Ethnic Identity Crisis for the original inhabitants of the US

I have been cribbing about the fact that the original inhabitants of Continental America are being erroneously referred to as "Indians" leading to lot of confusion and humiliation to us the people who truly have right for this ethnic identity title. Recently for my class project I took up this subject and reviewed three scholarly literature sources. I thought I would share it with the readers of my blog and elicit your opinions on the subject.

Indian, American Indian, Native American, and Alaska Native: Which Is The Right Ethnic Identity For The Indigenous Peoples Of Continental America?

Ever since Christopher Columbus landed in Continental America in 1492 in his search for India and erroneously called the indigenous peoples of this continent as Indians, the racial and ethnic identity label has persisted (Robert F Berkhofer Jr. 4 quoted by Bird 5). Though it has been five centuries since and the world has become aware of Columbus’ erroneous perception of the real identity of indigenous peoples of continental America, the federal and state governments, media, and academia in the US continue to refer to them as Indians. In fact there is a Bureau of Indian Affairs under the US Department of Interior to provide services to the people of indigenous descent. Over time this identity label has evolved to include terms such as American Indian, Native American, Amerindian, Alaska Native, among others, but none of them are correct. This persistent erroneous nomenclature of the indigenous peoples of US by everyone including the government has led to great deal of confusion. In this conundrum of identities the fact that people from India are the rightful owners of the identity title Indian, Indian American and American Indian (the last two refer to Indians who have immigrated to the United States) has been totally ignored.
To learn more about this ethnic identity crises and understand what the indigenous peoples of continental America feel about being referred to as Indians, I have chosen three scholarly journal articles on this subject. These articles attempt to resolve the identity crises of the indigenous populations of continental America and arrive at a suitable acceptable ethnic identity label. In the first paper titled What We Want To Be Called: Indigenous Peoples’ Perspectives on Racial and Ethnic Identity Labels, Michael Yellow Bird attempts to define the right ethnic identity title for the entire population of indigenous peoples. In Renaming Ourselves On Our Own Terms: Race, Tribal Nations, and Representation in Education, Cornel Pewewardy makes a strong case for self determination of identity for indigenous peoples and moving away from titles thrust upon them by colonizing Europeans. Carole L. Seyfrit, Lawrence C. Hamilton, Cynthia M. Duncan and Jody Grimes discuss how ethnic identity influences the aspirations of youth of indigenous populations in Alaska in their journal article Ethnic Identity and Aspirations among Rural Alaska Youth.
What We Want to Be Called: Indigenous Peoples' Perspectives on Racial and Ethnic Identity Labels, focuses on the fact that the terms “First Nations Peoples” or “Indigenous Peoples” should be the new ethnic identity labels of the indigenous populations of United States. The article rues the fact that the terms “Indian” and “American Indian” are the current identity labels simply because they were “uncritically imposed” upon them by colonizing Europeans (Bird 3). Further in the article the author explains why it is difficult to group the entire indigenous population under one identity and makes a serious attempt to arrive at a consensus about the type of nomenclature that would appropriate to refer to the unified mass of indigenous peoples of continental America.
The title of the article suggests that there are several members of the indigenous peoples speaking out in favor of self determination of their ethnic identity. Given that there were more than “560” unique groups of indigenous peoples each with their own ethnic identity label before the colonizing Europeans arrived it is understandable that they do not wish to be placed under a blanket ethnic identity label. Moreover current terminologies in use including “Indian”, “Native American”, and “American Indian” are colonized identities (Bird 6). The authors feels that there is a dire need to move away from these stereotyped identities and define their own unique and empowering ethnic identity label. The title also indicates that the author is quite unhappy with the current terminology used to identify him and his community and wants to change this identity perception.
A clear problem statement with a detailed explanation about the social, economic, and historical context is made right at the beginning. The fact that the First Nations people or indigenous people are not a uniform group but belong to over “560 distinct tribes, including 233 Alaska Native villages” is one of the strong reasons given by the author to prove that they should not be grouped under one ethnic identity label (Bird 4). Popular media has also used the terms “Indian”, “American Indian”, “redskins”, “savages” in demeaning manner (Bird 6). He rues the fact that this kind of labeling creates stereotypes which has led to the people of First Nations being frowned upon as those who are not ready for modern civilization. “Because these labels have an overwhelming negative effect on the identity of all Indigenous Peoples and can institutionalize feelings of racism and discrimination toward these groups, many Indigenous Peoples have spearheaded efforts to call for the end of using these labels” (Bird 5).
One of the popularly accepted ethnic identity label which has become prevalent during the second half of the 20th century is Native American. This identity would include anyone born in continental US and as such not acceptable. Speaking about this identity label, the author successfully argues against it. “While the label ‘Native American’ may not have the baggage of stereotypes associated with the term ‘Indian’ it still reflects a monolithic identity of Indigenous Peoples and gives the impression that these lands were referred to as ‘America’ by its Indigenous Peoples, which, of course, they were not,” (Bird 5).
Reading this article I get the impression that there have been several attempts by educated people of indigenous heritage to get rid of the racially discriminating and demeaning ethnic identity label imposed by colonizing Europeans and Americans. One of them has been spearheaded by the author himself. He cites his experiences of using different identities in order to resist the designs of colonial powers to impose an oppressive identity upon all the indigenous peoples. He feels that the terms “First Nations Peoples” and “Indigenous Peoples” can be used to replace the racially demeaning identity labels (Bird 7).
The primary sources of information for this article are members of the members of Association of American Indian and Alaska Natives Professors (AAIANP), who are professors, graduate students or faculty members of various universities in the US. I think this makes the article unique because all respondents are of indigenous heritage. The respondents were asked four discussion questions by electronic mail and their responses analyzed to arrive at the conclusion. According to the author though the questions were sent to 107 members out of a total of 345, only 19 responded (Bird 8).
In matters such as this it is important that a large number of people are interviewed to find out the collective opinion. This particular research paper’s main weakness is that there are too few respondents and as such it is difficult to establish credibility to the findings. Since the number of respondents is so low, this research runs the risk of not being taken seriously. A point the author also concedes: “The opinions reported in this paper have several limitations and cannot be generalized to the general population of Indigenous Peoples or members of the AAIAN” (Bird 8).
At the very end of the article the author comes to the conclusion that the identity label “Indian” rightfully belongs to the people of India as corroborated by a large majority of the respondents. Though many of his primary sources accept being called Indians or American Indians just because it is a term used since several hundred years and has become an accepted norm, the author concludes the article by saying that the “what is most important in the struggle to define racial and ethnic labels are representative of Indigenous Peoples is that these groups do not lose their identities as the First Nations of these lands.” (Bird 19)
I feel that this article is a significant work in the realm of ethnic identity of the indigenous peoples of continental America. The author has successfully defined who is a member of the First Nations and who is a Native American and why these people should not be called Indians or American Indians. This is a pioneering attempt to involve indigenous peoples to define their ethnic identity and will serve as a reference to academics, researchers, minority groups of first nations and true Indians living in the United States.
In the article titled Renaming Ourselves On Our Own Terms: Race, Tribal Nations, and Representation in Education, Cornel Pewewardy uses quotations from several eminent people of indigenous heritage to drive home the point that self determination of identity and moving away from racially demeaning stereotypical titles thrust upon them by colonizing Europeans is the only way forward. This treatise is written more like a personal memoir interspersed with serious facts and quotations. The author starts the article by stating that Columbus not only started the process of colonization of continental America but also represents the legacy of suffering inflicted upon indigenous populations and destruction of their cultures (Smith cited by Pewewardy par. 1).
