Morning commute in Bangalore

started a bit late for an early morning meeting
a commute by bike that would prove to be daunting

overnight rain
not a big pain

puddles all over the road
around which I skilfully rode

the unending traffic
always horrific

through the gaps bikes nudge
happy on the cycle, hold no grudge

a lone car parked on the busy main road
unmindful of the way traffic is slowed

on the pavement is a young woman in high heels and mini skirt
negotiating with two wheels does not allow me to flirt

fast music by Honey Singh
make me race like Milka Singh

the jam grinds the traffic to a halt
and I shift to the pavement from asphalt

crap all around, but a lovely commute
wrap yourself in the present, makes you astute

a little girl on pavement watching the traffic with wonder
an old man helped to cross the road a little yonder

traffic is noisy and frustrating
be mindful and it is invigorating.

Be you. Be Mindful.

Seeing the big picture

Let go to soar

Hope

The Wildebeest

Leadership lesson #7 from Masai Mara

Masai Mara is famous for the crossing where over 1.5M wildebeest cross over from Tanzania to Kenya and vice versa. Our trip was close to the end of ‘crossing  season’. Keen to see the action up close, we went to the river Mara where the crossing occurs. And there it was, a group of wildebeests on the other side of river deciding on what to do - ‘cross or not to cross’. Upstream nearly a kilometre ahead, a crocodile was basking on the rock while a couple of them were gently floating on the water, just their tops visible on the surface, the nemesis for these crossing animals.

The wildebeests are still trying to decide, one of them pushes the other into the river and that guy does not go any further, in fact he turns back. Then they stand still for a few minutes and then another one goes further into the water and then turns back. Suddenly they run along the river, some in the water and some on the shore, coming to a dead stop. after some time. They do nothing but stand still possibly for one of them to decide. None of them take the next step. One of them at the end on the land is I guess fed up. He decides that he has had enough of this indecision and decides to go back into the land and not cross the water. He climbs the mud embankment into the high land and as he climbs, a few follow suit. One by one the remaining ones follow. The decision has been made, they are not going to cross. The animals that were standstill a moment ago due to indecision are rapidly moving away following the first one to the high land.

Leadership lesson: We all suffer from indecision and do possess herd mentality. A good leader takes decision and confidently goes ahead and the team follows. Not all decisions may indeed be right, but taking a decision is indeed superior to not doing anything.

The Warthog

Leadership Lesson #6 from Masai Mara

These animals were the most interesting. Belonging to the same family of pigs, these herbivores were constantly running, seemingly for the sheer joy of it. Enjoying themselves just running across the vast expanse. They stop suddenly only to recommence in a short while. It was sheer joy to see these “pigs with tusks” run despite no threats from other animals.

Leadership lesson: Explore. Be curious. Enjoy. To unleash your full potential, you need to be unbounded and enjoy the flow.

The Hippos

Leadership Lesson #5 from Masai Mara

Hippos relaxing in the water seem to be the most lethargic animals. They seem to spend the day seemingly relaxing in the pool when not eating grass. But do you know that Hippos are the second largest killers of humans? They are not carnivores, they attack only to protect. Their strong bite can kill humans. 

Leadership lesson : Each one of us possess enormous power. It is dormant most of the time. The key is unleashing it. 

The Giraffe

Leadership Lesson from Masai Mara #4

A herd of giraffes are moving majestically, elegant in their movements as they peacefully chomp on the leaves off the tree top. Giraffe by virtue of its height and its distinctive coat is indeed a majestic animal . They are not shy at all. One of them walked to our vehicle confidently, stopped, looked at us without any fear and then strutted away. The movements were peaceful and seemingly unhurried. On a different note, it is interesting how a giraffe walks- Both the legs on one side go forward and then the next side go forward, very unlike the other animals where front and rear are in sync.

Leadership lesson: The majestic appearance oozing confidence, fearless attitude, grace and elegance are traits that make a leader successful. And the team will do anything to ensure that the leader stand tall always.

