Kanwar's Chronicles.

Last Post

2011-08-21T23:24:00.000+05:30

This will be the final post on my blog. It's about time I move on to something a little more. Kanwars.com will still be there. I might convert it into a small site on photography or my clinic's website later on. One way or the other.

I'll still post here and there on ManipalBlog.com for now.

Adios Everyone.

K.S.

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance Trailer

2011-08-20T14:42:00.000+05:30

Like the last one, the trailer looks decent...but I really hope that's where the similarities end. The last one rubbish of the best caliber. What a waste. Maybe, just maybe they do a half decent movie this time. Here's keeping the finger's crossed!

K.S.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes: Review: 6/10

2011-08-17T22:00:00.002+05:30

Synopsis: An origin story set in present day San Francisco, where man's own experiments with genetic engineering lead to the development of intelligence in apes and the onset of a war for supremacy. IMDB

What's Good: What a fabulous movie for the 100 out of the 105 minutes. I'd given it an 7 - 8 till 100. Honestly. Andy Serkis was amazing as Caesar. The portrayal of Caesar had been given the right amount of depth with the development. It was perfect. John Lithgow as the Alzheimer affected father. Great acting. But the best part was that this movie wasn't focused on humans, it was on the apes.

What's Bad: The acting was sub par to put it mildly from James Franco and the awful Freida Pinto with the horrible fake accent. Malfoy's Tom Felton is back, doing the same type of role he's been known for 10 years. Seriously bud, you were pathetic in that, maybe you should try a change for now.

But what really killed the movie? The last 5 min. The ending was one of the biggest let downs ever. It was just done to a level where you're like that's it? All that for the past hour, all that revolution was for this? I'm confused. Yea it was like a morsel of food that leaves a very bad taste in your mouth after you've chewed and swallowed it.

End Note: Worth the watch by far for the first 100 min and for the portrayal of Caesar.

Kanwar's Reflections

2011-08-13T12:26:00.000+05:30

Started updating my facebook page

about time though. Guess it's easier this way to share my pics. Take a look!

K.S.

Kanwars.com is online!

2011-08-11T15:06:00.000+05:30

It's about time I figured this out. Actually maybe I should say that it's about time I stopped being lazy. But nonetheless, here it is, www.kanwars.com.

I'm considering perhaps doing the writing on ManipalBlog.com as I do already and make this into my blog for photography. Trying to figure things out, or I might make another blog on Blogger or Wordpress and integrate that. For now though everything remains the same.

Harold and Kumar a 3D Christmas

2011-08-11T12:24:00.001+05:30

I loved the first one, the 2nd was alright, let's see how this is. Synopsis:

The new "Harold & Kumar" comedy picks up six years after the duo's last adventure. After years of growing apart, Harold Lee (John Cho) and Kumar Patel (Kal Penn) have replaced each other with new friends and are preparing for their respective Yuletide celebrations. But when a mysterious package mistakenly arrives at Kumar's door on Christmas Eve, his attempt to redirect it to Harold's house ends with the "high grade" contents—and Harold's father-in-law's prize Christmas tree— going up in smoke. With his in-laws out of the house for the day, Harold decides to cover his tracks, rather than come clean. Reluctantly embarking on another ill-advised journey with Kumar through New York City, their search for the perfect replacement tree almost blows Christmas Eve sky high.

Wow..that a lot. The trailer

Interesting eh. Looks just a ridiculous as it should be. I'm gonna be in line for this one for sure!

K.S.

Catwoman on the Batpod! Dark Knight Rises

2011-08-05T20:41:00.004+05:30

her stunt double here.

Man of Steel (2013): First Peak!

2011-08-05T11:18:00.002+05:30

To be released June 14th, 2013. I love the starring of everyone except the dude in the "S" for now. Henry Cavill. Amy Adams as Lois Lane and Laurence Fishburne as the Daily Planet's editor-in-chief. Diane Lane and Kevin Costner play Clark's adoptive Earth parents, Martha and John Kent.

Jor-El, by Russell Crowe, Look for Michael Shannon as General Zod.

Just an FYI. Looking forward to it, without the excitement I've got for The Dark Knight Rises.

K.S.

A Report on Manipal

2011-08-04T23:03:00.000+05:30

Just a snippet of what I posted on ManipalBlog.com yesterday.

WHAT’S GOOD:
Educational and Student facilities* Fantastic to put it mildlyo From the clinical and practical labs, the class rooms, actual clinics, the Anatomy museum and the central library. There is no question that with regards to educational facilities Manipal ranks among one of the best in the country and possibly have a say worldwide. Considering that it’s regarded as the top dental college in country for another year in row should say volumes.

WHAT’S NOT SO GOOD:
In Manipal University:
1. Treating University going students like pre-teens. Controlling every aspect of their life. a. Dress Codes (justifiable)b. Imposing ridiculous curfews of 1145 PM as the last time to get back in the residences.

You'll have to go here for the full post.

Let me know your views!

K.S.

Captain America: The First Avenger Review (7.5/10)

2011-08-01T00:17:00.000+05:30

Synopsis: After being deemed unfit for military service, Steve Rogers volunteers for a top secret research project that turns him into Captain America, a superhero dedicated to defending America's ideals. IMDB

What's Good: It so well done. Chris Evans does a great job. He fits the role perfectly. Blending the line between being a as he puts it a little guy from Boston thrown into Superheroism. In what could've been a one dimensional role. He gives off the calm, level headed, relaxed and serious look that Captain America is known for, something that is a far cry from The Human Torch.

I've been a fan of Hugo Weaving since The Matrix and he doesn't disappoint here either. What I really liked here was the CGI for the Red Skull. Wow. What a perfect recreation. The lair of the Reg Skull, amazing. So futuristic and laden with designs (keeping the time in mind). I kept thinking of in Justice League when Vandal Savage took over and changed history with his time machine. The weapons looks so similar. An even better was the grafting of Chris Evans head on Leander Neely to give him the skinny, tiny look. Hayley Atwell as the only female protagonist was mostly as a fill in role (even in the comics) but fill's it just about right. Nothing exceptional. Tommy Lee Jones even in a small role, takes over every time he's on the screen.

The final ending with a teaser for The Avengers next year, oh yea! It like a straight copy from Ultimate Avengers Animation movie. Awesome ending.

It wasn't a rush of a movie, but it was moving along at a pace that wouldn't let you leave but at the same time wouldn't make you grip your seats. Thankfully they didn't use so much CGI that would take away from the movie. It was enough just not too much.

What's No so good: It wasn't as gripping as it could've been. The scenes of him taking over enemy forces could've been dramatized a little more. I guess if anything it was missing some real good action sequences.

End Note: Old school awesome, almost the perfect mix of humor / action / humanity / seen in a superhero movie. Not laden with BS CGI like every movie nowadays. (The one who made Green Lantern should be fired). Great watch. Can't wait for the Blue Ray to come out.

K.S.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011) Review: 8 / 10

2011-07-24T19:58:00.000+05:30

Synopsis: The trio of Potter, Weasley and Hermione continue their search for Voldemort's remaning Horcruxes to destroy the dark lord once and for all.

What's Good: It was riveting from the beginning to the end. A perfect sequel to the previous. A battle scale so grand it would put the previous 7 movies to shame. This was till the end a movie based strongly for and about the characters. You'll have to know the details of every past movie (book) till date to fully comprehend the finale which is justifiable.

I had stopped doing this but a small mention is required. Daniel Radcliffe really pulls it together for this film. The eyes tell all and he saved his best for last. Emma Watson and Rupert Grint reached their pinacle in the 6 or 7th movie and haven't really achieved anything further. Still great for the role.

But the one that takes the cake here besides J. K. Rowling for the story is the direction. It was fantastic. A great story, moving along at a steady just right pace all throughout and the little sprinkling of laughs scattered throughout the movie. The emotional content and the richness of the characters and most of all the twists and turns will keep you spell bound. I'm not a fan of the ending though I know it's the perfect one for the movie. With those 5 min the whole series came a full circle.

What's Bad: The fact that it didn't leave a lasting impression. When I walked out of the movie my first thoughts were "It was a fantastic movie...but.. That "BUT" came in between. I'm honestly at a bit of a loss trying to figure out why that "but" is there. It was riveting but it just wasn't lasting. I've got a feeling it was that the final battle between Voldemort and Potter wasn't as "epic" as it should've been. It was a sizzle when it should've been a full blown forest fire. Yea that sounds about right. The climax just wasn't climatic enough to justify 10 years of waiting.

End Note: The best of the 8 Harry Potter movies no doubt. It's a spectacle to behold and watch. A fantastic ending to one of the best set of sequels ever made in Hollywood. Watch 3D if you can. I'm gonna get the Blue Ray once it arrives.

K.S.

The Amazing Spiderman: 2011 (Trailer)

2011-07-21T19:21:00.001+05:30

Didn't even know this was coming out. I'm quite surprised. But the trailer looks slightly promising. Though where is the hot red head? They seem to be going into the original story line with Gwen Sta and Peter Parker. Something about his power development in high school. I'm already seeing the Green Goblin story line in this which hopefully they do a better job.

Though I must say I love the casting of Andrew Garfield in this (of Social Network and Boy A Fame) and Emma Stone in a Blonde Avatar. It almost looks a tad darker then the earlier film which might be a good thing. Though all they are doing is redoing the same one with a change of cast and change of character from Mary Jane to Emma Stone.

I just hope they don't do a piss poor job with the script and characters as they did in the previous three movies. Please for the love of anything..

Anyway check out the trailer

K.S.

Conan The Barbarian (2011) RedBand Trailer...

2011-07-20T00:06:00.000+05:30

There is no better way to put this...Fuck this looks good. I sincerely wish they have more scenes with this kid. He looks like the ideal Conan as a kid. No mercy, raw, perfection. Unlike the adult version of Conan by Jason Momoa who looks like he needs a few barbies to play with still.

For the first time since I've watched the trailers, for this kid I'd go watch it. Wait I would've watched it no matter what, but because of this ONE trailer, I might actually look forward to it now.

K.S.

Bad Teacher: 7/10

2011-07-19T06:56:00.000+05:30

Synopsis: A comedy centered around a foul-mouthed, junior high teacher who, after being dumped by her sugar daddy, begins to woo a colleague -- a move that pits her against a well-loved teacher.

Read more »

Dark Knight Rises: Teaser Trailer!!!!

2011-07-18T22:25:00.002+05:30

BANE!!

Have I mentioned I can't wait!

K.S.

Horrible Bosses Review: 7/10

2011-07-18T06:09:00.002+05:30

Synopsis: Three friends all working under awful bosses co-conspire to get rid of them, when quitting becomes a non-option.

Read more »

Movie Review: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (Hindi) 6.5 / 10

2011-07-17T11:45:00.001+05:30

Synopsis: Three friends decide to go on a three week bachelor party across Europe to fulfill a dare they made when they were teens.

Read more »

This is for everyone who has been harassed by an Auto Driver in Manipal

2011-07-16T00:37:00.001+05:30

Go here for the full post.

The in charge cop told her that he was happy someone brought an auto guy around. Apparently only if people actually lay in charges and not just lie around like what we tend do can the cops take action on the individual. If there are enough charges then only they will start going though the auto union. Another person I know was punched in the face for refusing to pay Rs 50 over the Rs 100 that was agreed on before starting the ride. She was also threatened that he could do a lot at the time of the night after which he punched her. That case was brought to notice of the police. The auto driver absconded for 3 days but was caught and reprimanded. Another case where an driver actually came into the girls hostel after the girl and threatened to break her head and assault her. He spoke harshly to the Chief Security Officer of MU after which MU confiscated his auto for 3 months and reprimanded him to the police.
What you need to do:
If an auto guy is misbehaving, talking trash, charging ridiculous rate (even if it's 5 - 10 Rs), I do know that they treat new kids in Manipal especially the IC ones pretty bad, take down the number of the auto.
Go to the police and report him. No meter, charges, misbehaving. Tell them straight up. You will as I've come to know have the choice to be around or not to be around when the miscreant is brought to the station.
If this happens ANYWHERE within MU Campus, immediately call MU Security if you feel even a hint of being harassed.

Manipal Police Station 2570328 91-820-2570328
MU Security Counter 22515 91-820-2922515
Chief Security Officer 22848 91-820-2922848

Keep these numbers stored in your phone. Full list of important numbers are here.
Don't let these assholes get to you. Get back as much as you can. The only way we can fight back against these robbers of the first degree. I will be trying to put this message out once a week on ManipalBlog.com. Share it and let your friends know.

K.S.

Dark Knight Rises: First Teaser Poster!!

2011-07-13T14:17:00.000+05:30

I'm making a new tag - Dark Knight so that I can keep updating it on a regular basis for this one!! I can't wait and best of all I shall be home in the real world with IMAX around the corner when it comes out!

Website for the film...

If the previous two masterpieces are anything to go by this should be unbelievable.... Christian Bale is the BEST suited up Batman to date. By far. An this one has Bane. If some sources are to believed also the return of Ra's Al Ghul!

K.S.

Another Dumb ass rule in the Marena

2011-07-12T23:19:00.001+05:30

This isn't of the Despise category. Just the stupid category. So today I went in and saw this plastered outside...

Yea...so anyone who is free now during lunch when a bunch of people I knew worked out, now can't do it. All the way to 4. As I saw / heard about 10 people were waiting outside for over 30 min to work out. The Ex FBI Cops that they hire as Door Keepers / Student Hasslers wouldn't let them in.

Seems every few days something new is coming up. This is beginning to remind me off Prof Umbridge from Harry Potter. Remember her? The one that just put a zillion rules in Hogwarts with plaques covering every inch of the walls? Yea that sounds about right. An most were useless .

