Current Account

Buy or Wait?

2006-07-20T21:25:00.000-04:00

When I buy a air-ticket the price invariably drops in the following days. This 'buy or wait' is always a daunting question. There is some hope for those seeking an answer. http://www.farecast.com is the answer. The site along with providing the lowest fare provides a tip on whether to buy or wait . In the current beta version only Boston & Seattle is available for search. Look forward to the full launch in 2007 !!!

Update on 8/21/06 : Having attracted a lot of attention from its launch, the site has added 55+ cities to its search!!

Long absence

2006-07-19T16:06:00.000-04:00

I know I have not been updating the blog on a regular basis. But there is a long absence in the year 2005 which has a reason. I took a break (from Blog) to do my CPA.

Ok.... I did complete my CPA in this period. It just struck me why not a separate blog for topics relating to this and hence born the othere blog 'The Journal' . May be I will post pretty much anything that comes to my mind relating to this topic and all the updates in the accounting field that I come across. A good CPA friend will also be joining me in updating the posts.

Good Luck to the jus' born
'The Journal' - of CPA rookies..........

RD Rudeness survey

2006-07-18T13:50:00.000-04:00

This survey by Readers Digest has drawn varied opinion from the bloggers. I agree with most as the criteria not being apt and the cultural difference that exist between New York & Mumbai. The most satisfying analysis ofcourse is from Abheek Bhattacharya in WSJ . Lets only hope that we move forward that way.

By coincidence I recently read this book (more about the book in a later post) on 9/11 attack which slightly changes my perspective on the issue. The book is a vivid account about the 102 minutes of battling before the twin towers came down. One thing that amazed me is the discipline with which the people decended down the stairs in both the towers as a single file to make way for the firefighters movement upwards. This discipline in a way is a result of their courteousness. This goes to show how politness could pay at the time of a crisis. Needless to say any other behaviour could have resulted in a stampede.

Now the topic is back in talk showing the blood donation that poured in at the time of the blast & how the people of Mumbai stepped up to the rescue efforts. Sure enough none can take the credit away from them for the efforts, but the blood donation again is humanity and should not be linked with the rudeness issue . So the rudeness survey should be looked at with a broader outlook. Its a discipline than mere courtesy.

Mumbai Serial Blast

2006-07-11T12:47:00.000-04:00

Serial blasts rocked the Mumbai trains and as of this post 137 is feared dead. The number of blast sites reported varies as to seven and eight. This comes shortly after the Srinagar incident. Blast sites (in order reported)

Near Khar Railway station
Bandra station
Matunga
Jogeshwari
Borivali (2)

Read more on Mumbai Help.

In case you are seeking some info/having something to share visit the site at "How can we Help you ? "

Two nice weeks

2006-07-09T15:10:00.000-04:00

The past two weeks had been pretty interesting..... two contrasting games in full roll with this historic win for India inbetween.

Tennis with all its softness came down to a final between the cool Federer & tough Nadal. Federer win has sure reignited the rivalry. A couple of matches sure to look back at the memory lane like this second round match between Nadal & the qualifier Robert Kendrick and the win of Bryan brothers in the final. Legend Aggasi bid his adieu . Lucky me got an opportunity to watch most of them live due to this subscription..... worth every cent !!!!

And for the foot ball fans its been a roller coaster with surprise finalist France & Italy. Add to it the bizzare Zidane incident came as an anticlimax. It all came down to PKs & Italy made the best use.

Sure all this had been a feast for every sports fan.

I am a Finalist

2006-05-16T07:40:00.000-04:00

After waitng all day long & checking the mail 3times a minute gave up in the end.

Now has this mail in by inbox....

FINALIST - The Da Vinci Code Quest on Google
2 messages

The Da Vinci Code Quest

Mon, May 15, 2006 at 10:13 PM

Reply-To: The Da Vinci Code Quest

Your journey does not end here. You have also qualified to compete for the grand prize which includes trips for four to New York, Paris, Rome and London, a colossal Sony® Electronics package and more valued at over $100,000! See official rules.

Beginning on or around 1pm EDT May 19th at www.google.com/davincicode, the final challenge, which is a time trial, will be made available to you for 48 hours. You can begin whenever you like, but prepare well, for once you begin there is no turning back. The player who completes all five tasks in the shortest amount of time will be declared the winner.

