Good bye 2008...

Its time to wave hand to 2008, and look forward to the coming year. Its always good to see the past and set goal for future... so lets begin Best and Worst of 2008 for ME! (It dose include some of the old stuff that I have used in 2008 again).

LIFE: Sometimes on top sometimes at bottom, but had a great time on this See-Saw called life!
Looks: First time ever with french beard for more then 7 months of the year, and finally back to the regular looks... loosed some extra pounds... then again gained few extra pounds...
Man with the Brand: First time ever in my life I know names of at least 30 brands, and using some so-called branded products (Uncle Sam effects)!!!
Language: Still survived out of the fake accent...
Movie Continuum: Continued my trek record of 5 movie per week and took it to another level on the mid of year... but finally down to 5 mpw. Started spending some $$ on theaters, but still a big fan of some of the social service websites ;-)
Movie of the Year: A Wednesday, No Country of Old Man
On the wings of Songs: Listening some of the great songs of all times...
Song of the Year: Jaane Kya Chahe Mann... (Pyar ke side effects) and Bawara Mann... (hazaroon kwahishein aisi)
Song of 2008: If today was your last day- Nickleback (Dark Horse)
Video of 2008: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmJccJW_t0w
Director: Neeraj Pandey

Actor: Heath Ledger
Singer: Kalish Kher
Crush: Aditi (Jaane Tu... Jaane Na), first crush ever!!!

Dialogue: Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn...
Month: June
Day: Nov 1st, 2008
Moment: Some time in summer... driving back from Khajarana to Celebration on MG road
Trip of the Year: I-N-D-I-A (yippi!!)
Pastime: Online History and Discovery Channel Documentary
Achievements: President: CAI, Site Leader: ASB, Publicity and Programming: GPC
Go Crazy: Devil's Ice Box, Colorado-Utah, Cumberland Island- GA
Craziest Thing: 1. Drove from 00:00 AM to 10:00 AM non-stop covering 680 miles and three states... 2. Spent a whole day under earth exploring caves in Devil's Ice Box
Drink: Vault (no alcohols please :D)
SMS: ...miss you too!
Website: urbandictionary, ovguide, fpgacentral
Restaurant: Olive Gardens
Person: ...
Public Figure: Barack Obama
Book: Bhagvat Gita by Eknath Easwaran (once again)
Quote of the Year: "...and now i knw wat i have to do, as i am clear abt wat u r thinking"
Quote: "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take; but by the moments that take our breath away..."
Worst Experience: ... :)
Worst Person: ... :)
The Best of Me: Did what I wanted to do... except studies :(
The Worst of Me: 1. Bad management of research work... 2. Still keeping the fire inside... and lot more!

A Childhood Dream...

Year 1996: A middle class student from Indore, India heard about Internet.
Year 1998: He used Internet for first time.
Year 1999: He got to know about some 2k virus, this name really fascinated him and he created his email address including this '2k' word in his very first ID, and still he is using this email address.
Year 2000: His interest in this field made him learn more about this 'i' thing and he dreamed about website designing and having a website on his own name.
Year 2001-2007: Never got chance to learn about web designing and related stuff.
Year 2007-2008: Just started web-designing as part time hobby and still learning till date

His very first work (just for maintaining and managing for an year)- http://web.missouri.edu/~umcmedmayur/tarang/main.htm
Then- http://www.vmth.missouri.edu/lco/index.htm
... and now finally his very first website, which he is still working on to make it better with his own work (this time it is just Microsoft template)- http://anoopjain.com/default.aspx

This non-professional guy has created a semi-professional website with most of the section devoted to his studies and research, but still 'My Space' section is worth giving a try!

Frustrated...

Some of the recent headlines-
1. Condoleezza Rice visited India, Pakistan to assure peace in the South Asia
2. Pranab Mukharjee had a talk with his Chinese counterpart over the issue...
3. Foreign minister of Saudi Arabia visited India
...and then finally here comes the biggies-
4. India tone down war talk!
5. We will declare war if any other attack took place in 'future'- Pranab Mukhaejee

Conclusion- Dearest leaders of my country have worn bangles, they are seriously suffering from short sightedness, they are weak in their foreign policies and strategy management.

I know, in this globalized world its really hard to survive alone and withstand the global pressure from some countries those direct (or I'd say dictate) the world, but still I have very simple question to ask- 'Do we have some self respect?'. We have got a very good chance to end this age long problem of India... and we wasted it foolishly. I am surprised that we are from the country where people like Kautilya (Chanakya) who was the forefather of the Nitishastra were born. I am frustrated listening to these so called 'hard' statements, and seeing these boneless creatures ruling the largest democracy in the world.

