tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149917782012-01-28T02:01:12.565-05:00my so-called lifeSivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelingshttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-39586341191380675372012-01-07T22:31:00.000-05:002012-01-07T22:31:10.354-05:002012-01-07T22:31:10.354-05:00<div id="cboxOverlay" style="display: none;"> </div> <div id="colorbox" style="display: none; padding-bottom: 36px; padding-right: 0px;"> <div id="cboxWrapper"> <div> <div id="cboxTopLeft" style="float: left;"> </div> <div id="cboxTopCenter" style="float: left;"> </div> <div id="cboxTopRight" style="float: left;"> </div> </div> <div style="clear: left;"> <div id="cboxMiddleLeft" style="float: left;"> </div> <div id="cboxContent" style="float: left;"> <div id="cboxLoadedContent" style="float: left; height: 0px; overflow: hidden; width: 0px;"> </div> <div id="cboxLoadingOverlay" style="float: left;"> </div> <div id="cboxLoadingGraphic" style="float: left;"> </div> <div id="cboxTitle" style="float: left;"> </div> <div id="cboxCurrent" style="float: left;"> </div> <div id="cboxNext" style="float: left;"> </div> <div id="cboxPrevious" style="float: left;"> </div> <div id="cboxSlideshow" style="float: left;"> </div> <div id="cboxClose" style="float: left;"> </div> </div> <div id="cboxMiddleRight" style="float: left;"> </div> </div> <div style="clear: left;"> <div id="cboxBottomLeft" style="float: left;"> </div> <div id="cboxBottomCenter" style="float: left;"> </div> <div id="cboxBottomRight" style="float: left;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: none; position: absolute; visibility: hidden; width: 9999px;"> </div> </div> Given the improvements in photography and film technology, and the decline in costs—particularly the storage and software/editing costs—we are starting to see more visual "documentaries." A whole new genre in film is emerging, consisting of captured video footage with no plot and limited (or no) speech. <br /> <br /> Such films had always been made but the quality nowadays is extremely good, and on par with professional television or Hollywood. In the past, such films were nowhere near as good as Hollywood or television. <br /> <br /> Perhaps lower-cost distribution through the Internet, and online social networking tools,&nbsp;will allow more funding for these projects. It may usher in a new era of more specialized content and better match consumers—admittedly the audience for these films is limited—to the producers. In the pre-Internet days, matching the narrow target audience with the producers was costly and difficult. In a different context, companies like Amazon and Netflix have shown that there is value that can be captured in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Long_Tail">long tail</a>.<br /> <br /> I am also noticing that the line between photography and film/video is blurring. The two films that I highlight below use time-lapse photography quite effectively. Back in the 1980's and early 90's, time-lapse photography didn't feel like a video — indeed, they seemed more like pictures pieced together than smoothly-flowing video. The present films, building on the work of the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103767/">1992 masterpiece, &nbsp;<em>Baraka</em></a>, takes the visuals to a new level.<br /> <br /> <span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">TimeScapes</span><br /> <br /> I ran across <a href="http://timescapes.org/default.asp"><em>TimeScapes</em></a>, a film being shot by Tom Lowe and utilizing time-lapse photography. I think this is Tom Lowe's first&nbsp;film&nbsp;but the quality of the trailer looks amazing. The film will be sold online and anyone interested <a href="http://timescapes.org/pre_order.asp">can pre-order</a>. <br /> <br /> My favourite scenes in these time-lapse videos is the starry sky and <em>TimeScapes</em> seems to contain really good shots. In the trailer, the satellites seem to be dancing to the sky.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IJFBNbua5O0/TwkEJRrvmNI/AAAAAAAAC00/IR18pDkDZ78/s1600/TimeScapes+%2528Tom+Lowe%2529+-++ancient-and-new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IJFBNbua5O0/TwkEJRrvmNI/AAAAAAAAC00/IR18pDkDZ78/s640/TimeScapes+%2528Tom+Lowe%2529+-++ancient-and-new.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> In the meantime, check out the trailer (if you have high speed connection or can wait to cache, you may want to view this in 1080p):<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">TimeScapes Trailer</span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Directed by Tom Lowe</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/e-GYrbecb88" width="560"></iframe></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <br /> <span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">Samsara</span><br /> <br /> It was a 19-year wait but we finally have the sequel to <em>Baraka</em>. Utilizing techniques similar to the original, Ron Ficke and Mark Magidson&nbsp;continue the tradition in <em>Samara</em>. According to <a href="http://barakasamsara.com/samsara/about">their website</a>,<br /> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> <em>Samsara</em> is a word that describes <em>the ever turning wheel of life</em>. It is a concept both intimate and vast - the perfect subject for filmmakers Ron Fricke and Mark Magidson, whose previous collaborations include Chronos and Baraka, and who, in the last 20 years, have travelled to over 58 countries together in the pursuit of unique imagery.<br /> <br /> <em>Samsara</em> takes the form of a nonverbal, guided meditation that will transform viewers in countries around the world as they are swept along a journey of the soul. Through powerful images pristinely photographed in 70mm and a dynamic music score, the film illuminates the links between humanity and the rest of the nature, showing how our life cycle mirrors the rhythm of the planet.</blockquote> <br />I saw Samsara's premiere at The Toronto International Film Festival in 2011 and liked it a lot. Samsara covers different themes and some of the content didn't seem to fit—as with Baraka, it wasn't clear what we were looking at or what country is being shown—but, overall, it was very unique. Those that aren't exposed to these films should see these films at some point in their life.<br /> <br /> Samsara hasn't been released in multiple theaters yet and can't be purchased on DVD or online digital formats yet. You <em>have</em> to see thse films in a theater or a big screen, so anyone in Santa Barbara, California, may want to check out the screening at the Santa Barbara Film Festival that runs from January 26 to February 6, 2012.<br /> <br /> For some reason, trailers aren't available; for now, here are couple of images from the film.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0-JU4dznL5M/TwkHn38K16I/AAAAAAAAC08/TkPUCRRACRs/s1600/samara+00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0-JU4dznL5M/TwkHn38K16I/AAAAAAAAC08/TkPUCRRACRs/s640/samara+00.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ftdeRmpwGJc/TwkJUjiyFuI/AAAAAAAAC1M/eHlea24udBI/s1600/Samsara+-+Tagou%252520Wushu%252520Academy-Zhengzhou%252C%252520China.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ftdeRmpwGJc/TwkJUjiyFuI/AAAAAAAAC1M/eHlea24udBI/s640/Samsara+-+Tagou%252520Wushu%252520Academy-Zhengzhou%252C%252520China.png" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n-FENUTgXk8/TwkKHGLxRQI/AAAAAAAAC1U/u7KUYEuvPLw/s1600/Samsara+-+1000%252520Hands%252520DanceBeijing%252C%252520China.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n-FENUTgXk8/TwkKHGLxRQI/AAAAAAAAC1U/u7KUYEuvPLw/s640/Samsara+-+1000%252520Hands%252520DanceBeijing%252C%252520China.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-3958634119138067537?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=AmOrFxfn1K4:raki8rpZAjU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=AmOrFxfn1K4:raki8rpZAjU:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=AmOrFxfn1K4:raki8rpZAjU:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=AmOrFxfn1K4:raki8rpZAjU:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=AmOrFxfn1K4:raki8rpZAjU:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=AmOrFxfn1K4:raki8rpZAjU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=AmOrFxfn1K4:raki8rpZAjU:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/AmOrFxfn1K4" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2012/01/two-upcoming-visual-films-timescapes.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-73557922303935549212012-01-07T19:17:00.000-05:002012-01-07T19:33:07.592-05:002012-01-07T19:33:07.592-05:00Where are we in the universe? Ever wondered how the universe looks when you leave our planet?<br /> <br /> Well, here are some really cool videos that makes earth seem so insignificant, yet wonderous, at the same time.<br /> <br /> Until we can travel in spaceships, here's the 15th-century-equivalent of a travel guide, to a wonderous land beyond the shores.<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <em>(Depending on your Internet connection speed, you may want to increase/decrease the resolution by using the setting at the bottom-right on YouTube. Best viewed full-screen.)</em></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <em>(h/t: <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/brainpicker">brainpicker</a>)</em></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/17jymDn0W6U" width="420"></iframe> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_IVqMXPFYwI" width="560"></iframe> </div> <br /> Some day we'll visit these places...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-7355792230393554921?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=Ayu_-MP27LM:WK8pt7vGstg:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=Ayu_-MP27LM:WK8pt7vGstg:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=Ayu_-MP27LM:WK8pt7vGstg:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=Ayu_-MP27LM:WK8pt7vGstg:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=Ayu_-MP27LM:WK8pt7vGstg:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=Ayu_-MP27LM:WK8pt7vGstg:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=Ayu_-MP27LM:WK8pt7vGstg:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/Ayu_-MP27LM" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2012/01/our-home-in-universe.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-83783265440986981802012-01-01T23:47:00.001-05:002012-01-01T23:49:11.489-05:002012-01-01T23:49:11.489-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: x-large;">2012</span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: x-large;">New Year's Resolutions</span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">by</span></em> </span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Teresa Wozniak</span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6bTSm-ftdQE/TwEz_tdDzyI/AAAAAAAAC0s/JAPWhyuGCZ8/s1600/New+Year%2527s+Resolutions+2012+by+Teresa+Wozniak+%2528sharesomecandy.com%2529.png" /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://dribbble.com/shots/362946-New-Year-s-Resolutions">Illustration by Teresa Wozniak</a><br /> <br /> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-8378326544098698180?