A. R. Rahman - Is he the best musician?

Allah Rakha Rehman (A. R Rehman), Indian film composer, musician & singer is truly the best for the current time & ages to come.

He has been awarded with 13 Filmfare awards (its one of the oldest & prestigious award event for Indian Movies) & with 4 National Awards. His music not only blessed Indians, but its now globally accepted to be the best. And why not, "Slumdog Millionaire", an Indo-British movie, won Oscar for the best motion picture for 2008 & made it mark specially for its music. This was a first solid opportunity for Rahman to get a deserving Global exposure & he scored on the first go.

National achievements weren't enough, now he is acclaimed with 3 awards at two most prominent Award events, he is the first Indian to get a Golden globe award & first Indian to get TWO Academy Awards (Original Score & Original Song for 2008), what an achievement.

Started his career with a small mixing studio in his backyard which was later developed to be the most advanced recording studio in India. He played Keyboard & piano in his rock band "Nemesis Avenue" at Chennai. He now plays keyboard when he compose music, that's the reason apart from his music composing talent the creative tunes from his Keyboard makes it to be the best. :)

And why not he is also the world's "all-time top selling recording artist" for more than 300 million music media to be sold by far.

One of his masterpiece is "Fanaa" from the movie album "Yuva" & to get an essence of how great he is at the keyboard listen to this "O Humdum Suniyo Re" from the movie album "Saathiya".

And obviously the very famous "Jai Ho" with A. R. Rahman & Pussycat Dolls, featuring Nicole Scherzinger. But this track isn't even any closer to his other ones :)

Top 10 TV Shows

I've been watching TV shows for a while now & for what I've seen this is what I think (In fact I might have seen like 20-25 in all, so too early to list them out, but still best by far to me :))) ):


1. Lost (2004-Present):
A plane crash at a wrong / weird place & with survivors on them. And its just one island in there horizon with lot of mysteries to be explored... Best in its first & fifth season. Will be back in Jan 2010 with its final sixth season. The best I feel by far "Get lost in LOST"
Check out on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0411008/

2. Entourage (2004-Present):
Entourage (A group surrounding a Special Person). Really does stands for its name. Vincent Chase "Vince" is a struggling Hollywood actor, starts the series with a hit movie in his bag. And his three friends, its a nice LA /Hollywood based story. Specailly look for the role of "Ari Gold" played by Jeremy Piven
Check out on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387199/

3. True Blood (2008-Present):
If you like Vampires, this is the show to watch out. The world now co-exists between humans & Vampires, with Artificial blood for Vampires "True Blood", so both the races can co-exist. Lot of thrill & on the wire on particular second seasons rocks.
Check out on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0844441/

4. Prison Break (2005-Present):
This series run with the seasons, first the best & looses its charm with its seasons. But still first two were simply good. Wentworth Miller acting as Michael Scofield, [extraordinarily smart] planning to eacape his brother who is in prison from a death sentence.
Check out on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455275/

5. Rome (2005-2007):
Set in 52B.C, nice sets, nice costumes & nice plot. One of its kind & very good show.
Check out on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384766/

6. Heroes (2006-Present):
Based on super-natural powers to handful special humans. How are they connected, a nice sci-fi & truly addictive.
Check out on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0813715/

7. Reapers (2007-Present):
Sam Oliver is owned by Satan, revolves around this ordinary guy, who now is working for Satan as a soul Reaper. Aesome comedy act from Tyler Labine
Check out on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0955322/

8. Friends (1994-2004):
Most popular show around the globe, I used to watch this when I was in India. Filled with comedy, romance & lot of funn & trust me you wont stop laughing on this one.
Check out on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108778/

9. Hung (June 2009-P):
Newest show in 2009, a very different & truly hilarious. Haha, really different :)
Check out on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1229413/

10. The Black Donnellys (2007):
It is based on 4 Irish brothers for whom family does matters. Based in New-York on how they get into crime, young blood. Didn't make to its second season due to some ban issues, but first was amazing.
Check out on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0805661/

Lick Observatory at Mount Hamilton

With such a short distance from San Jose, this is the place where you can let go all the summer heat & get above the clouds. Trust me with not more than 30 miles from San Jose this can be one nice evening hangout. And if you like driving on nice hilly roads, you would feel completely satisfied with the drive. ;)

Again I forgot to pick up my camera, but look at the 3 different images of this location which I googled out.

