It's picture time

It has been drizzling intermittently all day today and the sky is covered with clouds all the time. I have uploaded some of the pictures that I took today.

A tree behind my office
Look at the yellow spots on the green backdrop.

Birds or Green spots on the mountain?
It was a futile attempt to capture the flying white birds. But, I got the greenery on the mountains.


My new folding bike

Hell

Are you going through hell? Here are some funny, yet inspirational, quotes.
Winston Churchill said:

If you are going through hell, keep going.

Rodney Atkins(Country Artist) extends the quote in his country song:

If you're going through hell
Keep on going, Don't slow down
If you're scared, don't show it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you're there

The complete lyrics of “If you’re going through hell” can be found here. I recommend watching this song.

Crime spree

Lately, I have been hearing a lot of criminal incidents. A shooting over the weekend killed a tech student, an accident on the Frontage Road killing a tech student again, and an incident where my friend’s brother was threatened at gun point in his own apartment complex are just some of them.

I am astonished at the ease guns are available to a common person.

Dell Customer Service

I had been using Dell products and services for about 7 years now. I always admired their design and engineering of computers. In my opinion, they built rugged and robust systems.

But, recent experience with Dell Customer Service has been annoying. The sales representatives, financial service representatives, and chat support personnel are all equally irritating. I have had enough with them. I am going official tomorrow with a written complaint.

Online vocabulary quiz

Wordflash presents a vocabulary quiz that is very motivating and yet helpful in building your vocabulary.

Sri Ramadasu

Due to popular demand, Indian Student Association @ UNM is playing Sri Ramadasu instead of the earlier advertised Vikramarkudu. Here is the new poster:

Rainy Season

Even though I was ranting about the problems caused by rains I love this season myself. It is cool, not chill. The weather is neither hot nor windy. Drizzles and clouds just create the right environment for creativity. The weather is absolutely gorgeous.

Flooding in Socorro

A majority of the regions in the USA is getting scorched under the blistering heat while Socorro is getting drenched with a severe downpour. The surprising fact is that all those states that usually were regarded as high temperature zones were chilling under rain. The incessant rain brought flooding problems to Socorro, especially after morning’s thunderstorms. Somebody’s office or home has been flooded. Roads were blocked. People were busy draining water from their front yards, some from their backyards. Floods have been the topic of conversation all across town.

My office is affected severely. The false ceiling is giving away. Here are some pictures outside my office door and inside my office. Apparently, my office building has a lot of such leaks. I will have to depend on the library for my studies.







It had been raining this time of the year, last year. (Look at my postings)This year, the rain has affected the roof of my office building. The condition of my office is bad.
But, I guess it is things like these that make a person stronger as the quote goes like this.

Storms make oaks take deeper root. — George Herbert

Vikramarkudu

The Indian Student Association @ UNM in Albuquerque has been actively playing new movies in their theatre. During the summer semester they played good movies. It has been always a pleasure to watch a nice movie on big screen in the company of a large audience.

This coming weekend they are playing “Vikramarkudu.” Here is the poster

What is your dream?

Remind yourself of your dream today.

The poor man is not he who is without a cent, but he who is without a dream — Harry Kemp

Miss Universe 2006

"eeks! My dress hurts"

Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza, an 18 year old Puerto Rican, and an aspiring actress was crowned Miss Universe 2006. Kurara Chibana of Japan was a crowd pleaser. I was betting on Miss Japan to win the crown.

The final question seems to be the turning point. Miss Puerto Rico defining “success” in her own words and clinched the crown.

World eBook Fair

There are a lot of free eBooks and audio books available for download from World eBook Fair. This download is available till Aug 4th.

Krrish - Just Imagine!

This is one of the best Hrithik and action movies that I have seen. The performance of all the artists is commendable.

If you loved “Koi Mila Gaya”, you will adore “Krrish.” Hrithik Roshan proved his versatility in this movie. The photography, special effects, and stunts were incredible. The quandary faced by Krrish was more than the regular batman stuff. In my opinion, the story was wonderfully handled. It was a full fledged action movie worth watching. In these times where the sequel does not live up to expectations, Krrish provided a far superior sequel to the movie “Koi Mil Gaya.” The music was good. The song entitled “Pyar Ki Ek Kahani” was my favorite.

Imagine as much as you can. Krrish beats your expectations.

Rain Problems

I guess it is just one thing or the other. All these days I was peeving about the heat. Now that it rains regularly, I am getting annoyed by the lack of preparations to handle this climatic change. A heavy downpour causes flash flood concerns in many areas. Personally, I am affected as there is a leak in the ceiling of my office. Apparently, there is a leak in the gutter, which is very old. I was told that my office room and a classroom were affected by the hole in that gutter. I have covered all the computer equipments in my office room. Temporarily, the custodian has made some arrangements to save the carpet from getting molds. They promised to look into this early tomorrow morning.

Rain Rain
You are so fine
We love you, wait for you and all
Please don’t flood the roads, office et al.
Forgive us mortals
We don’t deserve your blessings

Rain

The Simpsons jigsaw puzzle

These are some of the jigsaw puzzles hanging on the wall at Szewing’s place.

Blog Anniversary

Last year, this day, I started this blog. At the beginning, I started to write about a daily log of the different thoughts I have. Slowly, I adapted and included some pictures too. It’s been a wonderful experience and I am glad I kept writing. I have posted 270 entries over the past year.
Looking back at all my posts, there are many entries which were clichéd and trite. But, I guess I at least made an attempt. I should try to improve on my mistakes over this year. This is my resolution for my blog anniversary.

Independence Day

It was half past nine
We were walking past the line
Lying on the golf course
Amidst the dim ambience
The sky was covered with dark clouds
Threatening to send the crowd looking for covers
The band was playing
Slowly the sky started lighting
It was an amazing view
Even the clouds stopped raining and looked in awe

Independence Day - Fireworks II

This video is the second part.

Independence Day - Fireworks I

This is the first part of video that was taken in Socorro on July 4th night.

Hanuman Temple at Taos, New Mexico

I generally visit Taos during fall season. This is the first time I have been to the ashram in summer. The river was void of water. I miss the fall colors. Even though there is a map here, I find written directions useful when going to the Hanuman temple.

I have been to this ashram many times. With my sense of direction, I always get lost after I reach Taos. Here are the directions to reach the Neem Karoli Baba Ashram, Hanuman Temple once you reach Taos. One can follow these directions after reaching Taos on NM-68 North highway.

Make a left turn on Camino De La Placitas from NM-68 North. Then, turn Left on Ranchitos Rd, Turn Right on Valverde St, Turn Left on Geronimo Ln, and you will find the temple at 416, Geronimo Ln.
Address:
Neem Karoli Baba Ashram
Hanuman Temple
416 Geronimo Lane
Taos, New Mexico 87571

The ashram is more colorful in the fall. Nevertheless, it was beautiful yesterday. Here are some pictures that I took during the visit.

An idol of Lord Ganesha
Flowers

Birds and Plants

I had so much difficulty capturing the bird. After a lot of effort I captured the birds, but on long shot.




Coriander plant is growing.
There were 4 flowers on the kanakambaram plant.