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=aNMOvCCOI-k:Giy71N1buo8:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=aNMOvCCOI-k:Giy71N1buo8:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=aNMOvCCOI-k:Giy71N1buo8:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=aNMOvCCOI-k:Giy71N1buo8:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=aNMOvCCOI-k:Giy71N1buo8:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=aNMOvCCOI-k:Giy71N1buo8:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=aNMOvCCOI-k:Giy71N1buo8:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/aNMOvCCOI-k" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2012/01/cool-new-years-resolutions-poster.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-34231856053514388402012-01-01T00:00:00.000-05:002012-01-01T00:00:05.262-05:002012-01-01T00:00:05.262-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Happy New Year to All!</span><br /> <span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Here's to a Prosperous 2012!</span><br /> <br /> <span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;"></span><br /> <span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;"></span><br /> <span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;"><hr /> </span><br /> <br /> <span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">How Was 2011? </span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Here are some items from 2011... to keep you entertained in 2012.</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <em>(anything marked with stars are worth checking out)</em></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SAIEamakLoY" width="560"></iframe></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAIEamakLoY">Google Zeitgeist 2011</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <hr /> <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #38761d; font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><strong>A Picture is Worth </strong></span><br /> <span style="color: #38761d; font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><strong>a Thousand Words</strong></span><br /> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2011/12/the_year_in_pictures_part.html"><span style="font-size: large;">The Year in Pictures - Part I</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> The Big Picture - Boston.com</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2011/12/the_year_in_pictures_part_ii.html"><span style="font-size: large;">The Year in Pictures - Part II</span></a>&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> The Big Picture - Boston.com</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2011/12/the_year_in_pictures_part_iii.html"><span style="font-size: large;">The Year in Pictures - Part III</span></a>&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> The Big Picture - Boston.com</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /> <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/gallery/2011/dec/18/science-2011-in-pictures#/?picture=383359094&amp;index=0"><span style="font-size: large;">Science in 2011: Triumphs, disasters and climaxes – in pictures</span></a><br /> The Guardian<br /> <br /> <a href="http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/29/9805608-must-see-science-videos-of-2011"><span style="font-size: large;">Must-see Science Videos of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /> Cosmic Log on MSNBC.com<br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://www.txchnologist.com/2011/ten-of-the-top-science-videos-of-2011"><span style="font-size: large;">Ten of the Top Science Videos of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><br /> Txchnologist<br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/12/the-most-important-graphs-of-2011/250240/"><span style="font-size: large;">The Most Important Graphs of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><br /> Derek Thompson for The Atlantic<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/marketing/adhocracy/the-10-top-ads-of-2011/article2282686/"><span style="font-size: large;">Top 10 Video Ads of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><br /> The Globe &amp; Mail<br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/slideshow/2011-12-29/top-ten-art-sales-in-2011.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Slide Show: The Top&nbsp;Ten Art Sales of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><br /> Bloomberg<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.webpronews.com/best-google-doodles-of-2011-2011-12"><span style="font-size: large;">Best Google Doodles of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /> WebProNews.com<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.wallpaper.com/directory/graduate/2011/grads"><span style="font-size: large;">Wallpaper* Graduate Directory - 2011</span></a><br /> Wallpaper*<br /> <br /></div> <hr /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #38761d; font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Business &amp; Investing</strong></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/the-top-business-scandals-of-2011/article2281273/"><span style="font-size: large;">Top Business Scandals of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><br /> The Globe &amp; Mail<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/investment-ideas/features/stars-and-dogs/the-stars-and-dogs-of-2011/article2287663/"><span style="font-size: large;">Stars and Dogs of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /> The Globe &amp; Mail<br /> <br /> <a href="http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2011/news/economy/1112/gallery.worst-predictions-2011.fortune/"><span style="font-size: large;">10 Worst Business Predictions of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /> Fortune<br /> <br /> <a href="http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2011/12/29/the-most-unusual-job-interview-questions-of-2011/?iid=SF_F_River"><span style="font-size: large;">Ten&nbsp;Most Unusual Interview Questions of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /> Fortune<br /> <br /> <a href="http://business.financialpost.com/2011/12/20/rims-year-to-forget-where-did-it-all-go-wrong/"><span style="font-size: large;">RIM’s year to forget: Where did it all go wrong?</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> Financial Post</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/money-gallery/2011-12-30/slideshow-the-top-sec-settlements-of-2011.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Slide Show: Top SEC Settlemens of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: blue;">*</span></span><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> Bloomberg<br /> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://business.financialpost.com/2011/12/20/rims-year-to-forget-where-did-it-all-go-wrong/"><span style="font-size: large;">RIM’s year to forget: Where did it all go wrong?</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> Financial Post</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> </div> </div> <br /> <hr /> <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #38761d; font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><strong>A Big, Big, World</strong></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /> <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2011/12/year-in-review-slide-show.html"><span style="font-size: large;">The Year that Was</span></a><br /> The New Yorker</div> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=top-10-science-stories-2011"><span style="font-size: large;">The Top Science Stories of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><br /> Scientific American<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/12/top-discoveries-2011/?pid=2732&amp;viewall=true"><span style="font-size: large;">The Top Scientific Discoveries of 2011</span></a><br /> Wired<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/12/tech-2011-biggest-news-stories-of-the-year/?pid=2794&amp;viewall=true"><span style="font-size: large;">Tech 2011: Biggest News Stories of the Year</span></a><br /> Wired<br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://www.theverge.com/2011/12/28/2661693/the-verge-year-in-review"><span style="font-size: large;">The Verge Year in Review</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><br /> The Verge<br /> <br /> <a href="http://business.financialpost.com/2011/12/28/major-cyber-security-events-of-2011/?utm_source=dlvr.it&amp;utm_medium=twitter"><span style="font-size: large;">Major Cyber Security Events of 2011</span></a><br /> Financial Post Tech Desk<br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://business.financialpost.com/2011/12/28/canadas-top-10-technology-stories-of-2011/"><span style="font-size: large;">Canada's Top 10 Technology Stories of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><br /> Financial Post Tech Desk<br /> <br /> <a href="http://thenextweb.com/socialmedia/2011/12/30/2011-a-huge-year-for-social-media/"><span style="font-size: large;">2011: A Huge Year for Social Media</span></a><br /> TheNextWeb.com<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <hr /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #38761d; font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><strong>For the Literate</strong></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://www.strategy-business.com/article/11405?gko=f939e"><span style="font-size: large;">Best Business Books of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;">Strategy+Business</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /> <span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /> <span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /> <span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://www.marketplace.org/topics/life/big-book/best-business-books-2011"><span style="font-size: large;">The Best Business Books of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;">American Public Media Marketplace</span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/11/30/142942283/the-best-books-of-2011-the-complete-list"><span style="font-size: large;">Best Books of 2011: The Complete List</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;">NPR</span><br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/12/21/142899602/six-graphic-novels-that-will-draw-you-in"><span style="font-size: large;">Six Graphic Novels That Will Draw You In</span></a><br /> <span style="font-size: small;">NPR</span> </div> </span><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2011/12/five-good-books.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Five Good Books</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> The New Yorker<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://www.theverge.com/culture/2011/12/29/2665720/the-books-we-read-in-2012"><span style="font-size: large;">The Verge Booklist 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> The Verge</div> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/11/books/10-best-books-of-2011.html?