Desert Rain

Watching people having fun on the road, imagining how it must be; is a different story. You know only when you actually ride. And it is a misnomer that you need to ride with your entire house tied on the back of a 4 cylinder cycle! In fact, it is most fun when you have nothing to worry about. Riding into nowhere with no baggage (body & mind) is what makes a ride worth the vacation.
I have been visiting Jodhpur almost every year since a long time now. For the first time, we rode there! Most pro-bikers have reservations against which bike qualifies to be a cross-country ride. Of course, it would be out of this world if I were aboard The Trooper. Nevertheless, it didn't really matter as we had our own desi Robbie Maddison teaching and flaunting his skills  known to the whole of Kanamwar Nagar except his mother!

Talking about the motorcycles a.k.a. "my foot". All the "it doesn't matter which bike you ride as long as you have fun" is first order bullshit! We rode around on 100 cc CD Dawns, CD Deluxes and Splendors. Just in case, you haven't heard about Dawn and Deluxe, please do not Google it! (I am assuming you know what Splendor is - Desh ki dhadkan after all). In simple terms, these are bikes that weigh less than your girlfriends!
All in all, even the blue city can vanish all blue moods when the journey is so much fun...

Two more to come...

My fellow nationals, with the growth in our country's GDP came the realisation that the middle-class Indian too can spend on luxuries! What the numerous Italian designers, Russian gun-makers and Chinese You-Go Boss cologne makers didn't comprehend before setting stores in India was that whatever be the product, we don't buy before saying "dena ka bhaav bolo". 

So they have to manipulate things. Make the script suit the hero who gave you dates (in a hindi film kind of way). Of course, that's why they call it a consumer's market. 

Stepping into 2011, Harley Davidson launched 2 new motorcycles as promised - 883 SuperLow and Iron 883. As the 883 suggests, both are powered by the same engine. With virtually no difference in any other area, the price space is filled by the dimensions and finish of both the bikes. The cheaper one SuperLow, is well, low! The Iron 883 is a relatively beefed up with black matt finish everywhere you can look. These are no VRods or Rockets, but then the USP of these bikes is the dena ka bhaav! Here are 2 bikes to give company to the entry league biker alongwith the XL883R Roadster.

At prices of 5.5 lacs and 6.5 lacs, this is as close as one comes to bite the sound potatopotato!

 

Any colour you like...

"Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black."

Except for trademark colours like the Ferrari race red (known as Rosso Corsa) or the Pearl Metallic Yellow Murcielago, there are few cars that look better colorful. Even lesser cars can carry off a head to toe white attire. White Range Rovers look particularly smashing!

Hollywood trying to create future in their studio basements has somehow always foreseen cars of the future to be chiselled and DARK. Either bold primary colours or black! Even though the sharp lines concur, more concepts are being unveiled in shades of white or grey. Classic reminds of chrome and shiny black. Future may depict matt black bumpers and white bodies. That to me, is not an exciting sight! We need innovation at being simple. Finding practical solutions to avoid unnecessary complications and not trying too hard to be different could be a the way forward.
 

Household tips to be a kid!

1. Turn on the volume on your favorite playlist. It would really help if you like Rock n Roll or Metal. Go crazy! Mosh with your furniture.

2. Be a potato - For an entire day. Do not change out of those boxers. Grab the remote and watch reality shows all day. You won't like them. But the feeling of having done nothing all day reminds of those good old times.

3. Be the mechanic - We all have done this as kids. Pick up that remote controlled car and open it. Figure out it works on an electric motor connected to some plastic gears (something you already know) and feel the happiness of Colombus.

4. Watch a movie - Gather your friends. Watch a movie while gobbling samosas and pop corn without shelling out half of Kenya's GDP. A random english action movie should work just fine!

5. While you are at the single screen theatre, do NOT carry your cell phone, blackberry, smart phone, dedh shaana phone, et al. Try remembering your friend's numbers and co-ordinate using PCOs.

Get a hair cut

Many a times when you find monotony ruling your routine, it is time to change the way you look. Of course, it may not change anything with how you spend your days. You will still go to the same office, sleep on the same bed, drive the same car. It is obviously only a temporary solution. So until you come up with a concrete solution on how to get rid of the thing that is bothering you, get a haircut. Look different. Feel good about being new again.
Destinations don't matter, the journey does!

World's best road trip!

Atlanterhavsveien! Also known as the Atlantic Road.

