CommonCensus Map

Here's an interesting map of the U.S. drawn from votes of people who feel close/influenced by a major city nearby. May be some of the politicians could look at this before they argue about redistricting.

http://www.commoncensus.org/maps/national_1280.gif

CommonCensus Map Project
http://www.commoncensus.org/

Bloglanta

Found this blog about Atlanta's or rather ITP.
http://www.bloglanta.com/

What's The Frequency, Kenneth?

I always liked R.E.M.'s song "What's the Frequency, Kenneth", but didn't know there to be an interesting story behind it. Apparently, CBS News anchor Dan Rather was mugged in October 1986, and the assailant asks him this question. Rather had no idea what it meant. Moved by the incident, R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe was inspired to write the song.

Reference:
http://ask.yahoo.com/20010619.html

Animated Knots

How many different knots do you know? I had no idea there were any other kind than the ones I use to tie my shoe laces. I mean I know they use knots for boating and climbing, but I've never actually done either. But apparently there are loads of different kinds:

Animated Knots by Grog
http://www.animatedknots.com/

CoverPop

Came across a cool website.

http://www.coverpop.com/pop/indie/

Contains a mosaic of various CD covers. Looks cool.

Wife Beater

Learnt a new phrase last week - Wife Beater. I had no idea and would have never guessed it could refer to an under garment. Only in this country...

E-Mail Time Capsule

Email To The Future
http://forbes.codefix.net/capsule/

Forbes has an application where you can send yourself an email and it will be delivered in 20 years. The project ends Nov 30, 2005.

I have to think about it. What will I tell myself in 20 years? What I am doing now? What my aspirations are now and for the future? I don't know. Let me sleep on it.

Men and Women and Weight

Chick Pea sent me this today. I thought they were hilarious.

Feminism

What's a Modern Girl to Do?
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/30/magazine/30feminism.html

Interesting article in the New York Times about trends in feminism and the dilemmas of modern women.

MTV Desi

MTV Desi
http://www.mtv.com/mtvsites/desi/

MTV Desi has been launched. This could probably be my only excuse to cut my cable and get a dish. I so miss Indian Pop music. Last time I went to India (a while ago, about 3 years and more may be), I bought a bunch of hindi remixes and desi pop CDs. I loved them.

But don't want to sign a year's contract with dish though. Planning to move out of my apartment in less than a year's time. MTV Desi will have to wait.

Cricket for India 2005

Last weekend was a bit too tiring. Actually it was just Saturday that I overdid it. AID Atlanta hosted the Cricket for India 2005 fundraiser at GA Tech SAC Fields and it lasted all day. I was the official photographer (surprise :p). The event went well. We had about 29 teams compete and I think we raised some decent funds perhaps not as much as we expected. But standing all day doing this, and later playing a match on behalf of AID was exhausting. It ended at around 7 pm after starting at 8.30 am in the morning. After that I volunteered to go to Raksha's 'Ek Shaam' event to distribute flyers for our upcoming Shobana event. Had to stand again until 12.30 am in the night. I was so beat I slept all of Sunday. Not looking forward to the second half of this event next Saturday. :(

On the better side, it was nice not to absolutely nothing at all on a Sunday. Plus I got to play James Bond on PS2 with my nephew. We have been strategizing to beat the final chapter for a while now and I think we are getting close.

MJQ

Last Friday night was Net IP social meeting. Found a cool T-shirt online. It wasn't really my idea. Chick Pea thought of it first of course. Got a lot of attention wearing it which is always nice. :) Thanks, Chick Pea.


uds


Went to MJQ on Saturday around 11pm with friends. It was a lot of fun. The music was just loud enough. It got a little crowded later on. But overall it was a great place for a Sat. night. Went to Steak and Shake afterwards at around 2 am. Couldn't order a steak so had just a shake instead :). It was 4 am by the time I got home. Exhausted!

Photography

Some random links I found today while browsing...

Found this when randomly browsing Blogger blogs. Nice pictures.

Bernardo Borghetti has amazing colors in his pictures.

Learnt that I can use Blend Modes in Paint Shop Pro (duplicate layer, blur it and adjust other settings, change blend mode to Soft or Hard Light) to get some cool effects.

