Tower of the Americas..

It's been nearly 1 year and 3 months in San Antonio and I have never been to Down town, River Walk or the Tower of America, one of few places to hangout in San Anto.





Yesterday went in San Macros with Kumar and today we decided to visit the Tower with Pannir's family.





Pannir and Palani had decided to go back India and wanted to visit few places along with us. Everything was planned, we are supposedly to visit the Tower and River Walk until the rain played a deciding factor.





Later evening, Sun brought some extra cheer to us and informed couple of others to make the plan reality. It was really good time to pass around 2-3 hours in that area.





We also have 4-D Ride to Texas show after visiting the Observation deck. Worth spending time to cheer up your dull Sunday..

Image taken from below site..

http://www.toweroftheamericas.com/

Today's Fortune from Orkut

Today's fortune:

You and your wife will be happy in your life together.

Vaithu eruchaala kelabran..Vellai vetti illamae..Orae illa streetu Road podran..

- Naren

Shopping in San Macros

Kumar Thangasamy working with me is about to leave India next week. Sriram, Kumar and me went to San Macros to do some shopping. I was little bit hesitate to make this trip, I know I am thrifty and I would definitely end up spending some money.

I could not refuse for the guy's call and made it. Before starting, we decided what to buy and where to buy so that we can wind up quickly. We planned well , Can you guess the outcome?

My expenses was 200 dollars, bought Watch for my Sister, Shirt, T- Shirt and trouser. The guy who wanted to shop spend less than us

It was a good day definitely not idle..

Naren :-)

Mocking Merry on ebay..

I was shocked to find this news item..

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18508427/?GT1=9951

A guy reportedly made a mock on the auction site ebay by posting his wife as the product for sale. People are still investigating whether it's a real ad or some one faked up. The Ad has been removed but it still exposes the cons of the web.

- Naren

Certification..

I completed the SAS Base Programming Certification for V9.0 yesterday. It was a good paper with 3 months of hands on experience. I postponed the exam twice because I did not get any books for these days. The Books are costly.

Lucky I got a SAS Application Guide of 1987 publication through ebay. This was helpful, I did revise this book and rest of the working experience helped to complete the exam.

I am planning to take the next exam too..Let us see how it goes..

- Naren

In the Mean Time..

Before getting on to the History book, I wanted to complete all the six books of Harry Potter.

So, I got a chance to complete the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone two days back.

I will get the next book tommorrow.

- Naren

Cricket World Cup 2011

General complaint about the World Cup Cricket in 2007 was boring, no exciting matches and the tournament was long. One more important reason is the ouster of India and Pakistan teams from the world cup. Both the countries are among the host nations for next world cup to be held in sub continent.

India is going to host 22 games, Pakistan 14 games, Sri Lanka 9 games and Bangladesh 6 games.
What would happen if any two teams out of four not qualified for the second level? Can we pull the same kind of crowd as it would be normally? But, we can assure it would definitely more than the response what we saw in Caribbean.

What about the safety and security measures? We did happen to see demolishing of player's house and threatens. I cannot imagine the headache of the police personnel.

But, even we analyze all the pros and cons, the advertising rights and money will answer all the questions to be raised.

- Naren

Current Readings..

Last week I took lot of books from library

1. Da Vinci Code Illustrated version - For Sriram
2. Digital fortress - For Mahesh
3. TinTin Comics - For everyone
4. Hour Game - For myself
5. The First Great Civilization - For myself

Finished the Hour Game and started reading the book about the old civilizations, just rekindling my history.

I would go to library today, to return back some DVDs taken for Lochana and will definitely get
"The Diary of Anne Frank". I wanted to get this book for long time but did not get a chance to read. Now, after seeing "Freedom Writers" movie, I wanted to read this.

-Naren

Freedom Writers..

I am watching a lot of movies lately..hell lot of movies..It would definitely average a day. I can't blame it. One more good thing, I have started to read books..Good Bad Comic anything now belongs to me.
Today I watched a movie named "Freedom Writers", it was good movie. It sort of senti which would suits me. Struggles and pain to success, not reminding Roark from Fountain Head.
But, It was a nice movie which made me to scribble a couple of words. Hillary Swank had really done a cool role and so does few of the kids in the movie. Nice work.
This is one great thing I admire, these people portrait the ordinary people as Hero for their heroical performance. Hats off..

