Vinay's Space

I Have Moved - My Last Post Here!

2007-08-17T12:45:00.000-07:00

The few readers who visit my blog must be wondering my I have stopped posting here - To all the readers/visitors of this blog I would like to tell you that I will no longer be blogging here - You can continue to read my posts at desinotes which is at http://www. desinotes.com which I have acquired recently. Desinotes is a much more established blog and has a loyal reader base. Needless to say I am excited with my new platform for blogging at Desinotes.

I do hope you will continue to check out my musings at this new domain. Do subscribe to the RSS feed of desinotes and let me know what you think of desinotes.

Strange Tattoos!

2007-07-19T10:17:00.000-07:00

Some weird and funny tattoos...

Lovely Commercial Of The New Citroen C4

2007-07-11T11:53:00.000-07:00

This is the commercial of the New Citroen C4. This should remind you of the new movie Transformer! Watch Citroen do the spin - The Dance! In the movie, Transformer wreaks havoc and causes destruction; but this spot shows a lively dancing freak out robot! The special effects are amazing and comparable to any Hollywood movie - Perhaps comparable to the movie Transformer. Not very sure since I have yet to watch Transformer!

Carlos Slim Helu is Now World's Richest

2007-07-05T13:20:00.000-07:00

Bill Gates has lost it at last – He’s given up his number one slot to Carlos Slim Helu the Mexican telecom mogul who is now worth a staggering $68 billion. Carlos is at the helm of Telmex, América Móvil and Grupo Carso. Bill Gates is currently worth $59 billion.

How did Carlos move up? Telecommunications is booming and his company América Móvil’s stock has jumped rapidly in the past few months adding to his fortune. It is estimated that Carlos Slim and his family have an 8% share in Mexico’s GDP. Carlos had last year overtaken Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway to take the second place. Let’s hope Carlos also gives away his fortune to charity much like Gates and Buffett.

For now Gates is no longer at the top - Enough Bill, you have enjoyed the view from the top for long enough. Move over!

Doing The Invisible Act!

2007-06-25T11:42:00.001-07:00

Some funny pictures - Become invisible - The various ways in which you can camouflage yourself!

Source: Unknown (via email)

AGLOCO Viewbar is now Available For Download

2007-06-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

I have written 2 posts about AGLOCO - read them - One and Two.

The Viewbar was eagerly awaited by those who understood the potential of AGLOCO. I received a mail from AGLOCO for download a while ago and managed install the Viewbar yesterday. I now have the Viewbar running (whenever I want to). If you think it is an intrusion and a nuisance you can choose to have the bar disappear. I won’t go into the details of what AGLOCO is all about.

You lose nothing and there is something to gain. You surf the net as you always do and earn hours for surfing. You earn a maximum of 5 hours a month. This is not much at all but AGLOCO expects you to get people to sign up. The more people you get in your network the better. The hours that are accumulated can then be converted to CASH. Complete details of HOURS to CASH conversion are currently not available. We’ll have to wait and watch how AGLOCO fares. Do you want to sign up for AGLOCO? Click here.

Top Interesting World Facts!

2007-06-17T11:28:00.001-07:00

I came across these very interesting facts - Facts that should be of interest to every one. The Top 10 in so many categories. Check yourself - How much do you know?

Just as I had thought - Paris France should take the top spot. The USA is missing in the list!

Can't comment on this - I am not an American nor do I live there...

The Best Discount Brokers in the USA

Best Cities to visit - Paris is down to 6th spot - Rome takes the number one place.

Finland is the cleanest - Canada had to figure. Switzerland and Sweden had to be here.

No wonder Switzerland Chocolates are the best!

I have heard of Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali and Jesse Owens. Who are the others? Of course I'm no sports buff!

Ireland is no surprise.

Where are the UK & USA in alcohol consumption? Surprising that they don't figure.

This is for the first 6 months of 2005 - By now Toyota Camry must be at the top.

I am telling you - India's population will beat China's in 20 years time.

No surprise America has the maximum number of airports. Speaks volumes about the development in the USA.

What's wrong with Lithuanians? Love killing themselves? Surprisingly Finland, a rich country figures in the list.

Who can tell me why Maldives is so high on Divorces? USA is of course no surprise. Divorce is a way of life for Americans. They are such an unhappy lot.

I had expected UK to be on the top of the list. Strangely it does not even figure in the list. Finnish it appears love coffee.

I have heard of Maradona, Pele and Michale Owen. Who are the others? As I already said I am not a sports buff.

I'm not a car lover but would still love a drive in a "Dauer 962 LeMans". Is this German?

Cows are holy animals in India. They are worshiped. But I thought Brazil had more cows.

Nothing compares to India! Bearing children is a way of life. Millions are born every year. Thousands are born every day. I became a father on 17th last month! Honestly I would like to see the numbers go down.

USA has the maximum billionaires - it is a known fact. Expect to see India take at least the 10th place in the next few years.

The bigger the country the better. I'm happy to see India in the top 10 of the biggest countries.

I thought New Zealand consumed the most ice cream. Well; they take the second spot.

Average Iraq Family Size at 7.7 - India is there as well.

Death rates - Most of them are African Countries. Not one European country in the list.

Great World Cup goals - I've known Maradona, Owen, Pele and Baggio to be great soccer players.

India will beat China in 25 to 30 years as the nation with the worlds largest work force.

Japan and cars are synonymous - No disagreeing that Toyota is value for money.

I thought Alsatians were also very intelligent. Not in the list.

This most surprising - The most prosperous of nations suffer from low birth weight babies. Poorest of nations like India, Bangladesh are not figuring.

I just read in yesterday's newspaper that the Amazon river is the Longest River now. Nile is the second longest. List to be modified!

Source: unknown, via mail

Mukesh Ambani to Build a Mansion

2007-06-03T12:01:00.000-07:00

Mukesh Ambani; the son of the legendary Dhirubhai Ambani of Reliance Industries is building his house in Mumbai – A mansion that that will cost $1 billion and will be 170 meters tall! It will supposedly be managed by a staff of 600 people. The house is being built on a 4,500 square meter plot. The building will have 27 floors and construction is currently under progress. The tower will have parking facility for the first 6 floors. The tower will provide a view of the entire city of Mumbai. It will have 3 helipads an entertainment floor, swimming facilities and a health floor.

Critics are saying that this is an ostentatious display of wealth. Well I think there is nothing wrong in flaunting wealth. Most billionaires do it. Ambani has it and is showing it off! Forbes places Mukesh Ambani with a fortune of $20.1 billion as of March 2007. Of course the richest global Indian is Lakshmi Mittal with a fortune of $32 billion who is the fifth richest in the world.

Loan For Plastic Surgery!

2007-05-29T11:14:00.000-07:00

We all know of mortgage loans, personal loans, auto loans, commercial loans, education loans…but have you heard of loans for Plastic Surgery? This looks like a new segment. There are banks that lend for your personal beautification – For Plastic Surgery also. This is cool! Well, there is no arguing that looks for a person is the best passport to a better life.

Go ahead and take the loan if you can afford it. But as the person who sent me this picture rightly put it: “How to recover / repossess in case of a default in this kind of a loan?” Reset the “Nose” to how it was before the loan!?

First Day Welcome in a Software Firm!

2007-05-27T09:47:00.000-07:00

Software industry undoubtedly contributes to India's growth more than any other sector of the Indian economy. Year on a year basis the software industry continues to put up a spectacular performance. Despite a slight US slowdown and appreciating Indian rupee software majors like Infosys, Satyam, Wipro and TCS have come out with excellent results. Revenues rise and profits surge. Indian software engineers command amazing salaries in software. Recruiting and retaining skilled software professionals in India is not an easy task for a software company. It is getting costlier and harder for software firms to retain talent. Salaries for top performers have reached dizzying heights. Workers who are sacked from a company usually end up getting better offers. Average salary increases in India are now at around 14 per cent a year, compared with around 8 per cent in China. India’s top software firms plan to add 100,000 new jobs this fiscal year.

In light of the above, now watch this video.

This is a video of the first day in Aditi Technologies a Bangalore software firm. This was the welcome given by the company to the new employees. The CEO, VP, President, Senior Mangers, Board Members are all there welcoming the new staff! Unbelievable! Speaks of the extent to which software firms can go to keep employees happy. The video reminded me of my marriage which was much like this except that there was no elephant. Personally I would be uncomfortable with such a reception and would wonder if I came to the right place on my first day at work! Probably Aditi realizes that it is the employees that make a company. Well, I think it’s a smart move from the software firm.

I've Become A Father!

2007-05-23T12:07:00.000-07:00

There is good news on my personal front – I became a father to a baby girl for the first time. Shubha delivered a 2.82 kilograms baby normally after 9 hours of grueling labor. It’s a nice feeling. Indeed an exciting feeling. Considering that both of us are thinnies a 2.82 kg baby I felt was quite normal. Baby and my wife are doing fine. People say the baby looks a lot like me. They say it’s lucky for her and lucky for me if a baby girl takes after the father! She has already brought me some luck - I just changed my job! I am leaving a few photos of her...

How Big Is Planet Earth? A Relative Comparison.

2007-05-18T05:34:00.001-07:00

Just compare the size of Earth with other giants in and outside the solar system.

Diameter of: Earth: 12,700 kms, Mercury: 4,900 kms, Venus: 12,100 kms, Mars: 6,800 kms, Pluto: 2,400 kms

Diameter of: Jupiter: 143,000 kms, Saturn: 120,000 kms, Uranus: 51,100 kms, Neptune: 49,500 kms

Diameter of Sun: 1.4 million kms.

Diameter of Sirius: 1.8 times the Sun's diameter, Pollux: 9 times that of Sun, Arcturus: 25 times that of Sun.

Aldebaran: 40 times that of Sun, Rigel: Has a diameter 70 times that of Sun, Betelgeuse: The star has a diameter 650 times that of Sun, Antares: has a diameter 700 times that of Sun,

Source: Unknown, via email

Mothers Day – 10 Things Your Mom Might Have Told You.

2007-05-13T13:19:00.000-07:00

Mothers Day has arrived – I am sure you will agree that your mother told you all these things!

Work hard: She must have told you this umpteen times – There is no substitute to hard work. The harder you work the luckier you get.
You can do whatever you want: She told you to set goals and write them down so you that you stood a better chance of achieving your dreams. She told you that if you set your mind to something you can do it. Did she not tell you? Are you implementing it now? For creating wealth, for a better job…?
Don’t be late: Obviously she was referring to your school and to be there on time. Are you making it to work on time? Are you disciplined now? In how many realms of your life are you implementing it as a grown up?
Have a place for everything: Keep things in their place; so you will find them when you want. She asked you to be organized. How organized are you now in your work, in your finances..?
Don’t be afraid: She told you not to be scared and not to be self effacing. It won’t take you anywhere. Ask for help when required is what she told. There are situations in which you need others help. A lot of people miss out on a lot of things because they are not getting correct advice. Take advantage of the professional and the more learned and the more successful if you ant to succeed. Are you doing it?
Be what you are. Be yourself: She told you to be your own self and not ape others. She told you to say what you wanted to say. She asked you to think for yourself, coolly calmly even in the worst of situations. Try to take some time and listen to your own voice.
“Practice, Practice, and Practice”: Practice makes a man perfect. To maintain your high level of skills or to perfect skills and beat the others in this dog eat dog world you have to work hard and practice like a mad man. Mediocrity is not the prescription for success.
Take your time: Don’t be in a hurry: Take your time. Ponder over important matters. In money or in relationships it is easy to get fooled and get conned. Check your facts. Take a little time to make a decision. This usually comes with age but learning this early gives you an edge.
Have you done your homework?: Whether you are looking for the best mortgage rate in town, the best auto loan deal or an investment in stocks you are considering; doing your homework thoroughly makes you a superior individual. You are one up on others. It puts you in control. You get in control by doing research and educating yourself on the things that interest you and that require you to do so.
There’s a lot more to life than money: Your mom knew the importance of an extra dollar but she knew even better the importance of the other valuable things. Relationships and values are above money and above all else.

Now apply these to your day today life, to your finances and to all the other areas. You can only move forward I suppose…

Car Number Plate Auction in UAE Sets New World Record

2007-05-13T12:36:00.000-07:00

An auction that took place yesterday in Abu Dhabi (capital of UAE) created a new world record for auction of a car number plate. The event was organized to raise money for people with special needs and accident victims.

The single digit number plate “5” beat the world record that was held in Yorkshire, Britain where the number plate M1 had fetched Dh2.39 million ($657,160) last year. The number 5 became the most expensive plate after it fetched Dh25.2 million ($6.85 million). The winning bidder was Mr. Talal Al Khoury an Abu Dhabi businessman. Mr. Khoury said “I offered the highest bid for a cause. All the money I have does not belong to me; it is given to me by God for a reason. I am giving back this money to those who need it”. Very lofty thoughts and a yeoman service indeed. When asked if the number 5 had any significance he said “No”.

There were a total of 41 special auction plates and a total of Dh100 million ($27 million) was collected from the auction proceeds. More than 700 people attended the auction.

Desi Notes - Random Ramblings Of A Desi Baba!

2007-05-05T11:04:00.000-07:00

Desinotes.com is a blog written by Sunny – A "Desi Baba" and a 20’s something student from Bangladesh based in USA. I stumbled upon his blog a few months ago and have become a daily visitor. In fact I have become a bit of an addict to his random musings on various topics.

Sunny’s first love seems to be “making money in the online world”. But I have seen that he blogs about anything that interests him. Sunny is continually tweaking and making adjustments to his blog theme. His blog has a simple and elegant look. He had recently changed the header to “Work at Home Blog” but again got back to more relevant wordings “Random musings of a Desi Baba - Entertainment, Work at Home, Technology, Personal Development, Saving Money, Real Estate” which I think summarizes his blog well. I would not agree with him if he says that his blog is only about making money online.

Well, what do I like about his blog? Although he sometimes shares writings of others that he comes across; his blog is generally a compilation of his original ideas and thoughts. He writes in simple words and shares his strategies and ideas for online success. He posts everyday. He blogs about what he learns in the online world. He has made his blog successful by his hard work. Currently his blog gets more than a 1,000 hits a day. As a blogger I know how difficult it is to get that kind of traffic. In less than a years time he has taken the blog to this level. This is fantastic achievement. Not only that he has monetized his blog successfully and makes some decent money every month. His visitor base is constantly increasing.

There are things on which he can improve and take his blog to greater heights. Firstly I would advise him to do more homework on the topics that he blogs. Some times his posts provide insufficient and little information. He needs to get deeper, get more facts and then submit a post. He can do this by reducing the frequency and number of posts. I find that he writes 2-3 articles a day. He can cut down to just one post a day and make it a high quality post like for example John Chow or Darren Rowse. Secondly he needs to work on the grammar part of his postings. Frequently there are spelling mistakes and grammar imperfections. Perhaps he is unaware of this. He has to do better proof reading and work on his English skills before he hits the “submit button”.

All in all his is a blog I like. The blog has great potential. Sunny has the potential to take it to greater heights; having reached this level. He is passionate about blogging. I am sure he will. Good luck Sunny in your blogging endeavors.

Use Joost To Watch Streaming TV On The Internet

2007-05-03T10:11:00.000-07:00

Joost is a service that allows you to watch TV on the web. Joost created a lot of buzz recently when it went into full business. Joost works using peer to peer technology; similar to song sharing services like Napster, Kazaa etc. Joost is a venture of Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis founders of Skype and Kazaa. These guys received $2.6 billion when they sold Skype to ebay in 2005.

