Today, I decided to spend a gorgeous day out in the hood around Gowanus canal and Smith St in the Boerum Hill section of Brooklyn. What occurs to one in the first few instants spent here is the incredible gastronomic eclectism in terms of all the multi-ethnic cuisine restaurants that adoringly line the length of Smith Street from Atlantic Avenue all the way until Douglass St. further south. Gowanus Canal accesible by the Union St overbridge fails to impress and visually seems only a shade more impressive than Mahim Creek in Bombay for those who know what I'm talking about. But its close proximity is the reason for the high asking rate for co-op apts. in the area. Yonder across Atlantic Av at the intersection of State St and Hoyt is an establishment that serves the finest chocolate eclairs I've consumed till date, called The Victory. I downed 4 of those of those here at one go back in the unforgiving summer of 2003 - the time of the infamous NYC blackout and earned myself...er.....no pun intended 'brownie points' for life from the salesperson as he offered me a free eclair for the next couple of times I swung by the tiny store!

Functionless art is simply tolerated vandalism. I am a vandal and this blog is my art.

The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain. That holds good for Madrid, possibly. Barcelona, on the other hand is a city that is is more rugged in a geographical, political and architectural sense! Need I elaborate? Ok, your ignorance is condoned. Parts of Barca, as locals endearingly refer to their home town is almost San Franciscan in terrain. Many slopes to climb especially in and around Gaudi's Parc Guell. Catalunyans are fiercely proud of their heritage and a clear indication of that is seen when one lands at the airport. You'll see signs in Spanish, English and Catalan. Barcelona's architecture does not have to cry out loud to seek attention as is seen in many 'wannabe' cities around the world. When the city has mothered artists and architects such as Salvador Dali and Antoni Gaudi, does it even need to further its aspirations on getting on the 'map', so to say? I understand that this sounds like it's right out of Barcelona Sightseeing's travel brochure, but if a city has an elegance that is worthy of glorification, then I'm sold and it's offerings I'm vending in the form of this virtual pamphlet!

This image truly captures the essence of Pearl Jam's philosophy and musical direction. They've always been an insular band that has fought hard to not be famous for their image but much rather have their music approved by their audiences. Metaphorically this image suggests just that wherein despite the spotlights being focussed on the band, their silhouettes are the only potent visuals that emerge through the lens. Ok, enough crap! This was probably the second most rocking PJ show I'd ever seen. Partly because it was in fact the second and so far the last PJ show I've seen. The previous one was back in 2003 when I was fortunate to get to see them at Madison Square Garden. Though there's no words to describe the rush I felt as I entered the arena,their DVD - Live at the Garden comes close to capturing that moment when watched in surround sound theatre on a projected screen. I haven't had the chance to relive that because though I possess a copy of the DVD, I don't make enough money to buy myself a good home theatre system and a decent digital projector. I do, however very graciously accept donations which can be mailed in to me at 10, Fort Greene Pl.,Apt#3R, Brooklyn, NY11217. On another note what would've made the concert unrelinquishable moment to moment would probably be the presence of Amit aka Munna and Sumeru aka Smash! Damn.....when'll that day arrive?

Tribeca-ning. I'm eternally enamoured by the view that Brooklyn promenade provides! I first caught a glimpse of it back in 2003 sans the towers. Their absence though profound, does not lessen the seductive charm of the busy Lower Manhattan skyline. In fact their absence provides the stimulus for visioning the future of the Financial District and the hope it affords is antithetical to the despair that was brought on by the tragic events of September 11, 2001. This picture was taken on December 30, 2006 at 0115 hrs on a Canon Rebel xTi digital SLR. The provision of this high end photographic equipment was the generous consideration of my significant other. I don't consider myself being PC but thats how I prefer to address her. Clearly I'm not trying to be gender-blind in addressing her so!

Snow can be white and fun. It can also be treacherous and ugly once it solidifies into ice infused with dirt and grime from the sidewalk. Hailing from Mumbai as I do, I've seen floodings that this Nor'easter would not match in magnitude and devastation.The fundamental difference between the two being that while in the Big Apple most people welcome the romantic escape that snow provides in visually enhancing the landscape, in Amchi Mumbai, the dread that a big daddy rainstorm could bring would make one want to wish it away. The resilience that is displayed by the average Mumbaikar in surviving the trail of damage that the 'South Westerly' leaves behind is truly motivational. Jai Maharashtra.