My elder daughter asked me while brushing her teeth in the morning.

Sometimes they like to go to school in car, though their school is just 10 minutes walk away. For a change from usual routine walking. Other occasion in which I have to take them to school is when my wife gets up late disregarding mobile alarms (no more time-pieces). If I am lazy to go for morning jogging, somehow I will pull her up from bed. She likes to cuddle up in the bed, as it is so cold out there now-a-days. Hey, we are getting into rainy season! ('You are really mad to go out and jog in the cold mornings', she taunts me now 'n then).

So, today it is one of those days when kids feel like going to school in the car.

'What about you', I asked the younger one.

'I like to go by walking, talking, seeing the trees, hearing birdies..' She said.

'But I prefer Amma, as I don't want to run because you walk fast pulling me along'

(Sometimes I feel the elder one has got likes and dislikes of my wife and the younger one, of mine. I too like to walk, see and enjoy the nature.)

Taking them in car has another dis-advantage: to go to school in the one-way-road takes 10 minutes; then another 5 minutes to find a parking space outside the school gate; hence it would be at least 25 minutes before I come back. So, I too like to 'walk them to school', as I could save time to reach office.

'If both of you agree, I will take you to school by walk' I said. Though grumbled a bit, she agreed. And ah, I would walk slowly.

'Then, you hurry up, as you need to leave latest by 8.30 am', wife reminds me.

And she managed to push us out in time, with small 'boxes' for each kid for first break, second break and for lunch. (Second break, they need to take some fruit. And cakes, pastries prohibited by school for lunch. So, moms have to be really creative to fill the boxes daily).

It is a wet and sunny morning as it was raining last night. Very pleasant weather. Sun is making us warm with soft rays. Green lawns in front of each house inside and outside the compound line are afresh. Tree leaves still have some water left on it from the night rain. Birds chirping. Cold wind, not chill, just smoothly brings you the smell of earth. Ah, What a morning I got to take them to school. Isn't it a gift to me!

A nice walk to school. Talking to kids, answering their doubts, picking flowers which are fallen on the path way. Seeing many kids on the way (Alas, no Indians). Could see boys carrying Oval ball (which is used for Australian football). Kids go to school on cycles, 'n skate boards too. (My daughters still waiting for me to allow them taking bicycle to school; they have 'proved' their balance on two wheels, but I want them have more practice, may be another few weeks).

There are few Eucalyptus trees near the school gate. The strong healthy smell signals you that you reached destination. The school is having classes till 7^th, so there are no big boys 'n girls. Kids are playing tennis, basket ball, cricket. Some girls are playing by throwing pink colored football.. Few boys and girls are on 'monkey bars', on which they can climb, jump, hang with legs heads down. Small kids my kid of 6 year too - do such things, giving us shivers. Now there is a new item 'spider web' it is called, which is very popular among kids, on which kids can climb to the top. In total, very active atmosphere, which really pleases my mind.

The elder one ran off to her class, and I took the younger one to her class and hurried back home, The first bell rang.

* * * * * * *

While coming back, I thought of my school days. What a difference from our days and present days, (especially here down under). We tend to be more careful - over protective, I should say about kids; don't allow them to go to school alone; They go to school either in school bus or car. Walking is luxury (unless you live very close to school). I used to walk more than 1 kilometer one way daily to school, and back - till 10^th standard, when I got my first bicycle. But I really enjoyed those walks. Primary school, we were accompanied by 'Kunjamma' (Aaya); and was not much fun: small kids, right!.

In upper primary school, I used to come home for lunch. As my home was little bit farther than my mom's Tharavadu (ancestral home), I always had lunch at Ammumma's (Grandma) home. After lunch when I go back to school, I get some coins (10 or 25 paise) to buy 'peanut toffee'. She always kept balance from provision purchase on the window-sill in the kitchen. Religiously after lunch, I used to ask 'Ammumma, could I have some money for toffee?' She used to reply 'okay, take 25 paise from the window-sill'. Before she could complete the sentence, I would have taken the money and left the kitchen. I look around for Muthachan (Grand dad), and if he was not there in the vicinity, I used to jump over the fence without going thru the front Gate which was on the other side of compound (it was a large compound of almost 2 Acres, till later divided during partition among my mom, aunts and uncles. Both Grandfather and Grand mom have left the earth some years ago).

Taking a turn at the junction, few yards ahead, there was 'Shiny Stores' which used to sell stationery, small toys, sweets etc. Three schools in the perimeter of one kilometer helped the owner to make some money. By seeing me, he would dip his hand into the large glass jar, and take out the round peanut toffee. I really loved that toffee. (even now I love peanuts, and for that matter any nuts!). This helped me to brave the scorching sun on the way to School. Usually not much friends would come home for lunch; hence that made it easy to enjoy my toffee alone without any need to share it.

