Music, the synchronized sound ranging in freq - 20 to 20K Hz, has created so much difference in humanity as a whole!!
its amazing to note the effect music has on an individual or enmasse! its amazing to see that we are attracted to a pleasant (definition varies!) to an intolerant one.. the amount the effect it has in our psyche is unbelevable and perhaps a larger field to investigate..
Recently,i had this interesting experience which i wanted to share.. i was travelling in a friend's car and he played a song from yester-years.. i was immediately surrounded by profound memories of those times when i had first listened to those songs..
i still remember those days with fondness and despair (??!!)
It was when i was in 3rd grade.. i was going to my school in auto ( a shared mode of transporation with 3 wheels) .. Auto-wallah( the driver) used to come to my house in the morning at ~8.30AM to pick me up .. My mom used to get me ready by 8.20 with me all dressed up and fit to go. and then i used to sit in the stony steps in front of my house,patiently waiting for auto (rather impatiently - as always i hated school)
8- 9 AM was new songs segment in local radio station and we had a movie buff family as neighbour.. they used to play the radio aloud and i usually was entertained by it till shaken from the sullen stupor by the auto.. so, whenever i listened to those songs, i knew my time at home was over and i will be taken outta this comfort zone.. so invariably, from then on, whenever i listen to songs from that era, i become moody and all these times flash onto me..
Regardless, there are songs which specifically take me to specific time and incite emotions depending on my emotional state during the time i was introduced to the song.. emotions frozen in time..
Baby doll songs - used to hear it in Wipro shuttle.. the time when i started my career.. the time of hope and inspiration.. strangely got attributed to this raunchy number!!
"New York Nagaram" song reminds me of my first time to US.. a time when i was least clear about my future.. but was willing to take a big step
"Unnale Unnale" - when i was settled in California but was really thinking about moving on in career.. needed to think about lots of risks and mitigations!!
Azhagiya Tamil Magan - my dear car!! the good times with.. unsure lane changes ;-)
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Monday, June 09, 2008
White water in Hell!
It sure sounds good as a topic :-)
I recently went for a road trip to Hells Canyon in Oregon with a colleague of mine. His wife was out of country. so it was only 2 of us on road for 3 days.
It was quite amazing to experience. It was the most unplanned trip ever so far in my life.. My initial plans for the long week end in May'08 bombed due to inclement weather in Yellowstone National park predicted for that week end. i was bit disappointed that i was gonna miss that.. it was then i met this ex-colleague of mine in a farewell lunch of our mutual friend.. he was telling us about his long road trip.. Just then , it struck me , i had never been in roadtrips that lasted more than a day of driving.. i asked him if he was interested in one for the long weekend.. he just was excited for a roadtrip as i was..
But, we had no clue as to where to drive.. i was clear on my requirement -- drive in car in unknown land as long as i can.. ( i was in fact planning to take my car for such a drive if nothing works out).. Just a day before the start of long week end, he suggested Hells Canyon, i just googled the name and it was listed as a scenic drive... Thats all the motivation i needed.. Unfortunately, rest of my friends were unavailable.. so it was only 2 of us and all we had was just a name of the drive...!!
It was really exciting as we had absolutely no expectation and so anything was better !! we rented a Camry, keyed-in the destination "Hells Canyon Recreational Area" and blasted off I-90
It turned out to be really awesome drive
Day 1
Seattle,WA -> Lewiston,OR -> Enterprise,OR
Enterprise had population of 2000!! i was really amazed with the small town (village?) we halted in a small inn to recharge ourselves..
Day 2
Enterprise,OR -> Joseph,OR -> Imnaha,OR -> Enterprise,OR -> Baker City,OR -> Halfway,OR
Morning break fast was unforgettable, we had it in a one of the local cafes, where "Every body knew every customer"!! we were the only non locals but still i felt so much at home!
Halfway turned out to be smaller than Enterprise!
it was so nice to see banner commomerating the High school graduation in all the light pole with the poster of the students!!
Day 3
We headed for the Hells Canyon dam.. it was really nice drive following the snake river up till the dam. We then walked a trail that was following the river beyond the dam..
Coming to the topic, it was a gushing swirling water, even though dam was not fully open. Water is so calm but can stand up to heavens with a roar when it matters! we saw water in one such manifestation.. it was pure white with agitation.. thats when i noticed it.. it was in its most unruly form, unpredictable..
When i was sitting over the rock in the bank, i saw the gushing water as a we humans with our life in fast forward.. there are so many of us, yet we are all same.. we travel in same direction through time.. some of us wanting to move faster than the rest, while some refusing to move forward but nevertheless pushed forward (by time) .. and some of us scale new heights while some face new troughs!!
