Metamorf

Everything that has a beginning

2006-10-22T09:50:00.000-07:00

...has an End!

Metamorf with some others is breathing it's last few.

Soon, they'd go up in flames, and their ashes would become one with the rest of the online world.

Long live the change.

Technorati tags: end, death, the+end, killing, interment

Enshrine Mediocrity

2006-10-19T10:18:00.000-07:00

Have you ever taken part in a handwriting competition run by illiterates? Even after knowing that the judges don't like the fact that you know how to write? And that too beautifully?

Even if you know they'd admire a scrawl by a two-year old and render it a masterpiece against yours?

No, there's no doubt about how good your writing is, but would you still go ahead and participate when you know that they don't like to see you winning?

And you ask yourself why?

In Ayn Rand's words, "Enshrine mediocrity—and the shrines are razed."

Reasons are not far away.

Another quote by Ayn Rand goes "Mediocrity doesn't mean average intelligence, it means an average intelligence that resents and envies its betters."

Sorry for the long break. But I was a little caught up watching some Shrines being razed. Boy, mediocrity is in!

Technorati tags: mediocrity, ayn+rand, shrine, politics, envy

Careless Mistake

2006-09-19T22:38:00.000-07:00

You burnt the midnight lamp. You watched your every move. You decided that you will not follow. You decided to lead no one. You peered long into the distance both sides, and then crossed roads. You caressed flowers ever-so-slowly so as to not wake them up. You dreamt cautiously and never told anybody. You made your own rules. You defied gravity. You walked roads people never knew of. You indulged in finesse even at a premium. You knew no limits, and pushed those you knew. You urged the feeble to go against the flow. You day-dreamed of a blissful tomorrow. You enthused the sober, and tamed the wild. You schemed a plan that worked the way you wanted. You made everything to work just as you wanted.

And then, a small mistake. Just one small mistake.

And you realise how small you are.

And your whole life whirlwinds around you in staccato bursts, and reveals a different meaning everytime it goes around. Notes that you never heard before. Notes so alien, that you don't know if they make a cacophony or a symphony.

And then, you settle to believe, that you should take it in your stride. Or maybe, misTake it in your stride?

Technorati tags: carelessness, mistake, hurt, depression

Corporate Cannibalism

2006-09-13T12:42:00.000-07:00

Their backbones are supported by high-backed chairs,
They just can't justify the position they weild,
A trooper you are and will always remain,
For these are the people who run the guild.

Their weapons are not steel, and they don't shine,
They don't hurt your flesh, and no red trickles,
They'll still hurt you worse, and make you whine,
For their remarks are stones, and insults sickles.

Each single trooper, yearns climbing up the ladder,
But then each crab watches, and never let's go,
Nobody escapes and the world gets madder,
And the top of the heap watch the premiere of the show.

They cover their faces for they don't want to be known,
And hide behind emails, and wage a war guerilla,
Seven wonders of the world, they would have themselves flown,
But then for nothing, why rake all the moolah?

And then I ponder alone, time and again,
A day should arrive, and render all as equals,
Even if it means losing everything in vain,
Just turn everything to dust and make no sequels.

Technorati tags: corporate, corporate+culture, manager, frontrunner, politics, office+politics

Harry met Sally

2006-09-06T11:05:00.000-07:00

And he finally meets her.

She is the one, he knows.

She doesn't.

Technorati tags: love, confusion, expression, how+to, harry+met+sally

Just around the corner

2006-08-16T08:49:00.000-07:00

He had always expected something around the corner. Something that his fantasies and imagination drew for him to ponder. What would he come across the next corner?

And then around one of them, the innocent corners, he found life. He was overjoyed, but soon the joy faded in intriguing miserable confusion. Where was he? Was he confronting life, indeed?

As he watched jaw-dropped, the apparition drew a sickle, and it was red. But not with rust. The next moment he found himself incapacitated, his arm twisted, his joie de vivre muffled, and life swiped the sickle. His throat sprinkled the last justifications, but he could not explain. He could not explain to himself why life was so unjust.

