BBC NEWS | World | South Asia | Q&A: How the tsunami happened

BBC NEWS | World | South Asia | Q&A: How the tsunami happened: "How the tsunami happened
Thousands of people have died after an earthquake sent huge waves crashing into coastal resorts across south and east Asia. Dr Brian Baptie, a senior seismologist with the British Geological Survey, explained how the wave, or tsunami, was created."

The science behind the tragedy makes you wish more that it would never occur...

Here comes the snow

And we played in it - threw snowballs at each other and ran around in the snow. After all that frolic, my hands took ten minutes to warm up in the car. This year is going to end on a very interesting note...

The clock ticks life away

Woke up to the sound of the cell phone ringing at 6am this morning. Actually, I knew I had to wake up early so my body just woke up a couple of minutes before the phone actually rang. The fact that I got out of bed a whole 1/2 hour after I spoke on the phone is of course a completely different matter. Focus please... :) this is my morning we are talking about! Got to the squash courts at 7am and did some fun drills with Maria while giving her some tips on improving her game.

So here's the scoop - I was so tranquil all morning and got so much done that I'm actually going to try this again. Actually, I am feeling tred and my eye-lids feel heavy from the day's activities so this is natural. Hmm, me doing something the way it should be done, now this has gotta be a first!!!

In other news, I have so much work to do this next week, I hate it! There is no end to work I've realized - the more you do, the more you have left to do. GDI...

The Holidays are here again

And Microsoft campus is partially deserted. A good time to get work done, catch on items punted for months and to put on some weight eating christmas treats. For my own part, I'm headed to Boston for some days before I return to the grind in 2005. Why Boston you ask - I'm a sucker for punishment remember, I hate the cold so I decided to go to the coldest, inhabitable place in the US where I have some friends - Boston! And oh yeah, what better place to wear a Yankees hat?!?

The last couple of days have been very chilled out but I should pick up the pace because I have a lot of work that needs my attention. Outside of work, my laziness has made me lax as regards matters pertaining to personal finances that I definitely must tend to. And then there is the problem of unopened snail mail - a task I hate as much as doing laundry. Why the F*$# do them credit card companies keep sending me credit card applications - ohh I get it, I have no money so could be one of their best customers - the high rollers!

I'd like to thank all of you for reading this space - writing becomes more fulfilling when there are readers. Happy Holidays...

Aaaand Weeeeeee

Click on the link and go, Weeeeeee.....

How to survive creative burnout

I stumbled upon this collection of essays by an ex-Microsoftie and agree with a lot of his thoughts. I went through a mini-burnout myself but am hoping that the tide has turned now. Interesting read...

It's about the Statistics mate...

So here are this month's ;):

Current Crushes
- Vicki Butler Henderson
- Wonder Woman: The Cartoon Character - you got it right...

All Time Crush
Denise Richards

Most Watched Shows
- 5th Gear
- That 70s Show

Current Reads
- The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
- Unix Internals - The New Frontiers

Movies of the month
- Ocean's 12
- The James Bond series
- Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Am I crazy?
What do you think?

A Sunny day for Sachin Tendulkar

"Sachin Tendulkar on Saturday scored his 34th Test century to equal Sunil Gavaskar's world record on the second day of the first Test against Bangladesh here. "

My Hero - God - Sachin...

Google Suggest

Google

This is simply awesome. Give it a spin, here's how:

1. Start typing
2. Google smartly suggests possible search queries
3. Select the one you were looking for and Click the Google Search button :)

Easy as pie...

Laptops a Hot Fertility Issue

"The findings suggest that young men should place laptop computers on a desk, a table or anywhere else but their own laps."

All you geeks and laptop owners beware... Save them family jewels :)

Melatonin, Sleep and My Body...

This publication talks about Melatonin and its effects on your sleep and wake cycle. Interesting read with a section titled "Twelve Questions To Ask Yourself".

