Just Reviews

Amazing islands on Earth

2016-01-15T01:14:00.000-08:00

When I discovered a chrome extension for new google earth picture for each new tab. This quickly has become a wonderful experience to explore earth remotely.

These are some extremely fantastic locations on Earth, very remote to humankind and was mostly inhabited until recently. Most of them are some sought of military air bases, tourist attractions & research centers.

1. Diego Garcia Military base, this is one island where land is like a ring. It's close to Maldives, in Indian ocean.

Google Earth view: https://goo.gl/maps/v8edrxyBirq

2. Kiribati Islands

Kiribati (/ˌkɪrɪˈbæs/; keer-ə-bahss or /ˌkɪrɪˈbɑːti/; keer-ə-bah-tee),[7] officially the Republic of Kiribati (Gilbertese: Ribaberiki Kiribati),[8][9][10][11][12] is an island nation in the central Pacific Ocean. The nation comprises 33 atolls and reef islands and one raised coral island; Banaba. They have a total land area of 800 square kilometres (310 sq mi)[13] and are dispersed over 3.5 million square kilometres (1,351,000 square miles).

: https://goo.gl/maps/jwGzyyDqCsH2

https://goo.gl/maps/Eu2hoJbBb6M2 : this is in mid of pacific ocean, all they could build is a runway.

4. Cook Islands:

The Cook Islands (i /ˈkʊk ˈaɪləndz/; Cook Islands Māori: Kūki 'Āirani[4]) is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand. It comprises 15 islands whose total land area is 240 square kilometres (92.7 sq mi). The Cook Islands' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), however, covers 1,800,000 square kilometres (690,000 sq mi) of ocean.

https://goo.gl/maps/kbN5cDwi2oT2

5. Unknonwsn

5. Tuomotus Islands:

https://goo.gl/maps/wL4VgXFx71M2

6. Tuvalu Islands:

Tuvalu (i /tuːˈvɑːluː/ too-vah-loo or /ˈtuːvəluː/ too-və-loo), formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, midway between Hawaii and Australia. It comprises three reef islands and six true atolls spread out between the latitude of 5° to 10° south and longitude of 176°to 180°, west of the International Date Line. Tuvalu has a population of 10,837 (2012 census). The total land area of the islands of Tuvalu is 26 square kilometres

https://goo.gl/maps/3JLQzMzL8HE2

7. Enewetak Atoll

Enewetak Atoll (also spelled Eniewetok; Marshallese: Ānewetak, [æ̯ænʲee̯ɔ̯ɔ͡ɛɛ̯dˠɑk], or Āne-wātak, [æ̯ænʲee̯-ɒ̯ɒ͡ææ̯dˠɑk][1]) is a large coral atoll of 40 islands in the Pacific Ocean and with its 850 people forms a legislative district of the Ralik Chain of the Marshall Islands. Its land area totals less than 5.85 square kilometres (2.26 sq mi), is not higher than 5 metres and surrounds a deep central lagoon, 80 kilometres (50 mi) in circumference.

https://goo.gl/maps/KVxor8Bpbzr

8. Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands

Kwajalein Atoll (/ˈkwɑːdʒəlᵻn/; Marshallese: Kuwajleen [kʷuɒ͡æzʲ(æ)lʲɛːnʲ])^[1] is part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). The southernmost and largest island in the atoll is named Kwajalein Island, which its majority English-speaking residents (about 1000 mostly U.S. civilian personnel) often called by the shortened name, Kwaj /ˈkwɑːdʒ/. 13,500 Marshall Islanders live on the rest of the atoll, mostly on Ebeye Island. The total land area of the atoll amounts to just over 6 square miles (16 km²).