_r=1&amp;adxnnl=1&amp;adxnnlx=1325209336-cmTuUomH2ehxQMDn0AJxFA"><span style="font-size: large;">The New York Times Top 10 Books of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> The New York Times</div> </div> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2011/12/16/best-history-books-2011/"><span style="font-size: large;">The 11 Best History Books of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> Maria Popova for Brain Pickings<br /> <br /></div> </div> <br /> <a href="http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2011/12/05/best-photography-books-2011/"><span style="font-size: large;">The 11 Best Photography Books of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> Maria Popova for Brain Pickings<br /> <br /></div> </div> <br /> <a href="http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2011/12/19/best-food-books-of-2011/"><span style="font-size: large;">The Best Food Books of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> Maria Popova for Brain Pickings<br /> <br /></div> </div> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span>&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2011/12/22/best-psychology-and-philosophy-books-of-2011/"><span style="font-size: large;">The 11 Best Psychology &amp; Philosophy Books of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> Maria Popova for Brain Pickings<br /> <br /></div> </div> <br /> <a href="http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2011/12/27/best-biographies-and-memoirs-of-2011/"><span style="font-size: large;">The 11 Best Biographies &amp; Memoirs of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> Maria Popova for Brain Pickings<br /> <br /></div> </div> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2011/12/12/best-science-books-2011/"><span style="font-size: large;">The 11 Best Science Books of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> Maria Popova for Brain Pickings<br /> <br /></div> </div> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span>&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2011/11/28/best-art-design-books-2011/"><span style="font-size: large;">The 11 Best Art &amp; Design Books of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> Maria Popova for Brain Pickings<br /> <br /></div> </div> <br /> <hr /> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #38761d; font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Essays to Sooth the Mind</strong></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2011/12/top-ten-new-yorker-stories-of-2011.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Top&nbsp;Ten New Yorker Stories of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> The New Yorker</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <br /> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=1854296747731744c923a33ef&amp;id=fd9f1ea08b"><span style="font-size: large;">The Top 10 Longreads of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Longreads.tumblr.com</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://longreads.tumblr.com/tagged/best+of+2011"><span style="font-size: large;">Longreads' Reader Top 5 Lists</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Longreads.tumblr.com</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://bestof2011.longform.org/"><span style="font-size: large;">Longform&nbsp;Best of&nbsp;2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><br /> Longform.org</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://www.theverge.com/2011/12/30/2667920/best-tech-writing-2011"><span style="font-size: large;">The Best Tech Writing of the Year</span></a>&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><br /> The Verge</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> </div> <hr /> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #38761d; font-family: &quot;Lucida Handwriting&quot;, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Miscellaneous</strong></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /> <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2011/12/highlights-from-the-new-yorker-out-loud-podcast.html"><span style="font-size: large;">The New Yorker Author Interview Podcasts</span></a><br /> The New Yorker</div> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2011/12/the_best_films_of_2011.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Roger Ebert's Top 10 Films of 2011</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><br /> Rogert Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;<span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><a href="http://www.wired.com/underwire/2011/12/best-of-2011-pop-culture/?pid=5856&amp;viewall=true"><span style="font-size: large;">Best of 2011: Pop Culture's Tastiest Bits</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: blue;">*</span> </span><br /> Wired<br /> <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <hr /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/horoscopes/your-lookahead-horoscope-whats-in-the-stars-for-you-in-2012/article2285158/"><span style="font-size: large;">Your Lookahead Horoscope: What's in the Stars for You in 2012?</span></a><br /> The Globe &amp; Mail</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ObU-wN5YLLk/Tv6G83oQ_9I/AAAAAAAAC0U/PKxT2_icQvk/s1600/New+Year+doom+%2528The+Globe+and+Mail+Dec+30+2011%2529+-+web-satedcar31c_1358033cl-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ObU-wN5YLLk/Tv6G83oQ_9I/AAAAAAAAC0U/PKxT2_icQvk/s1600/New+Year+doom+%2528The+Globe+and+Mail+Dec+30+2011%2529+-+web-satedcar31c_1358033cl-8.jpg" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Image by Brian Gable for </span><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/cartoon/editorial-cartoons-december-2011/article2255703/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Globe and Mail</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">. Dec 30, 2011.)</span></div> <br /></div> </div> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <em>[This post was cross-posted from my</em><a href="http://can-turtles-fly.blogspot.com/"><em> Can Turtles Fly?</em></a><em> investment blog]</em></div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-3423185605351438840?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=nlDra93v6Z4:Cu_dpwpPI0w:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=nlDra93v6Z4:Cu_dpwpPI0w:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=nlDra93v6Z4:Cu_dpwpPI0w:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=nlDra93v6Z4:Cu_dpwpPI0w:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=nlDra93v6Z4:Cu_dpwpPI0w:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=nlDra93v6Z4:Cu_dpwpPI0w:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=nlDra93v6Z4:Cu_dpwpPI0w:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/nlDra93v6Z4" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2012/01/year-that-was-2011.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-25202690644234091542011-12-30T19:17:00.000-05:002011-12-30T19:17:05.203-05:002011-12-30T19:17:05.203-05:00<span id="dropcaps"> I linked to a technology vision video from Microsoft <a href="http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2010/11/microsoft-vision-2019-video.html">a while back</a> and many, including me, often think that the videos are too futuristic without any real technology on the horizon. I ran across this video from The Verge and it sort of shows how some of the content in the Microsoft vision video is actually being tested out at Microsoft's R&amp;D labs.&nbsp;It will take years to develop a commercial product from all this but it still shows how some futuristic technology is closer than it seems.</span><br /> <br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4DS_zGm_K84" width="640"></iframe> <br /> <br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rJ1p5SD3sOM" width="640"></iframe> <br /> <br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yiV9_98IrAI" width="640"></iframe> <br /> <br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1xZyF7l5_8w" width="640"></iframe> <br /> <br /> Microsoft's R&amp;D labs reminds me of Xerox PARC in the 70's. It remains to be seen how successful their commercialization of these ideas will be.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-2520269064423409154?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=xuh41a_4t_o:zt-7LuIltqs:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=xuh41a_4t_o:zt-7LuIltqs:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=xuh41a_4t_o:zt-7LuIltqs:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=xuh41a_4t_o:zt-7LuIltqs:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=xuh41a_4t_o:zt-7LuIltqs:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=xuh41a_4t_o:zt-7LuIltqs:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=xuh41a_4t_o:zt-7LuIltqs:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/xuh41a_4t_o" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2011/12/inside-look-at-microsofts-r-labs.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-87824038715439564982011-12-24T15:21:00.000-05:002011-12-24T15:21:01.689-05:002011-12-24T15:21:01.689-05:00<span id="dropcaps"> An interesting way of looking at a top ten list,&nbsp;The Grid put together a list of the <a href="http://www.thegridto.com/culture/arts/bookem-t-o-2011s-top-books-as-borrowed-by-the-readers-of-toronto/">Top 10 books&nbsp;of&nbsp;2011 according to&nbsp;public library usage</a>. Shown below are the top books of 2011, and marked in brackets are where you would be in line if you booked the book on December 20th.</span><br /> <br /> <blockquote> <strong>Fiction</strong><br /> ■ <em>Half-Blood Blue</em>s by Esi Edugyan (1,616)<br /> ■<em> The Cat’s Table</em> by Michael Ondaatje (1,541)<br /> ■ <em>The Sisters Brothers </em>by Patrick deWitt (1,462)<br /> ■ <em>The Sense of an Ending</em> by Julian Barnes (1,144)<br /> ■ <em>The Night Circus </em>by Erin Morgenstern (1,041)<br /> ■ <em>11/22/63</em> by Stephen King (669)<br /> ■ <em>The Paris Wife</em> by Paula McLain (584)<br /> ■ <em>1Q84</em> by Haruki Murakami (547)<br /> ■ <em>State of Wonder</em> by Ann Patchett (511)<br /> ■ <em>Sing You Home</em> by Jodi Picoult (36)<br /> <br /> <strong>Nonfiction</strong><br /> ■ <em>Steve Jobs</em> by Walter Isaacson (1,627)<br /> ■ <em>Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World</em> by Michael Lewis (655)<br /> ■ <em>In the Garden of Beasts</em> by Erik Larson (438)<br /> ■ <em>Civilization: The West and the Rest</em> by Niall Ferguson (311)<br /> ■ <em>Blue Nights</em> by Joan Didion (283)<br /> ■ <em>Bossypants</em> by Tina Fey (233)<br /> ■ <em>The Table Comes First: Family, France and the Meaning of Food</em> by Adam Gopnik (227)<br /> ■ <em>Moonwalking With Einstein</em> by Joshua Foer (205)<br /> ■ <em>The Psychopath Test</em> by Jon Ronson (112)<br /> ■ <em>From This Moment On</em> by Shania Twain (47)</blockquote> <br /> <div id="lbOverlay" style="display: none;"> </div> <div id="lbCenter" style="display: none;"> <div id="lbImage"> <div style="position: relative;"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=14991778#" id="lbPrevLink"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=14991778#" id="lbNextLink"></a></div> </div> </div> <div id="lbBottomContainer" style="display: none;"> <div id="lbBottom"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=14991778#" id="lbCloseLink"></a><br /> <div id="lbCaption"> </div> <div id="lbNumber"> </div> <div style="clear: both;"> </div> </div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-8782403871543956498?