31 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

Mission Impossible: Your objective is to defeat the computer game engine at chess.

*ing Agent Methane Hunt

LOL. Silly Cow does a Ethan Hunt/Tom Cruise trick of sneaking from atop to get access to the chess techniques of Grand Masters. Click image to enlarge.

This software is not the latest version of "ChessMaster" and that's why I bought it. Yes, it provides the same features and functionality and insights at a lower price of Rs. 299 (One USD = Rs 49).

It has 3 CD-ROMs which tells you how much data it has, including training from a complete beginner level to a direct tutoring from a Grand Master - each with interactive practice modules.

Teacher. Mentor. Ultimate Opponent. That's what the box says and that's no cattle-dung.

You can also see the magnetic tiny chess set mentioned in yesterday's post.

This message will self-construct on typing at the keys and clicking "publish".

:-p

30 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

Thought accessories. An "Indian" (India) tobacco and an Indian game. Practicing a round alone? Don't want to boot your PC?

This is a portable, pocket, magnetic chess set. It folds in the center to store all the tiny pieces like a small box. The tiny pieces have magnets at the bottom and they stick to the board, so it is essential for a game where the positions are the critical part of the game. Its the only one I ever use and it is the best. Not just for home or at a cafe - take it with you on long train journeys, put it in your pouch during bike rides, carry it like a small pocketbook that is as worthy an exercise as any book. Cost: Rupees 25 (One USD = Rupees 49). Priceless stuff Made in China. LOL.

Tomorrow I will photograph it in closed form with the wonderful software I have to improve and learn the intricacies of chess.

29 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

Silly Cow's silhouette in the foreground as the meter of the autorickshaw rolls over and over as we speed home on the highway.

It will hopefully be a relaxing weekend.

28 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

Click Image To Enlarge

Silly Cow still smiles as she sees a glimpse of William Blake's "The Ancient of Days" while a trooper battles demons and monsters inside the stomach of a gigantic hell-beast.

I love William Blake's artwork. The Nintendo advertisement is a game I yearned for as a kid but never got - I used to see its advertisement in the American comic books. So when I found a nice JPEG, I printed it and framed it as well. I think I need to find something to complete my own unique Dante trilogy I have going here.

Silly Cow seems like she is enjoying Purgatorio there. http://www.worldofdante.org/

What is "Ancient of Days"? Then if you Google correctly, there are conspiracy theorists who talk of a past where aliens were trying to rule over Earth as Gods and doing genetical mumbo-jumbo.

And as for Abadox - LOL - you gotta read this review on IMDB by Hoyboy7 of Australia.

Dante the man the legend, well if you don't know, every mortal finds out sooner or later. Okay, maybe atheists go become food for "Its Majesty Parasitis of planet Abadox in year 5012".

LOL

27 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

I wonder what flavours are sold or are popular in the home of Kelloggs - USA. The most commonly found flavours here in stores in India are Banana, Mango, Honey and the original unflavoured one.

I buy the banana or mango flavours because well, the honey flavour doesn't taste any different than the original unflavoured one. LOL. "Real Mango" is not any mango bits inside.

"Iron Shakti" literally translated means "Iron Power". The tetra pack milk brands here are also heavily advertising "Iron" in their contents.

There are other premium packs of Kelloggs available as well. The new advertising campaign they started late last year talks of the "Kelloggs Diet". I mean, I am sure every bottled water brand could start their own diet - like "Bisleri Diet" or "Evian Diet" - and convince "real" living humans to buy it and of course lose weight too.

BTW: Anyone here doing the Subway diet? Suppose I switch to KFC diet, would it make too "big" a difference? I am considering the "Levi's low-rise diet" where I cut the stitching to get myself in it and don't have to get it up to the waist - then I look like a hobo and people just give me pennies which can't buy much food for me and therefore I lose weight.

My favourite though is "Wall-Street diet" - hire anyone as your advisor/banker there, go broke in matter of minutes and then get forced to starve to lose weight.

:-p

26 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

India's first female President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil with Chief Guest South Korean President Lee Myung-bak after witnessing the annual parade.

The Republic Day parade at New Delhi is an annual event and much look forward to by many. It showcases not just the range of military forces, their horses and their vehicles, but also floats that showcase culture from the diverse Indian States.