The mechanics of European colonization of continental America lead to imposition of racially demeaning identities to cover the entire mass of indigenous peoples of the continent. In a bid to completely subjugate the indigenous populations the colonizers resorted to dilution and sometimes destruction of their heritage and culture by imposing foreign identities and ways of life. Within the first few paragraphs the author makes it clear that this article has been written to discuss the themes of linguistic imperialism, race, tribal nations and their representation in education, and tribal identity (Pewewardy par. 3).
Like Bird in the previously cited article, Pewewardy also toys with the several different identity labels used in popular media to define the indigenous peoples of America and comes to the same conclusion that none of the ascribed terms, Indian, American Indian, Native American and Amerindian were right and gave the impression “as if we had no power to define other choices” (Pewewardy par. 4). He successfully argues that these identities denote nothing but negativism. As if on retrospective thought the author seems to praise the fact that some academics have evolved identity labels which such as “First Nations People” and “Indigenous peoples” which denote positive meanings and respectable identity. The author expresses happiness that “some tribal nations have started to tribal nations have started to take back their original names for themselves: Diné (formerly Navajo); Ho-Chunk (formerly Winnebago);” (Pewewardy par. 5).
The next section of the article starts off with a number of quotes on the subject from academics of indigenous heritage. I feel that Pewewardy is using these quotes to try and make his case stronger. If the author had have limited himself to quote only the most significant ones, it would have a made a better impact. Further on the author rues the fact that most indigenous peoples seem to have forgotten that they had distinct names, based on history, heritage, cultural bonds and thousands of years of tribal learning. All of them destroyed by influx of colonizing Europeans who with their implicit and explicit superiority complex subjugated and oppressed the indigenous populations. “many tribes forgot the origin of their names and also how, as Indigenous Peoples, we came to be given alien English names by people outside our tribes” (Pewewardy par. 16).
There seems to be some kind of a discrepancy between the title of the article and the subjects covered within. When I read the title I expected the article to deliberate about ways and means of how indigenous peoples of the United States can arrive at an acceptable identity labels for their race, nation and how the same can be represented in education. While the bulk of the article deals with the subject of defining racial and tribal identities, there are large sections which discuss things such as linguistic imperialism, cultural hegemony and racism. I feel the article should have been titled better to reflect these subjects too. Discussing the difference between race and ethnicity the author emphasizes that “Ethnicity implies history, culture, location, creativity” (Obinga quoted by Pewewardy par. 48). On the other hand the author rues the fact that oppressive European powers have confused the indigenous populations with the concept of race and color and made them forget their ethnicity and tribal identity.
Towards the conclusion of the article I get the impression that the author seems to be confused as to what the future holds for him and his people. He also goes into a preachy mode and exhorts his tribal brethren to “cleanse our thinking of gross error” and apply themselves to appropriate systems and structures and support a healing process for affected tribal families (Pewewardy par. 61). It appears as if the author is trying to make an attempt to bring all the indigenous populations within one umbrella identity but loses his tracks along the way and towards the end tries to regain tracks again. I believe that this article’s strength lies in its effective delineation and discussion of a wide array of tribal issues with a clear focus towards the future. This article is a must read for the 1.6 million indigenous peoples in the United States (BIS par. 1). It could also prove to be a useful resource for researchers, students and faculty members of sociological and anthropological studies departments in universities and colleges.
The third journal article I studied for this paper is titled: Ethnic Identity and Aspirations among Rural Alaska Youth and has been written by four researchers Carole L. Seyfrit, Lawrence C. Hamilton, Cynthia M. Duncan, and Jody Grimes. This article is a result of “survey data from adolescents in 19 rural schools to explore relationships between ethnic identity and students' expectations about moving away or attending college” (Seyfrit 1). What I found unique about this article is that this not only speaks about the ethnic identity of the respondents but successfully links it to their perceptions of life, education and career. The authors of this article seem to view the people of Alaska as “Eskimo, Indian or Aleut” but the respondents define themselves as “mixed, native or non-native”.
The authors begin the article by giving an overview of the socio-geo-economic picture of the arctic state, explaining how difficult life is out there and facts about the sparse population of the region. The authors explain that “although Natives comprise less than 16% of the state's population, they make up 54% in communities having fewer than 1,000 people. Many villages are more than 90% Native” (Seyfrit 3). Here again the authors don’t even attempt to make a distinction between the different groups of indigenous peoples but include them under the umbrella of “Indians”.
In primitive labor-oriented societies it quite natural that native youth prefer to take on their ancestral family occupations and continue to live in the same area. It does not need special education or college degrees to learn their family trade; on the other hand descendents of non-natives would tend to be drawn towards white-dominated urban locales. “That is, ethnic identity might affect youths' image of where they belong and what they should do” (Seyfrit 4).
This article essentially focuses on the educational accomplishments of native versus non-native youth and provides tables and charts to present their findings. The most relevant section of the article to this study is titled Ethnic Identity. This section basically discusses how the construct of self-identity and ethnicity has come about in rural Alaska. “That is, ethnic identity might affect youths' image of where they belong and what they should do” (Seyfrit 9). Like in mainland United States, there exists a great deal of ethnic complexity in rural Alaska. The government has provided individuals with a set of mutually exclusive categories to arrive at their ethnic identity. “An individual might be identified, or asked to self-identify, as either an American Indian/Alaska Native or as a member of some other category such as Hispanic or white. Of course, many people actually have mixed ancestry” (Seyfrit 9). The authors discuss the fact that there have been so many mixed marriages that arriving at the correct ethnic identity of children born out of these unions are very difficult. According to the results of a 1995 survey presented in a well organized table 62% of the respondents identified themselves as Alaska Native (Aleut, Inupiat, Yupik, etc). These identity constructions are quite contrary to what is recorded in the US census records. The author cites instances where several students identified themselves as people of mixed heritage while the records classified them as “Native” (Seyfrit 10). This leads to a lot of confusion in the minds of these youth about who they really are.
The main strength of this article is the fact that the results of the survey conducted among the youth of rural Alaska are presented in a very reader-friendly and easy to understand manner. The authors employ charts, tables and graphs to present their findings and make their observations. The survey results are compared with the official records and the discrepancies in the ethnic identity are exposed to the reader. The title makes one feel that this article is a deliberation about the construct of ethnic identity and how it affects the aspirations about the future of youth of rural Alaska. The article is actually a quantitative study and analysis of the education, career and future aspirations of youth of rural Alaska. The question of ethnic identity is discussed in a very minor form in the article and as such doesn’t do justice to the title of the article.
Reading these three articles I came to the conclusion that the ethnic identity of the indigenous peoples of continental America is indeed a serious issue. The native or indigenous peoples are quite resentful about being branded as Indians, American Indians or any other blanket identity imposed upon them by colonizing Europeans and Americans. It is surprising that I didn’t come across any discordant voices of true Indian academics about the compromising of their ethnic identity. Towards the end of my reading and analysis I understand that both Indians from India and the indigenous peoples of America are unhappy with the fact that the European and American colonizers have held on to the erroneous ethnic identity while referring to the latter. Perhaps the small minority of academic voices is not enough to make the government and media listen and take action to let the indigenous peoples arrive at their own ethnic identity label.

