Keep Printing Your Life !

A one-sided idea of fun !

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 08:07:51 PDT

I absolutely love this, it does remind me of the tattered skateboard I hired from a friend of mine in the early years of life. I got a hang of it but had to return the board just about when I was getting used to the whole balancing maneuvers. It is about time to buy one and just try it for real. The original boards were short, longboards are more fun these days.

Air travel in 2050 !

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 05:15:43 PDT

This is an incredible journey into what the future for air travel will look like. Purely from a scientific perspective, the fundamentals and the technologies are available to achieve this vision, it is only a matter of time before we head into an experience that cannot be beaten !

Confusion & Wellness

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Mon, 02 May 2011 02:46:01 PDT

It has been a long time since I last blogged, there are a dozen reasons and probably more. A state of confusion is not the most healthy one to write, the last year and a half has been an amazing experience wherein the best I have done is what can be termed as introspection. I am still not sure if I know myself well, and that exploration is ongoing. Times have been tough ... had to do away with a lot of my savings to get my education, lived a life of a miser for obvious reasons and the emotional pressure of dealing with every day life was enough to keep my mind occupied with no bandwidth to spare. The inner voices took over and I couldn't really tackle them. I feel I have come out of it and am slowly getting back to my normal self. It is very difficult for some to pick up some of the threads of life once you take a break in your career .... boy that break happened to be the biggest shock I have experienced in terms of the people around me, the cultural environment I was under, the emotional pressure from the family back home ... it was unsettling ! The two super-long weekends came just at the right time to get rid of the sins for good and start feeling well once again !

What a packaging !

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Thu, 06 May 2010 12:54:53 PDT

Well ! I thought this was a great idea ... the pack along with the mouse is from a super compressed T-shirt packaging that I got as a freebie from one of the recruitment events today. Boy i thought this was worth blogging. It is neat though. BUT, soon as i opened the whole damn thing up ... I realized not a whole year of ironing can ever get the Tee into its normal shape ... another one that catches the eye but is down the drain ! Booooh BarCap !

Happiness only needs 2 wheels

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 01:13:44 PDT

Impressive advert by Honda India showcasing a fact that two wheelers have a special place on the roads in India. The young and the bubbly should not even try to embrace 4 wheelers when you know you are just happy on 2 !

Channel 4 - A ridiculous line up !

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:14:05 PST

I hate to say this and I could be the last person in this world to lose my cool over Channel 4's winter season. Wonder what they want to achieve with the line up ... it is totally immersed into everything related to the slums of Dharavi as if nothing else exists on this planet. How many times do you have to frame a story to make people realize a problem. They, in my view, are stupid enough to undo the good work that has been done by the philanthropists on this planet. I just want them to shut up for once because they are pseudo sensitive to the issue trying to gather more eyeballs than a cure to the problem. Absolutely disgraceful for a national broadcasting channel.

London New Year 2010

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:30:47 PST

I had a really hard time trying to chop and change the HD video into this low resolution one fit for YouTube. Happy New Year 2010 to everyone out there ! Excuse my camera shake as I was shivering in the cold out there at the embankment. The fireworks were brilliant as usual ... try and watch the whole video, the crescendo builds up as you go along !

Flashback | Wedding Days - March 2007

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 01:16:16 PDT

Created a collage of some of the pics that were accessible from my lappy here in London. The blog does lack a lot of pics from the wedding, promise to upload once I get my hands over the rest. Amazed with the frequency with which I am blogging these days ... looking forward to my retirement from work ;)

Apple !

