Voices from Within

Freeee finally!!!

I've been wanting to take a month break for a while and I settled for what I could possibly get.


10 days off!!


I don't have to set my alarms at chip-timing runs.. No cross-talk nightmares... No verilog talking .. No nothing..

I'll be with myself in totality.

Now is the time to do all the 'nothing' I always wanted to do.

Plan to visit a few places before heading home for New Year.

Happy holidays!

Wow!!! Can't remember the last time I had such an enthralling 3-hr discussion.. I met a few folks online and subscribed to the AI-meetup group. We had our first meet up today.. No big agenda.. No goal.. Just discussing your passion with like minded folks. It was like reliving the college days, spending countless hours in the sports-gallery discussing Life/God or Robots.

It was a small group of 6 but very diverse folks.. Dr.David Wood was here and shared his thoughts with us.. We talked about AI history, current research, Good/bad of AI, Morality/Philosophy, Sci-Fi movies, Cyber-slavery, Super Intelligent Machines and the Future of Machines... just awesome!!!

I came out of the meeting - fresher 'n with higher energy than I went in (having spent energy arguing). Now tell me how can the machines do that?

It started as a quite morning... No great morning runs/rides, nothing planned for the day.. The work-week hadn't spilled over the weekend too..

One of my friends needed a guinea-pig for recipe expts and invited me for lunch and I yessed In. After a good-simple meal, we sat down playing cards... Bluff is a super-simple game and It turned out to be so much fun.. I hadn't laughed like that in months.. 3 hrs of bluffing, and we were tired laughing out... cud n laugh anymore.. got hungry again..

Went out for ice-cream and..... died, a liberating "Death-by-Chocolate" - I wonder, who named it so and why? Its one of the best-est things ever... a big bowl - full of pure-awesomeness...

I love these chilly-winter morning rides... the morning drizzle was an extra topping.. Reached the station to catch an early train out to Tumkur. The trip was to support a Awareness-walk by an org for Special children and Early Intervention. It was a beautiful train journey in the misty morning.

The walk was flagged off by a big-shot and there was some press coverage. Our pics cud have been flashed in the local newspaper(Tumkur Times??? anyone????). It was a short walk and the weather was perfect. We gave out fliers with more info on the effort. The Tumkur-folks were unspoilt and very receptive. They respected the walk, took time to read the fliers. The walk ended with a informative presentation.

The return journey was even more fun. We had decided to travel un-reserved and got open-tickets.. And offcourse, the train was late by 40 min.. We went out to kill time... had cocunuts, saw a 'Super-speciality hospital' (with only a 2-foot entrance), lonely theatre, poori-rice walas..

For a small town, lot of things were happening at the station. A funny man on the mike.. testing it for along time... A huge crowd had gathered, to witness the change in the train-timings.. When the train arrived, we hopped on a random coach.

We were chatting Non-stop.. discussed various things from expensive-indian-weddings to piracy to best-biriyanis to ... a mini movie of Santhosh's 24 hr run.. We even planned a Con-job to loot a ...Shushh!!!

Reached Bangalore by 2:20 and another train had reached the platform at the exact time.. Two-train-full-peapuls trying to climb a narrow-stairway was quite a sight. No prize for guessing shiny-head :)

Lunched at a place closeby, sealed a super-day with icecreams..

(More pics - coming soon)

And Vinbot buys a bike!!

Here is my New Rockrider...

After weeks of research and test-rides, I finally bought a BTwin RockRider 5.1 today. She is so sleek, super-lite and Awesome. Here is more about her.


I'll get biking after 8 yrs.. It all started as - *envying* Sensei/Balu's 100K/Mysore ride... Crazy Balaji's western ghats trip and When I heard about crazier folks @ BBC riding 1000km+ over 2 weeks.... Wow!!! The tipping point was Cyclothon and TFN'09!!

I started with a simple Neon to Thunder MTB and zeroed-in on Rockrider 5.1!!!! I love her.. Totally!!

