Melbourne - the place to be in

" if you want to have the best coffee .. Sip it up in Melbourne city not for nothing is it known as the coffee capital of the world " .. That's the first salvo I heard from a friend who was a student development officer with Sydney while I was in Aussieland for a professional cum personal reason. They say too much coffee is not a good thing but then when you get a coffee which is a concoction of soy and dandelion one is never enough...and everyone irrespective of physical proportions wears black .Black is the colour to be seen in Melbourne city and if you see red shirts walking the streets , don't be startled .. They are city volunteers with a wealth of information on their finger tips who will point you to the next available block. If you like dancing and are passionate about music .. Streets here have musical names and while the rest of the world goes digital , there are about 50 vinyl record stores around Melbourne.like the popular saying goes there are no free lunches in the world , well to tweak it a bit .. There are no free tram rides in the world but in Melbourne there is one tram which is free .. The maroon city circle tram. I walked into a post office here to send a post card and I was pleasantly surprised .. You can buy flowers .. Now where have you have seen, smelt and bought flowers in a post office. Street art surrounds you everywhere here , Melbourne's cobbled stoned lane ways are plastered with graffiti and pencil art. Australia's sporting giant , the Melbourne cricket ground can seat more than a lakh people comfortably .. In short a sporting stadium where you could fit a city in. This is a city where residents get right of way in the city centre-a large portion of Bourke street , the shopping Mecca in the heart of the city has been a pedestrian and tram only mall since 1983. The queen Victoria market is full of old world charm where you get cheap strawberries and feta cheese in the same breath. The soapbox on the state library lawns is always open for whenever wants to come in.One can always venture into a pub on a week night for some performance poetry. I love cycling and I was in for a big surprise .. There are 670 kilometres of bike paths which could get one to Canberra with 10 Kms to spare. The penguin parade on Phillip Island is a parade one should never miss for a couple of reasons - the drive to the Philip Island and

the freedom with which the penguins are allowed to indulge in their habitats makes for a really cold 

spectacle .. One thing that distinguishes Melbourne from other cities is that the average man or woman on the streets will say that the arts and cultures are the unique selling points of this city and everyone here is really proud of what Melbourne is as a place and what it offers to all and sundry. So what's your Melbourne quotient ( MQ)?

Run for your lives

I was looking forward to world environment day on 1st of June 2014 with wide eyed excitement for a plethora of reasons . I tip toed out of my teen batti flat before daylight could strike  ( yes the tube light takes a long time to light up quite like when lightning strikes .. You are still waiting for thunder to come and deliver its yeoman services) without waking up the missus and the Teri meherbaniyan meets Marley sunshine who were snoring in synch snuggled in their blankets which had seen better days . The chowkidar was dreaming  of momos  , zeenat aman and amitabh bachchan singing their version of " pyar mein dil pe Mar de goli Lele meri jaan " till He was shaken out of his musical stupor by yours truly and suddenly out of nowhere he puts his hands together and does a namaste which might indicate that he had seen a lot of rajshri movies and must be trolling alok nath on twitter. Pleasantries exchanged with the night watchman and off I was zooming away in my Japanese vehicle to the ergonomically located Mother Earth store in inner ring road dumlur . The Mother Earth store was a Bustle of activity with the strong women folk taking charge and how .. Organizing a run is no mean task , you have to push people out of their comfort zone ( literally and metaphorically) and the weather in Bangalore does not really help.. But it was inspiring to see the women folk ( more power to you) taking charge and really kickstarting the event. The volunteers , the support groups and the paparazzi were in full attendance to support and complement the run for trees event and from the looks of it it was a sure shot winner.  It was an awe inspiring moment to see kids who were barely eight years old standing shoulder to shoulder to ladies and gents who were in their twilight of their life . There was a humanitarian purpose behind this run which ensured that for every runner who registered  ,a tree would be planted on his / her behalf . I was totally taken in by the wide array of colours which were displayed from head to toe across the event - psychedelic , neon, flashes of red engulfed in sea of white t shirts  which had " run for trees  flashing at you from all four corners. The sense of relief a runner gets when he or she completes their run and also goes on to ace it is to be seen to be believed .. Yes it truly was a Forrest Gump  meets bhaag milkha bhaag run .The awards distribution was a " you don't win the silver but lose the gold" moment with the loudest cheers reserved for all the participants and yours truly getting into his act of working up the crowd using his own brand of mojo and kinetic energy.The event ended with photo op sessions, selfies and cheerful bonhomie with a " I will see you when I see you moment "