I recently went for a road trip to Hells Canyon in Oregon with a colleague of mine. His wife was out of country. so it was only 2 of us on road for 3 days.
It was quite amazing to experience. It was the most unplanned trip ever so far in my life.. My initial plans for the long week end in May'08 bombed due to inclement weather in Yellowstone National park predicted for that week end. i was bit disappointed that i was gonna miss that.. it was then i met this ex-colleague of mine in a farewell lunch of our mutual friend.. he was telling us about his long road trip.. Just then , it struck me , i had never been in roadtrips that lasted more than a day of driving.. i asked him if he was interested in one for the long weekend.. he just was excited for a roadtrip as i was..
But, we had no clue as to where to drive.. i was clear on my requirement -- drive in car in unknown land as long as i can.. ( i was in fact planning to take my car for such a drive if nothing works out).. Just a day before the start of long week end, he suggested Hells Canyon, i just googled the name and it was listed as a scenic drive... Thats all the motivation i needed.. Unfortunately, rest of my friends were unavailable.. so it was only 2 of us and all we had was just a name of the drive...!!
It was really exciting as we had absolutely no expectation and so anything was better !! we rented a Camry, keyed-in the destination "Hells Canyon Recreational Area" and blasted off I-90
It turned out to be really awesome drive
Day 1
Seattle,WA -> Lewiston,OR -> Enterprise,OR
Enterprise had population of 2000!! i was really amazed with the small town (village?) we halted in a small inn to recharge ourselves..
Day 2
Enterprise,OR -> Joseph,OR -> Imnaha,OR -> Enterprise,OR -> Baker City,OR -> Halfway,OR
Morning break fast was unforgettable, we had it in a one of the local cafes, where "Every body knew every customer"!! we were the only non locals but still i felt so much at home!
Halfway turned out to be smaller than Enterprise!
it was so nice to see banner commomerating the High school graduation in all the light pole with the poster of the students!!
Day 3
We headed for the Hells Canyon dam.. it was really nice drive following the snake river up till the dam. We then walked a trail that was following the river beyond the dam..
Coming to the topic, it was a gushing swirling water, even though dam was not fully open. Water is so calm but can stand up to heavens with a roar when it matters! we saw water in one such manifestation.. it was pure white with agitation.. thats when i noticed it.. it was in its most unruly form, unpredictable..
When i was sitting over the rock in the bank, i saw the gushing water as a we humans with our life in fast forward.. there are so many of us, yet we are all same.. we travel in same direction through time.. some of us wanting to move faster than the rest, while some refusing to move forward but nevertheless pushed forward (by time) .. and some of us scale new heights while some face new troughs!!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Frost , Wordsworth and Mr. Britto
I apologize to every literature lover for any misrepresentations in this post.
Stopping by woods on a snowy evening
Whose woods these are I think I know,
His house is in the village though.
He will not see me stopping here,
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer,
To stop without a farmhouse near,
Between the woods and frozen lake,
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake,
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep,
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
-- Robert Frost
I could not resist my temptation to quote these words of Robert Frost.(PS-> this has nothing to do with snow in Redmond today) These are not just one of his best words but these invoke pleasant memories in me. I still remember my english teacher Mr.John Britto reciting these words to us enjoying every word while doing it. He was one of the best teachers i have had who taught me how to dream.
I always loved to dream -( not the ambitious types :-) ). i always liked to dream while reading a book or listening to music. i loose myself into a fantasy world where i'd be a great singer, a poet walking along fields (Solitary Reaper). or a romanticist admiring a flower (Daffodils)....
i still remember the day when Mr.Britto introduced us to Solitary Reaper.. i was in the last bench that day and it was post lunch session. i could not resist myself delving into dream world.. i imagined myself walking with a bowler's hat looking at a lone reaper having a lone corn stalk in hand and nibbling its end. It was like a magic. i was in this wonder world with Mr.Britto's words building the world before my "inward eye".. it was quite a pschedelic experience.. (ps-> i had curd rice if u must know :-) )
My dream world was suddenly disturbed when Mr.Britto notied my glazed looks. he asked me what i was doing. i stood up and confessed my dream. i expected to be punished but instead told me that it is good for creativity. but told me to concentrate in his words and then dream about later in the day.. i was embarrassed but was also amused at the encouragement. i have not stopped dreaming from then on.
Do try this next time you are stuck in an airport with a delayed flight or in a long bus journey with no friendly travel mate.. they really refresh your soul and bring in a new zest for life..
Stopping by woods on a snowy evening
Whose woods these are I think I know,
His house is in the village though.
