Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Rock Crossword

Well, I finally have given into Anwins tag. I have created a rock crossword. So go ahead dudes and dudettes, try solving it.

Here it is....

In turn, I tag Veronica and OracleIncognito. But there is a twist, or rather, an untwist. You people don't need to create a Rock crossword. Something that we can all solve would be fine. You can all create this crossword using the same tool that Anwin used - EclipseCrossword. Click on the link to download and use, its simple and FREE!!!.

Friday, January 27, 2006

Porsche 911

I'm a Porsche 911!



You have a classic style, but you're up-to-date with the latest technology. You're ambitious, competitive, and you love to win. Performance, precision, and prestige - you're one of the elite,and you know it.


Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Profile update

Finally decided to change my profile image to suit my blogger name. Thats the Deaths Head for you in Deaths Head Roy.....

Feast your eyes people.....

Back again

Well, to all those who missed me (a pitiful few I know, hehe), I am back again. I was attending some corporate training on Linux Internals and Kernel Architecture. I know, it sound all hi-fi and all. And it was actually hi-fi too. So much so that most of what was taught went over my head. I mean, I am very interested in Linux and the Open Source movement. I was the first in my gang to install and run Linux, tweak it, even make my Windows games run on Linux. I even went so far as to tweak the driver configuration for the old video card that I had. And I noticed that these other "geeks" who attended training with me had not even tried installing any other OS all those years before!!. But that is nothing against them, they all code and write programs on Linux now.

Training was pretty intense, was interesting cause the trainer was really good. But at times, I was not understanding anything that was said, so much so that I started jotting down some observations for this post....

"Oh!, How I think that I can never go back to geekdom again!!"

"Man, an assignment that never seems to end!"

"Am I ever gonna get out of here alive?" - that seemed inspired from Calvin, of Calvin and Hobbes fame.

"Do I really know any C System Programming?"

"Don't think that I can ever write a piece of code in C ever again!"

And also, I somehow noticed that all these other guys who attended training with me are proper geeks. They cannot even think of discussing something other than programming and stuff during a break. It was crazy.

But some good did happen. I met this guy who works with me in training who is into Linux and has a lot of real interest in using Linux. He has also worked and installed Debian - one of the hardest installations to perform.

And the bike has finally reached 1000 kms. Whooppeee!!! Now, I can plan all those looong rides, even to Chennai or Mysore. And it even gives me better mileage than I thought it might. So Anwin, where next?

And bought a helmet too. I mean, I really do not know how these guys can be so careless riding without a helmet. Please, wear a helmet when riding.

Friday, January 20, 2006

Nagercoil

Wow, came across this beautifully written "article" about Nagercoil, my native town on Wikipedia. It seems to be very comprehensive, touching on all important aspects of the town, including history, geography, language, culture etc. I found it interesting to read. Even though it has all the information that I am aware of, it still made it an interesting read. Hats off to you dude, whoever has written it..

You can check out the page here......

One funny, but true fact about our town has been the incredibly large amounts of clinics and hospitals that you can see all over the place. I remember, counting a large number on one single road. In the Wikipedia article, it has been beautifully put...."It seems like there is a medical practitioner in every corner of the street.".

Another aspect that the article touches upon is the fact that Nagercoil, even Kanyakumari district has been overlooked in many administrative aspects by the government. Also, touching upon the fact that there is a lot of potential in this beautiful town and its surroundings. We have also discussed this before where we thought that there is a lot of potential for Eco-Tourism. I would even say that there is a chance of the IT industry, atleast a small call center industry. Don't laugh, it has already been done and running well at the moment.

Another fact that I came across is that my district receives the second highest amount of rainfall in all Tamilnadu, after the Nilgiris. And that there are more than 200 species of marine fish. Another bit of history that I came across is about the "Battle of Colachel", when a small force of Dutch marines under the leadership of a Flemish commander, Captain Eustace De Lannoy (also spelt D'lennoy) were sent to Travancore to secure a trading post from the Raja. It is recorded history that the Dutch lost the battle and that Captain Eustace De Lannoy was released, later he proved his trust and mettle to the king and was eventually made the Commander of the entire Travancore Forces. De Lenoy taught the use of gun powder and modern arms to his forces and modernised the Travancore Army on European lines ; raised the regiments, built forts and established defences at key places (some forts like Udayagiri and Vattakottai near Nagercoil were built under his guidance). Captain De Lenoy was a skilled military strategist and won many battles for Marthanda Varma. Travancore grew in size and strength. (Captain De Lenoy and his military contribution to the old Travancore state has been undermined in the Indian history text-books). Captain De Lenoy is buried in a small chapel inside Udayagiri Fort, near Nagercoil.

