INA market and Delhi haat

There is little common between the two other than the geographic proximity --- located on two sides of the main road. Another common feature is both are definitely worth visiting, if not for the wide, surprisingly wide, variety of things on can see and buy there, just for the sheer pleasure of seeing so much art/skills and strange food products (depending on which side of the street you are on).

The Delhi Haat, a meeting place for artisans from all over India and buyers from Delhi. The stalls are basic, and set up with lots of space in between. Although many of the stores are there for multiple sessions, there are always some new arrivals, and thus surprises!

INA market a place to go shopping for exotic spices, fresh vegetables of all types, and of course fish and meat. There is also this old watch mechanic who is unusually modest specially given his skills, knowledge and dexterity. If you are in the area definitely visit both the places. Jack told me that he used to frequent INA market when he was in town, and I can totally see why. Lastly, INA market has a tiny stall selling the best momos in Delhi (of course among the ones we have tried).

joy of coding

Well summarized in this posting: http://duartes.org/gustavo/blog/post/lucky-to-be-a-programmer. Its all about passion, and not having to explain your strange 'working hours' to others. Its just about coding, it applies broadly to thinking for work, not necessarily at work.

how guys think?

a new rating system: http://putupyourdukes.wordpress.com/2008/07/14/the-area-code-rating-system-why-1-10-just-isnt-enough/. Lets not get too much into details but its definitely a fun read. Specially the examples.

why do I blog

A strange question, and I dont have a convincing answer to that. But then again do I need one? Isnt it enough that I enjoy writing about things I feel were important moments, passing thoughts, or just a way of unwinding at the end of the day. Does it matter if others pass by this page, does it matter if I write something personal and others come to read about it, and I worried? I guess its kind of daring to write down thoughts in public view, on a board there once written its hard to erase. Its no longer the personal diary of yester years, its a online diary opening myself to the world for some unknown reason. Opening myself to criticism, holding myself naked with my intense thoughts jotted down. In short, such thoughts dont bother me, at least not now, may be in a few months, years I will feel stupid and hope that I never did write like this. But then again who has seen the future. I live in the present, and plan only for next few days to come. Its definitely a stupid way to live, but its my way, I way I am comfortable with. Coming back to the question, is this e-equivalent question of why do we live? Philosophical queries that have stumped people for ages and its something everyone has to come up with their own recipe. Its a mean of coming to terms to oneself. The other option is not to think about such things and follow others, the mass. Enough fooling around for now, time to get back to work .. Just a parting thought -- when is a blog successful? When there are many visitors, readers, etc. or is it when there is someone who reads in and may be get connected, start a discussion. Or may be success if writing an entry helps clear up some logic for myself, its a mean of writing to myself, speaking to myself, trying to keep a structured though going, without giving myself the option to go back and clean up the writing. A blog to me is not a polished piece of writing or essay, but more a raw record of thoughts as they occur, sometimes in sequence and structured, while at others all at once, and then the fun begins .... Good luck to anyone trying to decipher that ;-)

back home and something to worry about

Ok I am back. Its cool and wet here -- monsoon with all its glory. Everything is very green, infact in many places its green were its not supposed to be! But again I should get used to the idea, and enjoy the rain while its out there.

Just read: http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/07/06/eco.chocolate/index.html --- drop, steep drop in production expected for chocolate, over next 20 years. May be just a grim view with the world? Or just another exaggerated news report? I think this will further the push for artificial 'chocolate' or just sugar painted brown. But where do I get my dark love? Somehow things will work out, thats we hope for always, thats what makes it worth pushing forward always, no matter when, no matter how tough and bleak it all looks ...

schneeberg .. JS

Joe Stickler Gedächtnisweg (http://www.bergsteigen.at/de/touren.aspx?ID=224), a new route from 2002. After having to wait for about a year it was about time. The middle section some 6-7 pitches were exceptional. The climbing felt natural, the holds just enough, the friction amazing, and the pockets ... well may be deep will be an understatement, the pockets were bottomless. The pitch rated 7, was not a climbing route, it was a boulder problem, a hard one! The moves a sequence of 4-5 moves (if i didnt miss something) were powerful, pumpy, and felt heavenish! Had a great time! Hannes also agreed.

When is it time to give up?

Was back at Backerstrasse. Had a solid session with some overlap with Niki. We tried this one move some 10-20 times (may be another 20-25 times on tuesday). The move didnt look very difficult, and it was gentle on the fingers but still it was just not happening. After much grunting and cursing, I finally got it clean -- it really really felt good. We went to Alt Wien for a quick celebration.