Glimpses

Mylo Xyloto - Coldplay

2011-10-18T00:21:00.000+11:00

I've been putting off writing a review on Coldplay's latest album - Mylo Xyloto, up until now. Well, partly I was waiting to get my hands on the entire album and previously since I had heard only a couple of the songs, which themselves were bliss to the ears, I had a feeling that justice could be done only after hearing to the entire album.

Synopsis: The whole experience is surreal and exhilarating. Coldplay has included more electronic effects into the songs than ever before and the result is just beautiful. Close your eyes as you hear and it just plays on your mind letting it wander into an expanse of creativity and endless illusional possibilities ;) The beats and vibrations are very positive and uplifting. The feel good factor has always been a thing of Coldplay's songs and this time around, the inclusion of new experimental electronic sounds have added to the beauty of the tracks. It is a very matured Coldplay album with the band really coming of age here. I could really go on and on about how mesmerizing the music is, but I urge you to get the album asap and switch off your minds and let Mylo Xyloto take you on a wonderful and peaceful journey !

Make sure you hear them on high quality headphones/ speakers to catch all the sounds in their right loudness levels.

Genre/Ambience: Easy Listening, Electronic/Soft Rock. A definite on the playlist after a stressful and busy day.

Best Tracks: Paradise, Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall, Hurts Like Heaven, Charlie Brown (Just for the record, I do vouch for the entire album!!)

You will also like: U2, R.E.M

Rating: 8.5/10

Inner Peace \m/

$ur

Blogger Updates

2011-10-06T17:20:00.002+11:00

Sad to have learned the news of the passing of Mr. Steve Jobs, the Apple Inc. visionary. Anyhow, this post is not on that. There are already billions pouring their heart out on Facebook and though I feel a bit sad too at the loss of one of the world's greatest innovators, I'm not dedicating anymore time on what has happened !

So living in the present and moving on with life, when I learned of the new Dynamic Views feature on Blogger, I was once again excited to spread the novel updates on the web ! Dynamic view templates will definitely drive in more traffic into blog for one thing. It will also make the random stumbler on your blog click on more posts of yours and perhaps discover more interesting stuff on them!

I think this is one of the best things to have happened to blogger lately and I'm just loving it. Whats more pleasing is the fact that, the readers can themselves select the dynamic view in which they wanna see your posts and that customization is again very thoughtful on the part of Blogger.

So for those of you who've probably lost your interest in blogging because of the lack of reader outreach in spite writing fantastic blog posts, this is one way you can revamp your blog and make your mark once again on the web ;)

If you received this post via your email, do check out my blog page to see what I'm drooling about ;)

Inner Peace \m/

$ur

Beating the Stress - Take 2

2011-09-24T02:42:00.001+10:00

Hola,

Well, following my last post, I would like to add few more cues which I left out last time around.

I guess it makes sense to keep in touch or brush up those skills on your resume if you made the resume quite a while back when you graduated or last worked, but you are still looking for roles in that area. Well, I was finding it hard as the courses I did were quite technical and there is no way that I can get all the software that I used when I studied them at the university. Perhaps some of you used them at your previous workplace and don't have a personal copy of those anymore. Though I have to be careful not to endorse torrent sites to find these softwares ;), there is however a good chance you might find a copy there !

Or maybe you never knew before that the Linux, or more specifically the Ubuntu software repository has a lot of open source, free to download software for a number of different areas of study. They even have some finite element analysis (FEM) software !! Now, that came as quite a surprise to me. FEM software as such take time to get the hang of and I don't know how much less friendly a Linux version of that might be, but that said, I did download it to check out. Will be doing so sometime soon !

For those management guys out there, the repository has also got mind-mapping, statistical and a variety other software. Ah, well this I included for the specific benefits of few friends who said mind-mapping is all they do all the time these days :P !!

Well, so now that you've worked your way around getting that specific software tool, let's see if there is an alternative to re-reading all those lecture notes or presentations too ! When I graduated few months back and was looking out for jobs, I was already a bit grey on some of the advanced topics I had covered in my Uni, and some people advised that I keep reading my notes and ppts. But this is something that is easier said than done. It's one thing to go through your notes for an interview that is scheduled and totally another thing staying in touch by reading them every week till it gets into your long term memory !

A solution to this is to try and find web seminars in your areas of interest. These will most often be provided by leading companies in respective areas of expertise, usually offered free of charge. Although, prior registration might be mandatory. Trust me, this is something I have been doing the last few weeks and not what I picked up from some random career advice website, which mostly may not work for all you know :P

Wow, so much for keeping you razor sharp ! And not to forget the Zombie games that'll keep you firing all cylinders ;)

Inner Peace \m/

$ur

Beating the stress..Take a chill pill !!

