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Books

I have always been a bookworm. But due to lack of time because of a crazy work schedule, I haven’t had a lot of time to read anything interesting recently. Luckily, a request from one of my cousins made me go back to the library. I have been looking at some interesting books. The topic in general is “Media Manipulation”. It is amazing how much the news, events around us are manipulated. I don’t want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but come on let us be frank. The news that we watch/read everyday is not objective. Before it was very subtle, but good ol’ Fox has taken it a whole new level.

I also finished reading the new book by Michael Moore Dude, where’s my country?. I read his previous book “Stupid white men” too. Some of the information he reveals in the book is amazing. I do agree with him on a lot of topics, but he takes it to a whole new level with his “hate” of Bush :). I strongly recommend reading this, if you are in the US.

October 22, 2003 by Rantings Uncategorized 0

It's been a while

Let’s blame it on running :). You see, I try to run regularly. I have improved from nothing to ~1.5 miles now. And I found that everyday I run, I am more consious of my health [I guess because you realize how painful it is to loose those extra inches 😉 ], I watch what I eat and I even try to clean up my room (!!!). So for the last week or so I haven’t been running. I have been putting it off by saying.. there is always tomorrow. I finally got my lazy a$%# off the couch and went running today. So here I am, your ever faithful :).

Well..a lot has happened in the last week. The Cubs have turned from heros to loosers. If any of you watched the 7th game, I pity you :). I didn’t even have the heart to watch the game. I was too nervous. And then there was the whole fiasco in the 6th game with the fan who tried to catch a ball as a sovenier. I feel so sorry for that guy. It is amazing how many details of this personal life have been released into the public. He should seriously consider leaving the city :).

October 22, 2003 by Fun Rantings Sports Uncategorized 0

What a day, What a game, What an election

If anyone watched the Cubs vs. Marlins game today, you will understand what I mean :). I was on a company wide conference call and watching the game at the same time. I couldn’t control my emotions when Sammy hit a homer, and made the score even in the 8th inning, I jumped up with joy. The CEO and VP were like “Huh.. and we hired this guy!!” :). But all that effort didn’t help us. In the end, it was a Marlins victory. And across the country, an actor becomes the new Governor of California. Where is this country going to? Hope Clark will make it out in the 2004 presidential election. Looks like the one with the biggest war chest wins elections nowadays rather than people with genuine public interest. But I am an optimist :). As they say, it ain’t over till the fat lady sings [or something to that effect].

October 7, 2003 by Politics Rantings Sports Uncategorized 0

THE CUBS MADE IT

Yeah baby.. The Cubs are in the playoffs. I wish I was in Chicago to celebrate this event. For the last 3 years that I was in Chicago, each of the sports team [Cubs | Bulls | Bears] showed promise at the beginning of the season and then fizzled away!! This is one of the most exciting sporting event that I have seen in my life. I was glued to the TV all the time. Especially in the 8th inning when Baker decided to bench Kerry. I was like..what the hell is this guy doing. But I guess he knew what to do. Thats why he is making the BIG $$$$$$ and I am slaving away in Hawaii. Not that I am complaining. THE CUBS RULE :).

October 5, 2003 by Rantings Sports Uncategorized 0

Me: The Helpdesk Monkey

Customer: I am facing packet loss

Me: I am sorry to hear that. Can I get your circuit ID please

Customer: xxxxx

Me: Sir, I see that you are using ~490kbps on a 512kbps link. Hmm..you are going to have some packet loss depending on your usage.

Customer: What!!! You think I don’t know anything. I have been in this business for 8 years. I have tens of links. The other provider never has problems. You are shaving me off on 10kbps.

Me: ?? ?? ??

I love being the helpdesk monkey :).

Moral: Doesn’t anyone know that “raw datarate, doesn’t take into account data framing or encoding” of the TCP/IP stack.

October 5, 2003 by Rantings Uncategorized 0

Taste of Kapolei – II

I was so tired by the time I got back home that I didn’t have any energy to make it to the taste. I did notice that quite a few people [taking Hawaii’ population into context :)] turned up for it. Will try to make it next year.

Note: Why do we always postpone things?? :).

October 5, 2003 by Fun Rantings Uncategorized 0

KinderEggs

I love toys :). I have a collection of Bionicles, the Dark Lord and some other stuff. I love the look on peoples face when they see the toys on my desk. Coming to the reason for this posting. I was introduced to Kindereggs while I was going to school in Russia. I not only love the chocolate shell, but also the surprise toys you get in them. I was disappointed to know that they don’t sell them in the US due to safety issues. The toys in the eggs are quite small and there is a possibility that children can swallow them. During my usual nocturnal surfing, I came across this item on ebay. How can a true Kinderegg lover resist that :). I put a bid in. Lets see if I win. Now, all I have to do it find more place on my cramped desk ;).

October 5, 2003 by Fun Uncategorized 0

A Happy Dassera

Wish you all a Happy Dassera. I miss all the fun and festivities back home. It has been more than a decade since I have celebrated an Indian festival properly. For the uninitiated, festivals in India mean new clothes, day off and meeting friends and relatives. We have too many festivals in India and too many days off :).

October 4, 2003 by Family Fun Uncategorized 0

Sun[set or rise]??

You might have already noticed all the buzz being generated in the tech. world due Sun’s annoucement that is might have to write off 1 Billion [yeah, you heard that right] dollars for this quarter. A lot of people are saying that this is the start of the end. It is funny how bad decisions made by management can affect a company :). I always admired Sun for being a “technology” company, but in the last few years instead of being innovative and adopting to changing market needs, Sun stagnated. I mean, how many companies would think of going with Sun when they can get comparable technology [Linux+Inte/AMD] at a far cheaper price. What is wrong with people in the upper management? I have seen several companies go down just because of bad decesions by management. Do people loose their brains once they get there?? I do hope [if not for the shareholders, at least for the employees] that Sun can get its act together.

October 4, 2003 by Rantings Technology Uncategorized 0