Denver Fever

The first time visitor to downtown Denver runs the risk of freezing his tongue; the place makes your jaw drop man, and it is pretty cold out there.
The old structures that abound retain an incongruous beauty: A chocolate factory turned into an apartment complex; a Mexican restaurant with old, worn out furniture; and a jazz club with the 60s stench� Downtown Denver is a surreal mix of the old and new; a heady concoction of anachronisms, clubs, topless bars, obscenely bright glow-signs, and, people that bum smokes.
Linnea and Mary -my friends- took me downtown on a Friday night. We went pub-hopping; I saw the Hardrock Caf� (my jaw still in �drop� mode) and was mesmerized by its cacophonous beauty. We ended our pub-tour in a place that served up live music. I got back to my hotel in a cab driven by an old lady who was almost my grandma�s age. I don�t know if it was the alcohol, but I kept dreaming through the ride that the old lady was going to pull off her mask and reveal her true identity (an alien of course) and kidnap me to Pluto. Too much of Stephen King guys, bear with me.

On Sunday, Linnea, Abhijeet and I went over to Mary�s and met up with Wednesday: Mary�s pet canine. Wednesday took to me with the same enthusiasm that all the young ladies normally exhibit to win my affections.

We went to the Denver Zoo some where in the afternoon� (to be contd)I have no time to blog now a days, hence the 'contd'

Write to me: suman 'at' sumankumar 'dot' com

Add to:del.icio.us| Digg| Reddit| StumbleUpon| Technorati

Is Shoaib a Chucker?

I don't understand this; after ICC had cleared Shoaib Aktar, we now have Bishen Singh Bedi raving about how 'dishonourable' Aktar is.
In his piece on Tehelka, Bedi went on -throwing logic, reason, and decorum to wind- and concluded that even Balaji's action is suspect.
Someone please give this man some attention; he is crying for it like a baby.
I can take any controversy if you offered me a shred of logic. But, Bedi's rave consists of only his outbursts - that are predictably knee-jerk.
So, Bedi show me evidence. Show me logic. It is not enough to scream your old lungs off and cry 'foul'. And hey, nothing is obvious uncle. Nothing is, until you tell us why what you say needs some attention. Please do the world a favour and shut up until you have some evidence. ICC has cleared him and that's it. It is futile to contest ICC's decision. Circumstantial evidence is not enough. I am sure you don't care about all that. You just want some attention. What's the problem dude? They are not paying your pension?
I would blame the lame media too. Tehelka - which published his piece- is a controversy-monger. We all are aware of it.
I hope individuals and media show some responsibility while making statements.
Write to me: suman 'at' sumankumar 'dot' com

Add to:del.icio.us| Digg| Reddit| StumbleUpon| Technorati

India-Pak Cricket: Watching it on the big screen

A bunch of us watched the match in a movie hall called E-Square in Pune. It was a stunning and memorable experience. After the match, the roads of Pune came alive with people chanting slogans and waving the tri-color. The next time when you get a chance watch it on a 70mm screen. It'll blow your mind away.

Add to:del.icio.us| Digg| Reddit| StumbleUpon| Technorati

Ice-Skating

Last Saturday (right after we came back from Boulder) we went ice-skating. The plan was to go ice-skating and watch a game of hockey that our colleague's hubby, was playing.

We reached the Ice-skating facility around half-past seven in the evening. Our colleague gave us a primer on ice-skating, but the most important lesson to me was 'if you think you are falling, SQUAT!'
It works like this: you need to put the ice-skating boots on; these boots have 'rudders'. Walking upto the rink with those boots on was a tricky experience within itself. I figured what people mean when they say 'walk the think line' or 'treading on thin ice' then.
I got on the rink and promptly slipped, but didn't fall. I held the wall for support but soon, I was on my way, thanks to my roller-skating experience during school days.
It is hard on your knees mind you. You need to get both your feet in synch. If you are a beginner you'll realize that your feet have minds of their own: one would go right and the other left, and your bottom may crash to the ground in the bargain. Fortunately it didn't happen to me, I pretty much eased up to it and got the hang of it; all under the watchful eyes of my colleague.

It was an embarrassing experience to watch kids do twirls and hi-speed tricks on the rink; and of course there were these figure-skating kids who occupied the center of the rink and dished out some amazing feats. So, if you are planning to go ice-skating keep these in mind: 1) SQUAT if you think you are falling, 2) Keep your shoulders and knees aligned as much as possible, that's the trick of gaining the right balance 3) Don't be shit-scare if you see a kid coming at you at full-speed, skating... He or she knows when to cut away from you. Close your eyes and call the lord anyways. I think the kids do it to make a statement 'hey loser, I am twenty years younger than you and look ma no hands!' Live with it, you did it as a kid too. 4) It is in your mind. You should want to skate badly you know? So much so that you stop being a whiner-loser-coward and become a -ah well- skater.

So, if you like the trip, go for it bitch!
Write to me: suman 'at' sumankumar 'dot' com

Add to:del.icio.us| Digg| Reddit| StumbleUpon| Technorati

Bowled Over by Boulder

Saturday, 6 March 2004
The wind was howling outside, like a wolf in heat, and it was very cold. We set-off to Boulder.
We reached Boulder in about 15 minutes. This cozy college town is a poet's dream come true. Surrounded by farms and idyllic pastures, this small town is a romantic's El Dorado.
We parked and walked into Pearl Street. To our right the mountain towered over, as if protecting the town from some invisible conquistador. The cobblestone pedestrian walks lend the place a medieval flavor. It was like being in Europe, but amid nice people. We walked through the street watching the young and young-at-heart bicycling or chilling in the lawns. A group of young girls -probably stoned- were jumping all over one of their friends; a middle-aged man was playing some country number on his guitar; a mexican kid was playing the fiddle under the watchful eyes of his dad - a veteran street performer.
We lost ourselves. It was like walking in a dream, only, you felt the wind in your bones. You know, walking through Pearl street is like first love: the whole world around you comes alive, all the people suddenly seem nice, you want to smile always, you are alone in the crowd, and you are spellbound.
We did take a lot of pictures and I hope they reflect a fraction of what we experienced.
So long my friends. It is not often that your soul is stirred; your intelect awakened; your life is refreshed. No, not often. It is weird though that a small act of kindness, or a gesture of warmth, or a token of acceptance or... a far-away place like Boulder could achieve that... and break the monotony that had eaten away your jest for life. And give you the magical four letter word (not what you're thinking you pervert)... 'hope'.

Write to me: suman 'at' sumankumar 'dot' com

Add to:del.icio.us| Digg| Reddit| StumbleUpon| Technorati

In Denver

The snow-capped mountains far away add a hazy mystery to this sunny-yet-cold town. I saw remnants of a snowfall this morning when walking to work. Went for lunch to a Mid-east restaurant that serves Syrian food; had a 'vegio' - rice, greens, salad(mint leaves!), cutlet-look alikes and a juicy, out-of-this-world, lip-smacking dessert. Whoa! I managed to pack in so much! Given I reached only last evening and slept for only 3 hours. The flights (mumbai-London-Denver British Airways) were all right but I wonder why the hell they don't ever give us enough leg-room!
More later as Denver unfolds herself to me; why does it have to be a she or a herself always! Men! I mean straight men!
Write to me: suman 'at' sumankumar 'dot' com

Add to:del.icio.us| Digg| Reddit| StumbleUpon| Technorati