2010/09/30 - Some "Universal" snaps

Here are some shots taken at "Universal Studio - Hollywood". Most of them were shot at the Water World set. The temperature was somewhere at 103 degree Fahrenheit (39 degree celsius) and I was running in a hurry to visit as many spots I could see in one day. So, shots are not of very good quality.

	Terminator-V, right infront of the Terminator 3D/2D movie
	At the entrance of Unniversal Studio, Hollywood
	It is a set
	Live performance of Waterworld team
	Look again! It is a dive
	They crashed a dummy plane into the pool.. it was amazing.
	Climax scene of Water world
	Miniature ship used in a movie shoot

2010/09/26 - weekend funs - Universal studio and Arboretum

It was a very funny and tiring weekend. The whole day of Saturday at Universal studio of Hollywood and the Sunday at Arboretum. The temperature went as heigh as 103 degree faranheit (39 degree celsius) in this weekend and we were wandering with water bottles to keep ourselves hydrated all the time. I still have to look into my camera and check out the photos. Oh, I think I didn't mention about my newest buddy - the long waiting has finally ended.. I bought my new Nikon D300S - the monster of its class. Pictures coming soon... :)

The Universal studio of Hollywood - the center of world commercial movies - is something that everyone who visit California should never miss. It is a very rare chance to feel closely the technology used in Hollywood movies, the ultimate 3D and 4D cinemas, the sets where some of the box office hit movies were shot and more. There is also a theme park associated with it where one can experience some deadly moments with dangerous rides like Mummy, Jurassic Park etc. During the studio tour you will witness some of the great events in hollywood movies as you are also a part of the movie. The live show performed by the artists at "Water world" set was another item that impressed. They brought in front of us some live sequences from the hit movie that Kevin Costner had made a duper hit. The flexibility and timing of the artists and technology used were amazing. I will upload some snaps shortly.

2010/09/20 - Counting down hours in Carlsbad

So, finally it's time to say 'bye' to Carlsbad. I will be flying to San Jose from San Diego tomorrow evening to reach our GA offices (Santa Clara) and Sunnyvale Head office. I am excited that I will be soon at our global Head office though will be missing Carlsbad. I will be there at Santa Clara and Sunnyvale just for a single day and then will be heading to Burbank and be there until finally fly back home on first week of October. Well, it has been a very short trip and too many places to go. But, I can at least say I have travelled across California multiple times.

I had an outing on Sunday and could do some exploration at Encinitas beach a.k.a Swami's beach. The name Swami's beach because, there was a temple founded by Guru Paramahamsa

Yogananda (Not the same Guru to whom Swami Vivekananda was a disciple to) very close to the beach. The temple was later destroyed by salt corrosion. But, Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF), the trust founded by the Swmiji, has built a beautiful small park at the place where the temple was located. Here's the SRF official website and Swamij's biography for those who are interested - www.yogananda-srf.org.

Well, I must also say that this beach is a very popular Surfing spot - a sport that I witnessed the first time in my life, though have seen in pictures and movies before.

I found this bird with sharp features along with some similar looking birds at the beach. I wrongly identified it as a sandpiper. Finally, folks at INW corrected it as Bristle-thighed Curlew. Thanks to INW team for the right id.

Again, the below ones look to be Sandpipers to me. I had left my handbook at home as I never expected that I would be able to go for a birding without my 150-500mm monster with me. Hope any of my gurus if happen to visit this blog would correct me if I am wrong. Or else I would bug them once back in India.

2010/09/18 - BBQ and Beaches in Carlsbad

Without a cellphone and a vehicle I had been completely handicapped or paralyzed for a week. Looking back to the school and college days, where cellphones were not there or uncommon, it is hard to believe that we existed in such a time. It is sure to be one of the greatest inventions of the humans although it has its own bad sides as well. As a matter, any invention has its own goods and bads. We have seen the evil side of the greatest invention that a man has ever done - nuclear energy. Well, coming back to the present, I bought T Mobile's prepaid sim card for my phone today to come out of the paralysis.. well at least partially.