2011-09-22T01:32:00.000+10:00

Hi there,

Last few days have been hectic ! Frantic job hunting for one thing, as I'm finishing my present assignment in another month or so. Though deviating from my usual topics that I blog about, I thought I'd share some cues from firsthand experience. As you might have been there before - the first few days of the job hunt are always fun, because you are looking towards something fresh. But as days pass by, you start to sense anxiety building up and fear creeping in. This can be coupled with low confidence levels.

Well, I decided to beat the monotony and end the misery once and for all.

Firstly, I took to some old time games - Lemon Tycoon and the likes. Refreshing I must say. This is not to say that I have given up my hunt; but I found a way to vent out some of my frustration this way. Believe it or not, good games are pretty good at keeping anxiety at bay. They work like a charm, mainly because you get fully involved in them sooner than you think. Oh between I'm also getting addictive to the Zombie games :D Well, so few random games and I'm good to go hunting again !

I'm finding the tactic more mentally soothing and productive. It's much like getting a fresh pair of eyes to read through your resume. You tend to see things more objectively for one and see new ways of tackling the challenge at hand.

Secondly, reading the articles posted in the various groups I'm part of on LinkedIn were quite invigorating too! Taking part in some of the discussions, reading industry updates etc. does really help blow off some steam.

Thirdly, supplementing self-introspection with discussion. Like discussing my strategy and plans with someone who understands me well. Have you ever realized that at times when something seems quite amiss and you have a hard time figuring out what that is, hearing yourself out loud while telling someone about it, gives you that answer?

So, I guess I've managed to somehow cope up with the current situation reasonably well. But I'll be honest, this aren't the best of times and a great deal of effort is required on your part to keep your cool, for only if you can do so can you hang in there !

OK, time to fight some zombies and then get back to work ;)

Inner Peace \m/

$ur

It ain't Game Over for Nokia, yet !!

2011-09-16T15:41:00.003+10:00

Hola !

I'm sure some of must have come across my blog app called The Maverick which went up on the Nokia Ovi Store. And when I checked this morning on my application summary report on my developer's page, I was surprised to see that my app has been downloaded from 6 different countries already ! So much for motivation :) cheers guys, I'm flattered !!

I've been wanting to blog about the Nokia App Wizard which I stumbled upon few days ago. To be honest, my regards for Nokia went up a tad for sure. I was very excited to see that it is all free to make your own app and that anyone with absolutely no programming skills could conjure up one. My first thought was to see if I could create a Symbian app for BeanHunter. But, soon enough my hopes were let down when I realized after signing in that there aren't too many options on what apps can be created. I was about to sigh in disappointment, when my eyes caught the Blogger Logo on the screen and I thought, "Wow, now that's not a bad idea. Let me make an app for my own blog!"

So I started off. Let me tell you this, it was easy enough and it wasn't too misleading after all the effort I put into deciding what pictures to choose to display as the logo, what to name my app etc. when finally Nokia allowed me to submit my app for their review before it went up on the Ovi Store. I was a bit skeptical that I might have to pay a small fee on submission that would have thwarted my plans. Anyways, so everything went on just fine and I got my app approved in less than 24 hours.

As I said before, I was impressed by Nokia's constant efforts to keep improving their services though I'm sure they themselves know they are fighting a losing battle to win back once loyal Nokia customers from Apple and Google with the launch of the iPhones and the Androids respectively. But Nokia has certainly not decided to give up without a good fight back. Yes, I do realize most of you would say that is a very meager attempt on Nokia's part at playing catch up with Android et. al. I wouldn't so much say myself that Nokia has upped it's ante, still, over the last few months, I was happy to have gotten Ovi apps for the World Rally Championship, Formula 1, and from a utility point of view, it even released an app for the Melbourne Transport Network - The Metlink. Now, that stunned me a little because who would have thought Nokia is even used so much in Melbourne. I rarely see a Nokia Smartphone here in Melbourne, though occasionally when I do I feel privileged to be part of that small and 'niche' community we've become !

Well, my loyalty has been attributed sheerly to the utilitarian and value for money aspects of my Nokia Smartphone than any intangible emotional attachment to Nokia. I don't mind saying that I would have gone for Droid if there were any phones offering me the same specifications at the same price, and most importantly not compromising battery life !

So, for all you Nokia Smartphone users out there, the Nokia App Wizard is really something to cheer about and check out. Here is the link to the page, http://appwizard.ovi.com/web_nokia/signIn.jsp

Hope you enjoy it !!

