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.