As you've probably guessed by now, I love concerts. There's something about a band or DJ hanging it all out there for the audience. By baring their souls to the listener, the band gives the concert goer the rare opportunity to share a deeply personal connection, a 'moment' so to speak, with them, inspite of being surrounded by a sea of humanity. Concerts also allow bands to present a version of the song not constrained by radio edit requirements, so in effect listening to songs you know and love in a concert is like being reacquainted with a long lost friend who has changed just a little - sometimes for the better, sometimes not.
I've been to quite a few memorable concerts this year, which got me thinking - which ones did I enjoy the most and why? If I love all these bands shouldn't enjoy their concerts equally? So here's my list of great live bands that I have seen, and why you should see should the opportunity ever present itself.
The most intense concert - Soulfly. Hands down, no questions asked. They played a one hour set with no breaks at all. The audience was in a frenzy by the end of the hour. Moosh is not a heavy metal fan, yet she rates the Soulfly concert to be the best one she's ever been to.
The loudest concert - Slayer. I have never seen that many Marshall amps stacked together in my whole life. They music hit so hard, it physically drained you by the time the 90 minute set was over. Add to the fact that Slayer is just a great live band, and you have all the ingredients to be overwhelmed.
The most gifted band - Dream Theater. Dream Theater are musicians beyond compare. Every time I see them, I am simply blown away by their technical ability. Most technical bands aren't usually great concert bands, but Dream Theater takes technical ability to a whole new level and reels in the audience because of their sheer skill.
The happiest band - Tesla. This is an odd category. I've been listening to Tesla for a long time but only recently got a chance to see them live on their reunion tour. Tesla has to be the happiest band on the planet - genuine smiles and warmth just radiated out of these guys. Imagine going to a concert and coming back feeling elated!
Friday, September 28, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Low car + 25mph + freak bump on the road = Ouch!
I hurt my downpipe really badly last Sunday. I drove over a freakishly high bump and the car took off with a gusto that would have bought me instant cred with the rally boys. Unfortunately, the dampers on my lowered car aren't valved for jumps and promptly bottomed the front of the car out on landing. The result is a damaged downpipe that'll cost $500 to replace. Put the car on a lift to check for any other damage. Finally decided to leave the downpipe as is - given the state of roads on the east coast the chances of the new one getting damaged too are pretty high.
A pic of the hooptie:
A pic of the hooptie:
Some concert pictures
I took a couple of pictures with my camera at the Queensryche and Tesla concerts. Nothing much to really write home about, but thought I'd post them all the same.
Queensryche flag:
Shots from the Tesla gig:
Queensryche flag:
Shots from the Tesla gig:
Thursday, September 20, 2007
If business meetings were like the internet
I found these courtesy Jerry on TPC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzgEi_u9-88
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1776175/
If you don't understand what's going on, you don't waste enough time at work surfing the intarwebz!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzgEi_u9-88
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1776175/
If you don't understand what's going on, you don't waste enough time at work surfing the intarwebz!!!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
One of the funniest emails I've ever read
I got this email yesterday from Sunil, and its definitely one of the funniest emails I've read in recent years. It's really long but I'm sure you'll enjoy it:
*****************
I apologize to people whom I have not written in a while....but then again if we have not communicated it is as much your fault as mine, right? ;)
Anywayz, to get to the point:
- I just passed my orals on Monday as some of you may be aware....YES I ACTUALLY PASSED!!
- I have only one more exam that I am trying to schedule before I head back to India for my dissertation research.
- That means I have just a little over a month left in America.
That also means that I only have a month left to convince all of you that India is the greatest country in the world and Madras (currently known as Chennai) is the greatest city in the world (sorry Baltimore). And I decided that there is no better way to convince you of the same than to expose you to Tamil pop culture. Therefore, I have decided to screen "SIVAJI-THE BOSS" starring SUPERSTAR RAJNI on Thursday September 20th, 2007. I currently have only one screening planned for about 730pm but could potentially do a later show starting at 830 if required. But then again the movie itself is like 3 hours long and so I believe there is enough of SIVAJI to go around.
Facts about SIVAJI-THE BOSS:
- SIVAJI-THE BOSS is incidentally the most expensive Indian movie ever made.
- SUPERSTAR RAJNI is the most highest paid Indian film star ever. You may know him from famous youtube clips such as "little superstar". He is not the little guy but the guy lying on the bed and smoking the butt.
