Famous quotes

"Happiness can be defined, in part at least, as the fruit of the desire and ability to sacrifice what we want now for what we want eventually" - Stephen Covey

Saturday, December 24, 2011

FLAG - Japanese anime Episode 3

This is getting interesting every episode and looking more like a Nat Geo Documentary. Never thought an anime would make me feel like that.







F03[pimpanime]

jjoho - F | Myspace Video

Knights Tale - Introductions

The best part of the movie - Paul Bettany's introductions. "The protector of Italian virginity" HEHE!!!

FLAG - Japanese Anime - Episode 2


F02[pimpanime]

jjoho - F | Myspace Video

FLAG - Anime Review

THEM.ANIME REVIEW Flag Synopsis Sometime in the near future, a violent civil war erupts in a small, mountainous country of Uddiyana. The United Nations Forces quickly intervenes by taking over the capital city in the interests of brokering peace talks, and during the chaos that ensues, a Japanese photographer named Saeko Shirasu takes this photograph: The photo quickly becomes cherished around the world as a symbol for peace in Uddiyana. Because of public outcry, a date is set for the two sides to meet and sign a peace accord to end the feuding. A few weeks before the signing, however, the flag in the photo is stolen. Fearing that any chance for peace will be lost if the flag is not found, the UNF creates a special task force to find it. The best minds of the free world are gathered together, and among them is Shirasu, who will document this top secret mission. Review Japanese anime rarely attempts to confront modern social and political issues. When a series does, though, usually we get something like Stand Alone Complex: 2nd Gig or Grave of the Fireflies, both of which are excellent series that tackle social issues in Japan and beyond with the appropriate weight. For that reason alone, I hoped Flag would be worth watching. And while I did get a heavy dose of modern issues such as responsible journalism, Middle Eastern politics and religion, and nation building, it came in one very dull package, heavy on the preaching and light on the entertainment. Taken all together, Flag is a mixed but ultimately disapointing show, as my own mixed review will show. The first thing a new viewer of Flag will notice is its animation. Production IG continues their high standards of animation quality, but this time with an intriguing stylistic twist: the entire series plays like an elaborate multi-media documentary, with graphs, still photography, videos and screenshots weaving together a visual narrative. The animators try to make each frame of their animation as realistic as possible, making the camera shake when its owner is running, go in and out of focus to follow the action, and often poorly frame the camera's subject. It looks like candid camera on the frontlines of modern warfare. Production IG had obviously done research on the camera's subjects, since they look very realistic too, from the indigenous people who populate the slopes of the mountains to the slightly-futuristic helicopters and weapons. Tying all the visual chaos together is narration by a Japanese journalist named Keiichi Akagi (voiced by Taylor Henry), a veteran reporter who has seen his fair share of wars. It wasn't long ago that he had taken a promising photographer named Saeko Shirasu (voiced by Dorothy Fahn) under his wing, showing her the ropes and teaching her how to be a freelance journalist. He took her with him to the conflict in Uddiyana, where she quickly became famous for a photograph she took during the UNF's invasion of the capital city. Now, as the date for the signing of the peace accord draws near, they are both returning to Uddiyana, but this time separately. While Akagi is returning to the capital to keep taps on the nation's progress towards peace, Saeko will be going with a special section of the UNF assigned to a top secret mission... which she told Akagi all about before leaving. The flag in the picture that made Saeko famous has been stolen, and though the UNF has been able to keep that fact a secret from the press, they are desperate to recover it before the signing of the peace accord. If they do not, they are afraid that the country will never know peace, and public opinion will turn against them. Saeko has been asked to document the mission, possibly as some sort of publicity stunt by the UNF, because I can't think of any other reason why anyone would want a top secret mission heavily documented. Saeko is given unlimited access to strategy meetings, she tapes the unit commander's reasoning on why she made such and such an order, she records the officers living quarters, the kitchens, the warehouses, and the day-to-day lives of the soldiers. She also photographs and videos a top secret weapon used on the mission called the HAVWC, a "bipedal armored vehicle." In other words, mecha, and I can't say I'm happy to see it here. Flag could easily have done without the HAVWC; it had obviously been shoehorned in to attract mecha fans. But let's be reasonable here- because the animation is so detailed, then it must be a foregone conclusion that the mecha action is kick-ass? Fanboys be damned, even I get a little weak at the knees at the idea of giant robots laying the smack down. Sadly, though, because the series is essentially a drama visualized as an elaborate multi-media presentation, most of the action looks like this: Hooray! Graphs! Charts! Symbols! If you're a freak for both math and mecha, you may have wet yourself. As for the rest of ya'll, I assure you that the action is as dull as it sounds. Frankly, the entire series is dull, stiff and a disappointment. It's heavy on dialouge that isn't much to begin with, and on top of that the premise of the UN spending millions of dollars on a secret mission to retrieve a piece of cloth insults my intelligence. Symbols be damned, a peace accord is too important to be stopped because of a missing flag. The UNF's reaction to the armed extremists should have been to laugh at how silly they were to go through all that effort, and then go on with their time table for peace after a short press conference. What's frustrating about this premise is that Flag could have easily chosen something else that is believable and interesting simply by turning on their nine o'clock news. Civilian kidnappings. Better yet, important officers kidnapped. Planes hijacked. Suicide bombings. Take your pick; all of these is better than a frickin' piece of cloth. Despite excellent visuals, Flag takes a ridiculous premise too seriously, and the series suffers for it. — Bradley Meek Recommended Audience: Mild language and violence. For teenagers and up, though this may go over the head of most teenagers Cant agree more with the last line this is not the Anime for teenagers.This is for a mature audience.Not for Children. Just by watching the first episode i could feel that. Judging by this review one cant expect any more action excitement. This looks more like a documentary.