Joost is a new way of watching television. You can flip channels and watch hundreds of channels. Many channels are for worldwide viewing. Some are restricted only to US. The advantage of Joost is that you can watch whenever you want and as often as you like. No more schedules. Joost is supposed to deliver almost TV like resolutions and in some cases DVD like clarity.

Joost is still in beta and currently you need an invite from a user to sign up for the service. If you have friends using Joost you can ask for an invite. Once you sign up you can download the Joost software after which you can watch TV. Over 150 channels are available currently ranging from sports, to documentaries and cartoons. Many of the popular TV channels can be viewed on Joost. To check out the list of available channels click here

The clarity of the TV channels also depends on the number of people using the service. The more the number of people the better the user experience. Needless to say a broadband internet connection is necessary to get the full potential of this service. Also remember that you should not have restrictions on download from your service provider. Joost is a streaming video application, and so uses a relatively high amount of bandwidth per hour. In one hour of viewing, approximately 320Mb data will be downloaded and 105Mb uploaded, which means that it will exhaust a 1Gb cap in 10 hours.

The byword of Joost is “TV anywhere anytime”.

I have heard and read that the quality of the viewing is decent. I have still not tried Joost. Can any one send me an invite? I will sign up and try it out.

Video: Amazing And Funny Stunts!

2007-05-02T07:15:00.000-07:00

Watch this video. I was kind of comparing him to "Rajnikant" the South Indian film star well known for such antics. This guy clearly outdoes him! Rajnikant needs training from this guy!

Lovely Photo: The Cycle Of Life

2007-04-28T10:50:00.000-07:00

What do you think of this photo? Is this what life is all about...? Women generally live longer according to statistics available. The man outlived the woman in this one. Otherwise this is a photo to make you think.

Aishwarya Rai Wedding: Will It Mar Her Bollywood Career?

2007-04-28T06:51:00.000-07:00

Is Aishwarya’s wedding doing great things for her? She seems to have distanced herself from the major men of the silver screen following her much hyped wedding. I wonder with whom Aishwarya will pair on the silver screen in the coming days!

Shahrukh Khan the hot man of bollywood is not likely to pair with her any more considering that he was not invited for her wedding!

Viveik Oberoi cannot of course be considered; he being Aishwarya’s jilted lover.

Salman Khan will be left out for the same reason as Viveik after his doomed relationship with her!

Hrithik Roshan will have trouble after his smooching act in Dhoom2.

Amir Khan and Saif Ali Khan were again uninvited for the wedding; so the duo might have problems.

All the above seem like remote possibilities. Well one real life hero in the form of Abhishek has resulted in the exit of many reel-life heroes! Looks like Abhishek will be her leading man on the silver screen for some time to come.

On another note Ms. Rai is using the “Bachchan” surname and is even signing with the new name and will move in with her in-laws – Aishwarya and Abhishek will live with Big B.

Blogspot Blog Causing Errors?

2007-04-25T09:18:00.000-07:00

I am facing some nagging problems when I create a new post on my blog. I just typed out a new post and published it but it refuses to show up on my blog! But I am sure it will display after a few minutes or may be an hour. Similarly when I make changes to my template or blog posts and publish; it does not immediately reflect the changes. I am not aware why. Could be some bug that Blogger technicians need to fix. I've been experiencing this only for the past couple of days.

Why is this? Any other bloggers on the google blogspot platform facing similar problems? I hope this post will reflect now so that some one will see it and clarify!

Google Is Now the World's Most Valuable Brand

2007-04-25T08:50:00.000-07:00

Search engine giant Google has become the No. 1 brand displacing other giants like Microsoft, Coca-Cola and Wal-Mart. The latest findings have placed Google at the top.

Market research firm Millward Brown put Google ahead of the above formidable brands. The rankings are based on available financial data along with research and interviews with consumers worldwide, Millard Brown said. Google’s jump from the 7^th position last year to the top slot shows the growth, status and its popularity. It is interesting to note that Google uses little public advertising.

Some other factors that are considered in brand recognition this year are corporate responsibility and serving customers in emerging markets like India and Brazil.

Top Brands:

Google
General Electric
Microsoft
Coca-Cola
China Mobile
Marlboro
Wal-Mart
Citi
IBM
Toyota

Source: Millward Brown Optimor

Congratulations Google! You deserve the Numero Uno spot. Google faces the challenging task of maintaining its position at the top now.

Clean your Emails with eCleaner Before You Forward

2007-04-24T23:10:00.000-07:00

How many times have you manually done the painful job of clearing out arrow characters or angle brackets “<<< >>>>” in emails that you receive and want to forward to your friends?

eCleaner solves this problem by cleaning unformatted mails by removing arrow characters, HTML tags, getting rid of unnecessary line breaks and normalizing unnecessary spaces at the beginning of each line. In short ecleaner formats the text and makes it look “clean”. It is great for emails that have several forwards.

Just copy and paste any e-mail or web text into eCleaner, press the "Clean" button and then switch back to your Word or E-mail, and paste. It’s as simple as that. Any one who uses Outlook, Outlook Express or web mails for email forwards will find this useful. Improve your email etiquette. I use this and find it quite useful.

Download this free utility: eCleaner download

Making The Police More Efficient! - Nice One

2007-04-24T13:02:00.000-07:00

Fred was going to bed when his wife told him that he had left the light on in the garden shed, which she could see from the bedroom window.

Fred opened the back door to go turn off the light, but saw that there were people in the shed stealing things.

He rang the police, who asked "Are the thieves in your house?" Fred said "no". The cops then said that all patrols were busy, and that he should simply lock all his doors and an officer would be along when available.

Fred said, "Okay," hung up, counted to 60, and phoned the police again.

"Hello, I just called you a minute ago because there were people in my shed. Well, you don't have to worry about them now because I've just shot all of them." Then he hung up.

Within five minutes four police cars, an Armed Response unit, and an ambulance showed up at his residence and caught the intruders red-handed.

One of the Policemen said to Fred: "I thought you said that you had shot them!"

Fred said, "I thought you said there was nobody available!"

Source: Unknown (via email)

Vuguru To Provide Quality Videos & Host Own Content

2007-04-23T07:23:00.000-07:00

Vuguru is an online video company launched recently. Vuguru deserves mention because it is owned by Michael Eisner the former high flying CEO of Walt Disney Company.

Vuguru has a two pronged approach: Hosting quality videos on their site and secondly producing and distributing story driven content.

Considering that over 100,000 videos are uploaded on leading websites like youtube, myspace and a dozen others, it is difficult to separate the “cream” from the milk. At Vuguru the selection of quality videos is done by humans and not computers since Vuguru believes that nothing can work like the human mind. There is some truth to it. Vuguru will scour the web for quality videos and bring them to you. At the moment Vuguru is posting one video every day which it alls the “Cream”. These are not new videos but are existing ones at various sites.

Secondly Vuguru will produce and distribute its own in-house videos. It has already launched the inaugural - A mystery drama called Prom Queen, which started off on April 2. This will be an 80 episode drama with 90-second clips, aimed at a tech-savvy teen audience. The videos will center on high school drama. This series will also be available through Veoh.com since Eisner is on the board of Veoh as well.

Keep an eye on Vuguru. It might turn out to be a winner.

Weak American Dollar Not Good News For Expatriates

2007-04-22T09:46:00.000-07:00

The mighty American Dollar is losing in strength. This is not good news to some one like me who lives in Dubai – A country where the UAE Dirham is pegged to the dollar. The last couple of years have seen the greenback getting weak against most currencies. The weakening dollar drastically affects my purchasing power back home in

India

and this is cause for concern. Things will seem far too expensive back home when the dollar or dirham is converted.

The dollar has lost more than 10% in the past year or so. A UAE Dirham which was close to rupees 13 at on point (1.5 to 2 years ago) is now languishing at rupees 11.30. The dollar has fallen from rupees 45 to a little over 41/- now. That’s a near Rs 4 loss to every dollar. Expatriates in this country are not a happy lot with a weak greenback. To worsen things this coincides with a very strong pound sterling and a strong euro as well. One pound has surged to $2. The pound is at its highest against the dollar in the past 25 years. One Euro now fetches a high $1.35. All this has hit hard on expatriates whose income is in Dollars or dollar linked currencies and who want to spend the money in sterling, euro or Indian rupees. It becomes difficult to send money back home to countries like India, Britain and Germany from a country like the UAE. Those wishing to send their children for education to Britain or Europe will be affected. Those who save in dollars only are protected but if an expat wishes to go back home it hits him. The UAE Dirham was expected to be revalued but it has not happened.

Analysts are not expecting a rebound of the US Dollar any time soon. America's growing military commitments in Iraq and elsewhere is likely to keep the dollar low for the next few months. The greenback at the moment is reflecting the state of America vis-a-vis the rest of the world. Of course the mighty dollar might bounce back again. With a change in government at the white house the dollar could regain its lost glory. After all, the dollar has been the best performing currency over the last two decades.

Cricket World Records - Cricket Quiz! Test Yourself

2007-04-20T02:14:00.000-07:00

With the ongoing world cup this post will make sense! If you call yourself a cricket buff you must test yourself with these questions. Take a shot and check out yourself! For answers scroll thorugh to the bottom.

One Day International:
1. Which batsman has the most centuries to his credit?
2. Which team has scored the highest ever total?
3. Which cricketer has played the most matches?
4. Which bowler has taken the most wickets in a match?
5. Which bowler has had the best bowling start?
6. Which batsman was dismissed the most number of times by the same bowler?
7. Name the wicket keeper who has the most dismissals to his credit?
8. Name the cricketer (fielder) who has taken the most catches?
9. Name the cricketer who has the most runs in one-day international career?

Test Matches:
1. Who has scored the most runs in test matches?
2. Name the batsman who has the fastest test match half-century to his credit?
3. Name the batsman who has scored the fastest century?
4. Name the batsman with the most double centuries to his credit?
5. Name the cricketer who has the most runs without scoring a century?
6. Who has taken the most wickets in test matches?
7. Who has the best bowling average in test matches?
8. Name the umpire who has umpired the most test matches?
9. Name the batsmen who have triple centuries in test cricket?
10. Name the wicket keeper who has the most dismissals in a single test match?
11. Name the batsman who was dismissed the most number of times by the same bowler in test cricket.

Test & One day:
1. Name the cricketer who has taken the most international wickets in test matches and one-dayers?

Answers:
One Day International:
1. Sachin Tendulkar – 39 centuries in 362 matches from 1989 to 2006.
2. South Africa 438-9 in the second innings of a one-day match against Australia in Johannesburg on 12 March 2006. Australia scored 434-4 in the first innings.
3. Sachin Tendulkar 362 matches from 1989 to 2006.
4. Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka) 8-19 against Zimbabwe at Colombo on 8 December 2001.
5. The best bowling start was made by Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka) in a world cup match against Bangladesh in South Africa on 14 Feb 2003. He took a hatrick with the first 3 balls of the game and claimed a 4th wicket in his opening over before finishing 6-25. Sri Lanka won by 10 wickets.
6. Sanath Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka was dismissed by Waqar Younis of Pakistan 13 times in 45 matches between Sri Lanka and Pakistan between 1989 and 2002, a record for one-day intl matches.
7. Adam Gilchrist of Australia has a total of 384 dismissals in 239 matches between 1996 and 2006.
8. Mohammad Azharuddin of India took 156 catches in 334 matches between 1985 and 2000.
9. Sachin Tendulkar scored 14,146 runs (average of 44.20) in 362 one-day international matches from 1989 to 2006.

Test Matches:
1. Brian Lara of West Indies has scored 11,124 runs in 294 tests (average of 53.02) between 1990 and 2006.
2. Jacques Kallis of South Africa made a half century from 24 balls against Zimbabwe at South Africa on 4-5 March 2005.
3. Viv Richards of West Indies scored a century in 56 balls against England in Antigua from 11 to 16 April 1986.
4. Sir Don Bradman of Australia has 200 runs or more 12 times playing for Australia in 52 matches from 1928 to 1948. He also holds the record of the highest batting average in Test cricket, with an average of 99.94 in 52 tests.
5. Shane Warne of Australia has scored 2,908 runs without making a century, from 1992 to the present. He has scored 11 half centuries in that run total.
6. Shane Warne is the leading Test match wicket-taker, with 670 wickets (avg 25.16 runs per wicket) in 137 matches from 1992 to 2006.
7. From 1886 to 1896, George Lohman (UK) averaged a strike rate of 10.75 for England, from at least 2,000 balls.
8. Steve Bucknor of Jamaica has officiated a total of 110 Test matches between 1989 and 2006.
9. Only two batsmen in Test match cricket history have scored two innings of more than 300 runs: Sir Don Bradman of Australia in 52 matches, between 1928 and 1948; and Brian Lara for West Indies between 1990 and 2005.
10. Jack Russell made 11 dismissals for England against South Africa in the test match staged between 30 November and 4 December 1995.
11. Between 1994 and 2001 Michael Atherton of England was dismissed by Glen McGrath of Australia 19 times in 17 matches between England and Australia.

Test & One day:
1. Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka has taken over 1,000 international wickets. The off-spinner became the first to reach a four-figure aggregate from Test matches and one-dayers when he took his 1,000th wicket against Bangladesh in a test match on 2 March 2006.

Source: Guinness World Records

Conjoined Twins - Abigail and Brittany Hensel

2007-04-19T07:22:00.000-07:00

Brittany (left) and Abigail (right) are conjoined twins. Born in 1990 they live in Minnesota,

USA

. They have two spines which join at the pelvis. They have two stomachs, three lungs, and two arms.

They appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show on April 8 and April 29, 1996. In September 1998, the twins were featured on the cover of Life under the caption "One Body, Two Souls", and their daily lifestyle was depicted in the corresponding article titled The Hensels' Summer. In 2003, an updated story of them at age 11 (filmed in 2001) was published in Time and again in Life.

Common organs

Most of Abigail and Brittany's shared organs lie below the waist line.

* 2 heads

* 2 arms—originally 3, but the short malformed central arm was removed

* 2 spinal cords and backbones—surgery corrected scoliosis

* 3½ lungs—surgery expanded their chest cavity while correcting scoliosis

* 2 breasts

* 2 hearts in a shared circulatory system—medicine taken by either affects both

* 1 liver

* 2 stomachs

* 3 kidneys

* 2 gallbladders

* 1 bladder

* 1 ribcage

* 1 large intestine

* 1 reproductive system

* 1 pelvis with 2 legs

You can read about Abigail & Brittany Hensel in Wikipedia

You can watch a short video clip of them here

You can read the Time Magazine article “The most intimate bond”

Nice Moral: The Student And The Teacher

2007-04-18T06:15:00.000-07:00

This is a very heartwarming story. It is rather long but do go through it. It shows the ability of a teacher to touch the lives of her students. Please read through and also watch the movie of the same story at the end.

As she stood in front of her 5^th grade class on the first day of school she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However that was wrong, because there in the front row slumped in his seat was a little boy named Teddy Stallard. Miss Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn’t play well with other children and that his clothes were messy, and that he constantly needed a bath. And, Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Miss Thompson would actually take delight in marking Teddy’s papers with a broad red pen making bold X’s and then putting a big ‘F” at the top of his paper.