The atoll lies in the Ralik Chain, 2,100 nautical miles (3900 km) southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii, at 8°43′N 167°44′E.

https://goo.gl/maps/ZUNMHRbah1R2

drive to Chilkuru Visa Balaji - a Hundi-less temple in Hyderabad

2012-06-21T13:10:00.005-07:00

Chilkuru is a welcoming village located South west of Hyderabad about 29kms from the city center.
The day we visited the temple, It was a pleasant weather, being closer to seasonal shift from Hot summer to Rains.
As soon as we had the darsanam, it started raining, & we were lucky to enjoy the first rains at this holy place.
It is being believed if any task is undone & with dedication when performing 11 rounds (called pradakshinas) of Lord Balaji creates a positive flow & make the wish come true. Enjoying the fulfilled wish, people comes in thousands to perform another 108 rounds of Lord Balaji's temple.

Driving directions from Center of City via O.R.R (outer ring road)

1. After passing Mahedipatname when going towards Madhapur, enter the ORR starting point
2. After about 11 kms of drive take Exit 18 towards Vikarabad Road
3. At roundabout - take 2nd Exit towards Himayat Sagar Road (pass by Masjid-e-Qamar)
4. Another 11 kms and reach the chilkuru balaji temple.

Link to Google map: http://goo.gl/maps/np0n

Things to remember:
temple timings : everyday 6am - 8pm
aarti timings: 7am and 7pm
rush days: Fri, Sat & Sun

nice article: http://chilkurbalajitemple.blogspot.in/

Mom's 12 month Achaar Prep

2012-06-13T05:10:00.001-07:00

This fine Sunday on 10th, mom decided to make her delicacy "Aam ka Achaar" - ( its a traditional preparation of Indian Mango pickle which stays good for more than 12 months)

As it was raining the day before (the first rain of the season), mom said this is the best time to prepare Achaar as it stays better for longer duration when made during the first rain. So, we went shopping for Raw mangoes at about 7am, being a Sunday it was very busy at weekly Market (Gunj sabji mandi). I was enjoying the ambiance, as this was the same place I was born & grew in my teens. Embarked all memories we shopped for about 3Kgs of Mangoes to prepare about 5Kgs of Pickle.

As a picture speaks thousand words, (a memory through pictures) :

1. Gunj Mata Temple (Durga Temple) right opposite to our ancestors home built by our grand-father. Still remember P.O box no 12.

2. Sorting the pieces to remove any seed, as this will spoil the pickle & drying up the mango pieces

3. The Spices & Oil mix

4. Final turnover & ready to be mixed

5. ACHAAR

Evolution of Indian Roads - Outer Ring Road is the beginning

2012-05-31T23:02:00.002-07:00

Finally, I got a chance today to take a quick drive on ORR. On my return from Rajiv Gandhi Airport, Hyderabad, I checkout a V turn one towards Hyderabad & the other for Bangalore. I remembered ORR to be just adjacent to the airport road. I swiftly took an exit to check out the future road-structure of India with 8 lanes for about 158km (about 100 miles). I assume the Infrastructure & base construction standards are taken from European standards of France.

Goodies:

1. Naming Conventions for Type of Roads, Exit info etc

2. Tolls on exit, no traffic slowing up as in European roads

3. Exit are simple U turns, easier for less literate Truck Drivers to follow

Further Improvements:

1. Naming convention to be English, Hindi, Native Language, its presently named as English, Telugu, Hindi. this will impose for every state in India to follow the same naming conventions.

2. Need to distribute safety measures or more info. on ORR printed with toll receipts to educate Truck drivers & other naive commuters.

Toll-rates:

Pictures:

An hour spent with Auto-rickshaw pollution to accommodate Indian political activity - Hyderabad Metro is long awaited

2012-05-24T22:54:00.000-07:00

A two-wheeler has proven to be the best way to beat traffic in Urban cities of India. While commuting from Ameerpet to Himayatanagar in Hyderabad, I usually prefer driving a two-wheeler & taking Raj Bhavan road for its natural & beautiful ambiance.

Today, I assume due to some political event at Raj Bhavan (an official residence of Governor of Andhra-Pradesh), acted as a curse for hefty traffic jams at Punjagutta Road, Raj Bhavan Road & Greenland's Road during peak morning weekday commute hours of the city. This made the usual 15 minute commute at morning times to more than an hour making an exhausting start to the bright sunny day.

