SilverLining

Old Age

2009-10-24T22:37:00.000+05:30

Thanks to all those who were able to make it to the Frames of Mind Photo exhibition organised by BPC. This was the first time I got few of the frames printed and even more excited to see a frame on the walls of Chitra Kala Parishat. :) I got an opportunity to meet many people behind the camera and flickr, too...

For those who couldn't make it, here's the photo which was selected.

An old lady was begging at the staircase of a temple on hilltop near Banngerghatta National Park. My attention was caught by her and I still feel her expression has a story to tell. This pic was captured more than an year ago. Not sure where is she now.
I am thankful to her for posing which in turn made to the exhibition.

Below: Vistors at CKP

My Frame :D

Well, I maintained suspense of not disclosing the foto selected until the exhibition was concluded, or else no one would've walked till CKP. ;)

Photo Courtesy: Deepak Girdher.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

IndiRank

2009-10-12T01:10:00.001+05:30

An year ago, I had submitted my blog to Indiblogger where I found wonderful blogs. A couple of days ago, I received an email stating my blog ranking.

IndiBlogger.in to me Sep 18

Dear Manasa,

We're happy to announce that IndiRank has been updated. The new rank for your blog Silverlining is now 67.

It was hard for me to re-collect my password and login for widget. Well, not a bad ranking though I haven't been active for quiet a long time!

Dasara at home

2009-10-03T20:53:00.000+05:30

Dasara at my home. The dolls arrangement is incomplete without the two wooden couple dolls along with kalasha.

Cool Readers

2009-09-19T22:25:00.000+05:30

After Sony and Amazon launched ebook reader or rather say "eReader": a replacement for paper books; CoolReader also launched eReader.

The availability in various colors imitates iPod Nano.

Though, all the three eReaders have quoted the same price. $ 250 is quite much for coolreader.

Invitation for Frames of Mind '09

2009-08-24T22:42:00.001+05:30

Dear friend,

I wish to invite you to "Frames of Mind 2009" - "BPC's fourth annual photography exhibition" where I shall be exhibiting one of the photograph for the first time along with several well-known photographers.

Start Time: Friday, August 28 at 12:00pm
End Time: Sunday, August 30 at 7:00pm
Where: Chitrakala Parishat
click on the image to enlarge

New York

2009-08-09T20:55:00.000+05:30

I told the climax of the movie when a friend asked how was New York !

Please don't ask me to narrate again. :)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Sadness is always the legacy of the past; regrets are pains of the memory

2009-08-04T20:59:00.002+05:30

In continuation with my previous post.... An incident occurred at my workplace that made most of them giggle. One of my teammate is always a scapegoat. :)

V~ was undergoing initial training and flunked his exam couple of times. Since this was the first time he ever flunked, he was frustrated and depressed. Another R~, tried to console V~ in this regard suggested him to drink to come out of sadness. Reluctant V~, for the first time tasted alcohol which was also the last time he ever touched.

V~ had asked R~: "baada povalante em chayaali" (in Telugu: "what do you do when you're sad?").

Hence, this survey was done! Most of them drink when they're sad, few listen to music, few cry, sleep.....

Till date, all of us tease V~: "What did you do this time?" :)

Tobacco and alcohol, delicious fathers of abiding friendships and fertile reveries.
~Luis Buñuel

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

What do you do when you're sad?

2009-07-11T23:04:00.000+05:30

Dear friends,

I want to know what most people do when they are sad frustrated.

Do leave a genuine comment.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

The gal on the train

2009-06-28T18:56:00.002+05:30

Many years ago, I met a gal on the train. Due to our amicable nature, both of us were soon involved in casual conversation like studies, where we stayed and the current trends, so on and so forth... After hours of conversation, she opened a pack containing 8 cards (not the gambling cards ;)) which were filled with random numbers on one side in the square boxes on each card; which I had never seen before. These were called Mosaic cards where one person asks the other to choose a number ranging from 1-99 without revealing the number. Later on, each of the six card is shown if the chosen number is present or not. Based on the numbers present in no of cards, the exact number is computed. And this seemed to be fascinating and made me curious to learn how it was done.

I reached my destination before her. It was time for me to bid a good bye to my new found friend. As a memory, she gave me these cards along with a note signed, which I still preserve. :)

Advice given by right people!