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=hXHUIzq-828:wMmX3Vj1atw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=hXHUIzq-828:wMmX3Vj1atw:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=hXHUIzq-828:wMmX3Vj1atw:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=hXHUIzq-828:wMmX3Vj1atw:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=hXHUIzq-828:wMmX3Vj1atw:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=hXHUIzq-828:wMmX3Vj1atw:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=hXHUIzq-828:wMmX3Vj1atw:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/hXHUIzq-828" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2011/12/top-books-of-2011-according-to-toronto.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-60820871687352918882011-12-17T14:24:00.001-05:002011-12-17T14:28:15.330-05:002011-12-17T14:28:15.330-05:00<span id="dropcaps"> It's amazing how far the animators and LEGO fans have taken their craft. Have seen a few of these LEGO videos and here is one set to a song I like.</span><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/x8a1_tXINWA" width="640"></iframe></div> <br /> <br /> The song is "All My Friends" by LCD Soundsystem. It's a few years old but just ran across it recently on <a href="http://8tracks.com/hehehero/best-indie-covers-of-2011?mix_set_id=8996435">an 8tracks playlist</a>.<br /> <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-6082087168735291888?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=od0jCNGlnZM:rVI-Imf8qIs:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=od0jCNGlnZM:rVI-Imf8qIs:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=od0jCNGlnZM:rVI-Imf8qIs:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=od0jCNGlnZM:rVI-Imf8qIs:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=od0jCNGlnZM:rVI-Imf8qIs:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=od0jCNGlnZM:rVI-Imf8qIs:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=od0jCNGlnZM:rVI-Imf8qIs:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/od0jCNGlnZM" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2011/12/lego-version-of-lcd-soundsystems-all-my.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-27968293643866191632011-12-10T22:59:00.000-05:002011-12-10T23:01:28.327-05:002011-12-10T23:01:28.327-05:00<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MxwyMNOfKMc/TuQo93Xxm4I/AAAAAAAACt8/FFeSXcdFkzg/s1600/TTC+-+201191-ttc-90-birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MxwyMNOfKMc/TuQo93Xxm4I/AAAAAAAACt8/FFeSXcdFkzg/s1600/TTC+-+201191-ttc-90-birthday.jpg" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br />&nbsp;</div> <span id="dropcaps">For Torontonians, Toronto Transportation Commission, or TTC as it's commonly known, is almost as representative of Toronto as the CN Tower is. </span>For anyone who has lived in the city, even if they don't use the TTC and drive their own car, the TTC is unmistakenly part of their life. I ran across an amazing photo&nbsp;post of TTC. Take a look if you want to get a glimpse of the history of Toronto.<br /> <br /> (You can purchase posters of the typefaces from the original artists <a href="http://shop.jonathanguy.ca/">Jonathan Guy</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/neuroticjose/4172389493/">Jose Ongpin</a>.)<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2b99N4y2Iuc/TuQpsl8rp5I/AAAAAAAACuU/m-7F-LjftMU/s1600/TTC+typeface+-+201192-colourTTC_poster_24x36+%2528by+Jonathan+Guy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2b99N4y2Iuc/TuQpsl8rp5I/AAAAAAAACuU/m-7F-LjftMU/s1600/TTC+typeface+-+201192-colourTTC_poster_24x36+%2528by+Jonathan+Guy%2529.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LaNUh2Qqr1k/TuQpxkZQrNI/AAAAAAAACuc/O_Rteyfes7A/s1600/TTC+typeface+-+20110117-typefaceTTC_ongbpin+%2528by+Jose+Ongpin%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LaNUh2Qqr1k/TuQpxkZQrNI/AAAAAAAACuc/O_Rteyfes7A/s1600/TTC+typeface+-+20110117-typefaceTTC_ongbpin+%2528by+Jose+Ongpin%2529.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-38Kd88GH2L0/TuQpczTXTlI/AAAAAAAACuE/tLm06l9u0sg/s1600/TTC+1921+-+201192-double-decker-bus-1921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-38Kd88GH2L0/TuQpczTXTlI/AAAAAAAACuE/tLm06l9u0sg/s1600/TTC+1921+-+201192-double-decker-bus-1921.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIPrWRDw5lE/TuQpiSx17WI/AAAAAAAACuM/JwGFlEssSwI/s1600/TTC+typeface+-+20101217-ttcposterslead+%2528by+Jonathan+Guy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIPrWRDw5lE/TuQpiSx17WI/AAAAAAAACuM/JwGFlEssSwI/s1600/TTC+typeface+-+20101217-ttcposterslead+%2528by+Jonathan+Guy%2529.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(refer to </span><a href="http://www.blogto.com/city/2011/09/90_years_of_the_ttc_in_photos_and_videos/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">linked website</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> for image credits)</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-2796829364386619163?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=HzF9AOZftq4:WD4j3Ri2EZg:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=HzF9AOZftq4:WD4j3Ri2EZg:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=HzF9AOZftq4:WD4j3Ri2EZg:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=HzF9AOZftq4:WD4j3Ri2EZg:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=HzF9AOZftq4:WD4j3Ri2EZg:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=HzF9AOZftq4:WD4j3Ri2EZg:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=HzF9AOZftq4:WD4j3Ri2EZg:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/HzF9AOZftq4" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2011/12/torontos-ttc.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-13509505875545250382011-12-03T19:25:00.001-05:002011-12-03T19:40:54.902-05:002011-12-03T19:40:54.902-05:00<span id="dropcaps">Mobile phones have become so powerful and useful in many ways but one of the biggest impact has been on taking pictures. Camera manufacturers have suffered but the consumers have benefitted tremondously. I can't see too many users with modern smartphones ever buying a consumer camera — photography enthusiasts and professionals obviously can't use the simplistic phone cameras.</span><br /> <br /> As smartphones become cheaper and more capable, they are now starting to offer fairly good video features as well. It's still not great but it's getting there. Some of the top-end phones with cameras from Apple, Samsung, and Nokia are very good.<br /> <br /> Nokia has been hosting a short film contest and embedded below is the 2011 winner, <em>"Splitscreen: A Love Story"</em> by JW Griffiths. Shot entirely on a mobile phone. Check it out.<br /> <br /> <div align="center"> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/25451551?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe><br /> <a href="http://vimeo.com/25451551">Splitscreen: A Love Story</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/jwgriffiths">James W Griffiths</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br /> Shot entirely on the Nokia N8 mobile phone. Winner of the Nokia Shorts competition 2011.<br /> <br /> Director: JW Griffiths<br /> Producer: Kurban Kassam<br /> Director of Photography: Christopher Moon<br /> Editor: Marianne Kuopanportti <br /> Sound Design: Mauricio d'Orey<br /> Music composed by: Lennert Busch<br /> <br /> Get the music on iTunes: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/6acl6yp">http://tinyurl.com/6acl6yp</a></div> <br /> <br /> Taking phone-based filmmaking to the next level, Olive, is a feature film that was shot entirely on a Nokia phone with some minor modifications. People in the future may look upon this as a monumental point in time.<br /> <br /> <div align="center"> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VV97uzlUQjA" width="640"></iframe> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.olivethemovie.com/">Link to the official website for Olive</a> </div> <br /> Obviously the quality isn't as good but the creativity in these films are amazing. As always, it comes to the artistic talent and the camera is just a tool.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-1350950587554525038?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=9owbtozTkD8:47RVCEePX5c:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=9owbtozTkD8:47RVCEePX5c:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=9owbtozTkD8:47RVCEePX5c:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=9owbtozTkD8:47RVCEePX5c:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=9owbtozTkD8:47RVCEePX5c:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=9owbtozTkD8:47RVCEePX5c:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=9owbtozTkD8:47RVCEePX5c:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/9owbtozTkD8" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2011/12/short-film-shot-on-mobile-phone.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-27975719698482253872011-11-20T21:19:00.001-05:002011-11-20T21:29:06.317-05:002011-11-20T21:29:06.317-05:00<span id="dropcaps">I ran across the song, Nightcall by Kavinsky, on Scoreback's mix at 8tracks.com and I can't get it out of my head:</span> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,28,0" height="250" width="300"><param name="movie" value="http://8tracks.com/mixes/430867/player_v3"> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> <embed src="http://8tracks.com/mixes/430867/player_v3" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="250" allowscriptaccess="always" ></embed></object> </div> <br /> Maybe it's something happening in my life—something at work may be influencing me—but the following lyrics&nbsp;resonate with me:<br /> <div> <blockquote class="tr_bq"> <em>There is something inside you... </em><br /> <em>It's hard to explain...&nbsp; </em><br /> <em>They're talking about you... </em><br /> <em>But you're still the same.</em></blockquote> </div> <br />Here's the full-song on YouTube:<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MV_3Dpw-BRY" width="480"></iframe> </div> <br /> I'm not too familiar with Kavinsky but I believe his music genre is French House, similar to Daft Punk so consider purchasing his music if you are interested. I always wondered how younger people find music these days, now that radios are dying, and I guess services like 8tracks.com are a great place to find music.<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-2797571969848225387?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=irLWiC8-qOs:fduP_OsMf9M:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=irLWiC8-qOs:fduP_OsMf9M:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=irLWiC8-qOs:fduP_OsMf9M:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=irLWiC8-qOs:fduP_OsMf9M:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=irLWiC8-qOs:fduP_OsMf9M:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=irLWiC8-qOs:fduP_OsMf9M:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=irLWiC8-qOs:fduP_OsMf9M:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/irLWiC8-qOs" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2011/11/theyre-talking-about-you-but-youre.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-36640459017329178832011-11-19T15:37:00.001-05:002011-11-20T21:30:53.056-05:002011-11-20T21:30:53.056-05:00<em>(This post is cross-posted on multiple blogs)</em><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cv6wAMofaiw/TsdDdhljUEI/AAAAAAAACsE/YhxG_eLLIME/s1600/twitter_newbird_blue.