As for your previous accomplishments, your skill and perseverance will be rewarded with a limited edition replica cryptex arriving in your mailbox in the coming days.

While you wait, Click here to watch a congratulatory message from Sir Ian McKellen and a sneak peek of The Da Vinci Code and then continue on to view special offers and discounts from our Quest partners.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited by law. Open only to legal residents located and residing in the 50 United States and D.C., 13 years or older as of 4/17/06. Phase 1 of Contest ends at 1:00 pm EDT on 5/11/06. Final Phase of Contest ends at 1:00 p.m. EDT on 5/21/06. Eligibility, prize and travel restrictions apply. Contest subject to Official Rules.

For rating reasons, go to FILMRATINGS.COM, MPAA.ORG.
Parents, please refer to PARENTALGUIDE.ORG.

©2006 Columbia TriStar Marketing Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| See official rules | See Prizing |
Google is a trademark of Google Inc.
© 2006 Sony Pictures Digital Inc. All rights reserved.
Sony Pictures Webmaster C/O Sony Pictures Digital
9050 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232-2518

So the contest opens on 19th May & sure is not going to be easy. Its been fun so far........

I got Cryptex

2006-05-15T11:03:00.000-04:00

Wow.... Feels nice. I got my cryptex today.

The date for the finalist announcement was set as 15th May and the waiting game for the email began. But surprise... surprise no mails yet but the box of cryptex arrived @ 10.30 a.m. via USPS.

No word yet if I am a finalist & the package did not have any screen shot/puzzle as set out in the rules. It opened with the code mentioned in the box ("Grail") and had the congratulatory note and directed to this site.

Happy to share the news with the fellow-questers(??) at google fact. Thanks google fact, it was a fun journey with you all.

Daylight Saving Time

2005-03-27T17:38:00.000-05:00

From today Europe has started the daylight Saving(not Savings) time while Australia ended it. USA about a week from it. This is going to be my fourth change ever since I came to the US of America. At this moment when I look back at the first change its been a peculiar experience - makes me wonder what exactly happens and how it works. Having lived so close to equator, a time change has always been only in the books.

Though the clocks are set or reset, the body clock takes some time to adjust. Guilty am I going to be for sleeping late in the weeks to follow.But people in 70 countries accomdate themselves and USA saves about 300,000 barrels of oil during the month of April. A little history in to this change from the days of Benjamin Franklin......

Just as sunflowers turn their heads to catch every sunbeam, so too have we discovered a simple way to get more from our sun.

We've learned to save energy and enjoy sunny summer evenings by switching our clocks an hour forward in the summer.....

Computer Rage

2004-11-14T16:46:00.000-05:00

Hard disk crash is a common problem for many lately. A study has shown that apart from human error 'human rage' is becoming prominent. Take a look into what some people do in anger from placing a computer in a freezer to flushing in lavotory.

Happy Deepavali !

2004-11-10T09:49:00.000-05:00

Diwali is one festival I always await eagerly. The festive season sets in with all the shopping and comes alive with areas like TNagar in Chennai. The Nalli and Kumaran along with the recent competitors Pothys and Chennai Silks suddenly holds the entire Chennai population. To maintain the tradition I went on a shopping spree only to find the shelfs of Jc Penny and Sears replete with winter-clothing. After a drill for 2hrs settled for a couple of skirts, the cost ofcourse being equivalent to a 'Pattu Pudavai' (Silk Saree) . I think its better for guys, always a pant and Shirt.

I never lost interest in crackers and will usually be the first to give a wake-up call in our area. This year felt it for a minute when my call to India went almost unheard with the burst of crackers in their surroundings. In those days with no Tv channels to compete the whole day will be spent with crackers and savoring mother's sweets. Now the festival has become synonymous with special programmes and the likes of Sun and Jaya Tv competing in the living room.

Tomorrow is going to be just another day with no Mummy to wake or Brother to tease around...

With those sweet memories Wishing All a ...

Snow !

2004-11-09T10:54:00.000-05:00

Its time to take out the shovel again. The first snow is out for the season. As I moved to the window sipping a coffee leisurely, the snow has enveloped the backyard overnight....

The cucumber seller of Chennai

2004-11-08T10:01:00.001-05:00

Its a common sight to see cucumbers being sold in the road sides of Chennai especially during Summer. The tender cucumbers cut length-wise and arranged will be an attraction by itself and a nice way to beat the Chennai heat. Here is something to know from a cucumber-wala..