I'll ride her to work atleast 2-3 days a week.. and the much longed-for long rides... I'd like to ride to Chennai and back (350km*2) with in the first year... lets see...

I have a long week of 'dead'lines comingup. But right now, I'm all excited and hyper abt my new bike!!!

-Vinbot

Where do you want them to be? - Classroom or Factory!!!
Those soft hands playing with pencils or working in hazardous factories with no safety???

Now, we have a Choice!!!

This video pushed me to launch a No-Crackers campaign this yr :




Wishing you an Enlightened Diwali !!!!

This Could be you in 5 yrs...

Start running!!

Here is your chance to change...

TeamAsha 8K run: Oct 24
http://ashanet.org/bangalore/teamasha8k/

Today, when I was riding back home in a drizzle, two kids asked for a ride to Indra Nagar and I picked them up. As the drizzle got heavier, I stopped... Caught up a sweet-chat over a cup of hot-chai and got to know them.. Grade 6, Eng medium, they like Math and Geography.

When I asked them abt what they wanna become, they answered in unison - "IT - Software Engineer"!!! I asked them who told them: Parents? Teachers?

"No anna.. I know.. I want that tag around my neck, have camera-phones, ride bikes/cars, work in AC, eat in big hotels, have credit cards, Laptops.. travel in aeroplanes ...""

OMG!!! This sure looks sexy from outside!!

Great run.. Awesome fun.. I wud hav kicked myself if I had wuss'd out of run for that silly sinus block.
---
Left for Mysore from Cubbon @ 4.30. The drive itself was so much fun.. Non-stop entertainment from Sensei 'n Balaji. PJs galore.. Had the historic(?) Maddur vada and great coffee on the way. Checked-in to a hotel.. had dinner and rested for the race.

Woke up feeling great on Sunday!! Got ready and headed to the race-location. Coach wasn't particularly happy that I had forgotten to collect the bib and had to take a detour on the race day... Over 700 runners crowded the start-point.

The Full-ers started first.. Sensei and Santhosh shot off..

I think, Half-Marathon is a sweet-distance.. 21K is a great test of fitness 'n endurance.. Doesn't take a lot out of you and less prone to injuries.. I wonder why these crazies run the full to get roasted..

Then we started.. With my (un)training, I knew I cudn't shoot for a personal best. The focus was to finish strong with out any injury.

The Trail was a beauty! Gorgeous Kaveri flowing on one side and brilliant-green fields on the other.

After the initial 2K or so, I was nice and loose.. felt good.. kept myself well hydrated.. Reached the turn around point with no fuss... The first half was eazy..


And then trail-beauty turned a smoking hottie.. The scorching sun was too much..When I was struggling and thought, I'm gonna walk the rest - I heard someone yell, "Common Vinodh - run!!". There she was.. The super-woman.. I ran with Sensei for a few kms.. She was saying, "I ran all the way.. Didn take a walk-break yet".

The last stretch was tough.. started cramping and Hamstring hurt.. It all meant only one-thing. I shd stop giving work excuses 'n turn-up at the Training sessions and hit the gym regularly..


And flew to the finish line. Not great timing. But awesome fun..

Celebrated the Run @ CCD with Sizzling brownies/Icecreams...

Photos: Courtesy of Balaji - link

Here we go.. Leaving to Mysore for the Kaveri Half-marathon..

The build-up to the marathon has been a touch short of ideal..

I'm terribly under-trained... Havnt slept well for the past 2 weeks()... stiff back.. And now, I hav cold 'n fever...

Its gonna be hot n humid...

Lets see, If I can pull it off.. There is a much bigger cause..
More on Monday.. Wish me luck..

If only life had a command

rm -rf *

How can ppl ever live in remote villages?? How can one be away frm the comfort of urban life?? Unplugged from the web? - Impossible.. No Cellphones? - Are you kidding?

I am a web-addict.. My Laptop and Ipod will figure in the most essential things I'' ever "need"....