FLAG - Japanese Anime - Episode 1

Japanese are the real experts of this genre of anime.This would have made a better live action movie...... The script, the way this anime starts and the narrative style of storytelling brings outs the finer touches of movie making which rivals the authenticity of a live action version. FLAG - This is the first episode.....
F01[pimpanime]

jjoho - F | Myspace Video

Ajax and Alkmaar: Match abandoned after a bizarre incident

This soccer match was abandoned in 36 minutes. The Goalkeeper was redcarded for what????. A crazy hooligan was running towards him, what should he be doing be kind to him or ignore him. It is obvious that the the goalie put out all his frustration on the hooligan but he doesnt deserve a red card for that.The ref was so unkind to punish him for beating up a hooligan.People get away with a lot in Soccer but this Goalie did no wrong.....

Monday, December 19, 2011

BEST POKER REACTION EVER!!!

This happened during the World Series of Poker 2010. Nicholas Cage would have been proud of that reaction.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

LMFAO- I'm sexy and i know it

Wiggle,Wiggle,Wiggle,Wiggle......... :)

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Kobe training for the season with gamewinners

Bartender - frozen Daquiri (Hemingway)

This anime series on the different cocktails and their background stories is amazing. Love each episode and the way it correlates the person coming into the bar with the history behind the drink. This episode about Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea" is a good and a moving one.....

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Veppam - Mazhai Varum Arikuri

Ramalama Bang Bang

Eden of the East Opening

An thoughtful anime with confusing characters and even confusing storyline...... This is either the best or the worst anime of recent times.

Wonderful opening soundtrack from "Oasis"


Monday, August 15, 2011

Chris Rock Kill the Messenger

Another thoughtful and truthful stand-up by Chris Rock

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Dennis Rodman Hall of Fame Speech



Nice Emotional Speech by Dennis Rodman. As one can see if you look beyond the illusion he is a wonderful human being.