2009-06-27T21:44:00.001+05:30

After I published this post, I emailed both my friend and his mother, who is also a good friend of mine. Though, my friend was unaware of the fact that I had emailed it to his mother and she also liked it. ;) Most of the people who read this not only loved it but also acknowledged that its the same case with them, too.

Here goes the conversation with my friends mother who also liked it. :)

me: hello aunty

She: Hi Manasa
I was just reading your blog

me: :)
any guesses whom I was chatting to? ;)

She: Probably my son

me: hehhe
yeah :)

She: I can guess his lopsided answers
though I havent read the whole of it

me: you know, he asked me to find a gal for him

She: Are u doing so?

me: am trying my best, aunty

She: Hope all your endeavour fructifies

me: even you must be finding a gal for him

She: :)

me: what did he say ?

She: Yea frantically

me: :)
so what kinda gal does he want ?

She: He is still waiting to meet the right person personally before giving his consent

me: mm
and when will that day come ?

She: Why dont u ask him?

me: aunty, did you read the whole post ?

She: not yet

me: i have been asking him... every time he says--you search for me
aakhir tu meri kab kaam aayegi

She: :)
and why should the search not be mutual, for each other?

me: mmm

She: Now I wish to read the whole post before I go for other works

me: sure aunty

She: ok then All the best

me: all the best for what ?

She: for the anticipated effort to be put in by both of you regarding the search.

me: heheheh

She: I shall read the whole of it and let u know later.

me: aunty, read it now
please

She: ok
Shall get back to you

She: Oh Manasa You have simply reproduced all the basic chats between us-- mother & son

me: is it ?

She: Probably the with mother & son; daughter as well

me: but its the common thing which all parents advice their kids

She: Yes right
and when you grow up I'm sure your sentiments will not be very different
unless you are ultra modern & believe in giving full freedom to children without parents inter fering in matters of matrimony

me: :)
how did you like this post ?

She: wonderful!
when we speak we never realise we sound so nagging/dominating/irritating.
:)

me: mmm
but when I imagine myself in my parents position

She: but caring no doubt

me: I do sometimes feel that after they're gone
there would be no one bothering to ask us if we ate at proper time
no one to bother

She: True . It is our love and bondage that makes relationships so meaningful andcompulsive

me: yeah..
now we are young
parents will care
after a decade
even to have a cup of coffee alone
its too boring

I mean you hardly find anyone who wants to share your emotions and sentiments

She: It is the vaccum created by parents that can be filled up by the spouse

me: exactly
and thats what parents try to convince us
which we find "IRRITATING"

She: and later your idea may change and you might not find it irritating any more

me: heheh
now a days
I no longer find the marriage topic irritating

She: :)

me: aunty, can I publish our chat on my blog ?

She: You sure can.

me: am glad you liked that post :)

She: :)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

iBook

2009-06-20T14:43:00.001+05:30

After exploring all the features like music, movie, games, contacts except podcasts, on my iPod Classic which I own with pride for the past 1.6 years and despite weird experience at Apple Showroom; I have begun to use my iPod extensively day-to-day after discovering a new feature of reading ebooks on the tiny screen. :) This post was lying as a draft past an year, until I realised that I should publish it; having seen the Amazon Kindle 2. iPod is none the less.

If you belong to this category of reader who finds hard to carry bulky 1000 page novel or who tends to lose books after lending them; then iPod Notes serves you the best.

Notes folder allows the user to save any text file of the size 4kb only. If you store any text file (.txt extension) more than 4kb, then the remaining text is lost. Hence, you ought to divide the ebook into several files of 4kb and save them in a subdirectory under the Notes folder.

If the file size of the ebook: Freakonomics is 311kb, then it is divided in such a way that each file does not exceed 4kb. The website: ebookhood does the process of dividing each ebook into 4kb with suitable ordered numbering.

Upload an ebook to ebookhood.
Download .zip file to your HDD.
Extract all the .zip files to Notes folder in your iPod.

Snapshot is shown below: Click on the image to enlarge.

And.. enjoy reading. The other advantages is bookmarking since each file is numbered and easier to carry iPod while travelling.

Advices at right age!

