Sunday, September 25, 2005

Check this out!


Courtesy Google Earth.

Its just awesome that such technologies are becoming so widely used. ABC is using Google Earth to give its viewers a perspective of whats happening with Hurricane Rita.

Mt. Washington

After extensive planning, Ram, Anand, Anand's mother and I drove up New Hampshire to Mt.Washington. It is the highest peak in New England.


Believe it or not, the temperature on top doesn't go beyond 55F any day during a normal year. It is also infamous as being the place with the "worst weather in the world". But, today was absolutely magnificient. It was (just) 37F (abt 3C) on top, perfectly clear with visibility of 110 miles (or so we were told). Even the moon was visible at 1pm. World's fastet land-recorded wind-speed of 231mph (372kmph) was recorded here... no wonder the old weather office building is chained, lest its blown off.

All in all, a perfectly enjoyable trip.

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Who is Anath?

There is something unique about my name, or so it seems. Most people find it hard to spell it right. I've now lost count of the number of times a 'n' is missed and its _always_ the second 'n'... so, you have Anath.

For those who don't understand Indian languages that are Sanskrit descent, Anath => orphan.

And no, I am not offended by the wrong spelling, though I'd hope people paid a little more attention while writing/typing in my name.

This....

is MIT. Notice how Massachussetts and Institute are spelt. Seems the reason for 'v' is a Latin affectation.

Friday, September 16, 2005

News and views

The one thing that strikes most people from outside the US is the world news, or rather, the lack of it. Yes, there are a number of very famous news organizations and television channels - CNN, Fox News, CBS, NBC, ABC and the like. But all of them are just US centric. To most "common" people, the world is America, because they are not exposed to information from other places on planet Earth. My feeling is, a vast majority of Americans are taken aback when they see the growing importance of China or India in the current world order. The simple reason is most people are simply not "aware" of China or India.

Take for instance the World Summit currently on at the United Nations. My main sources of what is going on there, are (believe it or not) online Indian newspaper editions and the good old www.rediff.com. You could similarly argue that we Indians tend to read too much into any minor favourable statement made about our growing "power". But I am pleased to say, we are not as short-sighted when it comes to worldly knowledge.

Oh, and the other thing that there is no dearth of in the media here is gossip. If you are channel surfing between 7 and 8 in the evening, you'll find the "Entertainment" news on most channels, and chances are you could be a Paris Hilton or Lindsay Lohan or Tara Reid or Jessica Simpson or Britney Spears expert in no time.

No wonder some of my colleagues at office are so adamant about *not* watching TV, except to catch the live sports action. Most people suggest the Washington Post as the best source of unbiased information. I am not convinced though that even they give world news a fair coverage.

Finally, check this picture I took at Fenway Park during the Red Sox vs Anaheim Angels game on 6 September.

Friday, September 09, 2005

Back at work

After a fun filled week, I am back at work. It had been a while since I had taken such a long (5 days to be precise) time off from work. Had a great time with Murali and Sripathi, seeing famous places, driving through the countryside, etc.

Some sample pictures...







More later at the usual place...