14th April, 2014

 One of those date blogs again. More importantly, another post for this year. The amount I blog is directly proportional to the amount of happiness in my life. I have blogged a lot in past few months... :)

 So today was 14th April, 2014, Monday. A day which everyone hates, first day of the week to go to office. For me it's a week off. There are lot of perks in production support. You get one week off on Monday, it helps for a movie buff like me, you get cheap tickets and shows are never full!

 Today was the plan to watch Rio 2. Also that I had watched Rio before, I was looking forward to this one. It was up to the expectation, liked it. After that, had my favorite Mexican cuisine food for lunch, and off to another movie: Bhoothnath Returns. I had not seen Bhoothnath, and did not have any expectations from this one, I went because my friend recommended it as a good movie. Well he was damn right.

 It is a laugh out riot movie. Amazing performance by all, especially the child artist. Really fun to watch movie, and it also has a message in it. The importance of voting, and what happens when you consider Voting day as a holiday and go out on a picnic or just relax. This is a very bad mentality among us Indians, first we don't vote and then we keep blaming the government.

 Well for starters, this movie did inspire me to go to Mumbai, just to vote, I won't have a holiday, as voting date in Pune and Mumbai are different, I will still try my best to go to Mumbai and cast my vote. I want to make a difference. We all should make a difference, and work towards betterment of our society, rather than just complaining and criticizing the government for not doing anything.

 The difference between us and the developed countries is that, in developed countries, everyone not only cares for upliftment and betterment of their surroundings and country as a whole, but they also come forward and take action. This is the thing we should practice too, I know it is easy to say and no one really cares. But to start with, lets just make sure we all make our vote count, let our vote make a difference...

Nexus 5 Fully Loaded - Tips & Tricks!

 So it's been over a month now. I am really happy and proud to own a Nexus 5. Why not? When you are using phone of the year 2013! Ne ways getting back to the subject, in this post I would like to provide tips and recommendations for any Nexus 5/Android user.

 To start with, the one feature Nexus phone users are proud to show off, is the Google hindi input. This feature is available by default only in Nexus devices, for other Android phones, you need to install 3rd party apps. When you enable the Google hindi input, you can input in Hindi in all the applications on the phone. To enable this feature go to Settings-->Language & input-->Check the box which says 'Google Hindi Input'. Also this feature may soon be available for other Android devices too, with the next Android update.

 Lets come to apps and games. So, I got a 16 Gigs phone, with 12 Gigs user available. A 4.95 inch display, 2 Gigs of RAM, a Snapdragon 800 chip set (fastest at that time) and a 2.3 Ghz of CPU. Well it was like having a million dollars, and deciding how to spend it lavishly!!! I was a bit apprehensive and cautious to install heavy games, but then I did it all.

 As far as games is concerned, I started with the humble Subway Surfer and Hill Climb racing. Played those for a week, then I got Asphalt 8! It is ultimate racing game to play on a cell phone for a gamer. I have played a lot of NFS's on my PS2, and the feeling you get of playing a game of same level of graphics and performance on a handheld device is simply amazing! Really enjoying this one, already reached Season 2 of it in a week. Only concern is, phone becomes a bit hot if you play for long times, so don't do that, especially for Nexus 5, as it is a fully sealed device.

 I also got the Stick Cricket Premier League. You can play 5 seasons of IPL or Aus equivalent. I started the IPL with Mumbai Indians team. You get some funds at start of the season too, to buy players/coaches. Apparently I have finished all 5 seasons, won the IPL trophy 3 times, came 2nd once and 4th once. Another wonderful and new game on the play store, which I installed is Tennis 3D. It took me some time to ace this one, around 30mins, but once I learnt some tricks it is fun. It is competitive, and I still need to learn more tricks to start winning Slams.