BTW in the above picture you'll also notice that if you loose your ID (that one that they print on cheap thick paper ONLY, put it in a cheap strap and give it to you) something that can be duplicated in about 5 min or less, you owe them Rs 500. That's a lot of cash for India. For a piece of paper. '

An the bottom half of the shoe? Those are the required shoes for Squash / Badminton / Tennis court. You can't wear regular shoes or you might scratch the surface. So they have guards there (Ex-FBI Of course) to check.

Another one that amuses me even more --->
Rs 1000 for loosing a key that we shouldn't even need. Which gym gives you personalized locker keys. There are lockers in every gym, you bring your own lock, use the locker, remove lock on leaving. Done. Not entering your name a dozen times for a key that shouldn't be there anyway. Just another way to "pretend" how high tech it is.

Which if you look @ the pic below it would really show it's colors.

$8 Million an they couldn't get proper bathroom seats installed? Out of the 3 floors I checked on ONLY 1 was finished. No not one bathroom, one seat. I looked through their complaint register there were 3 - 4 more that were on the same page about the same issue. That should show just about enough how much they give two shits about your "Complaints / Suggestions" books.

I love how the outside appearance makes you think that OMG this is the best, only when you're inside you realize it's no where near where it should've been.

Apparently it was so to save electricity? Are you kidding me? You build something that is worth close to $8 MILLION an then complain about electricity? If you're really talking about saving money should I dare ask why the pathetic wastage of space. Does it add an artistic touch? No. Just a waste. Both inside and outside of the gym?

Why the best gym (in Asia as claimed by them) has ONE Flat Bench Press, ONE Incline Bench Press, ONE Shoulder Press and free weights that only go up to 32 kg (70 lbs). I know I haven't reached that level again yet but it's pretty sad. One Flat / Incline Bench? One. Are you kidding, no machines can replace that. Oh and NO Decline Bench, nada.

An to top it off a wooden floor. In a GYM. Who thought of a wooden floor in a gym? Just because the weights are nice an pretty doesn't imply wooden floors. One of the basics of a gym is full floor mats. Everywhere.

Just ways to destroy the experience of heading to the gym. Oh a small experience by the receptionist that sits all evening talking on her cellphone or leaning over the desks outside. I had forgotten my gym towel inside and realized that after I changed and put my shoes back on. I came up and asked her really nicely (till date she was talking fine, knew English, and was ya know human) after waiting for the gym goers to sign off and leave her alone that can you please hand it to me. She is like just come inside an take it. The Ex FBI Cops of course I knew wouldn't let me, so I told her the same, it would save me 10 min (I wear huge boots cuz of the rain). All of a sudden she gets up an tries to signal like she doesn't know what I'm talking about. Her knowledge of English suddenly falters she doesn't understand that the towel which I can see from outside about 1.5 meter's away from her is just there. She nods her head like I don't know and blah blah. I was fuming at her at this point. Waited for my friend to come up after changing, who removed her slippers, got the towel and we left.

Experience. Maybe these people should be given some sort of customer service training. MAYBE just maybe that might help 1 - 2 %. This is what I find here. My last few months here and my patience has crossed all limits to the complete uselessness of some people. Their ignorance of basic etiquette and lack for any human emotions / consideration.

BTW I went to another gym here a few minutes away in TAPMI. Huge campus / college / strict ass rules that make our college rules look like pansies. This was outside there gym for rules..

How about that eh. Oh an the college is recognized as far as I know at the same level and is owned by the same family.

K.S.

Rajputana Custom Motorcycles : NANDI

2011-07-07T17:26:00.000+05:30

Just a preview of another fantastic and amazing custom job by Rajputana Custom Motorcycles.

300 mm Rear Tyre: Enfield Fat Boy!

I'd just stop where ever I was if I saw this on the road.

Good lord...basic specs

300 mm Rear Tyre
23in Front Tyre
Custom Rims
Billet Aluminium Hubs machined here
Rear Sprocket and Jack Shaft (secondary drive chain)
Springer front end
500 cc Block
Drop Down Mirrors
Brass Ring highlights and etching
Copper tubing to run the wiring for the rear tail lights

Whoa....Check out their Facebook page here for the complete albums. What's not to like?

I wish I'd known about them when I rode through their town in Jaipur. Would've visited. Argh! Next time for sure. This would be the place to visit right after I get my famous Jaipuri Lassi!

K.S.

BBQ Pizza on the Weber Charcoal Grill!

2011-07-06T21:39:00.001+05:30

Damn this was good!

I wish I could say that in the accent from the BBQ Pit Boys but not happening. Indianized it a little.

Bought the pizza base from Nilrigiri's in Udupi. Made my own pizza sauce. Topped with some onion (never doing that again..don't know why I did), tomatoes, Smoked Ham, Chicken, olives, drizzled with Cheese (only drizzled).

Instructions:

Mixed some olive oil with a 3 cloves of Garlic, spread it with a brush on one side of the pizza base.
Had the grill nice and hot with coals on one side only.
Put the base on the coals direct for 2 - 3 min.
Take the base off the grill, put all your toppings on it.
Load it back on the cooler / no coal side of the grill.
Cover the grill and let it cook for 10 - 12 min.
Done.

Damn this was better then any pizza I've had in Manipal. The crust was better, the toppings were healthy and awesome. Low fat pizza if anything! I did grill the meat slightly outside in a pan, few min just to pre cook it a little before I put them on the grill.

K.S.

Despise Part Three: MARENA Requirements.

2011-07-05T20:03:00.001+05:30

These people have done what no one should ever do in their company. Ever. They made a world class gym literally importing everything from Italy (even the mats). Excellent equipment. Decent hours. Tons of other facilities unheard of in most places / gyms. 4 Squash Courts / Indoor Badminton / Outdoor Full size Tennis Courts / Pools coming up, indoor Golf / Football / Cricket prac. You name it they have it.

How do they ruin it? Easy

The entry requirements.
The daily entrance requirements.
The employees.

The Entry Requirements:

Just to gain admission in Marena (ya know a gym that we all have to pay for and it's NOT included even though it's on Uni property..unlike common sense back home where every uni / college / school has a gym that you can join just cuz you're a student / staff ) it's effort needed.

You've gotta go to the gym get a form,
fill the form,
go to your college make sure that you are there for the time period,
go to the accounts office (in another building as is everything here isn't in one place),
get the 2nd form for the bank,
Go to the bank, pay after filling the forms in the bank,
go back to accounts, get a note that you've paid,
go back to the gym, give the form. Now you're a member.

How difficult is it to get a bank transaction machine installed in one place linking all the accounts so you can just pay right there an then? Shouldn't be much. At least in the accounts section? No not there either. Did I mention all this has to be done DURING your school / uni / clinic hours. So you have to miss a day / take time off for it. All this so that you can "join" your uni gym.

The Gym Card that they give you has

Your Name
Your Phone Number
Your Gym Membership No
Your Colllege
Your Roll No
Date of Birth
Sex

No problem with that. Good in fact.

Daily Entrance Requirements:

You need to show your Manipal ID Card. Unless you're staff where the guards open the doors for you.
First and foremost you can't wear outside shoes in the gym. Fair Enough. Actually an excellent idea. Unless you're staff you can walk right in from the rain into the gym. Why?

Locker Entrance Requirements:

Show your Marena ID.
Enter in the register

Name
Phone Number
Time In
Time Out
Membership Number
Sign both times.
Get key

Need a towel?

Show MARENA ID
Enter

Name
Phone Number
Membership Number
Time Given
Time Returned
Sign both times

Entering to the gym:

Enter Name
Membership Number
Time
Sign

You need the key for your workout? Go to the 2nd Register now

Enter Name
Membership Num
Time In
Time Out
Sign both times.

Finally now you can work out.

Why do you need to enter everything again and again and again? Because the rules say so. The rules that apply to the students only. Students who pay more then the staff (no prob, understandable and acceptable), get hassled everyday.

My biggest question is, this isn't an examination hall, it's not a class, everyone is paying to use the facilities. So why the hell are there different rules for everyone? I'd love to see some of the staff get hassled. Just for amusement. I've seen enough walking right in from their car into the gym. While the douche-bag ex wannabe FBI Security guards outside make the students take out a 5 mm rock that found stuck the gym shoe base with their Manipal.edu ID Card. I've seen students in the rain outside taking things out. Ya know if you really wanted a clean gym, the rules should apply to everyone as long as everyone is paying for it. An if you really wanted to ensure everyone is walking in with clean shoes, check them when they enter the main gym area. I love how the chain of command in India is left in place all the time, everywhere 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Back home in normal world, you do your job in the day and in the evening you grab a beer with your boss at the bar. This is a gym. Everyone who pay's for it should have the rules applied to them. Everyone. No one should be singled out as they love to do here.

They ruin one of the best gym's I've seen. Just the whole scenario of signing a hundred times every day is ridiculous. Why isn't the membership no just enough? I know enough people (esp women) who hate having to give their phone numbers out. If you've got my info in the membership card. Why isn't that enough? Because your membership card is Rs 500 worth of a 3" by 2" dimension piece of paper? Was it that difficult including a magnetic strip so everyone wouldn't have to carry two cards? Or better yet just include it in the main ID? No those things would make sense.

This is the beginning. I've saving the best for last. The worthless pieces of trash that they have employed especially those at the security level will take a completely new post.

K.S.

Delhi Belly (Hindi) Review: 8 / 10

2011-07-05T13:26:00.000+05:30

Synopsis: 3 bachelors, filthy apartment, misplaced diamonds, Gangsters, Shit. Awesome fun.

What's Good: No songs every 5 min, finishing in a normal time of 1 hour 45 min. That would be the best part. The boldest Indian movie I've ever seen. The raciness is so well placed in the movie. Everything just sticks together like when washing with orange juice. The first adult comedy I've seen in Indian cinema. An well done. I'm still surprised that it was Aamir Khan who did this. Considering how tame and meaningful his earlier movies have been, this is a 180 degree turn.

This movie again isn't about acting though all the main characters Imran Khan, Vir Das and Kunaal Roy Kapur do their bit really well. Nothing extensive but for what was required they do the bare minimum. Poorna and Shenaz Treasurywala as the "love" interests are well there for good measure. Vijay Raaz made a fun gangster.

Even though there were hints, thankfully no love triangle BS that usually exists in Bollywood movies.

The fun in this movie lies solely with the writers. The dialogues and the crudity was hilarious. I don't think there was a moment where something or the other wasn't being said. Profanity included.

What's Bad: Slight things like the stool sample and one or two more are a bit crude and disgusting. No one wants to see "shit" literally on a 100 foot screen. I don't at least. Over editing in certain scenes. Who the hell lives in filth like that? Just a side question from me.

End Note: Watch it for sure. It's NOT A FAMILY MOVIE. It's hilarious, not stupid. A good movie for a bunch of buddies to enjoy. But on a side note, the profanity is extensive, so if you're not into it, don't bother.

K.S.

Cars 2: 2011 Review: 6 / 10

2011-07-04T21:51:00.001+05:30

Synopsis: Star race car Lightning McQueen and his pal Mater head overseas to compete in the World Grand Prix race. But the road to the championship becomes rocky as Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage. IMDB

What's Good: It's fun. It's entertaining in the 2nd half. The last 30 min are a wild ride. The animation is top notch. I loved how they show emotions in the cars. It's a good story for the kids to watch. The spy storyline does add a little flavor to the otherwise bland movie. It's a complete change from the first one. Won't matter if you haven't seen the previous one to watch this one.

What's Bad: Honestly..the first bit was on the boring side. Mater was a great side kick, but a useless center character. Taking out Lightening from the center, the Hornet's not around, none of the original ones (except Mater / Lightening) are really playing any part. It felt empty. The story line is unengaging. Except for a few min here an there, the jokes / humor just isn't there. I loved the first one. This was unassuming to say the least.

End Note: Wait for the release. Not worth the big screen, watch it on TV, not worth buying the DVD unless the little critters cry for it.

K.S.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon Review 9 / 10

2011-07-03T21:49:00.000+05:30

Synopsis: The Autobots learn of a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the Moon, and race against the Decepticons to reach it and to learn its secrets. IMDB

What's Good: It's exhilarating! It's one hellva rush and the last hour or so just goes too quick with all the action. It's just awesome! The first bit of the movie is the conspiracy part of the movie which attaches some of the most important dates and times of human history with the Transformers (Apollo Landing / Chernobyl etc). Unlike the previous useless incarnation aka Transformers 2, this one has the correct mix of humor / crudity, it's amusing when it needs it to be. The side actors do their part and leave. Nothing extra. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is well..she's got endless legs. Does that count? She's got a total of 5 min worth of screen time and it's just the right amount for someone who is there to well just look nice. The acting is well who is there for the acting? But nonetheless Shia LaBeouf as the only one who counts actually pulls it together for this one.

But the main part. The cherry on the cake. The battles are epic on a grand scale. All hell breaks loose in the 2nd half of the movie. Nothing is repeated. Every frame is just jammed. You can barely catch everything that's happening.

The CGI is phenomenal. It's breathtaking actually.

What's Bad: They should've left out a shot of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley with a poodle in the movie. The poodle has better facial features so upstages her. The plot is lackluster. Some of the screenplay could've been better. An about a few minor minutes where things could've been excluded. Bleh. None of this matters.

End Note: It's epic. The best one out of the 3 in the series. Must watch on the big screen and if you have the option (sadly I didn't) IMAX! It's a must. Doesn't slow @ any time. It's an adrenaline rush of the 1st degree.

K.S.

Doctor's Day!