While returning, 4 O' clock, road would be full of kids, in uniforms green & white, and blue & white. Literally full of kids, which made the buses and cars to slow down. Walking along with friends, talking, fighting, we never knew the distance between school and home. And more over, the expectation of some savories awaiting me at home, thanks to mom.

* * * *

By this time, I reached home. Now to hurry to office as it is almost 9am. To delve into school days another time.

Sitting in front font of the computer to write a post, I wonder what to write about.

About the travel made during past two months?.but, nothing much to say, as it was to the same old Johannesburg.. Only difference was, I almost lost my checked-in-luggage, as it reached from Sydney to Jobug after 3 days. (at least I expected some apology from QANTAS but in vain).. and while returning, flight was 4 hours late. One hour before getting in, then 3 hours in flight before take off. Due to this long delay, alas, I could not meet one of my friends with whom I had agreed to meet(hope he would read this sorry mate, but there was not much I could have done about this :-( Next time, we shall meet no hard feelings!?)

About the books I read these days?. bought two books 'The best australian short stories' which is a collection few selected short stories. Sort of 'okey-dokey'. Another one is by British Writer Celia Brayfield about her stay in suburb of France. Not yet completed, but I felt this as very captivating, and she has very good command over language (naturally!). May be I will write in detail about this once I complete reading.

About the change in our life from UAE to Melbourne? may be too early to say - we had a good society life over there, but here it is almost nil as of now. Though I tried to make some connections with Indian communities, no result yet. As of now, it is a small circle surrounding me, my family and the work environment. We go out for walk, to beach, jogging, cycling, shopping, sight seeing.. But that is it. so I would call it boring. Thanks to googletalk, we keep in constant touch with our friends in UAE .

About the ever-fluctuating weather of Melbourne? Same day you could find it as sunny, cold, rainy and windy. Now a days it is cold and windy. Last Wednesday, it was so windy that some places there were traffic blocks due to fallen trees. Tall bridges were closed early. Many places traffic lights stopped working. Heard in ABC that usually Victorian Electricity board (Melbourne is in the state of Victoria, hence anything in Melbourne is 'Victoria'n) gets 200 calls a day; but on Wednesday, they got 78000 calls! Thank God, the place where I stay, there were no issues.

Or, about the open zoo we had visited ..Or may be of one of the Saturdays when we went to ISKON temple here..Or, about why kids like the schools over here than their UAE school.. What about the trip to the Aquarium, where you really go under the water the concave glass of 125mm separates you inside and sharks outside in the water..

Let me clear my head, and decide!

As they say, it is not just enough to HAVE love, but you need to EXPRESS it too.

I have been away from Iland for so long that I have the feeling of losing the friends around here.I dread that feeling.

So, like the guys who are returning home after living abroad for few years, I am bringing myself back to my island.

Better late than never.

I will spend time in reading the missed-out blogs during the last two-three months. Long gap, but I need to compensate.

And to be regular on my site.

* * * * * * *

Here it started raining after a month of hot days. Even 37 deg seemed to be scorching. Hence rain is really soothing, and we were waiting for it.

Cold days, strong wind prevent us going to beaches many days, but sticking on the morning jogging, wind or non-wind.

Wet road, more-greener surroundings.. Just like a wet rainy evening in Bangalore.

Winter is 3 months away; it is Autumn now. Leaves have started to gain that yellowish tint. and to fall down.

One guy was mentioning in radio program of ABC that though US says 'FALL'. Down under stick to 'AUTUMN'.

.whatever.

Hi Friends.. been away from iland for a while.. too busy....This post was done a month back, almost. Looking forward to be a regular now onwards! Thanks, and nice of you who noticed my absence:-)

Life is all about taking sides. You have to be on either of the sides. It is totally dangerous to be in between you get hurt one day or other for being there. And do what you feel right, even if it is against the side which you are in in the long run, it pays back.

May be the Movie 'Life of Others' is trying to stress the above truth.

It was just by coincidence I put my hands on this film 'Life of Others' It is a Dutch film referring o the pre/post Berlin wall era. Berlin wall was demolished in 1989, bringing West and East Germany physically together. Just 'Physically', as even after joining both provinces by bringing down the wall, the life was different in both sides.

I think this is one of the best films I have ever seen, so I couldn't help but writing about this!

This film is about the insecurity and lack of freedom faced by the writers of that era. They were not allowed to write or publish what they feel. They could not speak what they wanted to say. Freedom of expression was of no priority at all. Government wired houses of the writers, playwrights, artists..... And once they were caught, they 'vanished' .they ceased to exist. The number of 'suicides' were very high during that time.

