Wednesday, January 26, 2005

The Final Stretch

It's 4:45a on Wednesday morning. Why do the last couple of days before I go on vacation turn into adventures like this? I'm going to awake all night tonight, all day today and all night tomorrow. What's left to do:

Shopping - for Tappi, for an iPod Shuffle, for Ranvir
Packing - for everything
Working - Mid Year Review, sign-off, automation docs

Shit, crap, kuxx... I'm loving it!

Sunday, January 23, 2005

Patriots rout Steelers in AFC Championship Game

All right, I've given in to the temptation and started following football. I don't have a team that I cheer but am fascinated at how so many guys I know swear by the game when they can't even throw a ball 10 yards and the kind of passion that the game evokes in its fans. Besides, a game that bears the cross for being THE most strategic game played in the USA can't be all bad now can it? :)

I know a particular Steelers fan who was really rooting for her team to go to Jacksonville - my sympathy goes out to her. Maybe when she isn't in Pittsburgh no more will the team she loves play what we call a FINAL. Till then, savour the memories of a great season and revel in the fact that only the Patriots could've beaten the Steelers...

Cologne Tips from a Playaaaa!

"Everyone understands that it is important to smell good when trying to attract the opposite sex. However, do you know which colognes are the most effective? Do you know the few simple tricks you can utilize to bring your 'smelling good' up to the next level? If not then you've come to the right place..."

Read on for more :here:

Thursday, January 13, 2005

Who am I, what am I?!

"'I've been mad for fucking years, absolutely years, been over the edge for yonks, been working me buns off for bands...'

'I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the
most of us...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad...' "

Breathe, breathe in the air
Don't be afraid to care

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

U.S. Trade Deficit Hits Record $60.3B

'We now have the Grand Canyon of trade deficits,' said Joel Naroff, head of a Holland, Pa., forecasting firm. 'Actually, deficit is really a misnomer. Chasm, gorge, black hole, infinitely deep well all fit the description better.'

Democrats, who sought to make the widening trade and budget deficits issues in the presidential campaign, contended that the November shortfall was further evidence that President Bush (news - web sites)'s trade policies are not working. They note that the country lost 2.7 million manufacturing jobs over the past four years as companies moved production facilities to low-wage countries.

I don't think a punch-line is needed here; a frightening precursor to the future demands a somber tone.

IPod Sales Shine Up Apple's Profit

There was a time when I could have bought Apple shares at $21. I didn't and I've lived to regret that decision. Here's why:

Apple Stock Today: After Hours (RT-ECN): 73.15 Up 7.69 (11.75%)

To quote the article:
"Apple Computer Inc., riding one of the most dramatic revivals in its turbulent history, said its fiscal first-quarter profit more than quadrupled on a 74% increase in sales, reflecting strong demand during the holidays for its iPod portable music player and Macintosh computers."

I'm going to help their bottom-line this coming quarter - am gonna buy me and my family some iPod Shuffles, a Mac Mini even... :)

WSJ.com - India Acts to Lift Foreign Investment

WSJ.com - India Acts to Lift Foreign Investment: "Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said regulations such as Press Note 18 were an anachronism as India modernized its economy. 'New joint ventures and collaborations will have to be shaped by commercial contractual agreements based on the free will of partners without government interference,' Mr. Singh said.

The policy shift was hailed as a sign that Mr. Singh's government, which gained power in elections last May, is serious about changing India's overregulated economy."

All hail Manmohan Singh; this can only be good news for the Indian economy. It does put local businesses at risk of losing some market share but I believe the increased competition will create a consumer paradise.

Tuesday, January 11, 2005

NPR's morning edition recommends Firefox

I heard this piece on NPR on my drive in to work last week and finally found the audio online. Chris Arnold does a good job with describing the difference between Firefox and IE in a manner that would appeal to the lay, non-techie user. He talks about pop-up blocking, tabbed windows and increased privacy control. More power to the people browsing the web I say...

Firefox can be downloaded from :here:

Randomness

Titles are hard, unless something note-worthy happens and I feel like writing about it. In other words, nothing really note-worthy has occurred these past couple of days. Or wait, that's not really true, I've had a great time since Friday so I shouldn't be saying this. So what did I do? Can't spend Friday night at home, nahunhh! Drove into Seattle to get dinner and dessert with Kristina on Broadway. The evening started early, and we devoured the delicious food while telling each other stories from the past, our respective ways of ringing the new year in and any other random tidbit that was remotely entertaining. Dessert after was decadent; they should ban Dilletante Chocolates from selling such rich dessert, geez! Stomachs filled, we were ready to take on the next challenge, drive to Bellevue and hang with Rutu and Irit at the Tap House Grill...