Works Cited

Berkhofer Jr. Robert F., The White Man's Indian: Images of American Indians from Columbus to the Present. New York: Vintage, 1968.

Bird Michael Yellow, “What We Want to Be Called: Indigenous Peoples' Perspectives on Racial and Ethnic Identity Labels”. American Indian Quarterly, Vol. 23, No. 2 (Spring, 1999), pp. 1-21

Pewewardy Cornel, “Renaming Ourselves On Our Own Terms: Race, Tribal Nations, and Representation in Education”. Indigenous Nations Studies Journal, volume 1 No. 1 (Spring 2000).

Seyfrit Carole L., Hamilton Lawrence C., Duncan Cynthia M., Grimes Jody, “Ethnic Identity and Aspirations among Rural Alaska Youth”. Sociological Perspectives, Vol. 41, No. 2 (1998), pp. 343-365.

Smith, L.T. Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples. New York: Zed Books 1999.

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The internet has changed our lives in every aspect. The way we study, the way we talk and interact with friends, the way we do business, get jobs, find places, get directions, etc have all been influenced by the world wide web. If a business doesn't have a website then people tend to think that they are not in tune with times. Launching a website is not so simple, there are numerous things to be considered.

The most important is the web hosting company which is providing the service. With so many in the market how can we find the best service? Well in my opinion it is simple, all one needs to do is to visit check out the ratings various web hosting companies have got at Web Hosting Rating. These reviews and ratings are provided by experts based on several stringent criteria. When you go through this website you can be rest assured about the providers quality.

This website not only provides ratings of web hosting companies but is also a treasure trove of information. Being a person who uses Frontpage to design web pages I found numerous articles which are very useful to enhance my skills in website design.

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Fun Movie for the entire Family

Title:Imagine That
Starring: Eddie Murphy and others
Genre: Family

With nothing much else to do on Saturday night we decided to head out for a movie at the Dollar theater. My feeling is going to a regular theater is just not worth the money ($8-12). Only this movie caught our fancy because of its funny theme.

Well what do I tell you about the movie? My early memories of Eddie Murphy is from his role as a cop in Beverly Hills Cop. He was a serious, no-nonsense policeman busting drug cartels, and beating up thugs. Now he seems to have retired from that role and taken up comedy, and he is doing a darn good job at that.

Imagine That features Eddie Murphy in the role of a single parent grappling with a serious job as an investment banker. He is faced by two major challenges, one at the work place where a competitor calling himself "..... White Feather" is threatening to take his job. At home his daughter is hallucinating about a magical land with three princesses, a queen, and a dragon.

The final message of the movie is delivered by Murphy's estranged wife "You have two jobs, one at the office and the other as a father. You need to give equal importance to both." Whew... I wonder why people in America consider parenting as a "Job". Anyway how he realizes the importance of being a parent and wins the sought after promotion is the gist of the story.

Watch out for some really funny scenes, dialogues, and acting. It is a movie of clean fun and entertainment for the entire family.

Discover Switzerland's Getaways

Whenever I think of a fantastic holiday destination only one place comes to my mind, Switzerland. With its lofty landscapes, rolling countrysides, majestic mountains, and wonderful scenery, this European nation has been one of favorite destinations of travelers. The country's culture has been heavily influenced by French, German and Italian traditions. The most awe inspiring feature of Switzerland in my opinion is its majestic castles and quaint villages.

I started planning for a Swiss holiday and started the process to Discover Swiss "Pearls" . The first thing that came to my mind of course is the rafting opportunity across the Rhone. The difference here is that one can explore the city of Geneva along with jumping over the rapids.

After a day on the river I'd love to spend a few hours or even a day in the dairy. Swiss cheese is my all time favorite and I'd love to see how it is made in its authentic settings. This will be an education for me in the art of cheese making.

Being a lover of snow and mountains, I'd take in the 4,000 m climb to the summit of the Allalinhorn. The three-four hour climb would give me a great mountaineering experience and also some of the best panoramic views of snow capped mountains and slopes.

Having climbed the mountain and attained a great height it is time to party. Why not learn how to brew beer and then party with self-made beverage. I'd love to visit Switzerland’s smallest brewery, the Hof Hopfentropfen and learn brewing at the seminar.

Last but not the least I'd like to get healthy and what would I do for that? You guessed it right, I will gather herbs at the flowering meadows above Champéry. This will give me an opportunity to learn about the wild herbs and how these can be used to create a fabulous meal. This would give me one chance to eat something good and which is not off the supermarket shelf.

You know as I write this blog post I am wondering why I haven't packed my bags yet. Well, my Swiss holiday is going to happen soon, probably during the next summer. When is yours going to happen?

Indians or Native Americans or First Nations Peoples

Grand Canyon 057
Originally uploaded by srinidhilv.

One of the biggest confusions which has proved very detrimental to us is the mistaken identity of Christopher Columbus. This mistake has led to the term "Indian" become a derogatory word which refers to an uncouth, savage, violent, dirty, and tribal individual. Though over the centuries the truth has come out that these tribes in continental America are not Indians but they have their own distinct identity, the European White dominated West has obstinately refused to acknowledge their mistake and the US government continues to have a body known as "Bureau of Indian Affairs" which is responsible for the first nations peoples.
This picture is a classic example of how the west is using the term "Indian" to denigrate us, the people from India. There are signages around this ruin which says that this is an "Indian Dwelling". A bunch of stones placed unevenly around is an "Indian Dwelling", they are far from the truth. The truth is in this other picture which is the "Indian Dwelling" in India.

Chandragiri Palace
Originally uploaded by srinidhilv.

I wonder how many centuries it will take for the European-White-Dominated US Government, media and society to realize that Indians are the people from India and the original inhabitants of this continent are "First Nations Peoples".