The publication goes on to say:

If you answer "yes" to any of the above questions, you may have found a reason for your sleeping troubles. Try changing your behavior and see if your sleep improves.

I answered Yes to 4 of them so maybe it is high time I change my ways?! :)

Telegraph | News | Shortage of sleep is linked to obesity

The article states:
"As for the concern about children, obesity and television viewing, he pointed out that watching television was often done at a time when children should be sleeping."

I think this applies to me too - the primary reason for my sleeplessness is all the recorded TV I watch every night. Maybe it is time for me to return the DVR and get back to TV-less days.

What a weekend...

And it all started with dinner at Red Robin. I was late to begin with, had to tie up some last minute loose ends - like giving friends holiday gifts :) We all came home after dinner, drank some wine and watched Miracle. If you get a chance and like sport, you should definitely watch this movie. A little jingoistic but on the whole, a great movie to watch with friends.

Wasn't really keen on waking up early on Saturday and wake up late I did. Around 2 maybe it was?! Hung out at home and finally got out of the apartment around 8pm, just in time for some shopping! Returned stuff to American Eagle (expensive shirt, not worth it) and walked around the mall till Mehra and Donna showed up. They were late - my influence - so I got a chance to enter the one place that defines American consumerism - The Bon. Drum Roll...

Half hour, four shirts and $50 later, I was done with my shopping sprees for the year. Dinner at Kanishka hit the spot and after some persuasion, Donna agreed to come out and party. We spent a couple hours at Tost, a place I really like. We sat on the couches, had a couple drinks and totally enjoyed the music. And before the night ended, true to form, we hit Mirabeau Room and grooved to Bollywood tunes...

So I thought the fun and frolic were done but no, I was wrong. Arvind, Rutz, Donna and I got around to leaving for lunch around 2:45. Paranthas and Dahi, so much anticipation - I just hoped we wouldn't be let down. And let down, we weren't!!! I strongly recommend Preet's to all lovers of Indian food. But I'd suggest people stick with the appetizers and order Paranthas, even though they aren't listed on the menu.

Lots of sleep, lots of tasty food, what more can a man ask for? I won't complain if I get an entertaining movie - no I won't! We packed into Rutu's car and headed to the Galleria to watch Closer - a movie I kinda liked. I know others didn't but they have their reasons, as always :) Worked out after the movie and read a bit before tucking in. Recharged for the rush that Monday brought with it...

Ferraris, Made in India

"India's top software exporter Tata Consultancy Services has won a multimillion dollar deal with Italian sports car maker Ferrari to design Formula 1 engines."

Me too Me too - Made in India! Awesummm...

Hopefully, the insomnia has passed

And given way to my first restful night. Many thanks to Smitha, Ayesha, Mamta, Rutu and Karan for either inquiring about my insomnia or helping me get over it. The lack of sleep disrupted my schedule completely and I missed a couple meetings but I hope that I'll be back on track. I'll keep this space updated...

Flawed Rules of Association

People say often times - you don't have this so how would you know about it? For instance,

"You don't have hair, what would you know about hair styles"

To that I say,

"I don't have tits but I know a good rack when I see one." or
"I don't own a Ferrari but I sure know it's a great drive."

Hair-raising isn't it? No actually, plain disgusting...

Artist of the Week

Have you guys had a chance to listen to any music by a Canadian born Indian DJ who goes by the name of Raghav? Trust me, his music is the ultimate fusion of Indian funk, hip-hop beats and old Bollywood music. So yeah, I've been listening to two of his songs - Can't Get Enough and Let's Work It Out all weekend and the past couple of days, so I'm sick of them already :) But I'll definitely add this to my party list...

In other news, I don't know why I am unable to sleep at night. This insomnia might have something to do with the acquisition of the DVR from Comcast - me thinking the DVR is evil - evil evil :( But it can't be just that now can it? Whatever it is, I need to tuck in right now because I have a 10am meeting. I'd not wish anyone else to have insomnia, trust me though...