There are many people from Mexico over here. Mexicans are all basically hardworking, easy-

going and music-loving. There are some Mexicans in the hotel crew especially in the kitchen. They play music, sing along with it and dance to the rhythm.. all along with their work. They are loyal to the job they are into and do complete it on time. Mexican food is world famous. We had a team offsite (picnic) from Yahoo yesterday to Aviara community park. It's a large, well-maintained park where there are separate places for playing baseball, soccer etc, walking and partying. There were some BBQ and other dishes made in the Mexican way. It takes up to half an hour for making a Mexican BBQ burger in the classical way. That is, by exposing it to prolonged heat in low-intensity.

Carlsbad is in the west cost of US along Pacific Ocean. It has a very long coastal area. A drive

along the freeway that goes along the beaches would be an unforgettable experience for anyone. I was lucky enough to have two of my colleagues coming forward and offering me to take me out to the beaches. I would likely try to make it myself again tomorrow.

2010/09/16 - Partially recovered

As my friend has indicated by commenting this blog consultation of a Doctor has turned out to be a lengthy and cumbersome process. She has been living with her husband in the US and has got very good knowledge of the system. Unfortunately, she lives at about 2000 miles away from my place or else I would have gotten a home over here. I chose to consult a doctor as I had been using an eye drops given by a colleague without a doctor's prescription and was even not sure what was my disease. One should have a medical insurance to consult a doctor in US. Fortunately, I had one from my company which was a mass insurance but was upto $100 deductible at the first visit. I learnt that the doctor's appointment has to be taken in advance which didn't sound to be practical to

me. The only time slot that was free with the ophthalmologist was after 24 hours. Luckily I came to know from the receptionist at my hotel about an Urgent care clinic, where no appointment is required. A couple of colleagues came forwarded to help me with the drop and pickup. The doctor found that due to the continuous use of eye drops my nose and throat also have got infected. He prescribed an antibiotic tablet and a new eye drops - USD 95 for consultation and USD 29 for medicine. Well, I didn't try to convert that to INR this time. Good news..! After two days of medication I am now partially recovered - or may be more aptly I must say 90% recovery of eyes and 55% recovery of throat and nose. How can I stop myself from taking my camera out of the bag when my eyes ae back functional. Here are some pictures I shot at my office. And the last one at my hotel which has become one of my favorites. Although I liked the picture of the cool-looking deer head it can never become my favorite as I am against killing wildlife. Question is why did I click that picture if I am against killing wildlife. Because, the photographer in me overpowered the nature lover for a moment. Perhaps, I am not wrong by posting it here.

2010/09/13 It's Monday, school day

Woke up today with a heavy head and reddened eyes. Stopped the alarm and turned to the other side and then suddenly came into mind.. "It's monday.. go to school!" It's been long years since left the school.. but Monday mornings are still a nightmare. I had a feel of dryness in my eyes from yesterday evening and had put some ice. But, apparently it didn't work. As I said earlier, the office was small, cool and at a walkable distance. I found Victor, my boss over here. He introduced me to Shekar and Alex Paena who are the current SMEs of the product I was going to learn. All guys are good and really really extroverts. Richard, who is basically from Hongkong, was kind enough to offer me to take out for picking up some Kingston jerk and Strawberry cream smoothie for lunch. Office was utter silent during work. I didn't find anyone hanging out near the break-out-area (they rather call it kitchen) for more than a few seconds. Training, discussions and casual talks went until 5pm when all got ready with their bags to wind up for the day and started gathering at corners for sharing jokes. Shekar took me to a grocery store where I picked up some Tortillas (similar to Indian Chapathis) and Jaipur Vegetable curry. Back to room. Alex had actually suggested a couple of beaches in a drivable distance - Swamy's beach, Seal's beah etc - for shooting sunset, surfing and seals etc. But, my eyes are in a bad shape now and I don't think I would be able to make it for two or three days at least. A colleague has given me an eye drops from India. I would use it and try to get some rest. If it is not getting better by morning would have to go and meet a doc. It seems, for consultation one should have insurance. I need to check out the documents from the company to find my insurance vendor.

2010/09/12 Lazy Sunday

Today, I did some homework before going out. Found the location of my hotel in one of the internet maps and byhearted the names of nearby lanes and roads. I was surprised to see that there's a small airport - Palomar airport - at just a walkable distance from my hotel. I wasn't sure if photography is allowed everywhere and so didn't take the camera out. Roads and buildings on both the sides seemed to be literally empty. I found this huge truck parked on a parking lane while coming back from the airport.