Sunday, August 07, 2011

Saturday, August 06, 2011

2% interest Loans - P2P Lending a new Phenom in China

A TOI Article about online P2P lending in China

By Zhao Ying

Borrowing money from strangers may sound like an odd proposition to some. But China's farmers are taking advantage of online peer-to-peer (P2P) lending to build better futures. Yang Yanxia, 32, mother of two from Dingxi city in northwest China's Gansu province, borrowed 3,500 yuan ($543) via Yinongdai.com, a P2P lending website, at the end of 2009 to help build her farming business. Dingxi is one of the nation's most impoverished regions, owing to low agricultural yields caused by chronic drought.

Yang's lenders were from first- and second-tier cities in China, who charged her a fixed interest rate of around 2% - much lower than the rates typically charged by Chinese banks. Before 2009, Yang's family earned only $1,553 annually from their potato farm, and even that was subject to the whims of Mother Nature. With the loan, Yang and her husband were able to rent a plot of fertile land that effectively doubled the size of cultivable land available to them. The family's new farms brought in $5,434 in just six months.

Yang then used the profits to construct a barn to raise cattle, which she believes will provide a more reliable source of income. The world's first P2P lending service was launched in the United Kingdom in 2005 and has since become popular worldwide. Most of China's state-owned commercial banks are unlikely to lend to people like Yang, either because the loans sought are too small or because they have nothing to offer as collateral. China's P2P lending platforms give people like Yang an alternative.

Prospective borrowers must provide identification as well as proof of personal assets for a credit rating from the P2P platforms. Lenders can pick who they want to lend to based on the borrower's objectives, the terms of repayment and the interest rates offered by borrowers. Since Yang was unfamiliar with computers, she contacted a local micro-credit service centre for the online procedure. "We submitted her information to the P2P website after examining her credit and family situation carefully," says Yang Farong, director of the Minfuxinrong Micro-credit Service Center. The centre has been helping the people of Dingxi acquire loans for the past five years.

Since 2009, when Yinongdai.com started offering P2P services, 217 farming households in Dingxi have benefited to the tune of $119,544 in low-interest loans, Yang Farong says. Yang Yanxia only had to pay an extra $10.50 to the local micro-credit service centre, in addition to her $543 principal. "I never expected to borrow money from strangers. It's so exciting to know that personal credit still has value," she says. Canadian-Chinese Robert Li, 15, who studies at the Shanghai American School, became a P2P lender two years ago. "The amount of money spent on a single meal in the city can be enough to change the life of a family," says Li, who has lent $4,416 in loans so far with the help of his family.


Li believes that direct online lending is more transparent than charitable donations, and allows lenders greater discretion in providing loans. "Families with school-age children, particularly girls, are our primary targets," Li's mother Vivian says. The fact that there have been no delays in the repayment of loans offered through Yinongdai.com has also impressed her. "This proves that disadvantaged people can still have credit," she says. So far, Yinongdai.com has disbursed $434,705 in loans to nearly 1,000 rural families across China.

As a new form of micro-financing, P2P lending "not only fills in gaps left by the banking system, but also offers convenience to rural borrowers," says Bai Chengyu, secretary-general of China Association of Microfinance. However, P2P services that are designed to help people in need won't always be able to count on a steady supply of funds, as investors invariably seek higher profits amid inflation risks, Bai says.


Can such a venture work in India. The first problem is Collection. Second who will lend money at 2% when our FD rates are hovering around 8-10%.Moreover this is online ,the legal tender of such a transaction is always difficult. Rather than a P2P which is unorganised network i would prefer that reputed banks like ICICI,HDFC can provide this banking service by using their banking facilities to connect borrowers and micro lenders like salaried employees.They can even show the credit history of the borrower and rate them and divide them into categories and if they have good history of repayment then they can have lower interest rates like 2%.and other categories can have slightly higher interest rates like 4-6% but never above 6%. But we have to understand that the lender is basically giving up on savings as he is lending money at lower interest rates to complete strangers. We are dealing with honesty and credibility here which is very difficult to rely on these days.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Death Note - Anime and Manga Ending

Have seen the live action version of Death Note a few years back but just cam across the anime episodes.The anime version was much more darker and tragic than the live action one.The final two episodes were a real treat.
The death of Yagami Light is closer to the Manga Version.


