N-Zine

Dalgona Coffee, Anyone?

noreply@blogger.com (Shrikant) — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 07:01:00 +0000

Dalgona coffee videos have been making rounds for quite some time now. Everyone coming up with their own version of this two layered coffee. One "Real Man" laughed at all these sissies making coffee and came up with a rudimentary layering of whisky on water.

Well here's something even better for the "Lazy MAN" (or for that matter Lazy Lady - I don't believe in gender bias). Just carefully pour yourself a shot glass full of Sheridan.

Image Courtesy: Google Image Search

It should look something like this:

Image Courtesy: Google Image Search

You may also call it the Inverted Dalgona. Tastes just as good if not better.

Just for your info:

Sheridan is a just another Irish Coffee "taste-a-like". But it is uniquely packaged as a separate dark coffee-Irish whisky mixture and a white cream based liqueur in a single bottle with two compartments with two separate openings. It is produced by Thomas Sheridan and Sons Distillery which is owned by the Gilbey's group which also produces Bailey's Irish Cream.

Facebook + Reliance Jio = ?

noreply@blogger.com (Shrikant) — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 15:57:00 +0000

Facebook will be investing $5.7 bn (approx INR 43K crore) in Reliance Jio in a bid to scale up it's presence in India. Reliance on the other hand will be able to reduce its net debt.

Image Courtesy: Google Image Search

So besides this, what could be the impact of this Facebook-Jio team

Jio Money-Whatsapp Pay combination:
Facebook and Jio can leverage each other's user bases which can give both these under utilised payment platforms a push to be more formidable players in the payment space. May be so much that they could give the Paytms and Google Pays of the world a run for their money.

Jio Mart on WhatsApp:
Reliance has also announced its online ecommerce platform - JioMart. WhatsApp can be utilised well as a means of receiving orders as well as giving updates. With payment possibilities on WhatsApp itself, the entire lifecyle of buying can be covered in one app. With Reliance in the background sourcing goods in manners similar to what it used for Reliance Digital, Reliance Fresh and other of its ventures, this combo can be a superhit even in remote areas of India where the most common mode of social interaction is WhatsApp.

With Instagram and Facebook for promotion of all of these services, the sky is the limit for these new partners.

There are limitless possibilities which can be concocted with an idle mind. What will be achieved - only time will tell.

Samsung Galaxy S20 5G

noreply@blogger.com (Shrikant) — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 15:09:00 +0000

Galaxy S20 5G is the more affordable higher end phone launched by Samsung. It's almost identical to its siblings with a higher price tag - the Galaxy S20 Plus and the S20 Ultra.

Image Courtesy: Samsung Official Site

Key specs

Display Size: 6.2 inch (563 ppi pixel density)
Weight: 163 gm
OS version: Android 10
Camera: 12 MP Wide-Angle, 64 MP Telephoto, 12 MP Ultra-wide
Front Camera: 10 MP
Video Capture: 8K
Storage: 128 GB
RAM: 12 GB
SD Card: Up to 1 TB
Battery: 4000 mAh
Fingerprint Sensor: In-Screen

This phone has an Exynos-990 processor for the Global Market whereas it sports a Snapdragon-865 processor for the US markets and as per some grapevine reports, Chinese and Hong Kong markets also have Snapdragon version available.

On paper, the Snapdragon-865 chipset is superior to its Exynos cousin in terms of Graphics and Camera capabilities. But the experts at Android Authority seems to think otherwise. As per their tests, Exynos variant managed to slightly outperform the Snapdragon one. But for the masses, the difference may be just psychological.

On the storage front, there is 128 GB available on board with up to 1 TB expandable via SD card. But it is a shared SIM/SD card slot.

Another downside is that, the 3.5 mm sound jack is conspicuous by its absence.

Fast charging is available but the charger provided by it is not the 25 W charger but the charger provided in the box also charges pretty fast.

Overall, its a decent pick with solid graphics/camera/battery performance but at a slight premium over other brands. For a Samsung fan, its awesome - unless one prefers the more premium siblings or wants to wait for the Galaxy Note 10.

The New Age Great Compression

noreply@blogger.com (Shrikant) — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 18:41:00 +0000

Just putting down a few thoughts on the after-effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Well sure the pandemic is far from over and experts are claiming that there might be a resurgence of infections once the summer gets over in the Northern Hemisphere, but I just wanted to take look at what would be the impact of this pandemic on the global economy.

Is it going to be a recession. Well, yes in a way there will be a recession. Due to all the various lockdowns across the world, most businesses are forced to shut shop. Other than basic necessities, everything else is either not available or not in demand. So all in all demand is low and supply even lower - economic downturn.