At the school where Miss Thompson taught, she was required to review each child’s past records; and she put Teddy’s off until the last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise. Teddy’s first grade teacher wrote: “Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners. He is such a joy to be around. Teddy’s second grade teacher wrote: “Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness, and life at home must be a struggle.” His third grade teacher wrote:”His mother’s death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn’t show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren’t taken.” Teddy’s fourth grade teacher wrote:”Teddy is withdrawn and doesn’t show much interest in school. He doesn’t have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class”.

By now, Miss Thompson realized the problem and felt ashamed herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy’s. His present was clumsily wrapped in a heavy brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Miss Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the students started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children’s laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stallard stayed after school that day long enough to say, “Miss Thomson, today you smell just like my Mom used to”. After the children left she cried for at least an hour.

On that very day she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Miss Thomson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him his mind began to come alive. The more she encouraged him the faster he responded. By the end of the year Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class. And despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her “teacher’s pets”.

A year later she found a note under the door from Teddy, telling her that she was the best teacher he’d ever had in his whole life!

Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Four years later after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times; he’d stayed in school. He’d stuck with it and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. Again he assured Miss Thomson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had.

Then four more years passed, and another letter came. After he got his bachelors degree he had decided to go a little further. She was still the best and favorite teacher he’d ever had. But now his name was a little longer…the letter was signed “Theodore F Stallard M.D”.

The story does not end here. There was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said that he had met his girl and was going to be married” He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago, and he was wondering if Miss Thomson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course Miss Thomson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet; the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. They hugged each other and Dr. Stallard whispered in Miss Thomsons’s ear: “Thank you for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference.” Miss Thomson with tears n her eyes, whispered back. She said “Teddy you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn’t know how to teach until I met you”.

You can never tell what type of impact you may have on another’s life by your actions…or lack of action. Please consider this fact in all your ventures through life, and just try to make a difference in someone else’s life today.

This is a fictional story written by Elizabeth Silance Ballard; published in 1974 by “Home Life Magazine” as “Three Letters from Teddy”. You may purchase the book at Amazon here Three Letters from Teddy. You can also watch the lovely movie of this story at makeadifferencemovie Keep your speakers on.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR OF THREE LETTERS FROM TEDDY:

Elizabeth Silance Ballard is a wife, mother, and grandmother of three, and works with the Department of Social Services in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She has B.S. in Human Services Counseling and has done extensive graduate work in that field. She is originally from North Carolina where she attended Wingate College. She is a graduate of Old Dominion College.

Nissan Qashqai Commercial Video - Nice One

2007-04-17T02:16:00.000-07:00

Watch this video. Nissan has done some out of the box thinking with this spot. It is a nice spot for the Qashqai crossover vehicle. The "Nissan Qashqai" is their new urbanproof vehicle. Wish I could skate cars like this!

The premise is simple; buyers are bored with routine hatchbacks and crave something that looks tough and makes them feel secure, which might also be fun to use, and is practical.

Cricket: India in World Cup 2007

2007-04-16T23:51:00.000-07:00

It is time Indian cricket underwent a sweeping revamp. Indians went to the Caribbean with a bang and returned with a whimper. I think the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in

India

) should change its name to BSCI (Board of Control for Sports India). Indians would do well to promote so many other sports that are not given the importance they deserve. Why not promote games like hockey, football, tennis, badminton, table tennis or athletics? The BCCI has tons of public money. India would have made a mark in one of these sports had they received the attention required. Cricket has been responsible for destroying all sport in India. At least now other sporting disciplines should be given some importance.

The cricket board should be professionalized. Only cricket players of good standing must hold positions and not politicians and non-players. Instead of hiring foreign specialist coaches by paying huge sums of money; a good alternative would be to hire specialists from within the country and conduct training camps at the school and university and town levels where great talent can be scoured. Talent should be discovered at the grass roots level.

The BCCI’s move to limit sponsorships to three per cricketer is a good move and should be implemented. The sponsors in India have learnt a lesson by putting large money on cricketers and the sport. I hear that one leading nationalized bank withdrew its sponsorship to India’s top chess player Koneru Humpy and opted for Rahul Dravid. With India’s dismal shown in the World Cup I am hoping it will mean seeing less of cricketers selling and endorsing products on television.

Our cricketers are generally a non performing bunch, and yet a billion Indians insanely cling to them. Indians in any sport usually enter with a fatalistic attitude resigned to defeat lacking the competitiveness that is so necessary. Added to this is the fact that the media in India over hypes cricket to unimaginable levels. I only hope the BCCI and the sponsors come to their senses for a better Team 11 for the next world cup.

Watch these 2 videos…sad and funny!

Also check out for this post on Indian cricket

French Train TGV Sets World Record For Fastest Train

2007-04-06T10:52:00.000-07:00

Last week

France

set a new world record for the fastest train on rails. The train a TGV V150 achieved a speed of 574.8 kph or 357.2 mph. The previous record was also by a TGV at 515km/h (320mph), set in 1990.

Photo courtesy: BBC, UK

The new record was set in eastern France. This is faster than man has ever traveled in a train on rails. The train had reached similar speeds but this is the first time it was officially monitored. This is something like air travel on ground. At one point the train traveled 150 meters a second. The train was equipped with larger wheels than the regular French TGV trains. The TGV technology was invented in France three decades ago.

However the world record for the fastest train speed is 581 kmh reached in 2003 by a Japanese magnetic levitation, or Maglev, train.

France has had fast electric powered trains operating since 1981, reaching speeds of 320 kmh. The latest line to open in July reduces travel time from Paris to the eastern city of Strasbourg from four hours to two hours and 20 minutes.

South Korea, China and Taiwan are the most important customers for high-speed trains.

You can watch the 2 minute video of the TGV train setting the world record here.

Appreciate the mind boggling speed at which it is cruising.

Bangalore Facts - A City Crumbling And Losing it?

2007-04-05T11:19:00.000-07:00

I am here in Bangalore (to be renamed Bengaluru very soon) for the past few days and am saddened at the deteriorating state of the city. Bangalore; dubbed the “Garden City” and the “Silicon Capital of India” might lose these tags if its present state is any indication. Home to prestigious colleges and research institutions, the city has the second highest literacy rate among the major cities in the nation. The city also has the highest per capita income in India. Unfortunately the city is beset with major problems such as air pollution, traffic congestion, crime and a host of other problems. My love of the cosmopolitan high tech city is being replaced with despise and disgust.

Just consider these facts:

The population of the city has risen from 2.8 million in 1990 to 6.5 million today.
The infrastructure of the city is unable to handle the chaotic growth.
The vehicular population at 2 million is very high. In 1994 there were just 0.7 million registered vehicles. It is now 3 times more than what it was 10 years ago. Vehicular traffic is growing at an average of 8% annually and the city’s roads are not just geared to handle this.
The city no longer has the salubrious and nice climate that it once enjoyed. Deforestation, massive increase of automobiles aided by the wrath of global warming are the culprits.
Corruption, greed, bureaucracy and red tape have only increased. Nothing moves without a bribe in government circles. Lawlessness has reached epidemic levels.
The pollution levels are mind boggling leading to various health problems.
The cost of living is very high. It is one of the costliest places to live in India.
Aided by banks, unscrupulous real estate agents and speculators real estate prices have shot through the roof and I am not sure if the rise is completely justified.

These deteriorating factors can cost Bangalore dearly with its software dominance being challenged. The city no doubt accounts for 35% of the country’s software exports at present but with the way it is going its top spot is likely to be snatched by ambitious neighboring cities like Hyderabad and Chennai where already numerous MNC’s have set up shop. The city; currently home to a host of global software firms is likely to see them disappear

Bangalore desperately needs a high class metro, international airport and excellent road network if it is to compete and retain its position as the desired city in India to live and work. If these are not addressed immediately Bangalore will lose in the race for superiority. Bangalore has not lost it completely but is showing signs of losing it.

World's Tallest Man Weds in China!

2007-03-29T06:17:00.000-07:00

The worlds tallest man; a Chinese; Bao Xishun, 56, has found his love last week! Bao; a herdsman holds the Guinness Book of World Records title for the tallest living man at his height of 2.36 meters (7 ft, 9-inch). He weighs around 165 kilograms. Bao was longing to marry since the past year and has met his match in his home town in China. It was the first wedding for him and his bride.

It is said that Bao was of normal height till 16 years of age after which he gained incredible height in the next 7 years. His height is said to be a normal gain without any disorder; which normally is not the case for any one so tall.

Bao needed 10 meters of cloth to dress up for the Guinness title!

It is interesting to note that the tallest person of all time was Robert Wadlow (b.1918 to 1940) reached a height of 8 feet 11 inches until his death. Ajaz Ahmed of Pakistan and Leonid Stadnyk of Russia; both claim to be 8 feet 4 inches tall but their claims are controversial and still not accepted as Guinness Records. According to Guinness they are not properly measured and cannot be accepted.

His bride, Xia Shujuan is half his age and a mere 5 feet five inches tall and is 2 feet shorter. Well; I at 5 feet 8 inches would still have the 2 feet difference!

Cricket, India and the World Cup!

2007-03-28T12:26:00.000-07:00

It's curtains for India on cricket; a sport watched by millions with its shameful loss to Lanka in the world cup. It was disastrous performance by

India

ns all the way. The match looked like a joke. Although I generally consider the game of cricket as a sport of 11 + 11 + 1 fools (2 teams of 11 each & the one watching it) I wouldn’t want to miss that critical match when India plays. After all I am an Indian; a country of cricket lovers and can’t be cut off from the sport completely!

India’s loss to Sri Lanka can only lower my interest in the game. It was sickening to see our 11 put up such a lackadaisical show. What has happened to the players? What is wrong with the top order batsman? What’s going on with Sachin Tendulkar? He couldn’t be dismissed more easily. I couldn’t believe that he got out trying to defend a ball! He literally threw his wicket away. A normal; regular pitch was what they were batting on.

Cricketers have been made demigods; the huge viewer ship making them so. They make millions but sadly their performance does not justify their fortunes. Cricket is a game of hype, big money, betting, match fixings and a platform for the corporate world to sell its wares. It is the man on the street with his inexplicable love of the sport that has contributed to what the sport is today. The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket of India) is one of the richest sporting bodies of the world.

Frequent allegations of match fixing has waned my interest in cricket. There is every chance that the big match that you are watching is a “fixed” one. Bob Woolmer’s murder shows the gory nature and complexities the sport involves. As one newspaper reported “cricket is war without bullets”.

With India's defeat I must ask Team India this: Can you guys beat Bermuda?

With India’s ignominious defeat to Bangladesh and abrupt exit from the world cup scene all kinds of jokes are doing the rounds on the World Wide Web. Here is a good joke I received.

Rahul Dravid Got Caught!
After the shameful defeat of Team India, the team members were not able to show their faces to people and they chose not to go in public and rather just pack up in hotel rooms.

Dravid could not resist for too long to be in the hotel room and still not be able to go out shopping. So he disguises himself as an Arab and goes out. He meets a woman at the exit of the hotel who greets him "Hi Dravid!"

Surprised for having been caught he comes back and makes himself up as a muslim woman - in Burkha etc and goes out. Yet the same woman greets him "Hi Dravid!"

Dravid comes back determined to give it yet another try with the make up of a Hippie wig and shorts etc. All in vain, the same lady catches him again and greets him "Hi Dravid!"

Bewildered by now, he could not help asking, "How did you recognize me?"

The lady replied - "I am Sachin!"

Citizendium to Compete With Wikipedia

2007-03-28T09:24:00.000-07:00

A co-founder of Wikipedia Larry Sanger has launched Citizendium last week. Citizendium is currently in Beta. According to the founder “the world needs a better free encyclopedia”. The bywords go as “Citizens compendium of everything”. Citizendium works much like Wikipedia with similar MediaWiki Software; but it claims to provide more authentic and accurate information on any subject. It aims to improve on Wikipedia and take it to the next level by introducing more controls at every stage. According to Citizendium; Wikipedia is plagued by problems with defamation and vandalism, in addition to factually incorrect entries. Sanger hopes to change this.

Citizendium is different from Wikipedia in that it requires users to register with their real names. It makes contributions accountable. Anyone who registers with their full name can contribute. Secondly; the articles submitted by users are governed by a board of editors who are supposedly experts in their chosen fields. Sanger claims to currently have over 180 editors and over 800 plus authors. An author can start and edit an article and an editor can decide which version of an article is approved and which requires an academic background in a particular area of expertise. Contributions are monitored by Constables. A "CZ Constable" can be a volunteer who is required to have a bachelor's degree and be of at least 25 years of age. These constables (like for example Sanger) will have the authority to ban inappropriate or factually wrong contributors. Articles vetted by editors and constables become “CZ Live” articles. A CZ Live article is one which has undergone significant changes (not grammatical or spelling corrections). Articles are finally approved and fall in the category of “approved articles”.

Will Citizendium succeed? Well; I think Citizendium has a long way to go if it has to beat Wikipedia. For one thing the first entrant in any breakthrough service or technology always takes the lions share. For Citizednium to grab a share of Wikipedia will not be a small task. Remember that in just six years Wikipedia has 1.7 million articles in English alone. As of March 25 Citizendium had just 1100 articles. There is some truth in the allegation that Wikipedia sometimes provides incorrect information. On a few occasions Wikipedia has provided incorrect information. But in my view this is a small trade off to what is an amazing database of information that can be generally relied upon.

Good Luck Citizendium - Take on Wikipedia.

Tachyon Energy for Health and Well Being

2007-03-27T02:14:00.000-07:00

Tachyon Energy, a new kind of invention is a health benefit tool that could be useful to millions. An American inventor David Wagner who is at the helm of an enterprise called Advanced Tachyon Technologies in California, USA has come out with tachyon products that are touted by the inventor to have positive health benefits.

So what is Tachyon Energy? The dictionary meaning of Tachyon is a sub atomic particle (particle smaller than an atom) in existence only in theory that travels faster than light. According to scientists Tachyon does not exist in the real world. A normal scientist will say that nothing travels faster than the speed of light. Light travels at the speed of approximately 186,282 miles per second, or 670,616,629.384 miles per hour, or almost one foot per nanosecond. Nothing is supposed to be faster than this. But not according to David Wagner – the tachyon energy coming out of his tachyon products is faster than this speed. Tachyon energy is what comes before the formation of light. Tachyon energy is a product of Free Energy. Free Energy is found everywhere in the universe. However traditional science has not accepted the existence of free energy and tachyon energy.

There is some evidence to prove that tachyon energy and free energy exits and can be harnessed for the good of mankind. It is said that Nikola Tesla; the brilliant (but unsuccessful and unlucky) scientist of the last century drove a car at 80mph without any source of power (neither fuel nor batteries). He claimed to do that with the use of free energy. Sadly the brilliant invention did not see the light of the day.

So how do Tachyon products of Advanced Tachyon Technologies work? According to David Wagner this is done through a 14 day tachyonization process during which time ordinary materials are converted to tachyon antennas. The tachyonization process is permanent and needs to be done only once after which it can emit tachyon energy that has countless benefits. The inventor claims that he had the answers to the process of tachyonization through Channeling.