And about the Eco-Tourism part, who knows, we may manage to do this at a later date when we decide to retire to this laid back piece of land.

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

List of guitarists

Here follows a list of guitarists that I came across in Wikipedia. In case you notice that someone has been missed, you can add it here..

A

* Jan Akkerman
* Duane Allman (Allman Brothers Band)
* Carlos Alomar
* Trey Anastasio (Phish)
* Michael Angelo Batio
* Magnus Andersson
* Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day)
* Ron Asheton (The Stooges)
* Chet Atkins
* Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden)
* Sadowski Adam (Scream Blue Murder)

B

* Randy Bachman (Bachman-Turner Overdrive)
* David Ball (Soft Cell)
* Perry Bamonte (The Cure)
* Paul Banks (Interpol)
* Martin Barre (Jethro Tull)
* Syd Barrett (Pink Floyd)
* Jeff Beck (The Yardbirds, Jeff Beck Group)
* Jason Becker (Cacophony, David Lee Roth)
* Chuck Berry
* Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme)
* Kat Bjelland (Babes in Toyland)
* Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, Rainbow)
* Mike Bloomfield
* Jon Bon Jovi (Bon Jovi)
* Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit)
* James Dean Bradfield (Manic Street Preachers)
* Michelle Branch
* Michael Bruce(The original Alice Cooper band)
* Buckethead (Guns N' Roses)
* Lindsey Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac)
* Jonathan Butler
* Glen Buxton (The original Alice Cooper band)
* Brandan Buxton
* John Andrew Estimated Time Of Arrival, ATA


C

* Randy California (Spirit)
* Glen Campbell
* Phil Campbell (Motörhead)
* Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains)
* Cletis Carr {Sneakers}, {Hillbilly Moon}, {Big Whiskey}
* Al Casey
* Bill Champlin (The Sons of Champlin)
* Chill and Zac
* John Christ (Danzig)
* Eric Clapton (John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, The Yardbirds, Cream)
* Steve Clark (Def Leppard)
* "Fast" Eddie Clarke (Motörhead)
* Gilby Clarke (Guns N' Roses)
* Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)
* Eddie Cochran
* Ry Cooder (Captain Beefheart, The Seeds)
* Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins)
* Robert Cray
* Steve "The Colonel" Cropper (Mar-Keys)


D

* Dick Dale
* Brody Dalle (The Distillers)
* Jean Pierre Danel
* Glenn Danzig (Danzig)
* Dimebag Darrell (Pantera, Damageplan)
* Donnie Dacus)
* Paul Dye
* Justin "KID" Carluccio (The Cinder Blocks)
* Bo Diddley
* K.K. Downing (Judas Priest)
* Dweezil Zappa
* Dave Murray (Iron Maiden)


F

* Robin Finck (Nine Inch Nails, Guns N' Roses)
* Jon Finn (Jon Finn Group)
* John Floy
* John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
* Lita Ford (The Runaways)
* Richard Fortus (Pale Divine, Psychedelic Furs, Love Spit Love, Guns N' Roses)
* Peter Frampton (The Herd)
* Ace Frehley (KISS)
* Matthew Friedberger (The Fiery Furnaces)
* Marty Friedman (Megadeth)
* Robert Fripp (King Crimson)
* John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers)


G

* Noel Gallagher (Oasis)
* Rory Gallagher
* Frank Gambale
* Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead)
* Danny Gatton
* Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)
* Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big)
* David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
* Greg Ginn (Black Flag)
* Stone Gossard (Green River, Mother Love Bone, Temple of the Dog, Pearl Jam)
* Mick Grabham (Procol Harum)
* Valeri Gradinarski (LZ)
* Johnny Graham (Earth, Wind, & Fire); (Solo Artist)
* Peter Green (Fleetwood Mac)
* Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns, Guns N' Roses, Brides Of Destruction)
* Buddy Guy
* Synyster Gates (Avenged Sevenfold)


H

* Steve Hackett (Genesis and solo work)
* Chuck Hammer (Lou Reed, David Bowie, Guitarchitecture)
* Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
* Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray)
* George Harrison (The Beatles)
* Justin Hayward (The Moody Blues)
* Jim "Reverend Horton" Heath
* Jimi Hendrix (The Jimi Hendrix Experience)
* James Hetfield (Metallica)
* Buddy Holly
* Joshua Homme (Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age)
* Steve Howe (Yes)
* Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders)