Saturday, July 16, 2011

Crows Zero Japanese Movie

Bases on the Manga "Crows" by Hiroshi Takahashi
Thanks to Jeff Mather for uploading this with subtitles








Monday, July 04, 2011

Why the IITs are NO GOOD for India

IT long considered to be the beacon of education in India is nothing more than a mirage of brilliance!!!!
How else would you characterize the leading technology university in a country which till date has not yet produced any one groundbreaking technology nor the talent to atleast reverse engineer the products of the west.As school and college dropouts in the United States come out with more innovations here in India most of the so called "intellectuals" doesnt even have the talent to produce a pen.No Indian company has succeeded yet to replicate the German technology in Reynolds pen.Most of these IITians just look for some desk jobs in MNCs overseas with a plush salary. There is hardly any innovation involved in such jobs but they are more keen to have a salary to settle their family and does not seem to have any interest in actually producing something. India needs more technology than any other country in this world. We have 400 Million people living in dire poverty,who needs cost effective technology to reach them. The technology produced by the West is just too costly for most Indians.If India had the capacity to produce airplanes that would result in a huge cost savings in the purchase of military jets and the purchase of airliners by the private airline companies. Just like the Space market where the Indian rocket is ten times cheaper than the same payload rocket of any other country.We would always be produce more cost effective technology than the western world but there is simply no initiative or positive attitude towards any kind of technological innovation in India.We are happy with whatever the west gives us and ready to pay a premium price for it.The PRICE OF OUR INCOMPETENCE.

Sunday, July 03, 2011

Win a Nano for Family planning

Rajasthan health officials has finally started to do some proactive policy in curbing the Indian population. Giving incentives like Nano,refrigerator,TV Sets etc. For years population is the only reason why India is not a developed country and also the reason why India with double digit growth for the next 40 years still will have around 400 million in poverty in 2050.Curbing the population is the only way we can eradicate poverty as no matter how much we produce it is never going to be enough.We all should encourage such policies like these.
Link to news article

Saturday, June 25, 2011

England : Mecca for terrorists and Corrupt outlaws

England seems to encourage people with money running from justice to enter their country for their huge investment bolstering the UK economy. Some reports suggests that billions of pounds pour into UK as a safe haven for corruption money. Especially outlaws from the Middle east pour their money in UK. Chechen terrorists and ex KGB outlaws from Russia also find a safe haven for their huge purse as they cannot be prosecuted there with a friendly govt. The UK govt seems to want to project itself as a investment opportunity for Criminals,terrorists and corrupt govt officials . As the following news report shows their hypocrisy by paying "lip service" to Arab Spring and Democracy at the same time projecting itself as a safe haven for the corrupt officials to park their money stolen from Egypt.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Its Anand V Gelfand for the World Chess Crown




The Challenger for Anand has been decided. Boris Gelfand won the FIDE Candidate trophy to earn the right to challenge Anand for the crown. I was hoping for an Anand-Carlsen meet but i think this would also be a good match as both of them are known to be strong in their openings and very good positional strategies.Looks like we would have a long drawn out games with lot of draws. Unless one of them decided like Topalov did in the previous Championships to come out firing with an aggressive style we would probably have a lot of Draws. But still too early to call as the match is scheduled to be held next year so a lot of time for analyzing and preparation.

Amazing Mate in One missed by GM

Anand Ivanchuk - Mates missed by Ivanchuk. Anand survived the blunder and won

Thursday, June 02, 2011

Amazing Game 2 Dallas won !!!!

Got up early to watch this game and what a game it was....
Dallas down by 15 with around 6 min left somehow found the play to break the Miami defense and come out winning....

