As I grew up, I never questioned his place in my family. In my young mind, he had a special niche. My parents were complementary instructors: Mom taught me good from evil, and Dad taught me to obey. But the stranger…he was our storyteller. He would keep us spellbound for hours on end with adventures, mysteries and comedies. If I wanted to know anything about politics, history or science, he always knew the answers about the past, understood the present and even seemed able to predict the future! He took my family to the first major league ball game. He made me laugh, and he made me cry. The stranger never stopped talking, but Dad didn’t seem to mind.

Sometimes, Mom would get up quietly while the rest of us were shushing each other to listen to what he had to say, and she would go to the kitchen for peace and quiet. (I wonder now if she ever prayed for the stranger to leave.)

Dad ruled our household with certain moral convictions, but the stranger never felt obligated to honor them. My Dad didn’t permit the liberal use of alcohol. But the stranger encouraged us to try it on a regular basis. He made cigarettes look cool, cigars manly and pipes distinguished. He talked freely (much too freely!) about sex. His comments were sometimes blatant, sometimes suggestive, and generally embarrassing.

I now know that my early concepts about relationships were influenced strongly by the stranger. Time after time, he opposed the values of my parents, yet he was seldom rebuked… And NEVER asked to leave.

More than fifty years have passed since the stranger moved in with our family. He has blended right in and is not nearly as fascinating as he was at first. Still, if you could walk into my parents’ den today, you would still find him sitting over in his corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and watch him draw his pictures.

His name?…. .. .

We just call him “TV”

He has a wife now….We call her ‘Computer.’

Their first child is “Cell Phone”.

Second child “i Pod”.

He said they will injection and then start the extraction process. This was the first time tooth is being extracted for me. After injection (which itself was painful) inside the mouth, they setup all instruments around me as if abattle is going to happen (Eventually a battle did happen)

After around 15 minutes of the injection, Doctor started his small surgery. This is how it went:

1. I felt some drilling happening inside the mouth

2. They wanted me to open the mouth to the maximum even after I opened the maximum I could (I am not a Lion to open my mouth like that)

3. The pressure they gave to remove the tooth was unbearable. They had to inject me again to increase the numbness

4. After almost 15 minutes of battle, the doctor successfully removed the lower tooth (I know they did not get any co-operation from my side as I was jumping in the chair and moving my upper body when Pressure was too much. But they were very patient and got it done)

5. The upper was over in 1 minute after that.

6. After that had a juice and suddenly felt juice was tasting very different. Then I realized one side of tongue is numb and lost the sense of taste while other side was good It was a good experience.

After the event, people said cheek would swell too much, pain would be unbearable even with pain killer etc. But after the surgery, I took some injection they gave and started on Anti biotic and pain killer. One day is over and till now no pain or swelling in the cheek.

Great work Doctor!!!

I heard the people there speaking to someone saying Next to Pregnancy, pain in Dental is the most severe.

I will never personally experience what is called Labour Pain in my life. But the very fact that I experienced the pain of tooth extraction which is less than Labour pain, makes me understand what Ladies must be going through to make their families complete. With new understanding and gratitude, I bow down to all the Ladies.

]]> http://yagyaraman.com/2010/02/04/wisdom-tooth-extraction/feed/ 2 yagyaraman http://yagyaraman.com/2010/01/12/i-am-now-lighter-by-15-kgs/ http://yagyaraman.com/2010/01/12/i-am-now-lighter-by-15-kgs/#comments Tue, 12 Jan 2010 04:37:48 +0000 yagyaraman http://yagyaraman.com/?p=435 ]]> Yes. From the time I started approximately 14-15 weeks ago, I am lighter by 15 Kgs now. I started tracking the Weight last 2 Months and here is now I am lighter by 8 Kgs in 2 Months.

Click on the picture to view it in full size

Following are the advantages I am seeing in Bus Travel:

1. To and Fro is in Volvo, so comfort of AC is really good

2. Taking the seat in the back side of the Bus, so that from a little height, road and the surroundings are really good (you can see those only when you travel this way )

3. Getting down in the Old Airport Road and walking till the Office is a good 1.5 – 2 Kms walk (really good for Health and especially for Weight Reduction)

4. Hearing Music in the MP3 Player gifted by my Darling. It is a different experience to hear the Music in Home Theatre, in the Car and totally different when hearing in a MP3 player (It is as if Illayarajas and SPBs are singing directly into the Ears). Listening to music for around 1 hour in the Morning and Evening is an Amazing Experience.

5. Walking around 3-4 Kms additionally over and above my Exercise is helping in Weight Management

6. Very close to Challagatta (near the office) the traffic is really bad (because of some work by BWSSB) that in some days I walk and come little faster than a Car that is waiting in the Traffic!!!

7. It is economical (Rs. 50/- to and fro in AC Bus) and Healthy

So whenever I dont have meetings at 9:30, I am planning to come to Embassy Golf Link (EGL) from Kundanahalli Gate by Bus

 (Pardon him for the spelling of “Videos”)

People who know me for quite sometime know of the fact that 4 years back I was reducing weight. This time it is to drop the additional weight I have gained in the last 2-3 years . This is the last time I am reducing weight. Once I reach my Target, I will maintain it.