Watch TV and win Laptop computers

I have been following Charter Communications and their activities, contests, and giveaways. This is one company which seems like giving its customers several rewards and that too quite frequently. Earlier this year they gave away HDTVs in their daily sweepstakes. Those who didn't win that time have another chance now, the prize is a brand new laptop computer. Their latest promotion is known as Laptop-a-Day Sweepstakes. The best part of this giveaway is that they are giving one laptop (HP 550 Notebook 15-inch with Windows Vista and a NeoTec Compu Backpack) away everyday for two months. That is what I would call a bonanza for Charter customers.

The sweepstakes began on July 15, 2009 and will go on through September 15. That means there are still more than 30 opportunities to win a laptop. Don't worry if you don't win a laptop, there are gift cards of $25-100 value to be won.

To think of it I think the timing of this contest is so right. Students are getting ready to go back to school and if they participate in this contest and win a laptop or gift cards it would a big savings in their back-to-school shopping.

I am sure by now everyone is curious to know how to participate in these giveaways and get their hands on the laptop computer. It is easy just visit Charter website and register to be eligible to win. You could get regular updates on Charters sweepstakes and giveaways by following Charter on Twitter. If you are not on twitter, no sweat, you could access Charter on Facebook and still be in touch.

Don't forget to participate and lose your chance to win a laptop in this promotion.

Plano Fun Ride

I volunteered at the 1st Annual Plano Fun Ride, a bicycle rally organized in aid of few local charities. The short ride (5 & 10 mile) was cut further short due to thunder storm. I was standing at the intersection playing the role of a signpost and directing traffic. Only about 250 riders showed up for the ride and less than 100 people completed the 10 mile ride. Here are some pictures I shot from my vantage point.

Weston, Tx - the oldest town in Collin County

Over the weekend we had been driving around in Collin County to scout an ideal route for a bicycle ride/ rally. We passed through a small 2-4 road city known as "Weston", which apparently has the oldest city hall in Collin County. Here are pictures of the same. Though most roads of this village are in shambles, the main arterial road which links this with rest of the county is in excellent condition.
The beauty of these villages in the US is their sparse population, which results in clean settings. The road infrastructure is simply superb which makes travel to and from these remote places easy.
It is a pity not many people bicycle in these areas because the roads are so good and the vast open spaces that flank the road and the wonderful scenery are well worth taking in while on a visit here.

Weston City Hall, the oldest in Collin County

Excellent roads link every small city, even if it just a few hundred population

Like every other village, city or town, Weston too has a swank church. I wonder why they had to name this one "First Baptist Church". I haven't come across any second Baptist church. Most that I come across are First Baptist churches, I wonder what the secret is.

Clothing and Equipment for Security Personnel

Every community, city, state and nation has its own law enforcement force. These people are absolutely necessary to prevent unscrupulous elements from gaining entry and disrupting normal life. Law enforcement personnel need specialized equipment and clothing to perform at the highest efficiency. These equipment are used by private security forces and few individuals who work in public safety field.

I recently came across the website of CHIEF, a dealership which sells over 300 brands of public safety gear and apparel. One of the famous line of apparel they sell is under armour, which has been preferred by Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement and related professionals during the past 30 odd years.

This long stint in the business has given CHIEF the edge and advantage which enables them to price the products competitively, provide excellent customer service, fast delivery and computerized order taking.

Shopping with CHIEF has several advantages such as worry-free ordering via internet, telephone, fax and mail. That is not all if you are not satisfied you can return the product within 90-days for a replacement or refund. If you are in the market for tactical gear or clothing don't bother to search for anything other than CHIEF.

Hectic Summer!!!

It has been over 10 days since I blogged. Not because nothing happened in my life but because too many things have been happening and there has been no time to do anything other than, work, school, home and trying to put together an event plan for a fund-raising bicycle rally for Sankara Eye Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to eradication of curable blindness in India. Hopefully if this event becomes successful then the organization SEF will gain popularity and earn some money which will help open eyes in India.

Meanwhile I found a part time job with a small enterprise, wonder how long this job will last. The previous part time job lasted three months before it got Bangalored. This job will definitely not get Bangalored but in America nothing is permanent. So I don't know how much I can rely upon my job. At least I am glad for one thing, this will help pay for my college fees for fall 2009.

On the education front, things are still uncertain. Though the worst grade I have got is a B (80-90%), the average student here gets an A. I hope at least this fall I will manage to make straight A's and once again make it to the Dean's list. Let us see what is in store for me in the next few months.

New Contest from Charter Cable

Charter cable, the leading entertainment technology corporation in the country is totally adored by its customers and envied by competition. Charter cable constantly rolls our new and innovative competitions for the benefit of its customers. Each contest has several fantastic prizes so that participants are truly benefited. Last year Charter gave away laptop computers, Xbox 360 game consoles and a 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid. This year the prizes are equally attractive, read on...

The latest contest launched by Charter relates to how we use technology in our lives. It is a fact that technology tools, especially in the entertainment, television and internet media are changing at a rapid rate and many people find it difficult to keep in touch. Now all you need to do to win a cool 15” laptop or a 52” HDTV is to tell your story of how you cope up with the technology changes. Thousands are expected to participate in this contest, and one lucky customer who submits their story will win the prize.

The stories can be around everyday life things such as whether you follow Charter on Facebook and use the same tool to keep in touch with friends. Whether you rent movies from Blockbuster or order movies online, if you play video games with friends and how do you enjoy life with an extended family spread out across the country. Has Charter Communications' services helped you in these endeavors? How have these amazing tools on telephone, internet or cable helped you keep in touch with family and friends?

All you have to do is to write a story and you will be entered into the drawings to win the prize package of one 52” HFTV, one 15” Laptop, and a free year of the Charter Bundle which includes Digital Cable with HD and a DVR, Charter High-Speed Internet and Charter Telephone.

Now that is what I call a real prize and boy I am sure there are several of you out there who would love to get their hands on these prizes. Don't delay log on today and submit your story.

Rural America same as Rural India

Being from India and having heard only good... no.. great things about the US and its wonderful infrastructure, I can't help but compare and contrast what I see here with what is there back home. I drove through many of the rural roads of Collin County last weekend and I was surprised with what I saw. Narrow, single lane, pot-holed, trash-ridden roads, ramshackle homes, horses, donkeys, cattle and poultry in the fields among others. The only difference between Indian rural areas and US rural areas is the lack of people. It is almost impossible to see people in this country. Occasional cars are all we saw while we drove. Check out the pictures of the great American roads and decide for yourself.

Reliable Auto Repair in Carona

When I was in India, I learned about the three basic necessities for life: Food, Clothing and Shelter. I moved to the US a little over 18 months ago and in this country there are four basic necessities for life: food, clothing, shelter and a car. Yes if one has to live in the US, owning a car is definitely a basic need.