How do they actually work? Tachyon energy products work on the subtle fields of the body. The subtle field of the body is nothing but the aura of the body. Every person, animal or thing (even a lifeless thing) rests within this aura. Everything that is made of spinning atoms has an aura. The stronger the aura or subtle fields the healthier is the organ / object. Tachyon products restore the aura of the afflicted or injured or diseased organ by supplying tachyon energy and restoring balance. A healthy aura means a healthy body. For example if the liver of a person is diseased then the aura of the liver will also be weak. In fact disease first starts with a deterioration of the aura of the liver and not the liver itself. This aura can be studied by a technique called Kirlian Photography. This can give a rough outline of the organ or object which in turn can be used to judge the vitality or state of the organ. However; even this is not accepted by normal medical science. David Wagner calls this aura as SOEF – Subtle Organizing Energy Fields.

I have personally used tachyon products like the tachyon silica disk and tachyon cell and would advise any one to try them out. They do have some truth in them and are worth testing. Tachyon energy has absolutely no side effects. Either the body uses the energy or it does not. So they are supposedly very safe. I use the silica disk to charge the drinking water. The water charged this way is made superior and this can be verified using the right instruments like a life force energy capable device. I urge on all of you to try their products. I agree that it all seems unrealistic and unacceptable; but it does no harm to try them out. Be reminded that their products are quite expensive. I get nothing by promoting their products. I am just sharing my knowledge.

You can buy the the book written by Wagner here.

You can order all products online at their company site. Do not order tachyon products from any where else. I advise you to start with the silica disk or a tachyon energy cell. There are some fake ones available in the market with no real effects.

Do let me know of what you think if you use these products. In the words of the inventor "Tachyon is changing everything". "Tachyon is not a frequency - It is the source of all frequencies".

Vova and Olga - The World's Best Jugglers in Club Passing

2007-03-20T10:28:00.000-07:00

Watch this video for some amazing juggling. Vova & Olga galchenko; the brother-sister teenager duo are the best jugglers the world has ever seen. The Russian pair who started juggling with clubs after school as an after school hobby made it their passion and soon turned it into an obsession - They currently hold the world record for two people juggling 10 clubs between them in 378 catches. They can pass 9 clubs a 1000 times without a stop or a drop! They have broken the 9, 10, 11 and 12 club passing endurance records.

Some of their records are:
• Ten Clubs - 378 passes caught
• Eleven Clubs - 152 passes caught
• Twelve Clubs - 54 passes caught

They were recently featured on the Oprah Winfrey show and have become celebrities. Time Magazine featured them some time ago and called them the best jugglers in the world. Coming from a small poor town in Russia they moved to America a few years ago; learnt English while attending school. After years of struggle Vova has recently won his immigration to the USA. Call these two child prodigies.

You can check out Vova’s personal blog here
Here is a short sketch of Vova & Olga in Wikipedia
You can check out Time magazine's write up here

Donald Trump on President Bush!

2007-03-19T10:36:00.000-07:00

Watch this video. Some sage words from billionaire Donald Trump. Any sane person will agree that the war was not necessary and was a sheer waste of money. Trump has risked himself by being so brazen here. Trump probably doesn’t care even if he lost a few deals in real estate and a few millions. He has stuck it out. It’s about time America realized its follies and took some corrective measures. Bush might well be the worst President ever in American history. My respect for Trump can only increase for his views here. It indeed is true that America is hated outside as Trump says. Most Americans do not know how they are perceived by the outside world. Trump travels extensively and has experienced it first hand. Clearly the country and its leaders have screwed up and it’s all a terrible situation now. The country is not being run well and the citizens gotta do something about it.

Akrit Jaswal - Video of the Genius

2007-03-18T10:36:00.000-07:00

This is a nice video of Akrit Jaswal of whom I wrote a post earier. You can read it here

Stress At Work And Six Ways to Handle It

2007-03-17T09:45:00.000-07:00

While it’s not a great idea to dwell on problems you can’t do anything about, it’s important to realize that most problems reach the can’t-do-anything-about stage, only because you’ve turned a blind eye. Ignorance is not always bliss.

When you have workplace issues staring you in the face 24/7, you may find a dip in productivity, efficiency, commitment and concentration levels. Which is why it makes sense to take immediate action, when you find yourself in the thick of the following six situations.

1 Bad apples
One bad apple in a team can spoil the entire barrel, suggests new research conducted by William Felps and Terence Mitchell of the University of Washington Business School

Whether it’s the office bully, the lazy Joe/Jane in the next cubicle, the team slacker or the chronic pessimist, a single employee “can seriously damage an entire company”. The study says a “single toxic agent” can be the catalyst for a downward spiral in workplace productivity.

What you can do: People may argue that the positivity of other co-workers could balance out negative vibes, but this doesn’t hold true, apparently.

And ignoring the problem person won’t make him/her vanish into thin air. Take some action, even at the cost of sounding like the office snitch. Your career is at stake too, after all.

2 Unfair boss
Nearly 20% bosses don’t keep their word, more than 25% badmouth their subordinates to co-workers, says a Florida State University study

You’ve probably heard the saying: Employees don’t leave their job or company, they leave their boss. But you don’t realise how true it is, till you’ve been at the receiving end. Poor managers create problems for companies too, leading to poor morale, less production and higher turnover.

Their “victims” report more exhaustion, job tension, nervousness, mood swings and mistrust. They are also less likely to take on additional tasks, such as working longer or on weekends, and are generally less satisfied with their job.

What you can do: Most organisations hold anonymous feedback sessions; give vent. You could also approach your boss’ boss; take sufficient proof along. And if all fails,consider putting in your papers. No job is worth emotional torture and political games.

3 No-Time Syndrome
55% employees say they don’t have enough time for themselves, 63% don’t have enough time for their spouses or partners, and 67% don’t have enough time for their children,says a new US survey

Clocking in never-ending hours is part and parcel of most jobs. But as the months go by, you realise that the only “life” you’re left with revolves is the one at the workplace.

What you can do: Something — anything — before it’s too late. Take up the issue with your department head, probably with a few colleagues who feel time-drained too.

Determine if your team is short-staffed, or if there’s an unfair load on you. Don’t take on another employee’s work (in part or whole) just because you’ve been made to believe that you are much better at it.

4 Techie stress
Nearly 50% employees believe technology increases stress, the US-based Kensington Stress & Technology in the Workplace Survey reveals

Also, 51% report that the possibility of losing documents due to computer crashes causes them “a lot of, or some, stress”. The demands of email and voice mail have also contributed to an overall increase in stress in the last year.

But the study concludes that technology is a double-edged sword. It reveals that 55% workers felt more productive at work, when compared to the last year.

What you can do: Ask yourself if you have made yourself more dependent on machines, than you ought to have. Don’t spend hours gazing at documents on your computer screen; do your eyes a favour and hit “Print”. Also determine if can do with a little less email dependency.

5 Burnout
Fast pace of work, role conflicts, lack of role clarity, emotional demands, and the need to mask emotions at work — have been recently reported as unidentified causes of burnout

Research conducted by the National Institute of Occupational Health, Denmark, measures burnout according to three scales, reflecting different domains of life and of job content: personal, work-related and client-related burnout.

Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) is used to measure burnout, by assessing emotional exhaustion, reduced personal accomplishments and depersonalisation.

What you can do: If you aren’t in the mood to get into the how and why of MBI, do the time-honoured thing — just take off. And when you get back to work from your break, start from scratch. Set realistic work targets: spell out what you plan to do now, and stuff that can wait or can be delegated.

6 Sexual harassment
The Supreme Court’s 1997 Vishaka Judgment opened up a discourse on sexual harassment at the workplace, but little has been done to ensure effective resolution of complaints

Women’s organisations, that have been lobbying for a law, say it is ridden with loopholes — it does not cover professionals (only employees), students and those who are part of the unorganised sector. Plus, it does not permit the complainant to talk to the media when the case is on.

What you can do: A new bill is due to be tabled in the Parliament’s summer session, but don’t refrain from taking whatever action you can. Stunned into silence as you may be, react.

Even a strong reaction can be threat enough to the perpetrator. And don’t think you are the only victim; if you chance upon even one person who is sailing in the same boat, consider approaching the top brass.

Source of this article: Mid Day

Construction Update of Burj Dubai, World's Tallest Tower

2007-03-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

The World's Tallest Tower scheduled for completion in December 2008 - The Burj Dubai as it looks now...don't miss the last picture! It will be over 800 meters tall when complete (click on photos to see bigger).

Source of these: Possibly www.burjdubaiskyscraper.com

If this post interested you then check out this one also

Five Funny Pictures!

2007-03-06T09:14:00.000-08:00

How About Riding This Bike?

2007-03-06T09:00:00.000-08:00

Think you got the Guts to Ride This Bike? Let me know...!

Source of these pics: Unknown

Three Corporate Lessons - Surviving Change

2007-03-05T08:59:00.000-08:00

This has been doing the rounds in the blogosphere for quite some time, nevertheless I decided to post it… some management lessons...

All of us go through change. Here are three lessons from large corporations to help you survive change

CORPORATE LESSON 1:
A crow was sitting on a tree, doing nothing all day.
A small rabbit saw the crow, and asked him, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing all day long?”
The crow answered: "Sure, why not.”

So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the the crow, and rested.

All of a sudden, a fox appeared,

Jumped on the rabbit... and ate it.

Moral of the Story is:
To be sitting and doing nothing you must be sitting very, very high up.

CORPORATE LESSON 2:
A turkey was chatting with a bull.
"I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree," sighed the turkey, "but I haven't got the energy.”
"Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?" replied the bull. They're packed with nutrients."
The turkey pecked at a lump of dung and found that it actually gave him enough strength to reach the first branch of the tree.
The next day, after eating more dung, he reached the second branch.
Finally after a fortnight, there he was proudly perched at the top of the tree
Soon he was spotted by a farmer
Who promptly shot the turkey out of the tree.

Moral of the story is:
Bullshit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.

CORPORATE LESSON 3:
A little bird was flying south for the winter.
It was so cold; the bird froze and fell to the ground in a large field.
While it was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on it.
As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, it began to realise how warm it was. The dung was actually thawing him out!
He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy
A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate.
Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him!

The morals of this story are:
1) Not everyone who drops shit on you is your enemy.
2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.
3) And when you're in deep shit, keep your mouth shut.

Akrit Jaswal - The Genius Wonder Kid

2007-03-04T08:59:00.000-08:00

In February last; Akrit Jaswal; the miracle kid appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show. Akrit is a child prodigy who has been termed a genius right after his birth in 1993. When Oprah asked if he could understand Shakespeare at the mere age of four he answered, "I could understand it. That's why I was reading it".

Years ago, footage emerged from a remote village in India. The video shows a young girl receiving surgery to separate her fingers, which were badly burned and fused together. Why did this operation make headlines around the world? The surgery was performed by a 7-year-old boy named Akrit Jaswal; a teenager from Himachal Pradesh, India .

Now 13 years old, Akrit has an IQ of 146 and is considered the smartest person his age in Indi; a country of more than a billion people. This is an IQ level that beats even that of Albert Einstein. Before Akrit could even speak, his parents say they knew he was special.

"He learned very fast," says Raksha, Akrit's mother. "After learning the alphabet, we started to teach him joining of words, and he started writing as well. He was two." While in class II he cleared exams meant for class V. His mother realized he was special when he would answer graduate level questions.

At an age when most children are learning their ABCs, Akrit was reading Shakespeare and assembling a library of medical textbooks. When he was 5 years old, he enrolled in school. One year later, Akrit was teaching English and math classes.

Akrit developed a passion for science and anatomy at an early age. Doctors at local hospitals took notice and started allowing him to observe surgeries when he was 6 years old. Inspired by what he saw, Akrit read everything he could on the topic. When an impoverished family heard about his amazing abilities, they asked if he would operate on their daughter for free. Her surgery was a success.

After the surgery, Akrit was hailed as a medical genius in India. Neighbors and strangers flocked to him for advice and treatment. At age 11, Akrit was admitted to Punjab University. He's the youngest student ever to attend an Indian university. That same year, he was also invited to London's famed Imperial College to exchange ideas with scientists on the cutting edge of medical research.

Akrit says he has millions of medical ideas, but he's currently focused on developing a cure for cancer. "I've developed a concept called oral gene therapy on the basis of my research and my theories," he says. "I'm quite dedicated towards working on this mechanism."

Growing up, Akrit says he used to see cancer patients lying on the side of the road because they couldn't afford treatment or hospitals had no space for them. Now, he wants to use his intellect to ease their suffering. "[I've been] going to hospitals since the age of 6, so I have seen first hand people suffering from pain," he says. "I get very sad, and so that's the main motive of my passion about medicine, my passion about cancer."

Currently, Akrit is working toward a bachelor's degrees in zoology, botany and chemistry. Someday, he hopes to continue his studies at Harvard University.

However, Akrit’s progress came at a price: frustrated with the perceived lack of support for his gifted son, Akrit’s father became depressed and left the family home some time back, telling him not to get in touch until Akrit had found a cure for cancer. Adored by his self-sacrificing mother and treated as a genius, Akrit has no doubt he will do this. Akrit does not come from a rich family.

Watch out for this boy in the days to come. Looks like a Doogie Howser is in the making.

Here is a small sketch of Akrit in Wikipedia

Ten Indian Leaders - Find Them!

2007-03-02T04:11:00.000-08:00

This is the National Indian Leaders Tree! A nice piece of art. How many leaders can you find? There are TEN in all.

Pictures Worth A Thousand Words!

2007-03-01T11:07:00.000-08:00

Shocking accident

Piggy Bank after filling the car up!

Police hard at work

I'd rather hold it!

Nice pile up

Nice Shot

The real desperate housewives

Bad spelling

Is it loud enough for you?

Bad Judgment

10 Ways to Handle Negative Emotions

2007-02-26T10:02:00.000-08:00

I got this and do not know the source. It is a nice one about day today problems in peoples lives and ways to tackle them...

I am the managing director of a pharmaceutical company. My life is fairly comfortable - I earn good money and am settled in my personal life too with my wife, and two children," says 32-year-old Kolkata based Ravi Khanna. "But things are not as peaceful as they may seem. My family constantly complains about my irritability and lack of patience at home. I seem to react strongly to the children making a noise. Also, my wife thinks I often lose patience when I take her out shopping. What is surprising is that I was not like this a few years ago." he adds.
Does Ravi's story sound familiar? Is this the scene in your home as well?

You are probably facing emotional volatility - a state where you feel extremely positive one day and extremely negative on other days. In the down phase you tend to lose patience with those you interact with.

When does this happen? How can you overcome it? Prachi Vaish, a clinical psychologist offers help on both counts.

First, its probable causes:
1) Inability to find 'me' time:
Ravi is troubled by the demands on his time - either by bosses and customers or wife and children. Maintaining the balance is becoming increasingly difficult for him. Ravi feels he was fairly stable a few years ago and these bouts of annoyance are new. He feels, that for all his accomplishments, he is at the moment missing peace in his life.

Ragini Sharma, a Pune-based interior designer, has similar issues. She comes home after a long day at work to a round of cooking and children's homework. Her children no longer enjoy studying with her because she tends to scold them more than help them learn.

2) Personal life issues:
Issues in your relationships with your spouse, friends and relatives, over a period of time, create stress within you and bring about emotional volatility. Aditi Pariyani, a housewife, has been raising her two children in India, practically as a single parent. Her husband, who runs an electronics goods store in Hong Kong, seldom comes back to India to spend time with his family. Aditi is facing severe depression. She is irritable and has, over a period of time, lost her friends too, because of her emotional volatility.