Monday, May 30, 2011

Bought Crizal Lens

Just bought a new pair of glasses costing around 10,000 bucks.Crizal is known for their anti-reflective,anti-smudge and anti-dust properties.The difference between the ordinary and Crizal are clearly illustrated in this blogpost

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Anand - Carlsen London 2010

Great match Anand Wins !!!!
Nice post game analysis
GM Malcolm Pein comments - "Magnus is trying to say 'Look, I don't like the world championship system and I'm MAGNUS CARLSEN so please change it' and I think he's really going to struggle to have any influence on that now".
Cant wait for the World Championships A Seasoned veteran vs the young genius in Carlsen.
Nice to see such a cordial chat between World No1 and No 2



Thor Parody by Conan

I just love this.......
Conan rules!!! this is just too funny

Dallas Mavericks V OKC Game 3 Highlights

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Hope Dallas wins the NBA

Cause Dirk Nowitzki deserves it
Once my favorite Boston Celtics went out of the NBA,I will be supporting
Dallas Mavericks cause Dirk Nowitzki is such a great player that he shouldnt retire without winning a ring. This is because he is simply one of the greats of our times
I still remember when i used to watch Dirk and Nash play together for the Mavericks in the playoffs,

Share of Regional TV in TV Industry


Indian viewers prefer Regional channels than national channels
Thats probably because of the linguistic differences.
Long live Indian diversity

Power of Conformity - Demonstrated

Can't wait for Devil May Cry 5

Thursday, April 07, 2011

Monday, March 28, 2011

Chris Rock shooting air with Kobe

The Eye of the Tiger .....
Dont mess with the "Black Mamba"

Kobe during the Finals - NBA 2010

Restless Legs Syndrome

I have diagnosed myself to have Restless Leg Syndrome("RLS") For many years i couldnt explain this feeling i get to shake my leg every time i sit down. Now i got it

From Wikipedia-
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) or Wittmaack–Ekbom syndrome is characterized by an irresistible urge to move one's body to stop uncomfortable or odd sensations. It most commonly affects the legs, but can affect the arms, torso, and even phantom limbs.[1] Moving the affected body part modulates the sensations, providing temporary relief.

Looks like the most common cause for this syndrome is "Iron deficiency".
RLS is generally a lifelong condition for which there is no cure. Symptoms may gradually worsen with age, though more slowly for those with the idiopathic form of RLS than for patients who also suffer from an associated medical condition. Nevertheless, current therapies can control the disorder, minimizing symptoms and increasing periods of restful sleep. In addition, some patients have remissions, periods in which symptoms decrease or disappear for days, weeks, or months, although symptoms usually eventually reappear. Being diagnosed with RLS does not indicate or foreshadow another neurological disease.

Jason Bateman - Just as hilarious as ever

Monday, March 21, 2011

This is why i love JAPAN - "The Fukushima 50"

Japanese are known for their selflessness .They are known for their sense of honor,discipline and "true grit".
IF there aren't heroes then who else are.
All must hail the 50 who are fighting the worst nuclear disaster for years.
Link

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Extras Outtakes


Love the part when Ricky calls Ben a "nerd"

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Skylar Grey - I Love the way you Lie - Lyrics

Love The Way You Lie Lyrics

On the first page of our story
The future seemed so bright
Then this thing turned out so evil
I don't know why i'm still surprised
Even angels have their wicked schemes
And you take that to new extremes
But you'll always be my hero
Even though you've lost your mind

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn
Well that's alright because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry
Well that's alright because I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie

Now there's gravel in our voices
Glasses shattered from the fight
In this tug of war you always win
Even when i'm right
Cos you feed me fables from your head
With violent words and empty threats
And it's sick that all these battles are what keeps me satisfied

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn
Well that's alright because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry
Well that's alright because I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie

So maybe i'm a masochist
I try to run but I don't wanna ever leave
Til the walls are going up
In smoke with all our memories