 So that was for games, lets come to apps. WhatsApp and Facebook were the first and basic installs.  After that I also got the Facebook Messenger, as the latest one lets you make unlimited free calls! Also installed Skype, as I use it for Video calls with family. I had not loaded music in my phone for a while, as my awesome collection was in Mumbai. I went home last weekend and got 4 Gigs worth of my favorite music synced to my Nexus 5. This phone does not come with a music player, you can play music from My Music app, but that is not that good. Got 'Rocket Player' for music, working pretty well, Good Easy UI, and some useful features too.

  I am happy and lucky to have lot of good friends who are experienced Android/Nexus 5 users. They also recommended me apps like 'Clean Master' and 'Digitally Imported Radio'. I tried a few stations, and 'Chillout' is the one I liked the most. There are several other crazy hard core Trance stations too, I got headache after listening them for 5 mins...lol.

 I am a movie buff, so I had also got the bookmyshow app in the first week. I follow cricket too, I tried the CricInfo app, din't like it much. Have installed CricBuzz now, which is also higher in rankings on the PlayStore. After installing all of the above, I still have 3.62 GB memory left. Not to mention, I have a 1.5 GB worth of a single game in the form of Asphalt 8, and 4 GB of music!

 Only concern I found was about the battery, and I guess not only for Nexus 5, this is applicable to all Android phones. It is more applicable to this sucker as it packs a very big punch, compared to most other lesser specs devices, but overall I am really really happy with my Nexus 5!! 

Untitled Part 4 – Mr. K & The Alteration of Singularity

Link to Untitled Part 3: http://cartikvyas.blogspot.in/2013/11/untitled-part-3-ant-relativity.html

Untitled Part 4

 Some questions always intrigue human minds. There have been many great theorists and physicists in the history of mankind; however the human species has a lot of limitations. It is the most powerful species on planet earth, thanks to the gift of a comparatively powerful brain which helps it to survive against other species. But that is just earth; it is way too small compared to the universe it resides in.  There are species in this and other universes, which are far more evolved and advanced than humans, some even more than the Primes.

 Mr. K did find the trick to travel in the exclusive fourth dimension of time. Mr. K was also a human to begin with, he also had his limitations, but with new knowledge came new powers, which further unlocked new knowledge and mysteries of the universe!

 Let’s talk about singularity then. Singularity is the moment in time, rather it is the start of time. Around 13 billion years ago, when the big bang happened and this universe was formed. What is there outside the universe? Human minds cannot figure that out, humans cannot even figure out the origin of life on earth yet, humans are still a very young species who have a lot to travel and a lot to learn.

 Mr. K went back in time, and did something that helped humans traverse the extensions of the known universe and beyond. The fact is, that very fabric of life could be altered, that parallel universes could be traversed, that infinity could be defined, and yes that singularity could be altered.

 For someone with average intelligence in the early 21^st Century on planet Earth, here is an explanation. In science studies, there are four popular subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. Most science students who study them never think about it beyond the pages of their textbook. The lessons that the greats like Einstein and Newton taught us can easily be used to relate these four subjects.

 Things don’t happen automatically, there is a force, an unknown force. If you study The Ant Relativity, you will know that even humans are like Ants to some unknown, and more powerful species. A species which can see more dimensions, knows much more about the universe, and it rules the universe indeed, just like humans rule Earth.

 Coming back to Singularity Alteration, think of Physics in terms of all the laws of Physics including concepts like motion, gravity, friction, light, etc, i.e. the physical world. Think of Chemistry, as the world of Chemicals, the importance of chemistry lies in the gases which helped in formation and which support life on earth. Biology is the science of atoms, the science which basically talks about organic life. And finally the favorite of Mr. K: Mathematics. The science which is more superior and more powerful than any other. The fact that humans are not that evolved enough is because humans have not been able to do the Maths, the science of numbers, the power of numbers is beyond imagination.!

 To form life, the higher unknown, more powerful species would have to select 3 out of the above 4 forces. Physics is always there, Chemistry was added to support the Biology. Mathematics was left out. The better equation would have been, Chemistry is always there, and Mathematics added to support Physics. If you know what I mean, and if you understand what I mean, then Mr. K figured this out, and with it came the knowledge, and the power, and then the Singularity was altered.....