Ghajini... lets change the mood

Its been a long time since we have seen some good action movie is Indian Cinema, I think the wait is over with Ghajini. It was the time of 90's when the action movies were at the prime spot of the Indian cinema with the action icons like Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, Ajay Devgan etc. After that this place was well taken by new stream of comedy and light entertainment cinema. After the success of Ghajini, I think this time will come back. I was happy to see the recent trends in Indian Cinema and some really good story lines and different trends in the cinema, with the release of Ghajini I see some changes in the forth coming newline cinema.

Well, bringing back my thoughts on the track of my review of this movie, Amir Khan movie never needs any review in terms of acting and technical aspect. I would see, it was a really nice movie and keep you going with its fast pace, a well written story and wonderful screen play. I must admit that its hard to digest three hours movie these days, and there was enough room to cut the size of the movie by 30 min. with cut in the songs and some of the scenes, but still it never feel like a burden for a hardcore 'desi' fan. The background score of the movie looks like a part of the movie. The screen play and story is just well written (or copied) in the movie and the love story and the action in the movie just complement each other.

Winter, Library, and Interest

Its winter time, after a long time I have seen such a gloomy weather with dark clouds for almost a week. I really didn't remember when I have seen temperature above zero and had a walk around campus without tons of clothing. The only good place these days is library, where its really hard to see signs of species called human. Its so calm and serene there that I am spending almost whole day there, working on my research and also searching some new documentaries on Internet. In last couple of days, I have seen some really good documentaries that all started with my curiosity about 23 December 2012 (the day that is supposed to be doomsday and end of human civilization). I started with Mayan civilization from Mexico and then hippie inside me forced me to learn about this civilization and myths. It was surprising for my to know that these guys have built thousands of pyramids which are much better then that of the world famous pyramids which exists in a small numbers.

Then I came back to the original topic of doomsday and got to know about a book, which is known as the lost book of Nostradamus. This book has really interesting prophecies about a lot of the recent activities and also mention about the doomsday. I was lucky enough to find a documentary about this book, which, indeed turn out to be a great documentary. After reading about all these, I went back to my all time favorite topic 'UFO and Aliens', but didn't got anything interesting or worth sharing here on this blog (though you can ask me any question in this field). Finally, this evening I picked up a new topic- 'Secret Societies' , today I have seen a documentary by History channel which was just an introduction to some of the most famous societies and rumors about them. Probably, in next couple of week I am going to explore the available details available on this topic...

Time...

I was talking to a good friend of mine after a long break of about two and half years. Just realized after talking to that friend, how time pass by leaving us behind with the some remains of the past. It has been a long time talking to some good old people, whom you left behind trying to walk with life or getting busy with some other stuff. It was a great experience knowing that sometime some good memories left with you and bad memories vanish with time, may be it is a great remedy or a great reminder.

The Dark Sky...

The sky is looking dark and dawn is not the soothing as it used to be, the moon has suddenly gone behind the dark and lightening clouds. Some known faces are missing in this crowd, and some voices have lost their virtue. I don't know whats wrong or missing, but there is someone or something that I am searching for, but still not sure that it is just a mirage or the true source. The alchemist is still confused and waiting for the whisper in the wind that has always had the prophecy of a new direction and a new world, where he will find that 'something' or 'someone'...

I Quit!

Finally, I told her, " I am not very comfortable working here, specially there is not much to do for me, I would love to work as volunteer instead. I am quitting this position."

Now, I am no more GRA (Graduate Research Assistant), sometime my heart speak over the mind and this was a great example of that. Specially after knowing that the other position (Research Assistant) is going to end next week and there is no other source of income. Sometime, some things and some people are so over your mind that you start making some weird decisions. Hopefully, this will not counted as one of those great decisions.

Dare to dream with open eyes... the daily updates

We always have some dreams in our life, when dreams were seen in night we usually forgot them or just ignore them, but there is yet another category the dreams seen with open eyes. These have power to convert them into reality and they are more realistic. Dreams seen by Abdul Kalam, Nelson Mandela, Mt. Gandhi are some of the examples of these dreams. Some days back, I read these lines in some news paper- " Dreams are not what you have when you sleep, dreams are those that don't let you sleep". Go for your dreams in life... just go and get it!