Modern Skirts

Had a fun weekend. Friday night was Net IP social meeting at Park Tavern. It's a nice bar with a fantastic view of downtown. It would have been nice to sit at the tables outside except for the stench from the open grounds since the rain I'm guessing. Couldn't stay there for more than a minute. Headed back inside into the hot, loud bar lounge with about a hundred other desis. The usual. Met some new people whose names I can hardly recall, as usual. It's still fun though. Screaming and trying to have a conversation with total strangers about nothing important.

But the best part was Saturday. Went to Athens with some friends for the CD Release party of the Modern Skirts. They are an awesome band. Heard them first the previous weekend at The Loft in town. There were others who were so-so and some that sucked. But Modern Skirts stood out. So when I heard about their CD Release party at the 40 Watt Club, I was in. Had to stand through some other bands first though. The Films and Trances Arc were ok, entertaining, but we couldn't wait until they were done. Hearing the live band again for a second time made us love the Modern Skirts again even more. The loud music, the din in the club, we were screaming like crazy, it was so much fun. By the time we were done it was almost 2 am. 3 am by the time I hit my bed back in Atlanta. Wow! what an amazing night it was. And since, have been listening to their debut album - Catalogue of Generous Men. I think I like 'September Days' the best.

Lauren Graham

Lauren Graham

I agree with CNN. WB's 'Gilmore Girls' is overdue for an emmy, especially Lauren Graham. I love her work. She's sexy, smart and adorable in that show. The fast-paced dialogue, quick-witted repartee and obscure references to pop culture is the best part of the show. It's creative and the actors work really hard to deliver it. I don't know what kind of TV politics keeps such good shows from being nominated.

(tv) Dogville

dogville

I rented this movie because I like Nicole Kidman and because this movie is a part of Lars von Trier's trilogy of Life in America. I really liked the movie. On a stage set, the entire movie is pictured as a theatrical play and so unique I thought.


town of dogville

Grace comes to the town of Dogville run away and in hiding. She reveals her secret to the townspeople to gain their trust so that they will let her stay in hiding in the town. They methodically put her to work as a way to earn their trust, and exploit her and humiliate her. Even the one she loves, Tom, betrays her when she tries to escape the town. The ending was very well written. I liked the ending so much that I wrote down the entire closed captions of the final act. Here it is ...

---

Dogville - Final Act

Grace and her father

(Grace enters the car)

"You need to justify your actions before you shoot us? That's new. That could be interpreted as weakness, Daddy. I'm disappointed in you."

"I didn't come to shoot anybody."

"You shot at me before."

"Yes. And so I, I regret that ... you ran away. But shooting at you certainly didn't help matters. Of course not, you're far, far too stubborn."

"If you don't want to kill me then why did you come?"

"Our last conversation, the one in which you told me what it was you didn't like about me, never really concluded, as you ran away. I should be allowed to tell you what I don't like about you. That I believe, would be a rule of polite conversation, no?"

"That's why you showed up? And you call me stubborn? - You're sure you're not here to force me to go back and become like you?"

"If I thought there was a chance of forcing you ... but of course, that would never happen. You're more - more than welcome to return home, become my daughter again anytime, and I would even begin to share my power and responsibility with you if you did. Not that you care -"

"So what is it? What is it, the thing, the thing that you don't like about me?"

"It was a word you used that provoked me. You called me arrogant."

"To plunder, as it were, a God-given right. I'd call that arrogant, daddy."

"But that is exactly what I don't like about you. It's you that is arrogant."

"That's what you came here to say? ... I'm not the one passing judgement, daddy, you are."

"No, you do not pass judgement because you sympathize with them. A deprived childhood, and a homicide really isn't necessarily a homicide, right? The only thing you can blame is circumstances - rapists and murderers may be the victims, according to you, but I, I call them dogs. And if they're lapping up their own vomit, the only way to stop them is with the lash."

"But dogs only obey their own nature, so why shouldn't we forgive them?"

"Dogs can be taught many useful things, but not if we forgive them every time they obey their own nature."

"So I'm arrogant? I'm arrogant because I forgive people."

