Apple - taking iTunes and the iPod to the next level

Apple - Education - iTunes U: "Apple shares common goals with education — to advance teaching, learning, and research through innovation, and engage and empower students. Students expect a campus environment that accommodates their digital lifestyle, adapts to their individual learning needs, and encourages collaboration and teamwork. Introducing a way to simplify and meet all these needs — iTunes U. "

Though this paragraph is marketing speak, if you look beyond the hype, you'll realize how Apple is reaching out to the iPod Masses. If this concept catches on, no student on campus would want to be caught dead without his or her iPod. That's nearly half a million kids a year. You do the math...

Late Night Meals

I've known this for a while but since this recurred last night, I thought I'd write about it. After an intense workout at night, I've started having a smoothie at the Club to replenish my body's store of vitamins (through fruit), and protein (whey). I get home within an hour of drinking my shake and what do you know, the hunger pangs returned with renewed intensity. I end up eating some dairy (yoghurt, string cheese or a glass of milk) to make the pangs go away but most nights, I need to eat something solid - bread, cereal, something!

Starting today, I'm going to try something new - I am going to drink a whole lot of water to fill my stomach up. If that doesn't work, I'll drink tea. Chamomile has been strongly recommended so I'm going to take a dip. Do you have any other "late night" meal avoidance suggestions for me?

My New Media Center PC

... has changed the way I watch TV. One thing's for sure, I spend much more time sitting on my couch catching up with the shows that have been recorded for me by the MCE. And I have just 12 channels to record programs from!!!

The Australian Open Men's Final is streaming live over AORadio to my computer. As I said, I don't have too many channels and the Australian Open is being shown on ESPN2 (not in my list of channels) so I have to make do with the radio broadcast. Oh well.

I just watched the Series Finale of Sex and the City. Even though the four girls are in stable relationships and there wasn't much more they could've explored in the episodes, I can't help but feel short changed. I will say this though, each episode in this final season touched upon one human emotion or insecurity and made me think about when I felt similarly. My misgivings aside, I now understand why this show was such a huge hit.

Enough of this blogging for now, time to enjoy the radio commentary while I get ready to go to bed. Cheerio...

From TVs to toys, the best time to buy everything - Jan. 20, 2006

All you deal hawks, here's a guide that will help you save on the big stuff. Enjoy!!!

OCC and the Teutels - Real American Heroes

The only real reality show on TV today is American Chopper. The Teutels take people's dreams to fruition by carving biking marvels out of raw metal. And of late, it's the only show on TV that brings a tear to my eye. Their compassion and benevolence is unparalleled and even if they are 50% as good as the show makes them out to be, they've still got my vote of confidence. The best part is, they know how to have a good time. I wish more people I knew (myself included) could value good times...

Show Details
Airs on Discovery Channel
8pm Monday nights
Re-runs most every night at 2am

Aaron wants to be Paul Senior. I just want to be on the show, just once. That's my dream now...

Mondays Blow

I'm currently experiencing all of the following:
- Exhaustion
- Headache
- Nausea
- Thirst
- Ennui

On the positive side of things, tomorrow is Tuesday and all will be well...

Dinner for Four - Casa Manoj

As I drove home from the grocery store this afternoon, I heard the radio announcer say, "This is a very big evening for the Seahawks. If they win, it will be the first time in franchise history that they make it to the Superbowl." I felt one with the Seahawks because it was going to be a high pressure evening for me too, a first time for me actually. It was the first time that Karan's mom was going to visit my apartment, and I was going to cook dinner...

I started preparing for Sunday night bright and early on Saturday morning. It was the afternoon actually by the time I jotted down a list of things to buy and started cleaning up. Good thing I started a whole day earlier coz I had so much to do - vacuum, clean the floors, clean the bathroom, clean the kitchen, clean the ...

Dinner at Ameen/Deep's was the break I needed from all that scrubbing. Ameen is a great cook and last night's meal was no exception. Her specialities are continental and european dishes, the kind that I rarely get a chance to experience - the anticipation of tasty treats makes the 25 mile drive worthwhile. And what better way to top of a Saturday night than with drinks at Kell's?

Sunday morning and early afternoon were all about procuring ingredients. The Indian Store, QFC, Trader Joe's, "Amruta's kitchen"! Amruta did a lot of the cutting and was the official taster as I laboured over the stove. Here is what ended up on the table:

The Appetizer
Tender Egg Plant Rolls
A mixture of sun-dried tomato pesto and goat cheese rolled in grilled, tender Egg Plant Wafers. Served warm with a sprinkling of oregano and paprika.

The Main Course
Paneer in creamy, Cilantro gravy
Lightly roasted cubes of paneer in a creamy gravy made from a blend of fresh Cilantro leaves blended, cashews and pine nuts. A faint aftershock of green peppers ensures that the taste of the gravy stays with you as you swallow.

Good ol' Black Dal
The no frills, great tasting classic Dal that compliments every Indian meal. Served warm and with a touch of butter.

Roti and Black Bean Pulav
'Nuff Said.

Dessert
Dollops of ice-cream served over a slice of cake

Affagato
A shot of espresso poured over 2 scoops of Vanilla ice-cream - belle!

Karan brought the alcohol and made great martinis. Thanks are due to him and Amru for helping me put stuff together for the evening. I could repeat everything Aunty, Amruta, Karan and Monu said about the evening but I won't. Instead, I'll just say that I made a good impression. About time, eh?! Phew!!