Owning a car is not simple, one has to care for and maintain the vehicle in good running condition. Identifying and establishing rapport with a reliable auto body shop corona is critical to car ownership. There are large networks of reliable collision repair experts across the US. But you can know who is good only through the ratings and testimonials of their customers. The first thing to do while looking for an auto body shop is to ask friends and family. Their referrals will help you identify the right shop for you to get your car cared for.

Grand Canyon - Ruins

Grand Canyon is not all about nature and its wonders. There are many reasons to visit this natural world heritage site. Being an ardent traveller, nature lover, history enthusiast and an individual who intimately feels for the oppressed populations, I have a lot to look out for in the Grand Canyon. The first is of course, the natural beauty and the adventure possibilities the canyon offers.

Everytime I visit any historical location in the US. Everywhere, an intense sense of rage and frustration descends upon me because of the terminology which is used by the government/ national park service folks. There is a constant drumming of the fact that there were "Indians" or "American Indians" or "Native Indians" here before the Europeans landed and took over the country. This is grossly wrong, there were large native populations in this country and each one had their own nation, such as Apache, Choctaw, Hopi, Pueblo, Comanche, etc.

I'd like to present this picture of a ruins of a settlement in the Grand Canyon. According to some signage, this picture depicts the dwelling of some Native American tribes during 1,000 BC. Of course the signage says "Indian" while refering to the tribes. I understand that 500 years ago when Columbus landed here, he thought he had landed in India and called the people Indians. But since then the world has changed, there has been knowledge explosion thanks to the internet and other communication technologies. Despite these changes, the only thing that seems to persist is that "Native Americans" continue to be called "Indians". I can only infer this mis-nomer as an effort to degrade us, the real Indians from India.

Way back in 5,000 BC India had a glorious civilization and much more advanced society in terms of urban development, roads, art, architecture, culture, language, metallurgy, etc. Some of which have not been replicated to this date by any other civilization... not even the so called "Scientifically Advanced" first world nations. But these people continue to misrepresent India and our people in various forms. Be it in history or in the media such as the recent Oscar-awarded movie "Slumdog Millionaire" and the people who consume such media happily believe this.

I wonder when the "West will Learn".

High Fashion Jeans from Armani Exchange

I love wearing jeans and denim trousers. I am always on the lookout for fashionable, comfortable and high quality jeans to add to my wardrobe. Recently I came across the Armani Exchange, a line of jeans which are the answer to my quest for stylish and comfortable jeans. I browsed through the styles and found several appealing jeans which I would prefer to buy. My first choice would be the J101 Boot, which features a low rise boot cut classic fit jeans. The unique feature of this jean includes red thread accents, signature A | X branding. My second choice is the same fit with a destruction wash because this style of washing gives the feel of vintage stone wash and hand sanding makes it feel worn and faded, though new.

Another style I really liked is the J127 SLIM which features a low rise slim leg standard fit. I like this because, when I wear this I feel taller than I am, thanks to the slim leg. I would prefer a normal Dark wash product in this style and I am sure this will make me popular at school. I wonder if what I am talking about makes any sense, so I am including a screen shot of what I liked.

In my experience of shopping I have noticed that premium denims are expensive. When I read the A|X Blog, I came to know that Armani Exchange's Premium Denim range starts at about $98, which is total value for money.

Moreover Armani Exchange has launched a summer SMS contest through which participants can win a pair of denim everyday throughout the month of July. All one needs to do to participate in the text A|X content is to send a text message the keyword "DENIM2" to ARMANI (276264).

There are other promotions too. As part of the launch, buyers of a full price pair of denim (in store or online) before the 19th of July will be eligible for a $20 gift card for your next purchase of $100 or more. For the discount rules and conditions you could visit the website.

I have been talking about Armani Exchange all along. Now let me tell you a little about this brand. Created by Italian designer and entrepreneur Giorgio Armani, this line of clothing signifies youth, dance, music and symbolizes personal style and comfort. So if you think you are fashionable get into an Armani and flaunt your style.

Grand Canyon Monuments

Grand Canyon 068
Originally uploaded by srinidhilv.

This is another recreated monument on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. One thing strikes me about the US. When the Europeans started arriving in droves into this continent, they hated native Americans and started killing them without question. This resulted in bloody wars and lots of people were killed, especially on the native American side.
But now few hundred years later it is a fashion among European-Americans (White Americans) to say that part of their ancestry is "Choctaw" or "Cherokee" or "Apache" or "Pueblo" or something like that. Another thing that has been done to get more money and attract tourists is to rebuild the old monuments along tourist spots such as Grand Canyon. This will accomplish twin purposes... one successfully covers up the Atrocities meted out to native american populations by invading Europeans and two generates tourist revenue. It is a total "WIN-WIN" situation.

Search Engine for Offers and Deals

Marketing ideas and concepts are what makes the US a unique place. Here one can conceive an idea and turn it into a successful business thanks to the vibrancy of the society and free market economy. One such uniquely innovative business idea is to offer discounts for coupon holders. Everyone likes clipping coupons and saving on their shopping bills. How would it be if you could find hundreds of coupons on one place? Welcome to the world of Offeretti - Offers, Deals, Coupons, Savings, Specials and more.

All you need is to search for the product or service on the Offeretti website and you are all set to go. You can be assured of finding tons of great deals on Offeretti.

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.

Watch Your Favorite TV Shows Online - Free!!!

I am not a major TV buff but there are certain shows I would like to watch. But getting cable to watch one show could be way too expensive. I had to find a medium where I could watch TV and still not have to pay a lot. After some searching I found Spreety TV Online : Watch TV Shows Online Free. This is a website where one can watch thousands of TV shows free and it is completely legal. For example I love travel shows and as I browsed through the Spreety TV online website I can catch my favorite show the Tattoo Highway Online. Apart from the travel shows there are over 5,000 shows from all genres. The best part is that every show is free.

Ancient Monument or Modern Store?

Grand Canyon 051
Originally uploaded by srinidhilv.

I shot this picture at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The first impression I got when I saw this building was that this must be some ancient, Native American ruins. But on getting closer I noticed that this is actually a recent construction or rather a recreation of an ancient building using the materials found here.
Currently a part of the building hosts a souvenir shop where all kinds of Made in China trinkets are sold to visitors and tourists.

Worried about property? Need efficient management?

One of the biggest challenges both individual home owners and real estate investors face is how to manage their property without getting into the details of it. If a home owner has to move to another city, then the home has to be leased and someone has to make sure that the house is kept in order. While for investors they are busy turning money around and don't want to get into managing their assets.

To bridge this gap, Real Property Management has been set up to offer management support. Irrespective of whether you own a single home or hundreds of properties they will service you and fulfill your needs. Real Property Management (RPM) has been recognized and awarded on several occasions for its great service to clients. Their awards and recognitions include, "Franchise of the Year Honarable Mention" award; the Bizjournal of Cincinnati and Columbus featured RPM Midwest.