This place is a series of bridges connecting two small towns in Norway. It's an 8.3 km long road, meaning hardly a 15 minute ride. And yet, you fall in love instantly with the flatness, the slopes and the curves!

Driving a convertible on a chilly spring morning can take one into another world!

Wiki
Map

Affordable (X)cstacy!

The leading German luxury car makers marched into India a few years ago with it's battalion of beasts and took away more than half the candy from Mercedes.
Here comes another brave new soldier from the BMW stable.

The lowest order link of the X series is here. This SUV has been a success in all other countries and the fate doesn't seem any different in India. It's booked for the next 3 months already.
The looks are typically new-age BMW. A perfect solution to the urban complexities in a grand fashion. Suspension is the key to a good ride and that's where BMW scores all its points on this one. The sharp hood lines convince of a low centre of gravity on this not so magnanimous car. Although, let the size not be a deception as this car has all that can be packed in a small package.
Among the 1800 CC petrol and 2000 CC diesel, the diesel one can be expected to be the better bet.
The engine is a gem and the looks are worth a few heads. Master stroke is the price tag! A BMW X1 can be owned within a price of Rs. 30 lacs.

Joy is what you make of it! And for that price tag, this is joy many can afford!

The first Bang!

Coming out of your teens, you confuse desires with a sense of competition. Everybody does! And in the race to lose your inhibitions, it is important to draw a line. Of course, the line is subjective.

Its like taking your first bike for the first ride and banging into a bus. The bruised knee or oil on your bloody palms doesn't hurt. What hurts most is to see scratches on your fairing and a smashed mug-guard!

The point is to always keep in mind - better sorry than regret!

Say what you need to say!

When you are frustrated and you know it...talk it out!
Lyrics of this beautiful song should help convincing. 

John Mayer - Say

Take all of your wasted honor

Every little past frustration
Take all of your so-called problems,
Better put 'em in quotations
Say what you need to say

Walking like a one man army
Fighting with the shadows in your head
Living out the same old moment
Knowing you'd be better off instead,
If you could only . . .

Have no fear for giving in
Have no fear for giving over
You'd better know that in the end
Its better to say too much
Then never say what you need to say again

Even if your hands are shaking
And your faith is broken
Even as the eyes are closing
Do it with a heart wide open
Say what you need to say...

When you talk, still not many people care. What good will it do to NOT say anything?
Talk it out. Find yourself a mirror! Right now!

Claim

Claim Chowder:

Claim Chowding is speculating and going wrong. Many do it. Many go wrong.
It is good sometimes - good to voice something your hunch tells you, defending it and then going wrong. It makes you smarter about your hunches.

Claim Clouder:
Living in a cloud of estimates and speculations. (Related to dalal street, are we?)


Claim Survivor:
Not an estimate - it is voicing of an opinion you wish was true. You may be wrong, but having an opinion is important. Voicing it is more so. The most important, working towards making it true!

I guess the last one should be the most satisfying.
'Claim chowder' is a term coined by Daring Fireball's John Gruber.

Autocar Performance Show 2010

I was yet to visit an auto-exhibit with more than wax-polishes and car scrubs on display. This time I got a chance and the visit was not only well-worth the Sunday, it came with a lot of surprises. Autocar India magazine organizes a performance show every year in the city of Bombay. As much as I am tempted to describe the beauty of the chin lines of each and every vehicle, it is intriguing to notice why Autocar holds these exhibitions in the first place. (There is a slideshow to your right for the pictures!)

Understandably, for the SMEs in the Automotive industry, there can be no better platform to showcase their abilities. But unfortunately, there are not many in our country who can pimp out your car or bike and give it a face-melting overhaul. Except for the engineering guys with their small yet effective racing car and 120 kmph-doing toy buggies, there were not many stands to spend time with when there were some staggering beauties waiting in line to be appreciated.

So then, what is the real advantage of pouring in some millions towards advertising high-end vehicles to a bunch of posers. For one, not many millionaires are true-blue enthusiasts! They buy cars for the bling and they prefer doing their shopping in a showroom. So, how many people coming to a show like that would actually be converts. Barely any!
Of course, if you have read even the index of a management book, you are going to tell me - "it's Branding dude!"
They are selling dreams! Ambitions. Almost every person coming home from such an exhibition promises him/herself to own a car that brilliant one day. That day doesn't come for most. By the time you actually deepen your pockets, you lose interest in buying vehicles. Apparently, real estate is a better deal, they say!
However, surely, the whole affair is a win-win situation for everybody. Companies get to advertise their brands, their technology, their mettle! Autocar gets more subscibers.
And we get the motivation. To love automobiles!
The biggest potential in such exhibitions still goes untapped. Our country does not have a glorious automotive history. And hence the ignorance and frugality towards vehicles. Almost all commercial big-wigs of automobiles have stepped into India. If it ever has to change, the time is now! Spreading the love for automobiles is the first step. And what better way than such exhibitions - these dreams spread out on carpets!