I was a little embarrassed as there was no one else on the footpaths. I then found the building where "Yahoo! Search Marketing" wing works. It was a shared building where Yahoo has a rented space. I just went into the building keeping my ID badge ready for any questions. To my surprise, there was not a single person inside that whole big building - not even a security person. I found Yahoo's rented room space, but my flash card didn't work and so had to give up. I didn't take my camera out as someone might be watching me over a hidden cam and I didn't want to violate any "No Photography" rules they might have.

There were lawns, small rocks, trees and plants everywhere on the road sides. But, not something placed by the nature.. one could feel the experienced hands of landscape experts anywhere they look. At some places, I found rabbits showing up at the well-shaped bushes and hiding out in a second. There were no walls at the compounds. Perhaps, the tire noise of the fast going vehicles are keeping them away from the roads.

At Palomar Airport road, the speed limit is 55 miles per hour which would be 88.51392 kilometers. One can hear the tire noise of vehicles from half a kilometer distance. Most vehicles go at uniform speeds. There is no need of competition because the roads are so wide that everyone has got their own tracks.

There's a walkway hidden by trees from the backyard of my hotel going to a nearby park. It's simple but well-maintained. I saw a board saying that commercial photography is banned. I did not want to take risk as one might mistake me as a commercial photographer with my Nikon SLR on the right hand and a big Lowepro bag on the shoulders.

They call this place "Carlsbad Village". So, I just wonder what would be they calling a city. Well, they call it a village likely because there's no frequent shops or super markets. One need a car to go anywhere and it seems everyone has got it except me! It's a nice place to live - no visible pollution, nice roads, well maintained landscapes.. but missing something - my family, friends, those small hotels and "chatt" shops etc..

The longest journey I ever made

Yes - to the other side of the globe, to the United States. I am writing this blog sitting in room #229 of Hotel Courtyard Marriott at Carlsbad, CA. I am here on a three weeks business trip from Yahoo and will be traveling across a few other offices of Yahoo here in CA. Since my job is yet to be started - this being a weekend and as I just reached on Friday evening - I get of plenty of free time that I never had experienced anywhere in the near past. Let me describe the first two days here in Carlsbad.

09/10/10:
My first day in the US. Reached LA airport by about 2pm. I was really surprised to see smiling and welcoming faces wherever I looked for help. The officer at the immigration counter - "Oh, you work for Yahoo.. nice job eh?" which reminded me the face of his counterpart at Bengaluru airport who stared at me as if I am an alien and said, "Your face does not match the photograph" (How the hell can someone look the same as in a in a ten years old passport photograph). The lady at the front desk of American Eagle (my local flight to Sandiego), the security officer - everyone looked at me with a friendly face when I approached and helped me with everything and I often felt home. Then, my flight to Sandiego - you won't believe this - was in the oldest aircraft that I had ever travelled in. That was a propeller model, had just 1+2 seats in a row and less than 20 rows and the cabin roof was just 6 feet high. I should admit that it was the best flying experience I ever had. One would really feel the thrust when the flight takes off and experience the pressure differences. Just about 45 minutest of flight from LA to Sandieog but that was eventful. I could see the tension on the face of the French girl who was my co-seater. She was holding the armrest and front seat firmly as if she was going to fall down when the aircraft met an air pocket on the way. It was amazing when it took a turn over the Sandiego beach and resembled a roller cost. The landing was not that easy as in the modern flights. It appeared as if the aircraft was losing the touchdown point and the captain was struggling to make it touch the ground steadily. Well, finally when the flight was over I heard a sigh of relief from my French friend. Outside the airport there was this black guy with a much fairer heart. He explained me the difference between a Shuttle and Taxi and recommended me a shuttle as it is cheaper. The shuttle driver, Michael a.k.a Mike, a large white man, asked me if I am going to make the payment by card or cash. When I said "cash" he replied "Cash..? Cool.. I love cash". And continued "Tips are always welcome.. I do the best service for a cheap price and you reward me with tip.. ". He kept talking all the while he was driving and answered to all my questions about the traffic rules. He said that he was happy to see an Indian after a long gap. I was surprised to see the discipline on the roads. In the freeways (where there's grade separated junctions and no stop signs) there were separate tracks for vehicles with two or more passengers which would be normally less trafficked and it is to promote car pooling. I didn't have much to do after reaching my hotel other than jumping to the bed and slipping to a deep sleep after the longest ever journey in my life. Oh well, I had an 'opportunity' to have the costliest drink in my life before going to bed - a bottle of mineral water with a tag saying "Quench it! Enjoy a refreshing 1 liter Aquafina for $3.50". That's just about Rs.162. Had no other choice, I was too thirsty.