"My God, can't you see how condescending you are when you say that? I mean you have - you have this preconceived notion that nobody, listen - that nobody can possibly attain the same high ethical standards as you, so you exonerate them. I cannot - I cannot think of anything more arrogant than that. You, my child, my dear child, you forgive others with excuses that you would never in the world permit for yourself."

"Why shouldn't I be merciful? Why?"

"No, no, no, you should, you should be merciful, when there's time to be merciful. But, you must maintain your own standards. You owe them that, you owe them that. The penalty you deserve for your transgressions, they deserve for their transgressions."

"They're human beings, Dad."

"No, no, no, of course - but does every human being need to be accountable for their actions? Of course they do, but you don't even give them that chance. And that is extremely arrogant. I love you, I love you, I love you to death, but you are the most arrogant person I have ever met. And you call me arrogant. I ... I have no more to say."

"You're arrogant, I'm arrogant, you've said it, now you can leave."

"And without my daughter, I suppose."

"Hmm?"

"I said without my daugther."

"Mm, yes."

"Well?"

"Yes!"

"You decide, you decide. Grace, they - they say you're having some trouble here."

"No. No more trouble than back home."

"I'm gonna give you a little time to think about this, perhaps you'll change your mind."

"I won't."

"Listen, my love, power is not so bad. I am sure that you can find a way to make use of it in your own fashion. Take a walk and think about it."

"People who live here ... are doing their best under very hard circumstances."

"If you say so, Grace. But is their best ... really good enough? - I do love you."

(Grace exits the car and starts to think)

(Narrator: Grace had already thought for a long time. She has known that if she were not shot when the gangsters arrived, she would be faced with her father's suggestion that she return to become a conspirator with him and his gang of thugs and felons. And she did not need any walk to reconsider her response to that ... even though the difference between the people she knew back home and the people she'd met in Dogville had proven somewhat slighter than she'd expected.

Grace looked at the gooseberry bushes, so fragile in the smooth darkness. It was good to know that if you did not treat them ill, they would be there come spring as always, and come summer they'd again be bursting with the quite incomprehensible quantity of berries that were so good in pies, especially with cinnamon. Grace looked around at the frightened faces behind the window panes that were following her every step and felt ashamed of being part of inflicting that fear. How could she ever hate them for what was at bottom merely their weakness? She would probably have done things like those that have befallen her if she had lived in one of these houses. To measure them by her own yardstick, as her father put it, would she not, in all honesty, have done the same as Chuck? And Vera and Ben? And Mrs. Henson? And Tom? And all these people in their houses?

Grace paused. And while she did, the clouds scattered and let the moonlight through. And Dogville underwent another of those little changes of light. It was as if the light previously so merciful and faint, finally refused to cover up for the town any longer. Suddenly you could no longer imagine a berry that would appear one day on a gooseberry bush, but only see the thorn that was there right now. The light now penetrated every unevenness and flaw in the buildings, and in the people.

And all of a sudden, she knew the answer to her question all too well. If she had acted like them, she could not have condemned them harshly enough. It was as if her sorrow and pain finally assumed their rightful place. No, what they had done was not good enough. And if one had the power to put it to rights, it was one's duty to do so, for the sake of other towns, for the sake of humanity and not least, for the sake of the human being that was Grace herself.)

(Grace enters the car again)

"If I went back and ... became your daughter again, when would I be given the power you're talking about?"

"Now."

"At once?"

"Why not?"

"So that would mean that I would also take on the immediate responsibility, at once. And I'd be a part of the problem solving... like the problem of Dogville."

"We could start by shooting the dog and nailing it to a wall over there, beneath that lamp for example. Well, it might help, it sometimes does, no?"

"It would only make the town more frightened, it would hardly make it a better place. And it could happen again. Somebody, somebody happening by, revealing ... their frailty. That's what I want to use the power for, if you don't mind. I want to make this world a little better."

(Knocks)

"Yeah?"

Thug: "The damn kid won't shut up. Says he wants to talk to you, miss. Can we just shoot him now?"

"No, let me talk to him."

(Grace exits the car.)

"What? What is it?"

Tom: "A man can't really be blamed for being scared now, can he?"

"No..."

