New Hobby

My Mom doesn't quite understand that I have a job, so when I got a new camera she immediately thought - wedding industry. I can get rich.

Being surrounded by arts geeks and freaks for the past few years has given me the opportunity to gain a great appreciation for photography.

I haven't had the best luck with cameras, I used to carry around my parents camera - broke it, a group of my friends bought me a film camera 6 years ago - two weeks later I lost it, and I hijacked my parents new digital camera for a couple years and then I dropped it getting out of a cab in Taiwan last year.

I've always loved taking photos and being capture-less for about a year was sad. Maybe it broke a bad habit of trying to freeze frame my life. Earlier this year I paid the 700 some odd dollars for a fancy dancy iPhone and really, the only feature I use on it is the camera.

With the options of zooming, focusing and emailing it's become a bond builder between me and my family. I do fun things, take a picture, write a funny caption and send it off through e-space.

This past July 11th Mr.Right took my ongoing camera affair to a whole new level... the SLR. I've always known about them, but never understood why they are uber desirable.

Single Lens Reflex is what it stands for, maybe there are others who do not know.

You take a picture of what you actually see because there is a baby reflective lens that transfers the image from the big lens to your viewfinder.

Let me share with you some of the pictures the Canon Rebel T1i has come up with...

I can put Tabasco on anything... makes food taste "normal" no matter how fancy the restaurant I need my "haw sawce".

Black Duck in Zelandia, a Bird Sanctuary in Wellington NZ.

Joti and I at Bhavan's pre-wedding party...

Sabrina gazing over Chinese lanterns in Deepak's backyard engagement

Chilies for sale at the Grand Central Market, Downtown LA

My Bhabi (Sister in law) in downtown Vancouver.

I'll try to keep my blog up more regularly ...

Let the games begin!

My Mother always says...

"Life is just a game, don't take it too seriously."

Laugh away stress, work hard, and shrug off perceived failures. That, in theory is how she would like me to live my life but not in actual fact. This was morning is a perfect example...

Sunday Mornings at the Sinha are part ritual part nag session. For years, the weekends have brought loaves of french breads, kakra, chai, fake meat sausages, Promite, Vegemite, apple Chutney, cajun toast, Weeatabix, homomilk, skim milk, rotli, thepla, Rice Krispies and the occasional donut to the table.... oh and of course the main course, lets put it nicely... self improvement therapy sessions as per my family's observation and perception.

Let's back track a couple of days... Friday night gave me an opportunity to chat with M about life love and the pursuit of financial stability and marriage... the usual.

In this conversation, my future travels came up, including my trip for my bestfriend's wedding shopping in India.

So my "friend" ("Friend" = friend/boy/committed) is also going to India so we have decided to coincide our trips.

how the conversation went was something like this

R: " In the event that I were to get engaged in the unknown future to an undetermined individual, yes you would have to come with me to India to do my shopping"

M: " And if that were to happen soon?"

R: " Then yes, if - perchance that were to happen, sure you could come in December"

lets fast forward through watching "Confessions of Shopaholic", The CORSA foundation Ball, Lunch with Bhabi and a date with costumer service after 63 days from a 60 return policy reciept... SUNDAY MORNING

So after rubbing my eyes, leaving Mac Sinha in bed and working my way to some fake breakfast meats.... I'm greeted by Father Sinha ... aka Comedian Extraordinaire

D: " Mom tells me we're going to India in December! That's Great!"

(look at Mother.... look at father's grin with his gold tooth gleaming... look at Mother.. blink... roll eyes)

R: Mom why did you say that to Dad

(deer in headlights)

M: But we were invited! He invited us!

R: Um no?

M: Uh I Mean ... You invited us!! (guilty surprise in her voice... father maintains wide eyed grin)

You invited us !

R: "Mother I said ... in the extreme event that I were to hypothetically get engaged to an 'at this time' unknown individual yes I would want to do my wedding shopping with you "

M: Oooh Right... I mean we will go to India separately! You can't stop us! (she's trying to back pedal) I just told Daddy what we were talking about! Why are you so uptight MAN!

R: I'm not a man, and good, I'm glad we're clear.

I sat down to my cajun toast, bun-less veggie dog substituting a sausage and glass of water...

Conversation then naturally went to my brothers impending marriage...

The transition went something like this

R: " Raakhi why don't you introduce your brother to some nice girls! "

I hear that about 4 times a week :)

Let start the week!