From: Bangalore, Karnataka, India
About me: Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. I choose the former.
Once upon a time,
when the universe was mine..
posted by Anamika Anyone at 6:52 pm
Andrew Tanenbaum is a delightful person. He's an authority on Computer Networks. He's nerdy, but in a charming way, and he has a sense of humour. Its been really nice spending time with him, but I have to end it, for a while atleast. That man has been driving me Crazy!(Not the 'Crazy kiya re' crazy, but the 'I am going to kill you' crazy.)
When my Dad heard that we'd be doing CCN this semester, he said "Take Tanenbaum" without missing a beat. I was excited about CCN, thinking that it was going to be feducative (fun and educative) and maybe,maybe I'll find my calling in this field. So it was with a sanguine (Shari, I used the word!)temparament that I faced this new subject.
It was an almost-disaster. We had two teachers assigned to this subject consecutively, and about them, the less said the better. Then there was VTU. Its one thing learning about the OSI model, and quite another learning about the OSI model with 3 internals and a VTU final looming over you. I mean, I enjoyed myself reading about IPv4, the current IP protocol, IPv6, the future one, Virtual LANs,etc. To add to the feel-good atmosphere were the amusing anecdotes added in the chapter, and the informal, easygoing language that Andrew uses, making you feel more like a buddy than a student.
Now, imagine having to know all about the working of the ubiquitous Ethernet, and having to know its frame format by heart, and all its physical variations, their maximum segment distances, their quirks and disadvantages and what not. To read them once is OK. To understand the reason why they are what they are is fine, too. But why-oh-why should we remember the frame formats. I doubt that even the kings and queens of the CCN industry remember these. They may just look it up when they want it. And even though a programmer remembers this, its just because he works with the standard and even there, he doesn't sit in front of the book and fastidiously memorize the format. Ugh!
And so, on the 29th of December at 10:00P.M, you could have found me in my room, with Tanenbaum, in a very foul mood, trying to cram in like a million gigabytes of info, cursing everyone and everything from VTU for being so VTU to the Internet, for being so well-liked. I managed to get in enough, though. There was a lot. I mean, I had to know that there were 7 differences between datagram subnets and VC subnets, 10 ways in which networks differ, 16 bytes addresses in the packet of IPv6, and 13 application profiles using Bluetooth, each of which, by the way, has its own protocol stack, which seems to me as serious overkill. But I got it all in, and poured out enough during the exam the next day.
Now, I'm trying to drain out all the CCN trivia from my memory to make space for Mr.Uyemura, who I hope has not this much info. This is why, I've decided to lay off CCN and Andrew for some time. I'll always have nice memories of time spent with him. Like Rene Descartes said, (Was it really him?) reading a book is like hanging out with the greatest of minds. Its not like I'll never pick up Tanenbaum again. I've made a promise to myself, that someday, I'll read the remaining chapters. But not now. No hard feelings, right Andrew?
When my Dad heard that we'd be doing CCN this semester, he said "Take Tanenbaum" without missing a beat. I was excited about CCN, thinking that it was going to be feducative (fun and educative) and maybe,maybe I'll find my calling in this field. So it was with a sanguine (Shari, I used the word!)temparament that I faced this new subject.
It was an almost-disaster. We had two teachers assigned to this subject consecutively, and about them, the less said the better. Then there was VTU. Its one thing learning about the OSI model, and quite another learning about the OSI model with 3 internals and a VTU final looming over you. I mean, I enjoyed myself reading about IPv4, the current IP protocol, IPv6, the future one, Virtual LANs,etc. To add to the feel-good atmosphere were the amusing anecdotes added in the chapter, and the informal, easygoing language that Andrew uses, making you feel more like a buddy than a student.
Now, imagine having to know all about the working of the ubiquitous Ethernet, and having to know its frame format by heart, and all its physical variations, their maximum segment distances, their quirks and disadvantages and what not. To read them once is OK. To understand the reason why they are what they are is fine, too. But why-oh-why should we remember the frame formats. I doubt that even the kings and queens of the CCN industry remember these. They may just look it up when they want it. And even though a programmer remembers this, its just because he works with the standard and even there, he doesn't sit in front of the book and fastidiously memorize the format. Ugh!