Their great service is evidenced by the fact that owners of over 20,000 units nationwide have trusted RPM with their properties. RPM Midwest has been striving towards attaining higher standards and recently joined the National Association of Residential Property Managers.

Tusayan Museum, Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon 052
Originally uploaded by srinidhilv.

This is picture of the entrance of one of the several museums located on the south rim of the Grand Canyon. When I first saw the building, I thought that this must be a very old building renovated to house the museum. But I was wrong, according to a local official, this building was re-built in the style of the ancient buildings using locally available material and some debris of the old ruins.
Though the exteriorl of this building makes it appear like a ramshackle hut, the insides have all the modern comforts such as fire place, air conditioning etc. It is definitely worth a visit.

Rolex Watches at Discounted Prices

Every connoisseur of wrist watches has one desire, to buy and wear an original Rolex Watch. Well Rolex watches are among the world's most expensive and exclusive time pieces. It is hard to even imagine spending thousands of $$$s on a wrist watch, but several of us would happily spend that money on a Rolex. But now thanks to www.bestoftime.com aka Alex Jewelry, proud members of Better Business Bureau (BBB) are providing a unique opportunity for everyone to own a Rolex. They have received the A+ rating (the highest) from the BBB.

Best of Time aka Alex Jewelry has some amazing Rolex Watches at real low prices. Don't worry all the watches here are 100 percent genuine, certified and authentic and come with a 3 year warranty. The store invites you to visit their premises at 3180 Presidential Drive, Suite J, Atlanta, Georgia or call them on Tel: 888-721-1979 to fix a suitable appointment to view their fantastic Rolex collection. If you don't live in Georgia, you could simply visit their online store @ BestOfTime.com and browse through their collections. For further information you could e-mail them @ customerservice@bestoftime.com also.

How is it possible for Best of Time to sell Rolex watches at prices lower than the manufacturers suggested retail price? The company claims that they are an independent dealer and can decide on their pricing and margins and hence they prefer to sell more at lower prices than few at high prices.

If you are planning to buy a Rolex, just to to Best of Time.

Grand Canyon: A preferred getaway

Grand Canyon 019
Originally uploaded by srinidhilv.

Since early adolescence I had been awe struck by the sheer beauty and enigmatic presence of Grand Canyon. The frothing Colorado river beckoned me to raft on its waters and the deep ravines and remote crevasses along the Canyon has held some kind of mystery to me.
In 2007 when I landed in the US one of the first major destinations I visited was Grand Canyon.

When I saw the extreme level of commercialization and urbanization that have been put in place around the Grand Canyon, I was rather disappointed. I expected to find some Native Americans still attired in traditional clothes, riding horses and manning visitors. But things have changes quite a bit and I don't know whether it is for the better.

One way to look at it, with modern infrastructure, lot more people visit the place and the state and hundreds of people earn their living thanks to this. This provides access to the old, weak and challenged. But on the other side, considering the nature and the original inhabitants (Native Americans), the commercialization has pretty much uprooted them people and transformed the nature. I wonder what it will be like after 20 years.

Ultimate Online Employment Reference Guide!!!

In this economic scenario the biggest challenge faced by most college graduates is to find a suitable job. For those already employed retaining their jobs is posing a true challenge. Thousands have lost jobs due to recession and are scrambling to find alternative employment. Some have gone back to school in the hope of acquiring new skills and becoming employable in this economy, while others are contemplating becoming self employed.

Under these circumstances it becomes imperative that one needs to be of informed about important factors affecting their careers such as, best cities for specific professions, Job Salary Information, what extra skills needs to be acquired to get ahead, etc.

The internet is a great resource for such articles. The Career.QandAs.com offers some great information and resources in the form of over 1,000 articles on employment related topics such as, salary, career progression and interviewing. If you are in the market for a job or contemplating a career switch, this is where you go before taking the plunge.

World's longest motorcycle

While browsing the internet I found this interesting video and thought I'd share it on my blog. It is about how the World's Longest Motorcycle was built. This motorcycle was created/ engineered by Colin Furze of United Kingdom and measures 14.03 meters (46 ft 3 in) in length. Colin had to ride the home-grown motorcycle for about 100 meters to be accepted for the record. Nevertheless I think this is a spirited effort. Technologically it is nothing of any use to the human race but in terms of personal achievement, I think he has gotten there. Good for Colin.

Visit the Blu World and Win Fantastic Prizes

Online contests are fun, they offer opportunities to win really cool prizes. The best part of the online contests is the fact that some of them are absolutely free and don't even involve purchases. Now the latest such contest to open its doors for entries is "It's a Blu World Contest" by BluFrog.

Participants can walk away with cool prizes including a BluGamer - the ultimate gaming package, Happy Blu-Year - a trip on New Year's eve to NY, Blullapalooza: a trip to Lolapalloza in Chicago, BluStreak: a Richard Petty Racing Experience and of course XtremeBLU: A trip to the Winter X Games in Aspen. Now how would you like to be one of the winners to walk away with any one of these cool prizes? I bet every one of us would love to be in fray for the rich pickings.

You the funny thing is that entering this contest and winning is very easy. It is as easy as sending a Tweet. Yes! You could win this contest by Tweeting, commenting on their blog or by posting a note on your blog about the contest.

Speaking for myself I'd love to win the Happy Blu-Year prize, because this will help me accomplish two things. One of course being in the most happening place on New Year's eve and two visiting my dear brother who lives in NY. It would be a grant surprise for him and a very happy one at that. Me and my brother could get together and head to the Time square and have a blast with the Blu World.

So now if you want to win some cool stuff, just sign in and enter. The contest ends soon and you will be disappointed if you don't take action right now.

Tank in Texas Military History Museum

Tank in Texas Military History Museum
Originally uploaded by srinidhilv.

Since childhood I have always been attracted to these large weapons/ vehicles of destruction. I don't know why, but I have been impressed by these vehicles sheer powerful and scary looks. When I was a kid I used think of becoming a soldier and work in the tank regiment and fight the enemy if an eventuality arises.

As I grew older, life took me on a totally different path and here I am in the US studying business management and looking for a job. The only thing I do which gets me close to war machines is when I visit military and war museums.

Play Multiplayer Games Online

Online gaming is the biggest craze since internet speeds rose and high end graphics came into being. Starting from young children to seniors everyone is slowly but surely getting hooked to online gaming. The most popular online games include Billiards, Word games, fighting games etc. Speaking of Billiards I recently came across a fantastically graphic website http://www.8c1.net which lets people play multiplayer games online.

There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of online gaming websites, what makes this different? In my opinion it is the high-end graphics, 3-D feel of the games, fast downloads and amazing sound effects is what sets this site head and shoulders above the rest of the crop.

My verdict is simple, if you are into online gaming just go to www.8c1.net and you will not go anywhere else.

Efficient Resource Management

houston-oct-4- 024
Originally uploaded by srinidhilv.

