Santa Lucia, a classic, by Enrico Caruso. Art for the ears indeed.
The tune is probably very identifiable to Tom & Jerry fans. Then again, most classical tunes are familiar because a lot of us have watched them for so long.
A song can take you away to a different place. It may be good or it may be bad. It may bring back memories, or it may just clear your mind and take you away, and create a world right there in your mind. A scenic place, full of serenity. That is what it does to me.
When I first heard the original composition by Enrico Caruso in it's entirety, I was whisked away to scenes of Venice, amidst the canals. I watched in my mind's eye the scenery, the intricate craftsmanship and detail in the construction. I admire the way the sunlight reflects the magnificence of the years gone by, it's cold times, and through those, I see remnants of such great historic magnitude.
My Venetian boat floats gently, deeper into the cityscape. I feel relaxed. At peace.
Caruso's voice echoes in my head, and as it climbs during the chorus, suddenly the scene just changes. In the blink of an eye, the city is nowhere to be scene, the canals have been replaced by a winding stretch of tarmac, and Venice has suddenly transformed into Italian countryside. Most importantly, my gondolier is now a Ferrari. I can't tell which one it is, because at those speeds, all I can think of is keeping that superfast work of art on the road, lest it turn into one of the most expensive pieces of scenery ever. The whistles and screams from the engine tells me I'm sitting in front of a turbocharged V8. It's a Ferrari F40, F50 maybe.. For once, I don't care! I don't care if it's a 288GTO, an F40 or an F50! I don't care if I have 400 horses or over 500! All I know is I'm screaming up a very scenic mountain pass, yet I can't take a break to look at the scenery, lest, as I said earlier, I become a part of it. The fresh countryside air fills my lungs, and I breathe rather deeply, and even more rapidly, as my heart pumps faster, just like that big V8 behind me! Bliss.
And then the song's over. Dream while the music's still playing. I'll keep doing that..
Monday, November 21, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Varied Intentions
It's funny how every single person perceives every single thing so differently. I, for one, am tired of explaining myself over and over again. It's not just about taste, or how subjective looks are. It's the very reason, the purpose for which you want to, or wish to attain, or procure the object of your desire.
I intend very strongly to get myself the Hyosung Comet GT250 quarter-litre sportsbike. Compared to the fuel-injected single pot Pulsar I ride, it has 50% more power, slightly more torque, but more importantly, a whole extra cylinder, in a V to top it all off. My mother asked me - Where would I ride it? What would I do with 30 horsepower? Where can I go fast? The list of questions is endless..
I know I cannot ride fast everywhere. I also know I'll never reach half my top speed 90% of the time I ride her. But the way I see it is, I move 50% faster everywhere. When I start her up, I travel from my parking spot to my exit gate at twice the speed. It's the thrill, not the practicality! I don't want to go 150 kilometres an hour! What I want, is to hit 40 kph instantly, and hear the scream of a glorious twin cylinder sportsbike that I have craved for so long, something that Indian bikes so far have lacked abysmally. The Ninja 250R is too expensive for me. I've had my go at it. I've thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact, it made my Christmas last year with it's screams tearing through my ears in the middle of the afternoon as I ripped open that throttle. Hell, it made me even want to go out and get one! But I just couldn't!
I also said that if I ever got a Ducati superbike (which in all probability would be the '05 Desmo RR..) I would, almost certainly, take her out twice a year. The rest of the time, I'd stare longingly at her, appreciating the fact that she is indeed one of the finest works of Italian art. Of course, this would be after I'd somehow managed to get her up the stairs, through my house, and into my bedroom. She doesn't deserve roads like we have. I'd protect her like my little baby, and would feed her and clean her all she needed. That's just how it is.
It's not about how fast I can go... It's about how much faster I can go fast!
I intend very strongly to get myself the Hyosung Comet GT250 quarter-litre sportsbike. Compared to the fuel-injected single pot Pulsar I ride, it has 50% more power, slightly more torque, but more importantly, a whole extra cylinder, in a V to top it all off. My mother asked me - Where would I ride it? What would I do with 30 horsepower? Where can I go fast? The list of questions is endless..