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cv6wAMofaiw/TsdDdhljUEI/AAAAAAAACsE/YhxG_eLLIME/s1600/twitter_newbird_blue.png" /></a></div> I finally decided to leave the cave I was living in ;) and decided to join Twitter. When Twitter first showed up on the scene a few years ago, I thought it was some dumb twittering bird that amounted to nothing more than a fad. Who would have thought that short messages, when long messages have near-zero cost on the Internet, would become popular? It also wasn't clear how Twitter would make money and stay in business as it scaled up. Well, needless to say, I was wrong — very wrong! <br /> <br /> I'm still not sure if anyone will bother to follow anything I say. In any case, the main reason I joined was to track others. I notice that more and more content, whether from individuals, bloggers, or online magazines are "announced" on Twitter. It is much easier to follow things on Twitter than it is to visit each website, or use an RSS reader or something. I'm new to smartphones but a service like Twitter is also more efficient and quicker on mobile phones than RSS feeds or some bookmarking service (Twitter doesn't necessarily replace those other options but it does compete when it comes a tracking/filtering/following service).<br /> <br /> Right or wrongly, I will be using one account labelled "<strong><span style="color: #990000;">Sivaram_V</span></strong>" (without quotes) for both my personal thoughts as well as my business/investing views. If you were a professional blogging about your job, you probably shouldn't do this (for instance, if you are a fund manager, you should probably keep separate accounts for your business activities and your personal thoughts). I'm intermingling everything because I probably won't post too often and no one really identifies me with any business. However, this probably means that some of you will find my tweets distracting and way-off-topic. I don't know if Twitter lets you filter tweets automatically but if it does, <strong>you may want to only pick up messages containing "#in" or "#li" if you want business/investing views</strong>. I'm planning to flag all tweets related to investing, business, economics, and econopolitics with that flag so that only those messages are posted to LinkedIn.<br /> <br /> Twitter has a flaw with name lengths in that the full name isn't very long—there isn't enough space for my super-long full name—and common nicknames/handles are already taken. So I'm going with Sivaram_V but don't get this mixed up with SivaramV&nbsp;who is someone else.<br /> <br /> Click below to start following me:<br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false" href="https://twitter.com/Sivaram_V">Follow @Sivaram_V</a> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"> </script> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-3664045901732917883?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=tUsSdG_VugY:awK1upid0RE:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=tUsSdG_VugY:awK1upid0RE:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=tUsSdG_VugY:awK1upid0RE:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=tUsSdG_VugY:awK1upid0RE:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=tUsSdG_VugY:awK1upid0RE:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=tUsSdG_VugY:awK1upid0RE:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=tUsSdG_VugY:awK1upid0RE:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/tUsSdG_VugY" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2011/11/finally-joined-twitter-username.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-73778700680450792562011-11-18T22:30:00.001-05:002011-11-18T22:56:29.750-05:002011-11-18T22:56:29.750-05:00<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u9DKXV76AyE/TsclrhoM3WI/AAAAAAAACr8/qlaUmDE5A9k/s1600/Fallout+boxart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u9DKXV76AyE/TsclrhoM3WI/AAAAAAAACr8/qlaUmDE5A9k/s1600/Fallout+boxart.jpg" /></a></div> <br /><span id="dropcaps">I ran across a really good Fallout (original) tribute video on Youtube. For those not familiar, Fallout is an RPG game from the 90's and is considered by many to be one of the top computer RPGs of all time. The game was notable for open-ended, adult-themed, dystopian universe with multiple solutions to the game.</span><br /> <br />Unfortunately the video cannot be embedded on the blog so <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV3idhsGatQ">check it out on Youtube here</a>.<br /> <br /> For Fallout 3 fans, here is a funny spoof video of the VATS system utilizing the shoe-throwing episode with George Bush from a few years ago:<br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JIv-gt-1XSw" width="480"></iframe> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-7377870068045079256?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=PyQw_6Ivwx8:-uapg3cgkvU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=PyQw_6Ivwx8:-uapg3cgkvU:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=PyQw_6Ivwx8:-uapg3cgkvU:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=PyQw_6Ivwx8:-uapg3cgkvU:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=PyQw_6Ivwx8:-uapg3cgkvU:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=PyQw_6Ivwx8:-uapg3cgkvU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=PyQw_6Ivwx8:-uapg3cgkvU:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/PyQw_6Ivwx8" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2011/11/war-war-never-changes-fallout-1-tribute.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-41767734821986582242011-11-14T23:32:00.001-05:002011-11-14T23:52:19.458-05:002011-11-14T23:52:19.458-05:00<span id="dropcaps">I hardly ever post on this blog—I'm hoping to change that :)—and hardly anyone reads this blog but, nevertheless, I decided to change the blog template. Blogger introduced a new dynamic template utilizing new generation of web technologies such as HTML5, CSS3, Javascript, and AJAX. The modern technologies allow new features such as the ability to dynamically load pages and images as you scroll down the page. For now, the template is very limited and you can't customize it beyond the background image and font/headings but Blogger indicates that it will offer more features in the future.</span><br /> <br /> The new template offers a clean, modern, look and lets the user pick from a few choices, such as&nbsp;the magazine format&nbsp;you are viewing now, as well as more visual-oriented schemes like flipboard and snapshot. You can pick an option from the bar at the top.<br /> <br /> For the time being, the change required me to drop all the menus and plug-ins. The blog will be plain for a while.<br /> <br /> Here is how the prior blog looked... it'll be missed (the image is a stitched image and isn't continuous):<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ALHN1vOQEJs/TsHvSKKFjrI/AAAAAAAACqo/zzFAmoWhpGg/s1600/screencap+before+template+changed+to+blogger+dynamic+view+-+Nov+14+2011.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ALHN1vOQEJs/TsHvSKKFjrI/AAAAAAAACqo/zzFAmoWhpGg/s640/screencap+before+template+changed+to+blogger+dynamic+view+-+Nov+14+2011.png" width="321" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-4176773482198658224?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=WzewGpln8Sc:zhzXd1DwSN0:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=WzewGpln8Sc:zhzXd1DwSN0:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=WzewGpln8Sc:zhzXd1DwSN0:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=WzewGpln8Sc:zhzXd1DwSN0:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=WzewGpln8Sc:zhzXd1DwSN0:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=WzewGpln8Sc:zhzXd1DwSN0:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=WzewGpln8Sc:zhzXd1DwSN0:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/WzewGpln8Sc" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2011/11/updated-blog-with-new-dynamic-blog.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-9378919918269098782011-11-13T21:53:00.001-05:002011-11-13T22:14:29.562-05:002011-11-13T22:14:29.562-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://8tracks.com/"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Wxzv5slxSo/TsCCeFgpuVI/AAAAAAAACqY/pYV2_UwbqHI/s400/8tracks+official+logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> One of the things I have wondered is what happens to music now that radio stations are dissapearing into the abyss. Once upon a time, listeners started finding out about cool songs, and newly emerging music styles from radio. Now, without radios, how will the younger crowd learn about new artists and new music styles? <br /> <br /> Well, what I'm seeing are Internet music sites that replicate what radio did—and more! I ran across a really innovative site called <a href="http://8tracks.com/">8tracks</a>. You may have already heard of and used last.fm and Pandora but I ran across 8tracks today. It's basically a site where amateur DJs play their mix and you can listen to it on the website or on one of the mobile apps. I am using Windows Phone these days and there is an app for 8tracks that you can grab (apps are available for Android and iPhone as well).<br /> <br /> In the past you were limited to what the radio stations in your area played but now there are more choices. If you are like me and have really have unique taste or like to try out new genres,&nbsp;then 8tracks is great.<br /> <br /> Unfortunately content licensing problems limit some services to certain regions—Last.fm and Pandora is not available in Canada :(:(:(—but hopefully a solution to these issues can found. In the meantime, check out some good mixes I ran across today on 8tracks:<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,28,0" height="250" width="300"><param name="movie" value="http://8tracks.com/mixes/434081/player_v3"> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> <embed src="http://8tracks.com/mixes/434081/player_v3" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="250" allowscriptaccess="always" ></embed></object> </div> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,28,0" height="250" width="300"><param name="movie" value="http://8tracks.com/mixes/433527/player_v3"> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> <embed src="http://8tracks.com/mixes/433527/player_v3" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="250" allowscriptaccess="always" ></embed></object> </div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3RRFePeHLco/TsCClIjTydI/AAAAAAAACqg/Xax7uMhTtqg/s1600/8tracks+website+-+Nov+13+2011.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3RRFePeHLco/TsCClIjTydI/AAAAAAAACqg/Xax7uMhTtqg/s400/8tracks+website+-+Nov+13+2011.png" width="313" /></a></div> <span id="dropcaps"> </span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-937891991826909878?