He will not see me stopping here,
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer,
To stop without a farmhouse near,
Between the woods and frozen lake,
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake,
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep,
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
-- Robert Frost
I could not resist my temptation to quote these words of Robert Frost.(PS-> this has nothing to do with snow in Redmond today) These are not just one of his best words but these invoke pleasant memories in me. I still remember my english teacher Mr.John Britto reciting these words to us enjoying every word while doing it. He was one of the best teachers i have had who taught me how to dream.
I always loved to dream -( not the ambitious types :-) ). i always liked to dream while reading a book or listening to music. i loose myself into a fantasy world where i'd be a great singer, a poet walking along fields (Solitary Reaper). or a romanticist admiring a flower (Daffodils)....
i still remember the day when Mr.Britto introduced us to Solitary Reaper.. i was in the last bench that day and it was post lunch session. i could not resist myself delving into dream world.. i imagined myself walking with a bowler's hat looking at a lone reaper having a lone corn stalk in hand and nibbling its end. It was like a magic. i was in this wonder world with Mr.Britto's words building the world before my "inward eye".. it was quite a pschedelic experience.. (ps-> i had curd rice if u must know :-) )
My dream world was suddenly disturbed when Mr.Britto notied my glazed looks. he asked me what i was doing. i stood up and confessed my dream. i expected to be punished but instead told me that it is good for creativity. but told me to concentrate in his words and then dream about later in the day.. i was embarrassed but was also amused at the encouragement. i have not stopped dreaming from then on.
Do try this next time you are stuck in an airport with a delayed flight or in a long bus journey with no friendly travel mate.. they really refresh your soul and bring in a new zest for life..
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Maya - The illusion!
Recently a friend mentioned about Maya to me.. (PS-> its not the software!).Its the "Illusion"!!
Maya - check out wat wiki has in store.
Signal conditioning!
This is part of every human activity..
e.g. Food - we like to bake, boil, grill or fry and eat with a garnish. Real ingredients conditioned beyond recognition.
Precis writing - a branch evolved just to limit conditioning
why does a verb need an adverb, a noun need an adjective?
i am not limiting the creativity but pointing out the exaggerations. need for limitless details.. this blog being an example!
Let me stop the digression, getting back to Maya - eternal conditioning of(/by?) senses!
we have seen that condtioning is way of life as far as humans are concerned.
we depend on all our senses (visual,aural,vocal,olfactory and tactitory) to feel the universe.. its like we sit in a room with an amazing home theater system to know wats happening outside. Quintessential question is , does this Home Theater system do any conditioning. If not, how do we disprove it?
i wear spectacles, a common conditioning we know of. What if there are non physical conditioning. Conditioning pertaining to processing the signals or transformations done to damp/amplify the signals.
What if our senses cannot detect signals beyond a certain band of frequency or dimension? spooky!
para-normal, quasi-normal, abnormal - are they conditioning gone berserk??
Matrix - this movie brought in a modern outlook to an old concept. What if? we are victims of mass delusions!
Since, it deserves a blog on its own, let me get back to current hypothesis. we have heard of various psychedelic drugs. What if? we do delude in such a hormone that keeps us unaware of the reality.
What if? the world we see is a world that we actually imagine.
What if? Balaji did not write this blog, but you imagine it to be written in the imaginary world that your senses project before you!!
i will now leave you to ruminate on that!
Maya - check out wat wiki has in store.
Signal conditioning!
This is part of every human activity..
e.g. Food - we like to bake, boil, grill or fry and eat with a garnish. Real ingredients conditioned beyond recognition.
Precis writing - a branch evolved just to limit conditioning
why does a verb need an adverb, a noun need an adjective?
i am not limiting the creativity but pointing out the exaggerations. need for limitless details.. this blog being an example!
Let me stop the digression, getting back to Maya - eternal conditioning of(/by?) senses!
we have seen that condtioning is way of life as far as humans are concerned.
we depend on all our senses (visual,aural,vocal,olfactory and tactitory) to feel the universe.. its like we sit in a room with an amazing home theater system to know wats happening outside. Quintessential question is , does this Home Theater system do any conditioning. If not, how do we disprove it?
i wear spectacles, a common conditioning we know of. What if there are non physical conditioning. Conditioning pertaining to processing the signals or transformations done to damp/amplify the signals.
What if our senses cannot detect signals beyond a certain band of frequency or dimension? spooky!
para-normal, quasi-normal, abnormal - are they conditioning gone berserk??
Matrix - this movie brought in a modern outlook to an old concept. What if? we are victims of mass delusions!
Since, it deserves a blog on its own, let me get back to current hypothesis. we have heard of various psychedelic drugs. What if? we do delude in such a hormone that keeps us unaware of the reality.
What if? the world we see is a world that we actually imagine.