09/11/10:
I woke up at 2:00 am (pst - which is 2:30 pm IST) for my lunch.. eeh. Well I got adjusted to the timezone after a short nap again after the meal. Went to the restaurant to know that the breakfast time was over, so picked up some kellogs, milk and packaged orange juice from the store at the reception. Some homework on US pronunciation and research on shops and road maps after the breakfast. Went for lunch, late again, and satisfied myself with a Turkey sandwich which I would never eat again. I checked with the receptionist about "Costco" which I found in the internet as a shop where things are comparatively cheaper. The young man said it is just 3 or 4 miles drive and offered a free drop for me. In the car, I learnt from him how to pronounce his name - Curie. I came to know from the security at Costco that it is a members-only shop and thought I would try my luck searching for another shop somewhere around by myself. I started walking along the Palomar airport road and then tried some inner roads. The roads were awesome. Every main junctions has got a manual traffic button for pedestrians. One can press the button to make the signals red and cross the road. At places where the manual button is not present all vehicles would stop as soon as they spot a pedestrian entering the road. So, all you have to do is to make sure you have gained the drivers' attention at a safe distance. They would never try to scare you as we normally do in India. The first time when I used the traffic button I was not so confident and literally ran across the pedestrian cross after pressing it. When I reached the other side I realized that there was still enough time left on the signal and all vehicles have stopped and were watching me patiently. Once when I was near the gate of a huge shop (a tire shop) and seeing a car coming out I stepped back and gave way. The lady who was driving slowed down and showed a gesture of thanks to me. The footpaths were literally empty. You wouldn't find anyone on the streets other than those sitting in the dashing cars and (really) occasional motorbikes. It was when I gave up my plan for purchase and tried to find my way back to the hotel that I realized I have lost my direction. I would have walked at least 3 or 4 miles (1 mile = 1.60 kilometers). I tried the same exercise for another 30 minutes or so but reached no where. There was no cabs or shuttles seen anywhere in the roads. I still have to sort out a cell connection and there were no phone booths found anywhere. Finally, I just headed in to the restaurant bar attached to a big hotel and asked a server girl. She just gave me some directions but suggested I'd ask the receptionist for a shuttle. I walked in to the lobby of the hotel and talked to the receptionist. The young, smart white guy named Ryan (Oh this time I was sure how to pronounce that) asked me the hotel's name and address. He then searched in the internet and took the route map. Within 2 minutes he came out and patted on my shoulder and asked "hey, you ready to go". I couldn't believe that. I just wanted some help to call a shuttle or cab and this guy to whom I am a stranger had taken a break from his work ready to drop me. I didn't know how to thank him. When reached the hotel I asked him what could I do as a return of this service. He just said with a smile that it was a free service. I just started writing this immediately after reaching my room. All these good people I met so far were the inspirations for me to write on. Now, after having a Quesadilla chicken steak and French fries along with two larges of Woodford Reserve whisky I am a little heavy on head and not in a mood to keep writing. But, I should admit this. I have just completed two days at some corner of the US (or rather 1 and half days as I landed at LA yesterday afternoon). It is not a fair enough time to judge a whole nation and people over there or to compare with our country. But, I know one thing - no one ever coming to any part of India would have so much of good experiences from everyone around continuously for two days. So, in short, the guys over here at least try to maintain the first impression. They do care how an alien would think about their country and people and welcome the guests with heart. How do we or our people treat them when they visit us. Time to think and change ourselves.

No photos taken yet.