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn
Well that's alright because I like the way it hurts
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry
Well that's alright because I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Made in India : Shouldnt we be consuming Indian products to preserve jobs in India

Given the consumption pattern of the Indian middle class Should we be conscious to buy Indian products
Look at the Mecca of Capitalism USA even they are looking forward to buying only American (Swadeshi)Products
Link to video
Hopefully our consumption of Indian products will have a Job multiplier effect on the Indian social sector. Already the Indian Govt has created hundreds of thousands of jobs in USA(thru the nuclear deal,purchase of Boeing aircrafts,defence spending etc) As if they need it more!!!
atleast as Indian citizens we should be conscious of buying only Made in India products.
As a first step watch all Indian movies in theatres and all Hollywood movies in pirated DVDs or the Internet.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Natalie Portman winning an Oscar

This is just wonderful one of my favorite actress winning an Oscar

Funny Standup - Jimmy Carr

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Oscar Hosts James Franco and Anne Hathaway

For once young people are hosting the Oscars Im sure they will do a better job than Jon Stewart....


Chicago Bulls heating up for the Playoffs

Nice analysis by bballbreakdown

Rare video of Tony Clifton and Jim Carrey before "Man on the Moon"

This must have been done for the promotion of the movie

Friday, February 25, 2011

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Carmello Anthony joins the Knicks

Now the Knicks will surely make the playoffs

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Black Swan - Opening Dance sequence

Have uploaded this clip on youtube.

Saturday, January 08, 2011

Black Swan - The best movie of the year

Amazing movie ,Natalie Portman is a sure Oscar candidate for her performance.
Interview with the Director Darren Aranofski below

Monday, January 03, 2011

Sexiest Song ever - Jason Mraz - Butterfly


Lyrics
I'm taking a moment just imagining that I?m dancing with you
I?m your pole and all you're wearing is your shoes
You got soul, you know what to do to turn me on
Until I write a song about you

And you have your own engaging style
And you've got the knack to vivify
And you make my slacks a little tight
You may unfasten them if you like
That?s if you crash and spend the night

But you don't fold, you don't fade
You got everything you need, especially me
Sister, you've got it all

You make the call to make my day
In your message say my name
Your talk is all the talk
Sister, you've got it all
You got it all

Curl your upper lip up and let me look around
Ride your tongue along your bottom lip then bite down
And bend your back and ask those hips if I can touch
'Cause they're the perfect jumping off point
Getting closer to your butterfly

Will you float on by?
Oh, kiss me with your eyelashes tonight
Or Eskimo your nose real close to mine
And let's mood the lights and finally make it right

But you don't fold, you don't fade
You got everything you need, especially me
Sister, you've got it all

You make the call to make my day
In your message say my name
Your talk is all the talk
Sister, you've got it all

You got it all, you got it all, you got it all
You got it all, you got it all, you got it all
You got it all, woo, hey baby, uh
You've got it all

Doll, I need to see you pull your knee socks up
Let me feel you upside down, slide in, slide out
Slide over here, climb into my mouth now child

Butterfly well you landed on my mind
Damn right you landed on my ear and then you crawled inside
And now I see you perfectly behind closed eyes
I want to fly with you and I don't want to lie to you

'Cause I, 'cause I can't recall a better day
So I?m coming to shine on the occasion
You're an open-minded lady, you've got it all

And I never forget a face
Except for maybe my own, I have my days
And let?s face the fact here
It's you who's got it all

You know that fortune favors the brave
Well let me get paid while I make your breakfast
The rest is up to you, you make the call

You make the call to make my day
In your message say my name
Your talk is all the talk
Sister, you've got it all

I can't recall a better day
So I?m coming to shine on the occasion
Hey sophisticated lady, oh you got it all

You got it all, you got it all
You got it all, you got it all, you got it all
You got it all, you got it all, you got it all
You got it all! Hey! You got it all, woo!

You got it all
You got it all
You got it all

Butterfly, baby, well you got it all