Karyz Blog World

The Fray - How to Save a Life

2011-12-28T22:51:00.000-05:00

Business Sutra (CNBC Show)

2011-12-11T00:33:00.003-05:00

I stumbled upon an awesome series on CNBC which is a mix of mythology, management and the interpretations of the old and the new. It contains interviews with Devdutt Pattanaik. I haven't exactly figured out why I like it, but I do .. and probably will start making sense as I think more about it ..

Dildara - Stand By Me

2011-10-22T15:40:00.002-05:00

Hi there! Its been a long time ..

Just thought of posting a song that I really liked recently.

An awesome medley of an old English classic, Stand By Me; some sufi lyrics and tune, Dildara and some remix beats. Also the producers claim to have bought the rights to use the english lyrics from Stand By Me. A very welcome initiative from Bollywood. I think we should definitely reuse good lyrics, tunes from the local and international music industry - as long as the right credit is given.

So here goes .. Dildara - Stand By me.

Blue Angels from Lake Washington

2011-08-06T20:49:00.007-05:00

Today I had a chance to strike off that long time todo item from the bucket list. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss. Had I known that it would be more than 6 miles of rowing in the waves of Lake Washington, I would have probably thought twice :)

One wise decision as a novice was to not take the kayak, take a canoe instead. Canoe is much better for stability, higher than the water level and less scary when riding the waves created by the motorboats and jet-ski.

It was an amazing experience to watch the Blue Angels air show from the water level. Our canoe was surrounded by huge boats with people on their tubes and floating lounge chairs.

I want to learn the technique through kayak lessons to flip the kayak and get back into it. Once I am assured that I can get back into the kayak after it flips, I'll be much more relaxed when on the waves.

Paddle board is one more todo for this summer.

Speechless in Seattle

2011-08-04T18:26:00.003-05:00

.. after maintaining a regular journal of my thoughts for 6 years (since August 2005), I suddenly got 'speechless' on the blog :)

Last month was the first time in last 6 years that there was no blog post. The very purpose of my blog was to write what's going on in my life, mostly very vaguely of course. Blog was the (only) medium of expression, the one who listens without asking questions, the one who is available any time of day (and night).

Not that I will never write regularly again, but certainly not on my must do list at this point :)

.. and oh, its also been 6 years for the 'Baltimore Tea Party', when a bunch of kids landed at the Port of Maryland. Also its been almost 4 years since the kids traveled cross country to the Port of Seattle. I can't believe that it has almost been a year since the cross country road trip from Seattle to Boston. Time flies, it does.

Its not that I have stopped dreaming, I just started living one. So adios, for a while, maybe.

So long, my friend ..

2011-06-05T23:28:00.001-05:00

Howdy blog!

.. I started writing something. Then I deleted one word. Then a sentence. Then the whole para... then I tried to write again. But I fell short of words. My words didn't do any justice to what I wanted to tell her.

So I decided to borrow some words from Merwin.

Your absence has gone through me

Like thread through a needle.

Everything I do is stitched with its color.

.. and btw, PS: Same to you.

I always thought ..

2011-05-03T22:50:00.002-05:00

I always thought that ..

I will never be able to speak on the phone for hours

I will never be able to decide on anyone, as The One

I will never entertain late night calls

I will never speak to grown-ups as if they were kids

I will never like anyone the way they are

I will end up single

.. Bollywood drama's dont happen

.. 'Socha Na Tha' is an unreal drama

.. 3 weeks is a very long vacation

.. I am right about all I thought

PS: Thanks to You, for proving me wrong about everything :)

Reaching Dilli ..

2011-04-22T22:16:00.002-05:00

I was in Dilli (popularly spelt as Delhi) recently and visited the historic museum at the Red Fort. That suddenly made me curious to know the historic developments until the establishment of Dilli sultanate.

So here goes - interesting dates from the history of religions.

223,000 - 100,000 BC (Eurasia)

Evidence of Neanderthals

40,000 BC (Lake Mungo, Australia)

Anatomically modern human burials found

25,000 BC - 21,000 BC (Europe)

Use of red-ochre (pigments or paint) in burials, clothing, beads, artifacts

9130 - 7370 BC (Europe)

Early cities, kingdoms and place of worship

5000 - 4000 BC

Suggested dates of Ramayana

3228 - 3102 BCE (North India – UP, Bihar, Delhi, Haryana and Gujarat)

Krishna's life on Earth (founder of Hinduism?)

Suggested dates of Mahabharata

2635 - 2650 BCE (Egypt)

Oldest Egyptian Pyramid discovered, followed by Pyramid of Giza

2000 - 1850 BCE (Northern Africa, Southern Europe near Mediterranean Sea)

Lifetime of the Judeo-christian/Islamic patriarchal figure Abraham (Ibrahim)

1100 BCE (Persia, Iran)

Zoroastrianism is thought to have been born

877 BCE

Parsva, the penultimate (23rd) Tirthankara of Jainism is born

800 BCE (India)

Early Brahmanas, time of Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samveda, Atharvaveda

599 BCE, 563 BCE, 551 BCE (India, China)

Mahavira, the final (24th) Tirthankara of Jainism is born

Gautama Buddha, founder of Buddhism is born

Confucius, founder of Confucianism, is born

7 BCE - 36 CE (Mediterranian)

Lifetime of Jesus of Nazareth (Jesus Christ), the central figure of Christianity

570 – 632 (Arabia, Mecca)

Life-time of Muhammad SAW ibn 'Abdullāh RA, the founder of Islam

650

The Quran is completed.

1191 (India)

Delhi Sulatanate is stablished (pre-Mughal Islamic kingdoms of Turkic origins in Northern India)

1469 - 1539 (India)

The life of Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism

1817 - 1892 (Persia, Iran)

The life of Bahá'u'lláh, founder of the Bahá'í Faith

1952 (Los Angeles, USA)

Scientology is created

Memento Mori

2011-04-16T12:25:00.002-05:00

Memento mori is a Latin phrase translated as "Remember your mortality", "Remember you must die" or "Remember you will die" - literally " [in the future] remember to die".

A shockingly awesome monologue from The X Files, when Agent Scully is diagnosed with an incurable cranial cancer.

Video link

"For the first time, I feel time like a heartbeat, the seconds pumping in my breast like a reckoning; the numinous mysteries that once seemed so distant and unreal threatening clarity in the presence of a truth entertained not in youth, but only in its passage. I feel these words as if their meaning were weight being lifted from me, knowing that you will read them and share my burden as I have come to trust no other. That you should know my heart, look into it, finding there the memory and experience that belong to you, that are you, is a comfort to me now as I feel the tethers loose and the prospects darken for the continuance of a journey that began not so long ago, and which began again with a faith shaken and strengthened by your convictions. If not for which I might never have been so strong now as I cross to face you and look at you incomplete, hoping that you will forgive me for not making the rest of the journey with you."

— Dana Scully's diary

Scully stands in a hospital gown next to a bare lighted wall, studying a cranial x-ray that she holds. The x-ray shows an irregularly-shaped transparent mass, between the eyes and behind the nasal cavity.

A thousand marbles ..

2011-04-16T12:03:00.002-05:00

(Tom, a radio show host gets a call ..)

"Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well but it's a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. Too bad you missed your daughter's dance recital." He continued, "Let me tell you something Tom, something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities." And that's when he began to explain his theory of a "Thousand marbles".

"You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years." "Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900 which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime.

"Now stick with me Tom, I'm getting to the important part. It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail", he went on, "and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy. So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round-up 1000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside of a large, clear plastic container right here in my workshop next to the radio. Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and throw it away.”

"I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There is nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight. "Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure if I make it until next Saturday then God has blessed me with a little extra time to be with
my loved ones It was nice to talk to you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your loved ones, and I hope to meet you again someday.

Have a good morning!"

Rest if you must ..

2011-04-03T12:58:00.003-05:00

Since I don't visit the Orkut page anymore, I forgot something that has been on the profile for ages now .. its the time to remind myself!

When things go wrong ..
(anonymous)

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you are trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.

When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but do not quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out.

Don't give up though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt.

And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far.
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

Peaceful Easy Feeling

2011-03-30T14:08:00.001-05:00

What's on your mind?

2011-03-26T13:21:00.001-05:00

It has become really hard to tell or say "what's on your mind".

Lucky are those who can write every damn thought that comes to their minds on Facebook and Twitter. Well, I am not the lucky one. My very limited Google Talk list used to be my way of saying - Whats on your mind. Unfortunately, that privilege is gone too. Now there are more people on the list than what I am comfortable with.

While I do want them to be on the list, I cannot speak up anymore. I do not know what is their acceptance level, comfort level, level of understanding, humor level .. Also if I update the status, I'll have comments to answer to. I am just too busy to respond, or respond on time. I am lucky to have my family and close friends around though to hear all that I have to say. Thankfully, this publicly private blog also comes to the rescue. If you happen to read this, you already know a lot :)

Hopefully, this too shall pass. That's all .. (and I conveniently got away without telling 'What's on my mind, as usual?')

Being A. Monk

2011-03-20T21:51:00.003-05:00

It must be hard to be Adrian Monk.

He is just another normal guy. Like you .., like me..

Well, not exactly. May be a couple of phobias more than you or me. By couple, I mean a couple hundreds actually. But who doesn't have fears and phobias. I fear the fact that I am undecided about a lot of things. I fear the fact that I don't know so many things. I fear uncertainty. I fear deadlines.

.. and may be he has a couple of obsessive compulsive disorders. But hey, you've got it too. Don't you watch Netflix for an entire weekend, don't you listen to a single song for days, sometimes weeks - in the morning, on the way to work, at work, while cooking ... Ok, may be that's not you, that's me.

The point is, we are all like 'Monk'. But wait, may be not. Monk is intelligent, I mean really really intelligent. In spite of his fears, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorders, grief and loneliness, A. Monk can solve the most difficult crime cases in San Francisco.

Here's to the Monk in all of us .. to patience, to confidence, to faith, to assurance, to learning and to satisfaction.

(thanks JK for introducing me to A. Monk :))

Fortune cookie

2011-03-19T15:05:00.003-05:00

(from a friend's email)

A very thought provoking blog post by a doctor about his conversations
with a patient.

Another of my patients, a successful businessmen, tells me that before his cancer he would become depressed unless things went a certain way. Happiness was "having the cookie." If you had the cookie, things were good. If you didn't have the cookie, life wasn't worth a damn.

Unfortunately, the cookie kept changing. Sometimes it was the new car, the biggest contract or the most prestigious address. A year and a half after his diagnosis of prostate cancer he sits shaking his head ruefully. "It's taken me this long to understand that the cookie will never make me happy for long. The minute you have the cookie it starts to crumble or you start to worry about it crumbling or about someone trying to take it away from you. You know, you have to give up a lot of things to take care of the cookie, to keep it from crumbling and be sure that no one takes it away from you. You may not even get a chance to eat it because you are so busy just trying not to lose it. Having the cookie is not what life is about."

My patient laughs and says cancer has changed him. For the first time he is happy. No matter if his business is doing well or not, no matter if he wins or loses at golf. "Two years ago, cancer asked ne, 'Okay, what's important? What is really important?' Well, life is important. Life. Life any way you can have it. Life with the cookie. Life without the cookie. Happiness does not have anything to do with the cookie, it has to do with being alive." He pauses thoughtfully. "Damn, I guess life is the cookie."

Empire State of Mind

2011-03-17T12:35:00.001-05:00

Found a new rap that is helping me focus on work :)

Don't worry about a thing ..

2011-03-11T14:14:00.001-05:00

A song that comes to my mind, on and on ..

Dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!

Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, (this is my message to you-ou-ou:)

Singin: dont worry bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry (dont worry) bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!

Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, this is my message to you-ou-ou:

Singin: dont worry about a thing, worry about a thing, oh!
Every little thing gonna be all right. dont worry!
Singin: dont worry about a thing - I wont worry!
cause every little thing gonna be all right.

Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right - I wont worry!
Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry about a thing, oh no!
cause every little thing gonna be all right!

Collision Course

2011-02-27T19:43:00.004-05:00

Sometimes you watch a screenplay and it just imprints on your memory. One of the best screenplays that I will always remember ..

Benjamin Button: Sometimes we're on a collision course, and we just don't know it. Whether it's by accident or by design, there's not a thing we can do about it. A woman in Paris was on her way to go shopping, but she had forgotten her coat - went back to get it. When she had gotten her coat, the phone had rung, so she'd stopped to answer it; talked for a couple of minutes. While the woman was on the phone, Daisy was rehearsing for a performance at the Paris Opera House. And while she was rehearsing, the woman, off the phone now, had gone outside to get a taxi. Now a taxi driver had dropped off a fare earlier and had stopped to get a cup of coffee. And all the while, Daisy was rehearsing. And this cab driver, who dropped off the earlier fare; who'd stopped to get the cup of coffee, had picked up the lady who was going to shopping, and had missed getting an earlier cab. The taxi had to stop for a man crossing the street, who had left for work five minutes later than he normally did, because he forgot to set off his alarm. While that man, late for work, was crossing the street, Daisy had finished rehearsing, and was taking a shower. And while Daisy was showering, the taxi was waiting outside a boutique for the woman to pick up a package, which hadn't been wrapped yet, because the girl who was supposed to wrap it had broken up with her boyfriend the night before, and forgot.
Benjamin Button: When the package was wrapped, the woman, who was back in the cab, was blocked by a delivery truck, all the while Daisy was getting dressed. The delivery truck pulled away and the taxi was able to move, while Daisy, the last to be dressed, waited for one of her friends, who had broken a shoelace. While the taxi was stopped, waiting for a traffic light, Daisy and her friend came out the back of the theater. And if only one thing had happened differently: if that shoelace hadn't broken; or that delivery truck had moved moments earlier; or that package had been wrapped and ready, because the girl hadn't broken up with her boyfriend; or that man had set his alarm and got up five minutes earlier; or that taxi driver hadn't stopped for a cup of coffee; or that woman had remembered her coat, and got into an earlier cab, Daisy and her friend would've crossed the street, and the taxi would've driven by. But life being what it is - a series of intersecting lives and incidents, out of anyone's control - that taxi did not go by, and that driver was momentarily distracted, and that taxi hit Daisy, and her leg was crushed.

Living Robot

2011-02-26T20:46:00.004-05:00

A machine that can act like a human is called a Humanoid.

I was trying to find the right word of what I have been thinking of myself lately. I need a word that means - "A human that has to act like a machine"

Because ..

You got to do what you got to do.
You got the sleep when you got the sleep.
You got to wake up when you got to wake up.
You got to laugh when you got to laugh.
You got to cry when you got to cry.
You got to be stupid when you got to be stupid.
You got to be anxious when you got to be anxious.
You got to work when you got to work.
You got to be confused when you got to be confused.
You got to say it when you got to say it.
You got to shout when you got to shout.
You got to happy when you got to be happy.
You got to be sad when you got to be sad.
You got to mess up when you got to mess up.
You got to wait when you got to wait.
You got to be nervous when you got to be nervous.
You got to be excited when you got to be excited.
You got to be patient when you got to be patient.
You got to be angry when you got to be angry.
You got to misunderstand when you got to misunderstand.
You got to be jealous when you got to be jealous.
You got to talk nonsense when you got to talk nonsense.
You got to write such an insane post when you got to write such an insane post.

.. and there is nothing the human in me can do about it :|

Howdy blog!

2011-02-20T22:44:00.003-05:00

Everything's fine, everything's still the same (yay). Have had a very (very (very)) busy month.

Joined a new group, with a completely different work culture. Different planning and execution style. Different area with no relevant experience whatsoever (though I did not tell them that :P). Its a 75% gradient but I am catching up!

.. and upon that there have been so many randomizations.

Anyway, it is a welcoming change. Complete reset was just what I needed. Also picture speaks a thousand word's. So Heil Karycatures for now.

Looking through a child's eye

2011-02-03T21:27:00.000-05:00

Looking through a child's eye - Author Unknown

When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are
going to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing
white fluff you can wish on.

When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty
person who probably wants money and I look away. My kids see someone
smiling at them and they smile back.

When I hear music I love, I know I can’t carry a tune and don’t have
much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen. My kids feel the
beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don’t know them,
they make up their own.

When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it
messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk. My kids close
their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the
ground laughing.

When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and
clothes, and dirty carpets. My kids sit in it. They see dams to build,
rivers to cross and worms to play with.

(thanks for sending ~Gopal)

Beyond human reach ..?

2011-01-25T00:51:00.007-05:00

Since a past few weeks, I have been watching a lot of videos related to ancient history, alien theories, about Egypt and Egyptology.

If you ask me, "Do you believe in Aliens?", my answer would be "No"
If you ask me, "Do you believe in the possibility of Aliens?", I would say "Yes" :)

I think it would be very rude on the part of mankind to dismiss the possibility that many unknown things might have existed on this planet long before we did. Considering that fact that we made it to the moon and can look at the galaxies several light years from us using Hubble, how can we dismiss the possibility that "aliens" might have visited us or still do without our knowledge.

Based on the same argument, I would like to believe that UFOs exist. And note that we are not saying they are indeed alien spaceships. We are saying they are UFOs - Unidentified Flying Objects. And they will be so until we identify them :)

Recently I was very enthused that know that the National UFO Reporting Center is in Seattle! The website keeps track of hundreds of UFO spotting all over the country. While most of the times it is bound to be a false alarm, do we know how many positive alarms we might be missing here?

Look at the UFO reports here. In some cases these guys have also posted photos they clicked and I must say, there is something there. Science, go figure!

Out of curiosity, I also tried an iPhone app called "UFO Spot". It shows the most recent UFOs reported by general public in your vicinity. The app only geo-locates the report on the map. I wish there was an alerting service of such "unusual spottings". I would have definitely loved to go and photograph it myself :)

All these things are really intriguing from scientific point of view, apart from the sci-fi element attached to it.

There is an amazing documentary on Netflix - Close Encounters: Proof of Alien Contact
which interviews several astronauts, doctors and NASA scientists. They talk about the famous Roswell UFO incident in New Mexico, the "unearthly implants" found in the reported Class 4 encounters (alien abductions). It is certainly very interesting and entertaining, even if not completely believable.

Understanding the Nutrition Facts

2011-01-16T14:23:00.001-05:00

http://www.netrition.com/rdi_page.html

Incomple.. Bucket List for 2011

2011-01-14T20:56:00.001-05:00

New Year resolutions sound like a compulsion. Bucket list sounds like something you really .. really really want to do ..

1. Time lapse photography

2. Experiment with DSLR manual modes

3. Try the portrait filter (pending for lack of a model)

4. Video editing

5. Buy a f/<very very small> lens

6. Create a Kary(cature)

7. Complete the Lake Washington bike loop (60 miles?)

8. Prepare for STP (Seattle to Portland biking)

9. Stretch - Mt. St. Helens volcanic crator summit

10. Stretch - Muir base camp, Mt. Rainier

11. Scuba diving lessons

12. Ocean kayaking lessons

13. Sky diving

14. Keep no unfinished paintings in the bedroom

15 ...

One Minute Fly

2011-01-13T23:37:00.004-05:00

One day I came back home very tired and bored; and then saw something really interesting ..

One Minute Fly has got a very limited lifespan. One minute in which it wants to experience everything that makes life worth living.....

Traceroute Ramayan

2011-01-08T18:40:00.001-05:00

Just out of curiosity was tracing down the route that Ram might have taken based on this article.

A: Start from Ayodhya, the birthplace
B: Bharat comes to meet Ram and returns with the Ram's sandals
C: Nasik, couple of days of halt on the journey
D: Bhadrachalamin Andhra Pradesh, Sita was abducted
E: Hampi, Ram first met Hanuman
F: Rameshwaram, the start of Ram's Setu to Lanka

Ancient Aliens

2011-01-08T18:22:00.005-05:00

Have been watching some interesting History Channel videos on Ancient Aliens (aka Gods?) recently. Quite interesting, if you keep an open mind and accept the possibility that "We are not alone" :)

To Brandy!

2011-01-07T13:47:00.001-05:00

I was glad that my favorite contestant won, not only she was beautiful and sexy - but she indeed had the brains.

And now I know that she also writes really well .. so here's to Brandy!

http://brandykuentzel.blogspot.com/2011/01/brandy-congratulations.html

FlightControl

2011-01-07T01:12:00.001-05:00

Now I am in the top 10% players of FlightControl ;)

In search of a Kary ..

2010-12-26T23:25:00.001-05:00

[haha] .. don't expect a "in search of self" post here.

Have been drawing a lot of caricatures lately, I feel the need of a permanent avatar that I can use to portray myself in the caricature.

Having an avatar of yourself must be a real convenience. Put forth all the sarcasm and criticism through your avatar and you are free of any guilt whatsoever. The way Stewie Griffin speaks for Seth MacFarlane, the way Achmed (the dead terrorist) speaks for Jeff Dunham, Chintoo speaks for Charuhas Pandit and Prabhakar Wadekar and the Common Man speaks for R. K. Laxman.

I hope that 2011 will help me in creation of an avatar, though I won't call it Kary (suggestions welcome).

I have identified some common characteristics for my avatar:

Physical:
1. Should be simple - very few lines
2. A big head (that thinks a lot)
3. A big mouth (that speaks a lot)
4. ... I know I know its tending toward being Stewie, but why not - Stewie is a masterpiece!

Mental:
1. Thinker
2. Confused
3. Politely sarcastic (unlike Stewie)
4 ... ?

Monk: A Tribute

2010-12-23T17:14:00.003-05:00

If you liked Byomkesh Bakshi, you'll love Monk!

Sam Axe: You know, a couple of my FBI buddies were telling me about this guy up in San Francisco who was really cleaning up the streets... and, of course, now I know that they meant that, um... literally.

Shawn Spencer: Monk? Sure, I know that guy! I went parasailing with that guy.

Burton "Gus" Guster: No, you didn't.

Shawn: I built sand castles with him.

Gus: No, you didn't.

Zach Nichols: Monk is masterful. I have a picture of him on my refrigerator. I sit at his feet.

Marshall Mann: Like an actual monk, he embodies the realization of his true nature.

Mary Shannon: ...What?

Shawn: We were roadies for Hüsker Dü together...

Gus: No, you weren't!

Hank Lawson: I invited Monk out to the Hamptons! But he hates sand... the sun... and the ocean, so I don't know if it's gonna work out...

Zach Nichols: Well, I tell you, I'm glad he's on our side. Because can you imagine a criminal that is so neat that he doesn't leave behind any hairs or fibers or fingerprints?

Shawn: He's basically my partner in crime-solving.

Gus: That's me, Shawn!

Shawn: ...I'm sorry, who are we talking about again?

Gus: Adrian Monk!

There's something about H (pronounced 'hech')

2010-12-23T03:41:00.003-05:00

Proving a point to my Iyer friend, its always about the BATH. :)

It's a jungle out there

2010-12-17T00:31:00.000-05:00

'Monk's theme song

Sitcoms

2010-12-09T11:35:00.002-05:00

With a big jolly group of my hangout buddies, sitcom (situational comedy) has become a norm.

Last weekend we were at an Indian restraunt and someone started with a Ranjikant one-liner - "Rajnikant knows Victoria's secret"

There it began --

"Ranjikant doesn't pay attention, Attention pays Ranjikant"

"Rajnikant gets bakarwadi at Chitale's at 3 PM"

From Rajnikant, it was an easy shift to southern India. We have a friend from the south who is born and brought up in Mumbai. So he does become a target of the 'hech' jokes and he does get it :)

Kavita and Sunita in Hindi become Kavitha and Sunitha in the south. And these guys put an 'h' (pronounced as 'hecchh') in most other Hindi words as well, ofcourse unknowingly.

And there it began again, how a south Indian would tell Rajnikant one-liners:

Rajnikant bath (baat) nahi karta.

Rajnikant ke saath koi bath (baat) nahi kar sakta.
<thank God!>

Aaj tak kisi ne Ranjikant ko bath (baat) karte nahi dekha hai.

Irritated by all this, another south Indian friend would say --

"Kisne kaha thumko, maine Rajnikanth ke sath bath (baat) kiya hai!
<all laughs>

Another hypothetical coversation:

[Me]: Kya dude, aajkal tu baat (he hears it as BATH) nahi karta.

[Friend]: Thuje khaise patha mei bath nahi karta?
<lol>

Dhadkan jara ruk gayi hai - Prahar

2010-12-07T22:38:00.000-05:00

dhadakan jaraa ruk gayee hai, kahee jindagee bah gayee hai
palakon mein yaadon kee dolee, bheetar khushee has rahee hai
ye khushee tum ho, tum hee tum meree jaanam karu ayetabaar

cheharon ke mele me, chehare the gum
yek cheharaa thaa mai, yek cheharaa the tum
jaane kyaa, tum ne de diyaa
muz ko jahaan mil gayaa

hothhon par baat rahe, baaton mein soor bahe
suron mane geet wahee, tumhaaree hee baat kahe
mit jaaoo sapanon kee aagosh mein
bheeg jaaoo yaadon kee bauchhaar mein

milate hee aankho ne, rishtaa pahachaanaa
yehasaas seene me, saanson ne jaanaa
choopake se, pyaar chhoo gayaa
dilaa ke yek, janam nayaa

(PS: Don't try to make any intelligent guesses or derivations, its just a song that I love :))

It's all a gamble.

2010-12-06T14:40:00.001-05:00

Some friends of yesterday are long lost memories,
Some acquaintances of today are potential friends of tomorrow,
Some friends of today might be complete strangers the other day,
People meet, people depart.
It's all a gamble.

We don't say a word to those whom we meet everyday,
And tell everything to whom we never met.
Those who live far away are still your best friends,
We chat with online friends more than a friend next door.
It's all a gamble.

We get all that we don't want so easily,
What we really want scarcely comes even after lots of effort,
How do we decide what we really want?
Do we go by the feeling or by the logical thinking?
It's all a gamble.

Bank rates

2010-11-22T01:04:00.001-05:00

Excellent websites to track Savings and CD rates which I use all the time.

http://ratebrain.com/

http://www.depositaccounts.com/

Life as a 'quote'

2010-11-13T13:38:00.000-05:00

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." ~Erma Bombeck

Life is simple, it's just not easy. ~Author Unknown

I hope life isn't a big joke, because I don't get it. ~Jack Handey

Forgive, O Lord, my little jokes on Thee,
And I'll forgive Thy great big one on me.
~Robert Frost

In spite of the cost of living, it's still popular. ~Kathy Norris

I think I've discovered the secret of life - you just hang around until you get used to it. ~Charles Schulz

Life is like a blanket too short. You pull it up and your toes rebel, you yank it down and shivers meander about your shoulder; but cheerful folks manage to draw their knees up and pass a very comfortable night. ~Marion Howard

Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can. ~Danny Kaye

I have a simple philosophy: Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. Scratch where it itches. ~Alice Roosevelt Longworth

We are born wet, naked, and hungry. Then things get worse. ~Author Unknown

Life is like a beautiful melody, only the lyrics are messed up. ~Author Unknown

I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer. ~Jim Carrey

My formula for living is quite simple. I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. In between, I occupy myself as best I can. ~Cary Grant

I know what things are good: friendship and work and conversation. These I shall have. ~Rupert Brooke

Life is like sailing. You can use any wind to go in any direction. ~Robert Brault

In life we all have an unspeakable secret, an irreversible regret, an unreachable dream and an unforgettable love. ~Diego Marchi

All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on. ~Havelock Ellis

source

The Joy of being OOF sick

2010-11-11T17:02:00.003-05:00

If you ever happen to be on a sick leave (OOF sick) on a weekday, there are lots of things on TV to make you feel better. Have you ever seen or heard about TV shows like "Judge Judy" or "Judge Joe Brown" or "The People's Court" around noon?

Basic idea of these shows is that a court session is played on TV where the two opponents put forth their case details. Most often, these are domestic conflicts - husband and wife, neighbors, the local auto-repair shop and so on. The case penalties range from 200$ to 2000$.

Now, the reason I said that these shows make you feel better about yourself:
- I don't have such tiny conflicts in my life
- If at all, I have bigger things to worry about which keep me human
- I have a much higher standard of living
- I have a paid sick leave when I can relax
- I am not a loser to take domestic quarrels on the public television.
- I am feeling lucky.

PS: I am OOF, but not sick :)

In the air tonight ...

2010-11-09T23:20:00.002-05:00

Amazing Phil Collins song:

I can feel it coming in the air tonight, Oh Lord
I've been waiting for this moment, all my life, Oh Lord
Can you feel it coming in the air tonight, Oh Lord, Oh Lord

Well, if you told me you were drowning
I would not lend a hand
I've seen your face before my friend
But I don't know if you know who I am
Well, I was there and I saw what you did
I saw it with my own two eyes
So you can wipe off the grin, I know where you've been
It's all been a pack of lies

And I can feel it coming in the air tonight, Oh Lord
I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, Oh Lord
I can feel it in the air tonight, Oh Lord, Oh Lord
And I've been waiting for this moment all my life, Oh Lord, Oh Lord

Well I remember, I remember don't worry
How could I ever forget, it's the first time, the last time we ever met
But I know the reason why you keep your silence up, no you don't fool me
The hurt doesn't show; but the pain still grows
It's no stranger to you or me

And I can feel it coming in the air tonight, Oh Lord...

The Rules of Being Human

2010-11-04T20:35:00.003-05:00

You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it will be yours for as long as you live. How you take care of it or fail to take care of it can make an enormous difference in the quality of your life.

You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a full-time, informal school called Life. Each day, you will be presented with opportunities to learn what you need to know. The lessons presented are often completely different from those you think you need.

There are no mistakes, only lessons. Growth is a process of trial, error and experimentation. You can learn as much from failure as you can from success. Maybe more.

A lesson is repeated until it is learned. A lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you have learned it (as evidenced by a change in your attitude and ultimately your behavior) then you can go on to the next lesson.

Learning lessons does not end. There is no stage of life that does not contain some lessons. As long as you live there will be something more to learn.

"There" is no better than "here". When your "there" has become a "here" you will simply discover another "there" that will again look better than your "here." Don't be fooled by believing that the unattainable is better than what you have.

Others are merely mirrors of you. You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects something you love or hate about yourself. When tempted to criticize others, ask yourself why you feel so strongly.

What you make of your life is up to you. You have all the tools and resources you need. What you create with those tools and resources is up to you. Remember that through desire, goal setting and unflagging effort you can have anything you want. Persistence is the key to success.

The answers lie inside of you. The solutions to all of life's problems lie within your grasp. All you need to do is ask, look, listen and trust yourself.

Source: http://www.westhartfordcounselingcenter.com/rules.htm

Kadhi Tu ..

2010-10-31T19:45:00.003-05:00

Amazing song from a recent Marathi movie - Mumbai Pune Mumbai
(Hero jara chamya ahe, really needs to get in shape though ;))

[removed the video, I think it was very poorly choreographed and shot]

Kadhi tu rimzim zarnari barsaat
Kadhi tu chamcham karnari chandanyat
Kadhi tu .., kosaltya dhara
Thaiman vara, Bijlichi nakshi ambara
Salsaltya lata, Bhijlelya vata
Chimb pawsachi oli raat

Kadhi tu rimzim zarnari barsaat
Kadhi tu chamcham karnari chandanyat

Kadhi tu ang ang moharnari
Asamant darwaLnari ratrani vedya jangalat
Kadhi tu hirwya chafyachya paklyat
Kadhi tu rimzim zarnari barsat
Kadhi tu .., kosaltya dhara
Thaiman vara, Bijlichi nakshi ambara
Salsaltya lata, Bhijlelya vata
Chimb pawsachi oli raat

Jari tu kalale tari na kalnare
Disale tari Na disanre, virnare mrugjal ek kshanat
Tari tu mitlelya mazya papanyat
Kadhi tu rimzim zarnari barsat
Kadhi tu .., kosaltya dhara
Thaiman vara, Bijlichi nakshi ambara
Salsaltya lata, Bhijlelya vata
Chimb pawsachi oli raat

Weekly unwinder ..

2010-10-31T14:12:00.002-05:00

We were in one of our regular singles coffee meet at the Starbucks last night.

It was a technology discussion as at most times and one of us exclaimed, "Whats with Mac owners anyway? Do you need a Macbook to be at Starbucks or do you have to drink coffee before you can even use a Macbook?"

To this there was a witty retort. "Look its like this .. if you have a beautiful wife, you tend to show up at all the parties". If not, the reply is "Skipping ..", "Busy this weekend ..", "Sorry, prior plans ..".

All laughs :D

Chocolate Soy protein shake

2010-10-28T22:46:00.001-05:00

1 spoon Hersheys chocolate syrup (contains sugar)
1/2 glass milk
1/2 glass water
3 scoops Soy protein

.. and done :)
Works great after a workout. Quick, easy and healthy!

Roasted Cauliflower Garlic

2010-10-23T23:45:00.004-05:00

I am not much of a hobbiest cook, but I do like to cook. Mostly what I cook has to be healthy, very quick (within 30 mins) and shouldn't require any elaborate shopping and preparation.

I am trying to be on a healthy diet to since a few days. Trying to reduce processed food, frozen food, cheese (which I never ate much actually), no egg yellows, reducing paneer and most of all trying to increase soluble fiber, protein, fruits and vegetables

Here is what I tried today, its pretty good.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Garlic-Cauliflower/Detail.aspx

Ingredients
8 cups cauliflowerets
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons reduced sodium chicken broth (optional)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions
1. Place cauliflower in a steamer basket. Place in a saucepan over 1 in. of water; bring to a boil. Cover and steam for 9-11 minutes or until crisp-tender.
2. Meanwhile, in a small nonstick skillet, saute garlic in butter for about 2 minutes or until tender. Stir in broth. Drain cauliflower and transfer to a serving bowl. Pour butter mixture over cauliflower. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss to coat evenly. Serve immediately.

Girls of the small screen

2010-10-21T01:27:00.008-05:00

I dont have any favorite actress on the big screen. Absolutely none. 'Coz Hollywood doesn't really have any single ruling Queen and Bollywood has had none since Rani (in my opinion).

There are some amazing girls on the small screen though, that I really like.

Lost:
Kate Austen played by Evangeline Lilly

The awesomest girl on the show! There were many other girls on the show in and out, but none had the potential to be Kate! Evangeline is a terrific actress. Kate aka "freckles" was in a Love Triangle on the show (Jack, Sawyer and Kate). But little did they know that it was actually a Love Rectangle - (Jack, Sawyer, Kate and the Audience). Kate was sexy, brave, loving, adventurous and a murderer in her pre-Lost life. A hazel eyed Canadian damsel!

24:
Nina Myers played by Sarah Clarke

Nina Meyers was a perfect bitch!
Nina Meyers character started as just another girl in the office. We thought that she was a character to portray office romance and awkward situations with Jack. As the character developed we got to know that she was a brilliant brain and Jack's confidante'. Then one fine day the audience was taken aback when Nina Meyers eyes sparkled like a lady vampire. Excellent character and amazing acting. Nina Meyers!

Bones:
Temperance "Bones" Brennan played by Emily Deschanel

Bones is a beautiful geek forensic anthropologist. She is a complete science kind of person. Being a perfect geek and due to her early life, she has absolutely zero social skills and does not understand human emotions and interactions. This leads to several funny moments during her work with FBI agent Booth. Booth is a believer in the church, understands emotions. Bones and Booth completely complement each other. While the show is a bit monotonous, the screen chemistry is so excellent that I keep watching it anyway.

How I Met Your Mother:
Robin Scherbatsky played by Cobie Smulders

Yet another Canadian beauty on the American TV. The blue eyed beauty stole many hearts since her first appearance on the show. We watched the first two seasons of the show open mouthed only for Robin. After that the show got too boring and we realized that that Cobie cannot really act well, but hey shes hot!

24:
Reene Walker played by Annie Wersching

Agent Walker enters the show as a very particular, always by the book kinda agent. Then she has to work with Jack Bauer. Ever since, she is always caught between doing the right thing vs doing what is legal lawfully. Amazing character and very well played Reene!

30 Rock:
Liz Lemon played by Tina Fey

We mostly know Tina Fey for her imitation of the stupid lady - Sarah Palin, the vice presidential candidate of 2008 US Elections.
In real life Tina Fey is an amazing woman - author, producer, actor, journalist and a comedian. Liz Lemon is a very realistic character. A single working American woman in mid 30s, quite successful in her career, devoted to her work extremely, no luck at love. You 30 Rock Liz Lemon!

Mefuz Har Kadam Karna Eh Khuda Eh Khuda..

2010-10-20T23:56:00.004-05:00

Beautiful song from an amazing movie "Aamir ..

Aani Jaani Hai Kahani,
Bulbule Si Zindagani
Banti Kabhi Bigadti
Tez Hawa Se Ladti Bhidti
Ha Reham Ha Reham Farmaaye Khuda
Ha Reham Ha Reham Farmaaye Khuda
Mefuz Har Kadam Karna Eh Khuda Eh Khuda
Mefuz Har Kadam Karna Eh Khuda Eh Khuda…..

Saanson Ki Sukhi Door Anoothi Jal Jaayegi Jal Jaayegi
Bandh Jo Laayethe Haath Ki Mutthi, Khul Jaayegi Khul Jaayegi
Kya Ghumar Karen Kayaa Yeh Ujli Mitti Mein Mil Jaayegi
Chaahe Jitni Shamayein Roshan Kar Le, Dhoop To Dhal Jaayegi Dhal Jaayegi
Ha Reham Ha Reham Farmaaye Khuda
Ha Reham Ha Reham Farmaaye Khuda
Mefuz Har Kadam Karna Eh Khuda Eh Khuda
Mefuz Har Kadam Karna Eh Khuda Eh Khuda…..

Sone Chamak Mein, Sikko Kanak Mein Milta Nahin, Milta Nahin
Dhool Ke Sadko Mein, Dhunde Koi To Milta Wahin Milta Wahin
Kya Majaal Teri Marzi Ke Age, Bandon Ki Chal Jaayegi
Thaane Ugli Jo Tu Katputhli Ki Chaal Badal Jaayegi Jaayegi
Ha Reham Ha Reham Farmaaye Khuda
Ha Reham Ha Reham Farmaaye Khuda
Mefuz Har Kadam Karna Eh Khuda Eh Khuda
Mefuz Har Kadam Karna Eh Khuda Eh Khuda..

Desis conquer Netflix, Bellevue :)

2010-10-03T16:53:00.003-05:00

The best time of my life ..

2010-10-01T17:05:00.004-05:00

In two days I was to turn thirty and I was really insecure about entering a new decade of my life and feared that my best years were now behind me.

Every morning I would see my friend Nicholas at the gym. He was seventy-nine years old and in terrific shape. As I greeted Nicholas on this particular day, he noticed I wasn't full of my usual vitality and asked if there was anything wrong. I told him I was feeling anxious about turning thirty. I wondered how I would look back on my life once I reached Nicholas's age, so I asked him, "What was the best time of your life?"

Without hesitation, Nicholas replied, "Well, Joe, this is my philosophical answer to your philosophical question:

"When I was a child in Austria and everything was taken care of for me and I was nurtured by my parents, that was the best time of my life.

"When I was going to school and learning the things I know today, that was the best time of my life.

"When I got my first job and had responsibilities and got paid for my efforts, that was the best time of my life.

"When I met my wife and fell in love, that was the best time of my life.

"The Second World War came, and my wife and I had to flee Austria to save our lives. When we were together and safe on a ship bound for North America, that was the best time of my life.

"When we came to Canada and started a family, that was the best time of my life.

"When I was a young father, watching my children grow up, that was the best time of my life.

"And now, Joe, I am seventy-nine years old. I have my health, I feel good and I am in love with my wife just as I was when we first met. This is the best time of my life."

(thanks ~Gopal for sending this)

The Cup of Life

2010-09-23T20:26:00.002-05:00

Not referring the the Ricky Martin song here .. :)

There was this wise teacher who took all his students for coffee. They were surprised that all the cups on the table were different. They all took a cup and started drinking their coffee, each looking at the cups of others.

The teacher let them do that for a while and then said: "Do you notice your behavior? You all are looking at each other´s coffee cup and I can see some of you with the chipped ones are even envious of the finer cups of others. Is this not so?"

The students agreed, amused of their own behavior.

"You may have wondered why you all had different cups, but I put them here on purpose. You see - they represent life itself. Life is like that coffee - and the cups are like the physical circumstances of your life. You all got the same thing in your cups - coffee. And yet you cannot truly enjoy it in your envy of another´s cup. It´s just the same with life. You forget to enjoy your own life when you concentrate on envying the circumstances of someone else´s life.

So now, close your eyes, and taste your own coffee. Really taste it. And tell me - did it matter from which cup it came from?"

(Thanks ~Gopal)

Benjamin Button

2010-09-19T20:40:00.004-05:00

Finally sat down and watched the movie this Sunday. It is definitely worth a watch, some of the best screenplays I have seen a long time.

There goes 'The curious case of Benjamin Button'

Benjamin Button: Sometimes we're on a collision course, and we just don't know it. Whether it's by accident or by design, there's not a thing we can do about it. A woman in Paris was on her way to go shopping, but she had forgotten her coat - went back to get it. When she had gotten her coat, the phone had rung, so she'd stopped to answer it; talked for a couple of minutes. While the woman was on the phone, Daisy was rehearsing for a performance at the Paris Opera House. And while she was rehearsing, the woman, off the phone now, had gone outside to get a taxi. Now a taxi driver had dropped off a fare earlier and had stopped to get a cup of coffee. And all the while, Daisy was rehearsing. And this cab driver, who dropped off the earlier fare; who'd stopped to get the cup of coffee, had picked up the lady who was going to shopping, and had missed getting an earlier cab. The taxi had to stop for a man crossing the street, who had left for work five minutes later than he normally did, because he forgot to set off his alarm. While that man, late for work, was crossing the street, Daisy had finished rehearsing, and was taking a shower. And while Daisy was showering, the taxi was waiting outside a boutique for the woman to pick up a package, which hadn't been wrapped yet, because the girl who was supposed to wrap it had broken up with her boyfriend the night before, and forgot.

[continued ...]

Benjamin Button: When the package was wrapped, the woman, who was back in the cab, was blocked by a delivery truck, all the while Daisy was getting dressed. The delivery truck pulled away and the taxi was able to move, while Daisy, the last to be dressed, waited for one of her friends, who had broken a shoelace. While the taxi was stopped, waiting for a traffic light, Daisy and her friend came out the back of the theater. And if only one thing had happened differently: if that shoelace hadn't broken; or that delivery truck had moved moments earlier; or that package had been wrapped and ready, because the girl hadn't broken up with her boyfriend; or that man had set his alarm and got up five minutes earlier; or that taxi driver hadn't stopped for a cup of coffee; or that woman had remembered her coat, and got into an earlier cab, Daisy and her friend would've crossed the street, and the taxi would've driven by. But life being what it is - a series of intersecting lives and incidents, out of anyone's control - that taxi did not go by, and that driver was momentarily distracted, and that taxi hit Daisy, and her leg was crushed.

Benjamin Button: [Voice over; letter to his daughter] For what it's worth: it's never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.

Benjamin Button: It's a funny thing about comin' home. Looks the same, smells the same, feels the same. You'll realize what's changed is you.

Mrs. Maple: Benjamin, we're meant to lose the people we love. How else would we know how important they are to us?

Captain Mike: You can be as mad as a mad dog at the way things went. You could swear, curse the fates, but when it comes to the end, you have to let go.

Queenie: You never know what's comin' for ya.

Benjamin Button: Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss.

Benjamin Button: Momma? Momma? Some days, I feel different than the day before.
Queenie: Everyone feels different about themselves one way or another, but we all goin' the same way.

Benjamin Button: It's funny how sometimes the people we remember the least make the greatest impression on us.

[last lines]
Benjamin Button: Some people, were born to sit by a river. Some get struck by lightning. Some have an ear for music. Some are artists. Some swim. Some know buttons. Some know Shakespeare. Some are mothers. And some people, dance.

Regrets of the Dying

2010-08-30T15:37:00.006-05:00

Reposting from ezinearticles

"For many years I worked in palliative care. My patients were those who had gone home to die. Some incredibly special times were shared. I was with them for the last three to twelve weeks of their lives."

People grow a lot when they are faced with their own mortality. I learnt never to underestimate someone's capacity for growth. Some changes were phenomenal. Each experienced a variety of emotions, as expected, denial, fear, anger, remorse, more denial and eventually acceptance. Every single patient found their peace before they departed though, every one of them. When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Here are the most common five:

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. It is very important to try and honour at least some of your dreams along the way. From the moment that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it.

2. I wish I didn't work so hard.
This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children's youth and their partner's companionship. Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence. By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle.

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.
Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result. We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly, in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying. It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip. But when you are faced with your approaching death, the physical details of life fall away. People do want to get their financial affairs in order if possible. But it is not money or status that holds the true importance for them. They want to get things in order more for the benefit of those they love. Usually though, they are too ill and weary to ever manage this task. It is all comes down to love and relationships in the end. That is all that remains in the final weeks, love and relationships.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called 'comfort' of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again. When you are on your deathbed, what others think of you is a long way from your mind. How wonderful to be able to let go and smile again, long before you are dying.

Life is a choice. It is YOUR life. Choose consciously, choose wisely, choose honestly. Choose happiness.

[mail forward, thanks V!v]

I am 'proud' to be an Indian?

2010-08-15T12:08:00.004-05:00

Happy Independence Day! It's 15th August 2010.

On this day you suddenly see a surge of status messages on Facebook that folks are 'so proud' to be an Indian (nice showoff btw). This is no different than a corrupt political leader giving an Independence Day speech.

Let me assure you that I wholeheartedly commend the sacrifice of the pre-Independence leaders and the junta. I am proud of the people like Bhagat Singh and Savarkar, but proud of myself to be an Indian? Hell NO!

As I also read in some other blogs (just to confirm that my thoughts are not completely anti-Indian), we must be proud of our achievements that made the life of our folks happy or better. Our people meaning our family, relatives, my city, my state or my country. That is what we should be proud of. But proud of the fact that you were merely born in India? Come on, that's not even an achievement on your part! :)

In the same way, I would have not been proud to being born in USA or Great Britain either. In fact I am not proud of being born on this Earth! Watch the documentaries on first and second world war, watch the inhumane killings, look at the crime and terrorism we are living with.

People are born somewhere, people die somewhere. What matters is the time between the birth and death. It starts with - were you able to make at least one person happy in your lifetime? That is what matters!

To set the facts straight:

1. I am NOT proud to be an Indian.
2. I DO LOVE India because MY people live there.
3. Thinking rationally, if given a second chance - India is NOT the best place to be born (Sorry, but it is true - corruption, poverty, pollution, population)
4. Similarly, I am NOT proud to be a Maharashtrian or a Marathi Manoos. It is just imposed upon me due to the region I was born in.
5. I LOVE to speak in Marathi. I LOVE Marathi literature to the extend to which I understand it. I LOVE good Marathi movies.

Whenever I have seen or been at any Marathi Sammelan we get to hear a lot of this:
'गर्व आहे मला मराठी भाशेचा'. गर्व म्हटला की इतरांचा द्वेष आला. त्या पेक्षा असा म्हणा की मी प्रेम करतो मराठी भाशेवर.

Interesting reads:
http://www.sids.in/blog/2009/08/im-not-proud-to-be-an-indian/

http://jadedism.blogspot.com/2007/11/i-am-not-proud-to-be-indian-because.html

Comments welcome, I promise I will not moderate any!

Coffee shop!

2010-08-07T22:12:00.002-05:00

As usual I have lot to say and moreover; a lot to crib about. But I have certainly hit a writer's block on the blog. Or may be I found a better medium of expression - coffee shop and my buddies (oh yes, real people, not the so called 'online friends', REAL PEOPLE).

There is never a bad time to hit the coffee shop. A pickup car runs through Redmond / Bellevue and within a few minutes we are at the Starbucks on 85th St. Coffee shop at Kirkland will always be very special and close to our hearts.

I love coffee shops! A perfect aroma of the light roasted coffee beans, a flock of strangers surrounding your table; busy with their lives and a constant white noise of the chit-chat; plus mostly jazz in the background. This "trusted and secure" environment nourishes unending discussions.

Coffee shop gives me a great sense of decision making and accomplishment (thank you Tom Hanks, You've got mail). With complete confidence, I blabber - "Tall, double shot, extra hot Latte, Irish creme, no whipped please". While usually I am so confused about anything and everything in my life lately, this gets me elated. I am at least certain about something in my life!

I enjoy the table amidst perfect strangers. To my 12 O' clock is a group of pretty college girls, to my 6' O clock is 'I don't care who'. To the 3 O' clock and 9 O' clock is usually a college kid or a cool geek using his Mac. What's with Mac users and coffee shops anyway? Again, back to my point .. there is always a round table of 5 amidst there ..

It usually starts with a joke from work, about a colleague or someones' manager. Technology discussions are definitely the favorites. Mocking these famous tech CEO's is a definite favorite! Mini helps a lot too.

Then comes the more "friendly" topics. What should we do this weekend? What should we do this summer? What should we do this year? What should we do in the next 3 years to come? Lots of nice ideas emerge! I am not counting how many of those materialize though :)

We make hiking plans in the Rainier area (we all worship Mt. Rainier and a slight glimpse amidst the clouds gets us high!), discuss new photo locations, new places to dine. We discuss cross country trips, swimming in the lake, the trip to South America, the trip to Egypt, some trip to south-east Asia on the way to India etc etc. We mock, we imitate, we criticize, we share, we laugh, we talk bullshit, but its cool :)

Bitching about people was not my thing few years ago, but with the way people talk, comment and post on Facebook - they surely become the butt of many jokes. The self admiration and the mutual 'Like'ing community on Facebook is enchanting! There is always some 'washing the dirty linen' at the 'dhobhi ghat'. But I love them all, they make my life interesting.

With one "child marriage" and the rest mostly bachelors (as far as I know :P) at the table, there is always a topic about being single, the plight of finding that right someone and how the probability theory, sex ratio in India and our expectations affects entire the Math.

Long live coffee shops!

Dexter Morgan

2010-08-06T15:39:00.003-05:00

Last couple of days I was watching a TV show called Dexter. Needless to say, finished 2 seasons in 2 weeks.

Dexter is a serial killer who operates his killing around "The Code of Harry", a body of ethics and procedures devised by his adoptive father Harry (who was a Miami cop) to (1) ensure that Dexter only kills other killers and (2) make sure Dexter never gets caught.

Dexter is very cold. He doesn't "feel" anything about things but is very good at pretending. Half of the screen dialogues are about what's going on in his mind. The mind talking and the real world talking gel into an awesome dark comedy.

Here are some of my favorite dialogues / quotes:

Dexter Morgan: People fake a lot of human interactions, but I feel like I fake them all, and I fake them very well, that's my burden, I guess.

Dexter Morgan: My sister puts up a front so the world won't see how vulnerable she is. Me, I put up a front so the world won't see how vulnerable I'm not. I don't care who these fingertips belong to, only what my new friend out there is trying to say.

Dexter Morgan: I dream. I dream I'm floating on the surface of my own life. Watching it unfold. Observing it. I'm the outsider looking in.

Dexter Morgan: The worst thing about finally putting together a puzzle is finding there are missing pieces.

Dexter Morgan: There are no secrets in life, just hidden truths that lie beneath the surface.

Dexter Morgan: Needless to say I have some unusual habits, yet all these socially acceptable people can't wait to pick up hammers and publicly smash their food to bits. Normal people are so hostile.

Dexter Morgan: [voiceover] Everyone hides who they are at least some of the time. Sometimes you bury that part of yourself so deeply you have to be reminded it's even there at all. And sometimes you just want to forget who you are altogether... I'm not the monster he wants me to be so I'm neither man nor beast. I'm something new entirely... I'm Dexter. Boo.

Dexter Morgan: People think it's fun to pretend your a monster. Me I spend my life pretending I'm not.

Dexter Morgan: Human bonds always lead to messy complications. Commitment. Sharing. Driving people to the airport.

Dexter Morgan: I'm Dexter and I'm not sure what I am.

Debra Morgan: If dad taught us one thing, it's the value of human life.
Dexter Morgan: [voiceover] Yeah, but I think we had different homework assignments.

Dexter Morgan: My therapist wants me to accept the things that are out of my hands. Tragically for him, he's not out of my hands.

I cannot ..

2010-07-08T18:43:00.002-05:00

I guess a side effect of growing up is having biases, opinions and firm(er) beliefs. It means a better understanding of what you don't want than what you do want. Understanding of what you don't like than what you do like.

Here's my (partial) list of cannots ..

I cannot fake interest in anything or anyone, when I don't have any
I cannot say "Let's meet up sometime ..", if I never indent to
I cannot ask "How's life ..", if I don't give a crap
I cannot say "Hey, long time no see ..", if I pray I don't run into you
I cannot say "Yes" when I mean to say "No". So I say "Ok".

Now don't hold a grudge if I happen to say any of the above to you. Because if I say that to you, I most certainly meant it :)

HDR in Gimp

2010-06-19T14:36:00.005-05:00

HDR is high density range imaging technique. I do believe that it is one of those powerful tools that can make an average picture a WOW picture, along with global contrast reduction and increasing color saturation.
While multiple photo technique might be difficult to achieve (not tried yet), the software technique is really simple.

How to create HDR image in GIMP using a single image

Here are my samples: Original, Overlay filter, Multiply filter

Rhythm Divine

2010-06-15T23:58:00.002-05:00

In Enrique's words, "All I need is the rhythm divine, Lost in the music your heart will be mine"

"heart-beart" has always been a distant stranger, so don't know about that. But I do think I have found my rhythm divine. And BTW it has nothing to do with divinity or "wink wink, what up?".

It all starts at at 9am or so. Thereafter it is time to take care of that blocking if .. else that was solved in the REM sleep. A daily dose on ginger tea takes care of the blocking issues very well (now that sounds like a pun, but I assure you it is not! I am only talking about the code) and I am ready for work by 12pm.

I reach office in about 6 mins and at 12:30 pm it is time for an hour long lunch with office friends. We call it the "lunchtime CEOs meeting". It is our (only) chance for bashing the products like our phone, gaming products, the search engine, our brandnames .. and much more. We praise our competitors for what they are worth. We do make a lot of important decisions in our lunch time CEOs meeting. We shutdown projects, we fire the management, we give negative bonus for the higher ups. Then at 1:30 pm, we forget all that shit and get back to work.

1:30 pm to 6:30 pm is the golden work time. AR Rehman channel on Pandora makes work worth working on! If everything goes well, 7 pm to 8 pm is the gym time. PRO club is indeed a way of life and luxury. It is probably the only thing that I will miss if I leave Seattle, apart from my people of course. A 10 minute Sauna at 160F diffuses all frustrations in life (which my friends claim that I don't have any 'yet').

There is nothing like a laid back and relaxed dinner watching '24'. About 2 hours of action packed drama is so relaxing, especially to know that others lives are more screwed that yours. (Oh, I am not saying that my life is screwed, its just boring mostly). Anyway, these extraordinarily amazing TV shows do make life worth living. At 10 pm, its Pandora time again - this time with Kishor Kumar or Norah Jones channel and its time to log in back into work, a good soothing time to reply to that burning conversation, to debug that spaghetti code that you end up owning. At 12 am, it is either time to sleep or getting another 45 min dose of '24'.

.. and its next day! Life goes on. Rhythm divine :)

The good 'ol 'Whats up?'

2010-05-22T20:50:00.007-05:00

Clearly not much into blogging these days .. so the usual question is back again.

What's Up?

TV shows

I am completely spellbound by the quality TV shows in the American production houses. Lost and 24 tops my chart so far. Amazing cast, awesome story, great direction, fantastic camera work is just the tip of the iceberg. Once you start watching, you are put into a deep trance, the characters talk to you, they become part of your daily life and the difference between real life and reel life vanishes.

On the light comedy side, 30 Rock and The Big Bang Theory steals the show. Tina Fey's superb direction and acting; and Sheldon's 'geeky gibberish' are just masterpieces of comedy.

I wonder how many hours of video I watched in the last 6 months :)
Netflix rocks!

Photogprahy

I am amazed by what a good camera can produce! Just a little theory and understanding of the basic settings can take you from a beginner to one step closer to a pro. But more importantly, photo editing with a layered editing software like GIMP takes a capture to a whole new level.

Whenever I was not watching TV shows, I was either out to some place with the camera (public parks, long drive, beach, lakes) or at some coffee shop with friends.

Here are some of my clicks: http://www.flickr.com/photos/amitkary/

Driving aimlessly
This actually does in sync with the urge to click. I discovered so many barns, farms, stables, dog parks in the Redmond area! The Eastside (Redmond and more east) is a real countryside! Loving it!

This is how driving aimlessly works - Ignition ON, when at a turn decide which way you want to go, no prior thinking, no looking at the watch and the GPS turned off, return when hungry or thirsty.

As the summer arrives in the northwest, hoping to reduce on the video content, more outdoors, more photography, more adventures and oh, more work as well :)

Fear: Prison Break

2010-05-10T17:02:00.001-05:00

An amazing script in a long time .. on fear, from a TV show Prison Break - Season 1.

Michael Scofield: When I was young, I couldn't sleep at night.
[He finishes tying his shoe]
Michael Scofield: Because I thought there was a monster in the closet.
[Sara smiles]
Michael Scofield: But my brother told me there wasn't anything in the closet but fear. And fear wasn't real. He said it wasn't made of anything, it was just
[he pauses]
Michael Scofield: air. Not even that. He said you just have to face it. You just have to open that door, and the monster would disappear.
Dr. Sara Tancredi: Your brother sounds like a smart man.
Michael Scofield: He is. In here though, you face your fear. You open that door, and there's a hundred more doors behind it. And the monsters that are hiding behind them, are all real.

Enigma - Return to Innocence

2010-04-23T01:58:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite songs!

"Return To Innocence"

That's not the beginning of the end
That's the return to yourself
The return to innocence

Love - Devotion
Feeling - Emotion
Love - Devotion
Feeling - Emotion

Don't be afraid to be weak
Don't be too proud to be strong
Just look into your heart my friend
That will be the return to yourself
The return to innocence

If you want, then start to laugh
If you must, then start to cry
Be yourself don't hide
Just believe in destiny

Don't care what people say
Just follow your own way
Don't give up and use the chance
To return to innocence

That's not the beginning of the end
That's the return to yourself
The return to innocence

Don't care what people say
Follow just your own way Follow just your own way
Don't give up, don't give up
To return, to return to innocence.

If you want then laugh
If you must then cry
Be yourself don't hide
Just believe in destiny.

Contrast mask

2010-04-18T15:13:00.002-05:00

If you have an image that seems to have a high global contrast and if you desire the following:

1. Reduce the global contrast
2. Build color intensity

Steps:

1. Duplicate layer
2. On the Background layer - desaturate (luminosity), invert
3. Mode - Overlay
4. Pick the Opacity slider [This will decide the global contrast]
5. Filter Blur - Gaussian blur (5 or so) [This step will increase picture detail]
6. Adjust Opacity again
7. Merge layers (or Flatten image)

Gimp: Levels and Histograms

2010-04-17T23:27:00.004-05:00

The most basic fix that EACH picture taken needs after a crop is the contrast adjustment. We can adjust the tonal range in a much better way using the level and tonal histograms.

Camera tripods

2010-03-28T20:31:00.002-05:00

Buying a tripod was as hard as buying a camera! May be that was expected because a post said - "The best photographers talk tripods, tripod heads, and quick releases." (as opposed to camera body, lens and filters).

Finally settled down with Sunpak 4300 PRO B Tripod with Metal Ball Head after taking advice from a friend. While I think that I am an aspiring photographer, my current equipment and requirements do not need anything more fancy and expensive than this.

Anyway, if anyone needs a good start point check this and this.

Motion blurs

2010-03-21T16:19:00.004-05:00

Motion blur can be achieved by several ways:

Still camera pointing at the background with slow shutter and let the object pass by quickly [this will blur the foreground moving object]
Moving camera focusing on the moving object and following it with the same speed. [this will blur the background and keep the moving object in sharp focus]
Moving camera focusing on the moving object (but different speed than the moving object) [this will blur the background and also the object]

Practically, all these effects are easier to achieve in software than with the camera itself.

GIMP: Motion Blur an image background

2010-03-21T00:55:00.004-05:00

I think this is one of the most used effects in image post-processing; mainly in sports photography. Now that I have tried it, it seems really simple.

Steps:

1. Duplicate layer
2. Blur - Gaussian blur
3. Add layer mask (white - full opacity)
4. Pick brush and foreground color as black
5. Start erasing on the mask
6. Merge down

and another ..

Curves

2010-03-21T00:45:00.002-05:00

As sexy as the word might sound, 'Curves' is indeed the sexiest tool available in GIMP for image contrast manipulation!

Here is a very simple basic tutorial:

Sunrise - Norah Jones

2010-03-17T12:12:00.004-05:00

"Sunrise"

Sunrise, sunrise
Looks like mornin' in your eyes
But the clocks held 9:15 for hours
Sunrise, sunrise
Couldn't tempt us if it tried
'Cause the afternoon's already come and gone

And I said hoo...
To you

Surprise, surprise
Couldn't find it in your eyes
But I'm sure it's written all over my face
Surprise, surprise
Never something I could hide
When I see we made it through another day

And I said hoo...
To you

Now good night
Throw its cover down
On me again
Ooh and if I'm right
It's the only way
To bring me back

Hoo...
To you
Hoo...

BW background for the colored image

2010-03-12T00:04:00.005-05:00

Black and white background photo editing turned out to be pretty easy using the 'free select' tool of GIMP. But this is the easy way though.

According to me the difficult way that uses layers is more visually appealing. But I couldn't get it right yet.

This was a picture from our Yellowstone trip (Summer of '09).

Soft lights and hard country music!

2010-03-09T00:06:00.002-05:00

[amazing song by Moe Bandy]

Well it really tears me up when I hear a hurtin' song
And I'm someone who likes a good cold beer
Baby's gone and after hurtin' all day long
My heart feels the need to come in here

Cause I need soft lights and hard country music
Those cheatin' songs assure me that her leaving's real
I need soft lights and hard country music
A steel guitar in a dimly bar knows exactly how I feel
Well the tempo's up the lights're low and I'm a gettin' down
With that woman that I met in here last night
She's hurtin' like I am and we don't give a damn
So play that country music and keep it tight

Cause we need soft lights...
A steel guitar in a dimly bar knows exactly how I feel

Resolutions ..

2010-03-08T01:31:00.001-05:00

I was flying back from India on the eve of 31st December 2009 .. had nothing better to do on the fight .. so was scribbling my mind out. These were not the resolutions for the new year but the resolutions for life actually ..

Don't let anyone or anything make you feel like crap:
Sometimes (read as always) we compare ourselves to others so much that anything that we don't get (and others do) makes us feel like crap. Our thoughts become so focused to one thing that we cannot see what we have that others don't. As the Oracle (in Matrix) says: We are all here to do what we are all here to do. Hence there should be really no issues if we cannot do what others can, because we can do something that others cannot.

All is well:
As the 3rd Idiot says: Tell yourself - All is well.
Because if it was not you would probably be sitting below the poverty line, crippled, no one to love you and kicked around by the powerful ones.

Be Yourself:
If you need to pose as someone different each time you need to impress someone, probably you are not what you wanted to be. It means it is time to change yourself to that someone so that you do not need to use a false identity anymore. Be Yourself.

Smile, that's all.

The Secret of Success

2010-03-05T14:38:00.002-05:00

A young man once asked Socrates the secret of success. Socrates told the young man to meet him near the river the next morning. They met. Socrates asked the young man to walk with him into the river. When the water got up to their neck, Socrates took the young man by surprise and swiftly ducked him into the water.

The boy struggled to get out but Socrates was strong and kept him there until the boy started turning blue. Socrates pulled the boy’s head out of the water and the first thing the young man did was to gasp and take a deep breath of air.

Socrates asked him, "what did you want the most when you were there?" The boy replied, "Air". Socrates said, "That is the secret of success! When you want success as badly as you wanted the air, then you will get it!" There is no other secret.

Thanks ~Gopal

Variable exposures at ISO 200

2010-03-03T01:47:00.009-05:00

4s ISO 200(over exposed)

1/6 s, f/6.0, ISO 200 (bit over exposed)

1/20 s, f/6.3, ISO 200 (looks best to me)

1/800 s, f/6.3, ISO 200 (under exposed)

1/4000 s, f/6.3, ISO 200 (heavily underexposed)

ISO, Aperture, Shutter speed

2010-03-02T22:32:00.003-05:00

ISO, Aperture and Shutter speed

F-stop

The different aperture settings are called f-stops. The larger the number, the smaller the aperture.

Shutter speed and Aperture:

A faster shutter speed will require a larger aperture to allow enough light into the camera, and a slower shutter speed will need a smaller aperture to prevent too much light from getting in.

Shutter speed is how long the shutter is open to allow light into the camera. Shutter speed is measured in seconds.

[FASTEST] 1/4000 s, 1/3200 s, 1/250 s, ...
1/60 s, 1/30 s, ... 1 s, 10 s, 30s [SLOWEST]

ISO

The ISO is simply how sensitive the film, or censor in a digital camera, is to light. The lower the ISO is, the less sensitive it is to light. The higher the ISO is, the more sensitive it is to light.

The higher the ISO, the grainier your photo will look.

Spring in Redmond

2010-02-28T20:51:00.002-05:00

Blurring the background (A mode)

2010-02-27T21:47:00.004-05:00

In the next few days I am hoping to write down what I learn, so that I remember it and also get some expert suggestions :)

In the SLR cameras, A mode determines whether all the photograph is in focus or part of. For example you can choose to have a sharp foreground and background, or they can blur the background.

Aperture priority is a semi-automatic shooting mode used in cameras. It allows the photographer to choose an aperture setting and allow the camera to decide the shutter speed and sometimes ISO sensitivity for the correct exposure. This is sometimes referred to as Aperture Priority Auto Exposure or the A mode.

Smaller the aperture size mean higher F number. The higher the F number, the more of the photo that will be in focus.
Opening the lens wide means lowering the F stop number.

F number = Focal length / Aperture diameter

My Tamron 18-200 provides f/3.5 - f/22 range. I am guessing that f/4.0 to f/7.0 is going to be my range.

My high power zoom and wide angle eyes!

2010-02-27T20:12:00.003-05:00

For long I curbed my desire to buy a real camera (read as DSLR) with a (valid) excuse that digital photography is going to be an art killer for me. When you have the convenience of the advanced gadgets to show your creativity, it is hard to go back to basics (paper and pencil).

But considering the reality that I am getting nowhere with the paper and pencil I succumbed. I got my digital SLR shipped and I soon realized that DSLR is for those who are serious about photography. Thankfully I am.

Too early for me to give any advice, but if you are generally hoping to use the auto mode in the camera, do not buy a DSLR. Instead a high end point and shoot will do the work - at much lower price, much smaller size and much lower weight.

As pointed by one of my photographer friends - http://dpreview.com/ was the most comprehensive site to browse for all the detailed reviews and basics.

I got a Nikon D90 with Tamron 18-200mm lens.

Fever? Drink lots of water.

2010-02-21T14:01:00.002-05:00

http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water-education3/18-water-fever.htm

When one has a fever, despite the discomfort, it is a good thing- it means the body is fighting off an illness or infection. The normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees. Most fevers up to 100 degrees do not even need a visit to the doctor.

The most important thing though is to keep body fluids flowing. Like in heat exhaustion and heat stroke and other similar ailments, when the body temperature goes up, the more fluid it uses. So, although inactive and lying in bed, one can still become dehydrated with a fever. To prevent dehydration during a fever, body fluids need to be replenished. The average adult should drink about 10 glasses of water per day, more than the usual average. If your fever is the cause of another illness, such as the cold or the flu, water is equally important in flushing out the body of the "bug" that is causing the illness.

Toss

2010-02-16T17:19:00.003-05:00

When faced with two choices, simply toss a coin. It works not because it settles the question for you, but because, in that brief moment when the coin is in the air, you suddenly know what you are hoping for.

Update:

There's an awesome grook by Piet Hein on this :
A PSYCHOLOGICAL TIP
Whenever you're called on to make up your mind,
and you're hampered by not having any,
the best way to solve the dilemma, you'll find,
is simply by spinning a penny.
No -- not so that chance shall decide the affair
while you're passively standing there moping;
but the moment the penny is up in the air,
you suddenly know what you're hoping.

Prehistoric Beasts: BBC documentary

2010-02-07T15:24:00.001-05:00

This is the missing link between the demise of dinosaurs and the rise of the Apes. Not often that we get to see these magnificent post-dinosaur creatures that ruled our planet amongst several droughts and the ice ages in the history of earth.

"Taking up where the Walking with Dinosaurs documentary ended, Prehistoric Beasts will awe you with up-close and personal looks at species that became extinct a few thousand years ago -- just a blink of an eye on history's time line. It's the dawn of the age of mammals when creatures such as the smilodon, the giant ground sloth and the saber-toothed tiger roamed the savannahs … as did man in his earliest incarnations."

Sixteen million years after dinosaurs have disappeared, Germany is a steamy jungle inhabited by giant ants, tiny horses, "walking whales" and gigantic flightless birds. As these and other animals struggle to survive, carbon dioxide trapped beneath a nearby lake threatens to escape and extinguish all life.

Twenty-five million years ago, the largest land mammal that ever lived -- a massive hornless rhinoceros called the indricotherium -- roamed central Asia and southern Pakistan. This episode follows the fate of one such giant from its birth to adulthood as it struggles to survive drought, killer hogs and more.

Humans haven't always been at the top of the food chain: More than 3 million years ago, the small hominid Australopithecus inhabited what today is Ethiopia, and though they walked upright, their brains were similar in size to those of chimps, making them easy prey for saber-toothed cats and other predators.

Focusing on the trials and tribulations of Half Tooth, a saber-toothed cat ousted from his pride by a pair of rivals, this episode shines the spotlight on the exotic creatures that inhabited prehistoric South America: 9-foot "terror birds," giant ground sloths, armadillo-like beasts the size of cars and more.

In the final episode, viewers travel back in time 30,000 years to follow a herd of wooly mammoths as they migrate from their North Sea summer home to their winter digs in the Swiss Alps. Along the way, the prehistoric beasts encounter numerous obstacles, including frozen bogs and murderous Neanderthals.

Desi impact on Netflix, Bellevue

2010-02-07T15:00:00.007-05:00

Learning to draw caricatures

2010-01-31T19:16:00.002-05:00

I have always been highly astonished by the cartoonists' work. Apart from the caricatures seen in the daily newspapers and magazines, the only live exhibition that I have seen is Raj Thakarey's (yeah the same MNS guy!) work at Balagandharva, Pune. I remember trying my hand at caricatures at that time but soon gave up due to lack of skill.

Recently, a friend sent me the link to Raj Thakarey's caricatures and surprisingly most of these were from the collection that I had seen live years ago. That was just enough to re-ignite the spark!

While my skill at art still remains the same (or may be less), I am equipped with some amazing technology - lots of free learning resources online, image search, a digital camera and the tablet that I bought a year ago for this same reason.

This time I started a bit more formally. Got some basic lessons for caricature drawing from Learn to Draw Caricatures. The most important thing to start with caricatures is the knowledge of proportions of the human face. Measuring the whole face using the length of the eye is the best technique I have known so far. Anyone who draws portraits generally has the knowledge of these proportions.

The basic question is "How do I know which features to exaggerate on the face?"

Observation and identification of the features is a matter of extreme practice. It is not only about the face but sometimes even the body language.

Once you have identified the prominient features, the next step is to minimize features that are minimized on the subject and maximize the features that are maximized on the subject. Personally I have found it easy to identify features that need to be maximised. Need a lot of practice to know which features can be minimised.

http://karycatures.blogspot.com/

LOST

2010-01-26T01:23:00.003-05:00

I have been completely hooked on to Lost (TV show) since last 1 month. I watched 5 seasons of lost in the last 30 days! Thats about 90 hours of video content. It is definitely The Best TV show I have ever seen in my life :)

Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers

2010-01-24T17:47:00.004-05:00

One of the bestsellers in stress management. The trick is actually very simple - regular exercise and socialize.

“In the face of strong winds, let me be a blade of grass. In the face of strong walls, let me be a gale of wind.”

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Carbs, Fat and Protein

2010-01-23T23:54:00.002-05:00

I have been in a healthy lifestyle mode since mid 2009. So that includes regular swimming, gym and of course healthy food.
Note: Regular does not mean everyday ;)

Talking about food, simply put we need 3 kinds of nutrients = Protein, Carbohydrates (Carbs), Fat.
We often hear about eating more protein and substitute some of the carbs to burn the fat. Confused?

The precedence of burning these nutrients into energy (calories) for bodily functions: Carbs > Fat >>> Protein

1 gram carbs = 4 calories
Carb burns much faster to produce energy

1 gram fat = 9 calories
But converting fat into usable energy takes longer time.

1 gram protein = 4 calories
Protein is used for energy only under extreme physical burn down. You don't want to get there ever.

So to burn the extra body fat, eat less carbs. Of course east less fat! This means that the body is now forced to burn the fat. Substitute the lesser carb intake with protein. Talking about protein, I prefer whey protein to soy protein. Firstly because whey assimilates more than soy. Secondly, it tastes much better! Blend it with strawberry, banana or mango after the workout.

* Consult your medical practitioner to find out what suits your body.

Desi ghee

2010-01-20T23:10:00.002-05:00

Ever tried making Desi ghee here in the US. It is actually very easy and tastes better than the Indian store ghee.

Buy a pack of unsalted butter from the grocery store and heat in a pan on medium heat for about 15-17 minutes. Thats it!

Well not amazing, but quite close :)

Downtown

2010-01-20T01:07:00.002-05:00

When you're alone and life is making you lonely you can always go downtown! :)

Make Your Own Kind of Music

2010-01-20T01:00:00.004-05:00

Nobody can tell ya;
There's only one song worth singin'.
They may try and sell ya,
'cause it hangs them up
to see somone like you.

But you've gotta make your own kind of music
sing your own special song,
make your own kind of music even if nobody
else sing along.

So if you cannot take my hand,
and if you must be goin',
I will understand.

You're gonna be knowing
the loneliest kind of lonely.
It may be rough goin',
just to do your thing's
the hardest thing to do.

But you've gotta make your own kind of music
sing your own special song,
make your own kind of music even if nobody
else sings along.

So if you cannot take my hand,
and if you must be goin',
I will understand.

You gotta make your own kind of music
sing your own special song,
make your own kind of music even if nobody
else sings along.

- The Mamas and the Papas, 1969

Words

2010-01-15T00:46:00.002-05:00

There once was a wise sage who wandered the countryside. One day, as he passed near a village, he was approached by a woman who told him of a sick child nearby. She beseeched him to help this child. So the sage came to the village, and a crowd gathered around him, for such a man was a rare sight. One woman brought the sick child to him, and he said a prayer over her.

"Do you really think your prayer will help her, when medicine has failed?" yelled a man from the crowd. "You know nothing of such things! You are a stupid fool!" said the sage to the man. The man became very angry with these words and his face grew hot and red. He was about to say something, or perhaps strike out, when the sage walked over to him and said: "If one word has such power as to make you so angry and hot, may not another have the power to heal?"

Treat your words as the mighty instruments they are - to heal, to bring into being, to nurture, to cherish, to bless, to forgive."

[thanks ~Gopal]

Our Value

2009-12-25T08:18:00.003-05:00

A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this." He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air. "Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. "Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air. "My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year 2010!

[thanks ~gopal]

Playful killer

2009-12-21T13:22:00.004-05:00

One of David Attenborough's Discovery Channel wildlife special beautifully describes the leopard.

Playful killer whose loving embrace splits the antelopes heart.
Beautiful death puts on a spotted robe when he goes to his victim.

.. so I guess its just me!

2009-11-17T01:57:00.001-05:00

I think its only me who has been writing with an average of 7.14 posts / month.

Just happened to check my google reader feeds. I think they all have found better things to do, so its just me! :|

[Don't tell me Twitter is the reason, I still dont buy Twitter - its too much distraction :)]

Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi - nothing since Dec 2008!

God Catch - no post since Jan 2009

MeThinks - since April 2009

Let a Thousand Ideas bloom - no post since May 2009

Thinking Understanding Doing - Great work! You have atleast 1 post per month, though you are busy :)

High!

2009-11-14T15:02:00.002-05:00

No no, not that! I don't do all that :)
After a long time did I go high on a song. These are the days when I have highest level of concentration and get A Lottt of work done.

My definition of high on a song is as follows:

1. The song plays as soon as I wake up on the woofers in the bedroom.
2. Then the laptop follows me into that bathroom ;)
3. The CD plays it in my car in RPT mode (loop)
4. Phulki.com plays it in a continuous loop on the headphones in the office.
5. Same song plays in the car as I drive back.
6. Then again on the woofers until I sleep :)

Thinking back about which have these songs been .. (can't remember all though and in no particular order)

Marathi
- Man Udhaan Waryache - Shankar Mahadevan
- Hey Raje - Mee Shivaji Raje Bhosale Boltoy
- Sukha Mhanje - Prashant Damle

Hindi
- Om Shanti Om - Karz
- Ankon Mein Teri Ajab Si - Om Shanti Om
- Kaise Mujhe - Gahjni
- Iktara - Wake Up Sid
- Tamaaly Maak (Kaho na kaho Arabic original)
- Sonu Nigam's Deewana
- Twist and Chor Bazari: Love Aaj Kal

English
- Its Another Tequilla Sunrise: Eagles
- Some Hearts - Carrie Underwood
- Yellow - Coldplay
- Something Stupid : Robbie Williams, Nicole Kidman
- A Moment Like This: Kelly Clarkson
- Feel the rain on you skin: Natasha Beddingfield
- All Summer Long - Kid Rock
- Title song: The King of Queens
- Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
- California Here We come!
- Rhythm Divine: Enrique
- Every Breath You Take: Sting

Instrumental
- Enya
- Yaani

Life is a Poker!

2009-11-06T20:46:00.002-05:00

If anyone told you that life is a game of chess, football or cricket; please wipe your board clean. Because life is a Poker :)

Your cards is all you have in that round. Just play if you stand a chance. If in doubt, go for it!

If confident of losing this round, wait for your winning cards, fold right away :)

Sometimes one has to take control (raise), sometimes give it away (fold). Giving away the control at the correct time makes the difference. It is better to accept and understand that we cannot win in each round. Hence the important thing is to understand is which winning round you should call or raise.

One can learn a lot by studying his own moves. Look for the signs in yourself: a shaking hand, a sparkle in the eye, a friendly nod or an unintended lean backward. Once you know from experience what means what, FAKE it all in public. Get a poker face.

Nothing is fair in the game, sometimes you are the small blind, sometimes the big blind. It is not in your hands, it is the rule of the game. Sometimes you suffer for what you did not do. Everyone does, at some point or the other.

If you believe in yourself, go for all in. Each round is not an all in round. Know the difference between intuition and facts.

One has to be really lucky to get a pocket pair. If you are the one, make use of it!

Mostly everyone contributes to the pot. Generally only one takes the jackpot home. You could be the one. Again, just play!

Don't fold when you can check, don't check when you can call, don't call when you can raise. Intuition with intellect is your power and the chance to win.

Don't bluff when you can use the intuition, sometimes do bluff on the high card. Everything is fair as long as you don't reveal your cards.

Good players learn the rules of the game and build their skills.

Sometimes you invest in bad bets and lose. Sometimes you execute flawlessly and still lose. But the more you bet the more you can win.

No single hand will kick you out of the game. Folded games are for strategy building. Stay focused on the present game, there is the next round to be played.

Don't be afraid to play, bluff, bet, call, raise, fold, win or lose. Because no one around you is. Act.

Thanks to the Life Lessons from Poker and the Glossary

Paranormal Activity

2009-11-06T02:03:00.002-05:00

Traditionally horror movies are terrifying because of the scary faces and the scary background scores. But does real horror need any music?

The entire movie is portrayed on the screen through the handycam held by either the boy or the girl. The movie is about a girl and her boyfriend living in a house where strange things happen every night. The paranormal activities are shown over a period of 18 nights (i guess) and the strange things increase in intensity each night.

The blue grey nightvision camera work to show some real-life scary scenes is innovative! No loud background music, but the killer silence is used to create the horror. Loved it!

If I was the directorial advisor, I would stabilize the camera a bit and shoot some scenes in third person. But overall excellent work I guess!

Talking about Life ..

2009-10-28T22:37:00.001-05:00

.. it always reminds me of this dialogue between Julia roberts and Hugh Grant at the dinner table ... from the movie Notting Hill.

[who will get the last brownie?]

Anna Scott: Wait, what about me?

Max: Sorry, you think *you* deserve the brownie?

Anna Scott: Well a shot at it at least huh?

William: Well, you'll have to fight me for it, this is a very good brownie.

Anna Scott: I've been on a diet every day since I was nineteen, which basically means I've been hungry for a decade. I've had a series of not nice boyfriends, one of whom hit me. Ah, and every time I get my heart broken, the newspapers splash it about as though it's entertainment. And it's taken two rather painful operations to get me looking like this.

Honey: Really?

Anna Scott: Really. And, one day not long from now, my looks will go, they will discover I can't act and I will become some sad middle-aged woman who looks a bit like someone who was famous for a while.

Max: [long pause] Nah, nice try gorgeous, but you don't fool anyone.

William: Pathetic effort to hog the brownie.

[all laughs]

Awesome Poker quotes

2009-10-28T00:00:00.002-05:00

If, after the first twenty minutes, you don't know who the sucker at the table is, it's you. ~David Levien and Brian Koppelman, Rounders

Your best chance to get a Royal Flush in a casino is in the bathroom. ~V.P. Pappy

The commonest mistake in history is underestimating your opponent; it happens at the poker table all the time. ~David Shoup

"How long does it take to learn poker, Dad?"
"All your life, son." ~Michael Pertwee

Poker's a day to learn and a lifetime to master. ~Robert Williamson III

Most of the money you'll win at poker comes not from the brilliance of your own play, but from the ineptitude of your opponents. ~Lou Krieger

The one who bets the most wins. Cards just break ties.

They called it Poker because the word 'Fuck!' was taken.

You will show your poker greatness by the hands you fold, not the hands you play.
~ Dan Reed

Driving on reserve.

2009-10-27T01:29:00.000-05:00

I am driving on reserve.

I cannot stop anywhere.

No gas station at sight.

Thousands of seconds to reach.

Millions of meters to cross.

I don't want to slow down.

But the weather is too foggy.

I just want to keep going on.

'coz I am driving on reserve.

PaperZone

2009-10-18T20:22:00.001-05:00

One of my most successful discoveries in the Bellevue area is the shop named PaperZone. The reason is that I found one unique paper that I use in Carving On Paper. This used to be called T.K. Japan in Venus Traders, Pune.

This shop PaperZone has some amazing sheets of paper I have ever seen! Lots of variety of cardstock paper in more than a 100 colors.

Anyways, what I am interested in is named as 60# Exact Digital cardstock paper. It has the perfect thickness and smoothness/texture to get smooth curves that will retain their shape and emboss.

The other types such as 90# Exact Digital, 32# Exact Digital, 80# Environment, 57# Bristol, 65# Bright White are quite close to what I was looking for. It is 60# exact digital for now though.

Iktara

2009-10-18T19:23:00.001-05:00

This song is stuck in my head for many days now: Iktara from 'Wake up Sid' ..

Jo barse sapne boond boond
Nainon ko moond moond
Kaise main chaloon,
dekh na sakoon
Anjaane raastein