I know I cannot ride fast everywhere. I also know I'll never reach half my top speed 90% of the time I ride her. But the way I see it is, I move 50% faster everywhere. When I start her up, I travel from my parking spot to my exit gate at twice the speed. It's the thrill, not the practicality! I don't want to go 150 kilometres an hour! What I want, is to hit 40 kph instantly, and hear the scream of a glorious twin cylinder sportsbike that I have craved for so long, something that Indian bikes so far have lacked abysmally. The Ninja 250R is too expensive for me. I've had my go at it. I've thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact, it made my Christmas last year with it's screams tearing through my ears in the middle of the afternoon as I ripped open that throttle. Hell, it made me even want to go out and get one! But I just couldn't!
I also said that if I ever got a Ducati superbike (which in all probability would be the '05 Desmo RR..) I would, almost certainly, take her out twice a year. The rest of the time, I'd stare longingly at her, appreciating the fact that she is indeed one of the finest works of Italian art. Of course, this would be after I'd somehow managed to get her up the stairs, through my house, and into my bedroom. She doesn't deserve roads like we have. I'd protect her like my little baby, and would feed her and clean her all she needed. That's just how it is.
It's not about how fast I can go... It's about how much faster I can go fast!
Monday, November 14, 2011
The Flavor Battle
The same amount of wine, more or less, in so many different bottles. Each with a different kick. Each of these has either aged gracefully, or evolved, or was created as a revolutionary new idea. Either way, you can be sure they will be extremely fun to experience. We have Japanese, Austrian and local varieties. Which one I prefer, I think I know the answer.
The first of these showed up as a 250ml sample. Well dressed bottle, with two chambers, and all the bells and whistles. The kick was by far the best - over 32 units of it at 11000 swigs! And what a great after taste too! Leaves you longing for more! If you have someone's else, you're bound to consider saving up and buying one yourself! But the price, dear God, was nowhere near what I expected. I guess that's the price you pay for that extra oomph. I'm not one to shell out over 3 lakh for one of those.
Technically, the first of these showed up ages ago, but who knew what to expect when the guys handing it to you couldn't tell a grape from a pumpkin. And apart from the fact that the Koreans had appointed a very Italian lay out, it had a good kick too! 30 at 10500 swigs! Though the content was thought too much for us in this country by the self-appointed guardian brains, it was tinkered down to 27. Also, at 1.8 lakh, it was a right ol deal! I fret not, because it's coming back very soon!
Then came the one with the fancy wing logo, another 250ml one this. Just one big bottle, but a fine looking one at that. The kick? 26 at 8500 swigs. I haven't had a sample yet, surprisingly, so I'll save my banter for once I have truly felt what it has to offer. I'm absolutely sure it will go down smooth though. 1.8 lakh seems like a good deal then, yeah?
One more up and coming one, made not far away from it's winged competitor is also due to arrive soon. Styled after another iconic creation, it will deliver a similar kick, but with the contents in a two-chambered bottle, it should be a completely different experience. I, for one, can't wait!
The Austrians have decided to go 200ml, but with a kick giving 25 at about 10000 swigs, and add to the fact that it isn't trying to look like everyone else, it knows what it is, and it surely knows where it's coming from. What a heritage behind it! I'd love to have one personally, and sample it where the others would probably never make it. At about 1.4 lakh a pop, it would make a good option!
The local flavor never ceases to amaze me. An unusual bottle of 220ml gives me a kick of 21 at 8500 swigs. But the list of goodies you get is bettered by none of the above. I have one and I can honestly say it could do with a LOT more, but at the same time, it has one thing the others fail to impress me with - it shows me the light; and it makes sure I see it!
I'd love to have a quick go at each of em and tell you exactly how apart they actually are, day and night. But then there's the idea of mixing drinks - it may not taste like what you expect, but it sure is a lot of fun!
Of course, some would prefer the vintage variety at a similar price! You do end up drinking twice as much for a similar kick, but that has it's own pleasure as well..