Every year there is a Chief Guest at the event who is a Head of State of a nation with whom Indian Government has ties with. This year, India celebrated the 61st Republic Day. This is different from the Independence Day celebrated every August 15th, celebrating independence which India got in the year 1947.

The President of India also holds the exceptional record of never having lost any election she contested in her career. She later moved on to be a Member of Parliament (MP) and was the Governor of Rajasthan before becoming the 12th President of India. She has been active in social service since youth and has a Masters in Political Science & Economics and completed her Bachelors of Law while she was already holding office as Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA).

:-)

25 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

A postcard from Rome, Italy from a friend of a friend from France.

Resisted the urge to splurge at the Crossword Clearance Sale and only bought these fast reads - handbooks on stuff that I can distract myself with when I have had enough of the regular hobbies.

I think I will adapt the sketching/ painting tips for Photoshop as well and see if I can do it digital with traditional tips from the book. Call me crazy, but I do painful stuff just for kicks.

The dog training book - practicals to be done on my stray dogs of course since I don't really have a pet dog at home. And I have a friend who has taught plenty to such mongrels so will be doing the practicals soon I think as 26th January is Republic Day - national holiday here.

A new wallpaper each day from the photos of this blog itself - as seen in laptop in background.

:-p

24 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

On my way back home on Sunday morning. It was cold and riding the motorcycle was thrilling as well as chilly experience.

The above pictured gigantic pipes are lying and rotting on that highway for as long as I can remember, since a decade at the least.

Anyways, since they were lined up and no hobos were around, I clicked a couple of shots and posted this one which came well despite my frozen fingers. Well not really frozen, it never gets that cold in this city. But even after the solstice, the weather is nice and pleasant and perfect for morning/ night rides.

:-)

23 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

Mumbai: Any day of any week, traffic and more traffic and many more people, shuttling from one end to another and in between - whether day or afternoon or evening or night, we run and chase and hunt the elusive dream.

From Photo-a-day-2010

The Money making machine, is it the city, its people or the illusion that we are going somewhere, that the pasture is just one more mile away.

"Run, run, run", reminds me of a spooky song by "The Doors". The immortal voice of Jim Morrison as a ghostly guide to the human-un-kind.

"Not to touch the earth" by The Doors
Not to touch the earth
Not to see the sun
Nothing left to do, but
Run, run, run
Let's run
Let's run

House upon the hill
Moon is lying still
Shadows of the trees
Witnessing the wild breeze
C'mon baby run with me
Let's run

Run with me
Run with me
Run with me
Let's run

The mansion is warm, at the top of the hill
Rich are the rooms and the comforts there
Red are the arms of luxuriant chairs
And you won't know a thing till you get inside

Dead president's corpse in the driver's car
The engine runs on glue and tar
Come on along, not goin' very far
To the East to meet the Czar

Run with me
Run with me
Run with me
Let's run

Whoa!

Some outlaws lived by the side of a lake
The minister's daughter's in love with the snake
Who lives in a well by the side of the road
Wake up, girl, we're almost home

Ya, c'mon!

We should see the gates by mornin'
We should be inside the evenin'

Sun, sun, sun
Burn, burn, burn
Soon, soon, soon
Moon, moon, moon
I will get you
Soon!
Soon!
Soon!

I am the Lizard King
I can do anything

Click photo/s to enlarge

22 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

On the way back home from the gym at 11 PM.

Can you spot the scruffy dog?

From Photo-a-day-2010

Can you spot the Silly Cow?

:-p

I thought these night photos from a poor mobile phone wouldn't be worth posting. But the poor lighting made some interesting lights and colours and then along with the streetlights was the passing vehicle lights.

I think it's not so awful as it captures the mood of the chaotic "city that never sleeps".

Click on image to enlarge!

21 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

Only the one on the extreme right is the one that dates back decades (and was from a visitor from Japan).

:-)

20 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

Oh, things keep coming to me.

:-)

This is a Reebok watch with a signature of Indian cricket team's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on the dial. Got it free and it arrived in the mail today. It is a Reebok Classic model and even the packaging was so beautiful that I photographed that too. The leather strap is fabulous and it has a white on black dial with a nice round design.

Curious thing is that with that Indian skipper's signature, there are like so many places on the watch where the British flag is embossed - on the metal parts and the inner side of the leather strap. LOL.