Any kind of dissatisfaction from your current love relationship takes a toll on your well-being and the anxiety leads to a constantly volatile temper.

3) Post-retirement depression:
Prachi, who often deals with cases of severe depression and anxiety, rates retirement as a common cause of emotional volatility. "Women come to our clinics, wondering what has gone wrong with their husbands after retirement."

"He used to be fine earlier. But ever since he stopped working, he seems to have a problem with anything and everything at home. It's become impossible to even clean the room, as he will fret and fume about why his glasses were kept in a different place."

Prachi also deals with patients who behave nasty during phases when they are between jobs and have nothing to do. These people feel as though life is quickly passing them by, and others are growing in their careers.

4) Unforeseen circumstances:
Some of us undergo long periods of emotional volatility when an unexpected tragedy occurs in our lives. Like the death of a loved one, betrayal in relationships, etc often throw us into a depression. And that brings about extreme patterns of behaviour. One minute you feel you will be able to pick up the pieces and walk again. But the very next moment you find yourself snapping at even your near and dear ones.

5) Inability to express yourself:
Are you unable to articulate your thoughts about difficult/unpleasant situations? A shortage of communication skills is frustrating and can make you ill-humored and oversensitive.

Rajesh Gupta hails from a small town in Madhya Pradesh. He has achieved success, thanks to a lot of hard work. But he has a complex about his English skills and lack of grooming. It makes him unapproachable and ill-tempered. This works as a defense mechanism and has gradually alienated him.

II) How to prevent emotional volatility:

1) Meditate:
"The age-old science of meditation has helped one and all overcome the severest of anxiety disorders," says Prachi.

2) Try not to carry work home:
When the work day ends, end it there. Do not carry work troubles home. "Easier said than done", you will say. True, but "practice makes perfect", says Prachi.

3) Join a social cause:
When you shift focus from your own problems to bigger problems that people are facing in the world, it makes your pain tolerable. It also serves as a healthy cure for the issues responsible for your emotional volatility.

4) Be aware of your behaviour:
Observe yourself. This will help check negative behaviour.

5) Be aware of others:
You feel the need to be understood. But so do others. Be compassionate in your dealings with those around you and try to understand their situations. That will ultimately help you.

6) Enjoy nature:
Try going to the nearest garden in the evening. The grass and the plants may not be as green as they used to be when you were a kid, but you will feel a distinct change in the quality of air you breathe out there. The oxygen level is higher close to trees and plants before dusk.

7) Use transactional analysis:
Nearly all of us have witnessed behaviour patterns between parents and children. Transactional analysis or TA, developed by Canadian psychiatrist Eric Berne, classifies human behaviour as three ego states: Parent (aggressive, controlling, nurturing) Child (passive/submissive, defiant, impulsive) Adult (assertive, balanced, real) Each ego state is different for each person, as a perception of the parent, the child and the adult comes from your own parents, your own childhood and your own experiences in life, respectively.

The analysis establishes that all of us tend to use one or more patterns of behaviour from this set and encourages adult behaviour in situations of conflict. An adult looks at the situation objectively and instead of reacting in an impulsive way, asserts himself firmly but politely.

8) Read psychology:
Reading on psychology helps you understand not only why people behave the way they do with you but also why you react the way you do. It is therapeutic.
According to Prachi, "We use behavioural modification therapy under which, we recommend self-help books. I'm OK, You're OK by Thomas A Harris and Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman are two such books."

9) Express yourself:
"We ask our patients to join art, music or dance classes, as these allow free expression and hence are de-stressing in nature," says Prachi. "For those who are not interested in these, we encourage diary writing. It is better to blurt (your feelings) on paper rather than to people. Not only does it allow a vent to the person's feeling, but also lets him/her go back to it later and analyze his/her feelings" she adds.

10) Organize: Keep your home neat and tidy and your papers organized. Clean surroundings keeps your mind free from clutter. It negates the feeling of being overwhelmed and disorganized.

Cards Are Important to A Woman

2007-02-25T08:34:00.000-08:00

This is a lovely 1 minute video I received recently. Watch it.

Nice Tale on Solving a Complex Problem

2007-02-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

I came across this beautiful story...the worst of problems can be solved if we apply to a problem hard enough!

Many years ago in a small Indian village, a farmer had the misfortune of owing a large sum of money to a village money lender.

The money lender, who was old and ugly, fancied the farmer's beautiful Daughter. So he proposed a bargain.

He said he would forgo the farmer's debt if he could marry his daughter. Both the farmer and his daughter were horrified by the proposal.

So the cunning money-lender suggested that they let providence decide the matter.

He told them that he would put a black pebble and a white pebble into an empty money bag. Then the girl would have to pick one pebble from the bag.

1) If she picked the black pebble, she would become his wife and her father's debt would be forgiven.
2) If she picked the white pebble she need not marry him and her father's debt would still be forgiven.
3) But if she refused to pick a pebble, her father would be thrown into Jail.

They were standing on a pebble strewn path in the farmer's field. As they talked, the money lender bent over to pick up two pebbles. As he picked them up, the sharp-eyed girl noticed that he had picked up two black pebbles and put them into the bag.

He then asked the girl to pick a pebble from the bag.

Now, imagine that you were standing in the field. What would you have done if you were the girl? If you had to advise her, what would you have told her?

Careful analysis would produce three possibilities:

1. The girl should refuse to take a pebble.
2. The girl should show that there were two black pebbles in the bag and expose the money-lender as a cheat.
3. The girl should pick a black pebble and sacrifice herself in order To save her father from his debt and imprisonment.

Take a moment to ponder over the story. The above story is used with the hope that it will make us appreciate the difference between lateral and logical thinking.

The girl's dilemma cannot be solved with Traditional logical thinking. Think of the consequences if she chooses the above logical answers.

What would you recommend to the Girl to do?

Well, here is what she did …

The girl put her hand into the moneybag and drew out a pebble. Without Looking at it, she fumbled and let it fall onto the pebble-strewn path where it immediately became lost among all the other pebbles.

"Oh, how clumsy of me," she said. "But never mind, if you look into the Bag for the one that is left, you will be able to tell which pebble I Picked."

Since the remaining pebble is black, it must be assumed that she had picked the white one. And since the money-lender dared not admit his Dishonesty, the girl changed what seemed an impossible situation into an extremely advantageous one.

MORAL OF THE STORY:

Most complex problems do have a solution. It is only that we don't attempt to think.

Source of this piece: Funlok

Rare Photos of Bollywood Stars of Today!

2007-02-24T11:18:00.000-08:00

Should of interest to Indians and those interested in Indian Cinema...

The Bane of Excessive Television Viewing

2007-02-23T12:00:00.000-08:00

Television, the idiot box; is no doubt a thing we cannot do without in the 21^st century. It is so much a part of our lives that life without it is unimaginable – At least to most people. It undoubtedly is a source of a wealth of information, knowledge and entertainment. However; it has the potential to become an addiction and a nuisance if used without discretion. It is not for nothing that it is called an idiot box.

Children can especially become victims of excessive TV viewing. It is not unusual for a young child to be glued to the TV for anything between 3 and 6 hours every day. This is way too high and can definitely affect their mental and physical health. According to recent findings of the science journal Biologist watching television can harm children much more than previously thought. It can raise the risk of obesity, autism, cancer, sleep disorder among other illnesses. We have long known the risk of excessive TV watching; but this new list of potential risks is cause for concern. The risks of becoming a TV addict are two fold - firstly TV’s tendency to glorify violence and stupidity and secondly the harmful radiation that TV’s emit undoubtedly contributes to the aforementioned health hazards. Analog TV’s (bulky one’s which most of us have) are worse in this regard. The new breed of LCD and plasma TV’s are better equipped to handle the radiation resulting in slightly lesser harm to the body.

It’s nearly an impossible task to stop children from watching TV. TV has become so much an extension of our lives. It puts pressure on parents to minimize the risk of TV addiction. It is a challenge to all parents. Parents must leave no stone unturned in dissuading children from watching excessive TV. It is reality that must be faced and confronted as early as possible. Children’s viewing habits must be controlled. After all it involves the health of children and the future of our society.

Are You Not Blessed?

2007-02-23T01:40:00.000-08:00

I received this by mail. Nice one. Just ponder a little bit...

It's difficult to keep focused on our own lives when the lives of others look so much happier and more prosperous. Our eyes wander and our minds make comparisons. There seems to be no fairness. We're good people, hard working people, kind and generous. Yet, all the blessings that fall out of the sky, land on someone else's head. It doesn't make sense.

Or does it?

When we compare our 'lack' to the 'plenty' of others, we lose sight of every blessed thing in our own lives. Jealousy creeps in and asks, "Why them?" Insecurity follows on its heels with, "Why not me?"

The value we place on the simplest things in our lives is the foundation that supports everything else we receive. Gratitude solidifies that foundation. When we're grateful for having our basic needs met, everything else is an extra blessing.

Open your eyes to the good in your life and see it. Open your heart and receive it. Don't look away, in longing, at the lives of others. You'll miss the work set before you, the opportunities to be filled up; the reason for your existence.

A blessing we see; is a blessing we're ready to receive.

We, who have so much, compared to the majority of people on this planet, need look no further than our own lives to find an incomparable abundance of blessings.

- Author Unknown

Sigmund Freud's Priorities - A Short Test!

2007-02-23T01:24:00.000-08:00

Here is a short test for you.....interesting......try it! It could give a clue of your life's priorities.

The following five things are happening in your house at the same time. In which sequence would you solve them?

1. The telephone is ringing!
2. The baby is crying!
3. Someone's knocking or calling you from the front door!
4. You hung the clothes out to dry and it is beginning to rain!
5. You left the tap on in the kitchen and the water is already overflowing!

In which sequence would you solve these problems? Write the sequence and check below how your decisions were made.

First write YOUR sequence from 1 to 5 then scroll below and read after!

Answer:
Every individual point represents something in your life.
On the list you can see which meaning every point has:

1. Telephone represents Work
2. Baby represents Family
3. Door represents Friends
4. Clothes represent Money
5. Tap represents Love Life

Your chosen sequence determines the priorities in your life.

Dubai to Start Toll System For Motorists From July 2007

2007-02-21T08:33:00.000-08:00

Come July; Dubai will start charging tolls to motorists. The toll system; known as Salik will be introduced in only two areas, one on Sheikh Zayed Road and the other near the Garhoud Bridge in Deira. Commuters will be charged AED4 every time the point is crossed. Is this a good move to reduce Dubai's chaotic roads? My answer is more of a NO than a yes. Yes because it will partly address the bad congestion on Sheikh Zayed road especially in the mornings. It might cut traffic by 25% on this road.

But I am afraid this is not a permanent solution. Traffic on other roads will get even worse since people will avoid paying tolls. Both Jumeirah Beach Road and Emirates Road are packed in the mornings as it is, and now there will be even more traffic on these roads as daily commuters will try avoid paying the tolls on SZR. These roads are ill equipped to handle additional traffic. Worse; the toll system will be for 24 hours. Even in the still of the night like 3 am the motorist is not spared!

The toll system in my opinion should have been introduced only when the metro system was up and running. Without a proper alternative taxing commuters by way of tolls is not justified. The city bus transportation is pathetic and inadequate. Two wheelers are not an option because of the lousy weather for most of the year. And the metro will be operational only by late 2009.

The pictures highlight the the way the toll system will function.

Scott Wade's Amazing Dust Art Pictures

2007-02-18T11:00:00.000-08:00

What is the best any one can do with a dirty uncleaned car having a layer of dust on it? Wash it? Scribble some meaningless words on it? Scott Wade is different. When dust gets thick on the back window of a car he uses it much like a black drawing board to create some incredible art that is to be seen to be believed. He uses his fingers, brushes etc to carve amazing pictures - pictures that are as good as any art work. He lives in San Marcos and does this on the dirty cars in the locality he lives. Have a look and appreciate his masterly skills.

Scott Wade starting his Work

A Dirty Car

An Outline of his Work

Step Two

Job Finished! - This is "A Copy of C.M. Coolidge's - A Friend in Need"

Albert Einstein - Couldn't be better, right?

Mona Lisa's "Da Vinci" - In the background Vincent Van Gogh's "A Starry Night"

A Wildlife Scene!

A portrait of Kinky Friedman on the back of a Mazda driven by his Wife!

Work on a window covered with frost!

At his work; doing it to perfection

You can see Scott's work here in Statesman

Tip for Protecting Your ATM Card Against Fraud

2007-02-16T02:55:00.000-08:00

I received this in an email and found it useful. I can't vouch for the authenticity of this piece of information. Readers; please comment if you know the info below is correct...

If you should ever be forced by a robber to withdraw money from an ATM machine, you can notify the police by entering your Pin # in reverse.

For example if your pin number is 1234 then you would put in 4321. The ATM recognizes that your pin number is backwards from the ATM card you placed in the machine. The machine will still give you the money you requested, but unknown to the robber, the police will be immediately dispatched to help you.

This information was recently broadcasted on TV and it states that it is seldom used because most people don't know it exists.

Incredible Julian Beever Drawings!

2007-02-15T11:47:00.000-08:00

Chalk drawings from Julian Beever. Incredible!!!

Julian Beever is an English artist who's famous for his art on the pavement of England, France, Germany, USA, Australia and Belgium Beever gives to his drawings an amazing 3D illusion. Look at some of the pavement drawings of Beever...

Looks like the real one on the ground, right?

Batman and Robin to the rescue, cool, huh?

Girl on a beach mat...

Make Poverty History...amazing, right?

Make Poverty History drawing from the side (40 ft long)

Spiderman to the rescue!

Girl in Swimming Pool (Remember, both her feet in reality are flat

on the pavement)

Politicians Meeting Their End...

Worlds biggest Fly...

This drawing of a Rescue above was to be viewed using an inverting mirror

Who is the real guy above and which Beer is the real one?

In the above pic; look closely, you can see the Bricks

through the Chalk on the Monitor Screen

There is no hole in this pavement!

People are actually avoiding walking in the square "hole" above!

Look at the superb 3D effect....

Don't miss seeing Julian Beever on top of the bottle...

Do you notice everything is fake?? Even the hose and water?

For some more drawings of Julian Beever check here.
Sky News of Julian Beever

The Threat of Botnets

2007-02-11T06:11:00.000-08:00

The world of internet in 2006 was the year of Botnets.

What is a Botnet? Think of it as something of a Virus; but not exactly one. Botnets are networks of infected computers that can be controlled by a master computer. Such compromised computers are infected due a malicious code. The malicious code or malware is sent to computers through various means like email attachments, spam emails, video downloads, music downloads etc. Computers that are vulnerable are the first ones to be targeted. When computers do not have the latest upgrades, patches and anti virus software they are vulnerable to such malicious code or malware. Once infected it is not possible for the owner to know that his machine is compromised or infected. It is said that in the USA around 20% of all computers are estimated to be infected. Such infected computers are called Zombies or bots. They serve the interests of the vested few who control them. Once inside a PC, the installed malicious files perform all the functions they are programmed to do. They can install as a worm in the registry files.

Here are some of the dangerous ways in which botnets can be used:

Recording Keystroke information or Keylogging - With the help of a keylogger it is very easy for an attacker to retrieve sensitive information. This helps in stealing secret data.

