They're really scraping the bottom of the ... erm, skull here.
Musings From New York
Geeking In The Free World (Well, not really. But there's a lot of geekiness to be found here)
October 30, 2006
October 29, 2006
Congratulations to Shweyta!
For finishing the DC Marathon in 4:37:26!
October 22, 2006
Metaphorically speaking ...
I recently got into an ...umm ... a discussion, shall we say, about the song "Vincent" by Don McLean (and BTW Vee, this song goes a long way towards forgiving McLean for "American Pie"). The song, according to my esteemed opponent in the debate, was about Vincent van Gogh. A cursory scan of the lyrics, and Wikipedia confirms this, as well.
I, however, feel it's a song about the failure of Vietnam veterans to reintegrate into society. I swear, this was the first thing I thought of when I heard the song! I mean, the album was released in October 1971, six years after America entered the Vietnam conflict, and two years before they left.
Anyway, I present here the lines of song that lent themselves to my interpretation ...
... Look out on
a summer's day
With eyes
that know the darkness in my soul ...
... Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity ...
Obviously speaks of the turmoil and post-combat problems that many soldiers (not just Vietnam veterans) go through.
... And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen
They did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now ...
This refers to the failure of the American public to accept and reintegrate the battlescarred soldiers, .... perhaps because they couldn't understand the horrors that the soldiers had endured?
... Flaming flowers that brightly blaze
Swirling clouds and violet haze
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue ...
To quote Kilgore from "Apocalypse Now" ... 'I love the smell of napalm in the morning.'
... Portraits hung in empty halls
Frameless heads on nameless walls
With eyes that watch the world and can’t forget ...
Memorials to fallen soldiers?
... Like the strangers that you've met
The ragged men in ragged clothes ...
Isn't this an accurate description of a number of the homeless veterans you see on the street? Quite sad, really.
... They're not
listening still
Perhaps they
never will...
See above.
So as you can see ... the song is obviously far more than about van Gogh. It's got several layers ... like an onion!
October 21, 2006
Happy Diwali to All!
Mum's making some good food. Yum!
October 18, 2006
O .. M ... F ... G!!
Goodness Gracious Me clips can FINALLY be found on YouTube!!!
These are a few of my favorite things ...
For every kid who's run in slow motion of weird music (like me)
For those hardcore Monty Python fans ...
For those hardcore Bollywood fans ...
And finally for the international gastronome ...
Remember this guy ...
Remember Wil Wheaton?
I thought the chap had fallen off the map after Star Trek: TNG (for those of you still wondering, he was Ensign Crusher). Well, it turns out he had a popular blog.
I found it when I saw an article Wil Wheaton wrote, reviewing "The Last Outpost", from where I found his review of "The Naked Now".
If you've ever watched these episodes, please, please take the time to read his reviews. They're hilarious!
October 15, 2006
Musings from Boston ... er ... Part Deux
Update: The wrong (i.e.: uneditted) version of some photos have been uploaded but I'm too tired to fix it now. Will do so tomorrow.
I took Mom up to New England this weekend ... specifically, Boston, with a side of New England. And lots of Diet Coke. The whole point about Mom coming down in the fall was ... well, the fall colors. And what better place to see the colors than Massachussets and New Hampshire? ... Well, probably Vernmont, Maine, and Conneticut, but sweeping that trivial fact aside ...
We went up to Boston on Thursday night, and stayed at the Marriott Long Wharf. Quite a nice little Marriott ... 7 floors long floors, with the whole building pointing into the sea. It apparently mimics the design of a ship, but I honestly think the architect was probably high. This unfortunately meant that none of the rooms, except the concierge lounge, had a view of the sea. Our room, for example, faced north, to Christopher Columbus Park, and North End. The two extemes of our view were downtown & the marina.
Anyway ...
Friday morning, we made our way down to Harvard. Spent the morning walking around the Square, and the grounds, taking in the sights. Following lunch at the Algiers Cafe (interesting decor, but extremley slow), we headed back in town, and the Prudential Center. We went up to the Skywalk, where on a clear, sunny afternoon, I fell in love with Boston. Continuing on, we took a ride on the Duck Tour, and were shown around the city by Major Tom Foolery. We stopped by The Cheesecake Fatory for a slice of heart disease before heading back to the hotel. We met up with Gowri for dinner ... I think it's been ten years since I last met her. Yeah, I think it was when I visited Vee and Malz in Mysore that I met Gowri for the first, and only other time! So here's hoping that another decade doesn't pass before the next encounter!
Andy very kindly (and after much emotional blackmail) agreed to join us on a drive into New Hampshire. Based on some frantic Googling, and hurried consultations with Gowri the prior evening, we'd decided to drive upto the lakes in Central New Hampshire. I must admit being pretty nervous about the trip ... it's been close to 18 months since I last drove (upto Scranton, PA as devoted readers <cough>Gowri<cough> recalled). Anyway, the trip passed without a hitch. We drove to Weir Beach, and around Lake Winnipesaukee. Halfway along the north coast of the lake (as an aside, do lakes have "coasts"?) we saw signs to the Castle in the Clouds, and decided to take a break from driving around, and stretch our legs a bit. As these photos go to show, it was definitely worth the break!
Andy has the bulk of photos of the trip, taken on his digital SLR. I was too busy praying I didnt crash doing 60mph around the blind turns.
Sunday was pretty tame in comparison. Had a late start, and headed up to the Mary Baker Eddy Library for the Betterment of Humanity (rolls off the toungue, doesn't it?) to look at the Mapparium. Its essentally a stained-glass globe depicting the political world as it was known in 1935. Which is to say Rhodesia is on the map, as was a combined Indo-Pakistani subcontinent. And the acoustics in the chamber are extraordinary. Because of the enclosed space, anything said in the center of the room is reflected back from all around you ... the ultimate surround-sound system, if you will! It's definitely worth the $6 admission fee!
After the quick trip to the Mapparium, Mom & I headed back to the hotel, stopping by Covent Gard .. er ... Quincy Market for a quick lunch at the food court. From there it was to South Station, Amrtrak and home!
Phew! That has to be the longest writeup in a while!
Financial Planning in Roman Times
When I was in the T this afternoon headed back to the hotel (I was in Boston this weekend), I saw an old man (of the corner-hogging mumbler variety) wearing a cap that read (on all sides, mind you) "Jesus Saves". It reminded me of a one-liner I'd read several years ago ...
Jesus Saves. But wouldn't it have been better if he'd invested?
Axe
I'm a consultant working & living in New York City.
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