And now, I'm reprioritizing... Thanks to Sanjeev/Anita who roped-me-in for the trip. I least expected to hav such a wonderful weekend.. (Actually, I paused for a moment - I'm cynophobic and Shifu is also travelling..)

Thulir is an Education Resource Centre for children and young adults at Sittilingi, a tribal village in Dharmapuri district,Tamilnadu, India.

• Building brick-walls. Learning how to stable walls.
• Playing with a Calf (You guessed it right, Lakshmi is her name..)
• Logic puzzles with kids..
• Gardening.. I cut a small tree.. ( Wait.. That was shading the solar panels. BTW, the whole school is solar powered..)

• Reading Chittu's comics (No. You cannot subscribe to Dirter, the stinky pig!! U'll need a different currency)
• Playing soccer with kids..
• Biking around the village..
• Visited a Coconut farm.. drank one right off a tree..
• When I enquired about Chilled water, Next town is 13 miles away..
• Building logic-gates from BJTs with Sanj.. (Been a long time since I played with transistors.. that was Fun.. I was pretty good.)
• Blinking lights with a multi-vibrator..[When you visit nexttime, Be prepared for Blinking-Thulir welcoming you...]

Hello, my recurring dream,
you got me lost in the love stream..
The twinkle in your mystic eyes
sends even the pisces flying-high

I have trouble learning all the while,
the language of your silent smile...

Can't get the Mixed-signals decode
With your Mind-games,
my heart clocks overload..

Spending my time the way unseen -
Starring all day at the GTalk screen
when you are online green.

Honey, I love you still
and I always will..

-Vinodh

And a group of enthu kids bombard you with crazy answers...

• What scientists do...
• Stuff in science book...
• Things that work...
• What is done in the science lab..
• ....
  

"Science is everywhere... Science is everything.."

The Yellow Knights

We were a crazy-running bunch,
hanging out for a quick brunch..
until Sensei taught us to reverse-punch.

We learnt to block hard,
None can attack us off-guard..

Our own knife-hand-strike
- as mighty as a shark-bite!!

Mae-Giri, the front kick..
is not a simple trick..
You gotta be double-quick
and yet be as smooth as Indian-Silk

Kata - is it a dance or a fight?
With all its grace is an elegant sight
We did it right with a GI - white
and became Yellow-knight..

Arigato Sensei..

And Yeah.... Kiiiiah!!!

-Vinodh

How about a poem for a Bday gift... Enjoy!!!

Happy B'day!!

Hey, your own fluent-self,
You are 'the Awesomeness' off-the-shelf.
We love you for what you are
Thanks for being the guiding-star.

Happy B'day dear,
Wishing you a rocking year..

A year of color 'n cheer,
and happiness-sheer

With your rare-natural grace
and the ever-smiling blissful face,
I'm sure You'll ace
life's every race!!!

-Vinodh

What do you do, When you have sailed thru' the oceans, conquered the peaks, 'n you think, its all going to be over when you reach the horizon, and.... you see a Great Desert to cross..

Well, I thought I have learnt a lot and have grown tremendously, as person in the last few years.. But, now and then I meet a good-friend, who says, "Vinodh - you are good! but you'd be great - if ...". Sometimes, I'd go into defense and explain myself out. But when a comment comes from a genuine person, I'd take time to contemplate. Today, I met one such person with an interesting input.

Usually, I get confused, go into-a-shell, neglect the world around, take time with myself to reflect on the remark, to introspect and come-out with some action-items... But the problem is that this exercise is very taxing.. It takes too much out of me.

Not sure how long this is gonna take!!!

I'm usually hyper-energetic, and at times I need these "Reality Grounding"!!!

If you think you are perfect, think again!!!

This day marks the end of 4 years in Bangalore. It doesn't seem that long ago,when I almost cried, as my folks left me in a appt. I was going to live out of home for the first time.

How about serving food at the counter all day?? It sure sounds a boring job..
But, I was amazed to see how this guy made a difference..
He radiates hope, love and happiness!!!

