Fire Rages Across America

It is the same story every year this time. Wild fires across the dry parts of America i.e. mostly in California, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and this year Colorado also. The southern states mentioned here are known for their dry, arid and rugged landscapes. During summer months when mercury hits 100+ the surroundings become so dry that a small spark is enough to start a major blaze.

This has been happening with clockwork precision every year.. at least since 2008 when I began following the news and events here. It is hard for the thousands of people who are evacuated from their homes, harder for those who actually lose their homes to the fire. Then there are millions of $$$s spent on fire fighting and reconstruction.

I wonder if there could be any preventive measures that could be put in place so that this tragedy doesn't repeat year after year. This way everyone will be happy and there is no collateral damage to the environment.

River View @ Grand Canyon's South Rim

Grand Canyon 073
Originally uploaded by srinidhilv.

This is perhaps the most fascinating view of the Grand Canyon that I got to see. I shot this picture at the far end of the South Rim of the canyon near the "Native American" Watch tower and other monuments. The unique feature of this view is that the can yon can be seen in its full glory. Not only can one see both the rims but one can also see its depths where the Colorado river swirls along.
Taking in this view I wish I could just jump into the Colorado river for a refreshing swim to escape the desert heat of Arizona. The azure waters of Colorado are definitely inviting.

Dating Advice from a 9-year old

This can happen only in a free spirited nation like the US, an 8-year-old writes a best selling book about one of the most talked about subject in the entire world "How to Talk to Girls". I read this article about Alec Greven, a fourth-grader at at Soaring Hawk Elementary School in Castle Rock, Colorado, US, who has catapulted to nationwide fame thanks to his first published book titled "How to Talk to Girls" and am pretty impressed by his enterprise, skill and observation ability.

This book started off as a school writing assignment, which was so well written that the impressed principal and teachers they put it up for sale at the school book fair for $3. The book became hit and soon attracted the attention of a publisher and since then Alec has been the Agony Uncle, the macho man, the ladies man, the original casanova... etc etc... Boys in his school have been seeking his advice on how to get "girls".

Reading the interview he gave to TodayShow.com I am pretty impressed by his confidence and modus operandi with which he wrote the book. His inspiration came from his observation of boys finding it difficult to talk to girls and get dates. Wish I was so brainy at 9 yrs old to write a book... heck I have not even been able to complete my books at 35...

But anyway I will get to it and hopefully soon I will have my picture with the book.