The Leopard

Leadership Lesson #3 from Masai Mara

A Leopard had dragged up a young waterbuck up the tree,suspended it precisely on a branch with the body resting on the branch and legs hanging down. It then went about methodically tearing up the rear with its canines. Though gruesome and sad, it was interesting to see the leopard periodically adjusting the dead animal on the branch as it progressed methodically with its job of eating.

Leadership lesson: The Leopard is a very powerful animal which with its sheer speed and power can snare an animal. To ultimately accomplish its goal of satisfying its hunger, it must secure the dead animal, which it does by dragging the animal up the tree and and then eating it by doing it methodically, tear from the rear. What do we learn this? In addition to having a powerful team, it is necessary to employ powerful techniques and a good process to ensure that the job is well done. Power is best extracted via using good techniques and harnessing the same in a methodical manner.

The Zebras

Leadership Lesson #2 from Masai Mara

The vast African Savannah is filled with Zebras, their skin shiny and beautiful with stripes of black and white. They are an easy prey for the lions. Their excellent sense of sight and hearing coupled with their acute sense of smell enables them to detect danger which they nimbly respond to, by quickly running away. Their legs are so strong that a kick can kill an animal.

Leadership lesson : To survive/course-correct requires one to continuously measure (aka smell/watch) and respond nimbly to steer to a safe place. Not only is sufficient to know the danger, but it is imperative to have enough power to move away quickly.

The Lions

Leadership Lesson #1 from Masai Mara

A lion is busy eating the fresh kill of wildebeest whilst a cackle of hyenas are sitting a little distance away patiently waiting for the lion to finish. Once the lion is satiated and moves away to rest, the hungry Hyenas will finish the rest. Their teeth are so powerful that they can crush the bones. In another instance we saw a wake of vultures in fierce fighting to eat the remains of a carcass killed by a lioness. In nature nothing is left to waste with each animal specialised in its contribution to the nature’s eco-system cycle. A wildbeest is a big animal and it is a shame to waste anything at all. The Hyenas don’t mess with the lion nor do the vultures with any of these animals. 

Lions eating Wildebeest

Hyenas patiently waiting for the lions to finish

 Leadership lesson: It takes multiple skills to get a job done well. Each facet of work requires varied intelligence and power. Understanding this, abiding your time patiently and then contributing your best is key to being successful. Do you know who in your team is the Lion(ess), Hyena, Vulture? Each member is important, there is nothing superior or inferior.

Sunrise from the plane.

As the flight to Pune took off at 5:50 today, the sun was relaxing behind the clouds. As the plane climbed to cruising altitude, sun looked like a beautiful damsel coming out of the river after a bath. A radiant top with a mild cloud covering the latter half. And in a few minutes, the damsel turned into a bright and majestic fellow. 

Amazing what hyperactive hydrogen atoms a few billion miles away can do -  comfortable radiant warmth thorough the airplane window. And a bunch of wispy cotton clouds floating below, forming little mountains in the sky.  Bliss. 

Musings over Tea-time eBook

Musings over Tea-time eBook

On the the wonderful occasion of THIRD anniversary of Tea-time with Testers, I am happy to compile the T-Talks column that I have been writing into a delightful eBook which I hope you will enjoy.

Book cover page

Click here to download the book (13 MB). 

Now pick up a good cuppa tea and enjoy!
And do email me your comments.

Crater riding - Puncture or Massage?

(Apr 1, 2014 - Lunch time commute to home)

Decided to ride home for lunch. The typically busy Old Airport Road is quite empty.  A rider on moped zips past me making full use of the empty stretch. But this road is moon-like, filled with craters! He is about 10’ away and I see him dipping into one. Ouch. Lucky he did not fall. As I cross him, he stops to check. Tyre punctured. So much for the careless bravado. And I ride mindfully, palms light on the handlebars, the craters massage me.  Ah I love cycling!

Sketching by running

(Mar 30, 2014 - Headache recovery run  - 5.59km/33mins)

A bad headache on Sunday meant indoors most part of the day. The pain subsided when the sun set. And a good run was what I needed to clear up the head. A casual run criss-crossing the locality. Warm weather, sweaty run. Felt great. 5-Tibetians at the end. 

And don't you think that the run map picture looks like a (scary)runner in motion?

