Shaown's Home! (Beta 0.92)

Well, I'd forgotten about the time difference. Weird, but its alread 2:15 pm on New Year's Eve here. I'm prepping for the evening, its gotten mildly complicated (when is it not). However, planning to somehow got out at 5 or 6, wander around with cousins and brother. Aditi and I rented a car (and driver of course .. the total is only like a dollar an hour) starting at 7. Plan is to seperate from the kids at some point, and hit the clubs, perhaps around 10 using the car. Happy New Year to everyone out there!

Posted by Shaown at 03:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, just had a an interesting morning of trying to buy train tickets to Puri for a 2 day trip next week. It was fascinating, checked on the net, everything is available, but then at the office, everything is sold out. Mind you, its line 1 for the forms, line 2 for availability, line 3 for booking and paying. (And this is at a small satellite office too). However, my uncle stopped at his friends house (who happens to own a huge hotel in Puri), talked to his kids, and then called him up. He told abt a special express train, where we got round trip sleeper seats (10 hours each way) for 2600 rupees ... say 50 US ! Just had to adjust a the date a day back to our leaving the night of the 5th and returning by the mornign of the 8th
So, now its off to scout locations with my cousin (sister) for her film she is shooting tomorrow, all over Kolkatta.

Posted by Shaown at 01:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, I have a mini-assignment while here to upgrade my cousins computers, and transfer some of my mom's videos to DVDs so we can watch them. Been going pretty well actually, but neede some addition supplies. First off, service in India is soo relaxed. Hung out in some computer store managers waited on by like 3 people for 30 minutes. When I went to the cell phone store, 4 folks helped me, and a fifth went off running to copy my license down the street (BTW, I've disabled my intl roaming and switched to an Indian #, 011 91 9830542988 from the US for calling or SMSing). Then we hit this big market / shopping area for electronics / computer stuff. Amazing. Bought screws, cables, from kids selling on the street. Very odd.
Anyway, now that I am reachable more easily, I'm gonna try wandering around a bit more, despite the panicky family. Heading into the city tomorrow to see what I can discover.

Posted by Shaown at 03:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So I managed to escape the house, and wander in Kolkatta on my own (Shocking!) First time I have ever managed to go out on my own in India. I met up with Aditi, and she took my out on this minicruise where we met up with all kinds of random folks, German students, Bengalis from London and the US, and the even locals on "social" circuit. Sailed under the Howrah 2 bridge up to atemple, had tea, chops, and singhras (and plenty to drink). Afterward, checked out Park Street, and popped into a club. The same, yet completely, different. Club was hopping at 7pm!!! Danced, and then did some shopping (can you imagine, hitting the clubs, then going shopping for CDs?) As I thought, Aditi is awesome! Caught a cab home, and then had dinner with family. (My disappearance was controversial, as expected :)
Updates to follow.

Posted by Shaown at 11:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've arrived! And am connected by a pretty slow connection.
Stay tuned.

Posted by Shaown at 07:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, my brother and I kicked off our trip to India with a stop in London. The journey started well when American Airlines upgraded both of us to business class for our 777 ride to London (Platinum status rocks!). Then, we arrived at one of my (now) fav hotel in London, the Renaissance Chancery Court . I was please that my last usage of my Marriott Gold status got us an upgrade to the "Addington Suite". A damn nice room! We spent the day on London Eye, a quick river cruise, visits to Harrods, and tons of other stores, and generally walking around. The highlight must have been hanging out in Covent Garden, which was just a couple blocks from the hotel. We went back at 5pm, (after landing at 6am), and instead of going out for an ultra nice XMAS Eve dinner, we keeled over for 5 hours or so, and ended up ordering room service (which was excellent!). Now, we're hanging out in the BA Terraces Lounge in Terminal 4, waiting for our flight to Kolkatta (or Calcutta). After a decandent day in London, I'm not quite ready to adjust India life, we'll see how it goes. Updates and pix to follow, IF I can get online from India. Otherwise, I'll be MIA for quite a while, coming home Jan 11.

Posted by Shaown at 05:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ok, I updated the Boston pix by adding in all of Peter's shots, there are twice as many now!

Posted by Shaown at 12:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ok, pix from Mexico City are up!

Posted by Shaown at 06:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So the latest Gallery is out, lots of new options, including skins! I updated, but have not even begun to configure the new options....

Posted by Shaown at 02:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ok, I put up my pix from this kick ass weekend I just went up for.
Gaming and going out!
Not only did we game till we dropped, but we managed to go out Saturday and have a great time!

Mexico Pix and Annie's last party Pix are being uploaded now (I know I know, been distracted lately)

Posted by Shaown at 10:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)