Sinhgad in Monsoon

On 22nd June, the monsoon had send feelers that it is on its way. The sky was pregnant with heavy clouds, wind was sweeping and dancing around. With nature being so 'Meherban', few of us decided to skip cozy sleep in early Sunday morning and go for 'Sinhgadh' trek. Our first trek of this monsoon.
This place is for Punities a great de-stressing center. The 40 minitues drive and you are literally high in clouds. As you move from one corner to other, the gentle wind suddenly caresses your hair and brings a stupid smile on your face for no reason at all.
Luckily you have no choice of food. Eat 'Kanda Bhaji' and local dish of 'Bakri Roti', curd in mud-cup and Dal. No options, and believe me, it is worth five star hotel rates, but at Rs:5/- per roti, it is heavenly food and at super-heavenly rates.
Sprinkling of Rain - Kanda Baji - Bakri Roti - Zooming Fog - Gentle wind - screeching wind - Panormic views - cool cold.
Wow, what more can you ask?

And for more pictures click below...

http://photos.ibibo.com/photos/viewphotolistonepage/0aae7906e7b7913fe836618c168c230b42-v1/1

by P G Dodeja

Chillam Chilly Club

[Dodeja/Bathija Club]

3C's. Chillam Chilly Club. Well during one of our picnics we decided to form a club. And what a odd lot we are. Chinky being the youngest and myself being the oldest. Gap of more then 2 decades! Be it rainy day picnic, journey to Pune or hill stations like Mahableshwar or Yerkad or Matheran, attending the Engagements or Wedding, participating in the Marriage functions, or simply going for ice cream drive, if half of the members get together, it is gala time for all of us, without fail.
Why we gel very well? Why this group brings a smile for no reason or rhyme? What makes us click? Well for that I have no answer. This just happens. Yes, nowadays the gap between 'Fun Time' is growing. Earlier our 'fun time' averaged at least 20 times a year, now it has come down to 12 times or maybe less. For that main reason being our shifting to Pune.

by P G Dodeja

Dodeja Daughters!

[Dau's of - Lokram-Karamchand-Madhavdas-Chugumal-Baldev]

Wow! This is a very unique picture of all Dodeja Girls clicked by Dad on some wedding. These girls are all un married at that time, all are Dodeja's. During 1947-48 every Dodeja house was blessed with Daughter. In all there were 9 girls born in that period!!

by P G Dodeja

House Full

This is from the era when only entertainment was 'Movies'. No Multiplexes, no 200 channel TV's, No road shows, No IPL's, No one day matches. So, the idea of Sunday evening out was, One: Visit Juhu Beach and eat pani puri, Two: Visit some boring relative, Three: Go for Friday release. 9 out of 10 times we voted for this option.
Our Dad and Grand Father were also into movies in big way. Dad used to see at least 3 movies in a week. 2 Hindi & 1 Hollywood flick. But he had this very idealistic attitude for seeing movies. We will never buy a ticket in 'Black'.
Well, during those times, good movies were booked week in advance. On Monday, within 2 hours all tickets will be sold out. Black Marketeers will then sell few tickets in Black, during show time. 2 ka 4, means, you pay double rate for the ticket. Rs:20/- ticket will cost 40/- bucks! So this sign board of 'House Full' was the first sign which Lali & myself dreaded. As we will near cinema hall, our prayers will start, 'Please God, no House Full Board, please'. We knew the exact location of House Full board in every cinema hall which we frequented. And, believe me, sometimes, absence of this Board gave more joy then the movie itself!
Now once so happened, we very badly wanted to see the movie and there was no option but buy the ticket in Black. I purchased and told Dad, who was in Car waiting for me to return empty handed, 'We are in luck today, one guy had come to return those tickets, I got 5 for us!'
During the movie my soul kept cursing me, because this was first time I have played trick on my Dad and lied also. By the end of the Movie (Himalya Ki Goad Mein) I vowed never to buy ticket in Black, I have finished my stack of pocket money and not enjoyed movie even for one minute! Very bad deal.
This incident made me organized person. I learned to plan Movie week ends. The trouble of going and booking ticket one week in advance turned into enjoyable experience. The wait made the Movie more desirable and thrill of walking into Cinema Hall with 100 of disheartened movie goers envious look on you made all the trouble worth it.
Alas, today we do not get this opportunity.
by P G Dodeja

LOST

Lost in Serials
Kashyap was in London for 10 months and during those 10 months Akki & Myself did not get to see much on TV. Once he was back, (June 2007) we got hooked along with him on various American TV serials. I expected this bing to end in few months, but to my utter surprise, we are still going strong, watching at least 7-10 episodes in a week.
Till now we have watched all seasons of 24 - Dr House - Prison Break - Heros. Currently we are on LOST. It is drama - Thriller - Mystery - Adventure all combined together with great cast, with 15 - 20 characters very well itched. Also very pleasing is the natural beauty captured. This being shot in outdoors on beach and dense jungle of south pacific.

This serial is about the strangers, who have crash landed on mysterious island. The story moves along with past story of characters around whom current episode is being shown. A very creative mix, cunning play of words and scenes along with similar situations in past and present. The best part is that they expose the 5 points and create 10 more mysteries. Thus leaving behind the audience, want more of the LOST.

On deeper study, one may find many flaws, but then this is not classic work, but entertainment of high order, for that it passes the muster.

So till LOSt becomes last serial, enjoy.

by P G Dodeja