I came to know about Shankar Tucker via FB and he is really producing some good music. His YouTube videos appear to be the latest phenomenon to hit the internet. Check out. Enjoy.
Even though one of his video, a remake of ‘Munbae Vaa’ has already over a quarter of a million views in two weeks, so far I liked these two...
1. Night Monsoon ft. Amit Mishra
2. Nee Nenaindal ft. Vidya and Vandana Iyer
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Bulk-Installs Great Free Windows/Linux Apps
One of the most irritating things about reinstalling your operating system is installing all the non-OS applications you love. Ninite or Allmyapps lets you select all your favorite apps and roll them into a bulk installer to make rebuilding easy.
Both sites offers free web-based service and provide bulk-installation. Very handy.
Both sites offers free web-based service and provide bulk-installation. Very handy.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Winning against odds ...
Most of you would have seen the news that Vishy Anand won against Bulgarian Veselin Topalov to become four-time World Champion in Chess. There were also reports that Anand had to travel by road for 40 hours because the airspace in Europe was closed at that time due to volcanic ash.
When Anand reached Chennai few days back, the media asked him about his journey from Frankfurt to Chennai. He remarked “Oh this one [compared to his grueling bus ride to Sophia] was nothing at all. I slept through it.”
To understand that epoch-making road trip, read through this report from one of his team members …
21.04.2010 – On Thursday Vishy Anand embarked on a trip from his house in Madrid, Spain, to the World Championship match. He got as far as Frankfurt, Germany, and was stopped by the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland. Frantic planning followed, and on Tuesday morning, after a 40-hour drive, he arrived with his team in Sofia, Bulgaria. A team member’s report
When Anand reached Chennai few days back, the media asked him about his journey from Frankfurt to Chennai. He remarked “Oh this one [compared to his grueling bus ride to Sophia] was nothing at all. I slept through it.”
To understand that epoch-making road trip, read through this report from one of his team members …
21.04.2010 – On Thursday Vishy Anand embarked on a trip from his house in Madrid, Spain, to the World Championship match. He got as far as Frankfurt, Germany, and was stopped by the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland. Frantic planning followed, and on Tuesday morning, after a 40-hour drive, he arrived with his team in Sofia, Bulgaria. A team member’s report
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Avatar movie review
Finally after two-and-half months of the release I managed to see AVATAR today. Wow what a fantastic fantasy film indeed.
I was simply mesmerized by James Cameron who chooses to play god and creates a whole new world with such exquisite finesse, aesthete and eye for detail, he almost takes your breath away. In terms of sheer technology, Avatar marks the coming of age of both CGI and 3-D cinema with its art house special effects and its shock and awe treatment. The best part I like is Cameron's cry against war and violence that makes Avatar an eloquent testimonial to the present.
Avatar is a simple story told straight of an ex-Marine who finds himself thrust into hostilities on an alien planet filled with exotic life forms. As an Avatar, a human mind in an alien body, he finds himself torn between two worlds, in a desperate fight for his own survival and that of the indigenous people.
Don’t miss it.
I was simply mesmerized by James Cameron who chooses to play god and creates a whole new world with such exquisite finesse, aesthete and eye for detail, he almost takes your breath away. In terms of sheer technology, Avatar marks the coming of age of both CGI and 3-D cinema with its art house special effects and its shock and awe treatment. The best part I like is Cameron's cry against war and violence that makes Avatar an eloquent testimonial to the present.
Avatar is a simple story told straight of an ex-Marine who finds himself thrust into hostilities on an alien planet filled with exotic life forms. As an Avatar, a human mind in an alien body, he finds himself torn between two worlds, in a desperate fight for his own survival and that of the indigenous people.
Don’t miss it.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan wins Chemistry Nobel
Tamil Nadu-born Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, a senior scientist at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology at Cambridge, has won the 2009 Nobel Prize for Chemistry along with two others Thomas E Steitz (US) and Ada E Yonath (Israel) for their "studies of the structure and function of the ribosome".
Ramakrishnan earned his B.Sc. in Physics (1971) from Baroda University and his Ph.D. in Physics (1976) from Ohio University. He moved into biology at the University of California, San Diego, where he took a year of classes, then conducted research with Dr Mauricio Montal, a membrane biochemist.