And so, on the 29th of December at 10:00P.M, you could have found me in my room, with Tanenbaum, in a very foul mood, trying to cram in like a million gigabytes of info, cursing everyone and everything from VTU for being so VTU to the Internet, for being so well-liked. I managed to get in enough, though. There was a lot. I mean, I had to know that there were 7 differences between datagram subnets and VC subnets, 10 ways in which networks differ, 16 bytes addresses in the packet of IPv6, and 13 application profiles using Bluetooth, each of which, by the way, has its own protocol stack, which seems to me as serious overkill. But I got it all in, and poured out enough during the exam the next day.
Now, I'm trying to drain out all the CCN trivia from my memory to make space for Mr.Uyemura, who I hope has not this much info. This is why, I've decided to lay off CCN and Andrew for some time. I'll always have nice memories of time spent with him. Like Rene Descartes said, (Was it really him?) reading a book is like hanging out with the greatest of minds. Its not like I'll never pick up Tanenbaum again. I've made a promise to myself, that someday, I'll read the remaining chapters. But not now. No hard feelings, right Andrew?
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
posted by Anamika Anyone at 11:09 pm
Have you heard the song "Pump it" by the Black eyed peas? (You must have seen that pepsi or coke ad with all the football players on the beach) Now thats one song that is truly foot tapping. Oh, don't get me wrong, many songs make you want to dance. But this song actually makes you want to tap your foot.
I'm listening to a variety of music nowadays. I found out that somehow, listening to California by Phantom planet(yes, the O.C song) and a Kailash Kher song in succession makes me remember the class definitions of priority queues. Well, whatever it takes.
I'm listening to a variety of music nowadays. I found out that somehow, listening to California by Phantom planet(yes, the O.C song) and a Kailash Kher song in succession makes me remember the class definitions of priority queues. Well, whatever it takes.
Friday, December 22, 2006
posted by Anamika Anyone at 5:04 pm
| You Are a Prophet Soul |
 You are a gentle soul, with good intentions toward everyone. Selfless and kind, you have great faith in people. Sometimes this faith can lead to disappoinment in the long run. No matter what, you deal with everything in a calm and balanced way. You are a good interpreter, very sensitive, intuitive, caring, and gentle. Concerned about the world, you are good at predicting people's feelings. A seeker of wisdom, you are a life long learner looking for purpose and meaning. You are a great thinker and communicator, but not necessarily a doer. Souls you are most compatible with: Bright Star Soul and Dreaming Soul |
"No matter what, you deal with everything in a calm and balanced way. "
Ya right!
Monday, December 11, 2006
posted by Anamika Anyone at 11:00 pm
After all, she's my favourite character!
| You Are Cyclops |
 Dedicated and responsible, you will always remain loyal to your cause. You are a commanding leader - after all, you can kill someone just by looking at them. Power: force beams from your eyes |
posted by Anamika Anyone at 10:40 pm
"Spend the hour blogging, and you will discover many more free hours during the day."-Mickey Kaus
One question that has crossed my mind is; Why do people blog? Nowadays, this is the same as asking why people keep journals or write books. But still, let me go through the possible reasons of blogging.Number one:Its a cool thing to do. Indeed, according to the Times Of India Sunday section, blogging is one of the ubercool activities of this generation. So, do I blog because its cool? I don't think so. Because A, many in my social circle don't know about my blog. If I wanted to be cool, I would have announced it to the world. And B, if I really wanted to do cool things, I would take salsa lessons or speed-date(These are other "cool" pastimes according to the TOI).Number two:Its a big ego booster. There's no arguing with that. After a long, tiring day, it feels good to see that my post has elicited so many responses, or that someone new likes my blog template. But lets not get carried away. Virtual popularity is not the sole reason for blogging. Atleast not for me.Number troix:Its an opportunity to yell, rant and rave. True, in a way. A blog is a place to bitch about things and get it out of our system but honestly, if that was all we did, the blogosphere would have been a lot less cheerful.Number four:Its a creativity outlet. This is the reason for which the smallest (and maybe the best) section of bloggers blog. Its the drive to make yourself a better writer, and maybe a better person. Its to take the bullet train of totally uncorrelated thoughts in your head and to give them a common track. And, to serendipitously discover that someone knows exactly what you feel. Number five:For money. This one is as obvious as the click-on-me ads it supports. I really have no opinion on this reason.
