Feel Inside (and stuff like that) by Flight of the Conchords and friends

This is one the latest works by the Flight of the Conchords and friends..."Feel Inside (and stuff like that)" - this performance is aimed as a charity performance to raise money for Cure Kids!

Check out this video...

Also check the following links to make donation towards Cure Kids:

(information below is taken directly from the Youtube video text summary - so information below can be found there as well)

In New Zealand
http://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/feel-inside-stuff-like-that/id555158144

International:
Donate here: http://www.curekids.org.nz/make-a-donation

Then download here (right click on song, cover art etc): 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hibz4d5ga7qh93u/qYppoFoysZ

Please do make a donation, remember this is for some very sick kids... think Karma...
or purchase this song from:

International
http://www.amplifier.co.nz/release/90226/feel-inside-and-stuff-like-that-sing...
http://www.marbecksdigital.co.nz/albumdetails.aspx?MediaID=3727626

Lend a hand towards a better future...

One nice video - a future to live for...

This is one nice video I found a few days back on youtube. Amazing...just how a relationship should be...

This is the essence of relationship...two people get together - towards starting a new life, sharing those small moments (just like those building blocks) which form the strong foundation to trust, love, openness, happiness - a sense of sharing, not just the good and the great moments, but also the not-so-good ones...as the strength of a relationship is tested in those difficult moments.

Soon I will start a new life, a new beginning - a change that will be a part of my present and my future...a change that will be mine forever.

I am looking forward to live this change - this new role in my life...

Good vibes to you all out there....  

A new journey on the road untravelled...a journey for the good !!!

"You can't stop the future,

You can't rewind the past

The only way to learn the secret

......is to press play."

- Jay Asher

It´s been a long time I have penned my thoughts. It has been a busy couple of months anyways. But its never too late - as long as it happens. I travelled a bit in between...went to Bergen for a weekend trip (will post the pictures very soon in a separate post) and then was in India in July. This year has been a eventful one till date - and will just get better, as the plan goes :) Professionally, I have been much more stable and personally things seem to be getting in place...as if I have now found the missing pieces of the puzzle (at least as of now). My life is soon to take a turn, a turn to a road all new for me, a journey to the road untravelled - though the best part about it will be that this journey is not just mine...I will not be alone in this journey. I am looking forward to this new chapter of my life, to this new turn - or a new beginning - 'My Life - Part II' ???

More updates will follow...as for now, I am just enjoying the feeling on floating with the waves - living in this present - which literally is turning out to be a present - one for a lifetime :)

Till then...Good vibes to all out there.......

Trip to Bergen 26.05.2012 - 27.05.2012 in pictures

Hi all out there,

   The following pictures are from my latest trip to Bergen. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Norway. It has been sometime that I took this trip, but just did not get enough time to post these pictures as I have been terribly busy recently...but well, here they are now :)

The trip was a really amazing one - loads of sun and also met my friend and his family out there. Just perfect weekend it was for me...it is one of the recommendations for anyone who loves a walk in nature...

Enjoy the experience...

The Paradox of Our Age

"We have bigger houses but smaller families;

More conveniences, but less time;

We have more degrees, but less sense;

More knowledge, but less judgement;

More experts, but more problems;

More medicines, but less healthiness;

We've been all the way to moon and back,

but have trouble crossing the street to meet

the new neighbour;

We build more computers to hold more

information, to produce more copies than

ever, but have less communication.

We have become long on quantity,

but short on quality.

These are times of fast food

but slow digestion;

Tall man but short character;

Steep profits but shallow relationships.

Its a time when there is much in the

window, but nothing in the room."

- Dalai Lama.

I read this today morning and thought about every word of this. How true it is...! It is for all of us to read, re-read, and think, ponder and introspect...!!! Have we lost something in the material world...? Have we lost the sense of sensibility...??? Has our apathy taken over our empathy...??? Are we still humans, or are we transforming ourselves into walking robots...??? Is that what we call modernization or are we going primate...???

I don´t have the answers to these questions...do you ???

I did not open my umbrella today...and I am glad for it !!!

Today when I was returning from office, it quickly became grey and started raining. Well, having lived almost 4years in Norway, I at least understand that expecting two successive days with loads of sun is sort of an overkill...! Considering yesterday was a nice and bright sunny day...the clouds and the rain were somewhere nearby :)

But yes, I was very much prepared - with the umbrella in my bag...! In a swift motion of an expert, I took out the umbrella from my bag...and I was just about to open it when a drop of rain just fell on my forehead !!! I don't know why, I felt a sudden need for some more raindrops on my head - not because I have not taken a bath for the last few days, but somehow that one drop of rain brought me back to my childhood days, when during rains, we did not stay inside, but rather went outside to play soccer and cricket (of course I am from India !!!). Sometimes, we used to make paper boats and let them float (yeah, water clogging was a perennial problem in our neighborhood :) ). Neither did I bother about dirty clothes (probably my mother did :D ) nor did I worry about getting sick the next day - all I did was to live in those moments, when I could experience and enjoy those droplets on my face.

