Hope for a centrist state

http://seetheforest.blogspot.com/

This weblog by proclaimed liberals who are fed up with the right-wing is a good resource in an effort to get the country to veer off from the far right and into a more centrist mainstream.

Hope, it seems, is still there. And if you want to fight back them rightwingers, here is how.

Compassionate Conservative? What a bleeping piece of bullshit

What a joke of a response. The official US response to what is seen as the worst natural disaster of the last 40 years, is pathetic to say the least. Does it take a bleepin rocket scientist for a redneck goddamned prez to release a bleepin statement?

Atleast, on the brighter side, the American public were not in the same insensitive pathetic vein as the so called leader of the nation.

Another interesting link that puts the American Governments effort in sharp contrast to its shameless ventures into Iraq in search of oil. Also an expose on the pathetic twisting of facts that typifies the rightwing bastar**zed media. And the venerated WSJ is at it again, calling environmentalists as a bunch of hysterical leftwing liberals. And if I maybe so bold as to copy their style of news and analyses, they also called the liberals as anti-Americans and as un-American as they can be.

As for my parting guess...it is these so called left wing Americans who have probably provided the most for the disaster relief in south Asia.

F*** the South

(Bleep)the South

Pardon my French, but I sure cannot completely edit the fascinating acronym that means copulation with the Kings permit, or some such thing.

Anyway I digress....

Interesting read, about the American South. And yeah, I am a liberal...




Thanks Vish

In memoriam - M.S.Subbulakshmi, 1916 - 2004

Bharat Ratna and noted Carnatic music exponent M.S.Subbulakshmi (Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi) passed away on Saturday, December 11, 2004 in Chennai India, at the age of 88.

Blessed with subliminal and possibly unparalleled talent for song, this "Nightingale of India" helped popularize the classical art form in India and elsewhere. And being born into a family of music lovers, I got lucky at an early age and grew up listening to M.S.S's songs on tape and radio.

The haunting and mesmerizing soulfulness of her voice is perhaps best illustrated in that equally haunting song "Kaatrinilae Varum Geetham" from the movie Meera. Her fluid voice, combined with an incredible vocal range and delivery served to remind me of the waters of a brook gliding ever-so-gently over rocks, lolling the listener into a peaceful frame of mind.

Like I mentioned above, my family is a musically-oriented family with spiritualism thrown in for a good measure. As a result, we were exposed to the great bhajans and hymns and chants that are part of a practising Hindu's culture. Chief among them is the ode to the rising light of the morning.. the Suprabhatam. And MSS wove her way into countless peoples morning experiences just by the sheer strength of her vocal delivery reciting.."Kausalya Supraja Rama Poorva Sandhya...". You could argue that if you had listened to someone else recite the Suprabhatam, and listened to it with the regularity that was paid to the MSS version, that would have the same appeal to it too. But, this is one of the unusual cases where the message matters, and so does the messenger.

Essentially, I guess it was the reassurance of hearing that soothing voice reciting that sloka with resonance, that put to rest any apprehension that I may have of facing the upcoming day. Similarly, her recital of Bhaja Govindam, Vishnu Sahasranaamam and Hanuman Chalisa, and her ability to be crystal-clear in pronunciation and enunciation of the Sanskrit words of these verses, has me enthralled in a way, that I will forever struggle to put that into words.

MSS' contribution to this world, if measured by the sheer number of peoples hearts she touched through her song alone, would be as close to a Herculean task as there can be. But she did not stop there, and strove to donate to charity at all available opportunities.

It is said that she rarely ever sings with her eyes opened. And for whatever the reason maybe, traditional prayers as taught to us by our parents meant that we closed our eyes and tried to concentrate on God. Hence this practise of hers was one of those implicit actions that appealed to the heart and spoke volumes of her sincerity of recitals. I do hope many of the current crop of singers would take up on similar traditions and keep the torch of classical Indian music burning high and bright.

But, her appeal was not restricted to just carnatic or classical music alone. Her famous rendition of that pan-Indian song - Vaishnava Janato, is easily one moving experience. And that song devoted to Lord Krishna - Kurai Ondrum Illai, which apparently was her signature ending to inevitably all concerts..well it is an apt encore to any concert.

My appreciation of her unique talent and ability is despite the fact that I am, you could say, musically as talented as a braying donkey. But her singing has always managed to ensnare my senses and thrown me into raptures of emotion. Thank god for the excellent invention that is the magnetic tape, and the compact-disc digitized music.

Now, even though the original beacon has attained samadhi at the feet of the Lord, we will get to hear her in unadulterated purity and sincerity through discs and tapes.

