Snow Path

The future lies before you, like paths of pure white snow. Be careful how you tread it, for every step will show.
— Author unknown

Friendship - Hug

Do you remember the Jaddo ki chappi from Munnabhai MBBS?

Lage Raho Munnabhai is a wonderful sequel to Munnabhai MBBS and is one of the best movies that I have seen in recent times. The video below describes a heartfelt hug that Munna and Circuit share when Munna asks for forgiveness after he slaps Circuit. Touching!

Mountain shining on the Earth

Since I do not have a powerful camera that can capture the sight that my eyes can see, I am using imagery to describe the sight.


The sky has cleared finally
The stars shining in the sky
The snow covered M-mountain is shining on the earth
A white majestic thing standing below the sky

Never give up

Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.
— Harriet Beecher Stowe

Snow fall again

This is the third winter storm that struck Socorro. The weather is very pleasant. It does not appear to be a storm. The snow is falling in flakes, which is decorating the grass. But, the snow that is falling on the concrete and roads is melting.

The sky painted the greenery with a white powdery substance
Just like someone splashed talcum powder on a mosaic floor
The roads are wet with an equally slippery chance
I like to gaze at the falling snow through the window

Pictures

I visited VLA and Water Canyon on Christmas day. Here are some pictures.

Water Canyon at Socorro, New Mexico

Recent news about climbers and cnet news editor getting stranded in snowy conditions should not be taken lightly. Nature can be furious as well as loving. I agree that visiting scenic places is tempting. But care should be taken that we do not get affected by the fury of nature.

We made an exciting trip to Water Canyon with in icy road conditions. There was a slope near the parking area of the camp ground. While going to the water canyon, the slope was downward. So, the car easily slid and I was able to park it.

The place was awesome with fresh undisturbed snow. The snow was powdery and the place was beautiful. It was chilly. So, after spending about 10 minutes, we headed back home. That is when we realized that we have to climb an upward slope. The car slid in the ice and would not go forward. After a lot of thought, we had to reverse to car so that if places itself in a muddy spot and then we drove it.

I listed a few things that could be useful during wintry (snowy) weather.

1. Chains for tires
2. Salt crystals
3. Snow shovel
4. Full tank gas

Driver's License Test

Here are some links for sample driver’s license written tests. I recommend taking these exams as practice before going to the main test. I suggested a couple of my friends who took the test here in Socorro. Mind that the answers are different for different states. Please refer your state’s driver’s license manual for the correct answers. These sample tests are useful in familiarizing with questions.

• Tennessee
• Connecticut
• California

Snow Snow Come Again

The grass may be greener on the other side of the fence, but you still have to mow it.
— Author unknown

It snowed all around Albuquerque. The residents of Albuquerque watched the dark clouds and snow covered mountains far off. They experienced wind, but not snow. Brace yourself guys! You have a snowy afternoon waiting for you.

Poet

A poet is someone who is astonished by everything.
— Anonymous

Experience

The more sand that has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.
— Jean-Paul Sartre

Books that shaped a century

Here is my wish list that I would like to add in my personal library of books.

I picked these books from 100 or so books that shaped a century of science published in American Scientist. You may refer to the above mentioned link for books that have influenced your field of interest in the last century.

My list in the chronological order of publication is as follows:

1. G. H. Hardy, A Mathematician's Apology (1940)
2. John von Neumann and Oskar Morgenstern, Theory of Games and Economic Behavior (1944)
3. Norbert Weiner, Cybernetics (1948)
4. Charles Darwin, Autobiography (1950)
5. James Watson, The Double Helix (1968)
6. Donald Knuth, The Art of Computer Programming (1968)
7. Richard Feynman, Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! (1985)

The Name’s Bond. James Bond

Anyone recognizes these words. Simple, yet stylish. I finally heard the characteristic Bond phrase at the end of the movie, Casino Royale.

I watched Casino Royale on Sunday in Loma Theatre. Don’t judge the movie by the sparse crowd. The theatre is empty because of final examinations for many students.

