Saturday, May 31, 2008

Here we go again...

I had almost forgotten. Today's the last day before we switch to a daylight saving time and push our clocks one hour forward in an attempt to utilize more daylight and in turn, save us some of that precious power. It was when I paid a visit to the market today that I found out that it was the talking point of the day, and everyone was busy giving their opinion of the whole time-changing thing. Some thought it was a futile attempt at fooling people into thinking that the government is actually trying to do something for them, whereas others were a bit more hopeful and thought that it might actually work this time.

Whether this attempt will fail like the last one remains to be seen, but you're likely to run into a lot of confused people in the next few days - most of them, sadly, poor who couldn't care less tbh. A friend regaled something funny he encountered on a bus the last time we did this daylight saving thing. While on his way to work, he inquired the bus conductor about what time it was, to which the conductor asked back: konsa? naya ya purana wala? :)

In my opinion, it is a very useful thing indeed - provided it is utilized properly and the masses are educated about it. If everyone starts doing things one hour later then there's no point in it. Except for namaz, everything should be done at exactly the same time. Some public service ads aimed at raising awareness ought to help IMO. With filthy rich telcos around these days itching to get some attention, it wouldn't be hard attracting sponsors for these ads either.

I guess we'll have to wait and see. Meanwhile, here's something that oughta put a smile on your face:

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Speak Up and Be Free?

These stupid billboards, they do your freaking head in don't they!

I'm talking about the stupid bullcrap JAZZ ads that have "taken over" the billboards at several places in the city. Since when does speaking up and being free involve doing semi-nude poses that could at best be described as raunchy? Come to think of it, almost all mobile ads project some sort of hollow made-up dream society where all the kids are jumping around in night clubs - in some cases, with grannies joining them - and singing as if they're high on drugs on something.

Is this the kind of bull we'll be serving now that our media is finally FREE? Is this how we become an "enlightened" and "tolerant" society? One that accepts freedom of expression? By the looks of things, I'm beginning to think it was better the other way around to be honest! Who the hell approves these stupid billboards/television ads/dramas anyway?! (that is, if there is an approval process in place in the wake of millions in advertising revenue - especially from the telcos). And there's another of these totally inane billboards on Sharah-e-Faisal of Shezan twist that would probably look better on a poster of an X-rated film. I am not kidding people, it really is that bad! See for yourself (the twist ad). I'll try and get an image of the JAZZ ads as well. It freaking does my head in sometimes, really.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

How NASA writes software

Must Read:
http://www.fastcompany.com/node/28121/print?donttaseme

Monday, May 12, 2008

If I had some money...

I don't know about you if I were to somehow ended up with a considerable sum of money, the first thing I'd do is build a multi-story car park on Sharah-e-Faisal! If you happen to work in and around the area, you'd realize how desperate the plight of us poor drivers has become these days. The service roads are jam-packed almost all (if not most) of the time, and driving through them is no less than enduring hell.

I think it's a fantastic business idea too. One that would do everyone concerned loads of good IMHO.

What say you?

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Programmers vs. Management

A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted, “Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don’t know where I am.”
The woman below replied, “You’re in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You’re between 40 and 41 degrees north latitude and between 59 and 60 degrees west longitude.”

“You must be a programmer,” said the balloonist.

“I am,” replied the woman, “How did you know?”

“Well,” answered the balloonist, “everything you told me is technically correct, but I’ve no idea what to make of your information, and the fact is I’m still lost. Frankly, you’ve not been much help at all. If anything, you’ve delayed my trip.”

The woman below responded, “You must be in Management.”

“I am,” replied the balloonist, “but how did you know?”

“Well,” said the woman, “you don’t know where you are or where you’re going. You have risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise, which you’ve no idea how to keep, and you expect people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it’s my fault.”

--
If you happen to work at a software house like me, you'd know exactly what she's talking about! :)

Friday, May 09, 2008

Addicted to Trek

I am absolutely, totally and completely addicted to Star Trek these days - their TV series, movies, the whole franchise basically. It started when a friend introduced me to Star Trek - Deep Space Nine (a series that premiered in the 1990s). Then for me, came the most popular of them all, Star Trek - The Next Generation with the famous starship Enterprise and it's captain Jean-Luc Picard (played by Patrick Stewart). Last week, I finished watching Star Trek - Voyager. and now, I'm onto Star Trek - Enterprise!

I guess I'll be hooked until there are no more movies or tv series' left to watch! This is the last and I've seen all the rest! :P

Monday, May 05, 2008

Wise Saying

Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace.... and your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace.

- Anonymous

The Odds of Dying

Death is an uncomfortable topic for most, yet we cannot deny the fact one way or another, we ARE going to die one day. In other words, the odds of dying are 100% - an absolute certainty that is. However, the manner of one's death can be numerous. It is disconcerting to even think of our death, let alone thinking of the manner in which we're going to die! According to LiveScience journal, our odds of dying are something like in the picture shown below (click on it to view the original size).

Apparently, you are more likely to commit suicide or fall to your death than be killed by a tsunami or any natural disaster. Hmmm ... and for once, I shall not end with with my customary footnote of 'Enjoy!' :)

Sunday, May 04, 2008

Remember MacGyver?

Oh boy! Do you remember MacGyver? The handsome handyman on TV who could get almost anything done with only a basic set of tools and some duct tape! :P

If you grew up watching his super-cool tv shows like me, then you'd be thrilled to know that there's a MacGyver movie in the making! Can't wait!

Credits:
http://gizmodo.com/386877/holy-crap-macgyver-blockbuster-film-coming

Friday, May 02, 2008

Me the Photographer

I like to point and shoot once in a while too, time permitting of course. I bought a Canon Powershot A560 last year, a budget camera but an extremely good one. While there are no snaps I took with it online, there are a couple I took with my friend's Nikon back in the university days. These were taken during the rainy season of year 2006 (my final year at NED). Enjoy!

NED Admin Block aka "White House"
CIS Surroundings

More "White House"

All photos on Flickr here: http://flickr.com/photos/fnasim/tags/ned/