The film has three or four main characters. A writer, his wife(or fiancée?), two police officers & a minister. The Senior officer entrust an Second officer H.G.Wiesler (code name HGW) to wire the house of famous playwright G.Dreyman, and report minute by minute activities. One day when Dreyman gone out, the team of HGW goes to the apartment (looks like old Russian house) and wire all the nooks and corners of the house, and place a camera (old 1980s technology). And in the hiding room somewhere near office, HGW sits with a headphone on head and small typewriter infront. Each and every conversation he had to type. After his shift, his assistant comes and take over.

In Dreyman's house, meanwhile three friends meet together and on the façade of a stage play preparation for National Day, they write features to be published in west Germany magazines. The type writer for this was smuggled to East Germany from West Germany. It is a small typewriter, may be as big as a dictionary. After typing, the machine and the papers are hidden below the door-sill on the floor between drawing room and living room. Dreyman's wife didn't want to get involved in this, but one day unexpectedly she happen to see this hiding place (later, she curses herself for knowing that).

Day by day, after hearing the conversations, HGW understand what 'other side' thinks. And without knowing, he changes side from Police to Rebels (not physically though). He didn't want to harm Dreyman, hence he types on many days 'Nothing unusual happened' in the reports about Dreyman.

The minister had an eye for Dreyman's wife And she gives up to him as she wanted to continue on stage as actress (fear of Authority). This continues till Dreyman come to know about this and make her change her mind (of course, HGW had a hand in this).

About unusual suicides in East Germany, and reasons for this, Dreyman prepares feature, and this been smuggled by his friend over to West Germany to publish there. This makes a furore, and minister was unhappy. The Senior police officer questions HGW whether there was any chance Dreyman would have written that. But they concluded that the type-face which Dreyman usually uses does not match with this new one, hence he got out of doubt sort of.

The senior officer had doubts on HGW and indirectly warns him. Mrs Dreyman was caught on pretext of using drug, and she was brought for interrogation. HGW was specifically selected to question her. He questions, and she reveals it was written by Dreyman, and the typewriter was hidden in that place (earlier there is one incident where police officers searches Dreyman's home and came out empty handed). HGW leaves the room fast. The senior officer and team come for search. That time Mrs Dreyman too reaches there. They search all the places, and the senior officer just mention that the door sill seems to be loose. And kneels down to open it. This time all hearts stop; Dreyman looks at his wife as if 'oh, why you did this'.

But when the wooden plank was removed, nothing was there! -as HGW had come there just after interrogation and removed those evidences. Without knowing this, Mrs Dreyman runs outside the home, and suicides jumping infront of a lorry HGW reaches there first, and he says there was no reason to do this, as he had removed them but too late, and she dies.

HGW was demoted as 'no trustworthy job could be entrusted to him'. From the rank of second-in-command, he falls down to the section where all the letters are opened with steam and read the contents, and re-paste to the addressees. During one of the scene, his colleage, who was hearing radio news shouts with bright face 'Berlin wall is demolished'.

Post Berlin-wall era. Stage plays galore. But as the earstwhile-minister says, there is no fun for playwrights, as 'there is nothing to rebel against. Nothing to oppose'. When Dreyman asks the minister why his house was not wired while all others' house were tapped; minister reveals that he had wired each corner and they knew what were going on.

Dreyman goes to the Police library, and request for the diary/log of tracking his home (As the wall had fallen, all the records were accessible by public). He goes thru all the files chronologically may be 15 to 20 of them and realizes what actually happened. Narually he requested to know the identiy behind HGW ..

..and he get to see the identity card with photo with name 'H.G.Wiesler'.

He would go and search for him. And see him working as post man who delivers letters door to door. For some reasons, he decides not to approach to him. And returns.

Then one day When HG Wiesler passing over a shop, through the glass window he sees a book written by Dreyman, 'ode to a good man' (I think this is the name of the book). Wiesler goes into the shop and gets the book. When he opens, he realizes that it is for the good man 'HGW'. He buys it, and when shopkeeper asks whether it is to be gift-wrapped, Wiesler replies:

' No, it is for ME'!

Thus the story ends.

Actor Ulrich Hue acted in the role of HGW. Performance par excellence. Sebastian Koch

in the role of G. Dreyman. Smart acting. We will be engrossed in the power of acting of Ulrich Hue. Really living the role. The conversations are in Dutch language. Though I switched to English translation, immediately gone back to the original Dutch version so as not to lose the feel & modulation of the voice and subtitles helps us to understand the movie.

