The new ipod shuffle

Apple released the 3^rd generation of ipod shuffle earlier this week.

It’s unbelievable small, yet astonishingly big.

With a one-sized flash memory of 4GB, it is priced at 79$. Colours available are silver and black.

A unique feature of this ipod, which is not available in any other ipods, is the “voice over” feature. The ipod talks, and tells you which song you are listening to. Not just English, but 14 different languages.

This is the first shuffle that has a non-shuffle play mode. You can choose between a regular mode and shuffle mode. You can also have multiple playlists for the first time on a shuffle. It is also the first ipod shuffle that doesn’t have the trademark navigation wheel. The volume controls are on the headphones, while the mode control is on the ipod itself.

And that’s not all, it’s big enough for some personalised engraving.

Of exams and laughs

I always thought the CG MST would be the best exam memory I would carry from VJTI. But I was wrong. I underestimated the novelty of paper setters in VJTI. From questions that make your stomach churn to ridiculous instructions , they have it all.

This is the paper I got for the mid semester test of Multimedia Systems.



“Please don‘t write stories”
It’s a known fact that engineering papers are graded based on their length. So, we HAVE to write looooong answers with a lot of masala to spice it up. Paraphrasing is used extensively to convert a one-sentence answer into 3 sentences, without increasing the actual content. The examiner, not wanting to waste his time in correction, didn’t want to read “stories” in a 20 mark paper.

“Write crisp answers. You may use bullets”
Hands down, this person was definitely a big fan of MS Word. If only we could submit a soft copy of the answer sheet.

“Describe a multimedia application used in VJTI. lf there is no such application, describe what activities can benefit from multimedia applications.”
No such application in VJTI? Are you kidding? I wonder if Mr/Miss Paper-Setter knows what multimedia is!

Such are the exams of the oldest and most prestigious engineering college in Maharashtra. VJTI raaks!

Rahman Raga

He’s finally done it। The Oscars, not one but TWO black ladies, proudly go home with him। The Golden Globe, Baftas, and our very own Filmfare aren’t far behind. Hats off to the musical genius. Here’s a list of the lesser known famous songs of this music maestro. Source: my personal music collection.

Pray for me brother: Title track of his first English album as his contribution to fight global poverty।
Bombay Dreams- Wedding Qawalli, Love’s never easy: Featured in the Broadway musical that had packed audiences.
Delhi 6- Arziyaan: A mosque song inspired by traditional sufi music.
Janne Tu Ya Jaane na - Kahin to hogi who: A very un-Rahmanish song by Vasundhara Das and Rashid Ali
Jodha Akbar- In lamhon ke daaman: The sweet romantic song depicting Jodha and Akbar’s love story. Jodha Akbar- Khwaja mere Khwaja: The mosquito-killing sufi song. Have you seen the choreography? Kisna- Hum Hai is Pal Yahaan: Featured Vivek Oberoi in a pre-independence era love story with Antonio Bernath
Lagaan- O Re Chhori
Lakeer- Paighaam, sadiyaan
Meenaxi- Ye Rishta: Reena Bharadwaj’s debut song that topped the charts for weeks. Excellent art direction by M F Hussain.
Rang De Basanti- Tu Bin Bataaye: Slow romantic number by Madhushree.
Rang De Basanti- Khoon Chala: Riots after a public protest. Very touching song by Mohit Chouhan (of Tum se hi fame)
Saathiya- Humdum, Udi Udi, Mangalyam, Naina Milaike: The music was originally composed for Alaipayuthey, the Tamil movie starring Madhavan. It was then remade in Hindi as Saathiya. All songs except “Naika Milaike” are also in the Tamil version.
Slumdog Millionaire- Dreams On Fire
Slumdog Millionaire- Ringa Ringa: It bears a resemblance to the famous “Choli ke peeche kya hai”
Swades- Yuhi Chala
Taal- Ishq bina, Kariye Na, Nahim Saamne
Yuva- Fanaa, Badal, Kabhi Neem: Like Saathiya, music was composed for Tamil version “Ayutha Ezhuthu”, starring Madhavan and Esha Deol.
Zubeidaa- dheeme dheeme, mehendi, Hai na, Pyaara Sa Gaon
Fiza- Piya Haji Ali: A guest composition in Fiza shot at the Haji Ali dargah.
Jeans- ajooba: The originally-Tamil-but-dubbed-in-Hindi movie captured all 7 wonders of the world
Pukar- Que Sera Sera: Prabhu Deva’s rubber-man dance made everyone go towards the dance floor.
Dil Hi Dil Mein- Dola Dola: An unheard number from an even lesser-heard of film, which was a remake of You’ve got Mail.

