Thursday, July 19, 2012

Betty and Me!



As a lad I remember when my father was building our house I used to see many trucks carrying loads of Cement, Sand and stones and I often wondered how those huge heavy lorry’s used to work . Off course I was very young and small to even get into the Lorries since they were pretty high apart. This is where my fascination for Lorries began. 

One day while on my way to Samsung India software Operations I distinctly remember seeing a driving school and right outside the very same school was a huge truck. Seeing this, my sudden lost obsession for lorries just sprang out of me and I decided that I had to get my license to drive it.
I know it sounds like a very bad Idea, why would anyone want to have a license to Drive a truck? What do I do with it? But that fact that I was so eager to driven a beautiful monster just shadowed all the negative thoughts and I decided to enroll to the training..

The very same day I remember meeting a couple of my friends for dinner and I explained about my newly found lost hobby~ and yes right.. you guessed it! They too laughed at me J.
Let me tell you more about the truck I am driving. It’s a 1968 Tata Mercedes 312 Model Diesel Truck. These truck are pretty rare to find and one of the most difficult trucks to drive?
The First Tata Mercedes rolls out
You might often thing that if you know how to drive a car a truck seems the same and easier, But let me correct you.. it’s NOT. I being able to drive a car did not help me even a little bit when I got my hands on this beautiful beast.


Tata Motors (which was TELCO those days) collaborated with Daimler-Benz to manufacture trucks in India, and the first truck (shown in the pic) was rolled out within 6 months. The deal was for 15 years during which Tata could use Benz engine and had to put the Benz logo in front grill. It was popularly called the “Tata-Mercedes-Benz” truck (TMB) and was considered to be of superior quality by the industry.
I was pretty eager and nervous the first day. I was eager to get my hands on the wonderful beast and nervous because I was pretty scared for some obvious reasons.

è I am tall and ‘slightly’ on the heavier side so when I sit in the truck the steering wheel presses against my stomach J
è  The Accelerator , Brake and the clutch are at least 10 Inches apart from each other
è The Worst part it that is not power steering.

Let me emphasize more on what happens when a truck does not have power steering.
Every time you are trying to negotiate a turn it like you are turning a big valve when is already tightened and you are maxing the threads on it. It’s a very difficult feat. The first few times I had my trainer Mr Upendra who had to stand up and pull the steering from the other side. Yes it’s a two man effort to turn when there is no power steering.
As I was saying the truck I was driving is a Tata Merc 312 Model and was fondly named Betty by the trainer.

The best thing about a truck apart from driving it is to Start it. Starting Betty up to her full glory was in itself a monstrous task.
Betty and Me

It’s just not simple as starting a car. Betty being a diesel engine had to be pumped every time you start it. Which mean that every time you start it you have to open the front bonnet cover unscrews the pump and start pumping for around 5 Minutes. After the pumping is completed you have to press the heater button to increase the diesel temperature. Only after these two important procedures are complete you can proceed to press the button to start it. Also we have to make sure that when the start button is pushed the accelerator pedal must be to the full press so that diesel flow is even. After some time you see the beast come alive with a great big roar and lots of smoke. When this happens you feel a sense of accomplishment because just to start an Engine you have to go thru so much of procedures. 
The Reversing - Ignore the smile, Inside i'm crying~

My Trainer - Upendra to the right

Notice the Yenkay and Tata Mercedes Odometer


Well, next stage is the engaging of the Gear.. Trucks specially old ones have extremely haphazard gear system, They are very cunning.  The best part is that the gear rod could be so flimsy that if can go from one end of the truck to the other end and to engage it to gear you have to do this left to right and vice versa operation.  Below shows a schematic diagram of gears in a normal tata truck.



Load  1 – First Gear when there is Heavy Load
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Normal Forward Gears
R – Reverse Gear.
Line In-between shows the neutral axis.
Clutch System in a Truck(old type)
In Old truck to make sure that the gear falls in its right place we use a technique called the ‘Double Clutch’. This process is very important and makes sure that your engine and gear box are Synced well and engaged properly.