Casino Royale provided pretty good entertainment for nearly 2 1/2 hours. The movie starts in Kill-Bill style, a black & white scene where Bond kills a fellow agent, and fractal graphics. This Bond is a lot different than the usual flirtatious James Bond movies. Daniel Craig, as James Bond, is muscular, rugged, and flexible. His dialog delivery was perfect. He was different from the rest of the bonds.

The action stills were absolutely impeccable. The one where Bond chases the bomber from a construction site and to the embassy is the best action scene.

Chris Cornell performed the title song, "You know my name".

Lyrics - You know my name - Chris Cornell

Chris Cornell is a multi-talented music artist. The title song, "You know my name" from the James Bond movie Casino Royale is worth mentioning. This post contains the lyrics for the song followed by the video.

If you take a life do you know what you'll give?
Odds are, you won't like what it is
When the storm arrives, would you be seen with me?
By the merciless eyes of deceit?

I've seen angels fall from blinding heights
But you yourself are nothing so divine
Just next in line

Arm yourself because no-one else here will save you
The odds will betray you
And I will replace you
You can't deny the prize it may never fulfill you
It longs to kill you
Are you willing to die?

The coldest blood runs through my veins
You know my name

If you come inside things will not be the same
When you return to the night
And if you think you've won
You never saw me change
The game that we all been playing

I've seen diamonds cut through harder men
Than you yourself
But if you must pretend
You may meet your end

Arm yourself because no-one else here will save you
The odds will betray you
And I will replace you
You can't deny the prize it may never fulfill you
It longs to kill you
Are you willing to die?

The coldest blood runs through my veins

Try to hide your hand
Forget how to feel
Forget how to feel

Life is gone with just a spin of the wheel
Spin of the wheel

Arm yourself because no-one else here will save you
The odds will betray you
And I will replace you
You can't deny the prize it may never fulfill you
It longs to kill you
Are you willing to die?

The coldest blood runs through my veins
You know my name
You know my name
You know my name
You know my name
You know my name
You know my name
You know my name

Watch for yourself:

(Source: YouTube)

NaBloPoMo

Last month, I participated in NaBloPoMo and posted everyday of November. Then, I took a break from posting. A lot has happened in the last three days. Will post updates about it soon.

After-effects of winter storm

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Winter Storm in New Mexico

Finally, the day temperatures are going to drop significantly. Thanks to the winter storm from Pacific Northwest.

Reminiscence

I was reminiscing my good-old school days after I read Chennai-Marooned.

Chennai is my hometown and I live in the outskirts of the city. It used to be like a sauna during summer. When I was in high school, the roads were not pucca.

Rains bought us cheer. Though, I was not able to go out and wade through the waters. I used to love the pouring rain from the balcony of my house. If it poured enough, the school would declare holiday.

I miss those untroubled high-school days.

Sunshine

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.
— James Barrie

Health Condition

Yesterday’s sore throat advanced to cold, cough, sneeze, body pains, and intermittent fever. I am still taking Aleve as my primary medication. For temporary relief, I am drinking warm milk mixed with black pepper. This is a well-known in-house remedy in India for people who don’t like ingesting allopathic medicines into their body.

Socorro Balloon Rally

Today is the first day of the Socorro Balloon Rally. Since I woke up late I was not able to take many pictures. But, here is a collection of pictures that I took 2 years ago from the same event.

It was a beautiful day

Zicam

Today morning, I had a sore throat. Then, I heard a radio commercial that suggested the use of Zicam for quick remedy. I am going to take Aleve as that is what I have at home.