One interesting usage of English. As I was speaking to my Friend I said “I have lost 10 Kgs”. He corrected me saying, you have Dropped 10 Kgs. You can lose a pen or something else unintentionally and when you reduce weight, it is completely based on your personal decision and hence it is better to say  “I have dropped 10 Kgs” . Interesting to understand this. Thanks Arun.

The day progresses like this in Jungle Lodges and Resorts, Bandipur. Safari in Jeep into the Bandipur Forest from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. After that a Video Show (thats what they call this but this is actually putting a VCD in a TV and around 20 of them sitting around watching the Wild Life VCD) go for Dinner. Next day morning Nature Walk (this can be converted to Forest Safari again if you are staying there for 2 days) from around 6:15 AM to 8:15 AM. After breakfast, they took us to a Gopalswamy temple. After lunch, the same program continues like previous day

We had an Opportunity to go for 4 Safari’s we went to 3 of them and skipped one. What a good experience to go into the Bandipur Forest. We were inside the forest for around 6 to 7 hours in the span of 2 days. It is certainly a different experience to be in the Forest and searching for Animals and Birds in those Busehs and Tress and in the Open places. We were able to Sight Wild Elephants, Wild Dogs, Lots, lots and lots and Deers, Bisons, Few Peacocks, Peahens, Eagles etc. We were unable to Spot a TIGER in the Forest. They said the best time to spot Tiger is between December and March (We will certainly go there once more during that time to complete this incomplete cycle)

Overall an amazing place to stay and roam around in the Forest and nothing to Shop around for. A good break into the actual Jungle instead of Concerete Jungle.

 Entire set of pictures of Bandipur Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR), Bandipur Forest Safari (Most of the photos in the Album taken by Madhu)

It is Green Retreat (www.greenretreatcoorg.com), by Manu. Called up them to find out details about Accomodation. Even before I could confirm, he was ready to guide me about the Route from Bangalore to Nagarhole, what all can be done there etc.. After getting all the details, gave the Confirmation after couple of hours.

The 2 days of our Stay at their “Manu Estate” is certainly unforgettable. They have a 30 acre plantation. Hospitality at its best. First, we were given an Accomodation in the old bungalow, but then we moved into the New house (there were guests already in the basement rooms). The place was very very well maintained. Manu uncle and Muthu aunty made sure we were very comfortable there. The rate we paid was for accomodation and 3 times food . Food was truly extra ordinary. If you are visiting Nagarhole, I personally think, this is the PLACE to stay and enjoy life.

 We went in for a Walk in the morning in their plantation area. Uncle guided us as to what all activities are there and when to go for what so that we are also relaxing there and dont miss out on any place

We reached the place around 1 PM, after a good lunch and rest went to the Wayanad Forest Safari (Wayanad is around 3 Kms from there). This was our first forest safari and we were enjoying the trees around us, sounds of birds etc. and as we were in the middle of the forest, it rained very heavily. The thunder sound was heard in Dolby DTS effect very close to our ears. Lightening was too close. Great experience to be in the mid of the forest on a Jeep when it was raining. Could not spot anything other than Deers and Bison there.

Next morning, we went to Iruppu falls around 20 Kms from our Homestay. Was not the very right time to be there because water in the falls was very less. Monsoon is yet to set in. If you cannot walk for around 1.5 to 2 Kms on the plains, steps, stones not a right place to be in.

In the afternoon wen to the Rajiv Gandhi National Park (previously Nagarhole National Park). The Safari in closed Mini Bus is only between 3 PM and 5 PM. In case you are crossing the place by around 1:30, you can give your name, so that you are first on the Safari list. We went in around 2:30 and after waiting, I went and stood in the Queue. It is first come first server basis. Got into the Second bus. We felt, we should have been in the First bus so that we could spot animals first. Then we learnt that each bus takes different routes. Again, various varities of Deers along with Bison and Elephants was what we saw. Couple of days before they had sighted a Leopard there .

After the Safari, went to Tirunelli temple on the Wayanad side. Around 25 Kms from Kutta. First 3 Kms road is very bad. After that amazing road. Crossed the Wayanad forest and headed to Tirunelli Temple. Oh………What a view of hill and mountain from there…….

Finished the worship and left around 7 PM from there. No lights on the road because of Forest area. The first time, I saw the power of our Car’s light . As we were driving closer to Wayanad forest, we saw huge heard of Deers on the road. The headlight of the car on their eyes, made it look RED and it was an amazing experience to see.

Next morning, left to Bandipur. Passing through Nagarhole forest in the mornings is again a great experience. So many deers and sun rays passing through tall trees was a Scene to watch out for!!!

Overall Nagarhole stay was truly amazing experience though we did not see a Tiger yet in the Forest. Did we see it in Bandipur!!!!!!!!!! READ THE NEXT POST

Click on these links below to access the full set of photos taken [Most of these photos were taken by Madhu)

Photos in Nagarhole Forest   Photos of Wayanad Safari   Photos of Morning Walk in Homestay   Photos of Iruppu falls   Photos of Safari in Rajiv Gandhi National Park   Photos of route from Nagarhole to Bandipur

Sample Pictures