And, Reebok is owned by German giant Adidas, so it is no longer a British company. LOL.

I have a whole lot of fab wristwatches actually. A Titan chronograph watch, a Fastrack sporty watch, an HMT watch commemorating 50 years of India's Independence, a Polaroid watch I got free with its sunglasses, one hand-made Swiss winding wristwatch with paper-dial which was my dad's first watch when he was a kid, etc.

:-p

19 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

Must resist! Don't need those books! 80% discount is not good!

:-p

The mobile phone photo is blurry but I have had only 3 hours sleep in past 48 hours, and worked 12 hours on both the days of the last weekend as well.

18 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

That white block that you see there is not paperweight nor a custom brick - it is a tee-shirt.

LOL.

I love it how American companies market the same thing in such innovative ways. This one I got free with a purchase today.

I am looking forward to wearing it, for which, all I have to do is soak it in water.

:-p

17 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

I take care of my things (and I take care of my people). As a follow up to the 15 Jan 2010 post of the bunny, here is my current computer speakers - Creative Soundblaster - which I purchased in the year 2000. I still use it with my digital TV, the DVD player and my first computer, connected together in a network of wires. An essential part of my self-assembled home-theater system.

It can still play the songs at its max volume without distortion or other problems. Some of its dust stains are almost impossible to remove now (it adds character, LOL).

I don't intend to get a new speaker system anytime soon. I think this speaker-set may qualify for antique-IT-product criteria anytime soon. LOL.

:-)

16 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

I just noticed that I have a dozen floppy disks with my ancient data. And current PCs/ laptops offer no way to check my floppies of course.

:-p

15 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

This red bunny is the earliest toy that I can recall and also I still have it, since during/before kindergarten. It wasn't a toy actually, it was stitched on a beautiful shirt which proclaimed "Playboy". I still like to see it around and thought of photographing it today with the current toy that I use most - my Notebook PC - on top of which the bunny and the 2010 cow are placed.

I think the photo came out very nice since the glow and the dark glossy colour of the Notebook is giving a great background.

So now you know how organized I am and since when - the condition of the saved bunny shows that. I also have school textbooks and notebooks I have saved simply because I thought it was good content.

:-)

14 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

The Hemingway stack.

My Haruki Murakami stack is way bigger, but of course he writes thicker novels anyways.

Another contender is the Alistair MacLean stack. Considerable challenge is posed by my Scientific American magazine stack.

LOL

13 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

One of my prized First Editions from my collection, even though it is not autographed, it is an incredibly awesome book from the late President of USA and strangely out-of-print.

:-P

12 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

It is 11 PM and I just got home from the gym. Conan O'Brien's Tonight Show is about to start.

This is all I can click at the gym - the very entrance. Quite a day - woke up at 7 AM, at office by 8:30 AM and left office by 8 PM and reached home by 8:40 PM, then coffee and to the gym.

:-p

11 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

Keychains. I always end up with a wide variety of them. I never consciously aimed at a collection, but seem to be having quite a few. Here are a few good ones I treasure for varying reasons. I don't have too many hobbies, stuff just keep happening.

From left to right:
1. Yes the keychain to my Enfield Bullet - a handy bottle opener shaped like a bottle.
2. The smiling Buddha - got it Nov 2009 while returning from the Goa trip. Gave a better one with a Biblical inscription on a golden heart to a friend of a friend from France.
3. This wooden shoe from Holland, and they have a tradition of wooden shoes for real footwear actually.
4. The angry God from Sri Lanka.
5. The 2 corks are wine bottle corks - the waiter at that resort was so impressed by the wine-tasting and consumption capabilities of bikers that he showed us a neat trick by making keychains out of beautiful corks. The one at the extreme right-end is so beautifully made in a matter of seconds by him.

:-)

10 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

Was so exhausted yesterday that I slept at 8 PM and woke up at 8 AM of Sunday (today).

So decided to head out and see wassup! The nearby multiplex was not playing any English movies as seen from the box office view below.

From Photo-a-day-2010

So with Silly Cow in tow, I headed to new avenues, searching for something to excite me. We found a gigantic new mall nearby. It is huge as you can see from the external view photo above (topmost photo). The parking too is huge and free. Then we ventured inside and I was indeed impressed. Silly Cow got some good photo opportunities. One view from the second floor shown below.