There are many outstanding scenes in this film, which you should see.

A must-see film.

As per forecast, weekend was going to be 'cold, rainy & windy'. Though I had plans to drive to the suburbs (for this purpose, took the car from office), the forecast cast shadow on my plans. Nevertheless, weekend to be enjoyed, rain of shine!

Horserace is in big way here in Melbourne. Coming Tuesday (6^th Nov) it s Public holiday due to Melbourne Cup. Horse race capable of stopping the nation! The prize money, as heard, is more than M$. It is 'world cup', hence participation from all over the world. City hotels are full.

And yesterday (Saturday) it was Victoria Derby Day Day of high class fashion and horse racing. Prize money $ 1.5M or more. It was time for the girls to dress up and celebrate with spouse/friends. Could see many girls dressed up in new (and skimpy!) dresses, and guys in Tuxedo's. Girls were wearing hats with some kind of decorations mostly feathers- on them. Am sure, most of the guys and girls have nothing to do with Horses, but use this occasion to dress up, scout in the city and celebrate. As currently I am staying in the midst of city, looking thru the window, I could see colorful couples. Being a windy day, some poor (poor in clothes!) girls were trying hard to grab the end of their frocks (which hardly reached lower of thighs) together to beat the power of wind. Some of the sights reminded the 'Marlene Monroe' scene the one where she tries to push down her skirt! As my friend said, the ladies buy expensive dress for the day, and costly high-heeled shoes; and during the day they get drunk; and by evening they could be seen walking barefoot , with shoes in hand. If not such a scene, I could see the 'guys' without jacket as in the cold night, the scantly-dressed girls got covered with their guys' jackets!

Another weekend getting over. To say about driving, I did drive to the suburbs to have a look. Nice grand houses, and greenery everywhere. It was drizzling (and the dirty car looks new now!). I think I feel jittery when I drive on the tall (as tall as around 15 storied building, I think) Westgate Bridge.

I try not to look thru side window, and concentrate on the road ahead.

* * * * *

Man proposes, God disposes. I always believe in this. And sure, most of you too!

I am writing this from Melbourne (Again?!!)

Oh no, I DID fly back in the second week of October, exactly on 9^th. But....

I came here again yesterday.. On 26^th October.

Last time, you may say I came for sort of 'fire fighting'.

And now I am here on a long-term basis!. In short, I got a transfer to Melbourne office.

Will be travelling to South Africa, as I am responsible for Jobug unit too. - hence you guys could see blogs of both these places!!! (Sorry for that, eh.. Something to be posted, right ;-)

My family will move to Melbourne very soon. So, it is time again to re-settle, getting accustommed to new continent, people, neighbourhood, office, School etc etc. So quite busy now-a-days.

Though there were some discussions since August about this move, nothing was crystal clear till a week or two.

So, friends, here I am. No change for my existence in rediffiland but for the change of location from 'UAE' to Melbourne'!

(Will post few pictures shortly)

How it would feel like missing a day on earth?!!

Yes, I had sort of such feeling of losing a day well, almost!

I left Dubai for Australia on 29th September Saturday early morning 2 AM in wee hours. Then reaching Melbourne on Sunday early morning 1.30 AM (Australian time). It is almost like on Friday getting into flight, and Sunday getting out of flight!

Ooops. I missed the Saturday (where it had gone!)..(we had a 45 minutes stop-over in Singapore, though). So, most of the day I was flying. 6 hours time difference taken away some part of the day.

I am scribbling this from Melbourne, (as they say, the beautiful city of Australia). First impression is 'wow'! Really it is a great place. (I remember once our Krishnamachari Srikanth said that Australia is THE best country he had ever visited)

Due to Jet lag, I slept till 2 pm today, then I went out for a stroll. It is a wet day, drizzling and windy. Temperature around 15 degree.

Will be here for another 10 days. So, thinking of posting in the coming days about stay over here.

Meanwhile, above given some pictures I have taken today, for my iland friends. Have a great week ahead!

Hearing some giggling, I was tempted to look to my left side. Ah, there were some European tourist girls who were asked to remove the batteries from the camera. They reluctantly did so, though tried to argue. One poor fellow had something gift-wrapped in his hand. We all felt sorry for him while the officer (who might have had a guilty feeling to do so) was tearing the glittering paper cover.

Those scenes happened a year back. Now situation changed, and warrants more stringent security measures.

One such recent restriction which seems to make travelers more angry is about size of containers (bottle, tubes etc). We can carry maximum 3 Ounce per container (er.. such a small quantity?!!). Who travel with kids-especially infants-, knows how difficult this is, as they can't even carry a bottle of medicine (without prescription), creams etc. We tend to become angry with the officers, but they are bound to do their duty. And remember, it needs to have manufacturer's labels on such containers of creams and other toiletries .