Motorcycle Suryanamaskar

(Apr 1, 2014: Morning commute to office by bicycle)

As I turned east into Old Airport Road, the sun right in the front, the ride to office slowed down considerably. Pedalled slowly, wondering as to the reason for the jam. And I could see it , a big dark wet patch possibly gooey. Hopped on to the pavement and cycled slowly. And the real reason emerged. A motorcyclist on the side with dirty wet patch on his full shirt, rubbing his hands. And a second one does a slow skid, falls and gets up. No injury. Motorcyclists are doing "Suryanamaskar". Possibly wet slippery mud mixed with oil. Glad no injuries.

Back on to the clear road and a peaceful ride to office. Everyday is interesting. Enjoy it.

“Catch me if you can”

(Mar 31, 2014 : 10.06 km run in 1:06 hrs at 06:33 pace)

Being Ugadi festival today the roads were empty. Nice cycle ride to Cubbon Park! 8AM . A big German Shepherd chasing a small dog and the little guy was fast - it was "Catch me if you can". Well, the big guy could not manage to catch him. Delight to watch.

Along the road into the trail. Sunlight filtering through the trees, golden tubes drawing circles. Quiet cool wind. Run across a small metal bridge, it shudders. Fallen dry leaves. Just you and your fluid motion. Peace.Trail ends into the road. Circle the library, suck up the sun and then back onto the trail. Broken fluorescent tubes on the side. A stray plastic bottle. Bamboo arch welcomes you to a mini bamboo grove. Two more small bridges, no shudder though. Back on the road and into the park, two circles on cemented pavement, 10km done. Time to head home. A relaxed cycle ride back.

Do you see a dog sniffing in the run map picture?  (Tilt your head anti-clockwise)

"Oh whatta ride"

(Mar 29, 2014 - A non-stop Sat morning ride 103 km in 4:15hrs at 24.2 kmph avg)

After quite a few weeks, an excellent non-stop century ride this Saturday. An early dog walk and on the saddle at 6AM. Cool weather. A big crowd at the beginning of the KR Puram bridge. Aah, they are going back home to celebrate Ugadi,a 3-day weekend.

Over the bridge, pass KR Puram signal, and as I near the lake, a beautiful sight unfolds. Mist slowly rising from the lake on left, from the green hyacinth that covers the entire lake, while the right side is clear water, shimmering golden from the early morning rising sun. The sun is hiding behind the apartments in the horizon. A murder of crows (yes that is what a group of crows are called!) glides lazily. Wish I could do that!

As I continue eastward, the giant ball rises from the apartments and engulfs me. Turn north into Siva's road, and the Sun is on my right and becomes my ride companion. As I cross a tea shop at Budigere, I lose it. Guess the Sun needs a morning cup too! After a few minutes, it is back on the right side. Enjoying the expansive road with fields on both sides, I am doing good pace. A dog comes out of nowhere, races to me with a snarl and I halt quickly. Balance lost, kiss the ground. Goal achieved, the dog walks away. He must have a bad experience with a vehicle in the past, feel sad.

40+ kms, Devanahalli bus stand. The Sun after riding with me for 23 kms is in the front. Onto Bellary road. As I descend a flyover touching 50kmph, a guy sitting at the back of a empty tempo smiles & beckons me to join him! ~50 done and U-turn. Now Sun is behind me and it is warm. A nice zippy ride on the Bellary road over multiple flyovers, and on the elevated road. Then then I feel the road. Stop and figure out that the front tyre is losing air slowly. Pump it up and continue. Repeat this once again near home. Reach home. 103 kms done in 4:15, a nice non-stop ride.
"Oh whatta ride".

Brownian motion.

(Mar 28 - Morning commute to office by bicycle)

Delayed start to office.
Car from the opposite direction takes a U-Turn. Car in front veers left. The motorcyclist wants to overtake me and rushes past me. Broken down bus on the side blocking the road. Pedestrian crosses the road, with his outstretched hand - STOP sign. I meander though.

A typical day at Bangalore. The scene at Marathahalli. Brownian motion on road. Cycling is fun. Driving a car though this - you need to be in state of Zen.