This guy works in the restaurant chain - Adyar Anandha Bhavan (A2B), CMH road, Bangalore.

The rain had just stopped and after a long day, I stopped by to have a snack and cuppa coffee.. and This is what I got..

Today is June 1. First working day of a brand new-academic year. Shiny white uniforms, sparkling new shoes, new books, new bags, new friends, new class room, new teachers..

I was nostalgic, when I saw the kids getting into the school-bus.. I could see myself.. School days were so much fun..

It is a fresh start.. All your faults are forgotten.. All your hard-work the prev year is gone.. Its a clean-slate to start all over again.. Its a total system-reset.. I wish I can have that clean-slate now..

But, Wait a minute..

I have.. Everyone has..

Yes!!! Every day is new.. Every minute is fresh.. You get to decide what you do right now..

Ofcourse, Its not a clean slate.. But everyday is a fresh page in the book of life.. and you can do anything.. start a new chapter... sketch a new project.. write a poem.. or anything else...

What are you waiting for?? How about starting that long-due legacy project today??

-- Vinodh

Well.. Saturdays don't get any better than this..

Woke up @ 5 am.. The day started with a Chilly ride to Ananya. I love these long-morning rides. The Orange Sunrise in Airport road is an incentive to get up early on a Saturday Mrng.. The roadside Chai seems to get better every week.

It was a tapering run just before the next-week's race. The weather was perfect for a great destressing run.. Played a bit of Ultimate-frisbee next.. Only 2-3 players each side, a small play area.. but it was great fun..

Ananya is a Magical place, and has so much to offer.. Today, It taught us farming. George was so enthusiastic to share with us the process/techniques. [Start->Programs->MicroSoft Farming??? - No] We ploughed the field, planted the Ginger/Bean sprouts, manured and watered them. This is the closest, I'll ever get to real-working for a while. Totally fulfilling experience. [I'm sure Sucksman will have something to say here..]

MiG21

Life, at times can be unjust.
when you bite the dust,
in everything - you mistrust.

It may look like a scary brawl,
But these are the times to stand tall
and wither it all like the great Wall.

Life is too short to worry,
It'll all be over in a hurry!!!

--Vinodh

Oh Yeah, things do go wrong
no matter you're how strong

Just when you are out of town,
the castle comes crashing down.

What do you do, hitting zero-ground,
And there is no turning around?

When the Truth turns out to be a lie,
when you lose the sole guiding eye?

Love and Care ??
They're mere pretense, I swear!!

There is nothing to confess,
I am just helpless.

Life is a bluff.
'n I have had enough..

--Vinodh

It was a long drive yesterday to the farm, and I had a very interesting discussion with the Sensei.. I gotta understand that I'm not alone in the quest for the ultimate truth!! Everyone has their own way... and as Vivekananda says, the answer lies within!

So Vinodh, Which college are you in?

"So, Vinodh, which college are you in?"

Wow.. Bangalore is a great place.. I have fallen in love with this awesome city.. One can find anything here...

There is a club for every darn thing. You name it.. Its there.. In the past 4 yrs, I have googled and found these groups.. Running, Foreign language, Adventure, Charity, Rubik's cube, Effective Educational methods, Bhagavad Gita study group, Tin-Whistling, Start-ups, Poetry Writing, Robotics/AI, Vedic Math,.. and now.. Ultimate frisbee.. (the Laughter club shd be interesting to try out..)

Heard about Ultimate-Frisbee from Balu..... looked up online.. Wow.. there is a big group of hi-enthu folks playing right across my work-place...

Subscribed to the group, went in early this mrng and had an absolutely amazing time... I wasn't exceptionally great at it... But I didn suck! (OK.. I was caught running with the disk-twice.. I'll learn)

There is a lotta physics in Ultimate frisbee ebooks online.. Its certainly eazy to pickup.. Can prove tough to master!!

Hope I get better in the following weeks...

Its Frisbee fever this May... Are you guys game?