She believed that with her talents she was just relaying Gods message to the listening public. If that is indeed the case, one could easily make the argument that she did what was charted out for her, with a flourish and in a manner that far exceeded what was probably expected of her.

And we, the public - that got the magnificent opportunity to listen to her up-close and personal, either in live concert in one of the many excellent concert venues in Chennai or through the medium of TV or radio - are truly blessed to have had that opportunity.

I pray that her soul rests in peace, after having provided so much peace to her listeners.

Murder on the Orient Express...

Hercule Poirot...that French-accented English speaking Belgian detective...Agatha Christie...that wonderful weaver of mystery yarn....aah...the joy of reading the books.

Spoiler alert: Note, if you have not yet read the book "Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie" or watched the movie of same name starring Albert Finney as Poirot, I suggest you get off this posting immediately....don't tell me later that I didn't warn you.

Perhaps one of the finest mystery/crime detective novels ever written, this is a story of kidnapping for ransom, murder, and an eventually elaborate and protracted plot for revenge.

Set aboard the surreal-sounding "Orient Express", that trans-European train of luxury and wealth, it is begins rather simply with Monsieur Poirot on his way back to London to tend to a pending case...little does he realize that he is going to be close in hand as a horrific murder is perpetrated on one of the travelers, just as the train is held up by a heavy wall of drifting snow in 'Jugo Slavia' (emphasis mine).

That begins the story of Poirot's genius as he uses his wiliness and cleverness, and unabashedly come to the rather astounding conclusion (well, when I read the book the first time, and watched the movie the first time, it was astounding in the scope and depth of the plot and the scheming and planning that went into making all the things fall into place at the same time and place....a train in a desolate and freezing rural area of Jugoslavia.) as he (Poirot, of course) puts to use the little gray cells in his brain and lies down in his chair and solves the murder.

Without divulging too much, it has to be said though that the case of a certain Daisy Armstrong and her family is centerpiece to the whole case.

It is indeed appreciable that Agatha Christie even conjured up this mystery, and it is that much more appreciable that she came up with a detective who would, how shall we say....crack the case open just by using the gray matter. And her characterization of the people involved in the case....ah...sheer genius.

As an aside..it has been said that it takes a crook to nab a crook....and Poirot gets to the bottom of the murder mystery by just analyzing clues at the scene of crime and with a few interviews. So does that make Poirot a good criminal mastermind? And what of Agatha Christie? Yes, she is the author, but she did conjure up the plot in the first place and then wrote a book that was essentially how to solve it...Perhaps, she is a great criminal mastermind herself :P

Train a' Grand Vitesse

TGVweb

Continuing with the newly rediscovered enthusiasm for trains..here is the wonderful TGV detailed rather well. Information includes guides to spotting these trains, future research in improving train design and statistics related to everything....

Not to forget, a wonderful gallery of photos and some videos too..

Have fun and enjoy the site..

M.G.Emu's of Chennai...

(Thanks Pradeep for reminding me that I've not written about trains yet...)

Those of you in the know (and by that I mean, who have lived a significant amount of time in Chennai, especially the central and southern parts) must have come across the stock of the M.G. Electric Multiple Unit trains rolling and yawing and gently lolling along the iron tracks doing their regular runs between suburban Tambaram and Chennai (Madras) Beach Jn.

M.G.Emus...erstwhile lifeline of south Madras, now relegated to the scrap heap...(photo courtesy IRFCA,photo copyright "Poochi Venkat"

The venerable old trains are no longer in service though, removed from service when the clock struck midnight and turned onto July 1, 2004.

The moon only serves to enhance the nightfall on the life and times of the M.G. Emu in Chennai. This long exposure night shot in the wee early hours of July 1, 2004 just after the last commercial MG Emu service had been run, serves as a poignant reminder to something we will not see again in Chennai..the gently rocking and rolling pitter-patter of these trains....photo courtesy IRFCA,photo copyright "Jason Antony"

Ever since the humble beginnings as a direct current driven three-car rake in April 1931, these trains evolved into the conscience of people who grew up along the route served by the trains. So much, that they became part of the social life. It was not uncommon to see people fraternizing amongst fellow-travellers. Many a life-long friendships were born in the often-crowded, usually-cramped, but always rolling and rocking and lolling cars of the local trains (as they came to be called in the parlance that is uniquely desi). And this affection extended to the trains as well..so much so that people sent the train off in variously unique and not-so-unique ways. And the venerable Southern Railway, bless their souls, even accepted to run a special on July 1 just to honor the sentiment of the hundreds of thousands of riders.

