A world where all is free
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
 
Hey but that was my business idea!
Binu has been to Japan. Hence Binu knows.

Traditional Japanese toilets are a lot like traditional Indian toilets

But,
" Just as many foreigners had finally mastered the traditional Japanese "squatter" with no seat, they are being confused anew by the latest generation of Japanese toilets -- super-high-tech sit-down models with a control panel that looks like the cockpit of a plane...
...The toilets basically look like a standard American model, except for the control pad, which sometimes comes with a digital clock to tell you how long you have been in the bathroom. Some of the buttons control the temperature of the water squirted onto your backside. The bottom-washer function, combined with the bottom blow-dryer, is designed to do away with the need for toilet tissue. Other buttons automatically open and close the lid; the button for men lifts lid and seat; the button for women lifts the lid only. Some toilets even have a hand-held remote control: a clicker for the loo."

My favourite of course:
"The noisemaker button that makes a flushing sound to mask any noise you might be making in the john"

Click here for the complete article.

The most amazing part, of course, is something that very closely resembles my long standing business idea -
"They have expanded that market with the Travel Washlet, a portable hand-held bottom washer. Going on a trip where they might not have top-of-the-line toilets? No problem: Just fill your "Travel Washlet" with warm water at home. Then after nature calls on the road, unfold the little squirt-nozzle and wash your behind just like at home. "

Check out washlet for more information!


- posted by Rallix @ 4:11 AM 3 comments
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
 
"He appears to have an interesting history"
My cousin Mani said so about Raju.. but insisted "Raju the Tribal was all gobbledydook to me. Maybe a little explanation of the background would help. He appears to have an interesting history. "
And so I gave him some background...

"Engg classmate of mine - coffee soulmate, most amazingly warm person, with a complete external locus of control.. I am quite sure he'll die saving someone from a running bus.. Always has a lot to say..

And, apart from the serious stuff, occasionally comes up with things like the following..

November 10, 2004
Going organic?
So I bought some 'organic' eggs. Now God knows who gave that label....but ideally if they were organic .... 23 days later I should have an 'organic' chicken. Guess what? No chicken. Egg was still an egg. So what kind of natural intervention stopped the egg from hatching?
Posted by raju at 03:27 PM in Laugh-riot!! Comments (8) "

In our final year, I wrote his profile.. I thought it would be the easiest profile to write.. After all, he is such an exciting person.. Unfortunately couldn't do justice to him then.. And failing miserably now.. Hopefully along the course of similar posts I'll be able to give him a fitting "obituary"!

Atul, same problem with you. Will keep trying.

[I was quite proud of the one I wrote for Taps and Sumit Agarwal.. Anybody have a copy?]

- posted by Rallix @ 12:54 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
 
Yeh jo Des hai Tera...
When I listen to this song, I can't help but think of Raju... I picture him listening to this in his apartment in Boston on a cold wintry night with the lights switched off, a single T shirt and a light jacket, and a tear in his eye...
Yet again, Raju leaves no doubts at http://www.rajasekhar.com.

- posted by Rallix @ 8:39 PM 0 comments
Thursday, December 16, 2004
 
Bulleh Shah!
Recently heard a Punjabi song called "Bullah ki jaana main kaun" by a guy called Rabbi Shergill.. Quite interesting (No kudi, soniye, rabba, balle balle etc), with an exciting video.. Searched and found the following:

"The highlight of his self-titled debut is undoubtedly first single, Bulla Ki Jaana, a captivating tune based on a kafi by 18th century Sufi saint Bulla Shah. But of each of the nine tracks leave a lasting impact. Thankfully, English translations have printed alongside the Punjabi words, and lyrically, both the originals and the interpretations impress. Musically, acoustic and electric guitars, drum n bass beats, dholaks and flutes all contribute to creating an undeniably folksy feel on this genre-busting record"

"Bulleh Shah’s style of writing is called Kafi (Refrain) – an established style of Punjabi poetry used by Punjabi Sufis and Sikh gurus (from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh)...Sufi poets generally did not adapt the courtly languages of Persian and Urdu, and tended to write their verses in Punjabi, Sariaki, Sindhi etc. – languages of the common folk, amongst whom they lived. Though the number is disputed, Bulleh Shah is credited with authoring anywhere from fifty to one hundred and fifty Kafi, one Athwara, one Baramah, three Siharfi, forty-nine Oeodh and forty Gandhan... The simplicity with which Bulleh Shah has been able to tackle the basic issues of life and humanity is extremely appealing. Everyone has, thus, put his kafis to music - from simple street-singers, to the folk-tunes of Wadalis and Abida Parveen, the synthesised techno qawwali remixes of Nusrat Fateh Ali, to the electric rock guitars of Junoon."