One of the things I like about the US is the way they manage their natural resources. Take for example rivers, streams, creeks, brooks, lakes and other water bodies. I have traveled to several different cities, both large and small across the US and no where have I seen a water body being killed to make way for commercial or residential development. Town planners always leave certain amount of space around the water body so that the natural elements are not hindered and earth retains at least some of its moisture and ground water content.

Take for example this river which flows right by Downtown Houston. If it were elsewhere it would have probably been closed down and buildings built atop its dried up bed. Or perhaps they would have used this as a natural sewage line and emptied untreated domestic sewage into the water body thus killing it slowly.

But in the US most water bodies are usually left alone and development takes place along side. Of course the river does get polluted, but not as polluted as it would get if wastes were directly emptied into them.

I think back home in India town planners need to realize this and learn to conserve resources so the future generations can have water, the elixir of life.

Contact Lenses or Lasik, which is cheaper?

People with eye problems often face several dilemmas. The first being choosing between spectacles and contact lenses. Spectacles if not created to suit the user can mar the beauty of the wearer. Contact lenses are expensive and need continuous care and replacement. Now with advancement in eye care and medical therapies, there is a new dilemma contact lenses or LASIK. In this case also the primary concerns are the cost.

In the short term it appears that contact lenses are cheaper compared to Lasik. According to a new quantitative research, wearing contact lenses could actually prove more expensive over a lifetime. For example the research states that a 25 year old wear extended wear contacts will spend over $20,000 through his/ her life. That is a very steep number, my sister and brother both wear contact lenses and I need to tell them about these costs.

I feel that with iLASIK one can completely avoid contact lenses and eliminate recurring costs. The savings will prove phenomenal in the long run.

Historically we are living in tough economic times and every penny saved is a penny earned. It is time we let eye care experts take care of our eyes and junk those contact lenses and go in for the most modern LASIK. This procedure is covered by most health savings accounts which provides a tax deductible method to pay for better vision.

Patients who have had the LASIK procedure done are extremely happy with the results and they feel that the costs are not as high as they thought it was. Moreover the elimination of recurring contact lens costs came as a big boon.

Collin Classic 2009

Over the weekend I participated in the Collin Classic 2009, a bicycling event which took me along with about 2,000 other riders through the rolling hills of Collin County. One thing I have realized after participating in couple of bike events is that country roads in Texas are not as big or good as the highways. Country roads are narrow and often potholed. The villages are quite similar to Indian villages barring couple of differences, which are actually quite significant.

The first and primary difference between an American village and Indian village is the road infrastructure. Many Indian villages don't have proper roads, and often times the roads are just mud tracks. Another difference is the housing, here the houses are built of wood and some are mobiles homes and trailers. Barring difference in material the quality of homes seem quite the same as in most prosperous villages in India. The biggie in terms of difference is the fact that every home has couple of cars/ trucks. A fact which is impossible to see in India.

Anyway I didn't carry a camera to the ride and hence I have had to depend on the internet to scout for pictures of Collin Classic. I found a trove of pictures shot by Ateupamateur on Flickr and thought I'd post them in here.

Uniquely Refreshing Ideology

Reading all kinds of non-fiction and non-science books, literature, articles and websites is one of my big passions. Recently I came across The Voluntaryist Website, which presented a totally ideology to me. The idea and thought of Voluntaryism. Feeling interested I browsed through the site reading the various articles posted online. The site belongs to the Voluntaryist newspaper which propagates the idea of Libertarianism or voluntaryism, meaning live freely and responsibly. Voluntaryists don't want government or any other body controlling their freedom and tell them what to do or what not to do.

One of the articles in the website defines freedom as a "Mental condition - a condition of the spirit". Another article on the website by Carl Watner describes the Pennsylvania Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 and how the US Government handled the situation.

It is a different thing whether I agree with the idea of Voluntaryism or not, but one thing I definitely say is that this website is a treasure trove of human knowledge and everyone interested in free society, true liberty and responsibility must read it.

Campus Rumpus

Summer classes started on Monday and things have become atrociously busy since then. Six hours of classes every evening with at least one quiz, test or exam every day. This semester is short, just five weeks, 20 days of classes and in that we need to cover 10 quizzes, 5 tests, 3 exams and one comprehensive final exam. What does this mean? 18 out of 20 days we will be having something or the other. The only way to excel or get an A grade is to obtain 90-100 in every one of the test, quiz or exam.

When I first started college in the US last year somethings were shocking. For one thing students never address professors as sir/ madame, it was by their name. On the contrary some professors address students as sir and madame. Something almost impossible in India... at least in my college days.

When I told people that I was studying, they would ask me "Which school do you go to?" Initially I wondered whether I look like a high school kid or are they pulling my leg. But later I came to know that here, a university is referred to a school and a PhD research scholar is also going to "school".

Students come in and go out of classes whenever they please, no need to ask permission of the faculty.

Most students come into class carrying bottles of cool drinks, tall mugs of coffee/ tea, snack boxes, sandwiches, etc. Classes are like picnic spots, students can eat, drink, chew gum, etc. The only requirement is to listen to the lecture and not disturb other students. Even professors bring drinks and sip on during the lecture. This never happened in India. I remember in my college days if anyone was found eating in class, he/ she would be sent out.

There are hundreds of similar differences I could write about. For now this is enough I guess. Would like to know your thoughts.

Harley Davidson - My Dream Motorcycle

Every biker's dream would be to own a Harley Davidson motorcycle. The deep throaty thumping beat of the motorcycle generates flutters in everyone's heart. I have been attracted to this big V-twin motorcycle ever since my teen years. At that time I was in India and it was impossible to even see a Harley, let alone ride or own one. But being a great fan of this legendary motorcycle, I bought several Harley Davidson Accessories such as a jacket, key chain, cigarette lighter, etc.

I moved to the US 18 months ago and now I live in Texas, the big state where one can ride motorcycles almost round the year. Here is where I got an opportunity to ride a Harley and also visit a showroom. I now understand that the cost of owning a Harley is quite high. Buying a new Harley is quite expensive and in this country, insuring one is even more expensive. Then there is the cost of maintenance. HD Parts can be expensive if bought at the wrong place.

One thing I must say here is that Texas is definitely an out and out Harley Davidson state. On clear days one can see hundreds of Harley riders enjoying their ride on the highways. These guys attired in leathers, astride on gleaming motorcycles, ride on without a care in the world enjoying the sun and winds blowing against their faces. Sometimes I do stop by and have a chat with the owners of these beautiful motorcycles.

Somehow or the other the topic moves to maintenance and I have gathered that most people don't patronize a mechanic or repair shop. They work on their motorcycles and fix problems, if any were to occur. One owner was very candid and said he would simply go online and order Discount Harley Parts because it is a lot faster than fixing a repair appointment and taking the motorcycle to a shop. I guess the high labor costs at official Harley Davidson shops could be quite a deterrent. But looking at the other side, I'd say it gives the owners immense pride to say that the motorcycle is self maintained.

