Happy New Year 2012

 

One Day For the Year to end

Looking back on 2011 and forward to 2012
 
A day that comes once every year
Repeats once every 365 days
Returns every 12 months
Reminds us of a year gone by in 52 weeks
 
Was 2011 a year well spent
To learn new skills and talents
To earn new friends
and nurture old relationships
 
OR
 
Was it a year squandered
On wasteful pursuits?
Damaging activities?
Burning bridges?
 
What was it for you?
A good year 2011
or a Bad year 2011
 
What will it be in 2012
A year of promising future
Or a year of challenges!

Countdown 2011 - Three days to go

In just three days, under 72 hrs we will be saying bye bye to another year. Most people are planning to celebrate the arrival of the new year by attending parties, midnight drinking binges, dancing the night away, etc. What is the big deal about New Year, I still don't understand. Except for changing calendars, what else happens on January 1? Government's don't change; fiscal policies remain the same; elections don't take place; nothing changes in the solar system or in the universe. The earth continues to revolve around the sun. Sometimes I think New Year is just another excuse for people to party and for corporations to sell stuff in the name of new year. Then there is the New Year resolutions, most people in America resolve to exercise more and lose weight in the next 12 months. Who gets to benefit most from this resolution? The people who make and stick to the resolution benefit the most, no doubt, but they are not the ones who derive maximum benefit. Gyms, health clubs, personal trainers, coaches, sports clubs, nutritional supplement manufacturers and sellers, etc are the one's who make the real money at this time of year. People who wish to lose weight sign up for memberships to all these places and buy products, services that they hope will help them lose weight and attain a beautiful body - high school slim - that is what they call. I don't know when humans will give up this frenzy of event-based lifestyles and live according to what they need and when they need.

Getting a Second Chance!!!

Once an individual takes to crime, especially murder, it is almost impossible for him/ her to lead a normal law abiding life again. Imagine an individual who has killed about 40 people and still getting a second chance at life? Wouldn't that be something shocking even to think of? Or would it be heartening to think of, saying that the individual is finally reformed after years in prison?

When I was at Bonham, TX recently I came across this story board i.e. the story of a Texas gunman neatly printed and framed, hanging outside one of the quaint downtown shops. The display has the City of Bonham emblazoned, so I am assuming that the city has put it up. The story in the board is self-explanatory for everyone, but I need to explain why I am blogging about it.

As I read it one thing became clear to me, despite the fact that there is so much importance given to life and people today in the US, it was not so in the past. This guy John W Hardin has been referred to as "The most dangerous gunman in Texas" but still his story supposedly endorsed by the city, hangs prominently in the city square. He killed so many people and then turned to religion and law in prison. This enabled him to enter the bar in Texas and become a lawyer and established a practice. It is a different matter that he couldn't stick to law and was killed by a sheriff later.

The point I am trying to make is that even after killing 40 people this guy was given a chance to lead a normal life. Would that be possible now? in any other country? Should it happen? What about the families of those killed by him? How did they feel when he started practicing law? I don't know the answers to these questions but these things continue to bother me...

Have a Messy Office? Enter to Win $1200

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Contest Factory for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Since the economic downturn started in 2008 I have heard lots of my friends saying that their job responsibilities have doubled and sometimes tripled because of lay offs and hiring freezes. As a result their office cubicles, desks are a mess, full of clutter, papers, objects, mail, etc.

I am sure lot of you will say that your office is not in any better shape. Well if your office space is really bad, dirty, or outright pathetic then here is an opportunity to win $1200 in prizes. All you have to do is to shoot a video of your cube/ office/ workspace and explain why you think it is horrible and why you deserve the prize and upload it on the Pimp My Cube Contest website.

That done now invite your friends, family, colleagues, and associates to log in vote for your video. You get points for everything you do, registering, voting, commenting, and inviting your friends etc. If your cube is selected by the Contest Factory judges based on the contest criteria including but not limited to the most votes, best/ worst video and the most compelling story etc, then you hit a jackpot.

The grand prize winner will receive a office update which will feature either a new high end computer system or new furniture (Desk, chair and decorations) or an snazzy entertainment package with high end stereo, espresso machine, etc.

Uploading your video is very simple you can use your phone to do that too. The more fun and witty the better the video will entertain and the higher the chance of winning.

Don't worry if you are afraid your video may not be the best. There is still an opportunity to win $200 gift card. One registered user will be chosen at random and awarded this prize at the end of contest period which runs from 12/5/11 to 1/31/12.