The Process involves the following procedure(Considering change from Gear 1 to Gear 2)
1: Engage gear one and make sure you move it the required RPM to change it to Gear 2, now Press the Clutch and get the Gear to Neutral and release the clutch. Now again press the clutch and engage it to second gear. This process is called the double clutch and is a good method to be employed while changing the gears.

 Well, in the end of my training the test from the RTO went well though i was a nervous wreck it worked out ok. I Passed the Test and it feels pretty nice to say that i am a Authorised Bus driver ;)

Here are some more Tata Mercedes I found off the internet.




































Friday, October 15, 2010

Bangalore Mirror - The Ugly Filthy Dirty TRUTH...

Ok, Bonjour again :D...

Disclaimer:The contents of this report are based on information generally available to the public from sources believed to be reliable. No representation is made that it is timely, accurate or complete and i swear i am not PROMITING THESE TWACKS IN ANY WAY... 
Ro Ro! has taken due care and caution in compilation of data as this has been obtained from various sources including which it considers reliable and first hand.HONESTLY!!

Now that you have read that...  Fortunatly on me way to office i came across a nice man handing over free Bangalore Mirror Tabloid.. and I get excited on Free stuff and ran and prouldy got myself a Nice Copy.. and BLOODY HELL!! pardon me language... its FUCK ALL!! 

Do check out the small excerpts from it that caught me eyes... 

THE BLACK MAGIC BABAS.. Seriously???? Who publishes them... The Makers of Times of India. 


Yea... He can do stuff.. .One of the Twat is so Excited on Being in the same bloody location ... and also claims to solve 'Inside and Outside Problems' yea... someone getin lucky! init??
 THE 'FRANDSHIP' PPL, oh yea.. they pioneer in the field and science of teaching how to make 'FRANDS'.. wheee... how lovely... im gonna have a 'frand'.. 
They Do 'Collages' Girls too.. i wonder!!
 Finally come the Miracle Elixors... I can get your Hair Back, You want hair on you Tongue.. sure why not.. Hair in you heart... sure thing.. .Your gonna have a Warm Hairy Heart.. just apply my Miricle Elixor or just come and VISIT me... You know.. I can do STUFF.. hey while we are on it.. Lets put some air into your Boobs to and make you tall.. yea.. I AM GOD..
(FYI.. I'm fuckin sarcastic) 
Oh yea... Lets play Doctor Doctor.. and Hair doc can also take care of your Ah ah ah ah too tee heee...

Now that you have read thems ones check this out.. They write an article tellin many ppl got cheated thru these Twacks... Whos Bloody Responsible???

and this is what they have to say!!

 MORAL: I hope this opens your eyes , and makes you Wiser.. cause again i Quote 'Bangalore Mirror is FUCK ALL'

good day
ro ro 

Monday, October 4, 2010

My Dining Experience

ummmm, i've been to quite a few 'otels' and i to share my experience.. why you ask..!!!!?                             Its My LIFE :D simple
here you go... Hope it helps :)


SLV Ragigudda

Super Bisi Bele bath and Jamoons..
SLV Ragigudda JP Nagar
      I remember the Engg days where we used to come to JP Nagar to study at our Friends place... and damn once the clock strikes 1:00... its SLV time... One of the best south indian cafes.. Super Idlis and Roti Curry.. and the best is the Bisi Bele Bath.. Its has got a super tangy Flavor and extremely tasty.. the lime juice is a good buy and in the end... The Gulab Jamoons.. They are brilliant... after a nice plate of Bisibele Bath the Jamoons just melt in your mouth. Very Affordable place

Food Street VV Puram


Visit this street before you DIE!!!
Food Street VV Puram 
      Well... the first time i entered this street was like 10 years ago and its the same... You have 50 Rs in your Pocket you can have a meal of your life.. From Corn to Dosas to Curd Kodibeles, Gulab Jamoons, Obbatu, Bangalore Noodles and Gobi, Idlys and to top it.. Congress Bun of VB Bakery... and you will still have 1 Rs left for a super mint.. its an amazing place to be and the air there is just food.