Benjamin Bolger - A Saga of perseverence

There is something special about some people, I guess they are gifted with one special quality, perseverance. This was my first thought when I read about Benjamin B. Bolger, a 33-yr old dyslexic individual who has obtained 11-advanced degrees from the premier universities across the world, including Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard. Being dyslexic his reading and understanding ability is still at grade 5 level. This makes him take much much longer than any normal individual to read through and under the same material.

Bolger was diagnosed dyslexic when he was 2-and-half years old. Since then his parents, especially mother, have been very supportive. They searched around and put him a school which caters to special needs children and when they couldn't find one suitable, they just home schooled him.

The fact that he is a gifted individual became obvious to me when I read that he enrolled into college at 12 years. Despite his dyslexia, he was able to enroll into college at the age of 12 and that is not all, he graduated with a 4.0 GPA. I am sure lot of us would want to be in Bolger's shoes and achieve such grades.

Anyway, I think this guy should be looked up for inspiration by parents with dyslexic kids or even teachers who work with children. This proves that when an individual is under-endowed in one area, he is gifted in some other... it is only a matter finding the area in which he/ she is gifted and work on that.

Head to Branson for a Fun-filled Summer Vacation

Hey friends! Summer is already here and my gosh I still haven't made my travel arrangements. Luckily for me I don't have to make new plans, I have decided to visit Branson, MO and take in the fantastic festivities and shows that is on offer there. My New York-based friend is going to book ouaccommodations at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and all I have to do is to pack my bags and get onto a plane that will get me to Branson. I am all the more thrilled because I am staying at a hotel which is close to the center of all action. I will have easy access to all the shows, museums and other attractions of the Midwest's entertainment capital.

Now isn't that cool, enjoying summer vacation at Branson, where all the action happens. I have told you all what I am going to do this summer, now it is upto you to decide and if you want to join me and my friends, book your accommodations immediately at Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel. We could hang out together and enjoy a great summer.

The reason why I insisted on staying at one of the Hilton hotels is because, they provide access to every conceivable attraction in Branson. Shops, restaurants, boutiques, river walk, tourist attractions and even a beautiful golf course. Now that is what I call real enjoying a holiday. With all luxury and facilities at our beck and call, the days in Branson would be packed and relaxed.

Whenever I visit Branson I look forward to their live entertainment and theaters. Of course there are other attractions such as the Father's Day Salute, Annual Clown Jam, etc. I hear that there are 49 live entertainment theaters in Branson, I have been to three and would love to take in the remaining 46 or at least three more in my next visit. My most favorite attraction in Branson, continues to be the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery, a great family attraction. I simply feeding the fish and watching gobbling down the fish food. The guides out there are simply cooperative and they will talk to you and explain interesting features about the fish.

So are you coming to Branson with us this year? If you are still contemplating, the special packages offered by the Hilton hotels in Branson should convince you to vacation there this summer. Check it out and you will definitely create memories this summer.

Re-discovering Kannada Movies

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder" is a common saying that people use while talking about their loved ones, especially when they are away. It is true we miss our loved ones when they are not with us. Having moved from Bangalore to Dallas, I miss my parents and my home town. But after moving here one thing I find myself missing is Kannada films. That is surprising because back in Bangalore I rarely watched movies and Kannada movies were only on TV and probably one in a few years.

But having moved here I began to miss Kannada films and that is when I started searching online to watch movies in my mother tongue. I agree the films are not as well made as Hollywood flics or even Bollywood movies. But nevertheless there is some strange joy when I watch these Kannada movies. Even though the, barring a few, heroes look like ogres and heroines are almost always garishly made up, making them look more like vamps than heroines.

Anyway the purpose of posting this was to drive home the point that when one is away from an object of affection, be it an individual, vehicle, language or place, it is highly possible that the love for that something will increase multifold. This will make us do things which we would normally not do. In my case watching Kannada movies.

Speeding up your computer!

I have been using computers since the past 15 years, both for work and for personal use. Over the years the bulky desktop computer has made way for sleek and light laptops and tablet computers. But advancement in technology has come with its own problems, memory issues, compatibility, software upgrades, new operating systems, etc.

In my previous PC the most frequent problem I used to face was shortage of memory. The moment I started multi-tasking by opening more than 5 windows the computer would become painfully slow. Those were frustrating days and the only way to fix the issue was to spend hundreds of $$s and expand memory. A few years ago Microsoft came out with, what it claimed to be a radical change in operating system. The Windows Vista was launched and the geek in me wanted it so I bought it and installed it on my computer.

The frustration began then, slow speeds, frequent crashes and painstakingly slow operating system. I was desperately trying to get it fixed and approached several technology professionals and the standard quote was that they would charge $50 just to look at and diagnose problems in my computer. I felt let down.

A few days ago I came across this fantastic solution online. This group offers a great software solution to improve our productivity. Their promise: 30 seconds is all it takes to increase power and productivity by 500%. Well even if they live up to their promise by half i.e. improving my productivity by 250% I'd be overjoyed.

The price for this is just $12.95 and there is a money back guarantee too. The next time I have a problem with my PC I know where to go to improve my computing experience without spending hundreds on memory. I can finish my work faster and accomplish more.

Weekend Picnic: Visit to an Automobile Junkyard

Yesterday we did something totally outrageous and sort of adventurous. We went to an automobile junkyard looking for a set of good used tires for our Toyota 4 Runner. After visiting couple of junkyards and looking at what they have to offer, we simply decided to forget all about it and buy brand new tires from Firestone or some such store.

Thousands of dead cars, awaiting a decent funeral. Being mauled and molested even after their demise...

The first place we visited was a U-pull it yard. What does that mean? Well simply put, it is a vast area.. maybe 40-50 acres of open space piled up with crashed, trashed and junked cars of all perceivable models, makes, sizes, shapes and colors. One has to pay $1 to enter inside and pull out anything from any car out there, come out pay for it and take it home. In a nutshell, I'd call this place as a big graveyard for cars and a few motorcycles. People come here and salvage the parts they need and repair their cars cheaper.

Parking lot or a stack of crashed cars?

Anyone who is proud of their car and feels like a king behind the wheel should not visit this place. The once proud boy toys lie in mangled heaps all over the place. There are ice-cream vending vehicles, automobile maintenance vehicles gone into disuse, church vans and many more.

Once Proudly owned and lovingly maintained cars.. now nothing but a stack of sheet metal..

There's beauty at the far end of the junk yard... a quaint lake with beautiful bird life. But I wonder how long the lake is going to live? As Americans use and crash more cars, many more are going to end up in places like this and when space becomes scarce, the first thing to get hit is the creek. I hope it doesn't happen.

Nature thrives, where human beings don't meddle... even in junk yards