There is not much time enter the contest fast so you have lots of time to promote your video and get as many votes as possible.

Good Bye 2011 - Welcome 2012

2011 is almost over and it seems like only yesterday when it was Christmas 2010. Another year comes to a finish, 12 months of economic upheavel in Europe, 52 weeks of bickering between Republicans and Democrats in the United States, 365 days before the next Presidential elections in which Obama is mostly likely to succeed, not because he has been a gerat president but because there is no other suitable alternative.
 
Wow.... I simply can't believe it another year has come to a close... I am older by a year so is everybody in the world. Did I achieve anything great this past year, well apart from gaining about 10 lbs cumulative weight, and completing 2 more semesters and getting closer to graduation, I don't think I did anything significant this year. In terms of physical activity this past year was a mess, I hope to make next year more productive and lose some of the excess food stocks that have gotten stored in various areas of my body.
 
I know I have promised myself that I would compete in a Triathlon next year. It is not going to be easy, I need to work hard to get there, especially in the area of running. I have to hit the gym or the trail to start running, cycling and swimming on a regular basis. Discipline is the key to achieving all this and that is something very difficult to achieve for people like me.

Confederate Hellcat: Motorcycle Inspired by The Mahabharata

Image Courtesy Wall Street Journal

It is rare that one comes across someone saying that they have been inspired by the Hindu Epic Mahabharata. Specially in the day when ridiculing everything that is connected to Hinduism, Hindu spirituality or Hindu Epics is a fashion. This morning I read an article in Wall Street Journal about a master motorcycle designer Ed Jacobs and was heartened to note that he derives his inspiration from "Arjuna the silver-bright and unconquerable charioteer (should have been warrior) in the Mahabharata" among others.

Ed Jacobs is the chief designer at Confederate Motorcycles a boutique that manufactures custom, aesthetically designed, two wheeled beauties. I read the entire article and was awe struck by the attention to detail that makes this motorcycle the beauty that it is. Confederate's X132 Hellcat is their latest offering which is priced at $45,000 is one beauty on two wheels that will make every bike lover go weak in their knees.

According to the article Ed Jacobs got his inspiration to design motorcycles after he visited India and rode the Enfield Bullet to the Himalayas. He decided to work and build beautiful motorcycles that are aesthetic, functional and unique. I am glad that at least this individual has acknowledged that he derived inspiration from the Hindu Epic Mahabharata.

I wonder how many Indian designers of any kind - be it motorcycle or software or car would even think of the Mahabharata as a source of inspiration and even if they did how many would acknowledge the fact. Because if they did, there is every likelihood that the Indian media would brand them "right wing Hindutva fascists."

In my next blog post on the same topic I will discuss how motorcycles made in India could get a more intimate feel by simply renaming the models. It goes around to make a statement that we are aware of our heritage and are rooted in our culture, which unfortunately I think India is fast loosing.

Exploring Rural America - 2: Bonham State Park

Green Spaces for Public Good

America is responsible for a whole lot of pollution including and not limited to consuming over 40% of the world's gasoline, emitting over 30% of the world's greenhouse gases, etc. I would add a positive statistic to this country i.e. this is one country where local environment is preserved very well. Most of the natural creeks, rivers, and culverts have been preserved, even though these come alive only during the rains. Then there are vast open spaces that have been designated as National and State Parks, Wildlife refuges, and other types of protected areas that are basically green spaces open to public and that also help enhance the environment.

I have been exploring America since the time I landed here, not just the glitz and glamor of cities and popular tourist destinations, but the interior lesser known rural and local attractions. My reaction to this is mostly that of surprise and admiration to the sustainable planning and development of communities. Recently I visited one of the state parks of Texas - Bonham State Park. Located close to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro area this is a vast green space with a 261 acre lake. The park is full of trees and the lake adds a beauty to the entire setting. Rustic old-style buildings house the administrative offices in the park that provides facilities for walking, hiking, mountain biking, swimming and aqua sports such as sailing, canoeing, kayaking, etc.

During summer months this park is usually full of visitors but now being winter and biting cold I was the only visitor in the park. Here are some pictures of the park for your viewing pleasure.

The Main entrance to Bonham State Park

Water Fowl enjoying their day at the lake without any visitors disturbance...

The deserted swimming area of the park - summer brings crowds of families to the park

The fishing pier which can also be a scenic look out...