Blurt..

I always perceived literature as boring. It annoyed me when friends talked about the big classics they had read as I had read nothing but text-books and motoring magazines until I reached puberty! (I continue to read both even now)
Writing and writers fascinated me. A good writer is something of a magician. He can imagine things and put them in words so brightly that you feel a part of his imagination, his fictional world.
This fact always amused me. I could imagine. But materializing imagination with words - not my deal!
I know I am not a good writer. (Please do not compare with Chetan Bhagat!) In all honesty, I made this blog, not to express something. Everybody who I considered smart had one and it was free! So, I made one.

Some say, writing is a stress-buster. Today, for the first time I am typing all this only to change my mood. Not to make sense. Not to preach anything. I tried everything! Throttled on the highway, drenched my eyes, fisted the wall. Nothing works when the pain is so grave. No friend can help.
Just blurting out things that come to mind first really work.
I could do it in a diary as well. But that would be too filmy, my story is never going to be like Ghajini. Just too hard to get those 8 packs! I could type it on my desktop as well!
Although knowing that someone someday might read this whole thing is what makes you feel better!

Strength of a woman..

'There is a woman behind every successful man.' 
I am not sure of that, but there is always a woman with a happy man! 


We boys are pigs. There is no not facing it. 

I ruin your happiness with my sick jokes. I take you for granted. I cut you off when you try to talk. I have barely ever acknowledged your involvement in my life. But the truth is, you are so integral that I could manage nothing without you. (Kindly note, I am referring to more than ironing my clothes here.) 

Always stand by me. For you are the only one who loves me inspite my demons!


Saint Shaggy once sang this in one of his reggae-remedies. It sticks in your head and makes you realize who completes you....


She' ll put a smile upon your face
And take you to that higher place
So don't you underestimate...
Strength of a woman!

P.S. Shri Ram Sene murdabaad...


I hate making edits to posts, but couldn't resist mentioning - There's a secret garden she has!

The Face of Love - Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan e Eddie Vedder

The Rahat Fateh Ali Khan we have seen and heard is a novice if you hear this one out properly. The film industry has barely captured any of this potential. I may dare to say, he is as good as his uncle.

Here is a video of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan singing and Eddie Vedder strumming the chords for him watching in awe, probably wishing that he too could sing that well!
He even tries to sing along in hindi...pyaar bina jeena kaisa, iss duniya mein aaye ho toh, ek duje se pyaar karo !!



This song was originally composed by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Eddie Vedder.

CA Rube Goldberg

My friend Vivek and I have been thoroughly confused for a long time about what we wanted to do with our lives (apart from doing nothing). Every time we discussed, a new alternative came up. Vivek has so far tried out a few of them. I, on the other hand, have consistently worked on becoming a lease-worthy accountant. He had tried doing that as well but he left for good a long time ago.

As I sat waiting in my oh-so-corporatised-office for more work, I stumbled upon a man and his work. Rube Goldberg!
He inspired movies like Home Alone and SAW. His name is used as a metaphor for unnecessary over-complication in the fields of computer programming and neuroscience. He is the opposite of Occam's Razor. Here are a few of Mr. Goldberg's cartoons. They are really intriguing, intelligent and funny in their own way.

 P.S. If you still didn't get it, the stuff about Vivek was just to complicate it unnecessarily! He can be a good cartoonist himself though.

Name the monkey

He is my only avid reader. He is my fan. He is my friend. He is - MY MONKEY! (Mind your mind from making random imaginations. My Monkey actually only means a monkey. No pervert connotations when reading this blog please!) Please refer end of the post for his real name.

For such a wasteful blog with a total 3 readers, the monkey has a lot of patience to sit on the homepage 24x7. Not only does he spend countless hours fantasizing that a hot girl would once read these posts (actually it's me who does that), but he also tries to be funny with such lines:

• "Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?" - How do you know it doesn't? Ever tried fitting inside one?
  
