Yesterday had been to the Detroit Auto Show. The Detroit Auto Show has primarily been one of the world's most looked forward to of all, thanks to the presence of GM, Ford, Chrysler. Due to the gas price wars and the economy not doing great either there were many skeptics present. Then again if driving is a passion for some then an auto show is a treat to attend.
I knew what to expect since I had been to the one in St.Louis sometime back. The cars to attract the most spectators this time around were the Camaro, Prius, 10' Buick Lacrosse, Ford Taurus and the Audi R8 (wow). The Viper SRT10, Shelby GT500, AM DB9 , Gallardo Spyder's are always present to attract crowds but they are like the white elephants of the show as there will be very few from the general crowd who will buy them ultimately. And the people who will buy those cars don't need to mess around in admission tickets and the food court. So they are basically just there to remind people that there is something called as the 'driving experience' too.(without bothering about gas prices,traffic jams,bad roads etc.)
There were quite a few desis scattered throughout the show as well but no surprise that they were mainly milling around the new civics and camrys. I saw very few around the R8 and even fewer around the Lacrosse. (Expect a post on this trend sometime.) There was a 'test-drive' session of the latest hybrid cars too for which there was a long queue,(I skipped that and went onto the Sprint nascar racing sim instead and ended up winning that :).
Also since this is Detroit there was a special 'Tuner' section too which had the cars and bikes from the Midnight Club games. The tuner series had a very rare Saleen Mustang. But since not a lot of people were aware of the tuner possibilities there were mainly car nuts like me around it. My only disappointment was the Bugatti stall as there wasn't one for the general audience but only for the press release. Also since Nissan skipped out too so couldn't get the Skyline GTR or the new 370z. The other usual suspects were present too including BMW,Lexus,Merc etc. The Jaguar stall brought back some desi pride but which was later squashed when Alok told me about the bailout package Tata Motors had asked for the marque.
This was the first apperance of the Chinese brands Brilliance and Denso, both of which were quite brave and innovative. (Denso even had a snowmobile...probably the most apt vehicle for Michigan). Overall the Auto Show could have been bigger (The St.Louis one was bigger than this 2 years back.) and more extravagant. (I remember seeing pics of the Dodge Tomahawk when it was unveiled in detroit some years back.)
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Falling Wickets
This post comes after going through GK's. In the past year a lot of friends have got hitched and this year has just started and already I have a long list of ppl who will get hitched. Being in the Sam land is a real downer at times like these cos you are missing out on these 'special' occasions more often.
The funny part is that seeing all the shaadi pics of my friends drives me away more n more from the very thought about marriage. I mean love n all that is fine but c'mon you can't be serious. Especially for those whom I know quite well.(Shweta(Houston)/Mayukh/Gala/Ugands/) Marriage definitely is an institution and requires a tremendous amount of patience above all else. I am very very happy for now being single. (For those who doubt this, let me state for the record that I HAVE BEEN THERE AND DONE 'THAT').
On an India trip this year is a plan for a good outing to Goa. But being hitched deters some of my buddies from joining the others as would not have been the case in the good ol days.(I can say this as being the only reason and not the lack of holidays because the trip is during a rare, Good Friday long weekend when most offices are off). There are a huge amount of responsibilities after getting hitched and I totally understand if some folks abstain from reliving the bachelor days.
The freedom that one gets is unparalleled when one is not married. Basically it means one only has to think of doing something and can do it without effecting anyone else in the process. Like now that am a working stiff I prefer my weekends being just lazing around the house and catching up on just general housekeeping and stuff. The whole point of a weekend is that you get to unwind at home and during those rare long weekends make plans well in advance for that Miami/Vegas vacation.
But this is hardly ever the case with ppl getting hitched as ppl work through the entire week they want to spend more and more 'quality' time together which leads to them going out to movies, shopping etc. etc. This is one the main issues I have with marriage. I prefer doing general housekeeping,cooking,laundry,groceries on the weekend so that I won't have to deal with them during the middle of the work week. If someone does want to spend quality time then plz do help me in all the previous housekeeping activities too. But unfortunately the term 'romance' is never associated with practical stuff (Washing dishes, car cleaning etc.) and more so with the most impractical ideas.(Watching sunsets, Long Walks etc. you get the drift)
I have no doubt that plans are already being well laid(pun intended) for my upcoming vacation in India. (I feel like Israel now surrounded on all sides by Arabs but still existing). There will be a few survivors left by the end of this year from my old friends list who will still be unattached and I hope to be among those few.
