Strange me!!!

Today morning I found I mean observed something strange out of me. As usual I was unsure of why I had this behavior. Is it some sort of over confidence? Or negligence or ignorance? Or any sort of lack in interest?
Whatever be the reason here is the reason which ignited the thought process.
It was a cloudy Monday morning of august. I didn't mean the weekend cloud, it was really monsoon cloud. I was in hurry to catch 7 40 bus once I got out of my appt at 7 30. After a walk of around 50 steps, a 50 bucks catches my intention on the corner of road. I was just couple of steps off from it. I could have easily picked up if I go a step towards my left. But I don't move even a single inch off my path and i continue toward bus stop. Bus came a bit late today and I was lost in thoughts why did I behave like that? It is definitely not like I am not interested in money. Just last night put a ground work for a budget of around 45k for a DSLR and 55-200mm lens for it.
It is not just me. Everybody goes thru this kind of puzzling behaviors of self. Sometimes we just back to think and most of the time we don't as it may not be worth thinking.

Oh!! I am already near MG road I don't have much time to sleep on the way to work.
Later. ......

Here is my first 436 megapixel panorama,

Goodbye my friend....

Hello 2009!!!

Yeah! time to say goodbye to one of the most happening year. The year that went almost in recession. It was the year full of surprises and it was a year for record books.
It was a roller coaster ride if you ask my personnel overlook at 2008. This was the year proved me wrong in many occasions and taught me the new reality. I had so many 'firsts' (so called) in my life during last 365 days. I was proved to be wrong in many of my judgments about people orientation. Some changes came in as a unfamiliar or unethical way, but some was surprisingly better. The illusion of some old memories came back strongly stressing themselves as nothing more than an "illusion". Overall it was a good educating year for me and shown a good direction about being realistic in future. Now I am confident, 'any illusions (may be years old) are just another stupid illusion'; no hard feelings about it...:)

Coming back to this small world, 2008 was a year better forgotten. The finance industry through out the world took a dangerous place in the jaws of recession. New bankruptcy, bailout and layoff news ruled the news papers columns. The economic giant (although worst effected by recession) USA gets the new young dynamic president to battle the recession. Terrorist activity increases throughout the world with Mumbai attacks retaining its highest rank. This initiates some new challenges infront of world peace makers.

On the other hand, it was one of the years which had maximum number of natural disasters. Global warming indicator reached new heighs. The 6 degree effect became 'terrifing factor' for the life on earth. Increasing number of storms, hurricanes, floods caused millions of victims.

2008 turned out to be one the years which world looks to forget. But it gave the opportunity to learn new things and warned the residents of this small planet earth to be prepared for anything that comes on their way.

Goodbye 2008....

I am feeling couple of years younger today!!

The day long cloudy weather busted some rain in late afternoon and later when rain stopped, it was completely foggy with wet surface all around.

I was sitting all alone at home (working) and had a 10% Barnes and Nobles discount coupon in my mailbox. I just realized the Barnes and Noble store right in front of my apartment complex. When I remember the starbucks counter, they generally have inside the store; there was no reason for staying back at home.
Within 10 mins I was inside the huge Barnes and Nobles store.
This was the perfect atmosphere that uses to be, while I spend hours in Crossword stores in Pune couple of years ago.
I had almost stopped buying books (visiting book stores in fact as I can't control myself if I visit) after coming to US. I had a tough time dispersing my collection of CD/DVD's and Books (mini library) while leaving Pune. So, I made a resolution of not to buy more than 5 books/year so that I can carry it wherever I go. But unfortunately I broke the resolution. I cant resist if I see any good book especially related to travel or photography; just like today I saw the book 'Long Way Down' in B&N. I just remembered the way I struggled to get the book 'Long Way Round' by same authors couple of years back in India; so bought it.
I am feeling refreshed after spending couple of hours in B & N with a midium starbucks white mocha ( my all time *$ favorite ) and getting a book I didn't expected to buy.