Ramakrishnan earned his B.Sc. in Physics (1971) from Baroda University and his Ph.D. in Physics (1976) from Ohio University. He moved into biology at the University of California, San Diego, where he took a year of classes, then conducted research with Dr Mauricio Montal, a membrane biochemist.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Watched historical 15th grand slam of FedX
What a brilliant game? Yesterday watched Roger Federer winning his 15th grand slam title at Wimbledon (beating the previous all-time record of Pete Sampras). It was indeed a historic match and one of the most heart-stopping and unforgettable finals seen in a grand slam arena, Federer held his nerve for four hours and 16 astonishing minutes before finally subduing Andy Roddick 5-7 7-6 7-6 3-6 16-14 to claim the trophy he cherishes above all for the sixth time.
In terms of match time, it was not quite as long as last year’s battle between Federer and Rafael Nadal, but it soon took on similarly epic proportions. And for much of the match, it seemed that Roddick would emulate Nadal's feat as he hammered away at his opponent. Federer wavered a few times, but never toppled and in the end won on merit. He returns to number one in the world, too, by way of yet another win bonus.
Among the 15,000 souls lucky enough to witness the momentous occasion was a beaming Pete Sampras, whose milestone of 14 majors Federer eclipsed on Sunday, in the front row of the Royal Box. Sampras was not the only great in attendance on Sunday. Sitting alongside him in the Royal Box was Laver and Bjorn Borg and all three were perhaps thanking their lucky stars their careers did not coincide with the magician from Basel.
Roger Federer is clearly a genius on the tennis court and a perfect gentleman off of the court. He is gracious, contrite, and eloquent when addressing the crowd of admirers in the stands. It's so wonderful to have such great guys like Andy and Roger represent the best in the sport at Wimbledon. Who knows what might have happened if Nadal had been there. What great tennis, and now that Roger is the king, he will continue to do the game proud with his brand of great behavior, elegance, and spectacular athleticism.
In terms of match time, it was not quite as long as last year’s battle between Federer and Rafael Nadal, but it soon took on similarly epic proportions. And for much of the match, it seemed that Roddick would emulate Nadal's feat as he hammered away at his opponent. Federer wavered a few times, but never toppled and in the end won on merit. He returns to number one in the world, too, by way of yet another win bonus.
Among the 15,000 souls lucky enough to witness the momentous occasion was a beaming Pete Sampras, whose milestone of 14 majors Federer eclipsed on Sunday, in the front row of the Royal Box. Sampras was not the only great in attendance on Sunday. Sitting alongside him in the Royal Box was Laver and Bjorn Borg and all three were perhaps thanking their lucky stars their careers did not coincide with the magician from Basel.
Roger Federer is clearly a genius on the tennis court and a perfect gentleman off of the court. He is gracious, contrite, and eloquent when addressing the crowd of admirers in the stands. It's so wonderful to have such great guys like Andy and Roger represent the best in the sport at Wimbledon. Who knows what might have happened if Nadal had been there. What great tennis, and now that Roger is the king, he will continue to do the game proud with his brand of great behavior, elegance, and spectacular athleticism.
Top 10 Michael Jackson Songs
My Top 10 Jacko Songs...
1. Beat It
2. Man in the Mirror
3. Billie Jean
4. Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough
5. Ben
6. Thriller
7. Smooth Criminal
8. Black or White
9. You Are Not Alone
10. I Just Can't Stop Loving You
1. Beat It
2. Man in the Mirror
3. Billie Jean
4. Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough
5. Ben
6. Thriller
7. Smooth Criminal
8. Black or White
9. You Are Not Alone
10. I Just Can't Stop Loving You
How to Moonwalk like Michael Jackson
On March 25, 1983, Michael Jackson took one small, backward step onto a television stage — and one giant leap into dance-floor history. The thin, angular pop star was only 24 years old when he took an obscure break-dancing move and transformed it into one of the most recognizable routines of all time. Jackson debuted the moonwalk during his performance of "Billie Jean" on the ABC television special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, and the heavy rotation that the song's video enjoyed on MTV injected it into America's pop-cultural consciousness. The moonwalk is so fluid, so effortless — and yet when amateurs slip on some old gym socks and try to glide across a kitchen floor, it always turns out horribly.
Step 1: Start with your feet together. That's easy enough, right?
Step 2: Raise your right heel so that you're standing on the ball of your right foot.
Step 3: Shift your weight onto that still raised right foot so that the left one feels weightless.
Step 4: Lower your right heel slowly while moving your (still weightless) left foot backward until the toes of your left foot are aligned with the heel of your right foot. If you do it right, it should look like your left foot is floating backward across the floor.
Step 5: Lift your left heel and shift your body weight so that you're now standing on the ball of that foot.
