Sep 19, 2007
Sep 10, 2007
When I first heard of this event, I was really skeptical and wholeheartedly believed that the winner will some spinoff of the great bands of the mid 90s: LRB, Nogor Baul, Winning, Miles or such.
The surprise came at the moment of the winner being announced. Two standing finalists on stage were Powersurge and Radioactive. Both had 55/60 from the panel of judges, and the rest of their 40 will be achieved through sms-es from the users of DJuice, who launched this whole competition. Even at this point, i thot popularity will definitely be with Radioactive. Their music is straight up rock, a vocalist that sometimes sound like Hasan (of Ark fame), and sometimes (astoundingly) like Sebastian Bach (not the classical composer, but the singer of the rock band Skid Row from USA). They have the general likability factor, unlike Powersurge who is definitely aptly named and follows the thrash/speed metal bands and in that way, they also put up killer performances with headbanging and great loud guitar solos and growling.
So it was a great surprise and a happy moment when the winner turned out to be the latter! Congratulations to the winners Powersurge.
The surprise came at the moment of the winner being announced. Two standing finalists on stage were Powersurge and Radioactive. Both had 55/60 from the panel of judges, and the rest of their 40 will be achieved through sms-es from the users of DJuice, who launched this whole competition. Even at this point, i thot popularity will definitely be with Radioactive. Their music is straight up rock, a vocalist that sometimes sound like Hasan (of Ark fame), and sometimes (astoundingly) like Sebastian Bach (not the classical composer, but the singer of the rock band Skid Row from USA). They have the general likability factor, unlike Powersurge who is definitely aptly named and follows the thrash/speed metal bands and in that way, they also put up killer performances with headbanging and great loud guitar solos and growling.
So it was a great surprise and a happy moment when the winner turned out to be the latter! Congratulations to the winners Powersurge.
Posted on Monday, September 10, 2007
Sep 3, 2007
Found a page listing the variety of open source and free software that one can use, e.g - Sun's Star Office is very reliable if you are looking for a free alternative to something like Microsoft's Office (Word processing, spreadsheets etc.); or one could use Gimp for graphics tasks instead of something like Photoshop and if the needs are for 3D, there is Blender which personal friends of mine highly recommend.
See list here, courtesy of John Hopkins University.
See list here, courtesy of John Hopkins University.
Posted on Monday, September 03, 2007
Aug 20, 2007
Aug 16, 2007
Aug 15, 2007
So it has happened again. The waters have risen to make the lives of some people really difficult, with houses submerged and people made homeless, and without the basics. Diarrhea is widespread.
Dhaka till now has been spared and a lot of people has taken this opportunity to raise money to help out in these matters. The money can be sent out in different channels, I am laying out here before you some of the options I am aware of:
The Prothom Alo Fund
http://www.prothom-alo.com/issues/flood-2007/
The Chief Advisor's Fund
http://www.bangladesh.gov.bd/
http://www.sonaliexchange.com/
http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/08/10/d7081001097.htm
Hunger Project
http://www.thp.org/flood
Financial Statement
Bandhan
http://www.badhan.org/flood.html
Past Activites
The Music Fest that is going to be held this weekend (17 and 18) in Ashulia, will also donate from their earnings to this cause.
Dhaka till now has been spared and a lot of people has taken this opportunity to raise money to help out in these matters. The money can be sent out in different channels, I am laying out here before you some of the options I am aware of:
The Prothom Alo Fund
http://www.prothom-alo.com/issues/flood-2007/
The Chief Advisor's Fund
http://www.bangladesh.gov.bd/
http://www.sonaliexchange.com/
http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/08/10/d7081001097.htm
Hunger Project
http://www.thp.org/flood
Financial Statement
Bandhan
http://www.badhan.org/flood.html
Past Activites
The Music Fest that is going to be held this weekend (17 and 18) in Ashulia, will also donate from their earnings to this cause.
Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Aug 13, 2007
''For 30 years under the Borgias, they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance. In Switzerland, they had brotherly love and 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.''
Posted on Monday, August 13, 2007
Aug 12, 2007
March in protest
A keen view of protest marches, if it is a useful tool today, and if not, how could it be?
Article by Matt Taibbi
That of course is talking about the situation in USA. Bangladesh has a totally different culture of protest marches. Its mostly the political parties, their followers and their hired followers who march around (and break things). The citizen will usually stay away from it all, the issues, and the politics. Unless its talking about it over a cup of tea.