NASA - Unfurling

NASA - Unfurling

NASA - Mirror Images

Good One!! thought of sharing it here!!!

NASA - Mirror Images

Cars of future.....

Courtesy: article in msnbc.com dated 09/20/2008.

NASA - Ike Comes Ashore

Just got this e-mail from NASA News service. Look at this, it looks beautiful; but its dangerous and did a good amount of damage in southern Texas.

NASA - Ike Comes Ashore

Not so good!!!!

I always have a fraction of fear while taking a air journey, especially domestic through regional jet aircrafts. The reason may be the size and shape of aircrafts. These regional jets are small and thin body aircrafts with the tail mounted rolls-roys/general electric engines which eject around 8900 pounds of thrust and built by Embraer. As the weather being bad this year throughout the summer, it is become very common to have a bumpy ride en route. That is the major point makes me bit hesitant before choosing the air travel through these RJ's.

There is a peace of mind if you get to travel by either Boeing or Airbus aircrafts (Generally B737 family or A320 family), as it has a well recognized name in the aviation industry. Boeing 737 is one of the world’s most ordered aircraft even after 40 years of its first flight.

You got it right my intention if you have aviation safety tracking as your hobby. I am talking about the 4 incidents involving 737 family took place in one week, i.e. last week of august 2008 and a total of 5 incidents in 2008. The major one was Boeing 737-219- Itek Air Crash on 24th August leaving 65 fatalities. Two among 4 those crashes were of the airline which is banned by EU unions. That means, they are known to for not following the security standards set by commercial aviation industry.

Here are those 4 incidents.

What do you think? Am I forcing you to think ‘how safe am I?’ when flying next 737 flights?? No!!!! That’s not my intention. Don’t bother, when it comes to Boeing you are in safe hands. One of the most trusted aircraft manufacturer in the world. This is just a coincidence and doesn’t harm the aircrafts image as largest flying medium sized aircraft. So, don’t bother fly ‘BINDAS’!!!!!

Another Update:

Just 5 days after my post, yet another 737-500 goes down near russia. No clues of why it happened yet. Aviation-safety.net says " Radio contact was lost during approach at 3,600 feet. Wreckage was later found in a ravine near Perm city limits." It leaves behind all 88+6 fatalities. Is it another Flight 427??? We have to wait for investigation reports. This is definitely not so good!!!!

Its monday morning!!!

Yet to have a cup of tea.. How can one imagine start working? Definately not. So thought of giving words to a serious thought that sparked on my way to office by looking at a signboard.

Let me grab a tea and come to the signboard now. The world is on the curb of fuel crisis since past several months. Since then, it gave opportunity to a new trend of marketing; "buy xyz product, you could be the lucky to win a year of gas for free". Several motor companies announced the fuel price gaurantee for 3 years of their vehicle purchase. Its like a fuel insurance. Please make a note, this kind of offers comes from a brand which is known for making gas sucking vehicles. The signboard I saw today was also the same which stated 'come and win a supply of gas for full year'. It was a add posted by a local Casino company.

The moment I saw this add, I started thinking of all the adds I saw in past regarding the topic. Is this the solution for increasng fuel price? does it solve the problem permanently for even the person who is lucky enough to win the prize? If the answer is yes, then rest of this article goes no where. Else, my thought is why dont these companies spend this money towards the research of an better alternate? I have not seen any single add of these companies who said I am taking any steps towards shaping up the future or I am ready for the future without natural oil. I do agree there are some maor companies who are coming up with technologies like hybrid, hydrogen fuel etc. But those are not reachable for a common man even in progressed countries like USA.

The major point I wanted say in this discussion was; to be frank and be ready to welcome the future with full of crisis rather than using the issues just as marketing tac-tics. This should be the work of direction for at least major auto makers and consumer companies. When they can do so much to serve the customer pleasure, why cant a few proportion to build a better tomorrow? Its their tomorrows business; long drive on a Porsche is no more pleasure after paying more than a dollar to drive a mile.

Its just my thought.. think on it and share your views.

--Prashant