100 Million IPods...Amazing..

100 Million iPods Sold



CUPERTINO, California—April 9, 2007—Apple® today announced that the 100 millionth iPod® has been sold, making the iPod the fastest selling music player in history. The first iPod was sold five and a half years ago, in November 2001, and since then Apple has introduced more than 10 new iPod models, including five generations of iPod, two generations of iPod mini, two generations of iPod nano and two generations of iPod shuffle. Along with iTunes® and the iTunes online music store, the iPod has transformed how tens of millions of music lovers acquire, manage and listen to their music.
“At this historic milestone, we want to thank music lovers everywhere for making iPod such an incredible success,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPod has helped millions of people around the world rekindle their passion for music, and we’re thrilled to be a part of that.”
“It’s hard to remember what I did before the iPod,” said Mary J. Blige, GRAMMY Award-winning singer. “iPod is more than just a music player, it’s an extension of your personality and a great way to take your favorite music with you everywhere you go.”
“Without the iPod, the digital music age would have been defined by files and folders instead of songs and albums,” said John Mayer, GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter and guitarist. “Though the medium of music has changed, the iPod experience has kept the spirit of what it means to be a music lover alive."
The iPod has also sparked an unprecedented ecosystem of over 4,000 accessories made specifically for the iPod that range from fashionable cases to speaker systems, and more than 70 percent of 2007-model US automobiles currently offer iPod connectivity.
“I take my running shoes and my iPod with me everywhere,” said Lance Armstrong, seven-time Tour de France champion. “I listen to music when I run. Having my music with me is really motivating.”
Every iPod features seamless integration with iTunes 7. The iTunes Store (http://www.itunes.com/) features the world’s largest catalog with over five million songs, 350 television shows and over 400 movies. The iTunes Store has sold over 2.5 billion songs, 50 million TV shows and over 1.3 million movies, making it the world’s most popular online music, TV and movie store.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and will enter the mobile phone market this year with its revolutionary iPhone.

PS: 100 million ipods includes my two IPODS too..

ROOM for what...

This was another interesting note, Job Control Language for Mainframe have some parameters which can instruct the Job to do certain intructions, we call JOBPARM. One of the options in the JOBPARM is ROOM or R means we can give the programmer's room number and after the job finishes the Spool output can be delivered to the concerned person. :-)

Two Goodbyes..

Two Good Byes within a week in Cricket World. Both did not ended in a sad note. It's a coincidence for Whoolmer. He is one who promoted the minnows and it had indirectly affected him. He should be happy for what he did and achieved.

So should Inzaman, Imran who brought up this man to international cricket would always rate higher than Sachin Tendulkar. It's sad to hear the same Imran, let his fury against Inzy for the dismal performance of Paki Cricket Team.

Both would be remembered for what they achieved. :-)

Image from cricinfo.com

Interesting Trivia...

Year 1981

1. Prince Charles got married
2. Liverpool crowned Champions of Europe
3. Australia lost the Ashes
4. Pope Died

1982 Football World Cup won by Italy
1983 Cricket World Cup won by India

Year 2005
1. Prince Charles got married
2. Liverpool crowned Champions of Europe
3. Australia lost the Ashes
4. Pope Died

2006 Football World Cup won by Italy.
2007 Cricket World Cup: INDIA ???

Good Moring Note!!

After moving to Ambattur-4 division, I made sure I would reach the office by 9:00 am or before. When you swipe into the building, it would give a nice feeling to smell the chillness in air and enjoy the mild darkness. I love this environment. Suddenly you would feel no one around to see you. When you keep your first step, the mercury lights would flash and suddenly all the lights present on your path would glow. Each and every step you proceed, light would glow one by one. I would feel every one wishing “Good Morning” even you could see it is empty. I would giggle myself and wish Good Morning. Check this when you happen to reach early and no one around there.

And wish Good Morning to Sameer who sits next to me. Nice bloke to chat with who spends with LOMA in his morning hours.

Place my bag, thank God to start another day at office and proceed with work.

Shan's take on Schumi.

I dont follow Formula 1 and all my friends will talk about the Grand Prix. And morning canteen talk would be about the previous formula races. The below one was written my friend Shanawaz when Schumi is about the F1 scene and they was lots of news, sorrow and disappointment spreading around because of his retirement. And read the below, it would give a different perspective of the Schumi Character..

PS: My take on MS. He was good and even great, But the title of the 'greatest ever' deserves a better human being!
its true schumacher has achieved so much. I have absolutely no problems with his driving skills. He has been a fantastic driver. But in sport, numbers dont reveal the full story and says nothing abt the man.

1. 1994 Season finale, Schumacher and Hill both in contention for the championships, Schumacher makes a mistake, goes off track and once he realises Hill is gonna overtake, he attempts to hit hill and take him out, successfully. Both retire and schumi wins championships 1994.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=oQC_LQI1Aiw

2. 1997 season finale and exactly the same incident. Bcos he got away in 1994, schumi tries the same thing in the last race and hits villeneuve. He crashes out whereas villeneuve, luckily goes on to win the championships.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=104PPJ3tpSg
I know such tactics existed in F1, but if you call somebody the greatest ever, the greatest ever in other sports dont win by hook or crook. They win by establishing their genius. Mohammed Ali didnot bite anybody's ears and thats why Mike tyson cannot become a Mohammed Ali