Inner Peace \m/

$ur

iRant - Food for thought ;)

2011-09-14T02:17:00.000+10:00

I'm personally of the opinion that though technology is supposed to make your life much simpler, making it too simple that your life is totally dependent on it, is a vicious ploy of the current "cutting edge" technology developers.

Well, it wouldn't be therefore farfetched to hint that this is one of the reasons why I don't like the Apple iPhones much. Though I'm sure it's arguable enough, why wouldn't anyone want to make communication as simple as possible. My issue with that argument is just that, the iPhone creates a big lot of snobbish users who act as though they've been given a very 'user unfriendly' gadget, if they have to at some point operate (god forbid) a Nokia or an Android phone. So my reasoning is that because the iPhone made things so blatantly 'simple' (as they claim it) or to out in my words, created so many iZombies, that if one fine day Apple decides to pull the plug (again god forbid, though this time it's them praying), we will have a population so typical of the one in the Idiocracy movie !

Don't even get me started on the iPad or the iPods. Though I imagine, and to an extent have experienced firsthand, the quality and seamless attributes of the latter, if you have ever stepped out of an Apple user's shoes, you will realize how much of an iBitch these users are. The reasons are obvious - you need iTunes to sync songs, it can be synced only with iTunes installed on just 1 machine at a time (though there is a hack, which I'm sure is out of question as it's too high level for the comprehension of, let alone of any use to an iBitch). The iPhone and iPad also have such limitations, but still it makes you wonder, then why on earth would so many people pay premium to use Apple products?

Well, if you ask me, I would say, there are couple of different reasons,

Initial success of the Apple computers, creating a niche of high quality, high end, virus free computing.
Benefits from the technology lock-in through increasing rates of return which mainly in Apple's case is through the externality caused by reasons of compatibility - almost every website/company offering some service has an iPhone app and this is one main reason why people are buying the apple products. Another example is that of the integrated car audio systems that are increasingly made iPod compatible.
But the 3rd and most important reason is that people like it more when their intelligence isn't questioned :P- and no one does it better than Apple; and no offence, but Linux did just that until Android came out !

Though the last reason may sound like the beginning of a new conspiracy theory, I certainly do believe nobody understood and applied human psychology much better than Apple. But, I don't disagree one bit that Apple hasn't done any good. They are pioneers in using some of the most eco-friendly and recyclable materials in their products and I personally am also a big fan of Mr. Steve Jobs.

The reason why I had to rant about this was stemmed from my thoughts on how they have to an extent manipulated the people so much that people (especially in first world countries) who are otherwise so used to complaining if one small feature is missing, have unbelievably accepted the shortcomings of Apple's products - be it forwarding messages, playing flash, very few customizable features etc. to name a few. The sheer number of Apple users (I do not include MacBook users because I truly believe they have the least malevolent influence among all other Apple products) henceforth is a testament in itself of how many Apple has actually brain washed and continuing to.

Well, so certainly, if you wish to have some food for thought, I have laid it out for you. It is definitely worth pondering, but if you think it is too much of a headache to think so deviantly, then it might be better to move on and enjoy life (to be read - go download some new app :P) !

Inner Peace \m/

$ur

For the Geek in you

2011-09-10T03:55:00.000+10:00

I came across a really cool website today. Well it's actually a computer geek site and goes by the name http://www.howtogeek.com/.

It has everything you could imagine to tweak or know about your computer. From simple, yet very powerful registry hacks to some complex troubleshooting and utility information. Some of the tips, tricks and hacks vividly reminded me of times when I used fiddle around a lot with my 386 model computer in my school days - and a particular time when I had to get a 400pg e-book unzipped using DOS commands and the only place I could find information on how to do it was at a local computer teaching center a kilometer away from my home. So I guess times have changed for the good and these days it's just a click away.

One might feel that there is a lot of a reading material up there and is a bit too cluttered, until you get a hang of the way the site has been laid out. This I feel is typically how a geek's room would like if depicted digitally, though I don't in any way suggest that only if things seem haphazardly arranged does it necessarily fit the stereotypical description of a geek :P !

Nevertheless, I suggest that you bookmark this site, for it will definitely be a lifesaver when you need help. It has almost everything you would need and you can most reliably turn to this site for troubleshooting tips if you ever go overboard with your crazy mods.

Till next time.