Somehow, that one drop brought back some great golden (probably platinum) days of my life. For the 5mins that followed, I felt as if I was a child once again. I kept the umbrella inside my bag and just stood there - in the rain watching some kids playing by the side in the rain, felt nostalgic.

Once I reached home, I was thoroughly drenched, but then I did not care - I just had a swing of my life, when I swayed away from the daily tensions and troubles (the plural form in both those words was very much deliberate) and became free soul once again. It just reminded me of those small things which can bring a smile to us - small things that matter, sometimes they sound inconspicuous, but when alone - they do bring back the child in us...at least to me...and I love that feeling of being a child once again...!

So this was how my day ended today and now I can sleep with a smile and a blank mind - with a sleep, just to sleep...!

Hope you all will enjoy those small happy moments and cherish them - we all have some... :)

Trip to Ukraine - Good Memories...

Sorry for such a long delay in posting my bits from the amazing trip to Ukraine. There is a lot I have to say about this trip...it has been memorable in so many ways. For now, these are some of pieces of my trip...enjoy :)

And after this one trip, I am pretty sure that a return trip is on the cards as a lot is still unexplored, which I do want to see through...

So once again...Slava Ukrayini....


Good vibes to all...

Easter 2012 - Trip to Ukraine

As a part of my `not just sitting and facebooking´ initiative this Easter, I have made arrangements for a travel to Ukraine (Kyiv and Lviv). My first impressions: amazing cities with amazingly friendly people…and yes, these are based on the basis of my interactions with people I know from Ukraine here in Norway. All of them were more than ready to connect me to one or more people in Ukraine so that I can have a memorable time out there…! Very friendly people. It is just a small gesture, but it makes my life way more easier...and I certainly get to experience moments, not just as a tourist, but the Ukrainian way :)

I have been given tips over mail and personally of where to go and what to do. It just feels that I already have a blurry idea of how interesting this trip is going to be…! My trip last year during Easter (To Krakow) was filled with loads of great experiences and I am sure, so will be this one…!

Among this left to do, is to apply for a travel visa since Ukraine is not in EU (yet…!!!). But that should not be any issue since the fast track visa processing takes just 3working days it seems (though I need to shell out twice the visa processing fees…but then that is the way it is…!).

Another thing in to-do list is to fetch an English-Russian dictionary and learn some basic words :) Though I hope it will be somewhat better this time considering Ukraine is co-hosting the UEFA European Football Championship this year along with Poland…hopefully I am not just being overly optimistic…but yeah, it will be a funny, challenging...but interesting experience!!! Well, if I could manage in China, I am sure Ukraine would be a walk-in-the-park ;)

With these in mind, I have already started the countdown…and soon its gonna be the day...!!!

By the way, the trip is 5days long from 5th April 2012 till 9th April 2012.

Keep traveling…keep experiencing !!!


UPDATE: I applied for the Travel Visa to Ukraine today and I will receive the visa on Monday - 02.04.2012. So all in place now :)

Knockin' on Heaven's door - Bob Dylan

G...D...Am...G...D...C

Umm..."What are you talking about...? Have you forgotten the letters of English alphabet...???" That's what my Language teacher from my primary school would have said...but then the same sequence sounded music to my guitar teacher...! Perceptions...you see :)

Well...the title of this post is really relevant. Today was my first day going for guitar sessions...finally realizing a dream which has been with me (as a dream) for...I don't even remember how long...! And this lack of memory is not because I am too old, but basically it has literally been that long a time :)

Well...this year is all about living my dreams...can't argue with Nostradamus and the Mayans I think ;)

Today, after work I went to attend my first guitar lessons and this was the song that we practiced...and hence the title of the post. By the way, I have always loved this song (though I prefer the Guns n' Roses version of it). So the start could not have been any more perfect...inspiring and motivating...!

Right now, after an hour long session and some practice at home, I cannot feel my finger tips...but then, I can sacrifice that much to realize my childhood dream...a dream that has lived its life as a dream way too long...like a document kept for approval at a Government office :) But yeah, finally it is becoming a reality.