Something that had been always so incomprehensible—the pain, the agony, the politics, the you-have-to-do-this-for-no-reason-whatsoever, the you-have-to-explain-your-moves gagged him.

"Why do I have to be like everyone in the herd? Why can I not prowl alone?"

His quest continues...

Technorati tags: just+around+the+corner, life, pain, confusion, candid+writing, automatic+writing

Metatoon #5: Your kinda music

2006-07-29T12:49:00.000-07:00

Technorati tags: music, metatoon, cartoons, funny, music, internet+humor

A few quick updates

2006-07-25T08:17:00.000-07:00

Here we are again! And like always, you too must be having a tough time at your workplaces (I have seen a few speedbreakers, recently). I am so, so glad that we have this place where we can sit together and blabber nonsense for hours, never waiting to ponder whether somebody's listening or not. Anyway, it's more like a relay race out here at Metamorf. And it's because of all the folks that come together to Jam and Rock the place!

We have tried figuring out each others' mailbox sizes, tried scouring flickr to figure out what our names look like and done a zillion other hyper-zealous stuff to unwind.

Srinivas is the one who has consumed his GmailBox the least (12MB! Why did you ever need a Gmail account? :^D) and no points for guessing who consumed the most ;^).

I'll leave it to all of you to decide whose name looks best on flickr.

We had a few quirky polls too, and for those of you who missed the action, we have some amazing results!

POLL RESULT: Out of 58 people, 23 said they'd like to see more Lifehacks on Metamorf, 3 Went in for Podcasts, 8 for ponderables, 9 for MetaToons, and a surprising 15 wanted to talk about relationships.

POLL RESULT: When 66 people were asked how their first love was like, 30 said they couldn't come out of it, 13 said it was just a crush, 8 were ditched by their partners, 9 still wonder what love is, and it worked out for a mere 6 people.

ONGOING POLL: Out of 26, 8 would die for a friend, and a Whopping 18 would watch a friend dying! Let's watch what wins—friendship or practicality.

Technorati tags: quick+updates, polls, flickr, Gmail, poll+results, blogging

Back to Bloggin' Action!

2006-07-21T11:31:00.000-07:00

The blogs went down. And pretty bad at that.

And slowly, they are springing back to life. The ISPs were pretty fast at pulling the blogs down, but they are (competing with snails at) being slow when it comes to put them back in action again. Even after the go ahead.

I use Airtel, and I got my blog back again today and I didn't have to use a bypass to get to it!

Yipee!

Technorati tags: blogger, blogspot, blog+ban, blog+ban+lifted, ISP+block+blog, blogging

Gametime: Face the Name

2006-07-12T10:24:00.000-07:00

Okay, what I actually meant to say was "Add a face to that Name!". Hmmm, that's on a pretty hyper fun-quest, and I just invented this one to figure out what we all would come up with!

How to play the Game?

1. Go to http://flickr.com.

2. Use your first name to search photos.

3. Right click on the first image that you see, and get the URL.

4. Paste the URL in the comments. Add your first name as well! :)

Whoopee!

Technorati tags: flickr, game, fun, photos, name

Add me up!

2006-07-10T11:31:00.000-07:00

Well, are you on ryze, orkut or linkedin?

If so, then we should connect and network!

My orkut scrapbook awaits your scraps. And so does my Ryze page. Then, if you prefer being LinkedIn, look for Amit Deshpande, and add directly by using amitdeshpande at gmail dot com.

For all you people who don't use the aforementioned, add your URL to the comments section of this page. Not only for me, but for all other Metamorfers to be able to reach you! Shoot me an email to say hi, if that works best for you! :^)

Technorati tags: connect, networking, social+networking, social, friends, linkedin, orkut, ryze, blogger

When Sufi meets Jazz

2006-07-08T09:34:00.000-07:00

Inspired by recordings of the late great Sufi singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Brook Martinez founded Brook's Qawwali Party in 2004 as an experiment. What would happen if New York jazz musicians were to play and improvise around the melodies of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan? From this idea, Brook's Qawwali Party was born. BQP consists of fourteen musicians: five horns, three percussionists, guitar, acoustic bass, harmonium and three designated clappers. The exuberant sound of BQP has been enthusiastically welcomed in New York City and across the globe.