From Photo-a-day-2010

Then spot Silly Cow sitting on that huge guitar...

From Photo-a-day-2010

And now a view from the opposite end on first floor sitting on the plastic couch for comfort and cleanliness (below).

From Photo-a-day-2010

09 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

The title of that book sure reads like hyperbole and of course cocky exaggeration at that.

But it is handy. Read it like a few essays on general aspects of management rather than as an alternative to good education. It doesn't go into too much detail, but makes its point which is - see the big picture. Very good and thought-provoking book.

The dedication page inside says, "This book is dedicated to all those who refuse to see business education as an oxymoron."

Backcover says, "Citius est Melius"

One of the authors has worked with Guardian and also Observer newspapers as contributor and as a presenter on BBC2.

The bookmark says, "Chewing gum while peeling onions will keep you from crying".

:-p

08 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

:-)

I got another goodie from office. LOL.
Well for new joinees there was an informal quiz at a meeting and my trivia skills ensured that I recalled enough.
It was a tie between me and a very senior employee - so we both got a Cadbury's Fruit & Nut Chocolate.
"Fruit and Nut" - that's me - fruity and nutty.

I wouldn't buy chocolate because I am disciplined enough and determined enough to engage fully in my gym resolution.
But I am glad I got it for free - a nice cheat food.

Everyone likes to grow - look at my bamboo plant - it is in a small bowl without soil, only water - so it can't spread a foundation and reach for the skies. Yet in this limitation, it has managed to grow fuller leaves and a bit taller of course - it's in its "blood" to grow.

So all this blabbering is to say I am enjoying my new employment. LOL.


Also - finally my Jan 2010 issue of Scientific American arrived today. As you can see it is the India edition. It was launched in India over a year ago, not catching on too much, probably due to poor marketing. But this means it has less advertisements and good content at throwaway subscription rates - mine is for 3 years.

07 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

LOL. I miss my breaks on the forum at office. But well, all in good time.

"Some Like It Hot" by Robert Palmer is playing there on my screen. Reminds me of the good old days when MTV was new in India and it was still MTV. Now if you see that channel here, you would wonder what it is. Some crazy videos of Palmer is playing in my head too. LOL.

(Wow, I started and ended with "LOL")

06 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

More ties. I like slim ones but rarely any retailer has it.
Could you work all day wearing a necktie?
Well it feels good actually. And the summer is still some months to go, so I will see how long I can keep wearing it.

05 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

Busy and totally gung-ho about it.

When you have the right chair at the right place, it doesn't matter how long you have to sit at it.
Same goes for jobs and working at it.

04 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

At a reception - a bouquet, 2 plaques and a diary.

:-)

03 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

I don't feel like throwing out my 2009 AXE calendar. LOL. I mean seriously, who looks at that calendar and sees dates (no pun) anyways?

The McDonalds ran out of "Avatar" movie toys overnight. All I got for my Happy Meal was that toy electric guitar which plays only one rocking tune. But it drives the girls crazy....out of irritation. LOL. No more "Avatar" merchandise is expected at McDonalds. The movie is still running House Full and I can't find a ticket for the IMAX Dome theater show. I don't want to watch it at the multiplexes. Hopefully, next weekend I can get a IMAX Dome ticket for it.

02 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

The pre-order for Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol" was done by me on 6th May 2009. The book finally reached me today. LOL.

Buying anything online from outside India and getting it to my hands here in India is difficult. Lot of pilferage and plain old corruption. Amazon.com guys were nice enough to send me a replacement when the first one didn't reach me and they refunded the shipping amount which is of course more than the cost of the book itself.

Well, I wanted the US First Edition and suffered for my hobby/collection.

Anyways, I have to admit that Amazon.com is very generous to have been so considerate to a foreign customer. Their branding says that they aim to be completely customer centric company and I think they really are making it happen.

Did you notice the clever way that Amazon logo is presented - the arrow goes from A to Z which says they got everything you need and then it is also shaped like a smiley.

:-)

01 January 2010

From Photo-a-day-2010

Too many boxes of too many movies. Emptied both the plastic and cardpaper movie boxes and put them in 9 CD Pouches each holding 40 CDs. Since most of mine are VCDs (2 discs), I definitely needed to do this right away.