The funny part is that seeing all the shaadi pics of my friends drives me away more n more from the very thought about marriage. I mean love n all that is fine but c'mon you can't be serious. Especially for those whom I know quite well.(Shweta(Houston)/Mayukh/Gala/Ugands/) Marriage definitely is an institution and requires a tremendous amount of patience above all else. I am very very happy for now being single. (For those who doubt this, let me state for the record that I HAVE BEEN THERE AND DONE 'THAT').
On an India trip this year is a plan for a good outing to Goa. But being hitched deters some of my buddies from joining the others as would not have been the case in the good ol days.(I can say this as being the only reason and not the lack of holidays because the trip is during a rare, Good Friday long weekend when most offices are off). There are a huge amount of responsibilities after getting hitched and I totally understand if some folks abstain from reliving the bachelor days.
The freedom that one gets is unparalleled when one is not married. Basically it means one only has to think of doing something and can do it without effecting anyone else in the process. Like now that am a working stiff I prefer my weekends being just lazing around the house and catching up on just general housekeeping and stuff. The whole point of a weekend is that you get to unwind at home and during those rare long weekends make plans well in advance for that Miami/Vegas vacation.
But this is hardly ever the case with ppl getting hitched as ppl work through the entire week they want to spend more and more 'quality' time together which leads to them going out to movies, shopping etc. etc. This is one the main issues I have with marriage. I prefer doing general housekeeping,cooking,laundry,groceries on the weekend so that I won't have to deal with them during the middle of the work week. If someone does want to spend quality time then plz do help me in all the previous housekeeping activities too. But unfortunately the term 'romance' is never associated with practical stuff (Washing dishes, car cleaning etc.) and more so with the most impractical ideas.(Watching sunsets, Long Walks etc. you get the drift)
I have no doubt that plans are already being well laid(pun intended) for my upcoming vacation in India. (I feel like Israel now surrounded on all sides by Arabs but still existing). There will be a few survivors left by the end of this year from my old friends list who will still be unattached and I hope to be among those few.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Controller issues
Coming straight to the point, I just can't seem to play an FPS on the PS3 as fluidly as I could on my PC. The controller is just way too jacked up for me. I fail to understand why developers can't integrate the keyboard mouse setup to the PS3. There are exceptions of course like UT can be played with a keyboard,mouse setup, but for the most part this rule does not apply.
There is a device available 'FragFX' which supposed to map the Keybd,mouse combo well but since the damage is a 100$ I haven't had that much inclination to go and get one especially since V.2 of it is supposed to be even better but hasn't arrived yet.
For now I guess like most gamers I will have to keep getting used to the controller for FPS.:(
There is a device available 'FragFX' which supposed to map the Keybd,mouse combo well but since the damage is a 100$ I haven't had that much inclination to go and get one especially since V.2 of it is supposed to be even better but hasn't arrived yet.
For now I guess like most gamers I will have to keep getting used to the controller for FPS.:(
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Finger Workout.
This post comes after going thru SEV's post
105 Questions
1. EVER BEEN GIVEN AN ENGAGEMENT RING?
No.(And am in no hurry to get one either)
2. LONGEST RELATIONSHIP?
Almost a year
3. LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED?
PS3
4. EVER DROPPED A CELL PHONE?
Yes, lots of times
5. WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU WORKED OUT?
Thursday(01/08)
6. THING(S) YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON?
Ps3 game titles
7. LAST FOOD YOU ATE?
Turkey Keema n Roti
8. FIRST THINGS YOU NOTICE ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Hair.
9. ONE FAVORITE SONG?
Fade to Black - Metallica
10. WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
421, Saxon Rd, Apt 401, Lansing,MI, 48917
11. HIGH SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED:
AEJC (Atomic Energy JC)
12. CELL PHONE SERVICE PROVIDER:
ATnT
13. FAVORITE MALL STORE:
GAP, Panda Express(If you count that as a store)
14. LONGEST JOB YOU HAD:
1.5 Years (Chartwells Catering in Rolla)
15. DO YOU OWN A PAIR OF DICE?
No
16. DO YOU PRANK CALL PEOPLE?
No. Have better things to do.