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 14:06:29 PST

After a long while, I finally succumbed to a gadget show declaring that the IPhone was the device of the decade ! I havent been pulled into the Apple phenomenon considering my love for multimedia but I took the step to get into Apple's flagship store on Regent Street. I was surprised by the whole way of doing business. I asked one of the customer support folks whether Apple ever focusses on discounts especially on the IPhone and he was quick to pounce back by saying no one gets a discount on this device ... not even us ! I cannot understand the whole business of building on top of a platform with versions after versions that will only lead to dissatisfaction amongst the owners. They never have an upgrade option and that is what makes me hate Apple but boy was i stumped when i walked into that store. The shiny little gadgets in elegant black and white mix of colors talks about the simplicity of the whole experience. I think what Apple has succeeded in doing is that it transforms a complex piece of technical marvel into something that can so easily appeal to you when you hold it in your hand. No one else has been able to penetrate right into the heart of the customer ... not quite like Apple does. Walk into the technical service section, and you have to digest the fact that it is called a Genius Bar and is almost like a cocktail bar ! These guys are creative and full of imagination, business needs an Apple to really make sense of what customer choices lie in store in the 21st century but I still demand the missing piece in the phenomenally easy chess game that they are playing with their supreme black and white moves across the board ... and that is quite simply to give me an option to upgrade from my existing device through a trade-in or a discount ... I want the next version and Apple is only making difficult for me to secure one ! I have the right to take 1 off and give them a 4 out of 5.

3 Idiots !

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 07:19:17 PST

Great movie ... must watch for anyone who has ever experienced the education system in India. Plenty of moments to remind you of what it was like to have plain fun and to plant your mind back into those times. It does get wobbly when the director attempts to actively search for tears in the eyes of the audience and loses its plot in the second half. Overall, don't use your brains and let your heart feel the "aaaall is well" ! Go run to the theatres or get hold of your DVD/BR !

* Watched at the Cineworld on Piccadilly Circus (Tracadero) at 20:00 on Dec 26th 2009 - Boxing Day.

Avatar !

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 18:24:45 PST

Hats off to the imagination and the breathtaking special effects delivered by the team. James Cameron as always remains unconquered. I got a hint from Joel and off i went, enjoyed every bit of it ... it gets hung up in the spectacle but you cant count that against the team ... they have done a tremendous job and have given us an insight on how movie making is going to evolve in future. Goodbye actors, welcome Avatars ! :)

Web snaps from Michigan !

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:01:31 PST

Virtual family network with Aman in India and Big B + parents in U.S. Skype is the only thing that manages to get us close through video conferencing. These are some of the snapshots i took from the webcam while chatting to mom and dad ! Sartaj and Tavleen can be seen in the pics with Binny in his usual pyjamas !

Longboarders - Love em !

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 18:25:25 PST

All you kids out there. Stop messing around with the decade old sports and try something that clubs nature with your sporting hunger. I just adore these guys and the longboard manufacturer who is supporting them. My advice is to get the tools, go out to nature and start practicing ... stay close to earth, an inch over water or just wrapped in air ... sports should have been this way ! I remember i tried skateboarding when I was young and could not learn the tricks fast ... blame it on the manufacturer and it was an old one too ... Should i start again ... like to get in shape first !

Eureka !

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:03:57 PST

Love this pic only if it could have been taken by a DSLR. Not sure how many times I will stand over the Waterloo bridge doing nothing but trying to make sense of what the view in front really meant ! There are only a few places on Earth where you can stand and talk to yourself. This one is not far away !

Sir Roy Anderson at the Commemoration Day Ceremony 2009

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:46:46 PST

Here is a video from the Commemoration Day Ceremony this year that I found on college channel. The Rector has stepped down as he wanted to continue research in his field of interest. Sir Keith will be taking his position and is likely to be the one who would address our commemoration in 2010. The ceremony takes place in the Royal Albert Hall adjacent to the South Ken campus.

Monsoon 2009 | Flashback

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:07:47 PST

These are some pictures of a hailstorm during the last monsoon season in India while I was at home in Chandigarh. I just couldnt get up from the verandah facing the garden. The rain drops on the limes are just mouth watering ! You can never forget the smell of wet dirt back in India ... It is the best thing you can ever give to your soul ... I miss my DSLR :(

Uni Friends - Part 1

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:51:39 PST

Oh my you got to love the beer after a hectic day of lectures, well that is exactly what the MBA gives you ... drumloads of bitter juice to appease your stress levels. This is a pic from the Diwali bash in Soho where I was pictured with an obviously loose turban of mine. Forget that, just concentrate on the fun ... will ya ! Look at Joel at the back on the left ... he seems to have applied a Sensodyne Whitening recently! It is half past 12 at midnight and I got to go back to sleep ... business formals tomorrow ... sigh !