- It was the first Tamil movie to make the UK Top 10.
- Tickets for this movie were sold for as much as USD 25 in Maryland (somewhere near Gaithersburg) and people travelled from as far as West VA to watch it. This is just based on anecdotal evidence. I do understand that it is weak but it has its merits as well.
- It is still running to full houses in Chennai.
Movie Protocol: As I am planning on mimicking the Indian scenario as closely as possible, the following will take place:
- No A/C. I may make it extra hot if it is really pleasant but definitely no A/C.
- If you think you can avoid wearing deodorant, I would greatly appreciate (I am also going to try to arrange a sweaty and smelly guy to walk around and say "SAAR!").
- If you are not Indian, try and look it. If you are, don't try to look like you are not.
- No smoking unless beedis. If you do not know what a "beedi" is, you need to WIKI it and then buy it. And if you do not know what WIKI is, GOD HELP YOU!
- Guys if there are any in the list...you are welcome to wear lungis. I will not be wearing one, but you can for sure.
- Ladies - sarees are much appreciated.
Food and Beverages:
- We will have some food items! Chicken Kurma, Prawn Masala, Lime Rice, Potatoes, and Thayyir sadam and urga for sure! I am cooking and so if you do not trust me bring in your own food (and even if you trust me, you can still bring your own food..I never complain when it comes to food). If you have no idea what Thayyir ssadam and urga is, ask someone who is Tamil. You are going to watch a Tamil movie, you know.
- There will be some wine, vodka, beer and rum. How much I do not know. But feel free to bring your preferential drink if you have one. I know some Indians such as Srinivas might prefer malt! I personally believe that countries such as South Africa and the IRAQ have maps.....
That is I guess pretty much it exact for some hard but solid truth facts!
(1) There are no subtitles. People who speak Tamil on the list have a special offer - food of their choice except for Maggi noodles (Capsicum). Masala is definitely an option. Caitlin, a caucasian on this mailing list, watched it in Madras without subtitles by herself and she was not even drunk but knew exactly what happened. So have no fear!
(2) The movie will be aired via youtube via apple TV to your optic nerves...biological plausibility!!!!
The theatre is really not that big. So please let me know if you are planning on coming and if you plan on bringing something. I may have to spread out some mats on the floor and serve food on banana leaves.
I think that is pretty much it.
Take care and I guess I will see you or at least I hope to hear back?
Sunil
*****************
I apologize to people whom I have not written in a while....but then again if we have not communicated it is as much your fault as mine, right? ;)
Anywayz, to get to the point:
- I just passed my orals on Monday as some of you may be aware....YES I ACTUALLY PASSED!!
- I have only one more exam that I am trying to schedule before I head back to India for my dissertation research.
- That means I have just a little over a month left in America.
That also means that I only have a month left to convince all of you that India is the greatest country in the world and Madras (currently known as Chennai) is the greatest city in the world (sorry Baltimore). And I decided that there is no better way to convince you of the same than to expose you to Tamil pop culture. Therefore, I have decided to screen "SIVAJI-THE BOSS" starring SUPERSTAR RAJNI on Thursday September 20th, 2007. I currently have only one screening planned for about 730pm but could potentially do a later show starting at 830 if required. But then again the movie itself is like 3 hours long and so I believe there is enough of SIVAJI to go around.
Facts about SIVAJI-THE BOSS:
- SIVAJI-THE BOSS is incidentally the most expensive Indian movie ever made.
- SUPERSTAR RAJNI is the most highest paid Indian film star ever. You may know him from famous youtube clips such as "little superstar". He is not the little guy but the guy lying on the bed and smoking the butt.
- It was the first Tamil movie to make the UK Top 10.
- Tickets for this movie were sold for as much as USD 25 in Maryland (somewhere near Gaithersburg) and people travelled from as far as West VA to watch it. This is just based on anecdotal evidence. I do understand that it is weak but it has its merits as well.
- It is still running to full houses in Chennai.
Movie Protocol: As I am planning on mimicking the Indian scenario as closely as possible, the following will take place:
- No A/C. I may make it extra hot if it is really pleasant but definitely no A/C.
- If you think you can avoid wearing deodorant, I would greatly appreciate (I am also going to try to arrange a sweaty and smelly guy to walk around and say "SAAR!").
- If you are not Indian, try and look it. If you are, don't try to look like you are not.