Being stuck in traffic (without wearing a helmet) & finding my way ahead forward I have to inhale dense smokes due to burning of carbon fuel in Auto-rickshaws & RTA buses (an Auto-ricksaw in India is usually meant as three wheeled cabin motor-cycle as a vehicle for hire).

And this made the usual 1/4 hour commute to about an hour.
I wonder, an additional 3/4 hour was worth spending to accommodate Indian political activity ?

More about Auto-rickshaw bans around the developing countries:

In July 1998, the Supreme Court of India ordered the Delhi government to implement CNG or LPG (Autogas) fuel for all autos and for the entire bus fleet in and around the city.^{[citation needed]} Delhi's air quality has improved with the switch to CNG. Initially, auto rickshaw drivers in Delhi had to wait in long queues for CNG refueling, but the situation has improved with the increase of CNG stations. Certain local governments are pushing for four-stroke engines instead of the current two-stroke versions. Typical mileage for an Indian-made auto rickshaw is around 35 kilometers per liter of petrol (about 2.9 L per 100 km, or 82 miles per gallon [United States (wet measure), 100 miles per gallon Imperial (United Kingdom, Canada)]. Pakistan has passed a similar law prohibiting auto rickshaws in certain areas. CNG auto rickshaws have started to appear in huge numbers in many Pakistani cities.

In January 2007 the Sri Lankan government also banned two-stroke trishaws to reduce air pollution. In the Philippines^[18] there are projects to convert carburated two-stroke engines to direct-injected via Envirofit technology. Research has shown LPG or CNG gas direct-injection to be retrofit-able to existing engines in similar fashion to the Envirofit system.^[19] In Vigan City majority of tricycles-for-hire as of 2008 are powered by motorcycles with four-stroke engines, as tricycles with two-stroke motorcycles are prevented from receiving operating permits. Direct injection is standard equipment on new machines in India.^[20]^[21]

In March 2009 an international consortium coordinated by the International Centre for Hydrogen Energy Technologies initiated a two-year public-private partnership of local and international stakeholders aiming at operating a fleet of 15 hydrogen-fueled three-wheeled vehicles in New Delhi's Pragati Maidan complex.^[22] As of January 2011, the project was upon completion.

Refer:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto_rickshaw#Fuel_efficiency_and_pollution

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyderabad_Metro
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2001-12-27/hyderabad/27219830_1_main-problems-private-hospitals-traffic

Collection of coins from Countries traveled

2012-05-23T14:20:00.001-07:00

Traffic near Indira Gandhi Statue Junction at Prasad's IMAX, Hyderabad

2012-01-16T07:22:00.000-08:00

I'm sure pretty much everyone who lives in Hyderabad must have experience the hefty traffic delay at Indira Gandhi Statue junction at the intersection of Prasad's IMAX road & Necklace road.
Specially at peak times during mornings & evenings of weekdays it becomes a pain crossing this intersection. Even traffic police are helpless at times.
The GHMC may have future plans for a Flyover connecting the bridge from Khairtabad junction to road for NTR gardens, this is both expensive & time-consuming outcome.
A simple, quick & cost-effective solution should be lifting the Indira Gandhi's statue 20-25 feets of the ground & completely removing the huge round circle (with grass grown garden), & installing intersection traffic control lights. The time consuming round circle, with messed up vehicles can be avoided & a regulated flow of traffic will be arranged.

72 feet Ganesh Idol in Pune

2011-04-24T09:03:00.000-07:00

Everytime we travelled across NH4 (highway between Pune-Mumbai), we kept watching this huge Lord Ganesh's idol which can be noticed from a distance. Situated on a hill top, with its beautiful location & ambiance, its a wonder within itself.

It is situated over Sahyadri Mountains, nearby Talegoan, just after crossing the Toll plaza on NH4 towards Mumbai.

The beautiful idol is 72 feets in height made from Iron, Cement & Concrete with Copper coating. It took 2 years to complete it, weighing about 1000 Tonnes. After climbing 179 stairs, one can get to this beautiful location on a nice evening.