-Vinodh

Yeah.. You read it right. Seth Godin knows me.

When I read a good book or a great article, I write a thanks note to the author. And seldom do I get a response.

Guess what I saw in my inbox today.. The great Godin himself has written back to me...

I highly recommend reading his blog/books.

here is the mail.
---

from Seth Godin
to Vinodh Kumar
date Mon, May 4, 2009 at 12:27 AM
subject Re: Thank you for Inspiring.

Wow!!!

thanks Vinodh!!

I appreciate it.
=============================
Seth Godin
45 Main Street 3R
Hastings on Hudson, NY 10706
http://www.sethgodin.com (click on my head!)

--------------------------------------------------------

On May 3, 2009, at 2:44 PM, Vinodh wrote:
Dear Seth Godin,

I'm a regular @ your blog and I love it. Your writing is inspiring.
Thanks for being Seth Godin and inspiring us.

-Vinodh
Bangalore,India

Heard of this story??

Why do you love - you ask!

I don't have a clue.
Now, I see the world only in You!

In the Bliss of a child's smile
and the Emerald isle..
Fresh morning dew
and the moonlight blue..
- I see nothing but you!

Its a heavenly view..
in the world - brand new
Fell in love, even before I knew,

I live - only in your dream
floating in the love stream
I cede - 'To love' is the feeling supreme
and there is no extreme.

Rain cant hide in clouds for long,
Even if everything goes wrong,
Our love will only grow strong
My heart is where you rightly belong!!

I know - You feel the same
Then, why is the waiting game?

--Vinodh

Here is the list of things that I want to do before I turn 30. The next five years are the ones when I'll be in peak physical health, mental toughness and enjoy total freedom to do all of these..

The list in no particular order..

1. Running 4 Marathons in 4 weeks
2. Swimming in Deep sea
3. Publish some of my poems/short stories as a book!
4. Sky Diving
5. Scuba diving/Snorkeling
6. Skiing
   
7. Bungee Jumping - check :)! !!
   
8. Gamble - (I hav played poker.. This is about big money in Vegas.)
9. Getting Drunk..
10. Smoke a Cuban Cigar..

At times, things go wrong.

In your pursuit, You may fail. Life may not go as planned. Set-backs and break-downs punctuate the path taken. We take a break and relook at the situation, try to understand what went wrong.


There is a great saying in Tamil: Thirukkural

கேட்டினும் உண்டோர் உறுதி கிளைஞரை
நீட்டி அளப்பதோர் கோல்

At times you may fall -
from a tower, very tall,
Your back against the wall,
And when its not your call,
You just want life to - uninstall!!!

When times are tough,
'n the ride is rough,
You think – U’ve had enough!!

When everything is dried up
‘n you are tied up
You feel like giving-up.

When you just can’t cope,
You lose all hope!

But remember,
the hour darkest
'n times blackest
are right before dawn!!

When you fall,
get up and Fight ..
When you fail, try again
harder this time!

You may badly bleed,
Take a break, if you need.
But - don't ever concede!!
In the end, you'll succeed.

Life is such a wonderful gift!!
Why would anyone ever quit?

--Vinodh

----------
Inspiration: When I was looking for hope 'n pep-up online, I stumbled on this guy.. Great video here video of Nick Vujicic.

Your glorious eyes,
in the orange face,
with silken voice
and the innocent look!!!


When you caught me staring un-guilt,
that Smiling look with the head tilt,
You're my angel - my heart felt..

The glance from the corner of your eye
Sent me flying all-high!!!

Chocolate - I'd never ask a bite,
and seldom do others take it right!!
And, when I asked - craving,
you halved it without saving

At first sight -
My eyes popped,
My jaws dropped,
My pulse raced,
I was jolt -
with your thunderbolt!!
---

And These are the reasons - Unreal!!
The actual, reason - Now I reveal...
I love you -
Coz, I love you!!!

Love cant be reasoned,
You just fall unseasoned!!!