Who says machines cannot evoke emotions from people? These people, apparently regular users of the services, were distributing candies and sweets as parting gift to the riders of the last train....(photo courtesy IRFCA,photo copyright "Poochi Venkat"

Yours truly fell in love with them sometime during the early 80s, when the rapidly burgeoning population of suburban southern Madras began to rely more on these to get to their destinations. Through the years, it evolved into more avatars than the average Bollywood movie star changes clothing during one song. But unlike the movie stars though, the avatars were never garish, and always beneficial..

My earliest recollection of these cutesy trains were when they were in off-white or silvery painted livery. They then went Gang Green....as in, Southern Railway went ahead and re-painted them rakes in a deep green, which, IMO was the best livery that these trains have ever had. Though they never made a comeback on the venerable MG rakes, they are now widely prevalent in their successor - the wide-bodied BG rakes.

The Green Monster...not the one in Boston's Fenway...but the massive one that runs now in place of the MG Emus in Chennai...these trains provide enhanced capacity and increased rider comfort, but they are so plastic and do not have half the charm of the trundly MG trains. And they are BIG.. photo courtesy IRFCA,photo copyright "Poochi Venkat"

But the livery that has been the most prevalent is the ones you see in the first photo above. In between undergoing cosmetic changes though, the trains underwent functional changes as well. Reflecting increased ridership, 8-car rakes were made into 9-car rakes. Improved signalling and increased coordination with the city government led to reduction of number of grade-crossings (level-crossings in Indian parlance) which then improved the punctuality.

Ultimately, what stands out for me is the fact that these little trains, restricted to operative speeds of 55kmph could still give you the impression of speed, what with the way it would huff and puff and trundle merrily, rolling and weaving its way through the city. And during those times when Chennai gets lashed by rains and roads are akin to navigating an obstacle course, it is these venerable trains that gave the safe way of passage to many commuters.

And now that these trains are out of service, it is time to move on and establish bonds with the beasts that have replaced them..the huge and impersonal looking widebody EMUs. But hey, isnt it only a matter of time before people fall in love with the BG emus as well?

Monday Toosday Thursday Wensday...

Its all in a days work for this orca doing a lively flip, one fine summer afternoon at the Sea World in San Diego, CA.






And this is all in a weeks work for yours truly...

if you know anyone that knows anyone that knows who owns the copyright, or if you just happen to know who I should credit for the copyright for this, lemme know and I will be happy to oblige....

The Grand Canyon.....enough said

Even the limited zoom capabilities of Kodak's C60 Advantix does not do injustice to capturing the breadth and depth of the beauty of THE CANYON...
hopefully one day I fulfill my dream of hiking down the Canyon and pitching camp overnight, 1 mile deep into the bowels of the earth....






Peace and tranquility...and oh yes, it does not hurt to be single-mindedly devoted to the task at hand for well over a million years...in this case the R. Colorado...at it...carving out the gorgeously colored rock strata that forms the Grand Canyon...

As different as night and day..the Canon way..

High res High aperture long exposure photograph, stabilized by placing on a pedestrian walk-way light..the view is of Jefferson Street looking east, in downtown Phoenix..



Canon PowerShot showing off its capabilities in daylight..well yeah...it was wet and cloudy..nonetheless..

Interesting point and counter-point..

Namma Nanganallur : Is this an undesirable shade of Pride called VANITY?

Excellent points and counter-points with regard to the now-infamous email forward that has been doing the rounds for a long time. Yeah the same one espousing how we Indians need to be proud of our country because......

Read it for yourself and draw conclusions...

Me? I consider it a fair beginning, only, I wish there was more factual backing of the same, something more substantial than the supposedly official Tourism of India website.

SI.com - Burns: Spurs' quiet excellence a welcome change of pace.

SI.com - Writers - Burns: Spurs' quiet excellence a welcome change of pace - Wednesday December 8, 2004 3:00PM

Almost too good to a fault, these quiet and quite good players are the dream..an elite team with role players and superstars who understand the need for each other on court, yet a team humble enough to realize its own fallibility and hence does not let its on-court excellence translate into off-court negative brouhaha that seems to be following sports everywhere.

Branded as boring by the useless and hypocritical talking heads on ESPN and Fox Sports Net, they are everything people profess to want to see. But the same voices that raise up the crescendo when a "Malice in the Palace - a la Indiana Pacers brawling with Detroit Pistons fans" or a "Desparate Terrell Owens Housewives" saga comes on TV are no where to be found espousing the Spurs and their good-guy image.

You people that follow sport but cannot realize the Spurs for what they are, its your loss. May you have a wonderful time following your team.