Peace, Love, and Gap

The rapper, Common, is seen sporting a hood in this holiday season of Gap's ads.
The lyrics of "Holiday In The Hood" (Source: Gap) is posted below:

It's the holidays these days are holy,
Warm like the days when my gramps would hold me,
Now I spend it with my daughter and my homies
Not far from home is where my soul be,
Fell into the Gap they rockin tha hood,
See peace in the streets when I stopped in the hood,
We gonna keep it alive like hip-hop in the hood,
It's good when the love don't stop in the hood,
It's a celebration like Dave Champipple,
Hugs to the fam and kisses under the mistle,
Toe when I flow feel the power that rap has,
People givin me love off seein my Gap ads,
Gifted like Christmas so I love to rap,

We gonna give it to the world peace, love, and Gap
(3x's)

"Holiday" Written by Lisa Stevens and Curtis Hudson

Here is the video (Source: Youtube):

I liked the music video and commercial of Gap, "How do you wear it?," featuring Lenny Kravitz and Sarah Jessica Parker. It failed to impress the customers and was a total marketing goof as many of the styles were not available in stores.

Dog Shows and Beauty Pageants

What would a model in a beauty pageant do when a judge is physically inspecting her?

Today, I watched a dog show on TV. I was wondering how the dogs would have felt when a judge was holding and feeling their teeth and touching them.

Dumpster

Someone’s trash may be a treasure for somebody else.

When people decide to move, they can leave really useful household things because they cannot take it with them. There was a herd of UHauls in my apartment complex last weekend.
I saw lots of mattresses, beds, tables, desks, etc. in the dumpster. I think it will be useful for the new students who move in at the beginning of the semester.

Dangerous World

The World is not dangerous because of those who do harm but because of those who look at it without doing anything.
— Albert Einstein

Parents and Children

Parents shower unconditional love on their children.

This is a cliché that does not become a trite saying. I recently experienced this thought about my father and mother. Parents always love spending money for their children.

I and Hidetaro Ito had a thought-provoking conversation about our respective parents.

Hidetaro is a graduate student. His parents were willing (actually wanted) to pay for his tuition. But, he declined any kind of financial support from them and paid from his own pocket. His mother was upset about this. She gifted him an iPod remote control knowing that he is an ardent iPod user. Since it is a gift, Hidetaro accepted the remote control. His mother was delighted.

My parents made huge sacrifices for me and my sister. Our parents reared and protected us from everything. We don’t know if they did it as a chore or out of love. But, they did it. My father earned day and night for the welfare of his children. He used to work hard, even on weekends, just to make our ends meet. I remember those days when, in spite of a busy schedule, he used walk me and my sister listening to our stupid babble and answering our innumerous number of “Why?”, “How?” type of questions. Parents enjoy spending all their earnings for the welfare of their children. They feel happy when the child succeeds. They put the children’s happiness above theirs.

Parents love decorating their children. They adorn their kids with all kinds of dresses and boast about their kids among their friends. And one fine day, the child grows up and declares independence declining everything their parents want to give. The parents are now distanced from the love of their life. They are forbidden from spending not only money but also time. The child does not have time to listen to his parents’ comments.

Hide argues that the parents feel sad for their inability to spend on their children, and I concur.

Money

The day, water, sun, moon, night — I do not have to purchase these things with money.
— Plautus

Be yourself

Today's quote from Paperquote.

Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.
— Gilbert Perreira

Monthly Visitor Activity

The first and second highest number of posts for this year is in January and June, respectively. On the contrary, the first and second highest number of visitors for this year is in January and August, respectively.

St. Joseph's College of Engineering

My alma mater, St. Joseph’s College of Engineering, has obtained the highest number of University ranks. As always, I am so proud of the students and the school.

Thanks to Yugan for emailing this news article.

St. Joseph's College of Engineering tops the list with 40 medals: Computer Science (3), Electronics and Communication (1), Electrical and Electronics (5), Electronics and Instrumentation (6), Instrumentation and Control (5), Mechanical (2), Chemical (7), Biotech (4) and Information Technology (7).

Test drive / Trial Version / Demo Version

This is an effective marketing strategy to promote a product.