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=l6oPTdlF6eo:NHsFD-Hs6Uo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=l6oPTdlF6eo:NHsFD-Hs6Uo:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=l6oPTdlF6eo:NHsFD-Hs6Uo:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=l6oPTdlF6eo:NHsFD-Hs6Uo:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=l6oPTdlF6eo:NHsFD-Hs6Uo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=l6oPTdlF6eo:NHsFD-Hs6Uo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=l6oPTdlF6eo:NHsFD-Hs6Uo:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/l6oPTdlF6eo" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2011/11/8trackscom-pretty-cool-music-dj-show.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-76331459692039836132011-08-31T20:54:00.000-04:002011-08-31T20:54:32.427-04:002011-08-31T20:54:32.427-04:00<span id="dropcaps">As I have been doing for the last 4 or so years, I will be checking some films at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) this year. I purchased the 10-ticket package and received all my picks. For those not familiar, if you go through the advanced ordering procedure, you get randomly allocated choices based on where you draw. My box number was 24, and box 20 was chosen—it goes sequentially—so I got 9 of my first choice picks this year. This year, I stayed away from mainstream films even more than in the past.</span><br /> <br /> Here is my selection this year (director is in round brackets and TIFF program in square brackets)... I'm looking forward to:<br /> <ul> <li><em>Samsara</em> - a documentary from the director of Baraka</li> <li><em>The Turin Horse</em> - looks like a very artistic, philosophical, film</li> <li><em>Dreileben</em> - three separate films capturing the same story from different perspectives</li> <li><em>Love and Bruises</em> - looks like a&nbsp;romantic film with some twists</li> <li><em>UFO in Her Eyes</em> - contemporary Chinese film by the director of a film I saw at the festival before (<em>She, a Chinese</em>)</li> </ul> As is typical of festivals, what one thinks is a good movie may not turn out to be so; and some films that are filler picks end up being great. We shall see how this year turns out.<br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_rotatorTitle_thelabel">Oslo, August 31st, aka </span><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_rotatorForeignTitle_thelabel">Oslo, 31. August (</span><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_ctl01_thelabel">Joachim </span><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_ctl02_thelabel">Trier)</span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span><span style="font-size: large;">[vanguard]</span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span></span><a href="http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/tiff/2011/osloaugust31st">link to film description</a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t8__DFezRXw/Tl7OzptKTlI/AAAAAAAAClw/JoYXvT67f4M/s1600/OsloAugust31st+%2528VANGUARD%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t8__DFezRXw/Tl7OzptKTlI/AAAAAAAAClw/JoYXvT67f4M/s400/OsloAugust31st+%2528VANGUARD%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> &nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;"><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_rotatorTitle_thelabel">Future Lasts Forever, aka </span><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_rotatorForeignTitle_thelabel">Gelecek Uzun Surer (</span><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_ctl01_thelabel">Özcan </span><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_ctl02_thelabel">Alper) </span></span></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <span><span style="font-size: large;">[contemporary world cinema]</span></span></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <span><a href="http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/tiff/2011/futurelastsforever">link to film description</a></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wzr-vt7BboY/Tl7QJLHKxqI/AAAAAAAACl0/hXLC3M6YDIQ/s1600/Future-Lasts-Forever-+%2528CWC%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wzr-vt7BboY/Tl7QJLHKxqI/AAAAAAAACl0/hXLC3M6YDIQ/s400/Future-Lasts-Forever-+%2528CWC%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <span><span style="font-size: large;"><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_rotatorTitle_thelabel">388 Arletta Avenue (</span><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_ctl01_thelabel">Randall </span><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_ctl02_thelabel">Cole)</span></span></span></div> <span><span><div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <span><span style="font-size: large;">[contemporary world cinema]</span></span></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <span><a href="http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/tiff/2011/388arlettaavenue">link to film description</a></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EbKARwmBJaE/Tl7QrUsa9dI/AAAAAAAACl4/W3d6pjDcr-c/s1600/388ArlettaAve-3+%2528CWC%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EbKARwmBJaE/Tl7QrUsa9dI/AAAAAAAACl4/W3d6pjDcr-c/s400/388ArlettaAve-3+%2528CWC%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_rotatorTitle_thelabel">UFO in her Eyes (</span><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_ctl01_thelabel">Xiaolu </span><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_ctl02_thelabel">Guo)</span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span><span><span><span style="font-size: large;">[contemporary world cinema]</span></span></span></span></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <span><a href="http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/tiff/2011/ufoinhereyes">link to film description</a></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_1DV-3C1Fec/Tl7RCp1wCEI/AAAAAAAACl8/tauvkByf-rg/s1600/UFO-in-Her-Eyes+%2528CWC%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_1DV-3C1Fec/Tl7RCp1wCEI/AAAAAAAACl8/tauvkByf-rg/s400/UFO-in-Her-Eyes+%2528CWC%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <span><span style="font-size: large;"><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_rotatorTitle_thelabel">Love and Bruises (</span><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_ctl01_thelabel">Lou </span><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_ctl02_thelabel">Ye)</span></span></span></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <span><span><span style="font-size: large;">[vanguard]</span></span></span></div> </span><div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <span><span><a href="http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/tiff/2011/loveandbruises">link to film description</a></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GQFlyn-149k/Tl7RdeABrKI/AAAAAAAACmA/8NGrfbGzRzY/s1600/LoveBruises-4+%2528VANGUARD%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GQFlyn-149k/Tl7RdeABrKI/AAAAAAAACmA/8NGrfbGzRzY/s400/LoveBruises-4+%2528VANGUARD%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Turin Horse (Béla Tarr)</span></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">[masters]</span></div> <span></span><div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <span><span><a href="http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/tiff/2011/turinhorse">link to film description</a></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l1ZSZK3Dhkg/Tl7SIzdGJoI/AAAAAAAACmE/BU8I55GVvjw/s1600/Turin-Horse+%2528MASTERS%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l1ZSZK3Dhkg/Tl7SIzdGJoI/AAAAAAAACmE/BU8I55GVvjw/s400/Turin-Horse+%2528MASTERS%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Dreileben - Beats Being Dead, aka Dreileben - Etwas Besseres Als Den Tod (Christian Petzold)<br />Dreileben - Don't Follow Me Around, aka Dreileben - Komm Mir Nicht Nach (Dominik Graf)<br />Dreileben - One Minute of Darkness, aka Dreileben - Eine Minute Dunkel (Christoph Hochhäusler)</span></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">[visions]</span></div> <span><span><div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <span><span><a href="http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/tiff/2011/dreilebenthreelives">link to film description</a></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0rLuKRbbeb0/Tl7TNdlp8zI/AAAAAAAACmI/fFNCs1MAPG8/s1600/Dreileben-+%2528VISIONS%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0rLuKRbbeb0/Tl7TNdlp8zI/AAAAAAAACmI/fFNCs1MAPG8/s400/Dreileben-+%2528VISIONS%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <span><span><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_rotatorTitle_thelabel">Carré blanc (</span><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_ctl01_thelabel">Jean-Baptiste </span><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_ctl02_thelabel">Léonetti)</span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span><span style="font-size: large;">[vanguard]</span></span></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <span><span><a href="http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/tiff/2011/carreblanc">link to film description</a></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ae2eJqWpc_8/Tl7Toakz5lI/AAAAAAAACmM/ibCMqs1WxYM/s1600/CarreBlanc+%2528VANGUARD%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ae2eJqWpc_8/Tl7Toakz5lI/AAAAAAAACmM/ibCMqs1WxYM/s400/CarreBlanc+%2528VANGUARD%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_rotatorTitle_thelabel">House of Tolerance, aka </span><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_rotatorForeignTitle_thelabel">L'Apollonide (</span><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_ctl01_thelabel">Bertrand </span><span id="ctl00_RotatorPlaceHolder_ctl02_thelabel">Bonello)</span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span><span style="font-size: large;">[visions]</span></span></div> <div class="foreign-title" style="text-align: center;"> <span><span><a href="http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/tiff/2011/houseoftolerance">link to film description</a></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pUOxdK4WkXE/Tl7UEuiUc6I/AAAAAAAACmQ/_dOJG3VV0cc/s1600/House-of-Tolerance+%2528VISIONS%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pUOxdK4WkXE/Tl7UEuiUc6I/AAAAAAAACmQ/_dOJG3VV0cc/s400/House-of-Tolerance+%2528VISIONS%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Samsara (Ron Fricke)</span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">[real to reel]</span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span><span><a href="http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/tiff/2011/samsara">link to film description</a></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="201" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2zFg1-uLbGY/Tl7Um4M5QwI/AAAAAAAACmU/OsfD371dAyo/s400/Samsara-2+%2528REAL+TO+REEL%2529.jpg" width="400" /></div> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-7633145969203983613?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=KmQgTxzGYyY:hXZInUTewmM:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=KmQgTxzGYyY:hXZInUTewmM:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=KmQgTxzGYyY:hXZInUTewmM:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=KmQgTxzGYyY:hXZInUTewmM:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=KmQgTxzGYyY:hXZInUTewmM:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=KmQgTxzGYyY:hXZInUTewmM:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=KmQgTxzGYyY:hXZInUTewmM:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/KmQgTxzGYyY" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2011/08/films-ill-be-seeing-at-tiff-11.