Tom: "No... I'm scared Grace. I used you and I am sorry. I am stupid. I am. I'm may be even arrogant sometimes."

"You are, Tom."

Tom: "Although using people is not very charming, I think you have to agree that this specific illustration has surpassed all expectations. It says so much about being human. It's been painful, but I think you'll also have to agree, - it's been edifying, wouldn't you say?"

"Not now, Tom. Not now."

(Grace enters the car.)

"If there's any town this world would be better without, this is it."

Thug: "Yes?"

"Shoot them, burn down the town."

"Oh?"

"What? Something else, honey?"

"There's a family with kids. Do the kids first and make the mother watch. Tell her you'll stop if she can hold back her tears. I owe her that. I'm afraid she cries a little too easily."

"We'd better get you out of here. I'm afraid you've learned far too much already."

(event) Car Accident

A few weeks ago I was in a car accident. My dear Accent got pretty banged up. It was the other guy's fault totally. Traffic was slowing down on the Interstate and this guy comes up from behind at high speed, shows no sign of slowing down. I realize he is going to run into me and start to change lanes. But it's too late. I didn't even hear any brakes squeal. The guy rear-ended me pretty bad. And my poor car took the brunt of it. For such a small car, I came out unscathed. Lucky me! I guess Hyundai is a really good make.


old car

Car Accident.
Sunday, May 15, 2005 (11:30 am).
Doraville, Georgia, USA.

So I went out car shopping. Didn't want to buy another compact. Hyundai Accent was fine when I bought it as a student. Had a lot of good times with it. But now it seems too small. So was looking for mid-size cars. And hey since I'm single and love horse power, why not a sports car? (snicker) So I went and got me a Mustang. :)


new car

Ford Mustang.
Sunday, May 29, 2005.
Norcross, Georgia, USA.

And while I was at it, I went and got a hair cut too. When there is change that is happening, why not go with the flow?


new me

After hair cut.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005.
Norcross, Georgia, USA.

And now when I look back and think about it, this whole change suits me just fine. It was a car accident, but I wouldn't have bought this car if not for it. This ride is so sweet. I'm loving it.


new me in new car

Loving my new ride.
Saturday, June 4, 2005.
Norcross, Georgia, USA.

Long Lost Friends day

Yesterday was a really wierd day. Sort of like a long lost friends day. I met three people that I hadn't seen in a long time all at the same place in the same evening. I went to see this Telugu movie with a friend at the local movie theater and I met a friend I hadn't seen in two years, a college classmate I hadn't seen in 5 years, and a high school friend that I hadn't heard from in at least 10 years. I almost met another friend that I hadn't seen in a long time, but she got lost in the crowd. It was a really wierd day.

(info) Review of lenses for the Canon EOS 300D and EOS 10D

Review of lenses for the Canon EOS 300D and EOS 10D: "A review of lenses for the Canon EOS 300D and EOS 10D Digital SLRs"

This is a good article to be able to sort through all the way too many choices for lenses that Canon offers. Can have some idea about what a good lens is and what a cheap lens is and the trade-offs we are faced with.

(news) Consumer Reports 'Best Cars' - Mar. 5, 2005

Consumer Reports 'Best Cars' - Mar. 5, 2005: "Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Volvo had more than their fair share of problems"

CNN's news article on Consumer Reports for 2004 cars brought to light the problems faced with European cars. European automakers have had complaints about problems for 21 per 100 cars.

That's the last time I dream about getting a Mercedes.

Excerpts:

Japanese and Korean automakers once again produced the most trouble-free models, with an overall problem rate of 12 per 100 for the 2004 model year, the same rate they have had for the last three years, Consumer Reports said.

It said GM, Ford and the Chrysler side of DaimlerChrysler AG inched closer to the Asians with an overall problem rate of 17 per 100, however. That matched the industry average and was down from a combined rate of 18 per 100 last year.

By contrast, the problem rate for European automakers rose slightly to 21 per 100 from 20 last year.

"Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Volvo had more than their fair share of problems. Only Audi came out better than average," the magazine said.

"The most reliable brand overall is now Subaru, which averages eight problems per 100," Consumer Reports said. It noted that Honda Motor Co. Ltd., long a reliability leader, now averaged nine problems per 100.