Step 6: Repeat steps 4 and 5, this time with the opposite feet.
And that's the moonwalk. It's actually a very simple dance — and one Jackson didn't invent out of thin air. Its origins can be traced back to French mime Marcel Marceau's "Walking Against the Wind" trick, in which he pretended to be pushed backward by an imaginary gust of wind.
Step 1: Start with your feet together. That's easy enough, right?
Step 2: Raise your right heel so that you're standing on the ball of your right foot.
Step 3: Shift your weight onto that still raised right foot so that the left one feels weightless.
Step 4: Lower your right heel slowly while moving your (still weightless) left foot backward until the toes of your left foot are aligned with the heel of your right foot. If you do it right, it should look like your left foot is floating backward across the floor.
Step 5: Lift your left heel and shift your body weight so that you're now standing on the ball of that foot.
Step 6: Repeat steps 4 and 5, this time with the opposite feet.
And that's the moonwalk. It's actually a very simple dance — and one Jackson didn't invent out of thin air. Its origins can be traced back to French mime Marcel Marceau's "Walking Against the Wind" trick, in which he pretended to be pushed backward by an imaginary gust of wind.
Friday, July 03, 2009
The Cost Question
Have you ever been strolling through a shopping mall or car lot when - POW! - THE perfect product captures your attention? Perhaps it's the sporty convertible with a V-8 engine and unbelievable acceleration. Maybe it's the adorable dress that's exactly your style, has a flattering fit, and accentuates all of your finest features. Whatever the case, there's an initial moment when you're enamored with THE product. For a split second reality is suspended as you imagine the joys of owning it. Unfortunately, two words generally bring this pleasant daydream crashing to a halt: price tag.
When you first think about a dream, you only see possibilities and potential. As Collin Sewell observed, all dreams begin obstacle-free. However, at some point we have to confront the Cost Question: Am I willing to pay the price of my dream?
If you want to achieve a dream, you have to be willing to do more than just imagine the outcome. You have to be willing to pay a price to start the journey. Dreams don't fall into our laps by accident or good fortunate. They must be attained at the cost of personal sacrifice.
Dr John Maxwell in this wonderful article asks us to ponder the Cost/Price Question as we look at its four key qualities:
* The Price Must Be Paid Sooner Than You Think
Dreams can't be bought on impulse. Buy now, pay later financing isn't an option. If you want to own a dream, then be prepared to make a hefty down payment. I think most people realize that there will be some cost for achieving their dream. They have a vague notion that someday they will have to pay a price. But they don't realize how quickly the costs come. Stepping toward a dream is like launching a rocket; massive amounts of energy must be expended at the beginning. Otherwise, gravity takes hold and the journey never gets off the ground.
* The Price Will Be Higher Than You Expect
All dreams have price tags attached, and the cost is always higher than we expect to pay. Not once in my conversations with successful people have I heard someone say, "Getting to the top was much easier than I anticipated." The reverse is true. Those at the pinnacle of their professions point to the hardships and sacrifices they had to endure to reach the top.
Having done a good deal of travel, I've learned the taxi principle: ALWAYS find out the cost before you get in the cab. Unfortunately, dreams are far too complex for us to accurately access the costs upfront. A noble dream is worth the expense, but the full costs won't be apparent until we're already on the journey.
* The Price Must Be Paid More Than Once
As a young leader, I mistakenly thought acquiring a dream was like buying a ticket to Six Flags: pay once and enjoy the rides. Experience has taught me otherwise. Following a dream forces you to make continual sacrifices.
Just as a rocket must shed weight to escape gravity, so to a leader has to let go of some goals to accomplish others. You have to give up going up. Let's face it: dreams don't work unless you do. Easing off the accelerator and coasting won't get you to your desired destination. For dreams to be apprehended, leaders must have an appetite for hard labor.
* It Is Possible To Pay Too Much for Your Dream
Although sacrifices go hand in hand with success, it is possible to overpay for a dream. Don't mortgage relationships or discard your moral compass in pursuit of career goals. I've seen it happen all too often. I've watched people sacrifice marriages, neglect their kids, ignore their health, and abandon their conscience - all in the name of a "dream."
As Jesus of Nazareth once said, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his own soul?" Some prices aren't worth paying. Do not allow your dream to dictate your values. Rather, make sure your values inform and govern your dream.
When you first think about a dream, you only see possibilities and potential. As Collin Sewell observed, all dreams begin obstacle-free. However, at some point we have to confront the Cost Question: Am I willing to pay the price of my dream?