• "If it is tourist season, why can't we shoot them?"- Well, maybe cos you are a monkey and monkeys don't have guns!
• "What's another word for thesaurus?" -  Szechuanorambosaurus! Wanna bet?

 

He also asks a few cheap questions which you feel compelled to answer.

• "Isn't the best way to save face to keep the lower part shut?" - You don't need to save face monkey, you already are very ugly and we know it.
• "Why are cows milked from the right side?" - Same reason why you always scratch only your left arm-pit.
• "Why did God give men nipples?" - Now, really!

Then there are a few that nobody understands.

• "If you were driving at the speed of light, and you switched on the head-lights; what will happen?" -  Dude, you think you can have me by talking about science?When I drive at the speed of light, nobody is ahead of me. So I don't need the head-lights.
• "If you tried to prove Murphy's law many times, would something go wrong?" - Yes. Murphy could feel bad.
• "If you don't repair your brakes right away should you make your horn louder?" - No, you should take a cab.
  

So the moral of the story my friends is that if on a gloomy day, you happen to land on this no-sense-making-URL* and you look to the right of any post and there is this ugly swollen face snobbing away to glory asking you a ridiculous question as any of the above, don't ignore him! Don't just hit F5! Think hard.Give him an equally annoying and ridiculous reply.

(*fyi, FREE-CHANCER is a rhyme for freelancer. But the real meaning is...well, even I am figuring out yet. Maybe monkey can help!)

Name the monkey - I thought for a long time. After having been severely impressed by the many suggestions; I hereby name the monkey - CHOMULAL !

Jinhe Naaz Hai...

Mera Naam Bilqis Yakub Rasul

Mujhse Hui Bas Ek Hi Bhul

Ki Jab Dhundte The Vo Ram Ko

To Main Khadi Thi, Raah Mein

Pehle Ek Ne Puchha Na Mujhe Kuch Pata Tha

Duje Ko Mera Yehi Jawab Tha

Itno Ne Puchha Ki Mera Abb Sawal Hai Ki

Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par Vo Kahan The

Jinhe Naaz Hai Vo Kahan Hai?

I just stood watching as they

brought the bricks of my belief to bite dust

In the name of a God I didn't know,

for reasons I never understood.

There is no religion among animals. They have no God.

And when those animals butchered my family, I just stood watching!

Mera Naam Shriman Satyendra Dubey 

Jo Kehna Tha woh Keh Chukey

Ab Padeh Hain Rah Mein

Dil Mein Liye ek Goli

Bas Itna Kasur Ki Hamne Likha Tha

Vo Sach Jo Har Kisi Ki Zuban Tha

Par Sach Yahan Ho Jatey Hain Zahriley

Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par Vo Kahan The

Jinhe Naaz Hai Vo Kahan Hain?

 

Mujhe Kehte Hain Anna Manjunath

Maine Dekhi Bhatakti Ek Laash

Zamir Ki Beech Sarhak Lakhimpur Kherhi

Adarsh Phasan Jahan Naaron Mein

Aur Chor Bharey Darbaron Mein

Vahan Maut Ek lakh Ki Hai Ek Khabar Baasi

I just stood watching when millions slept hungry

When a 5-year old's modesty was filched

When my leaders sold-out

And when a soldier was back-stabbed

I just stood watching!

(Marathi)

Mazha Nau Aahe Navleen Kumar

Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees
Unnees Baar

Looto Dehaat Kholo Bazaar
Nallasopara Aur Virar
Chheeno Zameen Hamse Hamein
Bhejo Pataal

Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par Vo Kahan The

Jinhe Naaz Hai Vo Kahan Hain?

I could have been a soldier or a cop

A politician or a philanthropist

Atleast a good citizen

But I am none!

Because I have just stood watching!

Am I really proud to be an Indian?

P.S. The original lyrics were written by Sahir for a Gurudutt film. This video and the above lyrics are a beautiful rendition done by Rabbi.
(Notice the use of our National Anthem in the verse!)

Dream on!

Science has never been able to explain till date how the human brain actually works. Dreams were never defined. Emotions, intelligence, sub-conscious, feelings, are all abstract to most of us. In such times conceiving a technology that intercepts others dreams may sound impractical, but for one, this film demands attention because of the sheer conviction with which 'Inception' tries to convince and confuse dreams with reality.