This rule is called 3-1-1 rule. Means, 3 ounce/1 quart/1 bag. All liquids, gels, aerosols have to be less than or equal to 3 ounce containers. (Some smart guys tried to roll-up the squeezed bottom to suit to '3 ounce' rule, but were caught and disallowed). Part 1-1 is, that each passenger can have only one zip-top-bag to carry these liquids. That means you can't carry the liquids in two or three bags. Thus made 3-1-1! Some of the exceptions being, Baby food for a traveling toddler; Breast milk in quantities greater than 3 ounces 'as long as it is declared for inspection' (of course in separate container!)

Recently I read about the scientific reasoning behind the 3- Ounce rule. Seems there was some liquid explosion plot earlier, to blow up flight. Terrorists planned secret formulation which would get around screening measures. So in Britain and US, they initially banned liquid altogether. The laboratory tests helped them to realize that a container has to be of certain size for an effective explosion. A 3-ounce container fitting to a small size bag do not have "enough critical diameter" to blow up a plane. Hence, the size of the container is important. Rather, it is more important.

Who frequently travel abroad will be aware of such increased checks and controls now-a-days. Though we think such checks and restrictions at least some- are ridiculous and causing difficulty to us, if we dig deep, realize that the controls are for our safety. Once you are up there grazing the clouds, you are helpless. and pray God not to happen anything bad! (I had the bad habit of thinking 'what-will-happen-now-if-somebody-gets up-with a pistol'!).

So next time I know not to bite my teeth in anger when I pack my bag (which is already in the vicinity coming weekend, I am supposed to travel long hours).

Recently one of the 'items' came up was, if we were given a chance to go back to past in 'Time Machine', to which part of your early years each would go back.. infant-hood, child-hood or as a youngster. It was a brilliant topic, which took each of us to our favorite time in the past.

Three of the friends wanted to go back to childhood Age 6 to 12, ie school days which they enjoyed much. Another friend didn't want to go back at all (surprisingly!). He said, he did'nt want to go through what he had already been through he must have had very troubled early days, we felt. Only me wanted to go back to college days a change from others! As 'derived' by friends, reason would be that I must have had a very restricted child hood, with strict parents. And they started explaining how they enjoyed their childhood, time with friends etc, till we reached office.

In the evening, at home, I just thought about this. Told my wife about this (she wanted to go back as a 6 month old child as she would only have to drink, sleep and cry! Others will take care of everything!!!) Why my favorite past is not child-hood as others' choice.. This made me to look back into my school days..

Alas, I could not see much interesting memories of those days. Home-to-School-to-Home. Weekends we go to Mom's home ('Tharavadu') which is 200 meters away. And may be watching football match in the temple-ground near to mom's home. No vacations outside the town (..and we never expected too. A school teacher he was, my father was working very hard whole day to provide us a good life, if not luxurious) My father never beat me; He wanted us to get good marks, and it was mom who took care of our study & exams. They always tried to inculcate the importance of education into us. Mom kept few canes of different thickness in her custody to 'treat' us. I hated History, and hence always had to face questions from mom like 'between which regions second panipat war was fought; what are Shersha's development to his kingdom; In which year Akbar did this or that.. etc. (Thanks to her constant supervision during my schooldays -and in the first year into college too!-, I could score well in exams, and am here now!) . I could not remember any of my close friends of those days (may be I didn't have!) but, I could think of names of many of my classmates, though. Moreover, I was studying in the same school where my father was teaching, which might have restricted my freedom!

So, truly nothing attractive was there which enticed me to go back to those days..

But days after my 10^th standard were not like that. Much more freedom, mobility (as I got my first bicycle by that time) more friends, activities, sports, and feeling of a grown-up boy! As for study, the value of self-study was rooted within me by that time. Along with this, all those usual pluses and minuses of college life definitely was more fulfilling, and well-remembered! So, surely, I would like time machine to take me there!

(Hold on! On second thoughts, I feel I should go back to the not-so-interesting-childhood than oh!-so-fabulous college days! Because, why don't we try to make it more interesting and enjoyable this time! It would be wonderful to learn from the 'mistakes' of the past and do it 'correctly' on this trip!!! Hmm, idea seems to be great, indeed.)

It was so nice to travel thru those days by thoughts, if not in time machine! Coming back to present reality, I do miss my father, who is no more here to enjoy the fruits of his hardship. He left us to heavenly abode during early days of my first job. I am sure, he must be happy seeing us from there.