To tell you the truth, I blog because of all of the above reasons. Except the fifth one, atleast for now. I blog because I want to, and I think that's reason enough. Then why was I blabbering about the various reasons of blogging till now? Just so you read it, my friend. :)
One question that has crossed my mind is; Why do people blog? Nowadays, this is the same as asking why people keep journals or write books. But still, let me go through the possible reasons of blogging.Number one:Its a cool thing to do. Indeed, according to the Times Of India Sunday section, blogging is one of the ubercool activities of this generation. So, do I blog because its cool? I don't think so. Because A, many in my social circle don't know about my blog. If I wanted to be cool, I would have announced it to the world. And B, if I really wanted to do cool things, I would take salsa lessons or speed-date(These are other "cool" pastimes according to the TOI).Number two:Its a big ego booster. There's no arguing with that. After a long, tiring day, it feels good to see that my post has elicited so many responses, or that someone new likes my blog template. But lets not get carried away. Virtual popularity is not the sole reason for blogging. Atleast not for me.Number troix:Its an opportunity to yell, rant and rave. True, in a way. A blog is a place to bitch about things and get it out of our system but honestly, if that was all we did, the blogosphere would have been a lot less cheerful.Number four:Its a creativity outlet. This is the reason for which the smallest (and maybe the best) section of bloggers blog. Its the drive to make yourself a better writer, and maybe a better person. Its to take the bullet train of totally uncorrelated thoughts in your head and to give them a common track. And, to serendipitously discover that someone knows exactly what you feel. Number five:For money. This one is as obvious as the click-on-me ads it supports. I really have no opinion on this reason.
To tell you the truth, I blog because of all of the above reasons. Except the fifth one, atleast for now. I blog because I want to, and I think that's reason enough. Then why was I blabbering about the various reasons of blogging till now? Just so you read it, my friend. :)
Monday, December 04, 2006
posted by Anamika Anyone at 10:08 pm
I should have been studying...
....I just finished reading 'The Shining'. I love Stephen king books. I like horror fiction in general, actually, books or movies. In movies I like the 'Sixth Sense' kind, not the 'Scream' kind. In this field too, as always I feel that the book is usually better than the movie.Granted, horror movies provide visual effects and sounds which a book can't give outright. But with a book, its not what's given to us, its what we invoke using our imagination and hence, all the more frightening. Don't believe me? Try it. Take up a horror novel. My advice is to start with a Stephen King, whose film you haven't already seen. I had first read 'The Shining' when I was fifteen. All I remembered of that adventure was a vague plot of the story and the fact that I had never read the book after nightfall. Suddenly I felt thre urge to read it again. I started yesterday evening, read through the night until a power cut stooped me at eleven, and picked it up again this morning. What surprised me is that I was scared this time, just like I was scared at 15. I didn't shy away from reading at night (I'm a big girl now, to resort to such childish non-actions), but when the power got cut off, I remember making my bed and climbing into it rather quickly than usual, as though I wanted to evade whatever monster was out there in the dark.
My love for scary books started when I was 14 with the Goosebumps series. In one year I was reading Stephen King. Quite a leap. I was watching scary movies and geting frightened out of my wits ever since I was a little girl. Once when I was seven (I think) I thought that the profile of my Dad sleeping looked like a dormant Frankenstein. I was terrified to tears by the older neighbouring girls about the elevator-using-ghost of the late actress Divya Bharati. When I started going to PU, I watched a slew of scary movies, some truly frightening and some lame duds. ('The Exorcist' is an example of the former, 'I know what you did last summer' is for the latter) I rememeber raving about the plot of 'The sixth sense' months after watching it.
All Stephen King books, whether good or bad, bring out the child in me. I was, for example, paralyzed with fear as I read the part where 5 year old Danny Torrance thinks that the fire hose is a snake blocking his path, even though I should know better. And after I finished the book, all the common sounds of an empty(except for me) house seemed new and disconcerting to me. And of course, there was the plot of the story, to add to the tension and suspense. Wouldn't you empathise with the plight of a son running from his own insane father, who wants to bludgeon him to death? 'The Shining', 'Cujo', 'Cell', all these books have similar plot concepts. The lonely mother and toddler son trapped inside a useless car in a deserted farmhouse, compeletely under the mercy of a huge, rabid dog. The small, brave army of strangers against a multitude of reptilian human zombies. The father-mother-son trio trapped in a haunted hotel. Themes which evoke the most fear are the ones which have the love/family element in them.
Enough of this delightful banter. I end this blah with two things:
1)I typed this post using MS dos! Yes! Its nice to know that one still remembers one's high school computer lessons. Oh, one must stop sounding so British!