Updates- Its snowing heavily outside, the very first snow of the season with some late night thunderstorm warnings. Just coming back from my first snow walk of this season, its always great to welcome the first snow of the season by being a part of it, specially when the freezing air is touching your soul (this time it was close to -10'c). Being a part of the nature always brings you close to yourself and give some eternal memories to cherish.

Screaming from Inside

Screaming from Inside

For all those days and nights,
For all those lows and highs,
I have been calm and composed outside,
Though screaming inside...

Never complained, never said a word,
Never showed my frustration,
Was waiting for few signs,
Though screaming inside...

Of all those sleepless nights,
Of all those doomed days,
Calling out of heart,
Though screaming inside...

Waiting for that miracle,
Waiting for that dream to come true,
Waiting to see heyday of my life,
Still, screaming inside...


-anoop

Ek Saathi Aur Bhi Tha...

एक साथी और भी था

चलते चलते क्यों भूल जाते हो,
अपनी जिंदगी में य़ू डूब जाते हो,
की याद नहीं रहता तुम्हे,
एक साथी और भी था...

साथ चले थे, साथ बढ़े थे,
मंजिल एक थी, रस्ते अलग थे,
फिर भी सोचा न था की भूल जाओगे,
की एक साथी और भी था...

रुका रहा वो तुम्हारे लिए,
देख रहा था रह तुम्हारी,
आओगे शायद तुम लौट कर,
वो ऐसा... एक साथी और भी था...

अब इंतज़ार और नहीं होता,
नयी मंजिलें बुला रही है,
नयी दुनिया खड़ी है सामने,
फिर भी रुका हुआ हूँ मैं,
वो एक साथी मैं ही था...

-अनूप

Confused

Sometimes you are so confused that you are not even able to understand yourself. In a single day you have several moods that make you go crazy. Since morning I had mood of joy, excitement, then started feeling down then missing something and then feeling like sleeping (which is very unusual for me) then had some anger from inside... it’s just 4:00 PM and still a lot of time left for this day to be over.

In past two years in US, I have meet several people and analyzed their behavior. Its really amazing to know that how two people with the same background, who have same thinking have so different approach towards life. How they react very differently to a same situation and how the communicate with each other. On the other hand some people with very different thinking and background can mingle with each other so easily. I have seen some people who claim to be best friends separate their ways with some small issues and some people in acquiesces show a great level of understanding as if they know each other for a long time... Life is so simple but so confusing... :)

Pray for me brother... A.R. Rahman

Wonderful lyrics by Blaaze.. A.R. Rahman

Pray for me brother
Pray for me brother
Pray for me sister
Are you searchin’….
Pray for me brother

Lookin’ for the answers To all the questions In my life
Will I be alone Will you be there By my side
Is it something he said Is it something he did
I wonder why He is searchin’ For the answers
To stay alive

Could you ever listen Could you ever care
To speak your mind
Only for a minute For only one moment
In time

The joy is around us But show me the love
That we must find
Are you searchin’ For a reason to be kind, to be kind…
He said… Pray for me brother

Pray for me brother Pray for me sister
Pray for me brother

Say what you wanna say now
But keep your hearts open
Be what you wanna be now
Let’s heal the confusion
Pray for me brother

Don’t let me take When you don’t wanna give
Don’t be afraid Just let me live
Don’t let me take When you don’t wanna give
Don’t be afraid Say what you wanna say now
But keep your hearts open

Be what you wanna be now Let’s heal the confusion
Pray for me brother Pray for me brother
I’m ashamed ah, brother be dying of poverty
when he down on his knees its only then he prays
And it’s a shame ah, brother be dying of ignorance
cos the world is a trip and everybody’s a hypocrite
Need to stop ah , taking a look at the other
I’m not ashamed of poverty
need to be making his life better
So think about it, think about it once more
cos life is a blessing and it’s not justa show, ah
Round and round the world is spinning around

We need to be singing a prayer, we need to be singing it now
Round and round the world is turning around
We need to be singing a prayer, we need to be singing it now
Need to be feeling the power, need to be feeling the faith
We need to coming together just to win this race

Need to be feeling the power, need to be feeling the faith
We need to coming together just to win this race (twice)
Are you searching for a reason to be kind ?

Lets go together...

After a long time we are fighting for some worthy cause, but with what I see from here in United States reading newspapers and watching channels, there still a big chunk of people missing. Looking at the crowd at Gateway of India, Jantar-Mantar, Bangalore, Pune, and other places and looking at the words of wisdom written on the posters I could easily make out that its all educated people, people from offices, colleges, and schools (which is good in a way). But we need to take care that we should not forget the people from other part of society those who work on hotels, restaurants, and daily wedges. These are the people who are major contributors in the voting system of India, unfortunately they make their decision over night based on who is paying for their drink a night before the election or who is paying them mere 10-20 rupees. Lets put some efforts to bring them into this revolution, or else we may probably face similar leaders again.