The single most reliable vehicle in the 2004 model year was Hyundai Motor Co, Ltd's low-cost Sonata sedan, with a problem rate of just two per 100.

Ford's Lincoln Navigator sport utility vehicle and Nissan's Quest minivan tied for most unreliable vehicle, it said, with problem rates of 49 per 100. Close behind was the pricey Touareg SUV from Volkswagen AG, which had 48 problems for every 100 vehicles.

(event) Ice Storm

My frozen car

Ice Storm.
Saturday, January 29, 2005.
Norcross, Georgia, USA.

Atlanta witnessed an ice storm this weekend and everything froze over. My car had about half an inch thick ice covering it. All the trees bent over so low with all the ice on their branches. It took me an hour to thaw my car out. I had to go out on the dangerous slippery roads and see the excitement for myself. After all, when the news channels warn us not to drive on the icy roads, aren't they just inviting us to go out skating? Well, I thought so. It was so much fun. I would skid a little from time to time, but everyone was driving way below the speed limits, so it wasn't too much fun. Reminded me about ice skating. Note to self - go ice skating more often.

(event) Houston Trip

David Dodda

Houston Trip.
January 21-24, 2005.
Houston, Texas, USA.

My Houston trip to attend Erum's wedding was a double surprise. I got to meet David. I probably haven't seen him since high school. Yet another example of unplanned events that become a good memory. It was really good to see him after such a long time. He hasn't changed much.


Chevy Monte Carlo


We went to Galveston beach in my Chevy Monte Carlo rental. The beach was ok. Nothing interesting about it, but reasonably deserted to enjoy with friends. The car was great. I had a lot of fun with it driving around Houston. Feel like I know my way around now, just because I've driven over the Interstates and major highways. The traffic was as busy as Atlanta traffic, but people were even more crazy. I've witnessed several drunks driving like maniacs and I actually saw a truck driver throw out beer cans while driving alone. What's with them Texans?

On my way back to the airport from the hotel I stayed at, Ramada near the Galleria, at 3am in the morning I almost hit a cow lying in the middle of the road from what seemed to be already hit by another car.

Overall, it was an exciting trip. Met an old friend. Attended a Muslim wedding that I never saw before. Almost hit a cow. hehehehehe.

(event) Erum Momin's Wedding

With the bride

Erum Momin's Wedding.
January 22-23, 2005.
Houston, Texas, USA.

Went to Erum's wedding in Houston. She has been engaged for over two years and finally decided to get married. It was nice to be there for the entire occasion. From the day before till the reception. She was looking so pretty all the time. I guess her happiness was just showing.

I was surprised at myself. There were so many friends I thought I would be present when they would get married. Friends from childhood, college friends. I missed a lot of weddings. And unexpectedly I was able to make it to Erum's. Just goes to show that the best laid plans are usually failures and the best times are usually unplanned and a surprise. At least in the way of expectations for the future. So, in a way, the disappointments and pleasant surprises balance out. There will always be good times and bad times to remember.


Hanging with friends

Go to hang out with Zeenat and met Farhat after a really, really long time.

fanlistings

Actresses:


TV Shows:


Characters:


Episodes:

(tv) ER's "Secrets and Lies"

ER

(NBC's) ER: Season 8
Episode: Secrets and Lies
Wednesday, December 19, 2005
TNT (Ch 35)

This was a good episode of ER that was casual without the usual medical drama. I know it's unfair to expect more from a medical drama series. But I welcome episodes that are few and that take place outside the ER. This was one relaxed episode, with nice character revelations. Of course, it was too obviously based on The Breakfast Club and so no points for originality there. But they didn't make it too bad either. I enjoyed it inspite of it.

The best lines from the episode were from Dr. Luka Kovac, explaining a play's meaning, when Dr. Susan Lewis says she didn't understand it - "It's about the futility of life - human enterprise. You know we're all waiting. For what? Fulfillment? Love? Validation? Approval? It's a waste of time. Life is an empty, hollow exercise filled with pain, loss and grief, and the only thing we can expect to achieve in our lives is our own inevitable death." I know I want to see this play, probably a dark comedy, Waiting for Godot.

I found a fanlisting for this episode.