Songs sung by the legend himself:
Guru- Tere Bina: Another sufi song with real-life couple Abhiash.
Dil Se- title song: The lovely cinematography in conjunction with the beats was the chartbuster.
Swades- Yo jo des
Rang De Basanti- Lukkha Chhupi: A mother-son song by Lata Mangeshkar and Rahman.
Slumdog Millionaire- O Saaya

TAGGED

A chain game most bloggers are playing these days.

RULE 1: People who are tagged must write their answers to the tag and change any question they like.
RULE 2: Tag 3 people and they cannot refuse to do this tag. They must write who tagged them and cannot tag that person again. Continue the game. And I hope it will be sheer fun.

1. If your lover betrayed you, what would be your reaction?
I'd be crushed...n then i would take a hacksaw and do the needful! *wicked grin*

2. If you have one dream which could come true, it would be?
The 70" tv with a Bose surround sound system, and a comfy barcalounger to lie in. Wudn't that be lovely.

3. Who is more blessed-loving someone or being loved by someone ?
Call me selfish, but I'd say both.

4. Can you fall in love with your best friend ?
Sure. That's how it happens most of the time, doesn't it?

5. How long would you wait for someone you love?
Till I find someone else.

6. If the person you like is secretly attached, what would you do?
Find out where he's attached, then get that person attached somewhere else. Break them up and keep the pieces for myself. Smart eh?

7. If you could root for one social cause, what would it be?
Stray dogs. They really ought to be treated better.

8. What according to you is blogger in denial?
One who calls himself a blogger by blogging once in a blue moon.

9. What’s your fear ?
Creepy crawly bugs!

10. What colour are your socks now?
I don't usually wear socks. They don't really go well with my awesome crocs

11. What are you listening to now?
Yeh Zindagi n Pyaar ki daastan from Luck By Chance.

12. What takes you down fastest?
The elevator. It's a lot faster than running down the stairs. Though, I haven't tried jumping out the window yet.

13. Which one do you prefer - ice-cream or chocolate?
Chocolates! With ice cream on the side *smiles*

14. What would you do with a billion dollars?
Lots. First convert it to rupees. Buy a plane. Then travel round the world.

15. What was the last thing you ate?
Baskin Robbins ice cream with my own-made devils food cake! Deeelocious!

16. How old are you today?
What's important is how old you look, rather than how old you actually are. I look like a teen, n feel like one.

17. How do you vent out your anger?
Run at 8 kms/hr on the treadmill for half an hour. Burns the calories too.

18. Favourite toy as a child?
My first toy computer. I miss that baby.

18. Favourite season?
Winter. Love the cold breeze and snuggling under the covers!

19. When was the last time you cried?
While reading Kite Runner.

20. Who is the friend you have had the longest?
Too many to mention here.

21. What did you do last night?
Watched Big Bang Theory on my ipod, read a book, started my downloads and went to sleep.

22. Favorite day of the week?
Saturday! The most relaxing day. Wake up late and you don't have to worry about finishing your work coz you have Sunday to do all that.

23. Diamond or pearl?
Not really into jewelery, but of the two, I'd go for pearls. They are less flashy.

24.Would you be single & rich or married & poor ?
Single and rich.

25.What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
Snooze my alarm, and when I finally wake up, check my phone for messages. Mostly vodafone telling me about their great offers on sms-astrology.

26.If you fall in love with two people simultaneously, whom would you pick?
The one who I've known longer.

27.Would you give all in a relationship ?
Yes. If its a 2-way street.

28.What’s eating you now ?
That I have to wake up at 7.30 tomorrow. [:(]

29.Do you prefer being single or in a relationship?
Always been single so far and its been terrific.

30. Your opinion of 3 bloggers who you are going to tag and the one who tagged you.
Mona. My oldest friend in VJTI.

I tag the following peeps:
Gul, Varu, KD. If these people every bother to open up their blogs!

As the years flew by

2009. It’s here. The year I graduate. And become an engineer. Got a job already. And now a degree. I can’t believe it. Where did these years fly by?
What have I done in the last 4 yrs? Not gained much knowledge, that’s for sure. I better pen it down before my highly volatile memory gets the better of me.