Kawasaki Ninja 250R
248.8cc liquid cooled FI parallel twin
32.5bhp / 11000rpm
22.0Nm / 8200rpm
Rs. 3,00,000
Hyosung Comet GT250
249.0cc air+oil-cooled FI V-twin
30.0bhp / 10500rpm
20.9Nm / 7500rpm
Rs. 1,80,000
Honda CBR 250R
249.4cc liquid cooled FI single
25.8bhp / 8500rpm
22.6Nm / 7000rpm
Rs. 1,55,000
Rs. 1,80,000 (with ABS)
Suzuki GW250
249.0cc liquid cooled FI parallel twin
26.0bhp / 8500rpm
24.2Nm / 7000rpm
Price TBC (Rs. 2,00,000 estimated)
KTM Duke 200
200.0cc liquid cooled FI single
25.5bhp / 10000rpm
20.0Nm / 8000rpm
Price TBC (Rs. 1,40,000 estimated)
Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-i
219.9cc air+oil-cooled carb single
20.8bhp / 8500rpm (19.8bhp FI)
19.1Nm / 7500rpm (7000rpm FI)
Rs. 85,000
Royal Enfield Classic 500
499.0cc air cooled FI single
27.2bhp / 5250rpm
41.3Nm / 4000rpm
Rs. 1,50,000
The first of these showed up as a 250ml sample. Well dressed bottle, with two chambers, and all the bells and whistles. The kick was by far the best - over 32 units of it at 11000 swigs! And what a great after taste too! Leaves you longing for more! If you have someone's else, you're bound to consider saving up and buying one yourself! But the price, dear God, was nowhere near what I expected. I guess that's the price you pay for that extra oomph. I'm not one to shell out over 3 lakh for one of those.
Technically, the first of these showed up ages ago, but who knew what to expect when the guys handing it to you couldn't tell a grape from a pumpkin. And apart from the fact that the Koreans had appointed a very Italian lay out, it had a good kick too! 30 at 10500 swigs! Though the content was thought too much for us in this country by the self-appointed guardian brains, it was tinkered down to 27. Also, at 1.8 lakh, it was a right ol deal! I fret not, because it's coming back very soon!
Then came the one with the fancy wing logo, another 250ml one this. Just one big bottle, but a fine looking one at that. The kick? 26 at 8500 swigs. I haven't had a sample yet, surprisingly, so I'll save my banter for once I have truly felt what it has to offer. I'm absolutely sure it will go down smooth though. 1.8 lakh seems like a good deal then, yeah?
One more up and coming one, made not far away from it's winged competitor is also due to arrive soon. Styled after another iconic creation, it will deliver a similar kick, but with the contents in a two-chambered bottle, it should be a completely different experience. I, for one, can't wait!
The Austrians have decided to go 200ml, but with a kick giving 25 at about 10000 swigs, and add to the fact that it isn't trying to look like everyone else, it knows what it is, and it surely knows where it's coming from. What a heritage behind it! I'd love to have one personally, and sample it where the others would probably never make it. At about 1.4 lakh a pop, it would make a good option!
The local flavor never ceases to amaze me. An unusual bottle of 220ml gives me a kick of 21 at 8500 swigs. But the list of goodies you get is bettered by none of the above. I have one and I can honestly say it could do with a LOT more, but at the same time, it has one thing the others fail to impress me with - it shows me the light; and it makes sure I see it!
I'd love to have a quick go at each of em and tell you exactly how apart they actually are, day and night. But then there's the idea of mixing drinks - it may not taste like what you expect, but it sure is a lot of fun!
Of course, some would prefer the vintage variety at a similar price! You do end up drinking twice as much for a similar kick, but that has it's own pleasure as well..
Kawasaki Ninja 250R
248.8cc liquid cooled FI parallel twin
32.5bhp / 11000rpm
22.0Nm / 8200rpm
Rs. 3,00,000
Hyosung Comet GT250
249.0cc air+oil-cooled FI V-twin
30.0bhp / 10500rpm
20.9Nm / 7500rpm
Rs. 1,80,000
Honda CBR 250R
249.4cc liquid cooled FI single
25.8bhp / 8500rpm
22.6Nm / 7000rpm
Rs. 1,55,000
Rs. 1,80,000 (with ABS)
Suzuki GW250
249.0cc liquid cooled FI parallel twin
26.0bhp / 8500rpm
24.2Nm / 7000rpm
Price TBC (Rs. 2,00,000 estimated)
KTM Duke 200
200.0cc liquid cooled FI single
25.5bhp / 10000rpm
20.0Nm / 8000rpm
Price TBC (Rs. 1,40,000 estimated)
Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-i
219.9cc air+oil-cooled carb single
20.8bhp / 8500rpm (19.8bhp FI)
19.1Nm / 7500rpm (7000rpm FI)
Rs. 85,000
Royal Enfield Classic 500
499.0cc air cooled FI single
27.2bhp / 5250rpm
41.3Nm / 4000rpm
Rs. 1,50,000
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