Exploring Rural America: Bonham, TX - 1

When I was in India visiting America means going to the most popular sights i.e., the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Museum, the Niagara Falls, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, etc. Reading about these globally renowned destinations I was under the impression that America doesn't have much to explore, it is just a commercial paradise. Now that I am living here I am slowly becoming aware of the vastness of the country and the richness in terms of natural heritage and also man-made creations of the land. Each state, and county has its own historical museums, nature parks, and recreation spaces for local citizens as well as travelers. Most visitors are locals but there are some people from far off/ different states and rarely from other countries.
Yesterday I visited one such place in North Texas area. It is a small city known as Bonham with a population of a little over 10,000. The city is very small and it is mostly a village, except for the fact that there are all the modern amenities such as super markets, ATM, a prison, large post office, court, etc. It is indeed amazing that for a population of 10,000 the government has invested in all these amenities. I wish other nations also followed suit so there would be no necessity for crowding the big cities.
Bonham's major attraction is the Bonham State Park and the Lake Bonham Recreation Area. Then there are couple of museums and that is pretty much it. Here are some pictures of Bonham City. I will be posting more information about the other attractions soon....

Sam Rayburn Library and Museum - I will write more about this shortly...

Mr. Bonham, the person after whom the city has been named. His statue occupies the main square of the city

The county Prison... of course the maintenance is pathetic with the economic down turn...

Raising Children - A Poem

Raising a good kid


Everyone has an opinion about how to raise a child
Those who have had a few believes their method
Is the ideal and can't be bested

I don't have kids, haven't raised one
But definitely have an opinion
on how to raise good children!

It is futile to carry the child who can walk
or speak for the kid who can can talk
or impose your thoughts on the kid who can think

Don't build a wall of opinions around a child
Let him/ her see the world innocent eye
And form his/ her own opinions on the world

Set the child free both in body and spirit
Let them take flight from a solid foundation
composed of education, knowledge and truth

The child grows only when they are allowed to go
out to seek their fortunes and manage their ego.
They may trip and fall, get wounded and buruised...

It is as much necessary
As the sharp strokes of an awl
are needed for a rock to become a work of art!

LG Doubleplay - the ultimate cellphone for talk, text, and data!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of LG DoublePlay™ for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Modern cellphone technology has taken communication and internet access to a new level. With these brand new cellphones it is possible to talk, text, browse the internet, manage bank accounts, update twitter and facebook status, within seconds. With the wide array of cellphones available in the market it is very difficult to arrive at which one would best suit our unique needs. Even though each one of us have varying needs there are few cellphones that can fulfill all of our unique needs and offer us more.

I recently came across the new LG DoublePlay™, a unique phone for people who prefer to multitask like me. Equipped with the Android™ 2.3 (Gingerbread) operating system, this phone empowers users like no other. Offering seven home screens and nine touch screen shortcuts this is one of the coolest phones I have come across. It is so cool that it offers a dual customizable touch screen : a 3.5-inch main display and 2.0-inch sub display. The cellphone lets you manage the screens independently or in tandem as per your wish.

I particularly love this phone because of its full slide-out QWERTY keyboard and Swype®. Thanks to these features I can still send 200 texts a day and my fingers wont feel tired. Like I said before this is one of the few true multitasking phones I have come across. You can browse the internet, check your email, send text messages, and update facebook at the same time. Moreover with its multiple text facility I can use the cloud text, and group text features to check my messages on my PC or tablet. These features make it much faster for me to manage communication with my team at work or with my friends outside.

I would say this is a great tool for social networking on the go. The phone would let me be connected 24/7 and I can update all the time. I don't have to use the cumbersome laptop every time I try to access the internet. This phone is available only for T-Mobile users and subscribers. So if you are into social networking and text be sure to check this out, if you don't you may get left behind.

As far as more cool factors the LG DoublePlay™ is packed with features. A 5-mp camera with LED flash, with a 720p HD video recorder.

US Presidential Race 2012 getting crowded

Everyone is aware that America is going to elect a new president/ commander-in-chief in 2012. What most people don't know is that there 40 candidates in the fray to become the president. These people represent both the parties and come from varied backgrounds and have entered the fray for reasons of their own. I read about the primaries that are going to take place early next year in today's Wall Street Journal and was surprised to know that even in a two party democracy like America it is possible for so many candidates to be in the fray.