Use the following link to get here:
Birla Ganpati Temple

Best Investment Apartment / Piece of land

2010-10-10T07:38:00.000-07:00

I've been exposed to land dealings right from my child-hood. I loved the excitement when my dad used to take me to all the deals he made.
If we try connecting dots w.r.t. evolution of Human race, all of the wars were fought for one main reason "Land". Of-course, resources follows with land.

With this belief, a piece of land is considered to be a best investment. But with Urban limits being getting shorter the concept for apartments in India had taken a chain reaction to evolve & be a huge industry with lot of employment & diversion of farmers to construction & related workers.

Since the IT sector boomed in India, lands & houses begun to soar. India still has one great resource, English speaking, smart thinking & less expensive work-force w.r.t. developed countries.
But, is it the only nation with similar attributes? How about China raising its GDP & getting into all manufacturing industries?
Or, the other countries are lagging due to there communication skills? Considering, this fact the IT services sector from India, will be facing a huge competition in years to come.

Also, it is now clear property is booming for one main reason 'IT', professionals aren't able to realize the 'liability' they are building when buying a apartment in form of % interest, taxes, maintenance etc specially when leasing one from bank.
Another factor is about demand & supply, supply will be in abundant than demand when IT services companies starts feeling the pinch in coming years.

Considering the higher currency one needs to shell out, with building partnerships still a piece of land is a great investment to go for, not a piece in a building.

Normal Blood Pressure Range

2010-05-26T08:42:00.000-07:00

Following is the chart which would give a brief idea when you have a BP monitor at home which I purchased one for my GrandPa :)

There are plenty available, but I liked the wrist band size, very portable & handy.

http://www.omronwebstore.com/products/blood_pressure_monitors/blood_pressure_wrist

Blood pressure

A person's BP is usually expressed in terms of the systolic pressure and diastolic pressure, for example 120/80 mmHG.

The following classification of blood pressure applies to adults aged 18 and older. It is based on the average of seated BP readings that were properly measured during 2 or more office visits.

Classification of blood pressure for adults
Category	systolic, mmHg	diastolic, mmHg
Hypotension	< 90	< 60
Normal	90 – 120	and 60 – 80
Prehypertension	121 – 139	or 81 – 89
Stage 1 Hypertension	140 – 159	or 90 – 99
Stage 2 Hypertension	≥ 160	or ≥ 100

Would you like to listen whats the radio station your adjacent car is on to?

2010-03-13T18:35:00.000-08:00

On my way back from San Francisco, I was listening to radio at FM 105.3, I was thinking if I have a sensor which gets the frequency range of the adjacent car's antenna tuned to, & have this to auto-tune my station.
Its like having a separate button on your music system to "Tune to your adjacent car's station". So at the back-end this sensor senses the frequency & send the specific information, say 105.3Hz on FM, it will auto-tune itself to the same frequency.

And as far as sensors, with wide application of RFID sensors from toll collection to Identity monitoring, a particular sensor to identify variation in modular frequency.

Another application, depending on the radio station one listens too, many things can be revealed.
AM1070: Hindi / Punjabi channel in bay-area, specifically many to be NRI's are on to this tune.
FM101.3MHz: Soft / Metal : One of my fav.
FM105.3MHz: Rock : One of my fav.

2010-03-13T17:17:00.001-08:00

Yelping :

Some of my reviews to the places around.

Recent reviews by Sagar Agarwal

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A. R. Rahman - Is he the best musician?

2009-10-24T16:46:00.001-07:00

Allah Rakha Rehman (A. R Rehman), Indian film composer, musician & singer is truly the best for the current time & ages to come.

He has been awarded with 13 Filmfare awards (its one of the oldest & prestigious award event for Indian Movies) & with 4 National Awards. His music not only blessed Indians, but its now globally accepted to be the best. And why not, "Slumdog Millionaire", an Indo-British movie, won Oscar for the best motion picture for 2008 & made it mark specially for its music. This was a first solid opportunity for Rahman to get a deserving Global exposure & he scored on the first go.