- No smoking unless beedis. If you do not know what a "beedi" is, you need to WIKI it and then buy it. And if you do not know what WIKI is, GOD HELP YOU!
- Guys if there are any in the list...you are welcome to wear lungis. I will not be wearing one, but you can for sure.
- Ladies - sarees are much appreciated.
Food and Beverages:
- We will have some food items! Chicken Kurma, Prawn Masala, Lime Rice, Potatoes, and Thayyir sadam and urga for sure! I am cooking and so if you do not trust me bring in your own food (and even if you trust me, you can still bring your own food..I never complain when it comes to food). If you have no idea what Thayyir ssadam and urga is, ask someone who is Tamil. You are going to watch a Tamil movie, you know.
- There will be some wine, vodka, beer and rum. How much I do not know. But feel free to bring your preferential drink if you have one. I know some Indians such as Srinivas might prefer malt! I personally believe that countries such as South Africa and the IRAQ have maps.....
That is I guess pretty much it exact for some hard but solid truth facts!
(1) There are no subtitles. People who speak Tamil on the list have a special offer - food of their choice except for Maggi noodles (Capsicum). Masala is definitely an option. Caitlin, a caucasian on this mailing list, watched it in Madras without subtitles by herself and she was not even drunk but knew exactly what happened. So have no fear!
(2) The movie will be aired via youtube via apple TV to your optic nerves...biological plausibility!!!!
The theatre is really not that big. So please let me know if you are planning on coming and if you plan on bringing something. I may have to spread out some mats on the floor and serve food on banana leaves.
I think that is pretty much it.
Take care and I guess I will see you or at least I hope to hear back?
Sunil
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Pyaare's wedding
Another one bites the dust. Pyaare finally called it quits and is now married. I suxors at public speaking, but ended up giving a joint speech with Jaan-e-man at Pyaare's wedding. Here it is one more time:
"This speech was Jaan-e-man’s idea – those of you who know her have probably guessed that she had the idea and then delegated the writing to someone who is “so dumb” (her words not mine). In this case me.
A wise man once told me that a wedding speech should last as long as the groom makes love. Thank you ladies and gentlemen.
To make the process of writing this speech easier, I decided to search the intarwebz - as we all know that is the source of all knowledge and truth. I searched and searched and found some really great stuff after a couple of hours. Then I realized that I was supposed to be searching for wedding speeches and not porn.
My internet searches did yield a poem that I thought would be appropriate for this occasion. Kruti its for you and its called “The Perfect Groom”:
The perfect groom is gentle, never harsh, nor cruel nor mean.
He has a beautiful smile and keeps his face clean.
The perfect groom likes children and will raise them by your side.
He will be a good father and a good husband to his bride.
The perfect groom likes cooking and cleaning and laundry too.
He’ll do anything in his power to show is love for you.
The perfect groom is sweet, writing poetry from your name.
He’s your best friend and kisses away the pain.
The perfect groom will never make you cry or hurt in any way.
And if this poem stands to be true, Vipin you really are gay.
That’s it from us – Here’s wishing the bride and groom lots of happiness and laughter in the years to come!!!"
"This speech was Jaan-e-man’s idea – those of you who know her have probably guessed that she had the idea and then delegated the writing to someone who is “so dumb” (her words not mine). In this case me.
A wise man once told me that a wedding speech should last as long as the groom makes love. Thank you ladies and gentlemen.
To make the process of writing this speech easier, I decided to search the intarwebz - as we all know that is the source of all knowledge and truth. I searched and searched and found some really great stuff after a couple of hours. Then I realized that I was supposed to be searching for wedding speeches and not porn.
My internet searches did yield a poem that I thought would be appropriate for this occasion. Kruti its for you and its called “The Perfect Groom”:
The perfect groom is gentle, never harsh, nor cruel nor mean.
He has a beautiful smile and keeps his face clean.
The perfect groom likes children and will raise them by your side.
He will be a good father and a good husband to his bride.
The perfect groom likes cooking and cleaning and laundry too.
He’ll do anything in his power to show is love for you.
The perfect groom is sweet, writing poetry from your name.
He’s your best friend and kisses away the pain.
The perfect groom will never make you cry or hurt in any way.
And if this poem stands to be true, Vipin you really are gay.
That’s it from us – Here’s wishing the bride and groom lots of happiness and laughter in the years to come!!!"
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