Inner Peace \m/

$ur

Ramblings of the Lazy

2011-09-08T19:41:00.001+10:00

On and off, I gain and lose the inspiration to blog. Well, I had thought I was out of one writer's block last time when I revamped my blog space with some new content, a change of template, 'unadulterated and straight from the head without filtration' ideas and what not. But alas, it was around the same time I landed some work commitments. Most part of me, was overjoyed by the welcome change - not to blogging - but to do something that I have been yearning to do - use the skills I had honed so much, which at one point was looking to go down the drain being left underutilized since my university days.

And thus the brief period of activity began with only rare phases of boredom. This I welcomed as part of recuperating my senses, by feeding the entertainment lover in me. Starting with the last week though, things started looking a bit more morose with little activity on the work front, more time at hand yet not being able to enjoy as much because of the unfruitful job applications.

Well, I've always felt that no matter what the situation in life, some days are better than the others. Sometimes for no reason, all you can see is why everything is just not right and on other occasions, no matter how unsure the future might be, you can see those silver linings. And today though there is nothing to really cheer about, scanning through the pages of Reader's Digest, which I'm sure I did the first time in a long long time, felt nice and refreshing. I noticed that the Reader's Digest has evolved from how it used to be. The columns and the styles have changed a bit, though just some harmless shuffling around. Laughter is the Best Medicine is now called " Laughter is still the Best Medicine ;)" ; yes the wink was there too !

Let's see how how far I go before I hit the next writer's block ;)

Inner Peace \m/

$ur

Introducing an idea..

2011-06-17T15:06:00.002+10:00

Stemming from my own funny (:P it is a personal opinion n I'm allowed to) self at times, the occasional adventures of sharing these whacky thought trains with my pals (some sane n some insane enough to tolerate me ;) ); Stewie Gryffin's character, Scott Adams n the likes butting in pleasantly into my life, now and then, has given me sort of an impetus to record the alter-ego of the self that is witty yet dark, dark yet lighthearted, brooding yet lively..I can go on..but you got it, right ?!!

Feedback is appreciated; while of course I may have to add a disclaimer here that says "All conversations might be recorded for the purpose of future referencing and that, though all characters depicted in the conversations might bear resemblance to any character, living or dead, it is purely coincidental and has to be taken in the spirit of the fun" ; there I said it; whew !

I have come to believe, after being mostly serious previously, that time spent is well spent only if you enjoy it; and so keeping that in mind (like how Scott Adams so effortlessly does in his work), let us all have that side in us, that once in a while laughs at ourselves only to remind us that life is supposed to be fun (I'm not an atheist :P, ha I knew you were thinking along those lines!) and not meant to be taken very serious all the time (I already said that didn't I; oh gosh!) !

Inner Peace ;)

$ur

Dengue Fever

2011-06-15T23:09:00.001+10:00

I came across this very different band called the Dengue Fever sometime back today, while stumbling over the plethora of sites on the WWW. The music struck as me a very different one and the band has identified itself to be of a rather interesting genre - Psychedelic Rock n Roll. Well, don't be fooled by the psychedelic music realm because it is nothing like Pink Floyd as you might expect.The band combines music from Cambodia with Californian Rock n Roll to generate a beautiful fusion that is quite unique and unusual.

"Lead singer Chhom Nimol’s haunting voice", as I remember having read somewhere, is catchy to say the least. For the sake of knowing that such diverse music exist, at least, I'd definitely recommend looking up some of their music on youtube.

Recommended Tracks : Sleepwalking Through The Mekong, Made of Steam, Sni Bong, Sober Driver

Ambiance: Whenever you need a flying feelin' (or whenever you are flyin ;))

Peace,

$ur

High Speed Rail

2011-06-08T19:33:00.000+10:00

Today morning's Age newsletter on Travel/Living featured a news article on a proposed High Speed Train concept for Australia. As you'd expect with most of such concepts, it always looks fantastic on paper and this was my first thought even before starting to read the article - let's say part of having acclimatized to the local culture here :P.

Anyways, but the prospect of it did sound reassuring given the pathetic state of affairs of the current rail network. So I read on. The company that put forth the concept has used a gimmick already by quoting that the design is inspired by the Holden Monaro of the 60s; in the sense that it is a super fast vehicle! I feel that it is pretty a lame and poor tactic in an attempt to get the concept "a thumbs up" from hardcore Aussie petrol heads and the likes !

Which was even more surprising was to find similar thought trains running in other readers' heads. Many have ridiculed this concept, as one being too far fetched for the Australians to handle.

Or maybe I'm being too much of a cynic like others who commented like me. Maybe there is just a social and environmental concern behind the whole plan. But whatever it is, it is quite known that Australia isn't really a country that can embrace such a huge leap in technology overnight. Things happen at a calculative and gradual pace. Certainly not a negative, but that's just the way things are around here.