2009-06-17T22:21:00.002+05:30

"The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself."
~Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)

Advices are given for free at all time by everyone (even without you demanding!!!) especially if you attain a marriageable age! People who had forgotten your existence are suddenly reminded of you once you are of "right age". Most All parents express their concern and try to convince sons/daughters esp if you're of "right age". ;)

A conversion with a friend 'bout how parents crib when children attain marriageable age. I want to publish apart of our conversation here. My friends identity has been maintained anonymous. Few translations are given in [ ]

..............;
me: sure
but you'll have to walk down here :)

He: theek hai.. but once I come to B'lore, you owe me a big treat
deal?

me: deal :)
meri shaadi ke liye aa jaao [ You walk down for my wedding]
u get pucca south indian khana to eat :)

He: yeah that is a time I wish to be there
but let me know when the dates are planned
I'll try to drop by

me: hehe
sure
pehle ladke ko dhoond na hai [ First, the groom has be searched ]
:)

He: err... you might try looking for a girl as well ;)

me: girl? :-?
:-/
i should be searching a gal for u :P

He: yeah you're welcome to do that

me: thats what u asked me to do :P
arre, par apni list to do! [ First, give me your list ]
ladki mein kya qualities honi chahiye [ What qualities do you expect in a gal? ]

He: I think I already gave you, remember?
that post called zaroorat hai

me: accha [ ok ]
phir se pad loongi :) [ I shall read again ]
but what did aunty say?

He: heheh... the usual

me: arre, wohi to bataao :) [ Tell that ]

He: tell me... what do you think she might have told me

me: arre, this is the right age beta
shaadi kar le [ Get married ]
ghar mein biwi aayegi to, tumhe acche khana khilayegi [ If your marry, your wife will prepare good food for you ]
aur, tum bhi kitne dino tak akhele pret atma ki thara har jagah ghoomoge [ How long will you roam alone like this? ]
many guys of ur age are almost married and having kids too
tu kab shadi karage? [ When will you marry? ]
hamare kandonka bhoj bhi halka ho jayega [ Our burden will also reduce ]
she must've told you all these, right? ;)

He: ossum... looks like all women think alike
besides, there was a very important question you missed
what kind of a girl do you want

me: ummm
i know
u must've given all ur specs
later they try to convince u
u will not get the gal with 100% qualities u expect... etc...
life mein adjust karni padti hai [ You gotcha adjust in life ]
arre bhai, my mom n dad also tell me the same
not only my mom n dad, guess when children attain marriable age, they behave the same -- cribbing
when gals don't get married by 24 or 25, they feel we're getting aged

He: :)

me: guess, aunty might have told the same--right age for wedding ;)

He: yep

"Never advise anyone to go to war or to marry."
~Spanish Proverb.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

N97

2009-06-14T23:10:00.003+05:30

Drafted: June 9th.

I got an opportunity to try the to be launched during Nokia N97 Bloggers Meetup. Axel Myer, Head of Design at Nokia, shared his experiences in designing and embedding many new features unlike the other N series.

In the pic below:Axel Meyer

Key features compared to other N series:

N97 supports both touch screen and QWERTY keyboard in which there is enough spacing between the keys providing a faster typing speed.
Phone which extensively supports GPRS and GPS.
Built in memory 32gb (This sounds great!!).
Also supports TV out.
5mp camera with Carl Zeiss optics.
Wider screen for better video viewing.

Few pics from my camera:

Wondering if anyone would opt for Netbook after N97 is lauched. Watch interactive demo of the phone: here

***Currently priced at 35,000 INR.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

iGossip

2009-06-08T21:38:00.002+05:30

Two friends who are also good neighbours online at 9:15pm gossip through messenger logging into their respective laptops. ;) The duo hear and discuss the honking of vehicles, kids playing and their immediate neighbours. And, thats called iGossip.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

zoozoo

2009-06-07T14:25:00.001+05:30

Zoozoo introduced in their advertisements by Vodafone. Initially, most of us mistook zoozoo to be animations which were actually humans in the suits.

If you like zoozoo, I am sure, you would love to check these:

zoozoo E-cards: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=80292&id=73855584817

Scenes from the shoot - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=81802&id=73855584817

Zoozoo emoticons - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=76629&id=73855584817

Zoozoo wallpapers - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=76019&id=73855584817

Zoozoo 'tag-me' - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=76210&id=73855584817

Follow zoozoo on twitter: http://twitter.com/Zoozoos

I'm a cool zoozoo :) What zoozoo are you?