--Vinodh

'Love' - Is it a cruel game i asked?
where both the players lost.
Is it a monster stupid -
from the evil project Cupid?

'No' I heard - Its an elite feeling,
that gets the world healing.
Love that is selfless -
is not stress but bliss!

Honey, I respect your decision
'n wll honor it with precision.
Thy happiness is the mission -
'n your smile is my vision

In my magical world, I'll wait
And leave the rest to the fate.

My love forever'll be shining...
Its just the Beginning.

[Updated on 15 Mar '09]
Love is not a game to be played,
neither a ritual for hearts - exchanged,
Its a ocean of pure bliss,
where life drinks to live.

Love - you don't Give or Take
You love for love's sake.

--Vinodh

----------
This is the last post in the "Thunderbolt.." poem series. Thanks to those who inspired this series.

Saluting the women in my life...
--------------------
As a lil-sis,
growing up with her is bliss;
Running around trees
and all the tease..

As a Friend to share
when w're in despair...
She is all ears,
to allay our fears..

Grandma's tales with good moral
not to quarrel..
Dont forget the pampering Aunt,
who got all that you want.

As a Caring wife,
She is the fabric of your life..
the only shoulder,
when you'r growing older.
You'll cry 'n laugh
only with your better half.

'N finally, the miracle
and Life's pinnacle.
Like the divine Mother
there is no other!!

No wonder - Nature is feminine,
for Women are the spine
in every living line!

Women - Be proud!
I sing aloud,
"In you, I see God,
the Genesis of the World"

--Vinodh

This lad 's not bad,
thou' he z driving me mad,

I was a happy-go-lucky girl,
as simple as white pearl-
'n with(out) him, I'm in a twirl

Tell me how,
to decide now?

This decision is my prime.
'n I need more time

--Vinodh

I can't take it anymore
My brain is Sore -
thinking about you to the core..

All day long, I'm alone
waiting for your phone,
I wish u had known
that You are my own!!!

My time flies -
with crying eyes,
I know this isn't wise,
Neither can I fool myself in disguise..

Its it worth it, I ask
Should my feelings wear a mask -
'n burried in a flask?

All I ask is a Chance -
Give me a second glance!

I still don't know Baby,
I love you - maybe..

--Vinodh

Dont worry baby,
I'll be OK - maybe

liked you 'n told u so
Still, unsure why you said 'No'
Yeah, Its hard to let go!

Tough times ahead!!
'Yes' - If you had said,
I wud hav spoke to ur parents instead!

Even if we aren't an amazing twosome-
I'll still be awesome!

--Vinodh

I was wondering, what would a kid think reading about the terrorism in papers..
and this flew out...

-----

Papa, Is it safe out there?
I wouldn't dare to go anywhere.

Why is there a big divide?
Shdn't we stand side by side?
Everyone is hiding worldwide?

Isn't it wrong - to kill?
How do they get the will?
Or is it just the thrill?

Whats the govt doing -
while these bad guys are growing?

Tell me dad.
Why are these guys bad?
Its driving me mad.

Son - my Dear,
why is the fear?
the end is near!!!

While our politicians yawn,
The time has spawn
for a war to be drawn
in search of the dawn!

You are a knight..
Stand-up and fight
for the right
Now, its Black or White

--Vinodh

We run
Not only for Fun!
Our goal is One -
To get the funds Done!

From start to finish
There was only one wish
To gift them their Childhood!
'coz nothing is closer to Godhood.

The trail was a beauty,
The volunteers were fruity!
Yeah - We were moved deeply.

The rising sun and chirping birds
It a sight for the Lords
'n can't be covered in words.

Yes, the run was tiresome
But Auroville was awesome!

On the whole-
With a united goal,
We ran our heart and soul.

~Vin-ode

http://ashanet.org/bangalore/marathon/runners/vinodh.html

We met not - a week ago!
I now sleep not - you know!

Never felt like this, ever before
I am not myself, anymore.

You eye looks brighter than the sun.
Is heaven undone?