If you want to achieve a dream, you have to be willing to do more than just imagine the outcome. You have to be willing to pay a price to start the journey. Dreams don't fall into our laps by accident or good fortunate. They must be attained at the cost of personal sacrifice.
Dr John Maxwell in this wonderful article asks us to ponder the Cost/Price Question as we look at its four key qualities:
* The Price Must Be Paid Sooner Than You Think
Dreams can't be bought on impulse. Buy now, pay later financing isn't an option. If you want to own a dream, then be prepared to make a hefty down payment. I think most people realize that there will be some cost for achieving their dream. They have a vague notion that someday they will have to pay a price. But they don't realize how quickly the costs come. Stepping toward a dream is like launching a rocket; massive amounts of energy must be expended at the beginning. Otherwise, gravity takes hold and the journey never gets off the ground.
* The Price Will Be Higher Than You Expect
All dreams have price tags attached, and the cost is always higher than we expect to pay. Not once in my conversations with successful people have I heard someone say, "Getting to the top was much easier than I anticipated." The reverse is true. Those at the pinnacle of their professions point to the hardships and sacrifices they had to endure to reach the top.
Having done a good deal of travel, I've learned the taxi principle: ALWAYS find out the cost before you get in the cab. Unfortunately, dreams are far too complex for us to accurately access the costs upfront. A noble dream is worth the expense, but the full costs won't be apparent until we're already on the journey.
* The Price Must Be Paid More Than Once
As a young leader, I mistakenly thought acquiring a dream was like buying a ticket to Six Flags: pay once and enjoy the rides. Experience has taught me otherwise. Following a dream forces you to make continual sacrifices.
Just as a rocket must shed weight to escape gravity, so to a leader has to let go of some goals to accomplish others. You have to give up going up. Let's face it: dreams don't work unless you do. Easing off the accelerator and coasting won't get you to your desired destination. For dreams to be apprehended, leaders must have an appetite for hard labor.
* It Is Possible To Pay Too Much for Your Dream
Although sacrifices go hand in hand with success, it is possible to overpay for a dream. Don't mortgage relationships or discard your moral compass in pursuit of career goals. I've seen it happen all too often. I've watched people sacrifice marriages, neglect their kids, ignore their health, and abandon their conscience - all in the name of a "dream."
As Jesus of Nazareth once said, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his own soul?" Some prices aren't worth paying. Do not allow your dream to dictate your values. Rather, make sure your values inform and govern your dream.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Jacko Dies
Michael Jackson, the "King of Pop" who once moonwalked above the music world, died Thursday as he prepared for a comeback bid died at the age of 50. After hearing the shocking news I wished it was another rumour which would fade away soon. It took me time to believe that one of the world’s most popular entertainers is no more. I first started listening to Jacko during my sophomore. Even though now I listen to varied collection of genres, still MJ music is always special at my heart. I really admire him for his extraordinary musical talent. He is so fascinating to me because he went from beloved child star to a young adult icon to a strange troubled freak show. His 13 number 1 one hits on the Billboard charts put him behind only Presley, the Beatles and Mariah Carey.
By 1972, he had his first solo album, "Got to Be There," which included the title hit as well as "Rockin' Robin." His first solo No. 1 single came the same year -- the forlorn theme song from the movie "Ben." In 1978, Jackson made his film debut as the Scarecrow in "The Wiz," a black-cast adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz." The movie launched a creative and commercial partnership with Jones
He was perhaps the most popular performer of the 1980s, with continued success in the ‘90s, the first performer to make $100 million and winner of too many awards and maker of too many hits to name. In 80s, he became the world's most popular entertainer thanks to a series of hit records -- “Beat It,” "Billie Jean," “Thriller” -- and dazzling music videos. In Nov 1982 he released “Thriller” that became the best-selling studio album in history and a cultural landmark. Its music video created an impact in the music industry.
In 1983 he electrified the world with his moonwalk, a dance step he created his own iconography, the illusion of levitation. He took the stage in a black sequined jacket, silver shirt, black fedora and black trousers that skimmed the tops of his white socks. The final touch was a single white glove, studded with rhinestones. His dance style combined the robotic moves of break-dancers, and the quicksilver spins. Not only did "Thriller" smash sales records as the best-selling album of 1983, it made him the first artist to top four charts simultaneously: pop single, pop album, R&B single and R&B album. It earned five Grammys. The "Thriller" success enabled him to negotiate what were believed to be the highest royalty rates ever earned by a recording artist. But it also put him in a cage of his own anxieties and obsession.