From the pages of Business World

Trump Fired

2004-11-04T10:50:00.000-05:00

Finally its all over. Bush re-elected after a cliffhanger for few hours. While in India I never got so involved with the election issues. They are nicely pictured here with issue-based healthy debates. Thoughts back in India bring only memories of loud-speakers,cut-outs and diverted traffics, fingures pointed at other politicians on personal issues,Voters get generous gifts....to shift parties. Surprise is 35% of Americans too would change parties
for $ 500/.

Its not uncommon to see missing names in Indian voters list. US of America is no exception and the provisional ballots are becoming the deciders. Along with 150,000 voters of Ohio Donald Trump too had cast a provisional vote. In a city where a few buildings stands in his name, Trump was diverted to a couple of polling booths before he cast a provisional vote. An anticlimax just like his Apprentice?

Trump's advice - 'Never give-up'.

Lessons from India

2004-10-29T13:31:00.000-04:00

With just a couple of days to go for the election the controversy still hangs on e-voting. Indian electronic voting in May was quite a success. Compared to the $200 machine US employs a $ 3000 machine (they can afford!) . Yet with the loopholes they are happy to settle for it.

But the negative description of India in the artilce by a veteran like Eric Weiner plays a spoilsport to the success story.

Taco Bell & Cricket

2004-10-28T13:34:00.000-04:00

Finally the curse is all over and Red Sox has won the series. Yet another team which stood out is 'Taco Bell' with its offer. Had this target been hit on the home run the Americans would have enjoyed a Taco. But Taco Bell did create the marketing buzz. This makes me think of similar offers in India. In cricket if a banner in boundary is hit its the cricketer who will add few more thosands to his account. Sure an offer free like this for India might not be possible but the country is replete with orphanages and charity home....

Sponsors Think Outside the Cricketers.

An Indian dream

2004-10-25T14:49:00.000-04:00

While the sky-rocketing gas price is a hot presidential issue, every car-owner is on a look-out for fuel efficient car. This man, Somender Singh from Mysore, India is sitting on this idea but with no takers.

Singh with no letters behind his name has developed a concept than decreases the use of fuel by almost 10 to 42 percent. While Ford and GM are spending billions to aim at an efficiency of 4 percent, this almost 5times increase is finding no support. All they need is numerical data as proof of concept. Hailing from a place with annual income of less than $250, Singh does not have the RS 25, 0000 required for what is called the dyno test. All he could do was test it on his own Tata Indica along with 50 other cars. He neither has the money nor access to these facilities. Ever since he got it patented (6237579) from US in 2001, the letters to Clinton, Abdul Kalam and Bush or the GM, Ford and Tata bore no fruits. A polite rejection letter is all he has.

Singh has lost all hopes…..

Hinduism and Olympics

2004-10-06T13:34:00.000-04:00

A new theory for Indian failure in Olympics - Brahmins and Vegetarians !

Sports had been one area beyond the boundary of castesim and religion and this mix-up is superfluous .I think we are way ahead of the stone-age and blaming the age-old system is highly irrelevant. World around people are moving towards organic food and studies have shown the average score of the vegetarians was over double the average score of meat-eaters. The Olympic Gold Medalist,Edwin Moses who went eight years without losing a race is a vegetarian.

I donot think the Athens contingent was composed of just Brahmins and vegetarians to come empty-handed. How did such an illogical column pass the litmus test of an editor? The author has unnecessarily brought up an issue in vain.

USB Magic !

2004-10-03T08:47:00.000-04:00

For most of us Univaersal Serial Bus or USB, are ports for linking computers or printers. Here is a world of use the Japanese are putting USB to :

1. A air purifier connected to USB rids the air around of germs,smoke and other harmful particles.
2. Get ready to take your laptop to bathroom - a USB-powered toothbrush is just $ 10.50.
3. A USB Hand clean mouse uses light to sterlise your hand.
4. Much more a USB powered hot cup brews a cup of tea while at work! A noodle stainer is available only in Japan....
5. While a personal massager sooths your muscle another attachement measures your body fat and weight with the use of gravity for $20
6. iDuck- this 16MB removable flash drive has a cute ducky at one end. Choose your favorite color from six available.

Wow ! When is my little lap-top going to cook a full-course of sambar and rasam(the traditional South-Indian dish) for me?

CNet makeover.