Anyways, I have crossed my fingers; who knows, and even pigs may fly !

Peace,

$ur

Makes sense ??

2011-06-07T23:35:00.000+10:00

One of many ads you'd see around the city ! Makes you wonder, 1) if it's just you or are the others too not getting it 2) or is it just plain stupid ?!!

Brendan and The Secret Of Kells

2011-06-07T15:10:00.001+10:00

Foreword:

*Yawn*... a lazy evening here at Melbourne..rain lashing on the windows..had it been more chilly, it would have certainly added to the ambience..

I was tipped off recently of the OSTs of this new flick, Brenden and The Secret of Kells.. So here I'm listening to it sitting in my dark room..Dunno whether it is the hangover of the still fresh tracks from Porcupine Tree from the morning's playlist or just an uncanny resemblance of some of these tracks to it..less dark in nature though..

Highlights: Magical feel of ringing bells ; bagpipes, cello strumming, drumming, echoes, varying pitches n tempo..mythological..violin and flute solos..mesmerizing compositions and very gentle transitions between each instrumental piece.. soothing..

Peace,

$ur

Computerized cooker ?

2011-06-07T15:01:00.001+10:00

Any thoughts :) ??

Stuck

2011-06-06T14:04:00.001+10:00

Yet again, after a slimmer of hope (though a bit cynical), I learned, that I'm stuck..well, if you know my story, your guess almost automatically will be, "residency status??" ; well, it is so damned unfair to be judged on the basis of this stupid aspect over academic qualifications here in this country !

Well, it is debatable that the country looks out for it's people first and others second. But it is not by having 50 places for locals vs 1 for outsiders; when the number of outsiders to locals applying is almost 100:1.

Well, naturally, you'd be inclined to look at the economics of it rather that the 'social commitment', as they supposedly claim it to be. Well, there you have it - education in a first world country with the primary motive of making financial gains, and whatever follows, as an added extra !! And here I'm fighting the odds; is this a losing battle, I sometimes can't help myself thinking !

Peace,

$ur

Technology saves the day, again :P

2011-06-05T14:14:00.000+10:00

After what seems to have been a writer's (blogger's) block, I've sort of been wanting to get back to blogging more actively. Well, as for the block, I figured it is best if I can find an application to blog from my phone (ahem, yes, you thought right, the generation is to be blamed for :P). Well, so in a rather desperate attempt to salvage my blog, I frantically searched for an app (between the intermittent reception of network coverage on my phone) while I was on a long train journey. After a while, I realized, as the first step of getting to use my blog through phone, it is better that I carry out this step when I'm less mobile with a better connectivity.
So on getting back home, later yesterday, I sat down to sort this once and for all. And, here I'm trying this out the first time through my phone. God save technology !!
Peace,
$ur

Campos Coffee Melbourne

2010-12-01T00:21:00.003+11:00

On 28th November, Sunday, I walked into the Campos Coffee outlet in Melbourne. This is a specialty coffee vendor which has a fantastic reputation for fine coffee in Sydney. The Melbourne, opened quite recently, therefore didn't feature in the Melbourne Coffee Review 2010. Nevertheless, I got the wind of it much attributed to my new interest in being a regular on Beanhunter.com. Given that the place is at a stone's throw from where I live, I did not need any more invitation to check it out !

So I got there in time, few hours before they closed for the day, for a cup of coffee. Though a huge coffee addict and an aspiring coffee aficionado, I was a little unsure about the bean and type of coffee to pick when I stood at the order table, So hesitantly I asked the Barista, who was more than happy to help me out. He suggested I go for black if I choose the Siphon or white if I preferred the house blend. So I went for the Campos Superior house blend in Latte. I also bought an almond croissant to go with it.

So I waited patiently for 10 mins while my latte was made. A sip of it told me, the extraction was one of the most perfect ones I have ever had. The bitterness was just right and the temperature too, I presume - neither cold nor too hot.

This is a definite recommendation to look up whenever you are in Sydney or Melbourne and need a good hit of coffee !!

Coffee: 8.0

Ambience: 7.0

Service: 7.5

Peace,

$ur

Jesus on Extasy

2010-11-27T15:56:00.000+11:00

Thanks to my bro JJ, I was tipped off about this new band in the Industrial Rock arena. Based in Germany, their music, has a definitive influence from the popular German industrial music. I cannot really say that their music however is the most original of the kind. For those of you who are familiar with the music scene in this genre and slightly similar ones, will notice a certain uncanny resemblance in parts of JOE's compositions with other bands. But nevertheless, there are some really ear tantalizing tracks which will definitely get you hooked.