We drank some, sang some and drank some more while listening to the live band at the Tap House. The lead singer of the band was really good, his voice similar to that of Eddie Vedder, and he knew how to keep the crowd involved. They finished the night with a rendition of Sweet Home Alabama (or maybe it was some other song, I can't really remember, which is a good sign) that I thoroughly enjoyed :)

Saturday was like any other Seattle Saturday - I spent the entire day vegetating at home, eating many small meals and staring at the telly. Totally chill and totally WASTED - what better thing to do on a Saturday I ask? Got my butt off the couch at night finally, worked out and then hung with Viju and Anu. Wait, watched Anu get sloshed is a better way of putting it - she got so drunk that she had to throw up. Should teach her a lesson, it's not usually a good idea to shoot glassfuls of alcohol.

Ate Paranthas and watched The Aviator on Sunday. I'm glad I enjoyed the Paranthas coz had the food sucked as much as the movie did, I'd have been pissed. Let me be a little more charitable though, The Aviator had its moments, it's just that these were too few and too far between. I'm all gung ho about planes and all but this I couldn't abide. Call me a hater but a movie's gotta entertain. Worked out, picked Mithun dawg from the airport, helped him unpack and hit the sack, ready for a brand new week at work - yipppeeee :)

Baaaallllz

Saturday, January 08, 2005

100 Hottest Hotties

I just saw the 20 Hottest Hotties (20 through 1) on VH1 and my brain has stopped functioning. Was agape for so long, having a hard time just keeping my lips together. Tanks...

Thursday, January 06, 2005

TGIF

Had the first tennis lesson of my life this evening at the Pro Club. The subtleties I was completely unaware of, the little nudge here, raising of the elbow there, holding of the racquet made my game so much more consistent upon correction. Darryl is a great coach - he hits the ball with consummate ease and infuses confidence in his pupils.

I worked my shoulders and back after an hour of tennis and am just about ready to hit the sack. It's going to be a cold. snowy morning tomorrow in Seattle and I'm hoping MS is closed for business :) Lights out...

I already brung it...

Cartman: Now stop wasting Mel Gibson's time, you little pussy prick.
Stan: Don't take that tone with me, kid. I'll kick your ass.
Cartman: Yah. Well, I'd like to see you try. I'm, like, 6 feet tall.
Stan: Yah. Well, you sound like a little bitch to me.
Cartman: Bitch! Don't call me bitch, bitch!
Stan: Bring it on then, bitch!
Cartman: I already brung it, bitch. I brung it, opened it, and set it on the table, bitch.

Wednesday, January 05, 2005

West Coaster with an East Coast hangover

I miss Boston - the camaraderie, the people, the pampering, everything!!

Fact: Was delayed at both Boston and Chicago airports on my way back. I'm going to avoid connections through Chicago like the plague for two reasons. The airport is so vast and spread-out that walking from terminal to terminal is a workout. And flights during the winter from O'Hare are almost always delayed - don't need that when I'm already drained from knowing that my vacation is over and I must return to my routine, humdrum existence...

Lots to write about but no time now - gotta run to the gym, run, do yoga and then eat dinner with Rutu and Karan. Must get in shape, must get in shape (so stop eating like a fat ass idiot!)

Tuesday, January 04, 2005

Stop Spyware! Run Windows XP as a non-admin user

Given that most everyone I know has had me rid their computer of spyware at some point this past year, I'd like to suggest that you read this :website: and the associated links. The page details how you can run as a non-admin user on your machine, the advantages and hindrances (I said it) of this new setting and suggests solutions to the problems you encounter.

I've set this up on my machines at work and the setup works perfect 99% of the time. When I'm in trouble, I do some research and find the solution. In case doing this gets you in hot water, I'll help you fix the issue - promise. But please use the Limited User Account feature in Windows XP and rid yourself of nasty spyware.

Saturday, January 01, 2005

Resolutions for the coming year

1. Get in shape
2. Eat well
3. Sleep well
4. Work hard - really hard
5. Learn to play the guitar
6. Don't take life so seriously, flow with it, roll with the punches...

And yours?

2005 is here, deal with it

Put 2004 in perspective, remember the mistakes you made and look forward to the days ahead. Honestly though, isn't new year's day just like any other day - I'm going to wake up in the morning on the 4th, drive in to work and just go about my business like I did on say, the 26th. The only thing that reminds you that you are now in a new year is the fact that you keep writing xx/xx/2004 everytime you write the date - more of an annoyance than anything else :)

I miss the days in school when a new year would herald a new semester/term of work - got to learn new things, read new stories, learn new algorithms. Maybe that's what I need, a class every semester to attend so I have something to look forward to. Gonna start that with a class on compilers this coming "semester".

To all, have a really fantastic new year. Set achievable goals and you will accomplish them...