But what do you think will happen once the the pandemic starts to lose its grip on the human race. Suddenly people will be free to leave their homes. They will want to go back to their jobs. Business owners will be free to open up. All that pent up demand will start to show, and they will gladly take the people who want jobs. People get jobs, they get salary and they have ways and means to spend it on things other than necessities. And we slowly start tottering back to normalcy.

So here we have a GREAT RECESSION in a very short time and as soon as the pandemic blows over, GREAT RECESSION out in a very short time (Please take this line with a pinch of salt, its only for rhetoric. I am not an economic or a health expert). All the effects of a Recession in a compressed format. Somewhat like a T20 cricket match. This is what can be called a True New Age Great Compression.

Please note: The Great Compression is not a term coined by me. Please google it to get more details.

Packing for a trip

noreply@blogger.com (Shrikant) — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 09:17:00 +0000

Have come across numerous videos and articles on how to pack for a trip to save space. I even applied those tips and was quite happy with the results. I used to spend couple of hours just to roll up those tshirts, undergarments, socks and what nots and used to end up saving almost 30% space because of that.

My advice to all of you out there on applying these ideas for packing

DON'T!!!

Why, you ask...

Well, on the return journey, I am always in a hurry with absolutely no time to pack my bags, let alone apply packing tips. So always end up having an over stuffed bag with me, or at times when I do some shopping, I have to carry an additional bag on the return journey.

You should be prepared to spend some time on the last days of your trip for packing your stuff as densely as you did back home before you started your trip.

If that's not your thing and you like to spend the last day of your trip cramming in as much holiday stuff as possible then don't pack dense - don't follow packing tips. Else you will be overloaded on your return trip or may even have to pay for additional luggage.

On a more philosophical note: This dense packing approach has to be imbibed in your daily habits for it to be of any use whenever you go on trips because you will only end up packing correctly when you go and dumping everything in your bag when you return and then wonder why is everything not fitting in the bag.

I need a personal EMP Gun

noreply@blogger.com (Shrikant) — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 11:30:00 +0000

I was sitting in the plane trying to doze off. It had been a long journey. I look at the guy next to me. He is already asleep. Not snoring... good... I can get a shut eye. I try to close my eyes and some light shines on me momentarily. I try to ignore. Happens coupld of times more. Guy next to me is asleep alright, but in his sleep, he is constantly adjusting his hand on the arm rest. And his Samsung Gear 3 obediently shows him the time whenever he twists his wrist.

I wish I had an EMP gun!!!

Again I was sitting in a plane. Again trying to doze off. But cannot. Two guys behind me, listening to music on the loud speaker. And singing along as well

I so wish I had an EMP gun!!!

I was in a cab. Its barely crawling along. Too much traffic. Cause of the traffic. A wedding procession (This is in India). With people dancing in front of it. With a truck in front of the processing with a full sound system that would put a rock concert to shame

Bloody hell I could do with an EMP gun!!!

I was at the movie hall. Enjoying the movie. Trying to concentrate on it. Guy next to me. Constantly looking at his phone and chatting. Display on full brightness.

Damn I need a personal Electromagnetic Pulse Gun!!!

Note: An EMP gun theoretically damages/overloads all electronic devices in the vicinity or can be targeted to specific nearby devices so that the devices stop working temporarily or permanently.

Odd Lots

noreply@blogger.com (Shrikant) — Sun, 15 Mar 2020 02:54:00 +0000

Came across this packet of biscuit with a strange offering of 19% extra. Well, they could have said 20% extra and no one would have complained. But they had to be precise -19%.

Do let me know if you have come across such oddities.

A little bit of help for loans

noreply@blogger.com (Shrikant) — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 20:14:00 +0000

You can see an EMI calculator on every loan site. It is pretty helpful when you want to see how much you will be paying up every month. But have you come across any ready reckoner about

how much your EMI will be
how much of the principal amount you would have paid by the end of the first year
how will your EMI term change if you prepay a small amount

No right? There isn't a single place where you can get this kind of information. So how bout we make this kind of a reckoner. All you need is Microsoft Excel. Any spreadsheet will do, but then you will have to write a lot of formulas by yourself. MS Excel has a ready template for this.

Open Excel and go to New. In the search box for online templates, type "Loan Amortization Schedule" (with the double quotes). Select and click create.

Just key in the details:

Loan amount
Annual interest rate
Loan term in years
Number of EMI's per year (obviously 12)
Start date of loan
Optional extra payments if you are going to pay an additional amount every month

You should get nifty loan summary stating your EMI, total interest paid etc. and a detailed table with every payment date and the EMI, the principal and the interest component of the installment, opening and closing balance of the loan.

Nice trick right??