What if? Balaji did not write this blog, but you imagine it to be written in the imaginary world that your senses project before you!!
i will now leave you to ruminate on that!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Past year !!
Wish u all a Happy New Year (intentionally leaving out the year!)
Past year had been a whirl wind journey. It was really an exciting year on the whole.. i had been through a roller coaster ride of my life..
It is pretty amazing to see myself get through such a dynamic phase and still survive ( excel??!! let me be modest ;-))
It all started with me quitting Philips and at the start of the year.. my experience in Philips was quite rewarding.. i do cherish the memories of those idiosyncracies..
Then came the time to move for the big apple.
It was my first time to US.. Unlike europe trip, this time i was not sure, where i was heading. Pursuing wat our ancestor prescribed, Thirai kadal odi thiraviyam thedu (Cross oceans to acquire wealth)
it was a pleasant surprise to find US more like a home away from home...
For once, i could get a decent vegeterian meal outside india!!
As soon as i landed in Pittsburgh,PA, my priorities kick in, bringing me to reality.. Soon, i leave to Sacramento,CA to start my industrious career ;-)
I cant forget those exciting trips to San Francisco,CA and Oakland,CA for customer meetings.. i have met more people by then, than i would ever imagine!!
it was exciting to interact with people from different culture and different profession sitting together to define an application that was directly impacting the general mass! the passion definitely is contagious.. i couldnt resist outrunning the mid night oil..
also, those exciting group trips to Yosemite and Bay area which we squeezed-in .. is unforgettable.. my haunts as a new driver would sure light me up on any dark day ..
Even though, it was an amazing time, i still was sane enough to reassess my priorities and move ahead to be-fitting opportunities...
Although a rhetoric by now, Seattle,WA turned out to be more exciting than anything so far.. with is plush green ambience, all too beautiful outdoors, Hands Down best place to live (Statutory warning: Sun appears only 7 days a year ;) )
Redmond,WA sure has complimented me on my skills.. working for Microsoft sure is an experience of life.. its not just exhilirating to see the birthplace of IT revolution so near but its more honoring to be a part of..
It was not just a year of work but also a year with more travel than i had ever done.. would always relish those trips to Dayton,OH, Niagara and Los Angeles,CA...
Overall, it had been a year to be marked.. Would never have imagined a dynamism so profound yet fulfilling!!
Wish every year be so enriching as this...
Good Bye 2007, u will always be my past sweet heart :-)
Welcome 2008, i do wish you are as exciting..
Past year had been a whirl wind journey. It was really an exciting year on the whole.. i had been through a roller coaster ride of my life..
It is pretty amazing to see myself get through such a dynamic phase and still survive ( excel??!! let me be modest ;-))
It all started with me quitting Philips and at the start of the year.. my experience in Philips was quite rewarding.. i do cherish the memories of those idiosyncracies..
Then came the time to move for the big apple.
It was my first time to US.. Unlike europe trip, this time i was not sure, where i was heading. Pursuing wat our ancestor prescribed, Thirai kadal odi thiraviyam thedu (Cross oceans to acquire wealth)
it was a pleasant surprise to find US more like a home away from home...
For once, i could get a decent vegeterian meal outside india!!
As soon as i landed in Pittsburgh,PA, my priorities kick in, bringing me to reality.. Soon, i leave to Sacramento,CA to start my industrious career ;-)
I cant forget those exciting trips to San Francisco,CA and Oakland,CA for customer meetings.. i have met more people by then, than i would ever imagine!!
it was exciting to interact with people from different culture and different profession sitting together to define an application that was directly impacting the general mass! the passion definitely is contagious.. i couldnt resist outrunning the mid night oil..
also, those exciting group trips to Yosemite and Bay area which we squeezed-in .. is unforgettable.. my haunts as a new driver would sure light me up on any dark day ..
Even though, it was an amazing time, i still was sane enough to reassess my priorities and move ahead to be-fitting opportunities...
Although a rhetoric by now, Seattle,WA turned out to be more exciting than anything so far.. with is plush green ambience, all too beautiful outdoors, Hands Down best place to live (Statutory warning: Sun appears only 7 days a year ;) )
Redmond,WA sure has complimented me on my skills.. working for Microsoft sure is an experience of life.. its not just exhilirating to see the birthplace of IT revolution so near but its more honoring to be a part of..
It was not just a year of work but also a year with more travel than i had ever done.. would always relish those trips to Dayton,OH, Niagara and Los Angeles,CA...
Overall, it had been a year to be marked.. Would never have imagined a dynamism so profound yet fulfilling!!
Wish every year be so enriching as this...
Good Bye 2007, u will always be my past sweet heart :-)
Welcome 2008, i do wish you are as exciting..
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