Technorati tags: music, nusrat+fateh+ali+khan, sufi, qawwali, allah+hoo, dam+mast+kalandar

Job Hunt: VC++ Developer

2006-07-04T23:20:00.000-07:00

VC++ Developer - BANGALORE

Responsibilities:
Developing products and services that make online computing safer and more secure. Should specialize in or have a strong inclination towards Spyware Technologies, Anti Virus / Spam / Mail Solutions.

Requirements:

Education: Candidate must possess at least a BCA, BE/ B.Tech , MCA, M.Sc (Computer Science) or equivalent.

Skill(s): MFC, VC++, TCP/IP, COM/ DCOM

At least 1 year(s) of working experience in the specified field is required for this position.

Focus on Internet Security issues and any candidate would have to have a understanding of the developments in the field. Candidates familiar with Antispy/Spyware technology, Spam/Mail solutions are preferred.

Please shoot your resumes to amitdeshpande at gmail dot com with the subject SECURUS.

Technorati tags: job, vc++, Internet+Security+job, VC+Jobs, COM+DCOM, job+opening+bangalore

Twist 3

2006-06-21T06:13:00.000-07:00

We had amazing interaction during the time when we played the How many game (you can go back and check it out, and maybe rekindle the fire there).

Yipee! It's game time again. And this one is suggested by Amit Kulkarni, a keen Metamorfer.

It's called the Twist 3.

How to play? Well, the player before you throws 3 words at you, and you use them in a sentence. Paste the sentence in the comments, and add your own three words for the next commenter.

Let's start with 3 words.

important, photos, mean

Technorati tags: games, interesting, funny, humor, humour, play

How to achieve your objectives

2006-06-16T03:19:00.000-07:00

Knowing what you want is important

In the recent past, I have found many people who didn't know where they wanted to go. Also, there were others who exactly knew where they wanted to reach—they had well defined objectives.

At times, only defining the objectives and working towards them is not sufficient. It may also occur to one later, that all the efforts were in vain if things were not well orchestrated.

Reasons for Failure

The two main reasons that are the cause of failure in realizing one's objectives are:

Incorrect Direction

Insufficient Magnitude

When you know where you want to reach, say 'A cyber law expert in the next 4 years', then a wrong direction, like the devoted study of Chemistry is of no use.

If you know the correct direction, but if you are putting in very less effort to achieve your goals, they may not be realized. Not studying hard enough for a "cyber law" examination which will aid you to be an expert in 4 years time (which in actuality turns out to be a six year affair) is unacceptable.

Okay, here we go.

Define Fuzzy goals.

Fuzzy Goals are abstract long term goals. These could be like "I want to make a motion picture in the future" or "I want to be able to communicate with extra-terrestrials".

Be practical in what you intend to do. It depends on an individual's understanding of resources and effort required to realize the fuzzy goals, and what he considers to be practicable. For somebody, making a motion picture may sound viable, but communicating with extra-terrestrials a big no-no.

UnFuzz your Goals one step at a time.

The intention now is to make the Fuzzy Goal much more tangible. You will have to add more detail to what you want to achieve.

Let us UnFuzz the Fuzzy Goal "I want to make a Motion Picture in the future".

Adding details one attribute a time, we have the following list:

a. When: by the end of 2010

b. What: A Musical/Drama/Science Fiction

c. Language: English

d. Budget: Less than INR 100000 (Recorded on MiniDV format, and roping in friends to act.)

e. Target audience: Film festivals for parallel cinema

Setting Intermediate Goals.

Now that you know how your goal for 2010 looks, you know that you will have to be upbeat so as to meet your goal for 2010. For the same, you need to set what we call "Intermediate Goals" or "Rungs". These involve a lot of backtracking from your UnFuzzed Objective. Rungs or Intermediate Goals help you in understanding what you need to do in the period from now to your UnFuzzed Goal.