Link to Untitled Part 5: http://cartikvyas.blogspot.in/2014/11/untitiled-part-5-mr-k-and-7-dimensions.html  

Happy One Month Anniversary Little Sparsh!

Dear Sparsh, 

So you are now one month old. You had your first outings in the sun. You had your first family picture with mum and dad in the backyard of your lovely home. You also celebrated your first holi. You may not know, but even though I am miles away from you, I do see your wonderful sweet pictures and videos every day. Your smile, especially the one with eyes close, makes our day. You are indeed the apple of our eye.

 Today I will talk about a man. A man, who failed at business in 1831, was defeated in run for legislature in 1832, failed again at business in 1833. His fiancé died in 1835, had a nervous breakdown in 1836. He lost run for congress in 1843, lost the same again in 1848. Lost senate race in 1855, lost VP race in 1856, and lost senate bid in 1859. Finally he was elected 16^th President of USA in 1860, and he changed the course of American history.

 This is the story of the great Abraham Lincoln. He had so many failures in life, but he never gave up. He always kept trying; eventually he got the greatest achievement anyone could think of. All the failures that he had in life, only made him stronger and wiser.  

 Ups and downs are part of everyone’s life. Even you will face challenges in life. You may not be the best in everything, you may fail few times. Always remember, to never give up. Failures are just a stepping stone to success. Failures will just make you stronger, smarter and wiser. You will always have a very strong support system in the form of family and friends. Whenever in life, if you face any problems, and are not able to solve it, always ask help and opinion from mom and dad, don’t ever keep things inside you.

 Finally I would like to say, that as you are growing up, and as I see your pictures every day, I see a sense of wisdom in your eyes. You have great genes, it makes me happy, and I am sure you will do very well in life, and not encounter many failures!

Your Lovingly, 

Mamu.

Google Nexus 5...

 To start with I would like to look back in time. It was 28th November, 2010, when I bought my previous phone. Samsung Wave 723, it served me very well for more than 3 years. It has been a wonderful journey, and I will always remember you for all that you have done for me. Your 5MP camera with LED flash, and the 5.1 surround sound were notably outstanding. However, all good things come to an end my friend, it's time for both of us to move on. 

 The date for the upgrade of the phone in my life was 3rd March, 2014. A big upgrade too, Google Nexus 5, the phone of the year in 2013, and I would be a proud owner of it. The moment it came in front of my eye, my happiness knew no limits, I was on cloud 10...(cloud 9 is very dreary) It was like a wonder of the world is in my hand. The first time I turned it on, it said Google and I was like WOW…I finally own the great legend, the great masterpiece of my time.

  

 I went outside and got my sim-card cut, so that it could fit in this one. Then I registered my google account with the phone….and the rest they say is history. It is a wonderful phone. Superfast, super slick and super light. You get a feeling of pride holding it. Touch screen is very responsive, loads of Android features and applications. My previous phone had bada OS, and not many apps available. Finally, I am now on WhatsApp! The camera of the phone is too good, it has 8MP primary, and 1.3 MP secondary. I clicked a few shots in office yest, they came out wonderful.

 I also got Android 4.4.2 Kitkat pre-installed.  One of the icon called “Play Games” was not opening, but then after the apps update, it is working fine now. One can anyways access all the Games from the PlayStore. I have bought the 16GB version, and I have around 12GB available, I would have been happy for anything above 10GB, and so I am.

 One thing I noticed, and it is a known fact that Android phones eat a lot of battery, on an average the battery lasts a day and a half max. However, the charging is also ultra quick, or may be because my handset is new.  Lot of security features are available, there are 5 ways to unlock the screen, we can do it using Slide, Face Unlock, Pattern, Pin and Password. Lot of other administration features also available.

 My laptop seems redundant now, the only time I would use it would be to write my blog, or type an email, everything else would be done from the phone now…

Finally, thanks a lot to my sister and jiju for the phone, I am really happy to have it and am enjoying it a lot!!

Another India Pakistan Thriller!