National achievements weren't enough, now he is acclaimed with 3 awards at two most prominent Award events, he is the first Indian to get a Golden globe award & first Indian to get TWO Academy Awards (Original Score & Original Song for 2008), what an achievement.

Started his career with a small mixing studio in his backyard which was later developed to be the most advanced recording studio in India. He played Keyboard & piano in his rock band "Nemesis Avenue" at Chennai. He now plays keyboard when he compose music, that's the reason apart from his music composing talent the creative tunes from his Keyboard makes it to be the best. :)

And why not he is also the world's "all-time top selling recording artist" for more than 300 million music media to be sold by far.

One of his masterpiece is "Fanaa" from the movie album "Yuva" & to get an essence of how great he is at the keyboard listen to this "O Humdum Suniyo Re" from the movie album "Saathiya".

And obviously the very famous "Jai Ho" with A. R. Rahman & Pussycat Dolls, featuring Nicole Scherzinger. But this track isn't even any closer to his other ones :)

Top 10 TV Shows

2009-10-16T21:20:00.000-07:00

I've been watching TV shows for a while now & for what I've seen this is what I think (In fact I might have seen like 20-25 in all, so too early to list them out, but still best by far to me :))) ):

1. Lost (2004-Present):
A plane crash at a wrong / weird place & with survivors on them. And its just one island in there horizon with lot of mysteries to be explored... Best in its first & fifth season. Will be back in Jan 2010 with its final sixth season. The best I feel by far "Get lost in LOST"
Check out on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0411008/

2. Entourage (2004-Present):
Entourage (A group surrounding a Special Person). Really does stands for its name. Vincent Chase "Vince" is a struggling Hollywood actor, starts the series with a hit movie in his bag. And his three friends, its a nice LA /Hollywood based story. Specailly look for the role of "Ari Gold" played by Jeremy Piven
Check out on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387199/

3. True Blood (2008-Present):
If you like Vampires, this is the show to watch out. The world now co-exists between humans & Vampires, with Artificial blood for Vampires "True Blood", so both the races can co-exist. Lot of thrill & on the wire on particular second seasons rocks.
Check out on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0844441/

4. Prison Break (2005-Present):
This series run with the seasons, first the best & looses its charm with its seasons. But still first two were simply good. Wentworth Miller acting as Michael Scofield, [extraordinarily smart] planning to eacape his brother who is in prison from a death sentence.
Check out on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455275/

5. Rome (2005-2007):
Set in 52B.C, nice sets, nice costumes & nice plot. One of its kind & very good show.
Check out on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384766/

6. Heroes (2006-Present):
Based on super-natural powers to handful special humans. How are they connected, a nice sci-fi & truly addictive.
Check out on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0813715/

7. Reapers (2007-Present):
Sam Oliver is owned by Satan, revolves around this ordinary guy, who now is working for Satan as a soul Reaper. Aesome comedy act from Tyler Labine
Check out on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0955322/

8. Friends (1994-2004):
Most popular show around the globe, I used to watch this when I was in India. Filled with comedy, romance & lot of funn & trust me you wont stop laughing on this one.
Check out on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108778/

9. Hung (June 2009-P):
Newest show in 2009, a very different & truly hilarious. Haha, really different :)
Check out on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1229413/

10. The Black Donnellys (2007):
It is based on 4 Irish brothers for whom family does matters. Based in New-York on how they get into crime, young blood. Didn't make to its second season due to some ban issues, but first was amazing.
Check out on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0805661/

Lick Observatory at Mount Hamilton

2009-08-30T19:03:00.000-07:00

With such a short distance from San Jose, this is the place where you can let go all the summer heat & get above the clouds. Trust me with not more than 30 miles from San Jose this can be one nice evening hangout. And if you like driving on nice hilly roads, you would feel completely satisfied with the drive. ;)

Again I forgot to pick up my camera, but look at the 3 different images of this location which I googled out.