Join official Zoozoo club on Facebook

Anybody still missing good old pug? :)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Hazaron Khwahishen Aisi

2009-06-04T00:38:00.003+05:30

One of my favourite Gazal: Hazaron Khwahishen Aisi - Jagjit Singh.

Artist: Jagjit Singh
Album: Mirza Ghalib

hazaaron Khvaahishen aisii ki har Khvaaish pe dam nikale
bahut nikale mere armaaN lekin phir bhii kam nikale

nikalanaa Khuld se aadam kaa sunate aaye hain lekin
bahut beaabaruu hokar tere kuuche se ham nikale

muhabbat men nahiin hai farq jiine aur marane kaa
usii ko dekh kar jiite hain jis kaafir pe dam nikale

Khudaa ke vaaste pardaa na kaabe se uThaa zaalim
Kahiin aisaa na ho yaaN bhii vahii kaafir sanam nikale

KahaaN maiKhaane ka daravaazaa 'Ghalib' aur kahaaN vaaiz
par itanaa jaanate hain kal vo jaataa thaa ke ham nikale

Click below to listen to the song:

Translation:

Thousands of desires, each worth dying for...
Many of them I have realized...yet I yearn for more...

We have heard about the dismissal of Adam from Heaven
With more humiliation, I am leaving the street on which you live...

When in love, there is little difference between life and death
we live by looking at the infidel for whom we are willing to die

For god's sake, don't lift the cover off any secrets you tyrant
the infidel might turn out to be my lover!

The preacher and the bar's entrance are way apart
yet I saw him entering the bar as I was leaving!

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Jobless!

2009-06-01T00:54:00.001+05:30

A couple of years ago, no one knew what a blog was. Surfing the net was just confined to emailing, uploading photos, chatting and googling. Very few people would use Yahoo! geocities or host their websites. I was new to blogging and so was to writing. Never ever try to read the initial posts, here! You can call them, perfect definition of 'crap'. Initially, I would pester each and every acquaintance to read my blog and let me know how good I was at writing and the flow of the article. Most of them gave genuine answer and would read on regular basis; and a few who never had a habit of reading would say it was good and forget. And we never spoke about it, again. A good old school friend belonged to this category who never ever bothered to read a newspaper except the headlines. ;) It was after a very long time we spoke and casually, I gave the link to my blog and the reaction:

Friend: You into all these?
Me: Yes! Why are you so shocked?
Friend: Nothing! Wondering, how come you are into such jobless stuffs like blogging *rolling eyes*
Me: It does not mean you're jobless if you have an online space.
Friend: Huh?
Me: Imagine reading the same after a decade. It would remind you of the smallest forgotten incident which made you laugh, cry or even moved.
Friend: Whatever it is! Only jobless ones blog and am not reading such junk.
Me: Someday, when you're jobless; you will read for sure ;)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Strida

2009-05-24T21:52:00.001+05:30

Last week, in order to promote cycling to office and reduce the environmental pollution as well as traffic jams; few of stalls with imported cycles like Firefox, trek, Bianchi, Cannondale provided trials. This was the first time, I ever peddled a 8 * 3 = 24 geared cycle. :D Apart from these, the most attractive was this fold able cycle from Strida with small tires. Most wonderful aspect of this bike is that; it can be folded. :) It can fit into any car and one can commute without the fear of losing at parking.

Specs:
Bike Weight: 10 kgs
Frame: 7000 Series Aluminum
Drive Train:Kevlar Greaseless Belt Drive (up to 50,000 miles)
Wheels: Alloy 16" Rim
Brakes: Disc Brakes
Speeds: Single Speed
Folded Size: 45" x 20" x 9"(114cm x 51cm x 23cm)
Grip: Gel
Bottom Bracket: Welded
Luggage Rack: Plastic or Alloy new option
Weight Limit: 100 kgs
Height Limit: 153cm – 193cm

Image Courtesy: Strida website

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Ubuntu 9.04

2009-05-20T06:22:00.001+05:30

Click on the image to download Ubuntu 9.04

Obsessed by Photography

2009-05-18T23:29:00.001+05:30

Unlike anyone, who wants to buy stuffs from a huge check list. I, too, dreamed of buying a camera followed by a big list. ;) First thing to to decide the camera brand, mega pixel, zoom range, point and shoot, size and many other parameters led to a confusion rather than conclusion. I had been regular blog reader and found breathtaking pics on a fellow blogger Sunil's blog. I was so impressed that I pestered him to suggest a good camera and there wasn't a second thought.