According to the news report there are 30 Republicans and 10 Democrats running to become the respective party's nominee for the presidential race that is going to take place next year. There is an engineer who is promoting alternative technology, then there is the war veteran who currently is a UPS pilot who wants to implement better benefits for servicemen and eradicate homeless. Then there is the home builder who wants to tour each of the 3,143 counties on a mobile home and campaign for his election.

Of course in the national focus are four Republican candidates Mitch Romney, Neut Gingrich, Rick Perry and Herman Cain. On the defending side there are no candidates on national focus except the incumbent Obama. I wonder how many of these 40 candidates will actually become nationally famous let alone become republican nominees. Time will answer the question, but for now New Hampshire primary voters have a truly wide choice in terms of the candidates.

Technology Security - A Vital Need For All

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Norton Small Business by Symantec for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Information Technology and Internet have come to be ranked among the basic human needs of this era. It is unthinkable for anyone to live in an advanced economy like America without depending on technology. With advancement in technology and ease of internet access comes the perils of data security compromise, identity theft, hacking, malicious attacks by viruses, worms, and other malware. In these circumstances it is vital that everybody has adequate protection in the form of a reliable antivirus software program.

It is specially relevant to small businesses who have begun to depend on technology more than ever before. The best way to protect your Small Business from the latest online threats is to have in place great antivirus program such as the Norton Small Business by Symantec. This program not only protects your computer from viruses but also checks your emails, chat and all the sites you visit. It neutralizes the threats even before they come close to you. If you are a small business owner and want to keep your business safe from attacks I would encourage to check out the latest offerings from Norton.

Internet security is paramount for everyone, specially for small business. Norton has a fine solution for protecting your computer against online attacks. The Norton Internet Security 2012 is the finest tool to protect your enterprise against malicious spyware, malware, viruses and other online threats. Norton acts as your digital army to fight against online dangers and boosts your PCs performance.

One of my favorite products from the Norton is the Norton 360 which is a complete suite of protection for your computer, data and internet. Launched this past September along with Norton Internet Security 2012 this suite has been ranked No. 1 in online protection. There are a number of features including identity protection, parental controls,  online backup and storage. That is not all, Norton 360 makes your computer run faster. It optimizes your disk space by fixing problems, discarding cookies, temp files and other things that bog your computer down. 

I would also be happy if you would like to share your profession and what Norton product fulfills your security needs. That would give an indicator to other readers of this blog what to expect and what kind of security to opt for. At the end of the day remember your businesses survival and profitability is dependent on the data and security of this data is more important than anything else.

Beading Designs

I am preparing for my final exams and of course what is the best way to take breaks. Create some new beading patterns which I might or might not implement in beads. I sure hope I will have the time and inclination to create them in beads/ seed beads during the winter break from school. For now here are the designs for evaluation by all my blog visitors and readers.

Fresh Brewed Coffee at the Office

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tassimo for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

There is nothing like having a good cup of coffee between meals at work. A freshly brewed cup of coffee invigorates and makes me more productive. This is the opinion several of my colleagues at work also share and it is not surprising to see everyone walking into the office with a large cup of coffee from one of the popular stores every morning. It is not like we don't have a coffee machine at work, but it simply doesn't provide us the freshly brewed coffee that we love to drink and enjoy.

I recently came across the Tassimo Professional brewer which delivers high quality coffee-house style drink right in the office. The machine affords the possiblity of being able to prepare a Cappuccino or even a Latte using real Gavelia espresso and real milk creamer. The machine offers a wide array of beverage possibilities which will satisfy everyone's taste and preference. Thanks to the Tassimo Pro it is possible to enjoy Gavelia, and Suchard coffees and Twinings tea at your office. All you have to do is to convince your manager to install it at work. If your manager is worried that great coffee like this will be prone to pilferage by unscrupulous employees tell him that the double bar codes on the Tassimo Pro T Discs prevent it from being used in home brewers.

The best thing about the Tassimo Pro is the ease and speed with which one can get his/ her favorite brew. The one touch operation and beverages take less than two minutes to make. The machine is so easy to maintain that there is a LCD display on which prep and cleaning instructions are shown. Anyone can use this machine to prepare fantastic beverages.

Now that I have gotten your interest piqued about the Tassimo Professional coffee maker let me also tell you that they are offering a free demo. Yes! you can register for a Tassimo Professional free demo by visiting their website. I am real excited about the upcoming demo at our office and looking forward to trying the cappuccino and the tea. If you are interested in drinking world class coffee at work register for a free demo now.