Tracks are mostly dark with a electronic rant in the background with experimental vocals; experimental because they sound different in each composition. The band caught my attention, not because of their drumming, vocals, strumming or anything individually, but for their 'compositions' in whole. The experience is strikingly awesome.

Ambience - Let me suggest a rainy/cloudy day to try the tracks. This will most undoubtedly set the right state of mind to assimilate the electronic intricacies in the music.

Favourite Tracks - No gods, Tonight, Assassinate me

Similar Bands - Marlyn Manson, Rammstein, Nine Inch Nails

Rating - 7.0/10

Peace,

$ur

Books versus Computers

2010-10-25T15:34:00.001+11:00

I should have read enough books before computers invaded into my life..now its too late :P !! Well, by accepting that, I'm making a conscious effort in trying to mend that. Still remember those days back in my 7th or 8th grade, when I used to borrow about 10 books every fortnight from the Eloor Lending Library. I tell you, those were thrilling days. I would be eagerly waiting to go pick up some new book to read. At the time, I was also introduced to the captivating language in the writings of P.G Wodehouse; not to forget the absolute hilarity from reading them.

My love for books started with Enid Blyton's works, just like perhaps any other kid's, in 5th or 6th grade. There was a brief period during which I felt a voracious need to read and finish as many books as possible, like it was some personal target. Though, I was still reading while in high school and sporadically during college, the drive was hardly there. I used pick books that used to be just page turners. That is when psychological thrillers dominated almost all of my reading material. I recall there was also a time when the classic works of Harper Lee, V.S Naipaul, Salman Rushdie and some others intrigued me; the books, I believe had a great impact on me.

On and off I kept this hobby alive by picking up books once in a while through recommendations et al. But, largely my life was getting increasingly dominated by computers which were(/are) an immediate entertainer, well, mainly attributed to the advent of the internet I believe. Momentarily I thought e-books might be the transition into this computer dominated age. But I quickly realized they cannot replace hard copies simply because the latter are more gratifying. True, the number of e-books in my humble collection of multimedia, is good enough to start a small school library; I hardly ever read them. I'm not sure how much successful the e-book readers, that are now getting increasingly popular in the markets, have been. But I'm still cynical about their impact on reading.

One of the mistakes I have made up until now is, not accepting the fact that I lost the habit of reading. The more I denied it, the more I moved away from reading books. I found myself borrowing books from the library only to leave them on the table until the due date of return. Notice the past tense :), because now I'm trying to accept that I have lost the interest and can try and revive it only by accepting it and making a conscious effort.

I hope the effort won't go in vain and in making sure it doesn't, I'm trying to couple it with other things I enjoy doing - having a good coffee ;) ! I think Borders might have the solution for me !!

Peace,

$ur

On the social front

2010-10-19T02:26:00.002+11:00

I must say that this semester has been quite rewarding in terms of socializing !! I guess the primary difference has been the change of residence. The place is more of a student accommodation than before though they are both meant to be essentially the same !

Well that started it off and then the new course has a very different ambience too. I'm pretty new to the whole non-technical form of study with more emphasis on the social, economic and political aspects. Hence I found it a little difficult, I must say, to get acclimatized to the sustainable energy context :) Well, the reason for having taken this course in the first place was to give myself some more time to figure out things; the next step in life at peace.

This of course coupled with a rather laid back attitude (acquired over the 2 yrs in Melbourne :P) looked like I was giving the semester a kind of a head start before I played catch up. Well, I can't say I was complacent, but maybe a little, perhaps, dunno..anyways so there I was playing catch up towards the mid semester.

Of course, I forgot to mention the other highlights of this semester which makes me call this semester a rather social one, which has given me a new perspective to life in Melbourne. Sometime during the semester start, we began having these so called "Dessert Nights", which sort of became a part of weekly routine until assignment work piled up :P Our main "adda" :D became Pepperoni's !! I have never been a big fan of dessert, but here I was week after week trying new dessert delicacies :) ha, I tell you, it was fun !

The social front took a leap with the new community kitchen concept quite unfamiliar to us previously. It gave us probably more chance to interact with people. It also gave me certain new cooking ideas which we most readily tried experimenting with quite satisfactory outcomes :) The culinary experience has been terrific all throughout the life here, but yes, it took a leap too with the added attraction to use both the grill and the bake at the new place !!

