three alarms?”
She: “The first one says ‘Time to get up’. Second one says ‘Get up now’. the last one says ‘GET UP ALREADY'”
I am totally amused by now. So I pressed on:
Me: “So much focus on organization! Can you not apply the same skill to go to bed early?”
She: “No”
Me: “Why not?”
She: “Dad. You won’t get it. It is a young people thingy.”
Me: “Really? Ok, tell me this – why different tunes for different alarm times?”
She: “So that when I slam the alarm off, I do not have to open my eyes to check what time it is!!!!”
I stopped there. Again, so much thought process and planning…. Why not go to bed half an hour earlier? One of these days, I am hoping to catch up on this “young people thingy” – whatever it is!!!

29 March 2014

From the bartender’s corner – Lemon Drop Martini

In deference to Monica Riskay’s wishes, today’s featured drink is based on vodka.
It is vodka, triple sec, lemon juice and finely granulated sugar. Usually served in a martini glass rimmed with sugar. And garnished with a lemon peel.
I took the short cut today and added lemon drop martini mix instead πŸ™‚
The taste came out great. But the one that Alexis makes at Milton’s has a distinct taste that both Sharmila and I like. Need to find out from her what proportions she uses… Meanwhile, Cheers!!

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29 March 2014

Leisure

WHAT is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?
– W .H.Davies

During the morning run this morning stopped by multiple times to take pictures of flowers by the roadside completely drenched in rain.

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Category: Running | LEAVE A COMMENT
29 March 2014

That is an incredible act!!

Don’t ask me why I had to read up on Rajasthani music early in the morning. (Rajasthan is a beautiful state on the northwest side of India bordering Pakistan and filled with desert land). Was studying and listening to some of their folk songs when ran into this incredible video.

First, I believe this dance is called Kalbeliya performed by a tribe also with the same name. They are actually nomads – Gypsies and originate from a group that left Egypt with Moses. They mostly made their livelihood catching snakes and performing snake charmer acts till India outlawed that. Now they primarily perform traditional folk songs and dance.

Check this video out of such a Kalbeliya dance. Some of the acrobatics of the first dancer should get her into Olympics. The next two girls did something that almost had me scream … They put their finger rings down on the floor, and while dancing, bent over backwards and picked the rings up – two each – simultaneously – with their ….. EYELIDS!!! Holy macro!!! I shudder to even put an eye drop in my eye!!!