Sing in protestFrom the Guerilla News Network, via Save the Internet, it is known that a webcast of Pearl Jam's concert underwent some censorship in the hands of AT&T. It was however, not any profane slang as such, but the words: ‘George Bush, leave this world alone’ and ‘George Bush find yourself another home’
Link to Save the Internet article
A keen view of protest marches, if it is a useful tool today, and if not, how could it be?
Article by Matt Taibbi
That of course is talking about the situation in USA. Bangladesh has a totally different culture of protest marches. Its mostly the political parties, their followers and their hired followers who march around (and break things). The citizen will usually stay away from it all, the issues, and the politics. Unless its talking about it over a cup of tea.
Sing in protestFrom the Guerilla News Network, via Save the Internet, it is known that a webcast of Pearl Jam's concert underwent some censorship in the hands of AT&T. It was however, not any profane slang as such, but the words: ‘George Bush, leave this world alone’ and ‘George Bush find yourself another home’
Link to Save the Internet article
Posted on Sunday, August 12, 2007
Jun 20, 2007
Arrow of Time
http://zonezero.com/magazine/essays/diegotime/time.html
" ... every year, the family goes through a private ritual... "
http://zonezero.com/magazine/essays/diegotime/time.html
" ... every year, the family goes through a private ritual... "
Posted on Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Jun 1, 2007
"The title came to me in the shower, which is where most of my ideas come to me. That’s why I’m so clean."
- Christopher Hitchens, Author.
[Source]
- Christopher Hitchens, Author.
[Source]
Posted on Friday, June 01, 2007
May 26, 2007
I woke up this morning, and while my eyes browsed some news of cricket, I realized I don't know who won the world cup this year!
But aaaanywaay.... Reading the news is always such a chore. Its fun sometimes tho. Not 'fun' as in haha, being on a merry go round feeling happy way... but in a desparate, sarcastic way. The news most of the time gives me the impression that something is really wrong with the world, and it just surpasses common logic and thus appears 'funny'.
Of course there is nothing funny about war, and people dying of forced circumstances, but there is something funny about people reinforcing those circumstances, and defending those circumstances. There is nothing funny in hearing that Suu Kyi's house arrest has been extended.
And that the champions of democracy are really not too bothered about her. Lack of 'interests' you see.
It is definitely a chore when there is nothing funny, just the deaths and the violence. And you see countries put up against countries on those headlines. Israel - Palestine - USA - North Korea - Iran - Syria - Lebanon - Afghanistan. Its not funny. An entire country feeling hostile against another? Or is it just the government, and the ignorant or selfish portion of a population? I wish that a distinction could be made as such, but its next to impossible, unless the portion opposed to the atrocities, or plain outrageous 'circumstances', come out on the streets, on the blogosphere, the media to show their opposition or disgust.
Last night I read something funny.
The US govt. is now fearing the growing military powers of China! Thus, the pentagon calls for greater transparency from the Chinese govt. on that matter! How now brown cow?
And who remembers the US spy plane that was caught flying over China's airspace?
I am fondly taken back to childhood memories of being concerned if a friend had a better matchbox model than me.
The bbc report states that they have missiles with ranges that cover the entire United States, and submarines that carry nuclear weapons.
The US govt. has always had a fear of China. The govt. of Nixon in 1971 hesitated to
acknowledge Bangladesh as a free country due to political reasons to not make Pakistan .... unhappy. "Kill as many as you like ... We are friends" says Mr. Burns. They considered Pakistan to be the one that was preventing China from being more boisterous in that region at the time.
Now, China is one of the big boys in the "market place" (aka. The world as we know it), and they are one of the nuclear powers.
N u c l e a r
This is again another one of those 'funny' areas. Who shall have some? Who shall not? Who shall decide? And, Who shall not be allowed to care of others' opinions? The only way I see fit to balance things is to either to all have it, or all not-have-it. What about the one country that has already used it? Shouldn't they be definitely not allowed? "You had your fun boy, now gimme that" ? There is also the no-first-use treaty. What can I say, my face is breaking into a smile already! Maybe its just me, when I think about our defense budgets, our gun makers, I cant help but smile in disbelief. 'Funny' is definitely the wrong word here.
But aaaanywaay.... Reading the news is always such a chore. Its fun sometimes tho. Not 'fun' as in haha, being on a merry go round feeling happy way... but in a desparate, sarcastic way. The news most of the time gives me the impression that something is really wrong with the world, and it just surpasses common logic and thus appears 'funny'.
Of course there is nothing funny about war, and people dying of forced circumstances, but there is something funny about people reinforcing those circumstances, and defending those circumstances. There is nothing funny in hearing that Suu Kyi's house arrest has been extended.