 To start with, I would have been much happier had India won this one. We came sooo close; the good old Afridi was the difference again. India out of Asia Cup 2014! :(

 So my day started early today at 6:30AM. Pretty early I would say, especially after doing late shift in office and sleeping around 01:30AM. Had to catch the 0750 Deccan Queen train to Mumbai. I was kinda already late when I left my apartment, getting an auto in the morning was also a problem. Somehow, I reached station 5 mins early, and boarded the train on time...a relief to have not missed the train.

 Reached Mumbai, went to uncle’s place. Had wonderful and lots of good delicious home food, 3 farsan and jalebi along with the wonderful lunch was too good. Meanwhile Pakistan won the toss and chooses to bowl. Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli left early, however Rohit Sharma was in terrific form, and was making batting look very easy. He made a free flowing 50 for India before getting caught, mistiming on a short delivery. Rayadu also played well for his fifty in the middle order. Jadeja finished off well for India with a good knock of 50 too. India managing 245 for 8 in 50 overs.

 245 was not a winning total but a fighting total. India had got in Amit Mishra for this match, making it 5 specialist bowlers. Amit Mishra bowled wonderfully well ended with figures of 2 for 28 in 10 overs. Match was very tight, went till the last over, it was anyone’s game. Pakistan had an upper hand for most part, but then 3 quick wickets in final overs made it very interesting.

 Pakistan 9 down, around 10 to win in last over. Afridi still there and what does he do? 2 sixes back to back to seal it off for Pakistan. What followed on facebook was a round of abuses, some for Afridi and some for R. Ashwin, who was the unfortunate bowler on the receiving end in the last over. Man of the match was Mohammad Hafeez for his knock of 75 and his 2 for 38 in 9 overs. Jadeja did well with the bat, but was disappointing with the bowl, he was bowling too quick and not giving enough flight like Mishra.

 Ne ways, winning and losing is part of the game, and part of life. India already has a, not so strong bowling attack as I said in my last post too. If batting does not click, the chances to win becomes very less. India out of Asia cup, too bad...I had high hopes. Ne ways good news is I am getting my brand new Nexus 5 tomorrow, so looking forward to that!!

The Times of Cricket

Long time since I wrote about Cricket. A lot is happening, although I am not getting a chance to watch everything live, I do keep track of the scores.

One thing worth mentioning is the rise of Mitchell Johnson of Australia. He single handedly beat England in the Ashes. He was simply unplayable. A white wash was the result, and the urn came back to Australia after 7 years. It was also a kind of resurgence of the Australian Test side, which was pretty low after the retirement of all the big guns.

Currently, Australia is on a Tour to South Africa. South Africa has the best bowling attack in the world. The likes of Steyn and Morkel are really intimidating. The supporting bowlers also do a pretty good job. They have the variety as well, left arm, right arm, fast, swing, spin, a complete attack. Batting is not bad either, even after Kallis got retired, Amla, De Villers, Grame Smith still make the batting line up look good. Not for nothing is South Africa the number one test side since a while now.

So, I did mention Kallis got retired. A great player, and the number one all-rounder in world cricket. He was a big asset to the South African team. His last series was against India. Not only did Kallis had great talent and skills, but also wonderful temperament. He had a very cool head on his shoulders. Not only South Africa, but also the cricket world as a whole will miss Kallis.

India is not doing very well currently. We were not able to win a single game in South Africa, got big time drubbing in New Zealand.Currently the Asia cup is going on. Dhoni is injured and Virat Kohli is the captain. He is in ominous form since the past one year, and has scored heaps of runs.But there are not many players to support him; he is the only consistent match winner in the team. Other youngsters like Rahane, Raidu, Rohit Sharma, Dhawan click rarely. Bowling is a big problem, and it has always been. But still, compared to other teams in the Asia cup, India is one of the favorites for me. Other one being Sri Lanka. Pakistan change their squad every six months, except Shahid Afridi, and they are highly unpredictable.

The Champ is Home!