Location:
SanJose, Summit of, Mount Hamilton, CA 95140
(408) 274-5061
Web: http://mthamilton.ucolick.org/

Hours:
Mon - Fri: 12:30pm - 5:00pm
Sat - Sun: 10:00am - 5:00pm


I visited this place for the second time but this time it was different. I was all planned for a nice evening, but cops ruined it as I was unaware that this place cannot be visited after 5PM so all my sunset plans were in a hole. But still anytime any day this place is simply beautiful. This place keeps remaining me of a famous hill-station in India "Ooty".


Directions from San Jose Down-Town:
1. Take 280S after about 2 miles trake Alum Rock Exit & turn Right.
2. After about 1.7 miles take CA130(Mount Hamilton Road), drive for about 22 miles to destination on right.
(This will take about 40 minutes as this is 30MPH speed limit, but such a nice drive)


For more information look at this wiki page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lick_Observatory

Gilroy Hanuman Temple

The first time I visited this temple was in the month of August in 2009; since then I'm a regular devotee.

I haven't taken any pictures at the first time. Though, during this Tuesday's visit in Aug 2013, I captured some stills. As pictures speaks, Mount Madonna's natural winsomeness will attract anyone visiting here... One reason this was not very famous among Indians earlier in Bay-Area is, this is managed by Native Americans.

But trust me you wouldn't regret going there for a nice time over Saturday evening. I mention on going on Saturday, as it is considered to be the day of Lord Shri Hanuman, though anyday is a good day to visit :).. And as it is believed that praying to Lord Hanuman relieves any obstacle or that 'undone' task where everything goes wrong without any reason, so just one visit will attract you for ever...

I heard about it for the first time as "Gilroy Hanuman Temple" though it is actually called as "Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple" and it is located in Watsonville; on top of Mount. Madonna. During the course of five years, it has now developed extra parking spots to now accommodate more than seven dozens of cars. It is most recommended to make an early day (if Saturday visit) reservation online on their portal. And get ready for an amazing driving experience, sometimes the drift in the weather may also be 10-20 F. Mt. Madonna center makes truly an ideal and wonderful location to worship Shri Ram's param bhakt and "Sankat mochan Shri Hanumanji".

Saturday Online Parking Reservations (11am - 7pm):

Temple has started to accept only online parking reservations for 10 people in ONE car due to hefty devotees visiting the temple, quickly register & make an online reservation at: http://www.hanumanfellowship.org/temple/reservations/

Note: Reservations for Saturday visit are accepted only until 7pm on Friday night.



Saturday Dinner Reservations (for after 7pm):
Call and reserve at: 408-846-4065

Address:

445 Summit Rd. Watsonville, CA 95076

Directions (FROM North/East/West bay-area):

Few GPS doesn't take you here, as mine didn't work so I have to take directions on a paper:

You can use following link to get google directions & remember after you get onto Summit Rd, take the final left meticulously (look for the sign with flowers on your left):

View Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple in a larger map

Notes:

At 6 PM everyday, they have a Aarati & Bhajans going-on for atleast 30-45 mins. I would say this is the time to be at this place. Aarati & bahajan's are Indian traditional way to worship & pray the Lord. Also if possible try taking some organic fruit like banana / apples, or any fresh store / home-made Indian sweets so this can be distributed as God's prasad (like holy food with God's blessings) after the Aarati.

Volunteers are needed weekends and holidays. Please email temple@mountmadonna.org or inquire with a Temple Docent about volunteer opportunities.

Finally have a wonderful time there as its very close to nature & mountains, I found deer's as close as my arm's distance on my first visit & the location is simply amazing...


At Web & Reference: http://www.hanumanfellowship.org/temple/home/

Other Links for more information:

Go through http://www.mountmadonna.org/ for complete information about this place has to offer.
Also www.hanumanfellowship.org has complete information about this temple right from history of the temple to activities & re-creation / peace center by the devotees .

Scanned copy from Flyers I received from the Temple: