The Gift of GaB

My rants, writings, outpourings, musings and whatever else can be penned/typed down!

Thursday, August 31, 2006

Download copyright-free books from Google

Interested in reading classic literature for free?

You are looking for an elusive book that you cannot find at the public library?

Head on to Google. Chk this link for more...

Official Google Blog: Download the classics

Happy Reading!

Thursday, August 24, 2006

What a quote!

If mankind minus one were of one opinion, then mankind is no more justified in silencing the one than the one - if he had the power - would be justified in silencing mankind.
- John Stuart Mill

In short, if you waging a lone battle, you better be powerful. Be a superman, spiderman or a batman! :-)

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Self Help via Pressure Point Massages

Ever wonder why some people rub their temples in a cyclic fashion when they are trying to remember something or thinking deeply?

Have you noticed that people run their hands from the top of their forehead, stroking their hair backwards... and seem to feel freshened up?

Have you seen people rubbing the bridge of the nose when they seem to try finding a solution to a problem?

Well, all these are not just random acts. These are scientifically proven massages on pressure points that are known to provide results. Known as the Shiatsu Self Massage, the technique provides more massage techniques than just the above three. These massages are known to address issues including discrimination and tolerance to blood circulation and creativity.

Shiatsu is essentially a technique originating from Japan. Shiatsu comes from the Japanese words shi for finger and atsu for pressure. It is based on the same fundamentals as acupressure. Akin to Reiki, this technique also seeks to resolve imbalances in the body energy levels. The Wiki link provided below has good documentation on the origins, basic theory behind Shiatsu and other relevant details.

Refer these 2 pics for learning more. Click to see a bigger version of the same.



Links:
1. Shiatsu on Wiki

New Khata scheme from BMP

BMP (Bangalore Mahanagara Palike) has launched a new Khata scheme for Bangaloreans. It is being discussed in the Bangalore Metroblog. Please check it out.

New Khata scheme from BMP

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Monument 163


Monument 163
Originally uploaded by theorem.

Someday I want to drive down this highway and enjoy these natural wonders. Ofcourse, I should have a dream Canon EOS Rebel dSLR by then!

And when I do the above, I will revisit this post and say - *Achieved*!

Sitting by the Sea


old man n sea by echostyx

Sitting by the sea...
Thinking about the day's catch
And the money that it brought
The school fees that it would pay
Education for his children
He wanted them to do better
Much better than him in life
He dreamt of a little home
Which he could call his own
More work to be done, he thought
Until all these could be a reality
Everything after a moment's rest
Sitting by the sea!


Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Hate The Sin, Not The Sinner!

Just penned a story based on an concept that I thought about today morning. Posted the story on my writing corner: Penned Divinations.

Penned Divinations: Hate the sin, not the sinner!

For your reading pleasure! & Divination!!

Monday, August 14, 2006

US != USA ?

I saw this link on PutVote.com and promptly went over to check it out. The games described therein are certainly wonderful. Most of all, I loved playing the game called "Guess The Place". I used to pride myself in my knowledge of geography but this game proved that knowledge was very dated.

However, there seem to be some mistakes in the game output. For instance, check the image below.



I would think that the backend has a string-compare function after a to-lower to avoid differences due to upper and lower cases. But in the above example, the string-compare was too dumb to see through the point!

A case in point for good code review checklist and exhaustive user testing!

PS: On another tangent, United States should be more relevant as US is no longer looking only at continental US + Hawaii + Alaska... a lot more of the world comes under their "administration". :-) So, USA will eventually become US and it will become a Globally Integrated Nation! :-))

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Oar your career

The Indian Navy put up an advertisement calling for enrollments into the Navy. I do not know if it was a deliberate typographical placement or an erroneous one. But in someway, call it serendipity, it still is relevant! Check the image below...


Indian Navy Ad.


Navy is always a good opp"oar"tunity, eh? Yeah, you gota oar your way through!

Friday, August 11, 2006

Dark clouds breaking the perfect sky!


Cloud front approacheth - Brookefields Bangalore
Originally uploaded by Gajju.


This huge menacing cloud front approached Bangalore from the Eastern side from over Whitefield and coming towards K R Puram and Mahadevapura. It unleashed heavy winds and rains. In the brief while that it lasted, it did manage to break a few glass panes in our apartment building. The very look of it is fearful. Especially the curved edge looks like those of cyclones.

English mystified

India is credited to be the largest English speaking nation. I am not sure if that is the record for the world or the eastern hemisphere. I am, however, sure that the record stands for Asia atleast. USA might have more English speaking population than India, but unless I see the numbers, I cannot say that for sure.

Despite our pride in holding that record, I find, many a times, that the language being spoken is far from perfect. Much to the comfort of fellow Indians, the language gets distorted in strange ways and, much worse, finds its way into the dictionary. How else do you explain the existence of words like co-brother and prepone? Coining new words may be called as enriching the language with local flavour. Fine! But what do you call improper usage of the language? Rape of the language? You might as well agree to that.

There are regions within India that bring with them their own special flavour of English. Thanks to the diversity that presents itself in its most extreme, you can listen to Yeeguls (Eagles) singing the famous song Hotel California and sing along with your brethers (brother). You can also say "I cant be able to do that" and be understood correctly. You have to isportingly spport (read as sportingly support) the growth of English language. When an immigration officer asks, you can hear someone telling that their Pappa(father) is living in that country and so they have come to visit. The same person will also offer you snakes(snacks) with tea.

Even more funny specimens of written (or printed or painted) English are on shop nameboards, notice boards, sides of the buses and trucks. You can go to a puncher(puncture) repair shop to get the tyre repaired and get a hare(hair) cut for 20 Rupees. You can travel by an otoRickshaw(autorickshaw) or a bublic bes(public bus) which would stop at a certain Eltracity Bord(Electricity Board) bus stop. Some have even translated popular quotes in the local dialects into English. Sample this. You with bad eye, your face black. This is a literal translation of the Hindi saying "buri nazar waale, tera mooh kaala" which means He who has evil intentions may be condemned. I can understand the enthusiasm to write things in English. But this? These only make for interesting jokes!

I soon expect to see Indian websites offering a dropdown on their pages to select the version of English that they would like to read. The English will be of regional flavours! :-)

At other times, the words of the language gain new meanings when added to the spoken dialect. K Ramanathan does a quick roundup of commonly used English word in the Tamilian sense. It is a hilarious read. A "super" one! :-)

To end, here's a pic of a notice that I saw recently in one of the discussion rooms. "Please return the marker blue and black pen's which was in meeting room. Once again request you'll to put back the duster and the marker in the respective place." If you can understand what is being requested, you know you are an Indian! Zimble!! :-)

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Dancing Nokia

Dancing Nokia





Do this. Set your Nokia phone on vibration mode. Give a call to this cellphone from any other phone. Your cellphone will appear to dance to a pattern of its own!

Enjoy the party!

Note: Test this out at your own risk. If you do, ensure that you do this on a flat table with ample space for the phone to move. Do not keep any water glasses near the phone. The author shall not be made responsible for any mishap that happens with your Nokia cellphone, or with you. MOST Importantly - your cellphone should be able to stand on its base, else this is not possible.

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Interview with inventor of digital camera

Interview with inventor of digital camera, Steven J Sasson, Kodak. A definite READ!

Best take-aways from the interview:
>> Innovation best comes from people who really know nothing about the topic.
>> The ideal way is not to just look to the experts, look to people who have a passion to explore, and those who are not afraid of making mistakes.
>> Inventors spend most of the time being wrong and liking it, being comfortable with failure, because that is how you learn. Inventors have to be resolute and the environment should be tolerant to you. You have to spend a lot of time being wrong than being right.


It is a massive paradigm shift in our theories about being "Innovative". You do not need intellectually superior and academically accomplished persons to take charge of innovation. You need "passionately curious" people to drive innovation.

Albert Einstein once said - I do not believe I am intelligent. I am only passionately curious.

You want to innovate? Learn to be passionately curious.

US Interstate System Trivia

I was looking for some vague information and landed up on this page. I have been to the US and like Filbert mentions, the interstate system really amazed me! Here's some trivia for those who really love driving on those I's and want to know more about them.

Interstate System Trivia

Monday, August 07, 2006

Jillunu Oru Kadhal...

I insist on it being called Jillunnu Oru Kadhal. Sillunnu sounds silly. And if they have done it for tax purpose, well.. what can I say? I leave it at that. Let us concentrate on the music.



I know, by now, my good buddies, Ferrari and Magix, have written their own reviews. They are complete album reviews. They are experts in dissecting every thread of the music and then analysing every little crest and trough of a sound wave. What they have posted is just the tip of the iceberg of their analysis. :-)

I am not going to do a complete album review. I am going to comment on some songs in the album and about the album and its creator in general.

1. Like Harish (a.k.a Magix) observed, it is nice to see ARR taking his singing more seriously. And what he has managed here is simply top quality. Right on top of his best. Will elaborate about that later.

2. This is an album that has a mix of genres, interleaved like different color threads in an exquisite carpet. If you want fun, listen to Kummi Adi. If you want Jazz, listen to title track. If you want to feel melancholic, listen New York Nagaram. If you are feeling kinky, listen to Maja Maja.

3. ARR never ceases to amaze. If you listen to Maricham, it has the World Music Flavor. Eric Moquet of Deep Forest, Karunesh and many DJs could do well to learn from ARR on musical arrangements.

4. This album, after a long time, has a spatial appeal. What I mean is, this album transports you into a different realm. A realm where ARR rules supreme and he lets you wallow in the silk of rhythm. You just have to surrender and enjoy.

5. You have to listen to this album, say, 5-6 times to realise that choosing the best song and the second best song is easy. The third best is the toughest choice. You cannot decide. Discussed below...

6. I would have expected Hariharan to grace atleast one song. Hmmm... Naresh is getting better and better. Magix is right is speculating that Naresh may be finding more favor at the cost of Karthik.

Now for the songs.

Usually, at the first go, I am able to find out what the song of the album is. With RDB, my choice was "Luka Chuppi" whereas most were hung up on Paatshaala. In this, it would be "New York Nagaram". Thankfully, there are not many who disagree with me on this. Simply because it is too brilliant to disagree. For someone who has been at New York City and rambled along those long avenues alone, this song is an instant hook-up. Like Ferrari observes, lyrics are written purely in Tamil and this song exemplifies the fact that regardless of language of the lyrics, musical orchestration can really get audience for a song anywhere on the planet. I doubt if anyone in the world cannot love this song (spare those carnatic purists). Everything about this song is brilliant. The way ARR starts with an DhumDhum...Mmmm... and then the lyrics. From 1:50 to 2:15, its the chorus with their "oh oh ooh whoa". Then it is the sax piece interleaved with the drums and chorus from 3:23 to 3:52 and again from 5:12 till the end. The lyrics suggest that the protagonist is missing his beloved in this beautiful land. Esp lines like .. "naan inge neeyum ange indha thanimayil nimishangaL varushangaL aanadhu yaeno, jil endrum bhoomi irundhum kuLir kaalam kodai aanadhu yaeno" ... makes you feel a melancholic. Magix and Ferrari have both mentioned the song "Tanhayee" from Dil Chahta Hai. Probably because I have been to NYC, I could not think of that song. But I did imagine walking down the long avenues in the city from Rockefeller Center to Castle Clinton.
** Do not attempt to sing this song if you are not a seasoned singer. This song can leave you breathless... I did, and ended up coughing... hahaha!
** This song prompted me to so some research on ARR songs that he himself has sung. Will do a separate post on this one. Please come back later to check it.
** New York Nagaram Lyrics by Ferrari (should know to read Tamil)

Second position would be for the song "Munbe Vaa". I did not know it was sung by Shreya Ghosal. I was first reminded of the virginal purity and childlike pristine quality that we used to hear from Harini. Esp in the songs from Indira like "Nila Kaigirathe". When I came to know that it was sung by Shreya, the first thought was "Wow, she sings like she knows to speak Tamil"... esp in place where there are lot of poos in the song (1:56 to 2:09). Beautiful voice! Chance ae illa!! VaLaiazharthu... mellifluously. Naresh compliments well. From 3:30 after the keys, his voice takes precedence in the song. Esp the place where he goes "neeyum senru vechene... kalanthathu pole..." and from 4:26 onwards, where he croons... "naa naanaa..." ... WOW! This song has several genres inside it. If you listen with keen ears, you can find out atleast 2-3 layers that are individually created and pieced together in rhythmic harmony.
** You will be tempted to close your eyes when you are listening to this song. If you are driving when listening to this song, I suggest you skip this track. This track is distractingly beautiful! :-)
** Munbe Vaa lyrics by Ferrari