Go Spurs Go!

It rains in the desert too....sometimes...

The rain gods have been a little kind to the desert south west recently. We've been getting sprinkles of rain every so often. And they have provided for some interesting scenery locally - what with excellent visuals of lightning strikes on the surrounding mountains, the flashes of driving rain against the backdrop of a gray sky, winds howling through trees making them look like they were stooping with age...

Other than helping the ground water level replenish by just a tad over an inch, what this rain has done has been amazing for the weather. Its freezing..thats what is amazing.
Its early December, which usually means mild to chilly weather in this part of the country. Instead, what we've had is freezing weather that began in the last days of November.

Without much more ado though, here are some views of Tempe under gray skies.


The clouds descended on Tempe this past weekend..they stooped so low, the 300 ft "A" Mountain top disappeared. It was cold and freezing with a driving rain. The lights of Sun Devil Stadium seemed to just show up the moisture hanging in the thick air...



Finally the rain let up. But the clouds were still lying low. A tad better than the previous pic...


View looking east along the "University Drive"..usually the Superstition Mountains are visible in the backdrop...but the visibility in this is hardly over a few hundred yards.....

Baseball, we have a problem!

Disclaimer: I am a fan of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and since they play the San Francisco Giants as a division rival, my views and opinions of the Giants are not necassarily fair and objective. What I am meaning to say is that I am enjoying all this hoopla surrounding Barry Bonds and drug-use in the sport of baseball.

Those of you who follow American sports closely, probably know by now all the issues relating to BALCO (the Bay Area Labs Cooperative or some such moniker) and its supplying performance enhancing drugs to various US athletes. Primarily suspected are track and field athletes and baseball players. Anyway the point of this all is that Barry Bonds claims that he used substances provided to him by his trainer and that he did not know they were steroids. Yeah right!

For those not in the know, Barry Bonds, one of the better baseball players to play the game, and a graduate of my school ASU, went from being a spindly (in comparison to his bulk now) frame when he debuted in the Major Leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates to a rather bulky/hulky frame. Conventional wisdom, and the talking heads on all sports shows that have dedicated themselves to yapping away at nothing (ESPN and FSN, take note!) would have you believe that it was all because of Bonds dedication to his body and work ethic, especially his strenous off-season regimen. And that may be the case too. But can that explain this sudden spurt in his body after the age of 35? Can this explain how a guy who never hit more than 45 home runs a season suddenly exploded for 73 in 2001?

US law has it that anyone is innocent until proven guilty. And it is nigh, but a good value to adhere to. But circumstantial evidence, emanating from the time of Ken Caminiti admitting to steroid use, to the sudden increase in the body mass of these superstars, which amazingly enough, coincided with their increased power production, has left many with questions in their minds - are Bonds achievements that of a supremely gifted super-star athlete? Or is it a Ben Johnson-esque flash in the pan fueled by steroids?

I will admit, we are living in an era when there are a bunch of super-star athletes around. World-wide, almost all major sports - team and individual - are seeing newer blood and talent, challenging the way we conventionally thought about the games.

We have 40-plus year old pitchers still pitching in the Major League Baseball like they were in their 20s and 30s.

We have a 35-year old quarterback leading a history-laden franchise of the National Football League (American Football) and still celebrating every score like a 5 year old kid on a playground, and this after having set some amazing records of durability and endurance.

We have bowlers who have set and reset records for maximum scalps in a career in International Cricket, and we have teams setting and erasing and re-establishing records for runs scored and chased to win Limited-Overs International matches.

We have tennis-artiste par excellence Martina Navratilova, at age 47, still competing in Grand Slam tennis tournaments.

So maybe it is just our lucky timing that we are getting to see tremendous offensive output in baseball. But it is still disturbing how callous the players union and the league have been treating the premise of drug-use and abuse in the sport. The National Football League has become pretty good at enforcing the substance-abuse issue and as a result, been able to establish itself as a league that is currently enjoying tremendous popularity amongst the American masses.

Hopefully, the league and the players union realize the hurt being put on what is a tremendous product. Baseball as a game, is a delight. No time constraints whatsoever, and hence the exquisite game generates pressure the unusual way - outs. Hopefully, this storm will come to a pass too, and Major League Baseball would be back up with a straight-face and claim that its atheletes do not use performance-enhancing drugs.

In the meanwhile though, I am going to sit back and enjoy the obvious discomfiture that these allegations must be causing to the fans of the San Francisco Giants. Hey, payback is often sweet you know! You should've known better than to put down the Diamondbacks franchise during our heydays from 1999 through 2002. Well, enjoy your currently rotten luck.