Love,life,luck and loads of laughter,

Shekhar vijayan

The hatchback story

Veer had just recieved the appointment letter to his dream job in the media publication firm . A celebration at the tony coffee shop eatery  would be the best antidote to cool his happy nerves. He was on schedule to meet Naina an aspiring artist with a keen sense of fashion  who was equally as excited as him and was expected to arrive at the coffee shop in some time . Over a steaming hot cappuchino  and assorted cupcakes Veer was seated right in front of the idiot box watching his favourite team battle it out - Kolkata Knight Riders cricket team was locking horns with the Delhi Daredevils cricket team in the IPl tournament which was going on at the iconic Eden Gardens ground in Kolkata .He was a die hard Kolkata Knight Rider fan and loved the fulsome passion and fighting spirit the team was brimming with. During the innings break impatiently waiting for the call from Naina ,Veer noticed a flaming red hatchback trying to squeeze itself in between the other size zero  mean machines with minimum effort  and maximum eyeballs .In the interim the telly suddenly lost vision and the friendly staff at the coffee shop were on the job to get  it up and running.  Just at that precise moment the heavens opened up and it was a sight to behold - to see a flash of red amidst a riot of other virgin colours with the pitter patter of the raindrops melancholily tap dancing and  serenading the cobbled streets . The gentleman, wearing a suit which was cut from the finest fabric  strode manfully towards the coffee shop swaying to a beat of his own.He seemed oblivious to the many manifold reactions the  hatchback was generating in everyone's minds ranging from  wow " sex on wheels" to " über cool car" . He parked his backside in a table close to Veer's ensuring the colourful hatch batch got his undivided attention. There was something mysterious and equally enigmatic  about this man dressed in a black suit complemented with a red tie adorning  garfield's smug mug ... Veer got inquisitive and how.

The conversation was as follows
Veer:Hey your car looks as cute as a button
Stranger: Oh it sure is and I get to drive and live my dreams everyday
Veer: Accha ! Toh aap sapno ke saudagar ho?
Stranger: with a dimpled grin " well I may just go down in history as the man who charmed others with his dreams"
Veer: I would love to have a closer look at your mean machine
Stranger: Can you handle it?
Veer:Sure I am game
Stranger: Cheerio .We can also go for a drive around the streets

Veer needed  a caffeine boost and the stranger also looked like he needed one. Quickly settling the bill with the cashier Veer grabbed two cups of coffee and ambled across to the stranger.The twosome walked towards the hatchback excitedly. Veer was just about getting into the passenger seat when the stranger surprisingly threw the car keys and asked him if he was man enough to drive.Veer - Sir can you trust me with your car. Stranger- I want to share my enthusiasm and love for the car with you. Veer did not need a second invitation and looked on at the car keys - it was foldable, quite different from the rest of the car keys he had seen . They exchanged seats and Veer took in the plush red upholstery bolstered by the sharp and edgy dark brown coloured dashboard which added class and finish to the well crafted leather steering wheel and yes there was ample head room  in the hatchback .The two of them  safely deposited the coffee cups in the ergonomically designed cubbyhole near the handbrake ( Veer remarking to himself - its a small enhancement but very handy). The soft purr of the engine did not give any indication that the engine had started . The stranger gave him a once over look suggesting the engine is on and Veer needed to get going. Incidentally there was no voice or vibration of the engine when it was idle which was quite remarkable .Veer manoeuvred the car expertly out of the tight parking space without breaking into any cold sweat. The hatch back felt incredibly light and agile and was able to flit in and out of the gaps in the afternoon traffic with ease helped in no small measure with the sudden downpour. The stranger was looking on rather bemusedly partaking In the thrill and joie de vivre of Veer when suddenly out of the blue  Veer sighted a stray dog crossing the road and braked with all his might and brought the car to a grinding halt. The stranger gave Veer a look which suggested - you almost had me. Veer changed the gear and quite liked the seamless manner in which the  chrome fitted gear knob fit his left hand like a kid glove. The ride also had a musical tone with the stranger whistling in synch to " Uptown girl " playing on a friendly radio station and his fluffy hair supplementing the free spirited bonhomie by swaying in the wind .The mobile phone signalled its intentions silently and on cue Veer received a call . The pristine and customer centric voice at the other end enquired whether Veer liked the test ride. Veer was pleasantly surprised and asked rather inquisitively how on earth did anyone know he is going on a test drive. The call gets disconnected and he  looks at the stranger inquiringly whether he would know the answer. The stranger is staring blankly outside at the vibrant and colourful rainbow. He replies back with a cryptic one liner " some questions are best left unanswered". Veer navigates the hatchback back to the comfortable parking spot outside the coffee shop and steps out to the warm and moist smell of mud ( after rain) thanking the stranger profusely on the ride of a lifetime and when he would get to see him again. The stranger gives a knowing grin and remarks" new thinking and new possibilities "and snaps his fingers before Veer can say Robin Hood.Veer gets a call from Naina who is quite animated and angry with him for not answering her calls.