He bonded himself to past pop-music royalty by marrying Lisa Marie Presley in 1994. The marriage was short-lived, however, and his wealth was imperiled by an extravagant lifestyle that included the 2,700-acre Neverland ranch. It is named after Neverland, the fantasy island in the story of Peter Pan, where children never grow up.
In recent years, he has been more infamous than famous, known for his increasingly alarming appearance, the charges of child molestation and his subsequent business-arrangement marriage that led to his single fatherhood. Years of plastic surgery had made his face a weird landscape. He was deeply in debt and had lost his way as a musician.
In 2005, he was cleared of charges he molested a 13-year-old cancer survivor at Neverland in 2003. He had been accused of plying the boy with alcohol and groping him, and of engaging in strange and inappropriate behavior with other children.
A frail-looking Jackson had spent his last weeks in rehearsal for an ambitious comeback attempt and 50 already-sold-out shows at London's O2 Arena. A major motivation was the $300 million in debt run up by a star who lived like royalty even though his self-declared title of King of Pop was more about the past than the present.
To me he was fascinated by celebrity tragedy. It’s hard to remember another celebrity death in which the crowds gathering to mourn were repeatedly compared to the crowds that gathered for the recently deceased’s sexual abuse trial. In later years he became a professional eccentric, glimpse of him in public a bit like alien sightings.
It is a big loss to all of us Jacko fans. I like many million fans love you for your music, regardless of all the controversies! We will truly miss you...
By 1972, he had his first solo album, "Got to Be There," which included the title hit as well as "Rockin' Robin." His first solo No. 1 single came the same year -- the forlorn theme song from the movie "Ben." In 1978, Jackson made his film debut as the Scarecrow in "The Wiz," a black-cast adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz." The movie launched a creative and commercial partnership with Jones
He was perhaps the most popular performer of the 1980s, with continued success in the ‘90s, the first performer to make $100 million and winner of too many awards and maker of too many hits to name. In 80s, he became the world's most popular entertainer thanks to a series of hit records -- “Beat It,” "Billie Jean," “Thriller” -- and dazzling music videos. In Nov 1982 he released “Thriller” that became the best-selling studio album in history and a cultural landmark. Its music video created an impact in the music industry.
In 1983 he electrified the world with his moonwalk, a dance step he created his own iconography, the illusion of levitation. He took the stage in a black sequined jacket, silver shirt, black fedora and black trousers that skimmed the tops of his white socks. The final touch was a single white glove, studded with rhinestones. His dance style combined the robotic moves of break-dancers, and the quicksilver spins. Not only did "Thriller" smash sales records as the best-selling album of 1983, it made him the first artist to top four charts simultaneously: pop single, pop album, R&B single and R&B album. It earned five Grammys. The "Thriller" success enabled him to negotiate what were believed to be the highest royalty rates ever earned by a recording artist. But it also put him in a cage of his own anxieties and obsession.
He bonded himself to past pop-music royalty by marrying Lisa Marie Presley in 1994. The marriage was short-lived, however, and his wealth was imperiled by an extravagant lifestyle that included the 2,700-acre Neverland ranch. It is named after Neverland, the fantasy island in the story of Peter Pan, where children never grow up.
In recent years, he has been more infamous than famous, known for his increasingly alarming appearance, the charges of child molestation and his subsequent business-arrangement marriage that led to his single fatherhood. Years of plastic surgery had made his face a weird landscape. He was deeply in debt and had lost his way as a musician.
In 2005, he was cleared of charges he molested a 13-year-old cancer survivor at Neverland in 2003. He had been accused of plying the boy with alcohol and groping him, and of engaging in strange and inappropriate behavior with other children.
A frail-looking Jackson had spent his last weeks in rehearsal for an ambitious comeback attempt and 50 already-sold-out shows at London's O2 Arena. A major motivation was the $300 million in debt run up by a star who lived like royalty even though his self-declared title of King of Pop was more about the past than the present.
To me he was fascinated by celebrity tragedy. It’s hard to remember another celebrity death in which the crowds gathering to mourn were repeatedly compared to the crowds that gathered for the recently deceased’s sexual abuse trial. In later years he became a professional eccentric, glimpse of him in public a bit like alien sightings.
It is a big loss to all of us Jacko fans. I like many million fans love you for your music, regardless of all the controversies! We will truly miss you...
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