2004-09-27T14:49:00.000-04:00

CNet one of the most visited sites for tech products is remodeled. Branching out from just reviews on products its diverting to 'how to get the best of' area. The redesign with the addition of Mp3s and photo-sharing is aimed to attract non-techies to the site. Good look!

Oprah's gift costs $ 7000

2004-09-23T17:19:00.000-04:00

The 276 cars given away by Oprah Winfrey is not without cost to the recepient. After all the media coverage the show attracted, the recepients of the brand new Pontiac G-Six will have to pay tax on their winning. Depending on the tax-bracket the tax can be as high as $7000 inspite of GM bearing the sales-tax.

Now this carefully selected group of needy can either pay the tax or forfeit the car. Though the donor is GM Oprah has been in the limelight eversince the show. What best can we expect now from the World's richest entertainer - Oprah.

Degrading Ethics

2004-09-20T16:00:00.000-04:00

I quite endorse the views of Suman(Times of India redefines blasphemy) with the degradation of quality in the print media. Most of us were brought up with the habit of reading ‘The Hindu’ but our son or nephew is more imbibed with the television these days. What ethics are they educating?

If the fictional characters in serials are abusive and violent, the politicians who get the hype in such media are no good. Their boorish and ill-mannered use of language is not driving the youth to the shore. With the debate on censorship getting hot over ‘‘adult’’ late night shows and obscenity, how do we censor the behavior of our politicians? If Sushma vowed to shave off her head, Uma Bharathi while on TV makes ‘‘firangi aurat’’ sound like a four-letter word.Yashwant Sinha, calls Manmohan Singh a ‘‘shikhandi’’ in front of the cameras. Are such things getting all the attention because of the increasing news channels?

The Prime Minister’s live, televised press conference, a few weeks ago, should go down as a model code of conduct for politicians when they speak either to the media or know they will be quoted by it. He answered each question, he was polite, dignified and never once committed an impropriety.

The so called family drama always depicts a rift between the brothers, sisters or the combo of Bahu and M.I.L. Words like ‘I hate you’; ‘I will kill you’ have become routine terms. What values are they inculcating if the focus is ever on the family feud than on the healthy side of relationships?

If a newspaper like Times is entering the path of destructive journalism, the television channels have already reached the end. Where, how and when will the repair start?

Windows Checklist !

2004-09-16T08:43:00.000-04:00

This checklist given by Kottke is very useful in the present scenario of spyware and pop-ups.

Robert Langdon of Da Vinci being followed !

2004-09-13T10:23:00.000-04:00

Ever since I read Da Vinci code, had be curious about the Church of St Sulpice. Dan Brown has blended the fiction to reality so nicely that you become inquisitive once you get into the book . Such curiosity (of people like me!!) has increased the tourist traffic in Paris’ Church but to the displeasure of church authorities. They regret as the church has many attractions but people are attracted to bronze candlestick where a nun was killed in the great conspiracy novel. Officials annoyed by the distortion of history have put a notice saying “Contrary to the fanciful allegations in a recent best-selling novel, this is not the vestige of a pagan temple”.

Other place being attracted is the Louvre where the novel opens dramatically. This tourist traffic has encouraged operators to launch the Da Vinci mystery tour taking in the book’s prime location - to Gare St Lazare, the Ritz, the US Embassy and the Louvre.

Most of the Da Vinci Code tourists are American, and many believe that the book's popularity is partly responsible for the return of US tourists after the Iraq-related boycott.

Disposable Digital Cameras!

2004-09-10T21:44:00.000-04:00

Finally a digital camera trully disposable has hit the market. The surprise is its launched by
CVS - the drugchain. For $20, CVS sells a 25-shot digital camera with a 1.3 megapixel imager, a postage-stamp-sized LCD preview screen, and the ability to delete the most recent picture taken. (A camera without the preview screen is $10.) For novices who want a snapshot to digital photography this may be a good choice...

Mumbai Masala

2004-09-10T20:55:00.000-04:00

Bollywood enters the 9/11 scene with Madhoshi. Can it picturise the American feelings if Bipasha calls it a "entertainer that centres on a 9/11 victim"?

Bonjour !

2004-09-09T20:52:00.000-04:00

A long pending idea has finally taken shape. I shall post anything I stumble across - from happenings to striking thoughts. No gaurantees that this will be brilliant but sure will be an intereating journey......