As an example, between now and 2010, you need to zero-in on a music composer, a script, screen play, a MiniDV Camera, actors, props, sets and much more. Now a music composer will only come into picture when I have a camera, and at least a scene already shot. But before that I need a script.

So, the rungs look like these (be careful to go in the right direction and with enough magnitude):

Script: Mid 2007

Screen Play: Jan 2008

Chart out locations and Investment: from mid 2007, with inputs from Script and Screen Play, but before Dec 2008

Rope in friends as actors: Dec 2008

Buy Camera and begin experimenting: Dec 2008

Begin shooting: Jan 2009

Music Composer: before Jun 2009

Post-production and titling: Dec 2009

Worldwide premiere: Jan 2010

Planning ahead.

Keep a tab on what's happening today and how it can influence your future goals. The influence could be positive or negative. For example, if you are contemplating going to music classes, you already know that it aligns to one of your future goals.

You can save some money by composing your own music for your project. Also, at the music class you may also find somebody keen on jamming with you for your movie as well, as it may mean a good break for him.

Another example would be keeping track of locations for the movie project—some waterfalls dry up in summer, so it may mean scheduling the scene well in advance or have contingency plans (like having 5-10 people pouring water from buckets to recreate the waterfall, or a huge pipe emptying a water tanker).

This should set you up for success, and help you in achieving your goals.

Good Luck!!!

Technorati tags: lifehacks, productivity, tricks, hacks, GTD, getting+things+done

Meshing with the truth

2006-06-14T23:17:00.000-07:00

She rode on the horse of her memories to seep into the horizon. Far, far away, she saw a speck that never grew in size. She yearned to see the smile on the speck's face. She imagined the sweat trickling from his brow and evaporating before it could hit the ground. She wanted to cull all the drops in the cusp of her fragile hands, her fingers outstretched and meshing with the truth. The truth that was dark, stark and permanent. He was not. He was gone. She was not. She remained.

A new introduction to Metamorf, this is an Express Post. An Express Post is one that would include breaking news, some literati, some great website in some corner of the web, some amazing recipe, or anything that is worthy of a mention or a post.

The Express Post usually would deviate from the regular posting styles at Metamorf. It's like a "quickie". The difference it'd have from regular posts is that it's a smaller post sans images (but has the Express Post header ), but some quick, perky (maybe even semi-daily) content that doesn't fit elsewhere. This is a move to keep Metamorf fresher, and a fast-track way to involve you in the choicest ponderings.

Technorati tags: meshing, truth, literature, mailbox, semi-daily, express+post

Survey - You've Got Gmail!

2006-06-12T00:47:00.000-07:00

Okay, Many of you have a Gmail account by now. Gmail is almost on the verge to become a verb like Google. I have myself used "Gmail it to me!" many a times.

When Gmail started out, they gave out a GB of space that we all almost used up, and then they started out with giving us a mailbox that was ever-increasing in size.

Okay, Here's the question:

How much of your Gmail Mailbox have you already consumed?

Tip: Log on to gmail. Scroll Down to the end of the page. There you'll know how much space you're using. Add a comment to this post.

Technorati tags: gmail, google, email, mailbox, mailbox+size, mailbox+space+consumption

Being yourself

2006-06-09T04:26:00.000-07:00

There are times when you just can't be yourself. There was this guy who wanted to be sad yesterday. He just wanted to be. He had many a reasons to tell himself:

"Hey! You can't pretend you are not a normal guy. You too have problems. Many, for that matter! Look at yourself. Now, is that not a fake smile? Now, pull that mask away, will you?"

And he exactly wanted to do the way he had planned. He didn't want to have dinner, but had to give some good company to somebody. "Hell No! Why should I give you good company? I am sick of it! Now, make way! Lemme outta here!"

But he couldn't say all that. And what a lovely host he was. That clenched jaw drew more lines on his face than the permanent laugh lines that he had.

"I am Bad. I hurt people. I will stare at you till every bone in your body rattles with fear." He was thinking.