Then there was the much surprising Melbourne visit by CP. Now that played its part too I guess :D I bought the Metallica ticket worth 150 bucks in record time (there was absolutely not much of thinking involved) !! Well to be honest there was one point during this semester when it suddenly struck me, it looks like I'm living life a bit more carefree. I was even worried whether I was splurging a little too much. But then I guess I had a bit to spare after all ;) and the Aussie wind did blow past me a little :P

Today, after the last class of one of the courses for this semester, we went to the pub diagonally opposite our Uni building; I was just then reflecting how this semester has been. It has been a very different experience. Sometimes, its quite surprising how your whole outlook towards life changes when the things around you look different from the usual just because you have doing things a little differently - a new course, new place of stay, some new friends etc. I was telling my friend the other day that I think I've started to like Melbourne more ever since I moved to Carlton. Maybe it is Lygon Street, I was saying :)

Ha..life ;) !!

Peace,

$ur

Facebook

2010-10-13T18:52:00.004+11:00

Pessimist's Version -

No good has come out of posting on FB; but then why do we still post on FB ?? Is it because our online profiles are more rhetorical :P ??

Or is it just the sheer pleasure derived out of saying something totally bothering you; something you are psyched about; something to just know what others have to say about it, without having to ask them anything and making it unpleasant or awkward ?

Well, there can be a myriad number of reasons I suppose, just the different perspectives !!

Well, it may well be that people wanna share their thoughts on a wider scale, reach out to more people at the same time without having to repeat it !! But knowingly or unknowingly aren't we feeding the introverted part of our conscience ?

Optimist's Version -

Don't think too much !! Its just plaintive as this - to keep in touch, duh !?

A way for the less extroverted, to start opening up, perhaps !!

Well, whatever it was, did the inceptor think this much through ? I bet he didn't ! Its the people and their minds that give birth to these numerous meanings of materialistic life. Sometimes you'll be surprised if you stop to think,

"Almost everything is man-made"; we are all playing our parts as if it is all meant to be this way !!

A lingering thought ~ comments ?

Peace,

$ur

To break the silence..in communication

2010-09-13T00:55:00.001+10:00

I've wondered over the years what makes me concentrate at times and at other times be really fussed about not being able to !! Maybe it is coffee..is it ? Or is it the right attitude because of the feeling there is a purpose in doing something or not..!! Well, for one thing I'm loving that I can concentrate well now, but I hate it when I wake up the next morning just to find myself back in that state of distraction, those endless hours...ok I've already lost it..

Peace !!

$ur

\m/ Godsmack - A Tribute \m/

2010-04-17T23:25:00.000+10:00

I can't help but wonder why Godmack, such a godly awesome "Heavy" Rock band is so very less known and followed by hard and heavy rock and metal music fans !! I have asked many and they have of course heard of them; but back India, when I've been to gigs, none of the local bands ever played covers of Godsmack; more interestingly, they are hardly even spoken about in the Rock/Metal world than by few hardcore fans such as myself !

One of the things I like most about this band is the notably big difference in the singing style of Sully Erna, the front man and vocalist of Godsmack; which is I think is one of the purest forms of clean growling vocals. This is something which even death vocalists don't normally do. Death vocals - both the screech and growl versions, are something different altogether. It takes more practice, patience and even a whole of breathing and vocal exercises than clean singing; but blood curdling clean growls is something of the genetics than anything else and that I think is what distinguishes the singing style of Sully from others. Maybe this is also one of the main reasons why bands don't try to play their covers !!

They are widely popular in the US and are known to have some of the best live shows ever. They have been nominated for the Grammys several times and have toured around the world several times which have made them very popular. Well, this therefore sounds very paradoxical, when I say, their band merchandise is very rarely seen in the shops. I myself have inquired at many shops here in Australia , only to hear "Ah..Nah mate..we haven't got anything of Godsmack" ; I'm like why !!?? It is not like they don't know of the band here :P, but simply that they haven't got it.

I had this feeling therefore that, I have got to do something in my own way to let at least a few random blog readers know of this band. Maybe something like a tribute in the form a blog post dedicated to one of the best ever in the business and one of the bands I have been most loyal to, ever since I started my relationship with rock music. I'm sure people who have listened to Godsmack, are absolutely psyched about them; but for those of you are new this band and are fans of rock music, this is one of the bands you shouldn't miss listening to; correction, Head banging to \m/ !

11 Personal Recommendations - (For a complete experience, watch their videos !!)

Re-Align
Straight Out of Line
I Stand Alone - Live version
Doing the Best I Can
Voodoo
Changes
Serenity
Awake
Enemy
Releasing the Demons
Speak

\m/ Peace \m/,

$ur

Coffee Shot

2010-04-14T01:44:00.000+10:00

People,

I'm going to tell you something which I experienced today evening, while attending one of my classes here at the University. Well, the class was on Automotive Electronics. Well, the name sounds more interesting to me and it might even look nice like a brownie point , if I can put it under one of the course successfully passed, on my resume, but I tell you, it is a lot of pain !! Well, so as I was trying all I can to make the best use of the time in the class, I was failing again and again to get the much needed attention.