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-84230704906813351522011-06-05T01:56:00.001-04:002011-06-05T02:02:39.986-04:002011-06-05T02:02:39.986-04:00<span id="dropcaps"> Cities are often cold, souless, concrete jungles... but there is some beauty in them. I'm becoming more and more of a city guy over time. Here is a wonderful<a href="http://vimeo.com/24492485"> time-lapse video of Manhattan</a> by mindrelic. I am linking to the HD version which I recommend viewing full screen on your monitor (click the full screen button at the bottom right). There are additional videos are the official site linked below. </span><br /> <br /> (h/t to <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2011/06/video-manhattan-in-motion.html">The New Yorker</a> for bringing this video to my attention.)<br /> <br /> <div align="center"><iframe frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/24492485?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0" width="400"></iframe><br /> <a href="http://vimeo.com/24492485">Mindrelic - Manhattan in motion</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/mindrelic">Mindrelic</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br /> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Credits: Video by </span><a href="http://www.mindrelic.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">mindrelic</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">. Music by </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/theamericandollar"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The American Dollar</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></div><br /> The videos by mindrelic reminds me of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103767/">Baraka</a>, which is a feature length film that I highly recommend for those who haven't seen it and are interested in these types of films. Here is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AN3nzm0emiY&amp;feature=related">a clip from Baraka</a>:<br /> <div align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AN3nzm0emiY" width="560"></iframe></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-8423070490681335152?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=prX-PHzid7M:a_2sr_UcSRs:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=prX-PHzid7M:a_2sr_UcSRs:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=prX-PHzid7M:a_2sr_UcSRs:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=prX-PHzid7M:a_2sr_UcSRs:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=prX-PHzid7M:a_2sr_UcSRs:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=prX-PHzid7M:a_2sr_UcSRs:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=prX-PHzid7M:a_2sr_UcSRs:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/prX-PHzid7M" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2011/06/manhattan-city.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-11080557671646459002011-05-07T22:36:00.004-04:002011-05-07T22:40:12.254-04:002011-05-07T22:40:12.254-04:00<span id="dropcaps"> One of the things I notice is that architectural designs tend to be bolder in Europe than in North America. Maybe I'm mistaken—I haven't travelled much—but it just seems that USA and Canada tends to be over-run with plain, boring, buildings. Here is an alien, futuristic-looking, building from <a href="http://www.wallpaper.com//gallery/architecture/metropol-parasol-by-j-mayer-h-seville/17052439#44328">Wallpaper* magazine</a>:</span><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vzZ-7j8NuYA/TcYBReOjxHI/AAAAAAAACkI/td7tpj1DuJM/s1600/Metropol+Parasol+in+Seville%252C+Spain+%2528Wallpaper+magazine%252C+May+6+2011%2529+-+02_metropol_jp060511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vzZ-7j8NuYA/TcYBReOjxHI/AAAAAAAACkI/td7tpj1DuJM/s1600/Metropol+Parasol+in+Seville%252C+Spain+%2528Wallpaper+magazine%252C+May+6+2011%2529+-+02_metropol_jp060511.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Metropol Parasol&nbsp;in Seville, Spain</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(source: <a href="http://www.wallpaper.com//gallery/architecture/metropol-parasol-by-j-mayer-h-seville/17052439#44328">Wallpaper*</a>)</span></div><br /> Maybe there's some truth to the view that North Americans aren't as cultured ;)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-1108055767164645900?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=gfKeUsO5QvQ:-LVF9ZN2Unc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=gfKeUsO5QvQ:-LVF9ZN2Unc:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=gfKeUsO5QvQ:-LVF9ZN2Unc:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=gfKeUsO5QvQ:-LVF9ZN2Unc:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=gfKeUsO5QvQ:-LVF9ZN2Unc:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=gfKeUsO5QvQ:-LVF9ZN2Unc:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=gfKeUsO5QvQ:-LVF9ZN2Unc:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/gfKeUsO5QvQ" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2011/05/metropol-parasol-seville-spain.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-82963026087942897442011-04-25T00:56:00.004-04:002011-04-25T01:17:35.196-04:002011-04-25T01:17:35.196-04:00<span id="dropcaps"> O</span>n a primordial, initial, level, the following graphic—one of&nbsp;my favourites—pretty much sums up male and female desire when it comes to relationships:<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pPD0XllrNcU/TbT9pXz_WII/AAAAAAAACj0/PTGIr-LFBYU/s1600/dating+%2528Social+Animal%252C+The+New+Yorker%252C+Jan+17+2011%2529+-+110117_r20408_p465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pPD0XllrNcU/TbT9pXz_WII/AAAAAAAACj0/PTGIr-LFBYU/s1600/dating+%2528Social+Animal%252C+The+New+Yorker%252C+Jan+17+2011%2529+-+110117_r20408_p465.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="dropcaps"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Illustration by Phillippe Petit-Roulet for <em>The New Yorker</em>. Accompanied the article, "</span><a href="http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/01/17/110117fa_fact_brooks"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Social Animal</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">" by David Books, <i>The New Yorker</i>, January 17 2011.)</span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-8296302608794289744?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=Gul9AcmdK1o:jI3opAf6hn8:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=Gul9AcmdK1o:jI3opAf6hn8:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=Gul9AcmdK1o:jI3opAf6hn8:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=Gul9AcmdK1o:jI3opAf6hn8:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=Gul9AcmdK1o:jI3opAf6hn8:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=Gul9AcmdK1o:jI3opAf6hn8:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=Gul9AcmdK1o:jI3opAf6hn8:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/Gul9AcmdK1o" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2011/04/dating-desire-of-men-women.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-78207097212441176652011-04-13T00:01:00.000-04:002011-04-13T00:01:49.207-04:002011-04-13T00:01:49.207-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aNM08E5F6uA/TaUfprY2ipI/AAAAAAAACjo/s78euLvPnVQ/s1600/50th+anniversary+of+space+flight+-+Belarus+stamp.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aNM08E5F6uA/TaUfprY2ipI/AAAAAAAACjo/s78euLvPnVQ/s1600/50th+anniversary+of+space+flight+-+Belarus+stamp.png" /></a></div><br /> <blockquote>On 12 April 1961, Yuri Gagarin of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics became the first human to travel into outer space. His space flight heralded a new era of human endeavour in what has become known as the “final frontier”. Since that historic flight, humans have set foot upon the Moon, have learned to work in the harsh vacuum of outer space, and, for the last decade, have maintained a permanent human presence outside the Earth.</blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(source: </span><a href="http://www.belpost.by/eng/stamps/stamp-catalogue/2011-hrono-eng/07-2011-28-03/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Belarus stamp</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">; text from </span><a href="http://unstamps.un.org/doc/Publication/bulletin_98.pdf"><span style="font-size: x-small;">UN Stamps</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">)</span></div><br /> <br /> Unfortunately, space exploration has been heading downhill for the last 30 years. Perhaps the increased private sector activity may resurrect space travel.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-7820709721244117665?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=MyZLPP4dBBA:NkYYCpwHN38:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=MyZLPP4dBBA:NkYYCpwHN38:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=MyZLPP4dBBA:NkYYCpwHN38:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=MyZLPP4dBBA:NkYYCpwHN38:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=MyZLPP4dBBA:NkYYCpwHN38:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=MyZLPP4dBBA:NkYYCpwHN38:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=MyZLPP4dBBA:NkYYCpwHN38:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/MyZLPP4dBBA" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2011/04/50th-anniversary-of-human-space-flight.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-50304455724984456852011-01-01T21:12:00.002-05:002011-01-01T21:15:03.791-05:002011-01-01T21:15:03.791-05:00My favourite director of all time is the reclusive and somewhat obscure Terrence Malick. He is famous for taking a long time—many years—to make films, yet some consider nearly all his films to be masterpieces. Malick's films tend to be philosophical—he is a philosopher—and tends to be unpopular with the mainstream movie fans. He is set to release his new film, <em>The Tree of Life</em>, on May 27th of 2011 and it is one of the few films I have ever looked forward to.<br /> <br /> The Tree of Life touches on the topic of the meaning of life and that is something that interests me greatly. It appears to be a coming-of-age story set in 1950's America. Here's hoping it is as good as I think it will be. Given his age and the time it takes him to develop film concepts, this may be one of Malick's final, major, films. <br /> <br /> Here is a trailer and poster (if you have high-speed Internet, you might want to view the trailer in 1020p HD):<br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fLPe0fHuZsc?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;color1=0xe1600f&amp;color2=0xfebd01"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fLPe0fHuZsc?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;color1=0xe1600f&amp;color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></div><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6zFiwogUkPk/TR_dbqHUdHI/AAAAAAAACeo/-Eo6nAPGfKk/s1600/the_tree_of_life_movie_poster_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6zFiwogUkPk/TR_dbqHUdHI/AAAAAAAACeo/-Eo6nAPGfKk/s640/the_tree_of_life_movie_poster_01.