The film is dense. Of dreams. Dreams within dreams. To have a mass appeal, they should have used captions or something to determine which dream we are actually in. But thanks to the stupendous screenplay, there is no need for such demeaning manipulations. In fact, to an intelligent viewer, it becomes a little predictible. This being the only possible shortcoming!

Inception blends architecture, technology, emotions and neuroscience in the healthiest way possible. The most absorbing ingredient is the physics involved. The dreams are prone to theory of relativity! 10 minutes of reality means an hour in the first level of a dream. And that means 10 hours in the second level of a dream. (Yes, it does sound like a game.)

The action sequences are gravity-defying. Literally.

The caste and the entire crew support in this sci-fi drama in the best possible way.

My personal favorite character is that of Mr. Eames. He appeals with his witty dialogues. 

However, the credit for making a wonderful dream into a fascinating reality only goes to the master story-teller - Christopher Nolan. Making this film sure must have required some balls. Imagining a story line as fictional as Alice in Wonderland and yet not use any magic wands or flying brooms must not have been easy. On top of that, selling the story as an idea to the producers, the cast, everybody involved! And then making it understandable for most of us without making it look like a circus. Challenge.

But as Mr. Eames puts it as he pulls out his grenade launcher - "You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling."

  

Here is the list of Nolan's earlier creations:

• Following (1999) - This Black and white film revolves around a writer who follows unknown people to gather perceptions about different people. He does this with a rule - Never to follow the same person again. However, things begin to change when he breaks this rule.
• Memento (2000) - A man suffering from a memory disorder trying to find out the aim of his existence. The film keeps you gripped from frame A to Z. (It should rather be Frame Z to A as the film moves backwards, hence leaving you wondering whether what happened in the last scene actually happened right now or was it just a flash back?)
• Insomnia (2002) - This film is about two CIA officers. However, I am yet to watch it. So, no comments.
• Batman Begins (2005) - Not being a batman fan kept me from watching this film. However, have seen a few parts which introduced me to the sexy coarse voice of Batman, characters like Bruce Wayne, Lucius Fox, etc.
• The Prestige (2006) - Set in 19th century England, The Prestige is a story of the rivalry of two magicians - one to steal the ultimate magic trick and the other to protect it.
• The Dark Knight (2008) - Why so Serious? The Dark Knight was the highest grosser on the box office when it released and has been surpassed only by Avatar since then. 
• Inception (2010)
• ...films to come from Christopher Nolan - Superman. Sequel to The Dark Knight!

There is no chance I am going to miss any of those films.

Advance bookings open when you wake up from this dream!

Following

Batman Begins

Dark Knight

Prestige

Memento

Motu-master iski maa agar ise...

is ki maa... aray kiski maa

is ki maa agar isey pet mein hi maar deti

to bihar mein aakal na hota

orrisa mein... orissa mein baad na hoti

maa per plex thi, per plex thi

baap complex tha, complex tha

aray radio ke jamaane ka yeh pehla multi-plex tha (multi-plex tha)

paida huwa yeh jis din paida huwa (x3)

is ke baap ne gaaon mein laddu batwaya (x2)

woh aakhri din tha jab is ke gaaon mein kisi ne kuch khaya

paida karte iski maan jo zor se chillai

le ke ashok chakar sarkaar dori dori aai

doctor ne baap ko side mein le ke jaa ke daanta (x2)

bola kahan se laey yeh gastronomical jwar-bhata (x2)

darzi ne bola inch tape apni baghal mein chaanpe (x2)

kamar to naapte hain magar ham kamra kaise naape (x2)

patthar ke paalne mein jab ye leta rota tha (x2)

sara gaaon is ke baap ke aansuon se bartan dhota tha

bartan... bartan.. bartan dhota tha...

ghusse mein is ka baap

parliment gaya

bola nirodh kyun late invent kiya...

invent invent invent kiya...

har baal ki khaal ki yeh chaal bhi kha jaey

is ke haath par jayen to maheene saal bhi kha jaey

kisi behaal ka bacha jo haal bhi haal kha jaey

be-maut marte man ka yeh malaal kha jaey

laalu ka laal kha jaey, naxal baari ki naal kha jaey

bachpan ka dhamaal kha jaey, budhaape ki shaal bhi kha jaey

haya to chodo behaya ki chaal bhi kha jaey

aur agar parosa ja sake to khayal bhi kha jaey

butter chicken... butter chicken...