Third position. THE BIG FIGHT! Ah... which one would it be? Would it be Maja Maja for its sensual appeal and creative singing? Would it be Maricham for its world music trance styling? Would it be Jillunnu Oru Kadhal for its jazz speciality? I would vote for Maricham because it is a song that is clearly in untested waters. The kind of arrangements and the use of synthesisers could put many professional DJs (acclaimed to be the best) to shame! Ofcourse, I am not trying to compare ARR to any DJ... but their pride? This song should prove what they have to improve on. Making such a song written in Tamil sound so western that it could be played at any hep place like the Ministry of Sound in London ... who else could really manage that? Special attention to these bits in the songs : 0:00 to 0:42 and from 04:36 onwards till almost the end. Looks like Goutham is the name of the protagonist. Why else would the name be called out like that? {2:58 to 3:20} Eh?
** Blast this in your car when you drive down the roads where you seek attention. Atleast a few heads would turn listening to a new sound instead of the usual Himesh Reshammiya stuff!

Then we talk about Maja Maja. It was not until I read Harish's view that I paid more attention to the song. SPB Charan has sung with a lot of "feeling" and "involvement". Shreya is as good as expected and delivers well at the required places in the song, esp that coy laugh and "umm-hmmm-yeah" parts.

The title track is a special jazz flavoring to the album. Takes me back into the 60s when jazz styled songs were the rage! Even in Parineeta, there is a song that is created in a club-jazz style (The evergreen Rekha stars as a vamp in that song picturisation).

By the way, did you all realise that Machakaari sounds so much like the Aalavandaan title track? The same steroid power and pace, the same gruffness about the song, similar rhythmic arrangements. Am I listening too much or the similarities are evident? You tell me.
** Listen to the Aalavandaan song and listen to Machakaari. List down the similarities and let me know. I will tell you if it matches my list. :-)

The only remaining song is the Kummi Adi. I was never a fan of these kind of songs. It is fun to listen to it, but somehow these do not find a strong favor with me. I am more of a rhythm-n-creativity lover. It is sure to be a slickly made movie. Take a look at the posters courtesy Google Image search.

Here's to Jillunnu Oru Kadhal... A great addition to your collection of ARR compositions!

PS:
*1: Read in the papers that Surya and Jyothika are tying the knot (finally) on AugSep 11. Here's to wishing them a long happy married life together. May Jyothika get what she wants from Surya! lol ... (I hope you got the reference to her dialogue in Kaaka Kaaka movie).

Friday, August 04, 2006

Gateway to Nothing


Gateway
Originally uploaded by anitabora.



I (dissolved)

Stepped through entrance, no turning back
Mist engulfed what remained, blighting light
Uncertainity lay ahead, my senses reeled
Shadows abound where stood reality
Firm, I rely on the ground that I stand
Dampness creeps up me being
Mind seeking definitions
Cognizance?
I dont care...
I live...
.. I
.
.
.
(dissolved into the infiniteness)


Update: Now posted on poemhunter.com

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

All aboard, thank Einstein!

Whoever thought that the theory of relativity could be applied to something that is as boring as enplaning.

All aboard, thank Einstein! - Deccan Herald - Internet Edition

I did think about this kind of a boarding model way long back. I did not reference it to any existing physical model. But yes, the thought did cross my mind. And it was because I was seated in an aisle seat and I got to sit before the other 2 passengers came in. I had settled in my seat with the discman and books. But I had to get up and settle down twice after that. I did wish that I had come in the end.

One problem which can arise therefore is the luggage space in overhead compartments. Those who come in the last usually have an issue of finding space above their seats or atleast nearby. Some logic has to be applied for that as well.