I

* James Iha (The Smashing Pumpkins)
* Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath)
* Scott Ian (Anthrax)
* Frank Iero (My Chemical Romance)


J

* Michael Jackson (HIStory, Invincible)
* Tito Jackson (The Jackson 5)
* Dan Jacobs (Atreyu)
* Joan Jett (The Runaways)
* Eric Johnson (Mariani, The Electromagnets)
* Robert Johnson
* Adam Jones (Tool)
* Brian Jones (The Rolling Stones)
* Mick Jones (Foreigner)
* Mick Jones (The Clash)
* Steve Jones (Sex Pistols)
* Janick Gers (Iron Maiden)


K

* Alex Kapranos (Franz Ferdinand)
* Dr Nico Kasanda
* Terry Kath (Chicago)
* Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane)
* Ryo Kawasaki
* Daniel Kessler (Interpol)
* Albert King
* B.B. King
* Freddie King
* Ken Kitamura (L'arc-en-Ciel)
* Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits)
* Wayne Kramer (MC5)
* Robby Krieger (The Doors)
* Chad Kroeger (Nickelback)
* Richard Kruspe-Bernstein (Rammstein)
* Bruce Kulick (KISS)

L

* Shawn Lane
* Paul Landers (Rammstein)
* Luis Larrate (Boiling Point)
* Grégory Leclair
* Alvin Lee (Jaybirds, Ten Years After)
* John Lennon (The Beatles)
* Tweke Lewis (Man, Wild Turkey)
* Alex Lifeson (Rush)
* Richard Lloyd (Television)
* Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (The Mars Volta)
* Steve Lukather (Toto)
* Rein "Undertaker" Luhtaru (Bloody Cunt)
* George Lynch (Dokken}
* Alexi Laiho (Children Of Bodom)
* Russell Lissack (Bloc Party)


M

* Kawabata Makoto
* Miguel Magbanua aka Migzii (boiling point)
* Stephen Malkmus (Pavement)
* Yngwie J. Malmsteen
* Frank Marino (Mahogany Rush)
* Johnny Marr (The Smiths)
* Grady Martin
* Brian May (Queen)
* John Mayer
* Carlo Marchione
* J. Mascis (Dinosaur Jr)
* Ananiah McCarrell
* Nick McCarthy (Franz Ferdinand)
* Mike McCready (Pearl Jam)
* Roger McGuinn (The Byrds)
* Al McKay (Earth, Wind, & Fire), (L.A. All Stars)
* Pat Metheny (Pat Metheny Group)
* Ben Mink
* Kim Mitchell
* Gary Moore (Thin Lizzy, Skid Row)
* Greg "G-Mo" Moore (Earth, Wind, & Fire)
* Scotty Moore
* Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth)
* Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave)
* Sterling Morrison (The Velvet Underground)
* Jonathan Morse
* Steve Morse (Deep Purple)
* James Murphy (Death, Testament)
* Matt "Guitar" Murphy
* Dave Mustaine (Megadeth)
* Dave Murray (Iron Maiden)
* Daron Malakian (System of a Down)
* Victoria Matute (Ghar)
* Luke Milosev
* Mat Martin (TRANSITION)


N

* Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers)
* Aaron North (The Icarus Line, Nine Inch Nails)
* Ted Nugent (The Amboy Dukes, Damn Yankees)


P

* Jimmy Page (The Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin)
* Joe Pass
* Ryan Peake (Nickelback)
* Carl Perkins
* Joe Perry (Aerosmith)
* Bryce Perry (Cab)
* John Petrucci (Dream Theater)
* Chris Poland (Megadeth)
* Alberto Ponce
* Elvis Presley
* Prince
* Jade Puget (Redemption 87, AFI)

R

* Trevor Rabin (Yes)
* Mick Ralphs (Mott the Hoople, Bad Company)
* Johnny Ramone (The Ramones)
* Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth)
* Lou Reed (The Velvet Underground)
* Vernon Reid (Living Colour)
* Sheldon Reynolds
* Randy Rhoads (Quiet Riot)
* Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions)
* Keith Richards (The Rolling Stones)
* Allison Robertson
* Brian Robertson (Thin Lizzy, Motörhead)
* Gary Rossington (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
* Reb Beach (Winger)