laddu gopal hai, poora chopaal hai

khara to kitaar si, betha bhopal hai

baitha bhopal hai bai baitha bhopal hai

bhopal, bhopal, baitha bhopaal hai

is ki jo paad hai khaansamon ko daad hai

baap murdabad, beta muradabad hai

is ki jo paad hai khaansamon ko daad hai

baap murdabad, beta muradabad hai

baap murdabad, beta muradabad hai

butter chiken... butter chiken...

is ki jo dakaar hai, bhopu bhi bekaar hai

gurr gurr is ke pait ki, pait ki sarkaar hai

vote do bhai vote do, poora hi phorr do

is ka jo size hai, is ki maa ka pyar hai

hajam kiya is ne apne baap ka karobaar hai

baap ka karobaar, apne baap ka karobaar hai

chirken ka muse hai, par yaan varan hi lose hai

urrne na dena isey dooms-day ka fuse hai

dooms-day ka fuse hai bai dooms-day ka fuse hai doom

dooms-day ka fuse, dooms-day ka fuse hai

khachwa bhi is se faaster, motu master

gas ka plaster, motu master

hai naak band fart kar, motu master

chor baant baant kar, motu master

yeh motu master hai total disaster

total disaster hai motu master

motu master chal daaru paas kar

chup be, bastard...!

Happy day for Tesla

The world has been going through financial worries for almost 2 years now. In the recent past, almost as many as 35 companies either postponed or cancelled their IPOs for the fear of not finding enough investors. But being so different from the rest of Wall Street is what gives Tesla Motors Inc. it's poise to be the first American automobile company to raise an IPO after 54 years.

True story.

The previous company to do it was Ford Motors in 1956.

That's a big name to draw parallels with. On top of that, Tesla has never ever booked a profit. Whereas Ford has been a standard for the industry for a century.

About Tesla

Evidently, the company borrows it's name from the great scientist - arguably the inventor of electricity - Nikola Tesla. It does so for a very good reason. Many companies have been attempting at providing carbon free cars with Toyota's Prius leading the path. Different engineers have reached different options - hydrogen, ethanol, electricity, etc. One guy called Stan Meyer even developed a car that works on water! Truly amazing engineers. However, Tesla is the only company till date to have successfully created a road-worthy car and it works purely on electricity. It has no exhaust pipe. The car is as silent as a snail but swift as a rattle snake. It's not worth picturing a Maini Reva when I say electric car. Tesla Roadster (picture given) is way ahead of that.

• Power - 288 horse power
• Torque - All the power is available at almost all levels with a few variations. From 0 to 14000 rpm. 
• Acceleration - 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. (Who would believe that of a non-petrol engine?)
• Top Speed - 125 mph (Electronically limited - which I assume is a polite way of saying, "the engine is capable of much more, but your State Traffic Law wont permit anyway!")
• Battery Life - 7 years or 100,000 miles
• Price - Base model $ 101,500/-   Sport Model $ 120,000/-

Ford was led by men of iconic stature. The brain child of Henry Ford and was later headed by Lee Iacocca. He was later fired from Ford. Lee Iacocca then presided over the Chrylser board and made the company a fierce competition for Ford itself. The story of Tesla is similar.

Tesla's is based in Palo Alto, California (the universe where ideas form the ether and college drop-outs become the stars) and although founded by Martin Eberhard & Elon Musk together, it is currently headed by Elon as the CEO.

Elon Musk is the same guy who founded X.Com which later became PayPal Inc. and is now a part of eBay.

Martin and Elon had a fall out and eventually Martin had to quit. Martin even filed a suit against Elon alleging that he was virtually made to leave. Supposedly, one of the clauses of the suit contains that Elon didn't let Martin have the first Roadster that rolled out of the factories.

The founders have not been the only people excited about driving a complete car that doesn't pollute. Media friendly celebs like Brad Pitt and George Clooney drive Roadsters. (Guess the Ocean's Eleven couldn't steal any gas.)

The car is a masterpiece. However, one can't help but notice that the car is never noticed! The price one pays for the car is definitely one major parameter in this regard. Not many can afford a $ 100,000 car. Even if they can, there are better options! The emission front doesn't persuade enough to indulge in an expensive car like the Roadster.

The company has recently launched another vehicle with the name Model S. Deliveries may begin in 2012 and the car currently can be booked for approximately $ 50,000/-.

What remains to be seen is whether the Model S can be our generation's Ford T ?