Milan, our lecturer, has this very interesting way of saying "Very Good" when he feels satisfied or comes across something "beautiful", which generally is a technological marvel more than anything else !! So he was just hopping from one application to the other touching briefly upon the fundamental electronics principles in each. Anyways, to me, it was one thing hearing about the new electronic gadgets now becoming an integral part of a modern car, but another thing altogether, trying to comprehend the working of it at a level of transistors, diodes, Op Amps and what not !!! So the point is, there was too much of new information enough to make my mind boggle. One could notice almost every one in our class struggling to keep up (; which basically was because the majority had absolutely no background in Electronics being Mechanical Engineers :D ) with Milan, who as usual in his very jovial tone was smoothly cruising along uttering a "Very Good" every now and then !

And finally, Milan gave us a much needed break. Off I ran to the nearest Turkish place to buy myself a latte !! It was meant to be more of a soother than anything else for my tired brain ! I have read previously about how the caffeine in coffee can stimulate your whole central nervous system, but experiencing it was a terrific feeling ! Well, the effect was pronounced or at least I felt it a lot more today than any time before, because there was a notable increase in the level of my concentration and attention span ! It was suddenly as if somebody put a decoder into my head (see, now I can even use electronics in my vocab, whoa :P !), as whatever sounded gibberish to me previously, made a lot more sense now ! It was like drinking a magic potion, lol ! I even tried to drink it slowly so as to take me through the entire class. Now as much as it sounds funny saying it now and maybe reading this :P, I really thought for a minute, I had found a permanent cure for my distraction ; a coffee shot !!

Peace,

$ur

Spreading the News !!

2010-04-11T02:07:00.003+10:00

Hi All,

All this time, I have been reading stuffs on things that have interested me over the past many years. Off late, I have become a big fan of stumbleupon.com One of the many websites which have really let my imagination take flight, I must say, with the way it works. You just specify your preferences and press the tab that reads "stumble" and BOOM, it takes you on a magical journey.

I'm in no way exaggerating the wonder of the site. My friends to whom I have mentioned this before, would have noticed the sparkle in my eyes when I've spoken about the same :D. Internet is something that came into existence round about when I was 15 yrs old. I also made my first email account when I was that age and I can tell you quite confidently that I have by far seen and been to almost "all types of websites" which most normal and abnormal people know about ; or at least I thought I had !!

Stumbleupon was actually stumbled upon by me or rather an old friend of mine send me an invite at a time when invites to the many, now quite popular, social networking sites were a thing of everyday's email list. Most of such mails went swiftly into my email trash folder, with me not even batting an eyelid while doing so, everyday !! But this one, some how made it into the other list of websites, which I actually, out of the curiosity of the name, clicked to find out whether they were any good ! At that point of time, I must admit that, I wasn't driven enough to the point of boredom, to give the website a closer look than just make an account and then forget about it until a month or so back.

About a month ago, I was so bored of my daily routine of checking gmail, facebook and orkut (in that order) ; that I started to think, isn't there something new that can make you feel that the internet is still kick-ass the way it used to be when it started off !!??

That is when I rediscovered stumbleupon ! Well, again I set my preferences or more or less edited and added new preferences to my old list and BOOM, I was off, in the hope that I would find something interesting !! Well, the last few weeks, though were pretty good, in terms of finding new unexplored websites, which only few loyal patrons knew of ; today I stumbled upon something totally cool and mind blowing.

Yes, if you have already checked out the link, without reading the boring details I wrote till now :P, you already know of the site !! It is called Academic Earth. The site has free video lectures from leading Universities around the world - Yale, Berkeley, MIT etc.. to name a few, on a variety of topics to tickle your quest for knowledge !! I myself, being a big fan of Psychology, went straight into the psychology section to find something interesting. Though cynical I was of such sites, as some of you might also be, that nothing in this world comes free ; I was actually very surprised to find a whole list of video lectures, power point presentations and course material presented in the order they were taught to students of psychology at Yale University, available to the common man for free !!!!

I felt a spasm of excitement to let my fellow mates know of this site as soon I finished taking my first introductory lecture of the course !!!

So here I'm blogging about the way I used stumbleupon to find something useful as this. Who knows, you may find something better. Please do share if you do, as knowledge grows only if you share it ;)

Cheers,

$ur