Now, that I owned a Canon S3 IS, I hardly knew the usage of several modes provided on the top and googled for photography tips. Meanwhile, Ayan had bought a new DLSR who taught me to experiment with my camera. :) Later on, I joined SLRBB, BWS, followed by BPC and BSB, where I met several wonderful photographers who selflessly taught: how to gain mastery over photography and what not! :)

Photography is definitely addictive. So far, I haven't even spared an ant to pose for me. :D Pestered my fellow teammates to pose who always did with a cheerful smile. ;) At times, people do think you are nuts when you click a coffee mug or a hand bad or stiletto :P

Why am I writing this today? That's because its been exactly two years ago, I bought my camera May 18th 07-09 (actually, dad's friend bought it from Dubai ;). I wish this madness continues....

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Compy's competitor

2009-05-17T19:28:00.001+05:30

Last October, Compy turned five. Being in a state of dilemma to upgrade to a laptop or not, I decided to go for a laptop ditching my earlier desktop. ;) Now, the latter part was to decide the so called brand. Comparing Dell XPS, HP pavillion and Sony Vaio, I couldn't stop myself grabbing the Sangria Red Vaio. :D

My friend, N~, was very kind to buy it from US of A, as soon as I informed her the model no. Last Sunday, I got it and haven't explored much features yet.

Oh, yes, looks alluring, is it not? ;)

Byomkesh Bakshi

2009-05-14T23:12:00.000+05:30

It is an immense pleasure to read this book especially if you have grown up watching the famous detective serial on Doordarshan : Byomkesh Bakshi, the role well executed by Rajit Kapur. Originally authored by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay in Bangla language , this fiction contains 54 episodes, out of which seven haven been successfully translated to English by Monimala Dhar and the same has been published by Rupa Publishers. Each story is based on a different outline, be it robbery or murder and the suspense is maintained till the end.

Byomkesh Bakshi is a Bengali detective who is accompanied by his friend, Ajit banerjee, who is a writer. On solving each case, Ajit pens down their experiences. Byomkesh Bakshi is also known as Indian Sherlock Holmes.

The book has seven stories:
1. The Deadly Diamond (Raktamukhi Neela)
2. The Hidden Heirloom (Seemanta Heera)
3. The Avenger (Achin Pakhi)
4. The Man in a Red Coat (Chhalanar Chanda)
5. The Phantom Client (Shailarahasya)
6. Quicksand (Chorabali)
7. Room Number Two

The most impressive note mentioned was, "A thief cannon crib about the stolen stuff from him, that has already been stolen by him."

Afaik, I couldn't find any videos for these episodes on Youtube. :(

Book Title:Byomkesh Bakshi - Stories-Saradindu Bandyopadhay

(ISBN:81-291-0096-7 ~ Pub Year: 2003 ~ Pages:207 ~ Binding: Paperback ~ Publisher: Rupa)

PS: Dear Bengali friends, I am eager to read the remaining stories. If any of you find time, please translate them for me. IMHO some publisher might catch hold of you to get them published. :D

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

...

2009-05-13T01:04:00.001+05:30

An year ago, impressed by the new features of Nokia E-series phones, I bought E-51, after my return from Udupi . While I explored helluva features of the phone and addicted to GPRS just because this phone supported features innumerable, though I missed out many features like WLAN, Skype and others. Accidentally, I dropped my phone in water this Feb. :'(

Approaching Nokia Care turned futile as they confirmed that the phone cannot be repaired since the motherboard had completely conked off. Though, I wanted to buy the same phone, Nokia had stopped the production. With a heavy heart and little money, I had no other go rather than opting for Xpressmusic edition.

More in next post. ;)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

My blog rating

2009-05-05T17:01:00.000+05:30

My Photo-blog

2009-05-04T13:53:00.000+05:30

Being addicted to photography for the past two years, I bought an annual subscription on flickr for $ 24.95 in 2008. My flickr pro account expired on 8th April '09. In dilemma and confusion to continue the subscription or not; following the current dollar rates and the rate at which I am uploading the photographs, I decided to start my photo-blog. :)

Do have a look: http://colorful-moments.blogspot.com/

© Manasa. All rights reserved.