2)I subscribe to A Word A Day. A few days ago the word of the day was 'divers'. Sure, its the plural form of diver. But did you also know that divers is another word for diverse? If you did, kudos for you.
Anyway, the following Sunday, yesterday actually, I received another mail, publishing the comments that the subscibers had sent about the words of that week. This was what one sent:
My love for scary books started when I was 14 with the Goosebumps series. In one year I was reading Stephen King. Quite a leap. I was watching scary movies and geting frightened out of my wits ever since I was a little girl. Once when I was seven (I think) I thought that the profile of my Dad sleeping looked like a dormant Frankenstein. I was terrified to tears by the older neighbouring girls about the elevator-using-ghost of the late actress Divya Bharati. When I started going to PU, I watched a slew of scary movies, some truly frightening and some lame duds. ('The Exorcist' is an example of the former, 'I know what you did last summer' is for the latter) I rememeber raving about the plot of 'The sixth sense' months after watching it.
All Stephen King books, whether good or bad, bring out the child in me. I was, for example, paralyzed with fear as I read the part where 5 year old Danny Torrance thinks that the fire hose is a snake blocking his path, even though I should know better. And after I finished the book, all the common sounds of an empty(except for me) house seemed new and disconcerting to me. And of course, there was the plot of the story, to add to the tension and suspense. Wouldn't you empathise with the plight of a son running from his own insane father, who wants to bludgeon him to death? 'The Shining', 'Cujo', 'Cell', all these books have similar plot concepts. The lonely mother and toddler son trapped inside a useless car in a deserted farmhouse, compeletely under the mercy of a huge, rabid dog. The small, brave army of strangers against a multitude of reptilian human zombies. The father-mother-son trio trapped in a haunted hotel. Themes which evoke the most fear are the ones which have the love/family element in them.
Enough of this delightful banter. I end this blah with two things:
1)I typed this post using MS dos! Yes! Its nice to know that one still remembers one's high school computer lessons. Oh, one must stop sounding so British!
2)I subscribe to A Word A Day. A few days ago the word of the day was 'divers'. Sure, its the plural form of diver. But did you also know that divers is another word for diverse? If you did, kudos for you.
Anyway, the following Sunday, yesterday actually, I received another mail, publishing the comments that the subscibers had sent about the words of that week. This was what one sent:
I remember being puzzled as a child in Sunday School by a Bible story which told of Jesus healing those with "divers diseases". Why did he only heal the divers, I wondered, and what kind of diseases did they have? Rashes from the water? Other sicknesses from germs in the water?(I don't think I knew about the bends in the 1930s). No one else seemed to find it strange, and I was too shy to ask. It was the KingJames version, of course (Mark, 1:34).
Amazing isn't it?
Amazing isn't it?
Saturday, December 02, 2006
posted by Anamika Anyone at 3:09 pm
I'm not,but Bangaloreans certainly are. As an indignant observer of the ups and downs in the helmet rule saga in Bangalore, I have one question to ask:Do we really need the government to tell us that our heads are precious? Don't we know that if we are in an accident and not wearing a helmet, we might suffer serious head injuries,or even die?
One day the fellows making the rules say that helmets are compulsory, and suddenly everyone's driving with a helmet on. The next day, for reasons unknown, the rule is scrapped and not a soul on the road is seen with one. There are plenty of reasons people give for not wearing a helmet. It messes up my hair, its hot and uncomfortable, it causes hair loss, its not cool, etc, etc. But one reason which gets me all riled up is "I have confidence in my driving".
Let's assume Mohan is a rider who is very confident about his driving and hence, sees no occasion to wear a helmet. With all the traffic and the rule flouting drivers in the city, no rider can be controlled and in his element 24/7, but lets assume Mohan is this kind of an ubercool rider. He follows all the rules and drives safely all the time. But can he anticipate which way the speeding truck/auto/car in front of him is going to swerve? Can he tell if he's going to brake fast enough to avoid hitting a kid who runs into the middle of the street?(In my friend Rashmi's case, a pig ran into the street. She was wearing a helmet, but nonetheless, she broke some bones. Not of the pig.) Can this "I can go wrong nowhere" guy escape the inevitable potholes and other obstacles that our city keeps creating with absolutely no prior notice? I don't think so.
Last but not least, the prize for "Most lame reason" goes to:"Its my head. Why are you so bothered about it?" For the same reason that murder is a crime. After all the law can say;"Its your life. Why should I bother about it?"