2011-07-01T15:51:00.002+05:30

For the first time I can actually celebrate that as if I'm part of that group. July 1st, Doctor's Day in India.

About time. An feels pretty good to say the least. Just something for the day. I love the posting I'm in, sadly it's over in 4 days. No more Operative till I get back to Canada I guess. Gonna be a while.

Nonetheless Happy Doctor's Day to all you colleagues out these.

K.S.

Manipal Photo's: With and Without Rain

2011-06-26T20:20:00.001+05:30

So we've had rain for close to two days straight. I was watching it from a side window of my apartment when I recalled a nice pic of Demontor looking clouds in the horizon

the same area today. It's not fog, just plain old rain. The above one was taken in the evening, the below one taken at noon.

Nuff said..

K.S.

Green Lantern Review: 3 / 10

2011-06-25T14:19:00.000+05:30

Synopsis: A test pilot is granted a mystical green ring that bestows him with otherworldly powers, as well as membership into an intergalactic squadron tasked with keeping peace within the universe. IMDB

What's Good: Blake Lively looks awesome...does that count? The CGI designing the costumes and the designs of Sinestro and Kilowog (always a favourite) and the design of Oa is pretty great. Ryan Reynolds "looks" the part. I love how the ending showcases the beginning of one of the biggest arch nemisis of the Green Lantern. As such Part II.

What's Bad: Hell everything else. Blake Lively can't act to save her life. The useless love triangle story between her, Ryan Reynolds and Robbins is so pathetic and filled with so many holes it's ridiculus. A new Alien is discovered and an unknown school teacher is set to examine the first alien life form cuz the dad's got connections? Kidding me? The CGI otherwise is pathetic. The fights are well pointless mostly. Ryan Reynolds is his usual self. Doesn't feel like a superhero. There is NO charisma whatsoever. He's almost trying too hard. The director Martin Campbell of Casino Royale fame did a really poor job. Everything moves at a snail's pace even though as per the movie we're flying at close to light speed. The plot could've been so much better. An worst of all, the villains look like they should be playing with barbies. Not terrifying at all. Playing on fears? I would laugh. The dementors from Harry Potter were scarier. There was no excitement. I was thinking about Star Trek and Harry Potter while watching it and I still didn't miss a thing. Someone sitting with me watching the movie fell asleep in the middle....how is that?

End Note: What a bloody disappointment and an utter disgrace to Green Lantern. One of the greatest superheros. Part of the 7 founding members of the Justice League. IF there is a sequel for the love of anything that is Holy, change the director, the writers, fire Blake Lively and tell Ryan Reynolds to take some acting classes.

K.S.

My First Vehicle VS Current one!

2011-06-23T22:06:00.000+05:30

What a awesome 600th post! I saw this parked next to my bike outside the gym yesterday

I was reminded of my own LML Vespa Select II. I got it when I was ahem really young living in India :) Things you can get away with here but not back home.

It used to be so much fun riding the scooter. I used to bring it up 90 - 95 km / hr to test it out. I remember the guy I bought it from had the biggest shock and didn't recognize his own vehicle when he saw it a couple months later. I had had got into tuning the engine a little bit and fixing and making sure everything was as great as I could. Great times.

Now I've got the Royal Enfield Bullet Std 500. Has served me well for close to 6 years now. So many trips and stuff. It's got it's own facebook page here and a full set of pictures!

Full comparison here:

Engine
Engine Type	Forced Air Cooled 2 Stroke	Single cylinder 4 stroke
displacement	149.56 cc	499 cc
maxPower	7.5bhp/5250rpm	27.2bhp@5250rpm
maxTorque	-	41.3Nm@4000rpm
No of Cylinders	Single Cylinder	1
Compression ratio	-	8.5:1

Ah me an my love for two wheelers!

K.S.

"Pee Break" in Hindi Movies..

2011-06-19T22:05:00.000+05:30

Yea I'm not kidding here. Not edited.

....I don't even know what to comment here on this one. I still haven't figured out what's the point of a dumb ass intermission in the middle of a 1.5 hours movie. I can figure out for 2.5 - 3 hours maybe..especially in most of the Indian movies where you need a break to gag over the cliched lines here an there...but oh well more $$ for the movie theaters.

Anyway yea..

K.S.

No Green Lantern!

2011-06-17T22:17:00.000+05:30

Damn you BigCinema's Mangalore! Damn you to hell!!! They're not playing it. I was waiting so bad for this.

Ya know they did this before to. I recall it was with The Dark Knight. I almost went crazy waiting for them to put it on. In this little town the only decent cinema which plays the good movies (new) is about 65 km away in Mangalore. You read that right, I've gotta travel 65 clicks to watch a movie. All the work I put in for a few good reviews eh.

Damn it an I was so looking forward to it. I guess movie marathon next week hopefully if they release the next set and this next week.

K.S.

The look of joy on a patients face makes it all worthwhile...

2011-06-16T20:24:00.000+05:30

I just finished my first Root Canal Treatment (RCT). Quite happy about that. My first two decided never to show up after the first sitting. Not nice, but happens.

This girl didn't smile once during the treatment. No talk, nothing. I never heard her talk in anything more than a slight whisper. It's difficult enough with the language barrier. She came with her sister for support to every sitting. Literally half the front of one upper tooth was missing. I noticed that she had only about 15 - 18 teeth remaning out of 32. Out of that I had to get another couple taken out also. I wanted to save what I could from the remaning few that were left. I try my best to conserve the tooth as much as I can. As much structure.

Today was the final day, finished the treatment by rebuilding the tooth completely from ground up. Was relatively happy but I knew I could've done maybe a little better. But when I went out to talk to her she had the biggest smile and grin on her face. Shying away when I asked how it looked. Her sister was so glad about it. It was a beautiful sight seeing someone so happy for something we almost take to being just another day on the job. She was like back to being the girl that she was. All happy and smiling. A complete turnaround from the first day I saw her.

I guess it's things like this that make it all worthwhile. All the work put into for years. Learning step by step and still in process. Small things that make the day.

K.S.

Despise Part II

2011-06-16T13:31:00.000+05:30

This is the 2nd part of what people here do after ignoring you. They'll NEVER admit that they did anything wrong. The dude just called me asking how come I wasn't in the house when he came today. When asked to cut the bull and tell me why he didn't come yesterday? Oh I forgot. What a convenient excuse.

Excuses are something you'll find a plenty here. I forgot. My bike broke down (all the time with the food delivery people). No apology just excuse. Not even a white lie, just plain lies. An yea I did call up the office and guess what they said .." What can we do Sir, we picked up your call now right?"....

K.S.

Why i despise this town. Part 1

2011-06-15T22:34:00.001+05:30

No it's not because of most issues that people think that I might have. I'm not affected by the climate much, though I might say verbally here an there. I've gotten enough used to the rain to not let it affect me that much any more and same with the heat. It's the not the food. I've lived in almost a dozen or more different locations around the world / countries here for now so I can make do.

No, it's certain majority of people here in town. I despise it how they lie straight to my face. I hate the fact that they will tell you that they will do something and don't. Or they give you a time and show up (if they do) much later without an apology as if everything's right as rain.

Take for example today. My internet's not working. Called them @ 1230 to tell em. I was informed for sure someone will be there within one hour. I had to leave for clinics at 1:50. No one came. Called again at 430 - 5, the asshole told me he would be there by 730 as he had to close up everything in Manipal before he came. I was like alright.

Then he did what most of these M%^^&^& F%&^&*^ do when they don't want to do something. Which is quite often. They stop picking up the phone. Letting it ring. I kept calling even though I realized it was fruitless. Then around 10 the jackasses' phone was busy. It was a definite 100% that the bastard was ignoring my call.

I've seen this happen umpteen times. I recall my post on Mechanics here. I despise liars. If you can't do something tell it to me. If you can't make it to my place today tell me. I won't be mad. But you pull off shit like this when you tell me and make me wait and then NOT show up. This brings me to a boiling point.

I hate incompetent people. But worse then incompetent people are those who choose to be incompetent and the piece of shit employers who allow their employees to be so. Can I go an complain to the Airtel people tomorrow? Yes. Will it do ANY good? Not a chance in hell. Cuz the bastards there will smile and say yes to my face about how they will deal with it and won't do a damn thing. All part and parcel of Manipal. The side no one hears about in the news. The real deal. This is Part 1.

K.S.

X-Men First Class: Review: 7.5 / 10

2011-06-11T23:30:00.000+05:30

Synopsis: Based on the characters appearing in Marvel Comics, it is a prequel to the X-Men film series. X-Men: First Class was released June 1, 2011 in the UK and on June 3 in the US.

The film is set primarily in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis and focuses on the relationship between Professor X and Magneto and the origin of their groups, the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants. The film stars James McAvoy as Professor X and Michael Fassbenderas Magneto. Other cast members include Kevin Bacon, January Jones, Rose Byrne, Jennifer Lawrence, Zoë Kravitz, Nicholas Hoult andLucas Till. WIKIPEDIA

What's Good: The special effects. Kevin as Sebastian Shaw. James McAvoy (Professor X) and Michael Fassbender (Magneto). Most of the casting. Emma Frost's casting was awesome in so many ways. I loved how they showed the history of each character and the build up to the end. Everything was shown properly. It was a lot of fun.

What's Not So Good: They made a bunch of mistakes. First and foremost in the casting of Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique. Useless acting and more importantly doesn't suit the role of Mystique. Not even close. The other gripe... Hank Mcoy or Beast played by Nicholas Hoult is another really bad casting. Beast looks like a blue panda with red lipstick..honestly all that was missing was a toga. The skin on Emma Frost is not supposed be literal huge diamonds.

But I guess these ones above would only be noticed by one like me who knows the characters a tad. The other one is the child Erik played by Bill Milner is pretty pathetic. The camera stops for long enough to see how hard the kid is trying an a bit too much. Angel by Zoë Kravitz is another really pathetic character added for no reason what so ever. Dosen't help the story in any way and actually just takes away from it.

End Note: Honestly it's very very entertaining. Some of the best parts were in the trailers an a lot more in the movie. Sadly though it was just good not awesome. Lacked luster up to a level.

Died doing what he (she) loved..Crap of the 1st Order

2011-06-10T19:09:00.001+05:30

I hate that sentence. It pisses me off. I've heard it many times. But today I saw this video

of the "best" Japanese Bodybuilder Katsumi Kitamura who died at age 39. Yea you read that right 39. If you didn't watch the video, giving you an intro of what I found online his "diet" was raw egg whites and a shake or RAW Chicken Breasts. He died due to severe dehydration and an ion deficiency. Ketosis?

I watched the video and I was quickly going through the comments when I saw a few here

You people are morons. Do a little reading. This mans name is Katsumi Kitamura, a well known, well respected Japanese bodybuilder. He died at age 39 on August 4, 2000 due to heart failure from severe dehydration and an ion imbalance from his extreme diet. Steroid use or food poisoning had absolutely no connection to his death.

Some would call this stupid... I call it dedicated.

MOst of you viewers might think it was stupid to go in such a hardcore diet and a no carb diet if clearly this could kill him, man the last thing he did b4 death was to accomplish his goal transformation, he lived for bodybulding and died from it and thats the best way to die; for dreams.Is way better than eldery death where u can barely go for goal or be able to do on ur own

It's the last one that really pissed me off. Accomplish his goal transformation, he lived for bodybuilding and died from it...

What is that supposed to be? Do you think he wanted to end up dead? Do you think he would've still continued his diet had he known that he would die from it? No. He lived for bodybuilding yes, dying this early or dying from it wasn't in his schedule. The way I look @ it, he died a useless death. Or as maybe I might put it the only reason why it was useful was that maybe someone on a similar diet with get some common sense and stop. He was alive in 2000. That's only a decade back. ENOUGH studies had been done to showcase the issues of a zero carb diet. Enough had been done of the issues of raw chicken. How many people know that to cook, Chicken needs a higher temperature for safety then most other meats? Not many.

Dying doing what they loved. How much love do you think they had in the last few moments of they're life? How about a biker? You think he was thinking how much he loves riding when he's lying in a pool of blood, not feeling if he's got an limbs left?

How about the guy who died as he loved being the human cannonball.

No we don't do we. But I highly highly doubt it. Maybe this is the way way to remember the deceased.

"Oh he was a great guy (isn't almost everyone after they died?..maybe you should've told him when he was alive), he died doing what he absolutely loved"

Take the case of Steve Irwin. He understood the risks and died when one of those risks became real. But sadly in his case there wasn't any other way to do what he was doing. So unto a level in his case he really died for his cause.

But in the case of the Japanese Bodybuilder. He took an in-calculated risk everyday. He knew what that would cause and that he even though he had enough options out there he chose that. My issue with people like that is that they become famous more so when dead and send the wrong message out to future generations. Idiots who think that it's k that won't happen to me, I wanna become big quick so I'll do it.

Honestly, when my time comes I don't wanna die doing what I love. I'd rather die doing something useful.

"Live for nothing. Die for something" Rambo

K.S.

Hangover Part 2 Review: 7 / 10

2011-06-05T21:43:00.000+05:30

Synopsis: Two years after the bachelor party in Las Vegas, Phil, Stu, Alan, and Doug jet to Thailand for Stu's wedding. Stu's plan for a subdued pre-wedding brunch, however, goes seriously awry. IMDB

What's Good: It's almost just as much fun as the first one. Almost. Problem is that it's too close to what the first one was. Which can be good and it was. Mostly. It was entertaining almost all through out. I liked the characters of Phil ( Bradley Cooper) and Alan (Zach Galifianakis). It's an expanded Hangover Part 1.