Super Kodava food
Coorg Indiranagar
      I have been to this place thrice now and i have never been let down. I love the buffet spread here, Specially the Nuputtu and the Roti they serve.. super awesome. Its not a paradise for veggie lovers but they certainly have reserved a spot for you. The food is Rich, Tasty and extremely mouth watering. The Pandi curry is super.. All the fanatics who plan to eat/try pandi curry this is the place... The Dessert section was nice, they had 2 desserts(Custard Pudding and Coconut Soufflé) both were amazing. The Hotel owners where very friendly and extremely helpful. The Ambiance totally rocks,  with wooden chairs and tables and some other super cool stuff. this place is must visit.

Spoonful Of Sugar

Spoonful Of Sugar Indiranagar 
      A waterfall out of your mouth is what is expected when you enter this place.. Its got super stuff... I have not tried any thing else other than the Pastries and cakes... they are Brilliant. The Tarts and super tasty and the pastries just met in your mouth. Its bloody expensive but worth every quid you pay.. Its a must Visit..

Bistro Claytopia

Good Food, Less Quantity..
Bistro Claytopia Indiranagar 
      When you order something for like 170 quids.. you bloody need quantity... the taste is amazing and super place to sit.. its like sitting in your house under a pergola and eating..
      Service is good.. but just to confirm i asked the bearer if the Pasta is enough for one person and he goes.. yes yes.. very Sufficient.. and after a while he comes back with very disappointing small bowl of Pasta... some time this make you loose all your appetite.. but i can vouch for the taste and Quality. The Orange Juice we ordered was good and Fresh. its a nice place for a super conversation

Chili's Grill & Bar

Super Pastas and Nachos
Chili's Grill & Bar Airport Road 
      The Pastas and the nachos is a must try here.. The quantity of nachos can improved.. We tried the Fajitas and the Quesadillas they were amazing.. I would not prefer drinking here cause it kinda expensive. Chicken Pasta was extremely good and with every bit there was a nice cheesy tangy flavor. not at all bland.. the Fajitas where super.. and extremely filling. On the Whole.. its a must visit. its a bit on the expensive side.. but when you have those days where a rich friend is takin you out on a treat.. this is the Place :).

Cafe Thulp

Not a Filler
Cafe Thulp Koramangala
      This place looks super awesome and really has a great menu card. The burgers are kinda bland and its not got any thing special to it.. other than lookin kinda big.. its looks super huge.. but once you are done eating it.. it feels like eatin a Mc Veggie from McDonalds.. I feel the desserts are really overpriced and not worth at all.. The place has a small library and some games... So its kinda nice to play for a while and hang out.

Definitely not a Family Place
Pingara Family Restaurant and Bar Koramangala
      There are some days where you and your friends are lookin out for a cheap place to drink , short on cash well this is the place to be. I can say the crowd is decent but i'm there can be those unusual ones too. For ppl who are cautious on going to a 'Bench Bar' or 'standing bar' or 'counter bar' pingara is the place.
Do try the Chicken Tikka birayini.. its super awesome


Casa Piccola

Finished my 100th Visit to this place
Casa Piccola Koramangala  
      The main thing about Casa Picolla is to Order Right..
      The continental cuisine is taken very seriously and made accordingly. Usually when you go ahead with a Blind pick it kinda turns out to me not nice or extremely superb.. The best thing is to have some kinda regulars and just go ahead with it.. i have never been disappointed. with my Regulars. The Pizzas are Excellent and they are a get away from the Usual Dominos and other pizza hangouts.. Chicken macaroni is a Must try and extremely filling..
      Over all i have been super happy with this place.
      PS: Never forget to order marble cake

Kobe Sizzlers


Super Place, But needs more zazz!!
Kobe Sizzlers Restaurant Koramangala
      I have been to Kobes twice now and i certainly can say that the koramangala one is much better. Although i've heard loads of super reviews about the food, i did not like it much cause i think all the Sizzlers taste the same and theres nothin unique in the taste, the choice of veggies / meat changes. but Taste kinda is the same. But other that this the Service was excellent.
      We were welcomed very well and it does become crowded on weekends.. and try and finish a bit early cause the ventilation is not so good.. prolly after a while the whole place is filled with sizzler smoke.

ro ro