"Excuse me, Sir. Did Something happen today?" The waiter appeared inquisitive, "You don't have that smile today?"

"Yeah. I am in a not-so-good mood today. Thank you for asking." He snapped, and boy, how polite a snap it was!

Finishing early, his gaze almost bore a hole through the plate and palate of his guest.

"Any problems?" his guest asked.

"Ah, well! What's life without any of them?" He grinned, "Nothing much, was thinking of the match!"

Yeah, A match. It can burn. Cause a fire. And leave ruins behind.

"Thank you, Sir!", the waiter appeared yet again at the exit. "Please come back tomorrow with your smile, sir!"

"Uh, Yeah..." The stoneface didn't even change.

"Promise?" The innocent question in those eyes almost made him cry. "Sir?"

"Yeah..." He stammered. "Promise."

"The world doesn't like you this way." The guest said.

"I just can't..." He looked at the long road ahead "I just can't be myself."

Technorati tags: life, introspection, feelings, thoughts, restaurant, responsibility

Lifehacks to wake up early

2006-06-05T05:50:00.000-07:00

There are more than one ways to wake up early in the morning. Some people hack their sleep, and some people manipulate their metabolism.

As a kid, when I had to wake up to study for exams, I made sure I drank enough water before going to sleep. Soon, in a weeks time, one can decide how much water will ring the bell at what time. Don't try this if you have wet-morning history.

Just before going to sleep, one of my friends used to talk to himself, and say "4 O' Clock! 4 O' Clock!". I don't know if self hypnotism works for all, but this guy used to wake up.

Nowadays, owing to late working hours, I use what I like to call the triple-alarm-hack. Suppose I want to wake up at 5:30 am. I set an alarm at 5:20, then 5:25 and a third one at 5:30. So when the alarm goes off at 5:20 (and My inner self talks to me and says, "Hey, you need some sleep, you went to bed pretty late yesterday."), and then irritates me a couple of times again, I am pretty well up and ready-to-go!

Well, well... What hacks do you folks use to wake up early?

Technorati tags: lifehacks, lifehack, wakeup, sleep, hacking, morning

Wandering thirst

2006-05-29T04:33:00.000-07:00

Tu Haqueeqat hai, Main sirf ek Ehsaas hoon
Tu Samandar hai, Main bhatkee hui pyaas hoon

The closest in English:

You are the fact, I am a mere feeling,
You are the sea, I am the wandering thirst.

Technorati tags: shayari, poetry, urdu, emotion, memories, thoughts, solitude, expression

Many happy returns

2006-05-24T06:33:00.000-07:00

May 24, 2005

A chap in his mid-twenties, walks in sweltering heat, and contemplates the huge move he has made. Was it worth the pain? Would it do any good? He looked for a companion to share, and found a void, and a maze within.

He scrambles over strewn vegetables from a greengrocer's den, and stumbles across a cyber cafe. His fingers trembled and eyes scanned for a scrollbar. CyberCafe. Internet. The Web.

Three long hours and perspiring towards dehydration, he didn't even curse the Cafe owner for the bad condition of the Air Conditioner. Instead, he thanked him.

He found himself in the secluded warmth of a cubicle. He found the computer. It was bliss. He tapped on, and scanned across. He just watched the computer. There was this mystical flickering glow in her face.

He had ideas running around in his head. And she showed him promise to make them happen. And then, Metamorf was born.

May 24, 2006

Metamorf has taken baby-steps and learnt to mimic "a small step for man, a giant leap for mankind(and womankind :^) )". One full year of fun, frolic, emotion, politics, science and growing up.

Wait and watch while Metamorf starts running around and dropping names. The doctor's shots seem to have nitro-powered Metamorf, and it'll soon appear that it's on steroids. It'll eventually begin to speak up much more than the usual "gaga googoo".

"Awwwlelele... Bacche! Watch 'em Uncles and Aunties. They ale shayin' Happy Birthday!"