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif; font-size: large;">"Unless you love, your life will flash by"</span></em><br /> <br /> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-5030445572498445685?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=na0nPJ98rUM:Qzg9bcQDMQA:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=na0nPJ98rUM:Qzg9bcQDMQA:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=na0nPJ98rUM:Qzg9bcQDMQA:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=na0nPJ98rUM:Qzg9bcQDMQA:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=na0nPJ98rUM:Qzg9bcQDMQA:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=na0nPJ98rUM:Qzg9bcQDMQA:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=na0nPJ98rUM:Qzg9bcQDMQA:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/na0nPJ98rUM" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com3http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2011/01/coming-in-2011-terrence-malicks-tree-of.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-12989355623597696922010-11-20T20:20:00.002-05:002010-11-20T20:22:20.486-05:002010-11-20T20:22:20.486-05:00<div align="center"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Melbourne, Australia</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6zFiwogUkPk/TOhzNH1rtlI/AAAAAAAACc4/XucWockDFQA/s1600/Melbourne+%2528by+Chantal+Steyn%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6zFiwogUkPk/TOhzNH1rtlI/AAAAAAAACc4/XucWockDFQA/s400/Melbourne+%2528by+Chantal+Steyn%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hong Kong, China</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6zFiwogUkPk/TOhzF_Wl55I/AAAAAAAACc0/VuDyqrffd8o/s1600/Hong+Kong+from+Victoria+Peak+%2528by+Rose+Rossetti%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6zFiwogUkPk/TOhzF_Wl55I/AAAAAAAACc0/VuDyqrffd8o/s400/Hong+Kong+from+Victoria+Peak+%2528by+Rose+Rossetti%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">Paris, France</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6zFiwogUkPk/TOhzUVZW3ZI/AAAAAAAACc8/1iLedsAZ1LY/s1600/Paris+from+Eiffel+Tower+%2528by+Ben+Heine%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6zFiwogUkPk/TOhzUVZW3ZI/AAAAAAAACc8/1iLedsAZ1LY/s400/Paris+from+Eiffel+Tower+%2528by+Ben+Heine%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /> </div><span id="dropcaps">I ran across a nice slideshow of skyscrapers, showing them in all their glory. I love skyscrapers during the night... they give character to cities. Click here to go to the source page, <a href="http://blog.flickr.net/en/2010/11/17/on-top-of-the-world/">On Top of the World</a>,&nbsp;or jump straight to <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/show/?q=&quot;tallest+building&quot;+view&amp;s=int">the slideshow here</a>.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-1298935562359769692?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=oxyrLp0wVPw:BdRvE1DKcZw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=oxyrLp0wVPw:BdRvE1DKcZw:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=oxyrLp0wVPw:BdRvE1DKcZw:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=oxyrLp0wVPw:BdRvE1DKcZw:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=oxyrLp0wVPw:BdRvE1DKcZw:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=oxyrLp0wVPw:BdRvE1DKcZw:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=oxyrLp0wVPw:BdRvE1DKcZw:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/oxyrLp0wVPw" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2010/11/skyscraper-heaven.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-30880701837543376312010-11-12T23:40:00.000-05:002010-11-12T23:40:04.432-05:002010-11-12T23:40:04.432-05:00<span id="dropcaps">Some of you may find this useful, especially if you don't mind buying used goods at really low prices. The TTC and the Toronto Police Services, along with a few other police departments, <a href="http://stores.ebay.ca/Police-Auctions-Canada">hold an online Ebay&nbsp;auction</a> where you can buy goods. I guess they are seized goods or lost items, and some of them are actually new. You can find items ranging from used jewellery, to new blank DVDs, to new bedsheets, to used iPod Touch and used digital cameras.</span><br /> <br /> There is also another online auction, Crown Assets Distribution,&nbsp;that I encountered recently where <a href="http://crownassets.pwgsc.gc.ca/mn-eng.cfm?snc=wfsav&amp;sc=ach-shop&amp;str=1&amp;&amp;sr=1&amp;sf=ferm-clos&amp;so=ASC&amp;vndsld=0&amp;lci=&amp;srchtype=#topOfCADC">you can bid on surplus goods by Public Works and Government Services Canada</a> (this is the Canadian federal government). You can pick a location in your province and see what's available. Items appear to be focused on furniture and used computers, although there are some new DVDs of OZ TV series and Dexter. Oh, if you are in the mood for water, you can bid on 41,688 bottles of Nestle Pure Life Natural Spring Water (min bid: $2,084). It wouldn't surprise me if this is from the G20 summit :(<br /> <br /> I have never purchased any items through either of these sites and&nbsp;I am not sure if anyone can bid on them (i.e. not sure if you have to be a business or need to set up some special account). It also appears that many of the items require that you go and physically pick it up. So don't bid on it if it's not close to your home and you can't pick it up.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-3088070183754337631?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=MdZGtOUJ8YY:FrPlvkRLePs:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=MdZGtOUJ8YY:FrPlvkRLePs:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=MdZGtOUJ8YY:FrPlvkRLePs:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=MdZGtOUJ8YY:FrPlvkRLePs:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=MdZGtOUJ8YY:FrPlvkRLePs:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=MdZGtOUJ8YY:FrPlvkRLePs:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=MdZGtOUJ8YY:FrPlvkRLePs:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/MdZGtOUJ8YY" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2010/11/auctions-by-government-departments.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-51453586750119015402010-11-07T21:54:00.000-05:002010-11-07T21:54:36.915-05:002010-11-07T21:54:36.915-05:00I ran across a cool, futuristic, video of the future from Microsoft. It's one of those science-fiction visions that you see in movies. Obviously the chances of the world turning out exactly as portrayed is very slim but some of the scenarios will materialize. For instance, already printed newspapers and magazines are dying in North America and I can easily see a digital version within a decade.<br /> <br /> There are a whole series of these videos by Microsoft (search YouTube if you are interested) but this is the one that interested me.<br /> <br /> <object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RvtxupQmRSA?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;color1=0x2b405b&amp;color2=0x6b8ab6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RvtxupQmRSA?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;color1=0x2b405b&amp;color2=0x6b8ab6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-5145358675011901540?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=FEellcH2P1w:3kx6d5L1YnM:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=FEellcH2P1w:3kx6d5L1YnM:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=FEellcH2P1w:3kx6d5L1YnM:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=FEellcH2P1w:3kx6d5L1YnM:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=FEellcH2P1w:3kx6d5L1YnM:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=FEellcH2P1w:3kx6d5L1YnM:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=FEellcH2P1w:3kx6d5L1YnM:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/FEellcH2P1w" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2010/11/microsoft-vision-2019-video.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-75044047203238865182010-06-04T21:16:00.001-04:002010-06-04T21:17:01.768-04:002010-06-04T21:17:01.768-04:00The Globe &amp; Mail has nice, brief, article listing <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/the-10-best-world-cup-commercials/article1590980/">the top 10 World Cup commercials</a> so far. For those in America, this, of course, refers to soccer ;) Everything is in the eye of the beholder but my favourite of the ten is the following Nike one:<br /> <br /> <object height="360" width="580"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/idLG6jh23yE&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/idLG6jh23yE&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-7504404720323886518?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=TSUgLExwFdM:FFNPayuUQ3Q:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=TSUgLExwFdM:FFNPayuUQ3Q:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=TSUgLExwFdM:FFNPayuUQ3Q:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=TSUgLExwFdM:FFNPayuUQ3Q:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=TSUgLExwFdM:FFNPayuUQ3Q:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=TSUgLExwFdM:FFNPayuUQ3Q:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=TSUgLExwFdM:FFNPayuUQ3Q:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/TSUgLExwFdM" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com2http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2010/06/world-cup-2010-television-commercials.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14991778.post-64447060959779979222010-04-18T00:13:00.001-04:002010-04-18T00:14:31.623-04:002010-04-18T00:14:31.623-04:00Don't know much about her but gotta say I like her "Bad Romance" song. Well, the following video won't sit well with everyone but I found it provocative, unique and interesting. It's Lady Gaga's music video for her new song, "Telephone featuring Beyonce." The video is directed by Jonas Ackerland and plays out like a Quentin Tarantino film. <br /> <br /> I can't figure out how to embed it properly (YouTube doesn't provide the code for this video for some reason) so <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVBsypHzF3U">here is a link to it</a>. There is also the original version that is censored and requires registration that <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVBsypHzF3U">you can find here</a>.<br /> For what it's worth, I don't like this song...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/14991778-6444706095977997922?l=my-quintessence.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=UkkFb2qHmes:j0DaDwt_anE:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=UkkFb2qHmes:j0DaDwt_anE:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=UkkFb2qHmes:j0DaDwt_anE:4cEx4HpKnUU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=UkkFb2qHmes:j0DaDwt_anE:4cEx4HpKnUU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=UkkFb2qHmes:j0DaDwt_anE:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?i=UkkFb2qHmes:j0DaDwt_anE:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?a=UkkFb2qHmes:j0DaDwt_anE:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyQuintessenceThoughtsFeelings/~4/UkkFb2qHmes" height="1" width="1"/>Sivaram Velauthapillaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06361276466660862882noreply@blogger.com0http://my-quintessence.blogspot.com/2010/04/lady-gagas-provocative-artistic-stylish.html