Nearest Theatre -> 0 Mile

I wanted to buy a big screen TV during 2003 thanksgiving sale. I was reading the reviews at Amazon and couple of other sites. Somebody suggested that projector is a much better idea. So I started looking for projector deals. I bought Infocus X1 multimedia projector for $1000, didn't get any deal on that. After enjoying it for more than 2 yrs now, I would recommend it to everybody. Movies, XBOX games, cricket matches, I was blown away by the experience. It's better than being in a theatre. Last night I saw Reservoir Dogs, it was wonderful, specially close-up shots. If you love games, you will be playing QUAKE whole night. Dhoni's SIX looks AWESOME on the big screen.

Projector is light and portable, main advantages over big screen TV. You can enjoy a movie today in drawing room with your guests and take it in the bedroom tomorrow. You can take it to India during vacation. You can set the image size as per your choice. As you go farther from the screen image size starts turning into a monster. I didn't buy a separate screen, I directly project on the wall. It takes all kinds of inputs. You can hook up your laptop, DVD player, camcorder, cable or satellite TV system, digital camera or game consoles like XBOX. For audio you would like to use your existing surround sound system. My story is different. When we started watching movies on the projector, our neighbours started complaining about the high volume. So we were forced to buy wireless headphones (Sennheiser). But that turned out be another great product. You can watch a late night movie without disturbing anybody else in the family. You can head to the kitchen to get some popcorn in the middle of the movie without missing out on the sound.

One component needs replacement after 3000 hrs, the lamp. I haven't replaced it yet. An average user would change it after 4-5 yrs.

So the whole idea is you would get your money's worth completely. The projector which I bought was selling for $500 at last thanksgiving sale. This is one investment you will never regret.

Alternate Ending

We all love movies. Good or bad, they give us a break for couple of hours from mundane routines. Directors put in months (sometimes years) of hardwork and we give our verdict after those couple of hours. Gripping but predictable, unpredicable but climax could have been better etc etc. When we say climax/ending could have been better we seldom put ourselves in director's chair and think of alternate endings. When we come out of theatre after watching a class act like Rang De Basanti we can't even imagine that ending could have been better. But I thought of giving couple of twists to RDB's storyline and see if it can send across the same patriotic message in somewhat more effective way. Before sharing those tweaks with you, hats off to RDB's cast and crew for sincere performances!

Karan goes to his father, Rajnath Singhania, before teaming up with his friends for execution of the final plan at the radio station. Emotional and angry, he pulls out a gun to kill his father. His father confesses that the parts he supplied were faulty which finally led to MIG crash, MIG which Karan’s friend Ajay was flying. He tells that even Defence Minister was a corrupt guy. He explains that he has been earning money like this all his life just to fulfill his son's dreams, one of those dreams being able to leave India and make his mark in US. Karan doesn't give a damn to his father's crap but before he can pull the trigger, he is overpowered by his father's security guards. Karan is then handcuffed and kept in an isolated room. Karan's friends are shocked when he doesn't turn up in the morning when they come to pick him up. It seems their final plan won't work. At this time D.J explains his Plan B. (Plan B not explained to the movie viewers at this time). Meanwhile Rajnath Singhania tells media guys that his son's friends are linked to a terrorist group, they assassinated the Defense Minister and Karan is no way involved with all their crimes. At the radio station, D.J tells the complete story to all the listeners and plays the recorded confession of Rajnath Singhania. Well done D.J ! he mysteriously attached spy mic at the back of Karan's collar before he left to meet his father. How can we afford not to have Plan B when are aiming to execute something that big? Or for that matter anything. After listening to Rajnath Singhania's confession, policemen are ordered not to fire at the students and wait for their surrender. D.J and gang surrender. Rajnath Singhania is jailed. Last shot .. Sonia and Sue are waiting for their friends to join them after they finish their sentence period, waiting at the same spot where they all used to hang out.

Let me know your views on the alternate ending.

Old Is Gold

Last weekend I borrowed a HUGE collection of old hindi songs from my friend. I copied 217 songs from that collection. Some are original and some are digitally remastered (as they say) but all are masterpieces. Lata, Asha, Shamshad Begum, Kishore, Hemant Kumar, Mukesh, Jagjit Singh, Shailendra, Manna Dey, Rafi and Mahinder Kapoor, all these voices are pure magic. Each song leaves an indelible impression on your soul. There is no good time or bad time of the day to listen to such wonderful music. Rang De Basanti's music sounds good today but it won't after 6 months (sorry for being excessively optimistic). That's the difference between music for the body and music for the soul. Today morning, on my way to office, I was listening to this gem:

Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon
Kiya Hai Vahaan Se Telephoon
Tumhari Yaad Sataati Hai Jiya Mein Aag Lagaati Hai

This was sung by Shamshad Begum in movie Patanga in 1949. Yes, 1949. No need to remix or remaster it even after 57 years. Such music is nothing but meditation.

Another classic is this one:

Paanch Rupaiya Barah Aana

This was sung by Kishore in the movie Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi in 1958. You might know all this but I wanted to share, if you are not listening to old music, it's time to give it a chance.

Just hang in there

Just hang in there, I tried that so many times but was unsuccessful. Sometimes it was just a matter of being lazy but other times it was sheer lack of motivation. Let's take the case of blogging. Why am I such an irregular blogger? (Last post was on Oct 12 2005) If you notice carefully, each post has only couple of comments. Usually I don't have anything to share but when I do, there are not enough people to say, Hey Chirag, you made my day !, Hey Chirag, you have great sense of humour! :). Fortunately, main reason is the first one but let's do it's quick biopsy. When I have some experience to share I can't think of right words quickly to post it here. Initial 2 lines are the most challenging part. For this post too, it took 15 minutes to write the first 2 lines but after that there was no rapid backward forward cursor motion. I guess most of us experience that but only few (like Sayesha) hang in there and complete the task.

So it's a message to all the bloggers, JUST HANG IN THERE, and keep blogging. Yes it's true, your blog can make someone's day.

Just want to castigate myself

I started my career in software field on 9.9.99. During these 6 yrs I worked with TCS, Quark and GE. I learnt lot of things as one would expect. But I didn't take any extra initiative to improve my weak areas, ie, design skills. I improved in the areas in which I HAD to work to get my salary. Except that I was too lazy to do any extra reading. I think it happens with most of us. Even if it doesn't, I am feeling better after saying that. Anyways, I will review my situation again after couple of months.

Ha ha hee hee ho ho

Lag gaya shot, khul gayi kismat, 32si nikaal ke khichwaai photo aur mil gaya license. I have a photo ID now. No need to show my passport if I have to stay in a bowling zone after 10 pm :) Now I can advise other people how to parallel park :)

Woh ghari aa gayi aaj ...

I got learner's permit in Pennsylvania 2 years back and today I am going for the road test to get my permanent license :). Am I lazy? YES. But that is not the only reason why I don't have a permanent DL today. Reason is Parallelparkophobia. Even today I am not sure if I will be able to parallel park correctly. Though while practising yesterday, I parallel parked correctly 8 out of 10 times. Today I have to get 1 out of 1. And if I get my license today I will request for 2 copies, extra one will be put in a photo frame. People like me make simple tasks look difficult. Anyways, while searching for parallel parking tips @GOOGLE, I found this intersting link, http://parallelparking.jarkey.net. So you can imagine what advanced stage of Parallelparkophobia I have reached. I was thinking of writing this blog after I pass my test but that may not happen. Also, I am doing it now to get rid of extra nervousness. Now let's see how bad I perform. Another 3 hours to go.