A sample from the song:

Na maen andar ved kitaabaan,
Na vich bhangaan na sharaabaan
Na vich rindaan masat kharaabaan
Na vich jaagan na vich saun.
Bulleh! ki jaana maen kaun.

[Translates roughly to:]
Not in the holy Vedas, am I
Nor in opium, neither in wine
Not in the drunkard`s intoxicated craze
Niether awake, nor in a sleeping daze
Bulleh! to me, I am not known

http://www.chowk.com/show_article.cgi?aid=00004026&channel=leafyglade%20inn

- posted by Rallix @ 5:13 AM 2 comments
Monday, December 13, 2004
 
Raju the tribal
There are a few people in the world that can be mistaken for gentle teddy bears and wild pirates at the same time. Raju is one of them. Loves his five star chocolate and is violent when someone irritates him.

But thats not what makes him a tribal. A close description of Raju is provided by the following description of the tribes of Chhotanagpur:

"Munda, Oraon and other tribal communities of Chhotanagpur region have lived in harmony with nature. They propitiated land, water, wind, plants and animals... The general practice is that the clan must protect the object that forms its totem and abjure from eating or killing, destroying or injuring or otherwise using it. Nor must clan members use anything made of it or abstracted from it. It is also ordained that they should prevent others from indulging in such activities...

...The practice of forest protection was implicit in their cultural elements and cult practices. A portion of the pristine forest used to be consecrated and named Jaher or Sarna, sacred to the community’s principal deity. The tribal customs prohibited felling of trees or lopping of branches in the sacred grove..."

(from http://www.pcedindia.com/peoplescomm/tribes_2a.htm#a1)

Raju leaves no doubts at http://www.rajasekhar.com.

- posted by Rallix @ 4:23 AM 0 comments
Thursday, December 02, 2004
 
Blame it on the lymphocyte!
I have a large ulcer on the tongue. I attribute it to Atul's hidden martian forces since the evidence is too compelling. Happy budday Atul!

Meanwhile the net seems to suggets I suffer from a case of "recurrent minor aphthous ulcers" and the causes are the following. Clearly in my case it is emotional/psychic stress caused by Atul's psychic powers.
[ http://www.animated-teeth.com/canker_sores/t1_canker_sores.htm]

What are canker sores?
Canker sores are a type of mouth ulcer. Some of the medical terms used to refer to canker sores are "recurrent minor aphthous ulcers" and "recurrent minor aphthous stomatitis" (thus differentiating canker sores from other types of aphthous ulcers or aphthous stomatitis). Canker sores are the most commonly occurring type of mouth ulcer.

What causes canker sores?
The precise mechanism by which canker sores form has not been definitively determined [drat!] but it is likely that their development is related to a reaction of an individual's own immune system. Canker sores are thought to form when, for unexplained reasons, a person's immune system identifies the presence of chemical molecules that it does not recognize. The presence of these molecules activates an attack by the immune system's lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell), somewhat like when a person's immune system attacks a transplanted organ. The carnage [feels like carnage alright] of the lymphocytes' attack on these unrecognized molecules results in the type of mouth ulcers we term canker sores.

What triggers outbreaks of canker sores?
Several factors that seem to trigger outbreaks of canker sores have been identified. Any one or a combination of the following items may play a significant role in the formation of canker sores for any one individual:

1. Toothpastes and mouthwashes that contain sodium lauryl sulfate
2. Mechanical trauma
3. Emotional stress / Psychic stress
Psychological stress has been shown to adversely affect the health of people in a number of ways. Many people who suffer from canker sores will frequently report that the timing of their ulcers coincide with periods of stress.
4. Nutritional deficiencies
5. Allergies and sensitivities
6. Hormonal changes
7. Genetics
8. Infectious agents (both bacterial and viral)
9. Medical conditions
10. Medications

Other characteristics of canker sores.



- posted by Rallix @ 5:42 AM 1 comments

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