What's Bad: It's an expanded Hangover Part 1. Everything overlaps. Same dudes wedding, same messups. Someone missing. A body part missing. Tyson showing up. Someone found in similar locations and style. I mean apart from the prostitute everything else was pretty much the same. But I think what really was bad was the horrendous overacting by Ed Helms. So so overdone it was burnt. Almost everything is expected. A few not so much, but those few aren't really worth mentioning anyway.

End Note: Entertaining. Very much so. Even if you've seen the first one. Cruder yes. But a movie you "can" wait to watch on DVD. Not so much needed for the big screen.

K.S.

Kung Fu Panda 2 Review: 10 / 10

2011-06-05T21:23:00.000+05:30

Synopsis: Po must join a new group of masters to take on a formidable new enemy with a deadly weapon.

What's Good: Everything. It's so entertaining. Almost like a huge roller coaster. Once it starts it doesn't end. It's amazingly clever. With the perfect mix of emotions if needed. All the tidbits scattered throughout the film. Our hero's famous speech which no one could hear as he was out of earshot. Completely. It's so much FUN! For Jack Black, this should probably be his best acting yet..and he wasn't even seen. The furious five voiced by Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen, David Cross, Jackie Chan and of course Lucy Liu. Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) is still awesomeness personified. The beginning of his description of attaining inner peace due to the horror he felt at Po being selected as DragonWarrior was priceless.

The choreography of the ALL the battles and the chases was top notch and beautifully done. The colors were so beautifully vibrant. The story moves along just as it should with no lag, nothing unnecessary. An I loved the ending with perhaps a clue to Kung Fu Panda 3!

It was fantastic.

What's Bad: Nothing. Honestly. I couldn't find a single thing.

End Note: They took the fantastic Kung Fu Panda 1 and added literally twice the awesomeness. It was better then the previous one in every way. An that's saying something. Must watch.

p.s. I don't recall giving a perfect 10 / 10 review to any movie yet!

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Review: 5 / 10

2011-05-29T17:31:00.000+05:30

Synopsis: In continuation from POTC 4, Sparrow and Barbosa are on quest to find the fountain of youth, only to find that Blackbeard and his daughter are looking for it too.

What's Good: Honestly, apart from Johnny Depp and Geoffrey Rush nothing. Depp is so energetic throught out the film. His charisma is felt everywhere. Same goes for Rush. A different sort of a role but still a better and more prominent one then the earlier movies. The mermaids are hot and that fight scene was probably the best one out there. Kevin McNally as Gibbs is still doing a decent job in a side 5 min role.

What's Bad: If I say that I was really missing Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley in this one..keeping in mind that Penélope Cruz was there...does that say enough? I've never been a fan of her ahem "acting" skills but this was just pathetic placement. She was so out of place. Ian McShane's BlackBeard was the most understated bad guy ever. He should've been formidable and turned out more of a tamed guard dog then anything else.

There isn't even a point of me talking about the pathetic side stories of a love story between a man killing mermaid and a missionary. It's pathetic. An about the movie just moves on an on an on (which is usually a good thing) but without a single thing properly tying it together. So you find the fountain of youth. All of a sudden everyone find's it. Even the ones who didn't know how to. An everyone get's to go inside the magic cave. Are you kidding. An it wasn't a fountain of youth. It was a Fountain to transfer one person's life span to another. False advertising.

Rob Marshall has taken over Pirates of the Caribbean. An this was his first direction. It was horrendous. You would expect more from someone who directed the fabulous Memoirs of a Geisha.

Endnote: Forget logic, reasoning and perhaps bring a book to read up during the movie. It was boring. I'm extremely disappointed. I'll stick to the Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy. This doesn't exist.

K.S.

Making Dinner and Dessert on the Grill:

2011-05-28T22:24:00.000+05:30

As my experiments with the Weber Grill Continue. Here is the latest :) Whole Grilled Chicken

Tender Coconut Ice-Cream with Grilled Pineapple:

Damn these two were F%&$%#7#^&G AMAZING!!! ..........yea...

K.S.

Limitless (2011) Review: 7.5/10

2011-05-25T22:25:00.000+05:30

Synopsis: A writer discovers a top secret drug that enhances his every ability.

What's Good: The first hour an 10 min. Bradley Cooper is pretty convincing of the role he plays. Robert De Niro has a small but nonetheless a decent role and he plays it with panache that we've come to accept from him. The beginning of the movie. The way they display addiction of how it takes you from the highest of the high's to the lowest of the lows. If you watch carefully you can really make out what substance abuse can cause.

The graphic imagery with the time / spiral effect is awesome. It's a great watch.

What's Bad: I hated the ending. Few reasons, biggest one was that it didn't do justice to the movie. Up to a level it was anti climatic.

An to top it off was the message sent out in the end about drugs wasn't as to how substance abuse will kill you, it was do it kids, they'll help you and all those feelings that you have will become part of you all the time and everything will work out.

I'm not even going to go into the 3 tier security "a fortress with a great view" that was torn up using a circular saw as if it was made of straw and paper. You mean to tell me a safe can be opened using a basic hand held circular saw. Are you kidding me?

The subplots were useless and made more of a mess of things then adding on to it.

All in all the movie was about excess of everything. An sadly it was almost like having a drink of Rum an adding too much Coke in it. You can't taste it anymore. It lost it's edge in the end.

End Note: Grab another drink to wash it down in the end because this is one movie that will stimulate you till "almost" the end. If anything else the surreal imagery will take you away from the faults and weaknesses.

K.S.

Life Lessons from Homer Simpson

2011-05-25T13:17:00.000+05:30

Nikon D5100 Photo Competition Submission

2011-05-23T19:56:00.000+05:30

Thought I might as well try for once. Check out the link. THis is the submitted pic. If you like it, I'd appreciate if you'd like the picture at this link. Nikon D5100 Photo Competition Submission

Thx!

K.S.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon: New Trailer

2011-05-22T01:04:00.000+05:30

This looks bloody ridiculous!!! I'm gonna be in line the day before if I need to!

K.S.

Dark Knight Rising: First Official Pic: BANE

2011-05-21T09:48:00.000+05:30

Warner Brothers has kicked off the viral campaign for their highly anticipated next Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises," with a photo revelation of Tom Hardy as the villain Bane. Check out the new site.

The image looks bloody good and in tune perfectly with the both the previous Batman Movies (Batman Begins and The Dark Knight). Dark and non comical. How he might've looked like had this been a real person.

The stars of the new movie: Christian Bale, of course, returns as Bruce Wayne/Batman, and he'll have Gary Oldman back as Commissioner Gordon on his side. Morgan Freeman will be back as Lucius Fox. New ones

Now joining them will be Hardy's "Inception" cast mate Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake, a specias Josh Pence as young Ra's al Ghul. Anne Hathaway joins as Selena Kyle / Catwoman, I'm slightly hard pressed on the choice of Anne Hathaway as Catwoman though. She doesn't portray the character. But then again neither did Heath Ledger (RIP) and he's at iconic level at this point. So I'm not going to judge and just wait for it to come out.

I can't wait for the release!!

K.S.

The Language Barrier

2011-05-19T19:18:00.000+05:30

I never noticed the barrier much till now. Posted in Periodontics (scaling / teeth cleaning:) a lot more once you're a postgrad but as an undergrad this is it ), and I have to regularly tell my patients a ton of stuff from Open Wide, Stop getting up ...please, Sit down, Rinse, use the water and many more. Till now I got away with the bare bones of the bare bones of Kannada, but in this posting I've had to increase my vocabulary by another few words / lines.

Still no where near what it should be or even decent I'll admit but it's better then what it was a month back. The nurses (or sisters as we call em') have been amazing. Helping out, joking around telling the correct stuff, telling the patients what I need to tell them after I do the procedure. Some jokes come out here an there.

An incident with a buddy of mine: Goes to a patient and with full confidence says that you need to come here at 2 pm and to room # x at 3 pm. Patient was like alright alright in Kannada. I saw the sisters smiling a little after so of course I asked why. Apparently the word my buddy so used was a slight mispronunciation of the correct word. What he said did not mean the time @ 2pm and 3 pm, it meant 2 husbands and 3 husbands...

His sentence was " You've got 2 husbands here and in the other room 3 husbands.." to the guy.....The sisters still greet me 2 +3 = 5 Husbands almost everyday!

I guess these are the things that make the language barrier interesting. An some individuals like the ladies who work there to make it fun. I even recall a waiter at a restaurant where I used to go quite a bit before used to quiz me on basic words in Kannada to get me to say it correctly. I loved it. It was fun and enjoyable.

These are the kind of people that add some spice to the monotonous life that we lead here. Cheers to them all.

K.S.

Manipal Guards with the Oral Fixation

2011-05-18T21:00:00.007+05:30

Sounds wrong doesn't it. It was meant to be catching. Nonetheless. What am I talking about? What is this post about? For one thing it's not about the Guards talking shit. Or the ones who try to portray how big they are. It was amusing when a guard tried to tell me that I wasn't allowed to take pictures of the OUTSIDE of the MCODS, Clinic. I asked him for a notice or anything written. Of course he didn't have it. Just that it was the rule. lol. They are always making up their own rules ALL the time. Whatever suit's their fancy. Telling me to stop taking a picture of the outside of a building. Gotta love this sometimes.

Nonetheless about the oral fixation: This is about those wannabe bad ass guards (mostly the women in front of the ladies residences (hostels) who start whistling (using one of these cheap plastic whistles
when they see you next to the gate.

Now you might not even be next to the gate. You might just be dropping or picking someone up. But they just start whistling incessantly immediately.

It's so bloody annoying. I used to care for a good 1 maybe 2 times. After that I've decided ignorance is bliss. So I started pretending that they're not there. I just let them whistle their little pathetic hearts out. I can understand these people having issues if I'm outside making out with a girlfriend or something, but waiting to drop someone off or pick someone up it's ridiculous. Then again I've seen enough car(s) outside Chandreshkar "bouncing" around in full view.

Worst is that they will refuse to talk. I mean they won't say anything, they'll just whistle at you. Even if they're like 3 feet away. I started yelling at one once, telling her to talk to me rather then use a whistle.

What are we a bunch of stray dogs that they whistle to? No we're humans the last time I checked. Have some decency. These people need some major MAJOR training in human relations. They're guarding a hostel entrance, not a house for dogs.

Even the parking guards are the same. You don't park correctly (which varies guard by guard btw) they'll whistle. Instead of telling you, they'll whistle and point. Are you all deaf?

Being Dentists we tend to notice teeth of a lot people habitually. I've noticed not once but exactly 4 times that some of these guards who whistle all the time, actually have front upper teeth bent inside due to the pressure of the whistling. If i only saw one, it might have been nothing, but 4 different people, coincidence is pretty alarming.

I wish there was a way I could persuade EVERYONE in Manipal to buy a whistle, carry it around and when ever these Douche-Bags whistle, we whistle back.

K.S.

Barbecuing on the Weber Charcoal Grill

2011-05-16T01:10:00.000+05:30

Have I mentioned how much I love it yet? I've used other charcoal grills before, there isn't even a comparison. The distribution of heat inside is perfect. I did a massive bbq yesterday @ a buddy's birthday party. About 50 - 60 pieces (yea that's big for me..for now at least) together. Realized that grill can fit only about 7 - 9 pieces on the side.

Putting it simply I added coals to 1/2 the grill on the side and 1/2 the side I put a aluminum pan filled with water to serve as a drip catch and also add some steam to the air. More moisture.

I used 30 min of indirect heat for the grilling. 2 min / side in the beginning to char it up and just seal everything on the direct heat, then 30 min (turning twice @ 10 and 20 min marks: (leaving the lid closed completely for the duration) on indirect heat (the side without the coals). Finished it off with one min on each side on the direct heat. Cleaning the grate and adding more coal as required if needed then. Putting the next set on.

But nonetheless, this takes time, about 35 min for 8 pieces. But the end result is perfect. Just the right amount of moisture in the chicken. The meat just pulls away from the bone. Almost no need to check it for doneness.

What I learned? First: Cover the drip pan with foil paper. Makes the clean up a zillion times easier. 2nd: Add coal properly. Have to keep turning it around to make sure the heat is even.

I'm gonna bbq a full chicken soon an see how that works. Might try fish also. Learned some ways on my trip to Goa this time when they grilled fish perfectly while it was wrapped in foil.

Jacket potatoes, I've realized need about 40 min or more (doesn't matter actually after about 40 min, you can leave them there for an hour) are awesome on the grill. Come out perfectly soft and done just how they should be.

Grilling vegetables: Did that covered in foil. Made life easier.

Made Kebabs of chicken / Paneer already. Really easy. Just need to get them perfect though so to avoid over cooking. Got some cheap metal skewers from a shop a few days back. Much nicer then wooden ones. More weight support.

K.S.

Manipal MARENA Guards are Ex - CIA Operatives and Douche - Bags

2011-05-14T00:43:00.001+05:30

It has to be true. Had they not been CIA at one point why would they go on power trips all the time in their work by making sure they stick to the rules to the letter without showing even the least bit of a humane concern.

MARENA btw is the gym in Manipal. Possibly one of the best gym's I've ever been to. Without a doubt. It's shit like what I'll describe below that kills the experience.

Take for example the douche-bags who guard the doors. The're there to make sure that people who come in have:

the Manipal ID
the MARENA ID
"clean" shoes

I can understand the point of the ID Card for the gym yes. You have to bring that in. Why the Manipal ID? Why do you think the Marena ID card can be faked? Or is it to open the door. The bastards will refuse to open the door for you even if you show them the gym id.

He actually said no he's not allowed. Are you kidding me? I'm showing you the ID for the gym, my Manipal card was taking a bit of time to be located. Big deal you see me there every day.