Location:
SanJose, Summit of, Mount Hamilton, CA 95140
(408) 274-5061
Web: http://mthamilton.ucolick.org/

Hours:
Mon - Fri: 12:30pm - 5:00pm
Sat - Sun: 10:00am - 5:00pm

I visited this place for the second time but this time it was different. I was all planned for a nice evening, but cops ruined it as I was unaware that this place cannot be visited after 5PM so all my sunset plans were in a hole. But still anytime any day this place is simply beautiful. This place keeps remaining me of a famous hill-station in India "Ooty".

Directions from San Jose Down-Town:
1. Take 280S after about 2 miles trake Alum Rock Exit & turn Right.
2. After about 1.7 miles take CA130(Mount Hamilton Road), drive for about 22 miles to destination on right.
(This will take about 40 minutes as this is 30MPH speed limit, but such a nice drive)

For more information look at this wiki page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lick_Observatory

Gilroy Hanuman Temple

2009-08-09T16:53:00.000-07:00

The first time I visited this temple was in the month of August in 2009; since then I'm a regular devotee.

I haven't taken any pictures at the first time. Though, during this Tuesday's visit in Aug 2013, I captured some stills. As pictures speaks, Mount Madonna's natural winsomeness will attract anyone visiting here... One reason this was not very famous among Indians earlier in Bay-Area is, this is managed by Native Americans.

But trust me you wouldn't regret going there for a nice time over Saturday evening. I mention on going on Saturday, as it is considered to be the day of Lord Shri Hanuman, though anyday is a good day to visit :).. And as it is believed that praying to Lord Hanuman relieves any obstacle or that 'undone' task where everything goes wrong without any reason, so just one visit will attract you for ever...

I heard about it for the first time as "Gilroy Hanuman Temple" though it is actually called as "Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple" and it is located in Watsonville; on top of Mount. Madonna. During the course of five years, it has now developed extra parking spots to now accommodate more than seven dozens of cars. It is most recommended to make an early day (if Saturday visit) reservation online on their portal. And get ready for an amazing driving experience, sometimes the drift in the weather may also be 10-20 F. Mt. Madonna center makes truly an ideal and wonderful location to worship Shri Ram's param bhakt and "Sankat mochan Shri Hanumanji".

Saturday Online Parking Reservations (11am - 7pm):

Temple has started to accept only online parking reservations for 10 people in ONE car due to hefty devotees visiting the temple, quickly register & make an online reservation at: http://www.hanumanfellowship.org/temple/reservations/

Note: Reservations for Saturday visit are accepted only until 7pm on Friday night.

Saturday Dinner Reservations (for after 7pm):
Call and reserve at: 408-846-4065

Address:

445 Summit Rd. Watsonville, CA 95076

Directions (FROM North/East/West bay-area):

Few GPS doesn't take you here, as mine didn't work so I have to take directions on a paper:

You can use following link to get google directions & remember after you get onto Summit Rd, take the final left meticulously (look for the sign with flowers on your left):

View Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple in a larger map

Notes:

At 6 PM everyday, they have a Aarati & Bhajans going-on for atleast 30-45 mins. I would say this is the time to be at this place. Aarati & bahajan's are Indian traditional way to worship & pray the Lord. Also if possible try taking some organic fruit like banana / apples, or any fresh store / home-made Indian sweets so this can be distributed as God's prasad (like holy food with God's blessings) after the Aarati.

Volunteers are needed weekends and holidays. Please email temple@mountmadonna.org or inquire with a Temple Docent about volunteer opportunities.

Finally have a wonderful time there as its very close to nature & mountains, I found deer's as close as my arm's distance on my first visit & the location is simply amazing...

At Web & Reference: http://www.hanumanfellowship.org/temple/home/

Other Links for more information:

Go through http://www.mountmadonna.org/ for complete information about this place has to offer.
Also www.hanumanfellowship.org has complete information about this temple right from history of the temple to activities & re-creation / peace center by the devotees .

Scanned copy from Flyers I received from the Temple: