Weekend Action

Well there is always something interesting happening over weekends. For instance, the latest fad I’ve discovered is DVD “archiving” if you know what I mean ;)

Well to make things a little more clear, I have been learning all there is to know about DVD media and creating DVD backups of movies, audio, data and software.

The first stop was to own a respectable DVD writer so I chose the best there was in the market (check the confidence I’ve shown in that sentence – its all because the best there is costs under a hundred bucks ;)). The best part is that writers today come with dual layer DVD writing support that really helps either copying DVD movies that are dual layer or saving nearly 2 DVD’s in the space that would allow just one.

Next stop was the software that helps write the DVD’s. Here, Nero and Roxio Easy Creator 7.5 are the best that are available. So as long as the movies are not encrypted, I could now make legal backups of movies. Songs and software were as easy as they come ;)

There are software’s that help you decrypt CSS titles as well, but I won’t delve into that for obvious reasons. The web is big and free and is open to discovery!

The other thing that dominated proceedings this weekend was the immense hair loss I’ve been having of late. There’s hair, hair everywhere!

Apparently I’ve three alternatives: Do something about it, Lose it and keep smiling, Go for the bald look before I actually look bald! (If you thought I would have quoted medicine names, you don’t know me well yet ;). I have kept the last option till a little later when my tennis is pro-quality which might take a few centuries. The penultimate one is something I would never do- ok the smiling bit is me all the way, but that’s carrying things a bit too far. As far as the first option; after trying numerous things like mud from a pig sty, the urine of a desert scorpion, and a medicine prepared out of a hummingbirds dandruff, I’ve decided I will try one last thing. Duh, how can I tell you before I try it. So shut that gaping mouth and wait till I reach a conclusion. Give me some more time, okay?! The things I tell ya….

Hmm… I am also into quality music of late. Please, not in terms of award nominees and such! I was talking purely about the quality of recorded sound. Digitally. I’ve discovered the best that digital can play. Its AAC 192kbps. There is no need for anything more. Its essentially MPEG4. The format of the future and as expected the format Itunes is pushing people to use. If only they listened. The sad part is that music originally coded into MP3 from CD audio when converted into AAC will not benefit much since the data has already been deteriorated. Though you will find a drastic reduction in file size without loss in audio quality one-on-one. So either way it helps.

Unfortunately, except for Ipods, very few other players actually support this format. And most of the world has all their sound recorded in MP3. MP3 at highest qualities is also good, there is no doubt there; but takes far bit of extra space. So it’s a simple decision to convert to an AAC 192kbps for any future imports to ensure that you get the very best audio that there is!

The times they are a changin'

The weather is getting cooler quicker than expected. When I had arrived here, it used to be nice warm sunshine till around 8:20 in the evening. Felt like there was so much we could do. But quite abruptly, the evenings are darker by 7pm. It’s funny how the presence of sunlight in the evenings can impact the way we think and act. You feel more alive, more cheerful and gung-ho when it comes to going back home when there’s still some daylight. As if there’s a whole lot of things you can set out to achieve. And the funny part is that the body is fooled into doing more than it actually can! Tells a lot of how much our mind can impact our body.

Airline Drama

A wednesday that had it all! An airline that’s taken off with a large number of people has its nose wheels stuck and is attempting a forced landing at LA airport. Chances of a safe landing– nigh impossible. A possible worst-case scenario expected.

I can only think of the chances that those people in the aircraft might have thought they had. With live television showing exactly horrific details of how their end might come!

It’s a miracle that the landing was so well done. The piloting skills top class. The technical check extremely poor.

Examples that miracles still take place on a day to day basis. An event that renews your faith in God above. And a scorching reminder of the fragileness that life constitutes.

The Lone Leaf

Shiva's Masterstroke. I just dont know how he did it - capturing this amazing piece of art! Shiva lives in Denmark and is a close friend.

A solitary leaf with its veins and
green. Like an echo for the lonely heart. You know it
feels like its saying, "its ok to be alone - you're
always in good green company" as suggested by the dim
fuzzy background of its family members that contrasts
against its super sharpness. Its like a coming of age.

My Stay in Los Angeles

The hotel had it all! It was a sweet small place - a home away from home. When you touch down with the extra baggage called jet lag, what better way to start things off than getting into a place that makes you feel immediately comfy. This was one of those places.
I have since moved into an apartment but this snap leaves me feeling good just thinking of the cosy-ness that place had.

On Afternoon Siestas

The sonorous strains of time that resonate from an old grandfathers clock fill the chambers of my mind. It’s the time where I fight my biggest battles. Its close to 2:30pm where the mind loses to the body. Sleep is all-encompassing. The fight is futile. The resistance meek. The resistance once consisted of doses of caffeine, Lift-off, hot water, general time-wasting chats with friends and pursuing of a hobby. The resistance continues to fail. What is it about the noon hour that makes the mind numb, the senses weak, and the lids heavy? Is it the food we take, the body clock, the weather, the demands of the body, or simply the boredom? Questions as deep as life itself. But I can wait for the answers – till I wake up!