3. Schumacher's pass on Barrichello in Monaco 2005 when both were out of contention and fighting for 7 th and 8 th places. He makes a very risky overtakin move in the lastlap and makes uncharitable remarks after the race alluding to 'I am not here racing for fun, this is serious stuff'. Mind you, was Rubens Barrichello racing for fun when he was leading the race in Austria 2002 and ordered to slow down to let schumi pass him. Team orders do exist, but why should we call him the greatest ever if he needs the help of team orders. Atleast Barrichello had the decency to keep his mouth shut after the race.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=HI5Xp7GTJt4http://youtube.com/watch?v=v9gn0wvGHH4

4. Monaco this year ofcourse. It was very amusing to see a man with 90 championship wins and many other glittering numbers lose control of his car in such a funny fashion. Lose control? Ya right!!! His car is intact and the hoarding is intact and he loses control!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=uCJt9lGmxFM

5. Nothing sums things better than his reaction on the Imola podium in 1994. The race during which F1 lost another great driver, Ayrton Senna and another driver Roland Ratzenberger to tragic accidents. When the whole world was mourning, Schumi was pumping his fist after the race and was seen grinning on the podium. Yes his reaction was muted, but it was still disgraceful and disrespectful to the sentiments of others. Anyway grace is not what schumacher is known for,
http://youtube.com/watch?v=47ccbOpItCg
FYI Senna was leading schumacher when he crashed

6. Jus to put things to perspective about compassion and emotions, this is how Senna reacted when a fellow driver crashed. HE parked his car in the middle of the track and rushed to help him. It was incredibly stupid thing to do bcos an oncoming car wud have killed him, but at that instant, his stupidity didnot matter to him. All that mattered was a fellow driver's life and well being.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zZfd_7MQNLI
Yes yes.. there are a few tears going around MS is leaving. I can never summon enough respect for the man alongside legends like Mohammed Ali, Pele, Jordan, Sampras, Agassi, Tiger woods et al. He lacked that human touch and thats why I see all those messages going around in orkut saying 'bye bye schumi', I wonder how many ppl are aware of history and I cant get myself to be bothered. People have got their own choices and I respect it. But as far as i am concerned, I am more excited abt Kimi's arrival at ferrari than MS leaving. See you Michael, Micheal who?

Places with "Thiru"..

Today Ravi and I had lunch together. I was planning to have it alone and watch some sports obviously cricket Sri Lanka and India. And Ravi joined me when I was searching a place to have my food. When we were discussing about my place Triplicane, Ravi asked me why most of the towns in Tamil Nadu starts with “T’?

One of the “Why” kind of questions which was never thought about. I said to him that could probably because most of the towns start with “Thiru” and which ever town has a “thiru” they should be a temple in that. I stated some examples to him “Thiruvallikeni”, “Thirimylai”, ”Thiruvotriyur”, “Thiruchirapalli”.

Ravi was spot on and asked me then what is the real name for Madurai. Hmm..I thought about couple of Goddess temples in Tamil Nadu. Madurai and Kanya Kumari and both the places do not have “Thiru” in it. Probably no Goddess temples carry “Thiru” or “Thirumathi” with them. Don’t know why?

Little Void..

After joining AMB-4, practically I have started to have lunch and coffee alone. I am dragged to like the kind of void or emptiness within myself. I don’t belong to anyone kind of feeling. It was nice and great when you don’t have any kind of pressure personally as well as professionally. Now, now you should understand why I am enjoying. I am all alone in the current project and not much work. I was not able to sit without keeping my mind busy at work. So, I gathered couple of books to boost my technical knowledge. :-)

Now, Head Weight is Mandatory..

TN Government has made it mandatory for all motorcycle commuters to wear helmets. I think this is first of its kind rule in our country. The Neurosurgeons have welcomed the decision and told this ruling should reduce the number of cases admitted due to head injuries. Really appreciate this ruling. We are losing at least a colleague every year due to head injuries and in all cases the person did not wear helmet.

And for me, it is time to buy a helmet J

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/13/stories/2007021318590400.htm

My Current Readings..

The Fountain Head by Ayn Rand - I have heard lot of people talking about this book and after some search on net and stores in triplicane, I found this in my Office library (thats a cute little thing I would explain later). Gone through 100 pages of it, I am totally grabbed to it now. I could visualize the characters described in the book. Let me complete this, the due date is Feb 16th.

DB2 UDB Certification Exam 703 - I got this book exactly last year but did not even open the book, I need to travel back urgently. Now, here I am opened the book and planning to give the exam 23rd of this month. Wish me good luck guys..

My New Affair..

I am back to work and it’s been two weeks at office. My office has moved to Ambattur; I do like adventures and wanted to try out the Public transport. Luckily for me the bus starts from my place, if I could squeeze myself in and out I can grab a place even King Henry would not have had that satisfaction after grabbing his throne. It would be quite relaxing and entertaining an hour drive and another 200 foot will take to my office.

Men get easily bored of doing same thing. I wanted to try out the office bus thought at least traveling by office bus will bring the best discipline out of me.

I need to be there by 8:00 am at my bus stop and would start working from 9:00 am. Same would apply for travel back, start by 7:00 pm and taste my dinner by 8:30 pm. I love this; let me see how long this affair continues. :-)