Illegal pay per click advertising & Browser help Objects - Well know companies like Google, yahoo etc run advertisements. Bonnets can be used for financial gain.

Spamming – The Zombie machine can then be used for nefarious tasks such as spamming. With the help of a botnet and thousands of bots, an attacker is able to send massive amounts of bulk email (spam). The spammer stays anonymous.

Abuse of Google Adsense: AdSense offers companies the possibility to display Google advertisements on their own website and earn money this way. An attacker can abuse this program by leveraging his botnet to click on such advertisements in an automated fashion and thus artificially increments the click-counter.

Manipulating online polls - Since every bot has a distinct IP address, every vote will have the same credibility as a vote cast by a real person. Online games can be manipulated in a similar way.

Identity Theft – The controller controlling a botnet can collect a lot of personal information. Such data can then be used to build fake identities, which can be used to obtain access to personal accounts or perform various operations putting the blame on someone else. The controller never seems to be the one doing the theft.

ID Phishing Email: Here is an example of Barcalays letter by Phishing Scam email using botnet techniques. See also this BBC news

Computers with an ADSL always-on connection are at a greater risk since they usually have the machines connected to the net always. When protective software such as up to date anti virus software and proper firewalls are not used the computers are exposed to risks. Botnet operators are people with a high degree of crooked intelligence. They are light years ahead in their thinking and act in well organized crimes. The botnet controller might not be the one who has written the code. These people work in groups with amazing coordination. They often work with fake bank accounts and keep changing places with no permanent base. It is very difficult to catch a botnet controller. Very few crimes are brought to notice.

It is wise to have adware anti-spy software and the latest anti-virus software and protect your PC in every way possible. Keep your system updated, downloading patches and system updates for both the OS and for all applications accessing the web. Use qutomatic updates option to download regularly from Microsoft. Have a firewall. Try to minimize or deactivate support for scripting languages such as ActiveX and JavaScript. Also protection is necessary at the ISP level which is not in an individual’s hands. There is every chance the PC you are working on right now is serving some ones interests and you may be unaware. In a nutshell; a botnet affected computer is not fully owned by the owner but by some one else.

Warning Signs of a Stroke

2007-02-10T03:13:00.000-08:00

Stroke is a life-or-death emergency in which every minute counts. Learn how to tell if someone may be having a stroke -- you could save a life. Often, stroke isn't treated as an emergency. The problem? One in three Americans can't identify any of the symptoms. That can lead to dangerous delays in getting care. Use this F.A.S.T. action plan to tell if someone may be having a stroke. You could save a life.

Face. Ask the person to smile. A stroke can cause one side of the face to droop. Abrupt dimming of vision or a sudden, severe headache with no known cause is also a warning signs.

Arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. If one arm drifts downward, that could signal a stroke, which can trigger weakness, numbness or paralysis of an arm or leg, particularly on one side of the body. Sufferers may also have unexplained loss of balance, or a sudden fall.

Speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Stroke victims may slur their words, have trouble speaking or understanding speech, or not be able to talk at all.

Time. If the person has any of these symptoms, call the emergency number. Stroke is a life-or-death emergency in which every minute counts. To have any hope of reversing the effects, a patient must get tPA (Tissue Plasminogen Activator) within three hours, or the Merci Retriever procedure within eight hours. The Merci Retrieval System is the first and only medical device with FDA clearance and CE Mark for the intended use of removing thrombus in acute ischemic stroke patients.For more information on this device, visit the manufacturer's website, concentric-medical.com, or the National Stroke Association at stroke.org.

Source of this article Reader's Digest

The Greatest Driving Road in the World

2007-02-08T09:03:00.000-08:00

Look at what they have achieved in a desert.

The Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the best driving roads in the world. Stretching for 7.3 miles and climbing nearly 4,000 feet, it boasts of 60 corners and a surface so smooth that it is to be experienced to be believed. The immaculate road was called the greatest driving road by automotive guide; Edmunds.com. The road scales the mountain and ends at a parking lot with a hotel and palace belonging to the country's rulers.

The road is cut into the Jebel Hafeet mountain, the highest peak in the United Arab Emirates , the oil-rich Gulf state. The road is a challenge for cyclists who frequently come to train there. The mountain spans the border with Oman and lies about 90 minutes' drive southeast of the thriving city of Dubai . It looks down upon a dusty, desert landscape that belies a nation of astonishing wealth.

About Jebel Hafeet: A mountain in UAE on the outskirts of Al Ain. The mountain rises 1240 meters and provides a lovely view of the city.

A Photograph to Make you Think

2007-02-08T08:05:00.000-08:00

Have a close look at both the photographs & read the messages below them. Forwarding this link to as many people as you can wouldn't fulfill a wish; nor ignoring it will cause any misfortune; but its our moral duty to be concerned....towards humanity.

PS: Click on the first photo to view it bigger and read the message on it.

This was found in his diary:

"Dear God, I promise I will never waste my food no matter how bad it can taste and how full I may be. I pray that He will protect this little boy, guide and deliver him away from his misery. I pray that we will be more sensitive towards the world around us and not be blinded by our own selfish nature and interests.

I hope this picture will always serve as a reminder to us that how fortunate we are and that we must never ever take things for granted".

Email this link to friends. On this good day, let's make a prayer for the suffering in anywhere any place around the globe and send this friendly reminder to others; think & look at this...when you complain about your food and the food we waste daily...

Reason why people don't visit rich people's residence

2007-02-06T11:34:00.000-08:00

Question: "What would you like to have...Fruit juice, Soda, Tea, Chocolate, Milo or Coffee?"
Answer: "Tea please"

Question: "Ceylon tea, Herbal tea, Bush tea, Honey bush tea, Ice tea or green tea?"
Answer: "Ceylon tea"

Question: "How would you like it black or white?"
Answer: "White"

Question: "Milk, Whitener, or Condensed milk?"
Answer: "With milk"

Question: "Goat milk, Camel milk or cow milk"
Answer: "With cow milk please”

Question: "Milk from Freeze land cow or Afrikaner cow?"
Answer: "Um, I'll take it black"

Question: "Would you like it with sweetener, sugar or honey?"
Answer: "With sugar"

Question: "Beet sugar or cane sugar?"
Answer: "Cane sugar"

Question:" White, brown or yellow sugar?"
Answer: "Forget about tea just give me a glass of water instead.”

Question: "Mineral water or still water?"
Answer: "Mineral water"

Question: "Flavored or non-flavored?"
Answer: "I'll rather die of thirst”

Source: Unknown (via email)

Childhood Innocence

2007-02-06T11:17:00.000-08:00

A first grade teacher had twenty-five students in her class and she presented each child in her class the first half of a well known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb. It's hard to believe these were actually done by first graders. Their insight may surprise you.

While reading these keep in mind that these are first graders, 6 year olds; specially the last question, it's a classic!

1. Don't change horses.......until they stop running.

2. Strike while the.............................bug is close.

3. Its always darkest before......Daylight Saving Time.

4. Never underestimate the power of............termites.

5. You can lead a horse to water but........how?

6. Don't bite the hand that.................looks dirty.

7. No news is..........................................impossible.

8. A miss is as good as a............Mr.

9. You can't teach an old dog new ............... math.

10. If you lie down with dogs, you'll..............stink in the morning.

11. Love all, trust..............me.

12. The pen is mightier than the................... pigs.

13. An idle mind is.............the best way to relax.

14. Where there's smoke there's .................pollution.

15. Happy is the bride who............gets all the presents.

16. A penny saved is ......................not much.

17. Two's company, three's ..............the Musketeers.

18. Don't put off till tomorrow what ..........you put on at bedtime.

19. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and...........you have to blow your nose.

20. There are none so blind as ............Stevie Wonder.

21. Children should be seen and not ...............spanked or grounded.

22. If at first you don't succeed.........get new batteries.

23. You get out of something only what you.......see in the picture on the box.

24. When the blind lead the blind....run & get out of the way.

And the WINNER and last but not the least. . . .

25. Better late than.............pregnant.

Three Parrots

2007-02-06T11:02:00.000-08:00

A man wanted to buy his son a parrot as a birthday present. The next day he went to the pet shop and saw three identical parrots in a cage.

He asked the clerk, "how much for the parrot on the right? The owner said it was $250. "$250", the man said. "Well what does he do?

"He knows how to use all of the functions of Microsoft Office 2000, responds the clerk. "He can do all of your spreadsheets and type all of your letters."

The man then asked what the second parrot cost. The clerk replied, $500, but he not only knows Office 2000, but is an expert computer programmer.

Finally, the man inquired about the cost of the last parrot. The clerk replied, "$1,000." Curious as to how a bird can cost $1,000, the man asked what this bird's specialty was.

The clerk replies, "Well to be honest I haven't seen him do anything. But the other two call him "Team Leader / Boss"!!

Source: Via Email

Womens Liberation Jokes

2007-02-06T10:49:00.000-08:00

Thought # 1

Everyone in the wedding ceremony was watching the radiant bride as her father escorted her down the aisle to give away to groom.

They reached the altar and the waiting groom; the bride kissed her father and placed some thing in his hand. Everyone in the room was wondering what was given to the father by bride.

The father could feel the suspense in the air and all eyes were on him to divulge the secret and say something.

So he announced "Ladies and Gentlemen today is the luckiest day of my life." Then he raises his hands with what his daughter gave him and continued, "My daughter finally, finally returned my credit card to me."

The whole audience including priest started laughing but not the poor groom.

Thought # 2

A Man was walking down a street when he heard a voice from behind, "If you take one more step, a brick will fall down on your head and kill you."

The man stopped and a big brick fell right in front of him. The man was astonished.

He went on, and after a while he was going to cross the road.

Once again the voice shouted, "Stop! Stand still! If you take one more step a car will run over you, and you will die."

The man did as he was instructed, just as a car came careening around the corner, barely missing him.

The man asked. "Who are you?"

"I am your guardian angel," the voice answered.

"Oh, yeah?" the man asked "And where the hell were you when I got married?"

Thought # 3

When we are born, our mother's get the compliments and the flowers.

When we are married, our brides get the presents and the publicity.

When we die, our widows get the life insurance. What do women want to be liberated from?

Award Winning Joke...Good One!

2007-02-06T10:44:00.000-08:00

A Chinese walks into a bar in America late one night and he saw Steven Spielberg. As he was a great fan of his movies, he rushes over to him, and asks for his autograph. Instead, Spielberg gives him a slap and says, "You Chinese people bombed our Pearl Habour, get outta here.” The astonished Chinese man replied, "It was not the Chinese who bombed your Pearl Harbour, it was the Japanese". "Chinese, Japanese, Taiwanese, you're all the same," replied Spielberg. In return, the Chinese gives Spielberg a slap and says, "You sank the Titanic, my forefathers were on that ship.” Shocked; Spielberg replies, "It was the iceberg that sank the ship, not me." The Chinese replies, "Iceberg, Spielberg, Carlsberg, you're all the same."

This particular joke won an award for the best joke in a competition organized in Britain.

High Tech Man!

2007-02-06T10:36:00.000-08:00

A man walks into a bar and sits down right across from the bartender. The bartender sees the man poking at his hand and putting it next to his ear, and asks him, "What are you doing?

The man replies, "Oh, it's the newest technology -- I have a phone built right into my hand." The man puts his hand next to the bartender's ear and, sure enough, the bartender hears a dial tone.

After a few drinks, the man goes into the bathroom. The bartender notices that he has been gone for almost a half-hour. Concerned, he goes into the bathroom to check it out. When he walks in, he sees the man with his hands on the wall standing with his legs apart and pants down. He has the end of a roll of paper towels shoved up his butt. Shocked, the bartender yells, "What are you doing?!"

The man groans and replies, "I'm waiting for a fax."

Dubai Metro - Highlights of the Project

2007-02-05T08:55:00.000-08:00

Dubai Metro work is on in full swing and I am excited. The metro will change the face of Dubai.

It’s nice to see the progress everyday as I walk to my office. Work has started at various locations. Excavation work is going round the clock. Many are complaining that metro work disturbs their night sleep. Even I hear noises on the Deira Rigga road where I reside. This is after all a small trade off for what Dubai will offer by September 2009. One of the hallmarks of a developed city is a metro system. The most advanced cities of the world have their own railway network. The population of Dubai slated to hit the 3 million mark by 2017 (currently around 1.4 million, 2005 estimate). Going by the speed at which projects are executed I see the Red Line of the metro going operational by September 2009 as promised by the government.

Here are some specs of Dubai Metro:

It’s a $4.25 billion project
Capacity of each train will be 897 people.
Total number of trains will be 87 (62 for the Red Line & 25 for the Green Line).
Trains will be manufactured in Japan.
Each train will have 5 compartments.
Each compartment will include CCTV; special needs people requirement, signage system and metro route map.
Each train will have 3 classes: Golden Class, Women & children Class & the Silver Class.
Each compartment will be 18 meters in length.
Price of each train will be AED 500 Million ($136 million each).
Parking lots will be reserved for metro users.

The Future of Computers - Say Goodbye to Laptops

2007-02-02T09:05:00.000-08:00

Look Closely and guess what these could be...

Are they Pens with Cameras?

Any Wild Guesses? No clues yet?

You have just looked into the Future...Yes, that's right!
This is something that could replace your laptop in the near future...

Here is how it works...

In the revolution of miniature computers, scientists have made great developments with blue tooth technology.
This is the forthcoming computer that you will carry in your pocket.

This "Pen sort of Instrument" produces both the monitor as well as the Keyboard on any flat surface from where you carry out functions that you normally do with a laptop or a desktop computer.

Now shall we say Goodbye to Laptops?

Shilpa Shetty, Racism and the Big Brother Celebrity Show

2007-01-31T08:23:00.000-08:00

So much has been made of racism in the ‘Big Brother Celebrity’ show in UK in which Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty took part. The show in which participants Jade Goody and Danielle Boyd hurled nasty comments on her lead to widespread condemnation and public anger.

As if to prove that racism does not exist; the masses voted Shilpa Shetty to a thumping victory. Now does her victory mean that British people are not racist? I beg to disagree here. The fact is that racism has existed for centuries and will continue to exist. The only difference was that in this reality show it was open and brazen; which it ought not to have been. Racism is that which man has to learn to live with. You experience racism right from your childhood. Ultimately it is with one’s roots that one associates. Even among one’s own country men racism exists. For example two people from the same state in India (a country of 30 states) might relate better than from two people from different regions. Language is another thing that makes people racist. No wonder Shilpa Shetty was looked at as a person who doesn’t even know English. Two Texans in America might better understand each other than a Texan and a New Yorker. You identify yourself closest with some one who knows your roots and your mother tongue Even a white American is not very welcome in Britain. He might be looked at as racist. Similarly an Australian might be unwelcome in Britain and vice versa. It does not always have to do with the color of the skin.

In America and UK an Indian immigrant is generally not treated on par with a native. An Indian in a first world country like the USA, Canada or UK will always remain a third rate citizen. This is the sad truth that an Indian knows but will not always acknowledge. The economic standing of a nation can aggravate or alleviate racist feelings. Poverty ignites racist tendencies. Wealth and racist feelings often go hand in hand. If a subcontinent Asian in America wants to be perceived better there; the one thing that can (to some extent) cover racist feelings is his social standing – His Wealth. If he is rich he is looked at and treated better.

For Shilpa Shetty she couldn’t have got luckier - Publicity surrounding the racism row drove viewer figures to a record high for the show, with 7.8 million people tuning in. Further it has opened doors with a slew of new offers from which she can rake in a few millions. She must be thanking her stars for the racist attack that she experienced!

Management Story - On Being a Successful Manager

2007-01-26T11:59:00.000-08:00

It's a fine sunny day in the forest and a lion is sitting outside his cave, lying in the sun. Along comes a fox, out on a walk.

Fox: "Do you know the time, because my watch is broken"
Lion: "Oh, I can easily fix the watch for you"
Fox: "Hmm... But it's a very complicated mechanism, and your big claws will only destroy it even more"
Lion: "Oh no, give it to me, and it will be fixed"
Fox: "That's ridiculous! Any fool knows that lazy lions with great claws cannot fix complicated watches"
Lion: "Sure they do, give it to me and it will be fixed"
The lion disappears into his cave, and after a while he comes back with the watch which is running perfectly. The fox is impressed, and the lion
continues to lie lazily in the sun, looking very pleased with himself.

Soon a wolf comes along and stops to watch the lazy lion in the sun.

Wolf: "Can I come and watch TV tonight with you, because mine is broken"
Lion: "Oh, I can easily fix your TV for you"
Wolf: "You don't expect me to believe such rubbish, do you? There is no way that a lazy lion with big claws can fix a complicated TV"
Lion: "No problem. Do you want to try it?"
The lion goes into his cave, and after a while comes back with a perfectly fixed TV. The wolf goes away happily and amazed.

Scene :
Inside the lion's cave. In one corner are half a dozen small and intelligent looking rabbits who are busily doing very complicated work
with very detailed instruments. In the other corner lies a huge lion looking very pleased with himself.

Moral :
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY A MANAGER IS FAMOUS; LOOK AT THE WORK OF HIS SUBORDINATES.

Management Lesson In the context of the working world :
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY SOMEONE UNDESERVED IS PROMOTED; LOOK AT THE WORK OF HIS SUBORDINATES.

Ajman Likely to Have Its Own Metro System

2007-01-24T12:40:00.000-08:00

There is news of Ajman; Dubai’s neighboring emirate to build its own railway network. Ajman’s metro system may eventually connect to other emirates and to Dubai. The chairman of Ajman Municipality revealed this likelihood a couple of days ago. This is great news and will mean major changes in travel life styles of people from Sharjah and Ajman to UAE. Should Ajman metro become a reality; it will have major positive impact solving traffic problems. Ajman metro will need involvement of Sharjah Emirate. Ajman being right next to Sharjah; Ajman rail has to pass through Sharjah.

If the metro becomes a reality then UAE real estate scene will change dramatically. Currently Ajman also offers freehold properties to foreign residents in a limited way at throw away prices. When compared to Dubai free hold properties Ajman freehold is outright cheap. Foreign investors willing to invest in UAE property should think of Ajman from the pint of view of investment and appreciation. If the metro gets operational then Ajman land and property prices are bound to move up. However don’t expect this to happen soon. It may take a minimum of 6-8 years. Remember Ajman and other emirates cannot compete with Dubai in terms of speed of execution of projects. Dubai metro is starting off in September 2009.

Fortune Tower Fire in Dubai Kills Four

2007-01-21T08:44:00.000-08:00

Last week’s fire at the Fortune Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road opposite Dubai Marina took a toll of 4 lives and some 60 injuries. Many of the workers were from the sub continent. Onlookers who saw the inferno felt like seeing another 11/9. One worker literally jumped to death from the high tower. The injured were treated for smoke inhalation and needed oxygen. Fire engulfed the high rise building which was nearing completion. The higher floors of the building was where most workers were on the job. It is still not known what exactly caused the blaze, but an electrical short circuit is the likely cause.

The UAE has a pretty bad track record of enforcing proper security measures at construction sites. While the equipments used are no doubt of high quality; the safety measures that are mandatory for construction of high rise buildings are never completely adhered to. Proper training is rarely given to the workers. Casualties at construction work sites is quite common and such deaths are not correctly reported and major disasters are made to look like small slip ups. Wages are low and working conditions are bad. Human rights go at a discount and workers welfare is seldom addressed. Until recently construction workers were made to toil in the scorching summer afternoons without a break when temperatures frequently reach 45-50 degrees. Exploitation of workers is rampant at a wage that can shock the western world. Living conditions for the laborers are far from satisfactory.

Workers rights in this part of the world are limited. For example it is common practice for employers in the UAE to retain employees' passports for the duration of the employment contract to prevent expatriate employees from changing jobs. This is an illegal practice, but it is almost never investigated, let alone punished by the government.

Coming to the present disaster; I would like to know what compensation the concerned authorities doled out to the 4 victims who lost their lives in the inferno. And what compensation will be given the 60 odd workers who suffered smoke inhalation and hospitalization? Monetary figures are rarely disclosed and there are no proper guidelines when it comes to addressing such grievances. Compensation is usually a pittance. The country has a long way to go in such measures and one can only expect things to improve.

Burj Al Arabi - The Tallest Human Shaped Tower

2007-01-20T07:27:00.000-08:00

In what could be yet another landmark project, AAA group of Dubai recently announced Burj Al Arabi a building which will be the tallest in the world to be shaped like a human. The picture will resemble an Arab national wearing the traditional Arabic attire of white dress and a Kandura (the head gear in Arabic). If the project is approved and built it will be the tallest at 140 meters height. Dubai’s rapidly emerging sky line will have another record to show. However the Burj Al Arabi has hit controversy with AAA group not having secured permission from Limitless, owners of the Jumeirah Village Master Plan; where the building is to come up.

In my opinion this is yet another extravagant project (estimated at $140 million) that Dubai can do without. The Government might do well to spend their energies on more meaningful projects of immediate requirement. Consider the public transport system which is currently in a big mess. There is a dearth of city buses and taxis at peak times. Or the metro project which should have been operational by now. A subsidized health care system to its residents or more parking spaces in the vehicle crammed Dubai are more urgent requirements. I am not sure if the Dubai’s priorities such as this are right for the country and its denizens.

Anyways; watch this space for updates on the project and final approval by Limitless which might after all become a reality considering Dubai’s love for such architecture.

The Top Ten Foods

2007-01-20T03:30:00.000-08:00

I came across this interesting list of the top 10 foods. As a person interested in health and alternative medicine it caught my attention. We gotta be eating more and more of these everyday. Children especially should concentrate on these since it makes a world of difference affecting their development in their formative years.

1. Fish: Oily fish like Sardines, salmon, mackerel and trout are good sources of protein and iodine, typically containing 15g to 20g of protein. Oily fish contains omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A and D. Aim to eat at least two portions a week.

2. Nuts and seeds: Linseed (flaxseed), sunflower, pumpkin, almond, walnuts and sesame are good sources of dietary fibre, essential fatty acids and plant protein. They contain many vitamins, minerals and some phytochemicals. Nuts may provide protection against heart disease. Nuts make you feel full and can potentially prevent weight gain.

3. Soya products: Soy milk, tofu, tempeh and miso have a beneficial effect for bone health and prevent cancer. They are an excellent source of high quality protein, are low in saturated fats and are cholesterol free. Daily consumption of soya protein can lower cholesterol levels.

4. Pulses: Lentils, chick peas and white beans are rich in protein, carbohydrate, fibre and are low in fat. They contain calcium and iron. Fresh pulses contain vitamin C. Lentils protect against bowel cancer and are essential for both a healthy nervous system and digestive system.

5. Wholegrains: Oats, wholegrain pasta, breads and brown rice are high in complex carbohydrates and fibre. They help you feel full and delay hunger. Whole grain foods help decrease cholesterol levels, blood pressure and blood coagulation.

6. Broccoli: Green leafy vegetables are high in antioxidant nutrients. One cup of cooked broccoli has as much vitamin C as an orange. It also contains vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc. Enzymes help to prevent cancer, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure.

7. Organic Eggs: contain phospholipids that stabilise cell membranes. Eggs are a protein-rich food and provide vitamin A, vitamin D, niacin and vitamin B12. A medium egg rovides an average of 86 kcals and 6.4g of fat, of which 1.8g is saturated fat.

8. Cheese: Cottage cheese is an excellent source of tryptophan that produces the neurotransmitter serotonin. Cheese is rich in proteins and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodiumand vitamins A and B complex.

9. Fruits: Blueberries and other brightly colored fruits are rich in antioxidant nutrients to protect the brain from free radicals that cause cancer. Strong sources of vitamin C, fibre, folic acid and phytonutrients. Berries are sodium-free, cholesterol-free and low in calories and fat.

10. Ostrich meat: high in protein, iron and zinc. It is low in calories and cholesterol and is suitable for all low carbohydrate diets. It is lower in fat than chicken and turkey, and much lower in fat and cholesterol than beef.

Source of this article: Gulf News

I Couldn't Recognize You

2007-01-18T12:07:00.000-08:00

A middle aged woman had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital.

While on the operating table she had a near death experience.

Seeing God She asked "Is my time up?"
God said, "No, you have another 43 years, 2 months and 8 days to live."

Upon recovery, the woman decided to stay in the hospital and have a Facelift, liposuction, and a tummy tuck. She even had someone come in and change her hair color.

Since she had so much more time to live, she figured she might as well make the most of it. After her last operation, she was released from the hospital.

While crossing the street on her way home, she was killed by an ambulance. Arriving in front of God, she demanded, "I thought you said I had another 40 years? Why didn't you pull me from out of the path of the ambulance?"

(You'll love this!!!)

God replied,

"I couldn't recognize you".

Disabling a Stolen Mobile Phone

2007-01-17T07:37:00.000-08:00

Do you know how to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?

To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone:

*#06# (Without any spaces)

A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset which is your cell phone identification number. Write it down and keep it in a safe place.

Should your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so that even if the thief changes the SIM card your phone will be totally useless.

You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones. Please share this useful link with others...

Honesty

2007-01-16T08:12:00.000-08:00

A distinguished young woman on a flight from Switzerland asked the priest beside her, " Father, may I ask a favor?" "Of course. What may I do for you?"

"Well, I bought an expensive! Electronic hair dryer that is well over the Customs limits and I'm afraid they'll confiscate it. Is there any way you could carry it through Customs for me? Under your robes perhaps?"

"I would love to help you, dear, but I must warn you: I will not lie."

"With your honest face, Father, no one will question you."

When they got to Customs, she let the priest go ahead of her. The official asked, " Father, do you have anything to declare?"

"From the top of my head down to my waist, I have nothing to declare."

The official thought this answer strange, so asked, " And what do you have to declare from your waist to the floor?"

"I have a marvelous little instrument designed to be used on a woman, but which is, to date, unused." Roaring with laughter, the official said, " Go ahead, Father - - Next!"

The Unwed Daughter

2007-01-16T08:04:00.000-08:00

A young unmarried girl discovers that she is pregnant. Scared, She confides this ' news' to her mother. Shouting, cursing, crying, the mother says, "Who was the pig that did this to you? I want to know!"

The girl picks up the phone and makes a call.

Half an hour later a Ferrari stops in front of their house; a mature and distinguished man with gray hair and impeccably dressed in a very expensive suit steps out of it and enters the house.

He sits in the living room with the father, the mother and the Girl, and tells them: "Good morning, your daughter has informed me of the Problem. However, I can't marry her because of my personal family situation, but I'll take responsibility. If a girl is born I will bequeath her 2 retail stores, a townhouse, a beach villa and a $1 million bank account. If a boy is born, my legacy will be a couple of factories and a $2 million bank account.

If it is twins, a factory and $ million each. However, if there is a miscarriage, what do you suggest I do?"

At this point, the father, who had remained silent, places a hand firmly on the man's shoulder and tells him, "You can try again!"

Apple Announces The iPhone

2007-01-15T08:19:00.000-08:00

Last week Apple announced the much awaited iPhone and it created some major news. So much so that Windows Vista is now a dead subject. The blogosphere was swept with iPhone news and what it is likely to deliver. Most of the experts have given a positive review. The first shipment is slated for June 2007.

As expected; Apple has introduced a bunch of features and new concepts that are completely outside the realm of accepted thought in mobile telephony.

So how is the iPhone different from its competitors? Firstly; it’s a lovely looking device that weighs about 135 grams. It’s a 3.5" Pocket PC PDA. It is very sleek, thin and not very wide. Secondly it’s innovative in the sense that it functions completely with multi-touch – It has a touch screen-based input method. It supports WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and Quadband GSM/EDGE communications. It comes with an iPod, a 2 mega pixel camera; the quality of which is supposed to be good. It has a full fledged internet surfing browser, a Visual VoiceMail, a superb SMS, advanced photo management capabilities and Google maps. It comes in two capacities of 4 and 8 GBs and is priced at $499 and $599 respectively.

Here's what it is in a nutshell:
# Specification overview Screen: 3.5-inches, 320 x 480 @ 160 PPI
# Storage: 4GB or 8GB
# GSM: Quad-band (MHz: 850, 900, 1800, 1900)
# Wireless: Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) + EDGE + Bluetooth 2.0
# Camera: 2.0 megapixels
# Battery: Up to 5 hours Talk / Video / Browsing; Up to 16 hours Audio playback
# Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.4 x 0.46 inches / 115 x 61 x 11.6mm
# Weight: 4.8 ounces / 135 grams

Will it outdo the Nokia’s and Sony Eriksson’s of this world? It might not; but it is expected to have a 5% market share which is a lot. It surely will find its own niche. Don’t be surprised if it becomes another iPod.

If you wanna check out for more on the iPhone click here. It comes from Apple - It’s gotta be different.

Comparing CES - Las Vegas and GITEX - Dubai

2007-01-14T10:24:00.000-08:00

Las Vegas in Nevada; USA was all abuzz with CES (Consumer Electronics Show) the last few days. CES is the world’s # 1 consumer electronics show. It attracts about 150,000 people for the show. Las Vegas is transformed during this period. The town was awash with chatter of all new technologies about to hit the market.

Although I have not been to Vegas and America; I was just trying to draw parallels between Las Vegas’ CES and Dubai’s GITEX (Gulf Information Technology Exhibition). The GITEX is among the world’s top 3 exhibitions for information technology related products and technologies. GITEX has 1,200 exhibitors and more than 2200 companies from 61 countries. It had around 127,000 trade visitors.

Both Dubai & Las Vegas are modern cities rising out of desert sand. Both have spectacular hotels and great architecture. Both are futuristic. Dubai has GITEX, Cityscape, and Arabian Travel Market (ATM). Vegas has CES, AHEM and the Adult Entertainment Expo. Both cities have choking traffic during such shows. During the last GITEX you could not find a parking place. The hotels were full and there are long queues for taxis.

Honestly, Las Vegas must have an advantage in terms of infrastructure with a monorail of its own. Dubai has also started its multi billion construction it’s own metro and is it is expected to be operational by mid 2009. Dubai certainly has plans to get bigger and better. Will it out pace Vegas' CES in the next few years? I doubt if it will in the near future; simply because America is the land of IT development. Moreover CES has completed it's 40th anniversary; so CES has to be bigger and better than GITEX. Dubai is just a great exhibition centre and a good organizer of such shows. The fact is newest of tech offerings first hit America and then the world. For example Apples to-be-launched iphone was showcased in CES. Advantage CES and Vegas!