Next 6 weeks will be a bliss...a step towards checking off another TO-DO as DONE from my 2012 checklist.

By the way...I am taking guitar lessons at Norsk Musikk Skole.

Keep rolling...like a rolling stone... :)

GOD bless...and keep the rhythm flowing... G-D-Am-G-D-C 

The Greatest Speech Ever Made - Charlie Chaplin

Sorry for just posting videos again and again...but this is just we all need to hear. The speech becomes even more so special since it comes from an artist known for his exemplary work during the 'Silent Era' - Charlie Chaplin. First the video:

These 4.5 mins encompass so much...a lot that we should do, just because we are a part of this world...!!! Like a family, we got to support and respect each other. Together we can work to make this world a better place...!!! We can make it possible, just by 'being human'.

So be happy and make a person smile...every day !!! You will yourself see the difference......

Knockin' by Freddie Stroma...

Heard this song recently...awesome song and so suitable :)

Enjoy

I heard this song today morning and was like "Yups...sounds like what has to be done..." :)

Have a nice week ahead...!!!

Good vibes to you all...

Thought for the day...

“One often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, then I acquire the ability to do it even if I didn't have it in the beginning.”

- Mahatma Gandhi


“For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible”
- Stuart Chase

And Still I Rise - Maya Angelou

I came across this poem by Maya Angelou today, and just could not help sharing it with all out there...! This is an amazing piece of work to be read every morning:

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?

Why are you beset with gloom?

'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells

Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?

Bowed head and lowered eyes?

Shoulders falling down like teardrops.

Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?

Don't you take it awful hard

'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines

Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?

Does it come as a surprise

That I dance like I've got diamonds

At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame

I rise

Up from a past that's rooted in pain

I rise

I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

I rise Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear

I rise

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise

I rise

 I rise.

Really makes me have a stronger believe in the fact that there is faith and hope in this world and we have it in us to achieve our aim...all we need is to rise.........

7 Lovely logics...

Somethings, if we can remember them, can make our life much more relaxed and filled with happiness...! The problem is just about remembering these basic things, which though we all know, but still fail to remember/comprehend when we need them the most...! Anyways, here they come (I hope I will remember these in 2012 to make sure it does not turn out the way 2011 did...!!!)

Keep having a great year ahead...
Be blessed and make one person happy each day...

Thought for the day

"Someone who does not accept you when you are at your worst, does not deserve to be with you when you are at your best...!!!"


UPDATE: Just found a similar quote (by Will Smith):
"If you are absent during my struggle, don´t expect to be present during my success."

Pictures from the trip to South Africa...

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Cape Town is an amazing place...there is enough for everyone out there...! Check out these pics to get a feel of what I want to say :)

I will next share my experiences about travel to Cape Town...(the posts will come as soon as I have some more time to sit down and write more...)

Trip to South Africa - A trip of many `firsts`

       After an almost disastrous start to 2012 (read my previous post from December 31st 2011 for my 2011 report card), the best I could have asked for was some timeout from a monotonous schedule and get some respite, before I get back to the same routine, but just with a new frame of mind and new found energy. I got the same in the form of a week-long travel trip to Cape Town, South Africa. The trip was almost cancelled for me since I applied for my travel permit on 03.01.2012, just 4days before the scheduled start of the trip. The South African embassy told me that it would take 10days for me to get the tourist visa, but then, to my surprise, I received a mail from them the very next day saying that my visa was ready...! So the issue was eventually a `no-issue` :) 

        I booked my flights with British Airways (primary reason being that this was the cheapest option available). The onward journey was fine but the return journey was not all that good. The flight from Cape Town to London was delayed, due to which, I could not catch my flight from London to Oslo. The next available option was the day after. But it was not entirely bad either since BA then gave me a complimentary stay at Hotel Renaissance for that night. The trip started on 08.01.2012 and I reached Cape Town on 09.01.2012. The trip lasted for 8 days and I returned to Oslo on 16.01.2012 (Scheduled return was 15.01.2012 night). In the next two posts, I will tell you more about my experiences in Cape Town. I will also provide links to some of the pictures I took over the course of the trip. So, keep linked :)

Good vibes to you...

Thoughts for the day

Just yesterday I came across seven brilliant quotations...which I felt were definitely worth sharing... so here they are...

These quotes just kind of made my day...so true yet so forgotten...New Year...new resolutions...new ideas and new thoughts, hopefully towards a better year ahead (I don´t really think it can go any worse anyways :) )...

Hope people out there will also have loads to absorb from the above 7 lessons !

Have a great day ahead....!!!