He tries to act all big and tough (considering he's 5"5 and a skinny pile of S%^T I don't understand how that's supposed to work. Oh maybe it's the uniform. I'm the entry guard so I'm better then you.

Oh yea an today a student couldn't find his college id to open the door ON THE WAY OUT of the GYM. and he still refused to open the door.

An we're supposed to stand by and let it go? Let these crazy disgusting people on a power trip (security guards...not even) get away with everything? They know cuz they can? No one complains so they do.

2) Clean Shoes. Now I understand this. An I actually don't have an issue. Ya see in our MARENA you can't wear outside shoes in the gym. You have to wear something else first bring your gym shoes in a bag or on the side show it to the guard so he can inspect it to make sure they are clean then they let you in.

I've got two major gripes with this.

FIRST and FOREMOST: Why the hell are only students subjected to this? I've see staff go through wearing the shoes from outside and the guard on questioning why he didn't stop them says simple "Oh, they're staff". What the fuck is that supposed to be? Rules should be for everyone. But no, staff are special. I can understand and support their special rates but not the rules break. That's bloody ridiculous.

SECOND: Each guard checks differently. One would be telling you to go back and clean them while the other let's you through. Funny part is I've seen people having gym going shoes only (I'm one of them) who never wear them outside at all and then after a few months a guard stops you and tells you to clean it. Cuz he's on a bloody power trip as a entry man.

MY BIGGEST GRIPE with Marena: The paperwork.

The gym ID card has on it: Name / Phone #,/ School ID / MARENA # / B'day / College / Picture

yet after all of this, to get a locker you have to write down

name

phone

marena id

time (twice in an out) with sign

to get a towel: AGAIN you have to repeat everything above

NAME / PHONE / GYM ID / College Roll # / Time

to use the Sauna and stuff : NAME / PHONE / GYM ID / College Roll # / Time

Every bloody time. What's the point of them giving a membership number when you have to type this in every single time? Such a waste of precious time and annoying.

An charging people the amount that they do would it have been difficult to include a small magnetic stripe in the gym id card itself that is used for the doors? No wait......if it makes sense they won't do it. Sad truth here.

I hate people on power trips. Seen enough in this town. Some of the guards there are pretty decent. But there are 2 especially that should be thrown out into a sewer of waste where they should be just about home. Show some compassion.

To go from A - Z there are many ways. Start thinking or using that precious peanut sized brain that you've been gifted with. Realize that there can be changes here and there and that is how it goes.

Common sense isn't that common.

K.S.

Real Steel: Hugh Jackman TRAILER! Looks AWESOME

2011-05-11T21:57:00.000+05:30

This looks amazing for now!

I can't wait. Besides it's got Wolverine as the star. Of course I'm gonna go!

K.S.

Source Code Review: 8 /10

2011-05-10T23:30:00.000+05:30

Synopsis: A soldier wakes up in a body of an unknown man and realizes that he's on a mission to find an unknown bomber

What's Good: Jake Gyllenhaal straight up. His acting was superb. Jeffrey Wright and Vera Farmiga both on sidelines were great in their roles. Duncan Jones did an amazing job with the screenplay. The movie doesn't slow down at all. Everything fits together and does so with clockwork precision.

The emotional bonding showed between both the computer reality and "real" life by Gyllenhaal is another draw. The film dwells on conspiracies and altered states of the mind. Reminded me of The Matrix at one point as I though that is how he might feel and at another it reminded me of Groundhog Day. Repeating the same thing over and over again. Just this time in 8 min not 24 hours.

There is proper drama and suspense mostly. Did I mention I loved the ending especially with Cloud Gate by Anish Kapoor in Chicago, Illinois. It was so ridculusly perfect for the movie. A distorted view of reality. Just what Duncan Jones was trying to portray!

What's Not Good: Honestly it's a bit absurd. But I guess that is what makes it make sense in the end.

End Note: Awesome awesome movie. BUT is it worth going to the movie theater to watch? Not so much. If you have all well and good, if not just wait for it to come out on DVD. Nothing all that special for the big screen.

K.S.

THOR (2011) Review: 7.5 / 10

2011-05-09T18:59:00.000+05:30

Synopsis: Powerful, arrogant warrior cast out of his realm and sent to live among mortal humans where he learns what his father was trying to teach him and becomes a powerful defender.

What's Good: It's THOR!! One of my favorite Marvel Characters! But besides that. Chris Hemsworth portraying Thor is pretty damn good mostly. Besides looking the part the little mischievousness and quirks associated with the character are well set. Anthony Hopkins is the perfect one to play Odin with complete aristrocratic authority. Stellan Skarsgård has a minor role but he get's into the guise of it really well. You can see the depth that he tries to portray.

With respect to the screenplay. It's just the correct mix of action and normal stuff. You can absorb what is happening with ease and yet the time flies through the movie. Tom Hiddleston surprised me though. His portrayal of Loki was intense.

What's Bad: Overacting by a few characters including Chris Hemsworth. I don think that Natalie Portman has ever got of the Padmé role yet. Unconvincing completely. I hate them making a love story in every movie nowadays. Seriously.

The CGI (animation) it was really good for somethings and completely artificial in others. Especially the ice planet and them moving across dimensions.

But the one part that really took out the points? There wasn't enough action. In the end atleast, it should've been extended a little maybe. The flight between Loki and Thor was unconvincing. There was nothing agaisnt the Ice Giants. Personally the Ice Giants were a wasted lot. An that just hurts. Even the fight against the unconvincing looking Destroyer was washed out and slow.

End Note: You NEED to see this in the movie theater. It's a necessity. Watching at home (unless you have a projector with a kick ass sound system) just won't cut it. It's a enjoyable movie to put it simply.

K.S.

Fast Five Review: 7/10

2011-05-08T22:43:00.000+05:30

Plot: Taking off exactly where the last one left off. Brian and Mia break Toretto out of federal custody. Go into hiding, get into a job gone bad lifting exotic cars. Then getting chased by the DEA and the kingpin's men.

What's good: First of all, thank heavens the old cast is back. With the "correct" additions from the other movies. Not the retard with the accent. Some of the cars (GT3!, GT 40!). The humor in the movie provided mostly by Tyrese Gibson is actually funny. Even Tego Calderon and Don Omar add a good needed dose of lightness in the film. Most of it is ridiculusly outlandish, but that's expected and it's quite a visual experience. Especially the last 20 min or so with the vault. Oh an I must say that the absolute ending AFTER the credits was a shocker to say the least. Make SURE you sit through the credits!

What's not to good: First an foremost the beginning. Are you kidding me, a solid armored bus ferrying high risk criminals collides with a charger and the bus topples? Lost 1 point then an there. The whole pregnancy thing (trying to make it more of a family movie?) It's not a family movie. The plot stolen primarily from the Italian Job. The piss poor acting from Dwayne Johnson. The open plot with so many holes in it I don't even know how the movie was made. If you pay even a tiny bit of attention, everything is a piece of cake to figure out before it happens. Stealing 4 cop cars in the middle of the night then racing them? What was everyone asleep in Rio?

What did I miss the most? The cars. It's Fast and Furious continuation where the hell are the custom rides? The nitrous, the races? We saw like a sneak preview inside but that was about it. I think that was the biggest drawback for me.

End Note: Go watch it! Forget what's not to good for a bit. It's a thrill (mostly) to watch it. Get's your heart racing a few times. An worth it.

K.S.

My Ride Mi Amor

2011-05-06T23:46:00.000+05:30

Kantaka

My bike's got it's own photo album on fb! Probably one of the only things that I would consider precious in this town for myself. The album shows what it looked like when I bought her. How I designed an re did the whole thing bit by bit. Go here.

One of the selected bits an pieces I will miss when I leave Manipal.

KS.

Conan The Barbarian: 2011 Trailer

2011-05-05T19:37:00.000+05:30

So yea...what do I think of trailer? It looks pathetic and fake. A cheap, CGI version of the raw power of the original Conan

The 2nd one makes me pump up, the first one makes me go alright, let's see what happens. I can watch the original Conan any day any time. Unless or until they really really really make this good (which looking at the cast and the dumb ass graphics looks highly unlikely). The first is a legend. It has a legend as the lead. It's a Blue Ray Keeper. The 2nd looks amateurish..

I'm disappointed as of now. Hopefully when it comes out my mindset will change.

K.S.

Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon New Trailer!

2011-05-02T14:47:00.000+05:30

This looks interesting. I'm a tad torn of amazing now that there is no Megan Fox..:( but let's see. Maybe I can concentrate on the Transformers this time. Maybe.

K.S.

Batman Arkham City: Hugo Strange Trailer

2011-05-01T14:27:00.000+05:30

Holy Mother! This looks F$%#^ AMAZING!

The last one Arkham Asylum was so bloody cool. This looks SO much better and darker. An it's got Hugo Strange!

Just watching this video is giving me goosebumps! I can't wait! I know this trailer came out a while back, but I just saw it so yea..whoaaaaaa...

K.S.

Barbecuing in Manipal!

2011-04-28T22:12:00.002+05:30

Personally I don't think anything involving cooking that makes me happier then having a good set of coal burning white hot in bbq and meat searing on it. Just the thought is well......ahhhh..Picture Homer ......>>>>>>>that would be me.

My Dad in all his awesomeness brought me a Weber Silver Charcoal BBQ Grill! from CANADA! How awesome is that! Possibly the best gift I've ever received!! Graciasssss!

Manipal has got hope after all!

2011-04-26T19:12:00.001+05:30

At least in the ethical department! Small incident that happened today.

My motorcycle's left rear view mirror decided to break off in the morning as soon as I reached the clinic. I looked at it, figured oh well, shit happens and that I'd buy a new one in the afternoon. It had lost it's tightness for a few days anyway. I took out the mirror stem? The part that screws on to the handlebar and put it aside. Went home for lunch, got back and parked my bike in the same spot. The things were still lying in view on the side.

When I got back from the clinics and went to the bike I noticed that not only was the mirror fixed to the "stem" but it was also attached to the bike. I was shocked. I lost hope in this town for nice things from random people in the first month or week of 1st year. An to be honest I actually don't recall any random individual doing something like this. However small it might be. It was significant enough for me to send out a silent thank you in the air.

I needed to blog about this cuz all I've ever done till now and I'll be honest that was due to my experiences was to berate this town mostly and most of the people. I've had my reasons. Tons of them. But this was like light at the end of a tunnel.

Interesting isn't it, how all the bad things I've said and I've recalled and I've blogged about, all are there, but the weight of this simple act of kindness takes precedence over them all. I finally have a memory .. correction a nice memory of something in Manipal. Forget the Douche-bags.

There is hope after all in this town. Not a one way street.

K.S.

The end of my era in Fashion Shows...

2011-04-17T01:00:00.000+05:30

This was my last UTSAV (Cultural Fest of Manipal University) fashion show. Have been involved in the fashion show's since 1st years. 6 Shows. 3 as the lead, 3 as the organizer. This doesn't include the extra few shows that I organized for HUES (Batch) another one for a competition in an another campus and the highlight of organizing a fashion show for the professors in College Day last year.

Been a fun run. Interesting actually. I'm hearing of things that people talk about. Recall the "I've got an attitude" post? Yea.

I heard from a friend of mine who was yelling at her group during practice when people were coming in late "If Kanwar was here, you'd all be on TIME!" Damn it, it's almost like I'm the boogeyman parents use to scare kids!

How kids from other colleges have stories about how I make my team practice 8 hours a day.

Seniors plaster juniors with stories about how I make everyone start practicing at 4 am an how I get to the greens at 2 am.

How I terrorize everyone: This includes the team, people from other teams (especially when they try to take my stage during my time) or try to get into the stage when I'm on it..oooo I hated that! Kicked off so many teams from the stage and backstage.

My nickname was kept as Hitler...I actually had someone say "Hail Hitler" when I walked in this time more then once.

I'm sure there are many more. I've been warned by many!

Be honest I think I'd actually miss it. Organizing it is awesome. Being on stage is a bloody rush. Time moves so much faster. Everyone who has been on stage will agree. Your heartbeat is running like 200%. It's quite amazing.

This time was the best. We started much earlier. Yea. But for once everyone worked together as a team fully. No lapses. Everyone pulled their weight. Everyone put in more effort then I could ever ask (or yell) for. An the show itself was as near perfection as I could've asked for. I've not got this many comments ever.

Good time. Memorable times. An yes I ended my run with a bang!

K.S.

Douche Bag's in my college

2011-04-07T11:57:00.001+05:30

First thing's first, UTSAV is going on. It's the biggest cultural fest of the year encompassing the entire Manipal University (Manipal, Mangalore, Dubai, Sikhim everything campus). EVERY year for the past 5 that I've been involved in, all the participants (Interns and Students) get the week before UTSAV starts and the week of UTSAV off to practice.

It was done this year also. Then today apparently I find out that some douche bags went and complained to the Dean that the interns are taking too much time off and that it's not fair, an there is too much of a workload. Who are these people? Apparently an intern and a bunch of children (I won't refer to them as adults here..they've lost that right, only children complain of such trivial matters), went about for it. So what happens now, all the participants have to report to clinics and work for the next days in the morning. So all the setup for practices in the morning everything has to be cancelled. My 5am practices gone to hell.

The biggest ones to get affected as the major events. Dances / Fashion Show. The ones that require hours of coordination time.

I do agree with the sentiment that if your event is over you should make it back to clinics / class. Yea I agree, but till then are you kidding me?