17. LAST WEDDING YOU ATTENDED:
Loong time ago. Way too long ago.( I did attend an engagement ceremony tho the last time I was in India. July 07)
18. FIRST FRIEND YOU’D CALL IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY:
Hmm...maybe Gerard/Dhake/Mihir
19. LAST TIME YOU SAW YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Quite a while since I saw any of the three above. Met Dhake before I left Rolla in Jan(skiing), met Gerard in March (NYC), Mihir in July(Chicago). All in 2007.
20. FAVORITE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT:
BK....yeaaaaaah.....
21. BIGGEST LIE YOU HAVE EVER HEARD:
"My eyes are paining"....LMAO....
23. WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT WITH FRIENDS?
No Snooty n Snobbish places for sure....Maybe a food court in a mall...
24. CAN YOU COOK?
Well Enough (Nowadays)
25. WHAT CAR DO YOU DRIVE?
Mercury Cougar 2000
26. BEST KISSER?
Bishop (An Alaskan Malamute)
27. LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Absolutely No Idea...
28. MOST DISLIKED FOODS:
Karela, Brinjal(Eggplant) for sure.
29. THING YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF:
Will do some very crazy stuff if need be for that at the moment
30. THING YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF:
Same as above. Some of the crazy stuff can be deemed stupid as well.
32. LONGEST SHIFT YOU HAVE WORKED AT A JOB?
All night while I was a GRA in UMR.
33. FAVORITE MOVIE?
Aaaaah a tough one...depending on the moment it can be Gunda, Memento, LOTR - ROTK, Deewar(1975), Lord of War....k...nuff said.....
34. CAN YOU SING?
Yes
35. LAST CONCERT ATTENDED?
Trapt/ Shinedown in Rolla
36. LAST KISS?
Great Song by PJ
37. LAST MOVIE RENTED:
Batman Begins.
38. THINGS YOU NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT?
Keys.
39. FAVORITE VACATION SPOT:
Chicago (Of curs)
43. LAPTOP OR DESKTOP COMPUTER?
Laptop.
44. FAVORITE COMEDIAN?
Seinfeld, Rasssaaal Peters, Colbert
45. DO YOU SMOKE?
Occasionally.
46. SLEEP WITH OR WITHOUT CLOTHES?
With.
47. WHO SLEEPS WITH YOU EVERY NIGHT?
No one. I sleep better that way.
48. DO LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS WORK?
Difficult to make em work. But yes they can.
49. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE?
Once.
50. PANCAKES OR FRENCH TOAST?
Neither. A tall glass of orange juice plz.
51. DO YOU LIKE COFFEE?
I like it better than chai, but again I would prefer a tall glass of orange juice over both.
52 HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR EGGS?
Boiled.
53. DO YOU BELIEVE IN ASTROLOGY?
No.
54. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Watwe
55. LAST PERSON ON YOUR MISSED CALL LIST?
Watwe. (I was just returning the call.)
56. WHAT WAS THE LAST TEXT MESSAGE YOU RECEIVED?
ATnT - Promotional Offer
58. NUMBER OF PILLOWS?
One.
59. WHAT ARE YOU WEARING RIGHT NOW?
Yellow UMR tee.
60. PICK A LYRIC, ANY LYRIC:
Aankhon kaa hai dhoka...aisa tera pyaar...tera emotional atyaachaar....- Dev D
61. WHAT KIND OF JELLY DO YOU LIKE ON YOUR PB & J?:
Doesn't matter. I hate PB.
62. CAN YOU PLAY POOL?
No.
63. CAN YOU SWIM?
Very Well. (I used to be a lifeguard once)
64. FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Chocolate flavored anything.
65. DO YOU LIKE MAPS?
Yes. If they are useful
66. TELL ME A RANDOM FACT ABOUT YOURSELF:
I hate things with their pointy ends pointed at me.
68. EVER ATTEND A THEME PARTY?
No.
69. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?
Mumbai in Summer or Scorching Heat in Nagpur.
70. LAST TIME YOU LAUGHED AT SOMETHING STUPID?
Yesterday.
71. WHAT TIME DID YOU WAKE UP THIS MORNING?
8.30 - 9 am
72. BEST THING ABOUT WINTER?
Staying Indoors.
73. LAST TIME A COP GAVE YOU A TICKET?
Never.
75. NAME OF YOUR FIRST PET?
Never had one.