Imperial College London

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:23:24 PDT

A snapshot of the various Imperial College campuses around London including the South Ken campus that houses the Business School. This is a video shot from the air and gives a good overview of locations relative to the prime attractions of the City !

Aman along with John Deere !

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:15:09 PDT

Now thats what I call a lady fit to drive a tractor around the fields. Funny how the size looks a bit out of proportions though ... Notice the name plate on the front :) Its just our trac stranded at the cold storage plant.

Love where you live !

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:32:12 PST

A view of the London skyline from my apartment in Brentford at around 6:00 AM in the morning. Spectacular, soothing, its like chicken soup for my eyes. Love this city and love the people even more ... The M4 is bustling with activity as is the case on weekends. It is amazing to record the traffic patterns while I sit on my ass doing quizzes over the weekends.

Religion and Scientology

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:47:26 PDT

I am bewildered by the very thought of a religion started on absolutely basic fundamentals but innovated in the 21st century. Religion has a history and was started for a need and motivation that is relatively much stronger and more focused than the need to alleviate a few sins (painkillers can do the job for you if you think that is the problem). Religion has always been based on sound and unshaken fundamentals which form the basis of humanity. I question the need of a 21st century religion because the offer will obviously already have a substitute in another religion. The need is to have unity along with persistence of our strong beliefs and desires. Another religion doesn't solve a problem, it adds complexity to human life. The intention may be there but I strongly believe that the apostles of Scientology are establishing principles that exist on good ground in other religions. What people want is to pursue what they choose to be good for them and religions are meant to teach what good they have to offer. Merely packaging the century old fundamentals into a form that a new generation finds easy to relate to is like showing preference to remain uneducated about other religions. I question Scientology and I oppose it unless they can tell me how they differentiate themselves. They, according to me, are doing more harm than good in the long run.

Geared out of neutral !

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:14:05 PDT

Hiya ! Been a while since I have written anything useful while I was busy switching things with my professional life. I have finally got into a college of choice after struggling for 2 years keeping on track along with the pressure of work. Well, its done now and only needs to be dusted in a year ! The experience is enriching, powerful and motivating. The cohort is fabulous while I get to meet new folks every day ... Call it Speed Friend-making ... but you quickly realize that they make you feel important and of some worth on this earth. I will try penning my thoughts down whenever I get time away from my brain-drilling. I wont drop the pen this time ... hope to carry on writing ...

Image: Imperial College, South Kensington, London. The blue building in the foreground is the Faculty Building, and the large building to the right of the tower is the Electrical and Electronic Engineering building.

Back to Heaven !

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 06:40:58 PDT

The assignment came to an end finally, we got the unusual 2 piece baggage allowance which was a plus as we could pack more stuff in our journey back to home in India. The separation from England was comfortable, not the difficult one that i had to encounter in Belgium probably because the social network was not that strong. Here i am, happily typing on my keyboard, attending paths at home, savoring the taste of karhaah along with all the other small little experiences that make this place so very special. Its a place called Home and i wont change it ever ! never ever !:)

Top Gear - Jeremy with the smallest car in the world !

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:40:24 PST

Pay attention to a snippet where Jeremy is in the background of a BBC News broadcast. This car can go anywhere and so can the funniest fat guy in Britain :) I love to watch this show and this is only the first one of some more to come.

Scotland Winters !

kanwar.gill@gmail.com (Kanwar Gill) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 04:26:19 PST

The land of whiskies, warriors and winters - Scotland. This is from a trip back in November last year. The view is breathtaking, the history is bloody but the people are warm. It was a nice break after a long stretch in office ! sigh !