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Yearly Archives: 2013
Music Musings – Coffee
In this week’s feature, film that takes ‘centre stage’ and lead to discovering some catchy music. Think I better add another category to my list of ways to discover new music!
The film guy – Ivan Hughes
Ivan (left) with my uncle (right) – both big whisky fans!
Ivan is a guy who loves mountain climbing, film making and a good whisky. When his wife Angela got a job back in her hometown of Winnipeg a few years ago, they packed up the kids and critters, sold their gorgeous home in Squamish and settled down in the ‘Peg.
It was no surprise that he got involved with the Winnipeg Film Group and joined a private whisky tasting club – The Cabinet. (Hey Ivan – Am I STILL the only woman to enter the hallowed tasting den?)
As for the mountain climbing and adventurous spirit? The Canadian prairies are a loooong way from any serious rock climbing. However don’t let that fool you! Just check out their company Fringe Filmworks – pretty clear there are creative ways to let an adventuresome spirit loose on the world even if the base is Winnipeg!
For Coffee, Ivan did the direction and camera work…
The film guy’s family – Angela Heck ‘The Businesswoman’ & Thea Heck Hughes ‘The Child’ (more…)
Glenlivet Nadurra, Scapa, Mitcher’s Straight Rye, Kilchomen Spring 2011 + Caroni
Part of tasting notes series from a monthly private whisky club in Mumbai, India. This post is a ‘blast from the past’.
Tasting Notes from 20 Oct 2011
This month we were back to our standard format and blind tasted before revealing the whisky. The session featured: Glenlivet Nadurra, Scapa 16 yr, Mitcher’s Straight Rye, Kilchomen Spring release followed by an extra treat Caroni 18 yr rum.
It was an exceptionally lovely evening in Worli with perfect hosts. A comfortable setting, the right music, glasses, spitoon and cucumbers all laid out, followed by the most fabulous nibbles… yum!
The contrast between the different single malts was also a wonderful learning experience… which was, naturally, the real focus of our evening.
Trophy Accident – Celebrating 100 Followers
I’m still a complete neophyte when it comes to navigating the wonderful world of WordPress and blogging features. Only today when going through the Reader did I notice a funny little thing labelled “Trophy Case” on the right hand column.
I clicked on the link to discover that since 23 Sept 2013 there are 100 fabulous folks following this blog. How the heck did that happen?
Followers (23 Sept 2013)
And because I’m a little slow… between this “Trophy” and today, apparently we’re up to 114 followers, augmented by an additional 60 through Twitter.
So thanks folks, keep following, commenting, liking and most importantly reading and publishing your own blogs! Good luck to you achieving a happy milestone when not looking!
Happy 1st October!
Related posts:
- 999 views? It’s an emergency! (Pssst… according to the latest stats am inching towards 5,000 views)
- Blog Trivia
- 1st Quarter Summary
Feasting in Matunga – Experience Udipi Indulgence
So… what did I do with my “Bonus time in Bombay“? Lots of things! For starters, finally made it to Ram Nayak – a favourite udipi joint to stuff myself silly on yummy South Indian vegetarian fare.
For literally years I’ve wanted to go back – a treat usually reserved for foreign guests who want a ‘real taste’ of food here. I shared this desire with more than one friend and finally last weekend a bunch of us decided “Yes let’s!” More miraculously – actually followed through on our enthusiasm – full credit to our ring leader not I!
Why is this place so memorable? (more…)
Welcome to Music Musings – RÁJ’s Ghost
The last time I listened to the radio was when my car CD player gave its last gasp and died. I was too lazy, traveling too much (insert plausible excuse) to get it fixed or replaced and found I actually enjoyed the new English Radio One station – especially Brian’s Sunday evening blues spotlight.
Then my partner decided to treat me by completely upgrading my car music system and voilà! Back to CDs plus I can now even plug-in my iPod – Yipee! (You can tell my car is old as it had a cassette player not an iPod plug)
Discovering & sharing music – “Old Style” (more…)
Convenience vs Cost – Calling for creative travel advice!!
I’m convinced there are far greater experts out there who can extract both value and convenience when planning international flights. As I plan my next trip back from Mumbai to Jakarta, would love to tap into the collective world wide WordPress wisdom for travel advice…
Where I want to book today…
So here is my criteria:
- Avoid crappy cramped overnight flights. Appreciate overnight for long haul flights can’t be avoided but these 4 – 5 hour overnight flights are killers!
- Stick with ‘preferred airline’ with access to business lounges, internet, khanna/pina (food/drink) as have ‘gold’ status (for now!)
- As direct as possible so avoid spending extra day(s) in airports – yes the romance of exploring airports for hours long ago vanished!
- Economy fare because, well, the client is covering the cost and for them – the cheaper the better! And we all like happy clients. 🙂
Seems pretty simple, right? (more…)
Glenturret, Auchentoshan, Kilchoman Machir Bay
This is part of a tasting notes series from a monthly private whisky club in Mumbai, India. This month, with Ganpati processions still clogging the streets of Bombay, we braved traffic snarls and celebrations to make it to our lovely hosts home in Sewri.
Tasting Notes from 19 September 2013
We continued our standard format and blind tasted before revealing the whisky. September featured: Glenturret 10 year, Auchentoshan 14 year Cooper’s Reserve and Kilchoman Machir Bay.
“It was worth the effort to come!”
Improbable Efficiency – The Lunchbox Love Story (take 2!)
I’m just so darn proud “The Lunchbox” did well in the festival circuit and opened this week in India (with global domination around the corner!). And while “The Lunchbox” was passed over for the Indian Oscar entry, delighted it is finally reaching audiences. Congratulations to Ritesh’s deft writing & directing and the entire cast & crew that made it happen.
So here goes a repeat of my earlier post published 21 May 2013 – with ‘extra bonus’ movie trailer and image!
Photo: The Lunchbox FaceBook page
Improbable Efficiency – A Dabba Love Story (more…)
Bonus time in Bombay – Jakarta I’ll be back again soon!
Today I was supposed to be in transit to Jakarta… but I’m instead waking up in Bombay. What happened? Did I miss my flight? Was there some major life tragedy that derailed everything? Nope! Just a simple delay in the launch date for the project which means more time home rather than away. (more…)
“How come you don’t have an accent in Hindi?”
Just as my English has a “chameleon” quality (see “Can you drop the Indian accent?”), I’m often asked “How come you don’t have an accent in Hindi?”
I’ve got Hindi, what about you? (Photo: http://www.tattoodonkey.com)
Usually I explain that I have lived in India for more than a decade, studied Hindi in Delhi for a year augmented mid-way by a very helpful 6-week stint at the Landour Language School (near Mussourie).
What follows is generally “Aaah! That explains it!” type response. Because the ‘real’ Hindi is naturally from North India!
Yet I’m aware that my vocabulary has shifted between what is typically heard in Delhi to ‘Mumbaya’ words. And has deteriorated abysmally as my universe in Bombay is almost exclusively English.
When I lived in Delhi (1995-96, 2003-05) there were multiple daily opportunities to speak Hindi or at least ‘Hinglish‘ – in which one switches effortlessly between English, Hindi, blending words from each language. Today, I’m honest enough to know that when folks complement my Hindi, they are being terribly kind – even I can hear how badly I mess up!
However I have a few perspectives on this… and wonder if anyone else agrees? (more…)
Everyday Asia 