And that the champions of democracy are really not too bothered about her. Lack of 'interests' you see.
It is definitely a chore when there is nothing funny, just the deaths and the violence. And you see countries put up against countries on those headlines. Israel - Palestine - USA - North Korea - Iran - Syria - Lebanon - Afghanistan. Its not funny. An entire country feeling hostile against another? Or is it just the government, and the ignorant or selfish portion of a population? I wish that a distinction could be made as such, but its next to impossible, unless the portion opposed to the atrocities, or plain outrageous 'circumstances', come out on the streets, on the blogosphere, the media to show their opposition or disgust.
Last night I read something funny.
The US govt. is now fearing the growing military powers of China! Thus, the pentagon calls for greater transparency from the Chinese govt. on that matter! How now brown cow?
And who remembers the US spy plane that was caught flying over China's airspace?
I am fondly taken back to childhood memories of being concerned if a friend had a better matchbox model than me.
The bbc report states that they have missiles with ranges that cover the entire United States, and submarines that carry nuclear weapons.
The US govt. has always had a fear of China. The govt. of Nixon in 1971 hesitated to
acknowledge Bangladesh as a free country due to political reasons to not make Pakistan .... unhappy. "Kill as many as you like ... We are friends" says Mr. Burns. They considered Pakistan to be the one that was preventing China from being more boisterous in that region at the time.Now, China is one of the big boys in the "market place" (aka. The world as we know it), and they are one of the nuclear powers.
N u c l e a r
This is again another one of those 'funny' areas. Who shall have some? Who shall not? Who shall decide? And, Who shall not be allowed to care of others' opinions? The only way I see fit to balance things is to either to all have it, or all not-have-it. What about the one country that has already used it? Shouldn't they be definitely not allowed? "You had your fun boy, now gimme that" ? There is also the no-first-use treaty. What can I say, my face is breaking into a smile already! Maybe its just me, when I think about our defense budgets, our gun makers, I cant help but smile in disbelief. 'Funny' is definitely the wrong word here.
Posted on Saturday, May 26, 2007
May 16, 2007
Khaleda will go to S'pore for treatment
BNP discloses formally, seeks govt permission for 15 leaders to see her off
BNP discloses formally, seeks govt permission for 15 leaders to see her off
Posted on Wednesday, May 16, 2007
I have been using someone's poetry as a signature on my emails since when I first opened my first email account. And till today, i never bothered looking up where I found those lines, and always put [unknown] as credits for it. Today I took the initiative to find the author, and it is one R S Thomas, who lived between 1913 - 2000, and is Welsh. I found one similarity with him, both our dads were sea captains, and needless to say, lots of differences - he was a priest and also nominated for the nobel prize! meanwhile, I am I [another stolen phrase, credit Queensryche].
Here
I am a man now.
Pass your hand over my brow.
You can feel the place where the brains grow.
I am like a tree,
From my top boughs I can see
The footprints that led up to me.
There is blood in my veins
That has run clear of the stain
Contracted in so many loins.
Why, then, are my hands red
With the blood of so many dead?
Is this where I was misled?
Why are my hands this way
That they will not do as I say?
Does no God hear when I pray?
I have no where to go
The swift satellites show
The clock of my whole being is slow,
It is too late to start
For destinations not of the heart.
I must stay here with my hurt.
Poetry and facts lifted from Poem Hunter dot com
Here
I am a man now.
Pass your hand over my brow.
You can feel the place where the brains grow.
I am like a tree,
From my top boughs I can see
The footprints that led up to me.
There is blood in my veins
That has run clear of the stain
Contracted in so many loins.
Why, then, are my hands red
With the blood of so many dead?
Is this where I was misled?
Why are my hands this way
That they will not do as I say?
Does no God hear when I pray?
I have no where to go
The swift satellites show
The clock of my whole being is slow,
It is too late to start
For destinations not of the heart.
I must stay here with my hurt.
Poetry and facts lifted from Poem Hunter dot com
Posted on Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Apr 20, 2007
Apr 15, 2007
Apr 9, 2007
Mar 30, 2007
I usually write/rave on about music a lot.
So, this is not about the Stone Roses, or The Rolling Stones, and not about the Guns n' Roses either.
Click on the pic and check out the work of AnamalousNYC, and read. Check out his photography, which i think is absolutely sweet!
Click on the pic and check out the work of AnamalousNYC, and read. Check out his photography, which i think is absolutely sweet!
Related:
Posted on Friday, March 30, 2007
Mar 27, 2007
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