S

* David St. Hubbins (Spinal Tap)
* Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi)
* Carlos Santana (Santana)
* Joe Satriani
* Joe Stump
* Jon Schaffer (Iced Earth)
* Michael Schenker
* Neal Schon
* Kevin Sheilds (My Bloody Valentine)
* Kenny Wayne Shepherd
* Alex Skolnick (Testament, Savatage, Trans-Siberian Orchestra)
* Slash (Guns N' Roses, Slash's Snakepit, Velvet Revolver)
* Ivan Smirnov
* Erin Smith
* Fred Sonic Smith (MC5, Sonic's Rendezvous Band)
* G.E. Smith (Hall and Oates)
* Robert Smith (The Cure)
* Donita Sparks (L7)
* Paul Stanley (KISS)
* Steve Stevens (Billy Idol)
* Stephen Stills (Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash snd Young)
* Izzy Stradlin' (Guns N' Roses, Ju Ju Hounds)
* Joe Strummer (The Clash)
* 'Big' Jim Sullivan
* Bernard Sumner (Joy Division, New Order)
* John Sykes
* Steve Harris (IRON MAIDEN)

T

* Martin Taylor
* Mick Taylor (The Rolling Stones)
* Kim Thayil (Soundgarden)
* Johnny Thunders (The Heartbreakers)
* Porl Thompson (The Cure)
* Richard Thompson (Fairport Convention)
* Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest)
* Paul Tobias/Paul Huge (Guns N' Roses)
* Pete Townsend (The Who)
* Robin Trower (Procol Harum, Robin Trower Band)
* Nigel Tufnel (Spinal Tap)
* Corin Tucker (Heavens to Betsy, Sleater-Kinney)


U

* Carrie Underwood
* Midge Ure (Slik, The Rich Kids, Thin Lizzy, Ultravox)


V

* Vanilla Ice
* Vito Bratta (White Lion)
* Steve Vai (Alcatrazz)
* Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen)
* Stevie Ray Vaughan (Double Trouble)
* Tom Verlaine (Television)
* Vinnie Vincent (KISS)


W

* Joe Walsh (James Gang, The Eagles)
* Clarence White (The Byrds, Kentucky Colonels)
* Jack White (The White Stripes)
* Jason White backup guitarist for Green day
* John Williams
* Pete Willis (Def Leppard)
* Johnny Winter
* Zakk Wylde

Y

* Angus Young (AC/DC)
* Malcolm Young (AC/DC)
* Neil Young


Z

* Frank Zappa
* Vadim Zilberstein (current lead guitarist with Earth, Wind, & Fire)

In actuality, I just put this post here in the hope that the fotos go to the next page....

Friday, January 13, 2006

New Year Fireworks

Finally managed to also post these fotos that I took on New Years Eve of the fireworks display at our church. These pics are huge, so please be patient - they don't look good otherwise!

Fireworks4

Fireworks3

Fireworks2

Fireworks1

Anands Wedding foto - atlast!!

Finally got down to posting a foto of Anand's wedding. I love this foto. The Chows have officially become The Chows + 1....

Chows+1

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Friday the 13th

Well, tomorrow is Friday the 13th. To all you prophets of doom, I am sure this is a great day. A day when you can spew out all your sad, pathetic, doomsday prophecies! I am sure that we guys at home (Me, Anwin and Karthik) will laugh and smirk at anyone who does this. So all you losers beware - the anti-Fridaythe13th dudes (thought of just now!!) are here!!

Man....whats happening??

Friday, January 06, 2006

My discovery of the day....

Well, to add to what Anwin says on Humor With A Twist Of Lemon - "To lose your brains, you either have to be a woman or get married", I add....

To lose your brains, you either have to be a woman, get married or be a manager!!.

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

RSS icon

Well, well, the Firefox team have shown that they are truly open source....

They have just allowed Microsoft to use the RSS icon that Firefox uses on Internet Explorer. This after Microsoft asked the community in the first place and then worked with the Firefox team!..

Cross-posted on The Unofficial Microsoft Weblog...

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Happy New Year !!

Well, I am back in office now....first day of work in the new year and I pretty much hate it....

Firstly because I am so sleepy and tired what with travelling all last night.....and cause as usual, work is damn boring, especially after having lazed around doing nothing at home over the holidays. I have put on a lotta weight and me and Karthik have decided to go jogging in the mornings....atleast he has decided to!.

Anwins got a new Bullet....welcome to the Enfield family dude....now we can go on all those long trips....

I made no New Year resolutions - as usual. Cause I know that I would never follow them up righteously.