Colorado and Utah... the way I see it!

Unite we stand

Its been a week since attack on Mumbai, yesterday I have noticed an unusual thing in the whole country, people from all over the country have joined the solitary and peace march in Mumbai. It was a crowd of more then 50,000 people there at gateway of India and they all were protesting on the theme 'enough is enough'. Its very unusual to see people talking intelligently and logically about issues related to recent terrorist attack. The similar peace march and candle vigil was held in the different cities all over the nation, it was good to see that South India also actively supported including cities like Banglore, Channai, Hydrabad and many more. Before this attack, the general mentality of people of these cities was 'let it be', but now it is changing to 'its us'. Hope this unity will stay longer and together we can again prove the world that we are the best! amen

Stunned... anger... and humiliation

I was out of blogging for last week, just reading the news and stories across the world about the latest terrorist attack in Mumbai. It was Wednesday afternoon when I came back from my road trip and welcomed with the information that Mumbai is under terror and couple of hotels and VT station has been attacked by some son of the b*****s. After this attack I was following the reactions and statements on some news channels and analyzing with my perception to it-

1. People (Aam Janta)- These attack again proved that no one is safe in the country, it was totally ridicules that some 10 people come into industrial capital of a country with ammunition in their hand and start playing with their life. We are angry, we are stunned and we are feeling humiliated with all that happened.

2. Politicians- Hates off the these people, I must say that they really know whats going in the mind of people. For the first time I have seen these people running away from media and expressing their reaction to people. But, I am very sure that soon they will try to make it political issue to get some votes and that all!!! Accept it or not, these guys sitting in the parliament have no guts to deal with these situation and take proper action in time. Our country is in the hand of a bunch of most corrupt, useless, and shameless people sitting in both the houses and all they know is to talk, making issues out of no where and keep overlooking the real problems existing in the country. My very simple question is what is the point in sending rockets to moon and space and showing off in front of world when you are not even able to save ourselves.

3. Intelligence- Unlike others, I am most pissed off at the intelligence agencies of your country. They didn't have even a mere hint of the planning that was going on from past six months. What is the point of spending millions of rupees on RAW and IB specially when the top officials of these agencies are busy in recruiting their relatives and playing politics in the agency rather then doing what they are suppose to do? The fact is this is not the RAW of Indira Gandhi era, its the time to reform the whole intelligence system.

4. Police and coastal security- If you go to the coastal area of the country and talk to a fisherman there, he will be able to tell you the truth. These guys appointed there are completely sold out, you can bring anything to this country if you have some bucks in your pockets. These guys are so busy in collecting money by these means that they can't even see a boat coming in with bunch of people carrying A.K. 47 and hand grenade. I did heard some time back that some local fishermen went to Colaba police station with the information some suspected people in the area, and all they got in return is kicked off from the police station.

5. Army, NSG, and NEVY- The only sigh of relief in the whole crises is an assurance from these security agencies that they are still out of rust and know their responsibilities. I am really amazed and impressed by the way that have carried out the operation and saved some lives. I can understand the complicacy involved and time taken by them. I salute these true heroes of the nation and my deepest gratitude to these guys. I also pay my tribute to the men those who have lost their lives in this operation.
At the same time I am feeling ashamed of people like Achuthanandan’s whose remarks directed at the family of Major Unnikrishna. Its the time to expose these people and give them proper response.

6. Pakistan- Here I am talking about the mass of Pakistan, not about some of the intelligent pakies. On Thursday I saw a footage from Karachi where Pakistanies are protesting against Indian government for allegations against Pakistan government. I saw some video clippings from a pakistani television channel, where a mulla was blasting India and saying that this is the plan of Indian government in order to get world sympathy and make Pakistan look like a terrorist country (my dear friend, you are a terrorist country). I never had any hard feeling against people of that country, but by looking at these reactions from our neighbors, I must say that its time to whip their a**, with all apologies to those few Pakistanies brothers and sisters (friends you are just a run of the mill).

7. World- There were some strong reactions at local level, but overall everyone has done the formality. The surprising one was China as I have not seen even that formality from these guys (or may be I missed it).

For all guys sitting in Delhi, I just want to say 'we need to clean our own home, don't expect that someone from other corner of the world will come to aid you'.