Naina: So where were you?
Veer: I went to heaven and back ( grins)

My Radio Moment

My radio jockeying moment with a local radio station here in Bangalore. I got to play the music of my choice and talk my way through. Listen in to an eclectic playlist and hum along. please click on the hyperlinks and enjoy the music.

Hope you liked my sound bites.

1) https://soundcloud.com/shekharvijayan/2013-03-27-11-00-00-s

2) https://soundcloud.com/shekharvijayan/2013-03-27-11-15-00-s

3) https://soundcloud.com/shekharvijayan/2013-03-27-11-30-00-s

4) https://soundcloud.com/shekharvijayan/2013-03-27-11-45-00-s


Love,Life,Luck and Laughter,
Shekhar Vijayan

Summer of 69

Purani jeans aur Guitar ...Yes that's the song from a non descript pakistani  musician which comes to my mind when I think of school and college days specifically college. Technology was at a nascent stage when I was a student peeping out of school  shorts and college was a surreal experience. It would have been nice if there were search engines with seamless Internet access  for getting access to online forums for white papers and projects. I wish the schools and colleges had created an Eco system where education was not teaching based while nowadays students are conditioned to think on their own, enpowered with the right kind of tools to make a decision. The -anthem we lived by "We don't need no education " from the rock band which had a tone and colour of its own - "pink flloyd" would have taken a totally different turn around another alley if technology had been an abiding partner. The physical infrastructure and the state of the art facilities which is omnipresent in the current school and colleges was not there a decade ago but then if wishes could be horses we would be galloping on them! School was fun purely for the reason being that Nothing can beat the sheer thrill of waiting for the lunch hour bell to ring for digging into our mates tiffin box. 

Yeh dil "Mango" more

   The mango clan was becoming too big for its boots and the rest of the fruits wanted to teach the luscious and seductive mangoes a strong lesson.The mango clan always enjoyed top billing and held a coveted position which did not go down too well with the rest of the other fruits.The disgruntled fruit clan wanted to enter into a war of words with the mango clan - the winner being crowned -the king of fruits by a third party - the hardworking ants.The mangoes were non plussed and Alphonso as the leader decided  to take on the non existent challenge from the sundry other fruits. It was a particularly hot and muggy day with the sun shining in all its glory while the rest of the fruits were ready to fire their first salvo at the mango clan.

   Banana- I am a good source of energy for the tired soul and also dubbed as the poor man's fruit.What about you Mr Mango? You are totally out of shape and heavily over prized.
   Alphonso egged on by the rest of the mango ilk- I am healthy looking and from a well fed family! I charge a premium for my services because there is more to me than just what meets the eye. The banana was about to respond when the Oranges  retorted-I am fresh,have a sunny disposition and  i am also a colour to boot with an affinity towards optimism and adventure. Alphonso quick on the draw replied -i am an aspirational fruit for everyone.You love me or hate me but you cannot ignore me.The orange nodded to himself- such arrogance. The apples were clued in to the conversation and took centre stage. The apples spoke in a rather hurried voice - if it wasn't for us - Adam and Eve wouldn't have got together and done a hum do hamare do,char aur barah( now you do the maths). Alphonso-Ho Hum thanks Chief for the population explosion!!! We were going along well till you came by and spoiled the equation.Haven't you heard of the saying -"One rotten apple spoils the barrel" ?


    The mangoes looked  distracted and a little jealous with Alphonso hogging the limelight.Alphonso true to his nature as a leader with great pedigree motivated and tried to inspire his mango troops -We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore . We will be united in our common interests. perhaps its fate and our moment of truth that today we will be crowned the king of fruits.We will be fighting for our moment in the sun, we will live on and we will survive. The mangoes enthused by the sudden burst of energy were firing on all cylinders,their voices hoarse with a familiar war chant -" Soda ,Lemon, Ginger Pop ,Mangoes are on the top" not giving a moment of respite for  the rest of the fruits in the sweltering heat which couldn't carry on because of lack of imagination and dehydration. The wide eyed ants who were watching the side show with nervous anticipation crowned the mangoes - the king of all fruits unanimously without any hesitation. The  mangoes gave a high five to Mr Alphonso and  a knowing wink to the sun up above for giving them all the power and strength to gamely carry on whilst the ants bit into their soft exterior and sucked the sweet nectar with gusto.

Love,Life,Luck and Laughter,
Shekhar Vijayan

The. Virgin Poet

An evening at Urban Solace - a haven for poets .My first shot at a poetry reading session amongst a live wire audience - high on matters of the heart and words.

Please click on the below link for the video

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151678969892037&l=2529804035557204794

Love, Life,Luck and Laughter,
Shekhar Vijayan