"Oye, I said Uncles and Aunties. Hey, will you leave 'er alone! Aunt Helda will get angry if you keep pulling at her... Ooops! No...erm I didn't see a thing!"

Well, Kiddo's growin' up. For sure.

Okay, We are having a blast and we want you to have one too! Here's how:

Don't forget to use the Promocode: AK75 when the hosting company asks for one. That's what will get you the amazing 75 bucks off!

Technorati tags: birthday, happy, nostaglia, remembering, happy+birthday, the+day, hosting, discount

There isn't a door

2006-05-22T09:18:00.000-07:00

He was made to love her. She made him so.
He fought back none at all, and flowed with the current,
dismissed the past and let the future go,
but unlikely again, He took the present

He took the present, and he looked in her eyes,
and "Will you marry me?" was the question to her,
She declined the present, and talked of the future,
"The design's like that, and we can't be together."

Broken, as he was, he picked pieces of his self,
shuffled as a deck, looking at her in vain,
His knotted eyebrows killed the spring in his eyes,
Tasting the tears that he swallowed with pain

She was the one, who showed him the way,
pulled him like a magnet, made him love from the core,
Now she pulled the shades, and ripped the walls naked,
and tells him with a snicker "There isn't a door!"

Technorati tags: amour, poetry, pain, love, betrayal, thoughts

Hang your quote

2006-05-15T07:03:00.000-07:00

There must be some quote that keeps you going — some quote that you actually live by. I too have some spontaneous quotations which keep me ticking.

For one, I love this one:

"Dream like you'll live forever. Live like you'll die tomorrow."

And, another one that goes:

"You should always push your limits, because if you never fail, you will never succeed."

There definitely will be something out there that inspires you to achieve, love and enjoy life.

If there's something that is an intrinsic part of how you live life, hang it here.

Go ahead, Hang your quote in the comments area.

Technorati tags: quotes, quotations, inspiration, thoughts, life, lifehacks

Heartfelt

2006-05-05T05:18:00.000-07:00

This post comes with a thank you note for all the lovely guys at CSSRemix, tom.ma ScreenBlog and CSSMania for featuring Metamorf on their sites. And also a big thank you to all the Metamorfers for the ever-flowing love to help Metamorf stand apart as a kick-ass place on the web!

Talking of Love, we have two questions of the moment:

How many times did you fall in love?

If you think you love two people at the same time, how do you decide which one?
(Considering that the one you choose, will be the one you will lead your life with.)

Technorati tags: CSS, cssremix, screenblog, cssmania, new+look, thanks, love, revamp, love, ponderable, relationships

Metamorf Reboots

2006-05-02T02:34:00.000-07:00

Change is inevitable. So here we are! With an All new remixed version of Metamorf.

What happened behind the scenes?

We understand Metamorfers and their need to read content in a slick urban reading environment. And we wanted to give you just that! We banged our heads for more than a week to get things right for Metamorf.

Code Chef and I worked and reworked the site through Information restructuring, streamlining the interaction, working on adding the colors of the season to the brand refresh to make it a supercool plunge for Metamorfers (read: We love you lots! You guys rock Metamorf!).

Whats New?

You click on the post title to get to the post detail page, with Comments and all the glitz.

The post title links to the permanent link(permalink) of the post.

You can click on the '# Comments' on each post to read and post comments without the need to go to the detail page.

The 'Fresh Juice' section has the recent posts, and the 'Old Wine' is the Archives section

The 'About the Juicewallah' section tells you about the guy who squeezes da lemons. To ask him for a date, you can mail him at the email address provided (He loves dates and is overdated at the moment. Check the dates before you ask him).

What else?

This redesign marks the Birthmonth of Metamorf (Somebody suggested a Metameet for all Metamorfers--Good idea!). Any Birthday suggestions, ideas, raves? Send them in! We are listenin'!

This redesign was also in time to be listed amongst the Slickest designs in the Reboot world.

What can you do?

Send us your love by rating Metamorf at CSSReboot. Here.

Technorati tags: CSS, reboot, CSSReboot, redesign, new+look, revamp, change