The Witcher

noreply@blogger.com (Shrikant) — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 18:46:00 +0000

When I first heard, that Netflix was going to air The Witcher, I was jumping up and down waiting for the launch. Having read all the books and played all games, I was like...

This I have to see...

Image Courtesy: Netflix Official Site

Would it be an equally good adaptation or would it be a damp squib. Would Henry Cavill be able to do justice to Geralt's character.. would Anya Chalotra fit into Yennefer's shoes... Would the monsters be as scary as were made to sound in the books.. I had a lot of questions in my mind.

Speaking of Anya Chalotra... I was ready to hate her. I had Eva Green on my mind ever since I first saw Yennefer in the games. Then I was caught in two minds when Katie McGrath played Morgana Pendragon in the television series Merlin. There was also Helena Bonham Carter - of Harry Potter fame - at the back of my mind. And when I actually saw Yennefer in the series, I really loved Chalotra's version as well.

So to say, the casting is incredibly spot on. All the three protagonists as well as the remaining supporting cast has done exceedingly well in developing their respective characters. Most striking of those were (for me) Jodhi May as Queen Calanthe and Emma Appleton as Renfri. In fact, I would love to have short series with them as main characters.

The action is mindblowing. The fight that gave Geralt the monicker "Butcher of Blaviken" is somewhat reminiscent of fight scenes from the John Wick series albeit without the fancy modern weapons and ofcourse without the PENCIL.

However, if (and that's a big IF) you have not read the books, you may feel a bit lost in the narrative at first and you may not really understand what's going on. You may be lost on why a tiny princess who's deprived of her Granny is left in the world with just 2 words as piece of advice... FIND GERALT. Later on you may want to go back to the earlier episodes to recollect and understand what had earlier left you confused. They could have added couple of more episodes to make the story a bit more understandable for the masses. While it may be a bit strange for the newcomers, for the diehard fans - its a treat!!!

P.S.: I know that this review is being posted a bit too late, better late than never.

Ten Questions - Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Shrikant) — Sat, 15 Feb 2020 16:38:00 +0000

Was reading an article on Good Questions to Ask - to get to know people. Don't know if I could answer any of these questions with a straight face. But, here's a game. I will start my music player and hit SHUFFLE and the next song is the answer to the next question and this goes on till list of questions is exhausted.

So here goes

What’s The Number One Item You Would Save From Your Burning House?
Answer: Shape of You - WOW, Who is you? And that must be some really wonderful shape that you may be having.

What Really Makes You Angry?
Answer: Take my breath away - True that.
When you come close to me,
You take my breath away.
Honey! What have you stepped into...
to smell that way??

What Is Your Favorite Thing About Your Career?
Answer: Who's that chick - Another WOW. Or may be that chick is in the next office

What Makes You Laugh The Most?
Answer: Let me love you - Yeah, I am ticklish.

Aside From Necessities, What One Thing Could You Not Go A Day Without?
Answer: Bubble butt - Oooooo I like that!!!

What Does A Successful Relationship Look Like To You?
Driven to tears - Ummm, tears of happiness may be

What Is Something You Like To Do That Other People Would Probably Consider “Weird” If They Knew?
Tonight I'm lovin' you - Ho!! I do have weird ways to love besides..
From the window..
to the wall..
gotta give you..
my ALL!!!

What Big Life Changes Have You Recently Experienced?
Little Bad Girl - What an anti-thesis!! Big Life change through a Little Bad Girl

What Is Your Favorite Holiday?
I cant get enough - Man!! That's spot on!!

What Is The First Thing You Would Do If You Won The Lottery?
Waiting for Tonight - Hmmm!! Let's see who or WHO ALL turn up (wink wink) after knowing I won the lottery

I am so loving this. I think I shall do more of this, but all in good time.

What's on TV

noreply@blogger.com (Shrikant) — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Just the other day, I was channel surfing and happened to run through the kids' section. I mean seriously, I did run through. Having grown up on some wonderful stuff like Tom and Jerry, Looney Tunes, DuckTales, TaleSpin and what not, I did not really find anything even remotely appealing in what's on TV these days.

Its the same thing on all channels, pathetic animation and even more pathetic stories, some overly gross anime with snog bubbles coming out of every sleeping person's nose and the likes. I am like, GOD!! - who watches this stuff.

Well that's all a matter of perspective. Those cartoons wouldn't be on air if everyone was disliking them. But for me it's YUCK.

What do you think?

N for???

noreply@blogger.com (Shrikant) — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 09:03:00 +0000

Was thinking of what should N in N-Zine stand for

Should I call it

N-tertainment??

or may be

Non Fiction

orrrr

No Nonsense

Or may be just

Nonsense

But I think I shall just stick to

Nothing in Particular

I think I'll just be a generalist and not specialise in anything.