Question to the bloody douche bags. Why? Were you feeling left out that you didn't get time off? Maybe you should've got involved in some events then. Do something worthwhile for a change. Rather then go from the clinics to the library to clinics to library. Or are you one of those other even worse jack asses who are pissed off that you have to do extra work for a few days? Sit down children. If you are one of those then it shows that you were the ones that did squat to begin with anyway. So all of a sudden you actually have to do something, it's causing you issues.

Do you even know what it feels like to do something as a group OUTSIDE of the bloody lib or in your room having drinks? Don't think so. Do you have any idea how much work is involved to put up a 5 - 10 min event? Do you douche bags realize that when you come to get the extra day off the ONLY reason you do is because of those people who put in so much effort? Do you even know what effort feels like?

Don't think so. Grow a bloody pair. Man up, people are not doing this for themselves. It's a few days in a calendar year. I'm sure you can survive. I highly doubt even KMC has issues like this. An wait they have a TON more work then any of you douche bags that went an complained.

Stop running back to your mommy and daddy for trivial issues. Get out of your pathetic bubble that you live in. Watch what is happening and if possible contribute a little.

K.S.

Apparently I've got an "attitude"

2011-03-01T06:30:00.003+05:30

I've been hearing things about me from a bunch of different people. Starting from well I'll assume a long time back. Nonetheless more recently after me walking out of organizing a fashion show for my batch. Why did I walk out?

Let's start with the basic normal 15 people fashion show, 12 min to do a show. Make that 1130 taking 30 sec safety. 2.5 min finale. Leaving 9 min now for a show. It's damn difficult stretching such a low number of people for 9 min. But I manage somehow.

In this current one, I could barely scrape together 12 to be a part of it, then two poeple walked out next day. Got pretty damn pissed. I know I could've done it with 10, but yes I agree my ego took the better of me. Why is it for my event, the biggest one of the whole show doesn't have any participants? I walked out. If no one wants to take part why should I put so much effort into it. I'll still have to do the same amount of work...actually no I'd have to do much more trying to stretch the time.

Next thing I know, almost everyone who had refused to participate earlier or had given excuses was suddenly in town and in the show. I found that amusing and expected.

But the kicker, I'm hearing now from various people that my "attitude" was the reason, no one wanted to be a part of it. What did that mean? More details were sought. An yes the answer was that

it for the reasoning that I needed stuff done in a certain way.
If I said 6 pm practice I didn't mean 630, not 645, not 605, I meant 6.
I have rules I like to stick by.
Practices are done too many times.
I'm not flexible.
I make people work too much.

Some gave me a reason that that they are in many events, yea but if you plan to take part in 30 things might give time for them. I'm not going to have practices missing 10 people out of 15? All with something or the other to do. Doesn't work that way. Perhaps I can't.

I'm a stickler for time. If I said 5, implies 5:01 is late. I'll give 5 min leeway but that's about the limit of my patience. That's my flexibility. So yea if that the case then I do have an "attitude". I'm not flexible if I need my practices done right. Yes I make people re-walk the same 20 steps 100 times. Why is that a problem? I'm here to win, have done that before my way an no I don't intend to change. I put a lot of effort in my shows an yes I want the same back from the team. Good for me. I'll get to watch for a change.

K.S.

Spot Photography Competition

2011-02-28T07:41:00.000+05:30

Was in one yesterday, first time. Don't know the results an don't really care actually. I was comparing Spot Photography to giving a Viva. You've studied an know what to answer but thinking on my feet immediately has never been one of my strong points. :(

Nonetheless got a topic "Students Life in Manipal Univerity"...ironic enough for a few reasons:

It's mid afternoon 11 - 1 pm
It's a Sunday
My idea of student life here is taking my bike and going for a ride.
The two places where you can show case it the best: Marena (Gym) and the Lib are both out of bounds for any photographers.

So yea I did wanna just say adios, have fun. But the got convinced to stay. Had to submit 5 pics. Managed these..

A girl walking to the lib while talking on the cell

I believe nothing is more "Student Life in Manipal" then a person getting a food delivery.

Few students chilling out at a Fresh and Honest Coffee Shop (cart?)

I really liked this. Could have so many literal meanings. The school bags signify student life. While having them upside down could portray how we're all just hanging there, trying to get everything done.

Girls walking around with pretty colorful umbrella's to ward off the sun.

Still was interesting. Gottta get better at this thinking on my feet stuff.

K.S.

Computer Case Mod's for Gods!

2011-02-24T07:02:00.001+05:30

Got these from the site of awesomeness! thechive

K.S.

Indian's are still Ruled by the White Skin...

2011-02-22T08:05:00.000+05:30

Been wanting to post this for a while. Finally did today @ themanipalblog. Wanna reach a few extra readers and find out what reasons if any can people give?

Here is a copy of the post.

I still believe as a friend of mine put it very aptly, India or should I say Indians are still ruled by the white. I never thought of it, until she put it her views down. Tried to dismiss them but then realized after I thought about it that it’s sadly true.
It’s disturbing to watch Indians or individuals kissing the ass of each and every white guy/girl around, be it students, dressed in rags anything. Examples? I went to a beach with a couple friends from Australia, couple white guys here for externship. I recall a wedding party who came up to them, started chatting, getting them food and then asked them to come to the reception / wedding and got them on the bus, provided for them as if they were King’s coming home. Did they ask anyone else in the group? The Indians (brown people?) of course not.

Hell the same buddy told me himself about how easy it is to get Indian chicks in Manipal cuz he’s white.

I’ve seen doormen opening doors for white people and not for the Indians? Why is that? A white chick passes by and every dude starts staring. Doesn’t matter if she’s 20 or 50, good looking or well nothing. The oogles are pathetic.

I think the best example to see this visually would be in Goa. Oh the treatment mettle for the Caucasians is far better then that handed out to the Indians. A waiter tried to pull shit on me when I called him, didn’t come and went in a single call to the bunch of white dudes sitting at the next table. My brother almost ripped his head apart.

The status of one is superior to the other, even if one is at the position of head janitor to lower janitor. Does it make them feel superior to others because they had a “white” skinned person in their mist? What do you think will happen when you go to Europe / Americas / Canada, you think they will come out with even 1% of the same treatment? Hell no. No one gives a damn. You have a turban implies your chances of getting jobs are already 1/2ed. You think anyone will give a crap? “OMG a brown guy, let’s take him home and get him some food some nice pasta and sausages”? No, either you’ll be ignored most of the time, or given a harder time.

All these weddings and functions everyone is obsessed with getting make up on to make themselves as ‘fair as possible”. A Punjabi saying “Kuri / Munda ta gori chiti chahidi/a” translates into “the girl/guy should be as light skinned as possible”. Everyone has his or her preferences but seriously this obsession is bordering on the ridiculous. It’s amusing for me to watch commercials that all border on how to make you fairer. I will not say anything to the corporations making these ad’s as the fact is that they are just capitalizing on an already preconceived and set notion in the Indian minds. It’s a business to make money.

I go to the beaches in Goa for two main reasons: the food and to get an awesome tan!
But seriously it’s about time Indians here in India grow some balls and start treating their own people better rather then focussing on who is whiter. Seriously. It's pathetic to watch.

K.S.

The Mechanic 2011 Review 4.5/10

2011-02-20T21:26:00.001+05:30

Synopsis: Follows an elite hit man as he teaches his trade to an apprentice who has a connection to one of his previous victims. IMDB

What's good: Jason Statham knows his limitations. Just enough action to watch once. Barely.

What's bad: It's preposterous. It's completely transparent with respect to the story line. I figured out the ending 20 min into the movie. The story is so cliche', nothing new. There is no real fun in the movie. No where near the amount of badassery that should've been there. I didn't feel any tachycardia at any point of time. It was slow. There was so much wasted talent. Jason Statham should stick with just normal ass kicking roles, giving him a gun an telling him to be a useless hitman is well..pretty pathetic. How stupid is it that you take the idiotic, useless son that even the father was ashamed off to train him as your apprentice when you were responsible for the father's death. C'mon. It just wasn't fun.

End Note: Wait for the DVD release. Watch once. Put away. Pop in The Expendables and get you're balls back.

LIMB Juice

2011-02-18T20:43:00.002+05:30

For only Rs 7 !

This was @ the little canteen under our clinic in Udupi.

K.S.

My First Views on Manipal / South India on arrival..

2011-02-16T19:07:00.000+05:30

Check out my post here on the Manipalblog.com. Something like..

But the one thing that stands above all? Body Odour. Deodorant has yet to be introduced in this world perhaps? Seriously some of these need to get some deodorant. I could write some pretty colorful things here, but hopefully I've made my point. This alone could probably take up a full post (which it just might one of these days) but I’ll leave it here for now.
You’ll notice the gorgeous scenery just long enough to forget for a few min the bumps in the road, the constant and incessant honking. Finally getting to town. If I told you that the distance from Mangalore to Manipal is about 60 km, you’ll automatically assume 30 – 40 min max. You’ll be in for little shock. It takes minimum about an hour and half to cover that distance. Reasons? The roads, slow speeds, constant braking, cows / pigs coming in the way. Cows by the way I consider them the queens of the Indian roads, the Kings being the buses. Don’t mess with either one. Nothing will happen to them, everything will happen to you.

K.S.

St Mary's Island Udupi, Karnataka

2011-02-02T19:52:00.000+05:30

Went for a little trip here this past Sunday. Had wanted to go there for many years now just for some reason never happened. It's like living in Toronto, but having never seen the CN Tower. It's right there, but until you get some visitors that want to see it sometimes you just don't go. Same thing here.

Took a auto rickshaw to get there from Manipal. Just tell the dude to get you to the harbor front for St Mary's Island an they take you. From there you get the ticket for the ferry that goes there (starts around 10 ish everyday apparently I was told). If you want to sit on the upper part of the ferry small extra surcharge.

Takes us to about 500 m from the island, transfers to a small boat that takes you to the island itself.

How is it? Bloody gorgeous.

Check out more pics here. Awesome place to have a barbecue an just chill. The "sand" as per say isn't sand. It's like millions of sea shells. So if you planning to lie down..bring a towel or something.

This place is one of the four geological monuments in Karnataka State an apparently high on eco tourism. The rocks are basaltic rock formation in a hexagonal form which is the only type in the country. Small island, barely 1/2 a km across an pushing 100 - 150 m length wise, you can cover the area quite well.

Unlike earlier where there was no provision for anything, I did find people selling soft drinks / water on the island. But take your own to be safe. Check out wikipedia for some more info or ourkarnataka.com.

Also since I've had a few people asking how to get here, decided to make life easier for all..

View Larger Map

There ya have it!

K.S.

Japanese Fashion FAD...LED Smiles...why?

2011-01-27T19:57:00.000+05:30

For the love of ...whatever how is THIS?

a fashion statement...

From Odditycentral (Ironic of the site ain't it..)

They make people look like they’ve been chewing on glow sticks, but the LED smiles created by designers Motoi Ishibashi and Daito Manabe are the new rage in Japan.

Originally created as an experiment, the LED smile is currently used in a commercial for the winter sale of a popular Japanese clothing store, and are quickly becoming one of the most sought-after fashion accessories in Japan. LED smiles are easily fixed to one’s teeth and glow different colors when you smile. Best used in the dark, these unusual gadgets change color wirelessy, through a computer interface.

Although LED smiles aren’t yet available for purchase, Ishibashi and Manabe are currently offering workshops across Japan, teaching people how to create their own.

watch / take at look at these two vids...

looki here

Some things I'll never understand.....

K.S.

Yamla Pagla Deewana ... Review: 5.5 /10

2011-01-20T08:52:00.002+05:30

Synopsis: Canada based dude realizes his father and brother (separated for 30 years...whoa new concept) are based in India. So he goes to India to get them back and have a family reunion. Without knowing that his brother and father are now a father - son con man team. An more usual Bollywood love story BS.

What's Good: Easy, watch the trailers. The scene with a Sunny drinking a bucket of alcohol. Yes that's not a typo, a "bucket" of Whisky. An about another 15 min worth if you combine the rest of the movie.

What's bad: Do I really need to go here? The acting by the father - son pairs (Real Life also..just in case someone didn't know..) by Bobby Deol, Sunny Deol and Dharmendra is pretty pathetic but I guess for a useless script of dumb comedy perhaps. The guy who was filming this should be shot. The scenes are so bad artistically. There was NO clarity in the movie. Half the time the stars faces are blurred and not crystal clear as they should be. Emma Brown was pretty pointless. I mean I can't even call her eye candy. Being the love interest Kulraj Randhawa should've been perhaps well at least a little convincing. Sadly as with most of the actors in the movie they seemed more like just fill in's then anything else. The songs were useless.

The fights...they deserve their own mention here. I mean it's common place how directors like to show case the "hero" as being a direct descendent of Superman mostly but this time all that was missing was the blue jersey, red cape and the bold "S" on the chest. I mean there are levels to making things ridiculous, the issue with most (NOT ALL) Bollywood movies is that, the director like in this one makes it so unreal its just becomes a useless joke told so many times that when you hear it you just pretend you haven't heard anything and move on.

End Note: I would say leave your brains at home when you watch..but I'd rather say just stay home. Wait till it comes out on TV or rent it so you can forward it to watch the 20 min of usefulness. I fell asleep multiple times. I did take one thing from the movie, next time I need to get a girl, I'll take her a couple pounds of vegetables as a gift..(eggplants as in the movie..). Cuz hell that's all we need right?

K.S.

Changes:

I re-watched this again. This movie wasn't about making sense, it wasn't much about a story it was about old school entertainment. Joke fights, joke humor and a joke of a story with a star cast of a real life father and his two sons. It succeeded. This is the first time I've edited a review I did for a movie. But it deserves it. I was being overly critical of this one.