Dear Bhanju,

 Hello buddy! You are 3 days old now and coming to your home for the first time. It is a very special place; it will be your first home. It will be a home where you will grow up. A home which is special for all of us, it is also the first home that your parents owned in US.  You being part of it just make it extra special.

 I have been there, and I know each and every thing in there has being handpicked by your parents. It is a combination of modern amenities and antiquated artifacts. To be frank, sometimes it looks like a mini museum, but so it is. You will not find such a splendid home anywhere else.

 This home where you will live in has seen loads of happiness. The 2011 World Cup victory of India, the rehearsals of Diwali events, the Birthday celebrations, and many more… and now the home will see you. It has always been a lively and buzzing place, because of all the wonderful friends your parents have. You will meet them, and their kids will become your friends. So, one thing is for sure, you will have many friends, and I can assure they would be good friends too.

 You may not live forever in this home. You and your parents may move to a bigger home, a bigger city, or may be eventually you would go to some other city like Cambridge, MA or Pittsburg for higher studies. Always remember your first home, it is very special for all of us, and it is very special for you too! There is a NASA space shuttle toy I had got from Washington DC when I was there, now it is yours. One of your first toys, and first gift from mamu. I want to tell you, you may or may not become an astronaut, but whatever you do, and become in life, be the best in it, and enjoy it!

Yours lovingly,

Kartik Mamu.

Welcome to the world, little champ!

Dear Bhanju,

 18th Feb, 2014.  That is the day you were born. A new member in our family, the next generation, and a bundle of joy and happiness. Let me introduce myself, I am your mama. This is the first letter I am writing to you, and I am sure there would be many more.

 I still remember the day your mom and dad got married. It has been more than 5 years. You are lucky to have such wonderful parents. I am confident that you would grow up to be a very well respected, and highly qualified man. I will always be there for you, I may not be in US, but you can always contact me for anything (including your homework ;) )

 We will relive our childhood days, with your childhood. We will play with you, we will study with you, we will be there for you, and be with you in every step of your life. Just remember one thing, do your homework on time, and don't watch a lot of TV.

 You are just one day old, you have a whole life waiting ahead of you. Life is a journey, never be disappointed with failure, always be patient, persistent and always listen to your parents. Your friends may tell you hundred things, but when in doubt always ask your parents. Remember they love you more than anything else, and will always be there for you.

 I would like to end with a quote. "Life isn't a matter of milestones, but of moments" - Rose Kennedy

Yours Lovingly,
Kartik Mamu

Lone Survivor

 I had not heard of this movie 3 days before today. I was planning to go for 'The Lego Movie', however the timings were not suiting me, so I thought to check, what else is going on?

 I saw this name, never saw any tailor or poster about it anywhere, it was unheard of. Searched online, read a couple of sentences and I decided, I gotta watch this one.

It is a true story about US Navy SEALs, how a plan to capture a terrorist turns upside down. How 4 soldiers have to face an army of al-Queda , and how against all odds, there is a Lone Survivor.

 The movie starts with all the rigorous training a Navy SEAL has to go through, how much the armed forces cares about any of it's surviving personnel, and also there is a story of humanity. No country, no religion is bad, just that there are a bunch of people who make it look bad. A whole village in Afghanistan fought against al-Queda to save the surviving Navy SEAL, and they were all native of Afghanistan.

 It is an adult movie, there is lot of violence in it. For someone who has played Counter Strike before, this is like ultimate fantasy! Also there are a few scenes where the soldier removes bullets from his own body, it is shown very realistically, and not many people can see it. I can say whole of the movie is realistic and logical! In the end there is a tribute to the 4 soldiers, on whom the movie is based.

 I can definitely say it is another nice movie, with some similarities to Captain Phillips. I got the top most row being a weekday. There were barely 15 odd people in the hall owing to simultaneous release of Gunday.

 Did I see Gunday? Well hell yes, I see 2 movies every week!! Why din't I write about Gunday then? Well I read somewhere on facebook recently: Bollywood makes money, Hollywood makes movies!