My experience with trial / free products started with 7-up and Pepsi during the good old days when I was in elementary school. Since then, I am a big admirer of Pepsi. They hooked me up to their products early in my life.

Most of the Internet Service providers (AOL, Netzero, Earthlink etc) provide a trial period with free CD. The rationale behind these offers is that the customers will like and definitely use it in extended period. The same goes with various other software products.

A few days ago, I was given the manual version of Gillette Fusion to try. I currently use Gillette Mach III, which I started using after I received a trial pack.

And yes, I liked Gillette Fusion, and I am migrating from MACH III to Fusion.

Self-Centered

An interesting incident as narrated by Brijesh.

The people who come to US from India with this sense of self made pride about the jobs soon realize the hollowness of their pride once they are here. This happened almost 4 years back. One of the Professors from IIT came to my school for sabbatical in the Department of Electrical Engineering. I took him to the Social Security office to get his SSN card after a week he arrived in my school. There was a big queue in the SSN office. I told him to stand at the end of the queue. Instead he went to the security officer and told, “I am a Professor in this school. I am here to get my SSN”. The security officer told him to go and stand in the queue. He again told them about his credentials. The security officer replied, “ If you have come to apply for the SSN you have to stand in the queue. We don’t have a separate line for Professors”. He stood in the queue for more than 1 hour, did all the formalities and came out. On his way back he as so upset that he had to stay in the queue.

This reminded me of a similar incident in my school. Socorro is a very small town with not many hospitals around. One of the professors went to the student health center and demanded service since he is a “Professor” in the school. The doctor had to politely brush him off by saying that the health center is only for students. The professor was seriously offended by this act of the doctor.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

I have seen court room drama. But, the Senate floor drama has an excellent gripping finish.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is an old movie (1939). Nevertheless, the movie is worth watching with its classy dialogs and wit. It is widely known as a ludicrous example of filibuster in the United States Senate.

Flat Tire

I thought it was a simple affair.

A quick fix for a flat tire for a car is using the pressurized slime sealant. One caveat is if it is below 32F, it freezes and hence it does not function as desired. When I used this on the flat tire, it was not useful. I had to remove the wheel and take it to T&T tires on California Street in Socorro. The service personnel did a professional job. They were jovial and friendly to the customer.

ABQ Uptown Mall

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day. I spent the afternoon and evening at the ABQ Uptown Mall . The directions to the mall can be found here.

It is an outdoor mall with a nice walkway. There are loudspeakers installed all throughout the path. I went to the mall twice today. The first time, I thoroughly enjoyed window-shopping/walking. The second time, I spent on AppleStore and SunGlassHut.

I happen to watch the first half of the Hindi movie Rocky. I couldn’t take it anymore.

Cleanliness is next to Godliness

This phrase applies to personal hygiene.

I live with two roommates: God and books. God, an elderly gentleman, oversees the general well being of the house. He provides money, food, and blessings. My books provide me knowledge and company. As the only one who does not contribute to anything, I am left to clean my house.

The apartment is dusty, dirty, and muddy. Thanks to the sprinklers. Cleaning is long due. I finally need to take a break from “The Innocent Man” and start organizing the apartment. I guess creating checklists is a wonderful way of organizing.

Checklist for cleaning

1. Vacuuming the carpet
2. Dusting the ceiling
3. Scouring the sink
4. Mopping the floor
5. Cleaning the bathroom

Without much ado, I hope to make the house a pleasant abode for us roommates by the weekend.

Parched

I was thirsty in the afternoon. I heaved a sigh of relief at the sight of a vending machine and inserted a dollar bill. Out came a 12 oz Pepsi can. Now, look at the date on bottom of the can.

I am still parched.

Holiday Stamps

I am pleased to see that most of the common festivals of the holiday season are recognized. The United States Post Office is now selling these new holiday stamps.

Holiday Snowflakes

Christmas

Eid

Hanukkah

Kwanzaa

Santa’s smallest helpers

Holiday Cookies

All the photos are posted from www.usps.com