The Green Hornet 3D (2010) Review : 7.5 / 10

2011-01-18T12:05:00.000+05:30

Synopsis: Following the death of his father, Britt Reid, heir to his father's large company, teams up with his late dad's assistant Kato to become a masked crime fighting team. IMDB

What's Good: Black Beauty! The awesome coffee machine! Cameron Diaz! ... do I really need more to go on here? Alright, the staging of the movie was pretty well. Enough sometimes a bit too much comedy. Direction was decent. Nothing amazing. Having a "Q" sidekick..not bad. Stays pretty much to the story line. The 3D setup was way more exciting then "TRON". It was vividly entertaining.

What's Bad: Acting needed work...from all of them. There was a bit too much slapstick type of humor on occasions. But some infusion was needed. Seth Rogen had way too much frat humor added to his role. Christoph Waltz was probably one of the worst mad villains ever created. I love Cameron Diaz, for she plays exactly pretty much the only thing she can anymore...awesome eye candy. She really really REALLY needs to go back to some Acting School or something.

Bottom Line: My brother summed this up perfectly " The stupidest, wickedest awesome superhero movie which is a must watch on the big screen!"

Ong Bak 3: The Final Battle Review: 4/10

2011-01-06T21:49:00.002+05:30

Synopsis: Starts off exactly where the last (REAL) Ong Bak 2 left off. Tom yum goong wasn't Ong Bak 2...as me an most people I know thought. It was named as Ong Bak 2. Nonetheless, he's all beaten up, reincarnated (revived), trains, meditates and beats the crap out of everyone.

What's Good: The fight scenes (I think there are about 5)

What's Bad: Everything but the fight. The story doesn't make sense at all. Confusing as hell. Boring beyond belief half the time. Tony Jaa really couldn't direct this properly at all. The acting ... might as well have been done by kindergarten kids.

End Note: Fast forward, watch the awesome fight scenes. Brutal just the way Muay Thai should be. Don't bother with the rest. Shortest review ever!

TRON Legacy 3D Review 7/10

2011-01-05T12:21:00.001+05:30

Synopsis: The son of a virtual world designer goes looking for his father and ends up inside the digital world that his father designed. He meets his father's creation turned bad and a unique ally who was born inside the digital domain of The Grid. IMDB

What's Good: The graphics are amazing. Having the whole movie in 3D..something I experienced for the first time (not unlike parts earlier), was pretty darn awesome. This movie is meant for a 3D visual. Regular wouldn't cut it. The concept wasn't new (Matrix / Inception blah blah) but had an decent enough twist. by far though..the visual effects, sound are without a doubt the best I've ever witnessed on screen. There is nothing that comes close (incl. Avatar)

What's Bad: Everything else. It was a hollow movie. There was no real script. More of filling the spaces. Acting was sub par. Nothing special. No character was utilized nearly enough, especially TRON and Quorra. I HATED the fact that the good scenes with the motorcycles of light lasted about a good 5 - 7 min..that's all. That was by far the best part that could've been so much better had it been used more. An I don't really even wanna go into the tech aspects of the movie that really really should've been thought of more. All electricity is off and the digital world is continuing? More so, they had digital screens with keyboards on tables in 1982 on a game that looks like an Atari? C'mon people. You can do better then that.

Overall: Visually stimulating, disappointing in every other aspect. Must watch in the theater once at least. 3D if possible. That's why it still get's the 7. It's bloody so awesome to watch. Leave the brain at home.

K.S.

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T16:48:00.002+05:30

Wishing everyone out there a happy new year!

K.S.

Photographers will do ANYTHING to get the perfect pic!

2010-12-29T10:07:00.000+05:30

Bunch of pics I just saw here at the dailyartcocktail. Check them for another 16 that I didn't post here.

K.S.

Christmas around Toronto..

2010-12-27T02:25:00.000+05:30

Check out some of these pics I took here of christmas decorations around the GTA.

K.S.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T13:30:00.001+05:30

Merry Christmas an a Happy New Year ya all! Eat lots, fill up on eggnog an have tons of fun! Track Santa here!

Garbage on the road is NEWS worthy...

2010-12-23T02:00:00.000+05:30

Was driving back from McDonald's in the morning (had to get some breakfast..the sausage cheese an egg McGriddle with an extra hash brown and an extra burrito...:) ah good stuff..), nonetheless I was listening to 680 News and I hear something about some spill on a highway causing garbage to be strewn across the road. The news anchor was warning people to be careful on that stretch..

This made me laugh. Less a week ago I was in India. A place where garbage on the road is pretty much common place and expected. If you walk around holding a plastic bag or paper in your hand looking around for a bin, people look at you funny if they know what you're doing. I recall in Goa a few years back, a European lady was holding a empty plastic cup and asking the owner where could she find a garbage bin to throw the cup in. He takes it from her, she says thank you...then throws it over his courtyard wall to the empty space next to his hotel....the lady had a horrified expression on her face. Things to remember.

An here in Canada a small spill makes the news and the people are told to be careful. What a contrast.

I still feel though that besides the fact that people need to have some common sense and civic sense about throwing stuff on the road, one of the issues is that there is no place for anyone to throw the garbage in anyway. I mean even looking at my own university (Manipal University) they wanna be clean, spending tons on people to clean up other people's stuff all the time when at the very basic level they should just buy a few extra bins to put across the campus so that students wouldn't throw everything everywhere. I'm not talking about just inside the buildings, but on campus outside. Sometimes there isn't a bin anywhere in sight. Who wants to carry "garbage" of any sort on them for a length of time? No one.

What's the point of this entire blog. Nothing really, just the amusement at the contrast of the two countries.

K.S.

Best Christmas Card EVER!

2010-12-20T01:45:00.000+05:30

Go here. Pass it on and a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Harley-Davidson India launches two new models

2010-12-14T23:03:00.000+05:30

Harley Davidson India has launched two new bikes
The SuperLow: Rs 5 50 000 Ex Showroom Delhi

and the Iron 883: Rs 6 50 000 Ex-Showroom Delhi!

Faster (2010) Review 7 / 10

2010-12-13T01:53:00.000+05:30

Synopsis: An ex-con sets out to avenge his brother's death after they were double-crossed during a heist years ago. During his campaign, however, he's tracked by a veteran cop and an egocentric hit man. IMDB

What's Good: I LOVED the cars! Oh the sound of them was like music to my ears an the whole movie was FULL of it. A 71 Chevelle SS and a Maserati ah heaven...

Back to the movie. Dwayne Johnson can act! Finally. He was awesome. Out of the disney crap and into some good old fashioned ass kicking. Billy Bob Thornton still as composed and great as he is in which ever role he does. Carla Gugino well after Righteous Kill, I've been a very very very big admirer! Can she act? Don't really care.

The direction was pretty good actually. Done by George Tillman Jr. pretty good with the screen changes and all no doubt.

What's bad? The script? Been there done that. Going after the guys who murder the family. Boohoo. Been done nothing special at all. Maggie Grace ahhh I've never seen a hotter bride EVER! Guns a blazing an all! But for heaven's sake she can't act to save her life. Neither can her "pretty boy - assassin" boyfriend Oliver Jackson-Cohen. They were useless. Good setup. Though she was nothing more then eye candy...amazing eye candy but just that.

In a nutshell: Definitely a must watch in the theaters. The music just won't be right @ home!

K.S.

Manipalblog.com Immediate rectification

2010-12-11T22:16:00.000+05:30

They already emailed me apologizing for using the pics as well as adding the source to the images.

Thank You. Much appreciated Dr Bhat for the immediate action.

People I've got absolutely NO issue with my pics being used. Hell it's compliment to me to see my pics elsewhere. But please leave the © on the pic. If you ask me nicely I'll even send you a better quality one which some people have already done for a bunch of my pics.

But nonetheless issue resolved. Gracias!

Kanwar

Manipalblog.com's Blatant Image Piracy

2010-12-11T16:58:00.001+05:30

Just checked there site here about the convocation. The first two pics were really nice, or so they seemed so, of course they were. They were mine.

Quite amusing how they've nicely cropped out my © and put them up. I don't mind you putting them up, but I'd better get a bloody mention on it. No cropping out the © at the least. Gotta love the way shit works here sometimes.

An just in case they change the site.

Douche-bags.

K.S.

THOR Teaser Trailer RELEASED!

2010-12-11T16:39:00.000+05:30

This looks F^*&#*&#*( AWESOME!

K.S.

Compare a 6MP DSLR vs a 9 MP Point and Shoot Digicam

2010-12-11T00:59:00.000+05:30

I've had my Nikon D40 for about 10 days now. Taken a couple thousand images on it. I know that sounds much but honestly with a DSLR it's SOOOO much quicker to take pics that you end up taking dozens in the time you would take with a point and shoot like my previous Canon SX110 IS. I took almost 14000 pics with my Canon and it still works like a charm. Absolutely loved it. It was the best starter camera for someone new to photography and especially for those who are looking to learn first. Barely a year ago I didn't know what the hell Aperture / DOF / Bokeh / Fill-Flash / ISO / etc "Actually" meant. I say "actually" as sometimes you kinda know what it is without actually knowing it. I still don't say that I know it fully. That mastery will takes years and I know I'll have to take a few classes to bump my skills a few notches. But nonetheless on a comparison of the two cameras

CANON SX110 IS

9.0 Megapixels
High-powered, 10x optical zoom lens with optical Image Stabilizer
DIGIC III with iSAPS for clear, sharp images and fast response times
Great people shots with Face Detection AF/AE/FE/WB plus
Face Select & Track
Auto Red-Eye Correction in shooting and playback
Combats blur with High ISO Auto, optical Image Stabilizer plus Motion Detection Technology
20 shooting modes including Easy Mode and full manual control
Large 3.0” LCD with wide viewing angle
Smooth, 30fps VGA movies with Long Play mode
Powered by AA batteries - a convenient and readily-available source of power

NIKON D40

6 megapixel DX format CCD (1.5x FOV crop, as D50)
Nikon Image processing engine (as D80 / D200)
3D Color Matrix Metering II, 420 pixel sensor (as D80 / D50)
New Multi-CAM530 three area AF sensor
ISO sensitivity range 200 - 1600 plus HI 1 (3200 equiv.)
Custom Auto ISO (selectable maximum ISO, minimum shutter speed)
2.5 fps continuous shooting (as D50), unlimited in JPEG
No status LCD, new LCD monitor based status / settings screens
Help suggestions on LCD monitor (eg. scene too dark, try using flash)
Large 2.5" 230,000 pixel LCD monitor
Bigger viewfinder view (x0.8 magnification, 95% coverage)
Short shutter lag and viewfinder blackout
Support for SDHC (SD cards over 2 GB in capacity)
In-camera retouching
D-Lighting (shadow / highlight enhancement)
Red-eye reduction
Trimming
Monochrome
Filter effects
Small picture
Image overlay
USB 2.0 with PTP and Mass Storage device support
Very compact, light body (smaller, lighter than D50)
Improved menu user interface (as D80 / D200)
New EN-EL9 Lithium-Ion battery (7.2V, 1000 mAh)
New 'Version II' AF-S DX 18-55 mm kit lens

the last is different. I'm using the Nikon Nikkor 18 - 105 VR Lens with it and the Nikkor 50 mm f1.8D for portraits in low light. Nonetheless what do I think of it? Take a look at these two pics.

With the Canon

With the Nikon DSLR

Same time of the day approximately. The difference is staggering. I always though the Canon took awesome shots, then I compare them to this and it looks .... kinda pointless. There is no depth, no saturation, no vibrancy in the colors when compared. By itself awesome. Even when comparing it like here with the sky as the backdrop..it's fantastic.

Using the Nikon SB-400 Speedlight especially at night gives

absolutely astounding shots. The above was taken with absolutely no light in the restaurant except little candles they had at the tables. No point in even showing the pics from the Canon. No comparison.

The D40 is so lightweight. It handles beautifully. Focus is pretty quick, though yes on the 50 mm there is no AF but I'm getting the hang of manual focus there. The lens is super sharp. Both actually. Have figured out how to use manual focus finally on it (I like that!), took some pics of Manipal all dressed up for Convocation 2010 where the president of India came as the chief guest. Check them here.

Not bad, not bad at all. An to all the people who only look a Megapixels on a camera as their way of judgement...check the pics. Megapixels don't matter once you beyond 6. Unless as they say you want to make mural sized prints.

I love the D40! Gracias to Dad once again! He got me the SX110IS which was astounding and his again for the D40 which is astounding squared!

K.S.

Personalized Customer Service in India.

2010-11-28T22:17:00.000+05:30

Went to Mangalore (a town about 65 km away from my place Manipal for some shopping. As well...Manipal shopping is crap. I had to purchase a formal suit from Van Heusen . Did that on Friday. Was informed by a Mr Ajit that the alterations could not be done on Friday as the tailor's were off duty. He told me that he would have the suit couriered to me to my home in Manipal. Was pretty happy with that as is. He took my info an stuff. I mentioned that it's of utmost importance that I get it by Monday at the latest. "Sure Sir, no prob!"

Got a call Sat afternoon from Ajit "Sir, I'll be coming down to Manipal to give your suit to you". I was like whoa cool!

The dude actually took a bus and came to Manipal 1.5 hours away, gave me my suit an went back. 3 Hours wasted in a day to give a customer his purchase.

Now I don't exactly know their store policy, but what I do know is that it was bloody excellent customer service. He was so cheerful and all, very nice.

Told this to a few other people an I was told this isn't so rare. Apparently a few stores do this. All I know is that it was for the first time with me. Not the kind of thing we're used to back home in Canada. The level of service provided here in India in a lot of ways is higher actually..maybe not higher but it sure as hell is much more personel than anything we get back home. That goes for in a lot of things.