Did you glide from the top up-above.
Oh my God... - Is this love?

Trying my hand at tamil poetry... not bad huh?

அவளை பார்த்தேன்;
என்னை மறந்தேன்..
காற்றில் மிதந்தேன்
எதற்கும் துணிந்தேன்..
---

நிஜமா நிழலா - இது
சரியா தவறா - நான் என்னை இழந்தது
---

நான் உண்ண மறந்தேன் - உனக்கு உண்மை புரியலையா
நான் உறக்கம் இழக்கிறேன் - உமக்கு இறக்கம் இல்லையா
---

கண்களை மூடிநீன் - இருட்டில் நீ
பெண்களை பார்கிறேன் - அதிலும் நீ.
---

Despite a late friday-nite, I got up early for the run. All that head-banging previous nite, made me dizzy. I could not afford to miss this run - this was the last big run b4 the marathon. Munched-on some nuts and dates and got out for a freezing ride. The road-side Chai helped a bit...

It was a usual run.. Tired and hungry - i returned... played a bit of volley-ball and settled down for breakfast.. Then I think, i met someone really spl.. Interacted with kids, played with them, danced after a long time... had a lot of fun - named a cat - "Nayanthara".. and when I came home, I was happy and restless..

Thanks Veronica! You decided to die and helped me live!

This is the write up in my Asha runner page.. posting it here for the regulars ;)
http://ashanet.org/bangalore/marathon/runners/vinodh.html
------------

5:30am. 15C in Blore.
Door: knock knock..
Me: who is it?
Door: Me? Buddybot 1.0
Me: Wait a minute.. I'll change for the Run..
During the run..
Me: Conversation mode… ON.
Buddybot: So, dude how did u start running?
Me: Fitness. To be in shape.
Buddybot: Funny humans. You eat more. Then burn-out the "batteries" calling it fitness.. Watta waste!!!
Me: Hang on! There is more to it. I eat more coz, I enjoy it. But can you?
Buddybot: Why do you hav 2 enjoy? And you complain next day to me that - u hav over eaten!!
Me: I relish the moment. I live. That improves my endurance.
Buddybot: Come on dude.. I can run all day, as long as the Sun is out.
Me: Dumbo.. I can run in the night as well..
Buddybot: During the night, I work more efficiently! My cooling functions can be turned off and I can run whole night until the sun is out the next mrng.
Me: Wait. There is more to it. I meet a lotta ppl in the run. I socialize. I can impress ppl with my fitness.
Buddybot: I socialize too.. I just upated my MySpace page and I can access orkut now, while running. Remember? How we met? In Orkut.
Me: That fate full day..Who would forget.
Buddybot: "You know. Ur strange running habit caught my "eye". That was why, I wanted to know you better. I always wanted to know. Why you run? This chilly morning. With these crazy crazy. I come to know that you humans are not comfortable in this temp.?"
Me: You know what? There is a greater cause?
Buddybot: What? Global warming? That’s TOP on my list of human problems.
Me: No. I run to fundraise for underprevilaged children. You know, how I complain about these traffic jams and stuff. These kids don’t even get proper education, 3 meals a day.
Buddybot: I don’t understand. How is your running going to help these kiddos?
Me: That’s complex. You wouldn’t understand.
Buddybot: I have a AMD Shangai,GPS, 3G powered only by SUN and It doesn’t get any more complex than this? Just explain.
Me: See, I started selfishly just to keep fit and to spend my weekends away from the bed. But when I saw these kids - I decided. To gift them their childhood.
Buddybot: To gift them their childhood????? I don’t understand. "childhood" is not available in ebay or Amazon!
Me: I wish it was only that simple. The sense of satisfaction that you get when they thank you…. Its out of the world.
Buddybot: Beep.. Beep.. Rebooting... You entered the emotional zone 0.1, which is still in beta...
Only we can understand. Only we can help. Lets gift them their childhood. Pls donate.
More about Asha's projects: http://www.ashanet.org/bangalore/marathon/projects.htm