The Beauty in the Beast

The Beauty

Picture courtesy: Internet (Santa Rosa Lioness Club

She walks like a river
Swaying and swirling
Beautifying the world around
With her thunderous roaring laugh.

It is not a wonder she commands
respect and fear from one and all
Adored by humans, feared by animals
She reigns supreme in the jungles

The lioness that nurtures
The cubs, feeds the pride, and
Rules the Jungle
Is now in a state so Fragile

That hunters, and poachers
Bay for her blood and fur
while governments look on
and do nothing to protect her...

Learning about Country Singer Buck Owens

This morning while returning from the library I was listening to Fresh Air program being aired on National Public Radio. The program was about Buck Owens, a renowned country singer who was born in Sherman, Texas, but made his fortune in Bakersfield, California. I am not a big fan of country music but I do enjoy good songs when I hear one. The song that was being featured on the broadcast was one titled "There Goes My Love" and the lyrics simply impressed me. I decided to post the same here for all of you to enjoy:
 
There Goes My Love
 
There goes the girl I used to know
There goes the girl that I love so

There goes the arms that used to hold me tight
There goes the reason that I sigh
There goes the reason that I cry
There goes the lips I used to kiss goodnight
There goes my love

Read the full lyrics on All Lyrics

America's Annual Shopping Frenzy Settles...

One thing I admire Americans for... their ability to amass... from household items to clothes to credit card debt to educational qualifications, pets, etc everything that can be hoarded they will do it. Both people as well as institutions - commercial and non-profit - have perfected the art of sales. If corporations offer deals and appeal to the consumers ego, non-profit groups dangle the carrot of self-actualization and make people part with their money.
 
Americans are in a shopping mood throughout the year as evidenced by the bustling malls that are always full of people buying stuff. The past few years this has been down due to the economic distress and job losses millions of Americans have faced. Otherwise it is business as usual in most shopping malls. The shopping reaches dizzying heights during the festival holiday season just after Halloween and continues until Christmas.
 
Since the economy has not turned around yet American corporations were impatient to rake in profits of the Thanksgiving shopping. So they decided to forget about the prayer and holy aspect of the holiday and just focus on the shopping aspect. The end result stores opened several hours earlier than before for the traditional black friday shopping. Of course there was some outcry but consumers nevertheless thronged to the stores looking for deals.
 
I wonder what it will be next year... maybe the stores will open a week in advance for shoppers of black friday. If that happens then consumerism would have successfully prevailed over tradition. I guess in the land of consumption and corporation few would rue this happening.
Now that the initial frenzy of holiday shopping has settled down we will have to wait and watch out to see how much money changed hands over the weekend and how much profit corporations raked in...

Happy Thanksgiving... or is it??

Today is the national holiday of Thanksgiving in America. Today is the day when people travel hundreds of miles to get together with families and loved ones. It is a day when people thank the lord for giving them everything that they need and pray for more next year. Of course like all other national events everywhere in the world there is a legend or story associated with this holiday too, but that is not the point of this post. 

Ever since I landed in America I have wondered about this festival where hundreds of thousands of birds are killed to satiate the hunger of humans. So whenever I hear someone say "Happy Thanksgiving" my mind travels to the plight of the innocent Turkey which was raised, fed, and fattened only to be killed today or perhaps a few days ago so that it's carcass may be cleaned, processed and packaged to be sold in the big box retailers across the country. It is not such a "Happy Thanksgiving" for these hundreds of thousands of birds afterall. They lose everything they had including their life.

The simple justification I have heard from lots of people here is that: "Animals don't have a soul, so they are born to be killed and eaten by humans. That is how god created the world." Really! you want me to believe that? If that is true why is that when animals become even remotely dangerous to humans they are instantaneously killed or quarantines or sometimes whole speicies decimated? It is this insatiable human greed that has become a danger for the planet that has given us so much and continues to sustain our lives. Do we ever stop and say thanks to this planet?

I wonder when that will happen... or should I say that if it will ever happen?

Native American Beading Patterns

I wanted to take a break between studies for the upcoming exam on Monday, so I decided to get creative and here is the result. This is a pattern to make a beaded bracelet leaning toward the Native American style. Once my exams are over I will try to create it in beads and post some pictures. For now let me know if the designs are worth anything at all...