76. DO YOU THINK PIRATES ARE COOL OR OVERRATED?
Overrated.
77. WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS WEEKEND?
Lazing around the house.
78. BIRTH DATE?
23rd Sept.
79. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE:
I am human...does the above question mean I have a choice over here...??
85. ARE YOU ON A LAPTOP?
Yes.
87. ARE YOU SMILING?
No. I was smiling till Q79...and now I am NOT.
89. DO YOU MISS SOMEONE RIGHT NOW?
No.
90. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD YOU GO?
Chicago....duh...
92. ARE YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL?
No.
93. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?
Yes. Most of the time. They keep changing though.
94. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NAME?
Hmm....Maya (cos it has to do with magic n supernatural stuff)
95. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR SWIMMING SUIT?
Navy Blue.
96. DOES YOUR SCHOOL START IN AUGUST?
Most schools in India start in Aug. What a dumb Q.
97. DID YOU GO ON VACATION LAST MONTH?
No. $$ issues.
8. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON A CRUISE?
Yes.
99. DO YOU HAVE A SISTER?
No.
100. ARE YOU UPSTAIRS?
No. (Again stupid Q)
101. ARE YOU IN LOVE?
Of curs.
102. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL?
Yes.(Several times)
103. DO YOU WISH YOU COULD SEE ANYONE PARTICULAR RIGHT NOW?
Lots of ppl.
104. WHO IS IT?
Like I said a whole lot of ppl.
105. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO AFTER THIS?
Watch some TV probably.Drink Water. Laze some more.
Woohooo...i finally got through this list....
105 Questions
1. EVER BEEN GIVEN AN ENGAGEMENT RING?
No.(And am in no hurry to get one either)
2. LONGEST RELATIONSHIP?
Almost a year
3. LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED?
PS3
4. EVER DROPPED A CELL PHONE?
Yes, lots of times
5. WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU WORKED OUT?
Thursday(01/08)
6. THING(S) YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON?
Ps3 game titles
7. LAST FOOD YOU ATE?
Turkey Keema n Roti
8. FIRST THINGS YOU NOTICE ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Hair.
9. ONE FAVORITE SONG?
Fade to Black - Metallica
10. WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
421, Saxon Rd, Apt 401, Lansing,MI, 48917
11. HIGH SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED:
AEJC (Atomic Energy JC)
12. CELL PHONE SERVICE PROVIDER:
ATnT
13. FAVORITE MALL STORE:
GAP, Panda Express(If you count that as a store)
14. LONGEST JOB YOU HAD:
1.5 Years (Chartwells Catering in Rolla)
15. DO YOU OWN A PAIR OF DICE?
No
16. DO YOU PRANK CALL PEOPLE?
No. Have better things to do.
17. LAST WEDDING YOU ATTENDED:
Loong time ago. Way too long ago.( I did attend an engagement ceremony tho the last time I was in India. July 07)
18. FIRST FRIEND YOU’D CALL IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY:
Hmm...maybe Gerard/Dhake/Mihir
19. LAST TIME YOU SAW YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Quite a while since I saw any of the three above. Met Dhake before I left Rolla in Jan(skiing), met Gerard in March (NYC), Mihir in July(Chicago). All in 2007.
20. FAVORITE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT:
BK....yeaaaaaah.....
21. BIGGEST LIE YOU HAVE EVER HEARD:
"My eyes are paining"....LMAO....
23. WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT WITH FRIENDS?
No Snooty n Snobbish places for sure....Maybe a food court in a mall...
24. CAN YOU COOK?
Well Enough (Nowadays)
25. WHAT CAR DO YOU DRIVE?
Mercury Cougar 2000
26. BEST KISSER?
Bishop (An Alaskan Malamute)
27. LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Absolutely No Idea...
28. MOST DISLIKED FOODS:
Karela, Brinjal(Eggplant) for sure.
29. THING YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF:
Will do some very crazy stuff if need be for that at the moment
30. THING YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF:
Same as above. Some of the crazy stuff can be deemed stupid as well.
32. LONGEST SHIFT YOU HAVE WORKED AT A JOB?
All night while I was a GRA in UMR.
33. FAVORITE MOVIE?
Aaaaah a tough one...depending on the moment it can be Gunda, Memento, LOTR - ROTK, Deewar(1975), Lord of War....k...nuff said.....