India VS India: Hear Bachchan Recite the Anthem

2007-01-10T10:56:00.000-08:00

Amitabh Bachchan - The Living Legend - The Phantom of Indian cinema recites the poem. "India Poised Anthem" is the brainchild of Times of India Group. Watch the video recited by Big B. Also check out the making of the video. It's in both English and Hindi. Read the anthem here and Click here for the video

Is Dubai Rent Cap of 7% A Great Offer?

2007-01-10T08:02:00.000-08:00

Dubai, the city of rising prices, traffic jams, overworked people, poor public transportation, supposedly no taxes and rapid growth surprised its residents by putting a rent cap of maximum 7% increase on the annual rents in 2007.

In a city where rentals have shot by 40% to 50% in the past three years, this looks like a New Year gift. But I beg to differ with my fellow Dubai residents stand that it is a great offer. Point is that it has come in after rents have already gone up substantially. Ever since Dubai announced it’s free hold properties in 2003 rents have only been moving northwards. Not many know that more than 40-45% of Dubai residents pay half their monthly incomes for house rents. Such figures might apply only to top cities in America, Europe and Japan. After all Dubai has still not scaled to those heights in terms of economy, purchasing power or per capita income. The earning levels of the average man on the street are nowhere close to the per capita of the most advanced countries. Suffice to say that the UAE is a rapidly growing country but does not justify such astronomical rents. Rising rents have put Inflation levels well over 10%, the highest among GCC countries. The rent cap of 7% is expected to bring relief to the middle-class; but the middle-class is already squeezed to the maximum! Personally my land lord was kind enough to raise my annual rent by only 8% for the last two years. So the rent cap is not going to benefit me!

If rent cap was a gift then movie tickets have become dearer. Beginning January ’07 movie tickets will now cost AED 35 instead of AED 30. I; for one; thought AED 30 itself was higher. AED 20 would be reasonable. Movie operators contend that prices have not gone up in the past many years. But they must realize that movie tickets don’t move up every two years in any part of the world. They further say that tickets are still cheaper than in Europe or America. But I say: Is the average earning on par with the earnings in Europe or America? All that I will say is that this will give a boost to DVD hiring and sale of the new breed of LCD and Plasma televisions. Homes will become even better theatres with increased sales of home theater systems, flat panel TV’s and DVD’s. Bottom line is that some one watching three movies a month will now watch two!

Dubai is certainly becoming expensive with every passing day. Nothing comes free in Dubai. And unlike its neighboring city Abu Dhabi; Dubai is not oil rich. The Govt. needs billions to complete the projects that it has envisaged; many of which I have written on this blog. Where else will it get the money from? Where else can the Government get the finances for its umpteen ambitious projects?

Dubai Observation Wheel to be Larger Than London Millennium Wheel

2007-01-05T09:33:00.000-08:00

Dubai will have the world’s tallest observation wheel. It will be larger than the London Eye Millennium Wheel, which was recently voted the world's best tourist attraction.

Work will begin shortly on the 185-metre (600 feet), $68 million observation wheel, at Dubailand a landmark tourist attraction, which will welcome its first visitors in early 2009 and provide a breathtaking panoramic view of Dubai and beyond. It will have 30 orbiter capsules with a total capacity of 7.5 million guests per year. The project also includes a restaurant and condominiums. During the journey on the wheel, the visitor will be able to view distances of up to 50 kilometers.

The scheme's master plan was presented to Dubailand and Dubai Municipality by Great Wheel Corporation, a fast growing company in developing, financing, building and operating Great Wheels. The project is approved by Dubai Municipality last October. Currently, the group is working on various sites around the world. The Great Wheel Corporation has a proven track record in developing these remarkable attractions around the world.

The Great Dubai Wheel will be one of the most attractive locations in Dubai to visit - a place for families and friends, as well as for tourists to enjoy stunning views during a 30 minute fantastic experience.'

The Great Dubai Wheel is expected to attract 2 million visitors each year to Dubailand and further boost the region's image as a tourist destination. Dubailand will cover 3bn sq ft (0.27bn sq m) and is anticipated to attract millions of visitors a year.

Check here for a nicer view of the wheel Observation Wheel Picture

Trends in India That Will Define 2007

2007-01-04T06:08:00.000-08:00

Indian consumers are becoming more demanding. It is becoming a tough task for marketers, in the midst of changing lifestyles, technological upgradations and a transforming retail environment. The job scenario is good and Indians enjoy a higher disposable income.

As we move on to 2007 here are key insights into consumer trends to look out for in 2007 according to a report by the Economic Times, India:

Shopping will get a new face:
2007 will experience a retail explosion. Consumers will continue to be drawn towards shopping at high quality retail environments. The shopping environment will continue to change and many more neighbourhood shops will orient themselves to the self-service format.

Innovation will be Key:
Shoppers will be spoilt by choices. Companies will be under pressure to constantly innovate. Both products and services will have a shorter life cycle and innovation will become the growth engine for every company. Marketers will constantly have to be on their toes to launch newer versions of their products.

Consumers will turn more beauty and fashion conscious
More Indians will begin investing in cosmetic procedures and the use of products with beauty builder technologies which help enhance the beauty of both men and women. Indians will to wants to look and feel good and hence we will see the footfall in gyms, yoga classes increasing. There is also a heavy tilt towards Bollywood and consumers will have surplus cash to follow the latest Bollywood trends.

Consumers will experiment more
With more nuclear families, working women’s demand for processed foods will increase. Various companies are entering the market with ready-to-eat options. Eating out phenomenon will increase and people will try different cuisines. They will get more experimental with food and clothes.

Investment patterns will change
Surplus cash normally goes only to the savings kitty. A lot is changing in this area. There is a boom in the real estate market, new mutual funds are opening up, and there are personal financial planners chasing you. Modern Indians are looking at investments and we see a lot of avenues opening up as well. Consumers will benefit in the coming years with cutting-edge customized financial services on offer.

Number of car owners will increase in 2007
With easy loan options and ever increasing new car brands being launched every month car sales will boom. Indians will now drive their favourite cars almost at the same time as their global counterparts. Maruti, GM and Hyundai among others have an array new launches up their sleeve.

Office-home boundaries will merge

2007 will be the year most consumers across the globe will get serious about their home offices. In the US, waterproof touch-screen computers will be seen. In India too, there’ll be plenty of chatter about harmony in the home as people try to draw a line between work and living spaces.

Tips to Implement Your New Year Resolution!

2007-01-02T08:46:00.000-08:00

Did you make a New Year resolution? Well; I did make a couple and shall try to honour them! In case you made some; here are helpful tips to keep up the promise you made to yourself.

1. Don’t make the mistake of aiming for something unattainable and difficult. You will not be able to keep up the resolution that you made. Be realistic. Stick to resolutions that are within reasonable bounds and that you can stick to.
2. A resolution should be planned well in advance. Take some time to reflect on what you want to achieve for the following year. Ideally resolution should be made a few days before the end of the year and not on the 31st of December. In fact this post is a little late to recommend this tip!
3. Make a thorough plan of how you will achieve the resolution or deal with it. For example if you want to quit smoking; gear yourself in every way to achieve it. Make a back up plan; find the means to achieve it. Have the resources necessary to do it.
4. Write it down in a list so you will stick to the resolutions you have made. This will keep you motivated and help you to say focused.
5. Speak about the resolution that you made. Tell every one about it; share it with similar people who have made resolutions. Get the necessary support from folks and friends.
6. Track your progress; reward & compliment yourself over the year if you are able to stick to the resolution. This is necessary to move further and accomplish your resolutions fully.
7. Don’t put yourself down if you are not able to implement what you promised to yourself. Take it one day at a time!
8. Try not to give up mid way. I know this is easier said than done; but you must make serious effort to live up to your resolutions. Keep trying.
9. According to data available; 63% of people keep their resolutions after two months. 67% of people make three or more resolutions. Top four resolutions: Increase exercise. Be more conscientious about work or school. Develop better eating habits. Stop smoking, drinking, or using drugs. People make more resolutions to start a new habit, than to break an old one.

Hope the above helps. Go on and do what you want to do!

The Rise of Social Networking Sites

2006-12-31T04:53:00.000-08:00

The rise of social networking sites has been the theme of Internet in 2006. The spate of successful social networking sites like Myspace, Youtube, Facebook, del.icio.us etc confirm it. Social networks connect people with all different types of interests. Most of the social networks on the internet are public, allowing anyone to join.

The first social networking website was Classmates.com, which began in 1995 and has 40 million users today. Other sites followed, including SixDegrees.com, which began in 1997, Epinions which introduced the circle of trust in 1999, followed by European equivalents Ciao.com, Dooyoo and ToLuna. It was not until 2001 that websites using the Circle of Friends online social networks started appearing. This form of social networking, widely used in virtual communities, became particularly popular in 2002 and flourished with the advent of a website called Friendster. Today there are over 200 social networking sites. The popularity of these sites rapidly grew, and by 2005 MySpace was getting more page views than Google. Google has a social network called Orkut, launched in 2004. Social networking began to be seen as a component of internet strategy at around the same time: in March 2005 Yahoo launched Yahoo! 360°, their entry into the field, and in July 2005 News Corporation bought MySpace.

The growth of Web 2.0 technology allowed social networks to flourish. Web 2.0 applications support networks created by architecture of participation. This is characterized by open communication, decentralization of authority, freedom to share and re-use, and "the market as a conversation”. Examples of Web 2.0 include digg, Shoutwire, last.fm, and Technorati. In Web 2.0 the Network acts as platform" — delivering (and allowing users to use) applications entirely through a browser. Web 2.0 provides a rich, interactive, user-friendly interface. In short Web 2.0 provides online collaboration and sharing among users.

Here is a list of the top 10 social networking sites today:
1. Myspace: 130,000,000 users, General
2. Hi5: 50,000,000 users, General
3. Classmates.com: 40,000,000 users, School, college, work and the military
4. Xanga: 40,000,000 users, Blogs and "metro" areas, used by teenagers
5. Friendster: 29,200,000 users, General
6. Reunion.com: 25,000,000 users, Locating friends & Family
7. Orkut: 36,532,000 users, Owned by Google
8. Bebo: 22,000,000 users, Schools & colleges networking
9. Facebook: 12,000,000 users, General
10.Livejournal: 10,920,000 users, A blogging network

Source of above figures: Wikipedia

Close to a dozen social networking sites are now focused only on India: yaari.com, minglebox.com, zhoom.com, DesiMartini.com and humsubka.com, to name a few. Social networking sites have been the outstanding success stories of 2006. Why else would Google buy YouTube for $1.65 billion?

World's Oddest Jobs - Ever Imagined These?

2006-12-30T02:45:00.000-08:00

In the United States, where a varied group of 9-to-5 professionals appear to dominate the working world, there is still room for unique employment. Nancy Rica Schiff's books, "Odd Jobs," and its sequel "Odder Jobs," showcase portraits of individuals across America with some of the most out-of-the-ordinary occupations. From dog food testers to odor judges, Schiff introduces readers to people and jobs existing beyond the usual classifieds.

Some of these jobs require additional educational training, natural talent or relocating to find the work, but if you're willing to do whatever it takes to avoid a more ordinary occupation, and don't mind steep competition, working in any one of these professions will provide a more interesting response the next time someone asks, "What do you do?"

Here are some of Schiff's Odd Jobs:

1. Coffin Maker
What they do: Build customized coffins, ranging from simple pine caskets to bejeweled boxes.

2. Potato Chip Inspector
What they do: Oversee potato chips on an assembly line and check for overcooked or clumped chips to discard.

3. Wax Figure Maker
What they do: Mold wax to create figures, often, but not limited to, the human form. Figures are often made in the likeness of people who have achieved historical or celebrity recognition.

4. Foot Model
What they do: Work as a "parts model," modeling their feet for advertisements that feature footwear, lotions and other related-products.

5. Golf Ball Diver
What they do: Search the depths of golf course bodies of water to find lost golf balls to refinish and resell.

6. Doll Doctor
What they do: Repair, repaint and reassemble doll parts to doctor-up dolls that have missing, broken or damaged parts.

7. Egg Inspector
What they do: Examine eggs for cracks and other irregularities before they are graded and stamped for approval.

8. Knife Thrower's Assistant
What they do: Act as human targets for the knife thrower, which can involve mastering feats such as being tied to a spinning wheel while having knives thrown within inches of their bodies, or having objects cut above their heads.

9. Foley Artist
What they do: Use random items and whatever else they can find to create and record the noises used to make the sounds effects in films, such as heavy footsteps, rolling thunder or creaking doors.

10. Solfeggist
What they do: Listen to recorded music and monitor notes in indistinguishable compositions.

11. Snow Researcher
What they do: Collect and analyze ice crystals in snow to study the effects of pollution on area snowfall.

12. Wig Maker
What they do: Create and fit hair pieces such as wigs, beards, mustaches and eyebrows for clients requesting hair for costume or personal needs.

13. Gross Stunt Producer
What they do: Create new ways to gross out contestants on television shows, using insects, animal products and other things considered that could be considered "gross" by society's standards.

14. Mermaid
What they do: Entertain crowds as an underwater performer.

15. Whiskey Ambassador
What they do: Drink and explain the proper ways to serve and savor various whiskeys.

16. Dog Food Tester
What they do: Taste and analyze dog food samples and write reviews on the results.

17. Bonfire Builder
What they do: Gather discarded wood from trash bins, beaches, construction scrap heaps and similar areas to expertly build bonfires.

18. Dice Inspector
What they do: Inspect dice used in casinos for lopsided angles, misspotting and other blemishes that could cause error when the dice are rolled for gambling purposes.

19. Ethnographer
What they do: Research and study single groups of human behavior through fieldwork, observing and questioning participants.

20. Gum Buster
What they do: Remove gum stuck to sidewalks, street benches and other unwanted areas by de-sticking the gum through a steaming process.

Source of this article

Saturn: The Best Astronomy Picture of 2006

2006-12-30T01:04:00.000-08:00

What else could it possibly have been?

This image has it all. (click for a full sized view of the photo) It’s of a familiar object, seen in an unfamiliar way: back-lit by the Sun, a view impossible from Earth. It shows the whole planet, a rarity from space missions. The image shows very faint details and has very high resolution, a must.

The spacecraft Cassini viewed the rings as never before, revealing previously unknown faint rings and even glimpsing its home world. This was taken on September 15, 2006 using Cassini’s wide angle camera. Cassini was approximately 2.2 million kilometers (1.3 million miles) from Saturn when the images in this mosaic were taken.

But there is sheer artistry at work here. The colors, the lighting… look at the sun splash in the lower left limb of the planet, and the fans of ethereal mistiness shooting out from the rings. The shading on the planet itself is lovely, while the rings provide a geometric symmetry that is very appealing to the eye.

All this is necessary for the image to be the best, and together they may even be sufficient. But like all true winners, it has that extra addition, the over-the-top detail that pushes it into "all-time" status:

That dot in the center of 2^nd image is the Earth. It’s us. Cassini was nearly one billion miles from us when it took this image, orbiting a giant ball of gas as exotic and alien as any place we can imagine. From such a terribly removed location, the entire Earth is reduced to a single point of light, just one among an anonymous many as seen from our robotic proxy as our generation, for the first time in all of history, seeks out our neighborhood and takes a really good look.

That’s why this is the best astronomy image of 2006. And it’s one of the best of all time. For more info about the source of this picture click here