Nonetheless, I'll be definitely going back there again. Thx Ajit!

K.S.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 Review: 5/10

2010-11-21T23:22:00.000+05:30

Synopsis: As Harry races against time and evil to destroy the Horcruxes, he uncovers the existence of three most powerful objects in the wizarding world: the Deathly Hallows. IMDB

What's Good: hmm...A couple of the effects. I literally mean a couple. I really don't know what else to say. Alright, one thing is for sure, the trio of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint are getting better and better at acting. Probably the only saving grace of the movie. That and perhaps the story of the three brothers.

What's Bad: Pretty much everything. It's deathly, hallowing slow. It's so bad that I fell asleep for a min or two. In trying to make "setting up the stage for the part 2" this was horrible. Such a waste of time sitting in a theater watching absolute bull. I guess they are trying to make more $$, which is understandable (maybe) but in doing that they took away the charm, the magic for lack of anything else that makes Harry Potter Movies worth watching. The initial flight fight was so so short an so pointless. It could've been a zillion times better. The part with the Bellatrix LeStrange again could've been so much nicer. So useless. Voldemort finding and taking away the Elder Wand with such ease. C'mon people you could've done better @ hiding something like that.

EndNote: Don't waste your time going to the big screen. Wait for it to come out on TV (not worth the DVD either) just before the release of Part 2. Watch it then go for the 2nd one.

K.S.

An Unexpected Death...RIP my friend..

2010-11-21T00:57:00.000+05:30

   There aren't any expected deaths I know. It's a bit of a useless statement here. But ya know.in the past few years I've experienced deaths of many people close to me. Some due to their own faults, some accidental. They all were more or less traumatic but still due to the fact that they were either not fully unexpected nor normal, it was still not as bad.

   Today's death of a good friend of mine who ended up taking his own life for reasons unknown to anyone but him. This was the most unexpected shock I've ever had in my life. I was dumbfounded...so shocked I didn't really know what to comprehend. What is there to say or think sometimes.

   There I was watching Guzarish, a movie that deals with a quadriplegic that raises a furor when he requests the court to allow him Euthanasia (assisted suicide). In half time I get a message saying that some BDS Intern just jumped off and died. I was like wtf? Jumped out of the seat an started calling. Found out who. Time just stopped. I was just like   you've gotta be kidding me. Irony at it's best. Here is a guy who is asking if it's alright to knock one self off, and outside one guy just did.

I met him two days back, when he came to get some signatures in the department that I posted. We met after almost over a year or two. He did internship elsewhere. We met, shook hands and all of a sudden all of 1st year just came flooding back. All the details, the first meet, going to Nehru Mess for food, complaining about the teachers and the funny accents, going to Jackie's, Valley View, Goa. Good times. I was still reminiscing today when the flash backs still happening. Then this happens. Came back, talked with friends..all were devastated. Had a small candle light vigil for him where he was found.

   I do not know what could have possibly drove him to such a step. I just hope that no one goes through this. I can't even fathom how his parents would be feeling. His Mom was supposed to be here tomorrow morning.

   Please people if you feel anything that you think can't be solved. Don't take any drastic actions. I'm sure you have friends / family / cousellors if anything else that would give up anything to talk to you if you only ask once. It's not worth it.....

   Rest in peace S. I hope you in a better place. You'll be missed. One of the few good people I'd known in this town.

K.S.

Green Lantern Movie Trailer Released!!

2010-11-17T22:57:00.000+05:30

The new trailer for Ryan Reynold's Green Lantern's been released! I can't wait for this one!!

K.S.

Fire in New AC Hostel, Manipal

2010-11-13T17:59:00.004+05:30

On Diwali this year a friend of mine's room caught on fire due to a short circuit in the wiring of the room. Supposedly the fire started from the circuit board near the laptop, burned that to a crisp, moved to the curtains then to the AC leaving everything a melted charred mess. Destroyed laptop, external, ac and a few other things.

Shit happens....true but let's really look at what happened. He was out of the room when the fire started (actually he was coming over to my place to light up some fire works), when he got the call. Rushes back to find the whole hallway covered in smoke. A security guard who was around the fire was puking due to the smoke.

Guess what's missing? Yes, the fire extinguishers needed keys that they didn't have...(neither did the guards know how to use them), the water hoses had no water. They were "calmly" waiting outside the door as they did not have a "key" to the door lock (we all have separate door locks with our own keys) so didn't even bother kicking the door in or something. Didn't bother switching the main power off as according to the guards, that would've disturbed the sleeping students in the same hallway and around. Very safe eh. Fire hazards anyone?

So basically they were just waiting for the fire to burn itself off. Which it did after quite some time.

But this brings me to something more important. Hostels (Residences) in Manipal are locked from the outside every night @ 12. The guards posted outside the gate, I've caught them sleeping, not in their position, talking not really doing what they should from what i recall from my own experiences when I lived there. I also recall that it sometimes took 10 min or so to get the guard to open the door for anything. If there was a fire (bigger), that place would be hell basically. No fire alarms obviously (let's not talk common sense here), no water hoses, security guards with no experience in dealing with fire or any other emergency I'll assume (I had to fight with them once cuz he wouldn't let me take out a buddy of mine to the emergency. Told me to go in the morning and it could wait. Apparently they are qualified doctors as well).

Key issue here? The safety of the hostels an the hundreds of students ..no wait as they like to call the people living in the residences "Inmates" seems to be majorly compromised.

People better start keeping crowbars and baseball bats ready to smash a door / window to get out in case of an emergency, who know when the "Security Guard" might decide if it's time for him to come back to his post and let the "inmates" out of their rooms. Hell I think they all should keep fire extinguishers in their room's too perhaps.

Alright I get that a bunch of the kids are bloody notorious for setting off fire alarms (you should

K.S.

Prison of Rain

2010-11-11T19:59:00.000+05:30

Don't know if I emphasized that enough. alright I HATE THE F^&*$&$ Rain. Someone please plug the F^&*$$^$ clouds / heavens. It's mid November already an outside it looks as if it's the middle of the freaking monsoon with waterfalls and currents running through the streets. It's like a prison of endless water acting as the bars which you can't hold on to, neither can you run away from or escape. You can try to put up a defense but it'll just shield you for a little bit, it will get through.

We've got Monsoon's for four months, where it's expected to rain, you wear rain gear, an setup, but now 2 months "post" monsoon period, it's just bloody irritating. You can't go out normally. Riding is a pain. Can't make proper plans cuz you don't know how much to carry. COuldn't celebrate Diwali properly cuz of it. It's just annoying carrying the rain jacket around now. Or an umbrella.

The umbrella is a funny story. Around mid sep we had a few weeks of beautiful sunshine with the occasional drizzle. I considered the pro's and con's of buying a new umbrella after my previous one was stolen in the clinics. I was like it'd be a waste considering the monsoon's are done and all now. But after the next little rain, I decided to take the plunge an bought it anyway. Bleh. Damn good investment it was. No only if I had bought a much bigger one....

K.S.

p.s. ranting and raving and getting mad @ rain is the same as when trapped in a traffic jam. You can't do anything about it, but it pisses you off nonetheless!

Diwali Firework's Show in Manipal

2010-11-10T23:23:00.000+05:30

Today finally they had the fireworks show here. Few days after Diwali but seriously it's alright. Bloody rains are just not stopping this time. Getting ridiculous. Nonetheless, I was waiting for the longest period of time for this just to see what kind of pictures I could click. Wasn't disappointed at all!

I mean some of them were brilliant. Check out the album here.

My favorite was this one here

Had a guy come over afterwords, asking to see my shots. He had a Nikon D60. Pretty nice basic SLR. We were comparing pics. Interesting. I had to take longer exposures 10 sec or so to get most of my shots while he could get the same with 3 - 4 sec. Then again I was using the little Canon SX110 IS! He seemed pretty impressed. Said he didn't know anyone with a small digicam using a Tripod! That was nice.

Then again I saw some people trying to photograph the fireworks with no stability (bad enough, but using auto mode, high ISO which I'll assume they all used) not a prob but seriously using FLASH ON???? to photograph something in the horizon at night? Common Sense people seriously common sense. Flash only works for maybe a few feet, 2 meters at the max pushing it with the small built in flash. An for fireworks turn off the flash...seriously an stabilize your camera!

K.S.

Happy Diwali!!

2010-11-05T00:38:00.001+05:30

Ah the day of fire crackers.

and lights!

By far the most fun day of the year. It's legal to blow things up...literally! an expected.

Such good memories of this place. But I'll admit some of my fondest were when I was living in Ludhiana, Punjab (India..just in case you didn't realize) for a bit. There is a whole puja (prayers) that are said in the evening before the main event. The whole street would decide on a time around 8 usually that they would finish off their prayers an stuff. Then everyone meets outside (or on the terrace) or on the street and everything would be just crackers everywhere. Big, bigger and biggest and still bigger. Every house every shop, everything would be lit up to the nines. What a wonderful and beautiful sight it was.

Blow things up till up around 12ish or so when everyone would start dissipating one by one. This was when the fun began. Me an Dad used to turn off all the lights, and wait till everyone in the street cleared out and all the lights go out in the houses. We used to come out slowly, pull out a huge 1000 or bigger lari (which is basically 5000 tiny (pretty noisy) little crackers all tied up together), light both ends and run back inside...Ah the amusement in watching everyone's lights turn back on, an all them coming outside to see what the hell is happening! We used to snicker in the darkness of the shadows of our house..:)

Great great memories. Unforgettable memories. Memories that makes me glad for a childhood spread across 2 continents and over a dozen places of residence. Great times.

K.S.

Happy Halloween!!!

2010-10-31T23:19:00.000+05:30

Happy Ghost's day everyone!

K.S.

Time Travelling Alien with a Cell Phone in 1928!

2010-10-27T23:09:00.000+05:30

No kiddin eh! Just saw this on the news somewhere, watch this Charlie Chaplin Video

What'ya know there were cell phones back then eh! TheStar

K.S.

Tell - Show - Do!!

2010-10-25T21:04:00.000+05:30

One of my patients today was a 8 year old girl, requiring two restorations. Potential cooperative but pretty anxious / fearful. Managed to get most of it done, but she wouldn't let the drill even close. Finally restored to what I learnt the whole Tell - Show - Do technique to deal with kids. First you tell them what you going to do, then show them what it is and finally do it. Even the suction tip I had to put it in the water tumbler, spray water on her hand, blow air around, let her do so she was comfortable an only THEN did she let me. But still the drill was a no. Had to resort to just basic tools to get everything done.

I've got a long way to go dealing with apprehensive patients. Slowly I'm learning the actual practical value of what we were taught. Theory an practical are very different, but unless you know the theory you won't be able to apply it to the practical..simple as that. I had a patient that I had to refer to the main Pedodontist as I wasn't able to treat her with the crying / wailing etc. Happens. Gotta learn. Watched her being treated two days later. Realized a bit of force sometimes is needed, used that today also. You have to use discretion when something you know is needed an how much to listen to the child an when to listen to yourself and judge.

I love Pedodontics, the whole working with children gives a sense of fulfillment, something that never really comes working with adults. The whole coming in with pain or something, watching their eyes become huge and the smile appear with simple things like allowing them to work the chair controls, the smile when they walk out all happy (mostly), the whole appreciation that you feel. Then again the relief that you see on the parents when the work has been done (the apprehension when you're working). all these things are what I feel makes the whole learning experience, all the torture for the past 4 years to get to this stage...worth every single second.

K.S.

Road Repair in Manipal..

2010-10-23T23:35:00.001+05:30

I just wish I had local pictures to go with this..but will have to do with ones I get from outside. Nonetheless this is on the repair that we get in this beautiful town. They spent months making roads here, expanded it three times it's original size. Had us go through pretty much the Sahara Desert level dust and sand dunes for months...an not even one monsoon later..hell it's not even finished ..barely 3 months after everything's all shot to hell once again....alright not exactly to hell yet but 1/2 the way there already!

Nonetheless I'm not going to comment on the fact that this place has had Monsoon's for ever? perhaps? An roads..(or something that looks like a nice real asphalt road for at least a few decades at least), an after all these years they still haven't figured out how to build a road. I realize the whole thing about corruption an stuff that is rampant here but seriously.....back to the point about the repair. First of all they won't repair it, till well at least 3/4 of the front 19" rim goes inside. Till it's a crater an not a pot hole. The way it's repaired here has the following options:

Put tons of red mud in it. ... so that when the rain comes again, it all comes back out, spreads all over the road, causing everything to become red all over. Crap get's all over the shoes / bike / etc etc etc. Annoying as hell. an disgusting.
Put nice big SHARP Stone in it an slightly press them inside. So that you have a choice between two evils, have your shockers destroyed or have your tires shredded.

Put concrete inside, so it breaks apart an breaks up more of the road.
Do nothing.....the MOST common option. So it just keeps breaking and breaking and breaking an the pot hole becomes a large crater.

Good job eh...

K.S.

Mac OS X Lion Revealed

2010-10-21T16:32:00.001+05:30

First major upgrade an release coming up Summer 2011! I love Snow Leopard so I'm actually curious about the updates. Though I must say the Mission Control feature I like! Mac Store is a nifty little feature now added to help Apple make more money. In a good way of course.

Steve Job's Intro:

Main Mac page here. Check out dvice for some more details on it. Also for a more detailed video check out gizmodo for sure!

Something more to look forward to now!

K.S.

Manipal Police Station	2570328	91-820-2570328
MU Security Counter	22515	91-820-2922515