34. CAN YOU SING?
Yes
35. LAST CONCERT ATTENDED?
Trapt/ Shinedown in Rolla
36. LAST KISS?
Great Song by PJ
37. LAST MOVIE RENTED:
Batman Begins.
38. THINGS YOU NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT?
Keys.
39. FAVORITE VACATION SPOT:
Chicago (Of curs)
43. LAPTOP OR DESKTOP COMPUTER?
Laptop.
44. FAVORITE COMEDIAN?
Seinfeld, Rasssaaal Peters, Colbert
45. DO YOU SMOKE?
Occasionally.
46. SLEEP WITH OR WITHOUT CLOTHES?
With.
47. WHO SLEEPS WITH YOU EVERY NIGHT?
No one. I sleep better that way.
48. DO LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS WORK?
Difficult to make em work. But yes they can.
49. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE?
Once.
50. PANCAKES OR FRENCH TOAST?
Neither. A tall glass of orange juice plz.
51. DO YOU LIKE COFFEE?
I like it better than chai, but again I would prefer a tall glass of orange juice over both.
52 HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR EGGS?
Boiled.
53. DO YOU BELIEVE IN ASTROLOGY?
No.
54. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Watwe
55. LAST PERSON ON YOUR MISSED CALL LIST?
Watwe. (I was just returning the call.)
56. WHAT WAS THE LAST TEXT MESSAGE YOU RECEIVED?
ATnT - Promotional Offer
58. NUMBER OF PILLOWS?
One.
59. WHAT ARE YOU WEARING RIGHT NOW?
Yellow UMR tee.
60. PICK A LYRIC, ANY LYRIC:
Aankhon kaa hai dhoka...aisa tera pyaar...tera emotional atyaachaar....- Dev D
61. WHAT KIND OF JELLY DO YOU LIKE ON YOUR PB & J?:
Doesn't matter. I hate PB.
62. CAN YOU PLAY POOL?
No.
63. CAN YOU SWIM?
Very Well. (I used to be a lifeguard once)
64. FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Chocolate flavored anything.
65. DO YOU LIKE MAPS?
Yes. If they are useful
66. TELL ME A RANDOM FACT ABOUT YOURSELF:
I hate things with their pointy ends pointed at me.
68. EVER ATTEND A THEME PARTY?
No.
69. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?
Mumbai in Summer or Scorching Heat in Nagpur.
70. LAST TIME YOU LAUGHED AT SOMETHING STUPID?
Yesterday.
71. WHAT TIME DID YOU WAKE UP THIS MORNING?
8.30 - 9 am
72. BEST THING ABOUT WINTER?
Staying Indoors.
73. LAST TIME A COP GAVE YOU A TICKET?
Never.
75. NAME OF YOUR FIRST PET?
Never had one.
76. DO YOU THINK PIRATES ARE COOL OR OVERRATED?
Overrated.
77. WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS WEEKEND?
Lazing around the house.
78. BIRTH DATE?
23rd Sept.
79. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE:
I am human...does the above question mean I have a choice over here...??
85. ARE YOU ON A LAPTOP?
Yes.
87. ARE YOU SMILING?
No. I was smiling till Q79...and now I am NOT.
89. DO YOU MISS SOMEONE RIGHT NOW?
No.
90. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD YOU GO?
Chicago....duh...
92. ARE YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL?
No.
93. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?
Yes. Most of the time. They keep changing though.
94. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NAME?
Hmm....Maya (cos it has to do with magic n supernatural stuff)
95. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR SWIMMING SUIT?
Navy Blue.
96. DOES YOUR SCHOOL START IN AUGUST?
Most schools in India start in Aug. What a dumb Q.
97. DID YOU GO ON VACATION LAST MONTH?
No. $$ issues.
8. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ON A CRUISE?
Yes.
99. DO YOU HAVE A SISTER?
No.
100. ARE YOU UPSTAIRS?
No. (Again stupid Q)
101. ARE YOU IN LOVE?
Of curs.
102. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL?
Yes.(Several times)
103. DO YOU WISH YOU COULD SEE ANYONE PARTICULAR RIGHT NOW?
Lots of ppl.
104. WHO IS IT?
Like I said a whole lot of ppl.
105. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO AFTER THIS?
Watch some TV probably.Drink Water. Laze some more.
Woohooo...i finally got through this list....
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