First Year: Ah! Proud to get admission into VJTI. Attending lectures (yea, we actually did that). Write out assignments (did that too). Took down notes in the lectures and actually used them during the exams. (This really takes the cake).
- Sitting outside MLR 6 under the tree waiting for the profs to turn up
- The graphics lectures. The long lines for getting the best drawing boards. The girls demanding a separate girls line.
- The sleepless nights before the graphics exam.
- The loooooong line for PAW to get the BME writeups signed.
- The entertaining shouting match in the maths lecture (Thanks to Anita).
- Physics practical vivas ending with the prof’s head horizontal on the desk.
- Time pass in the chemistry lab
- The first traditional day n rose day with the never ending photo session.
- Running around for the fests
- Freshers’ party
- The ragging in the canteen (again, thanks to Anita)
- Workshop: Getting all the work done from the guys and the instructors. 45 degrees going on and on with his jokes.
- Deolekar’s lectures with full attendance. The day he got bugged n said “so” n we laughed on his face. Poor guy, he still hasn’t figured it out. The punishment assignment with the whole class sitting in the library.
- Our first dose of submissions, vivas and GPAs.
- The first class trip to Khandala.
- Movie plans of 40+ people.

Second Year: No longer the kids in the college. Now in our own department.
- The initial pleasure of studying subjects of our interest.
- Driving Ahire out of class. Deolekar getting mad again. And the 100 sum punishment that followed.
- Varu’s Krrish-like hairstyle.
- Anita’s screamfest part 2 that scared the shit out of the babe.
- Gul’s ROFL laugh. It was legen…wait for it…dary.
- The gossip sessions in EDC lab.
- Mass copying tutorials of EN.
- The daily climb up the smelly staircase
- Our first tryst with “no prof” in 4th sem.
- The Goa trip.
- The day trip to the water park. The hour long wait for the ST bus, and the rather uncomfortable ride. It’s not everyday that we sit on pillows. *grin*

Third year: The year of fun and festivals.
- The joy of having a ground floor class room.
- Walking out of the CG mst. What a day! We did set a trend though, for the IT class emulated us.
- The brilliant microp prof.
- A time table with only 2 subjects in the 6th sem
- No prof for CG.
- A certain “chudhail” cracking jokes while shouting.
- The new year party in true wizards style

Final year: Gosh, it’s already here. God, why are you doing this to us?
- The placements.
- The long walk to Mount Everest (damn, I lost a good amount of weight there)
- The infinite visits to the exam dept.
- Walking from one class to another.
- The annoying new class tests. Certain annoying people asking us to draw lines on the papers. Other annoying people screeching like dinosaurs.
- The wumpus in class- the day he got high (and ****) and started reciting shaayaris. Don’t be shocked, Bade Bade collegon mein aisi chhoti chhoti baatein hoti rehti hai.
- Walking out of the DSP mst after 15 mins- not because it was out of syllabus, but because it was so ridiculously easy, we all started laughing.

*Sigh*. Only one more sem left. If only it is as eventful as the others.

Samsung Pebble

I was leafing through the December 2008 edition of JetWings during my flight when I came across something that caught my attention.

Here's presenting an mp3 player that is simple and stylish- the Samsung Pebble. It's small. It's cute. With a design to resemble a stone, it can be used as a piece of jewellery as well.

With a flash memory of 1 GB, it comes in 5 colours. Reasonably priced at 40$, it could give the Ipod Shuffle a tough time. Like the shuffle, it has no screen, which means that the user should be familiar with its functions. Another drawback is that it doesn't allow you to jump from one album to another while scrolling, so you may need to spend a really long time searching for your favourite song.

On the whole, it's a cheap, pretty device that could serve the purpose of a pendant.

World's largest TV

I always thought the Samsung 70” LCD TV was on the top of my wish list.

Until I came across the new Sharp 108” LCD TV. Released in Mumbai on Friday night, it’s the largest TV that has ever been manufactured.

Boasting a height and breadth of 52” and 94” respectively, it employs 8^th generation glass substrates. Sharp has proved that it can now manufacture LCD tvs in all sizes- from 14” to gigantic ones.

With a resolution of 1920x1080, it offers a plethora of inputs, such as HDMI, which makes it compatible with a wide range of products.

That’s the good news.

The bad news? It’s gonna burn a deep hole in your pockets, perhaps burn out your wallet. This awesome device comes at a retail price of 97 lakh rupees. And of course, you will need to buy a house with a wall big enough to mount the tv.

So if you are ever on the hot seat of KBC, and AB asks you what you would do with a crore of crore rupees, you know what to say. I know I will.