…

Many people spend time studying the properties of animals or herbs; how much more important it would be to study those of people, with whom we must live or die!

- Baltasar Gracian

Beneath The Bleeding – Val McDermid

Just got done with this crime novel. Well paced. Enjoyed reading this one.

Will be reading more from the series in a few days. Surya was kind enough to locate the complete series and share it with me (Thanks). Although I doubt she will enjoy reading this herself.

10.2 - No Google Search In Extended Search Options - Solved

Thanks Surya…

In case you find the Google Search option missing in Extended Search settings, here is the fix:

• Settings > Security and Privacy > Parental Controls.
• Switch Parental Controls On and then Off.
• You should now have the Search Engine options in Extended Search settings.

How Parental Controls are linked to Extended Search settings… no clue. But this seems to fix it.

No Signs Of Intelligent Life

OS 10.2

Just updated to 10.2. No issues with the update (a few users complained about lost contacts etc… I can't seem to understand how that could happen, given that this is an extremely simple process. Curious to know what went wrong).

What I like:

• Interactive Lock Screen Notifications - Super convenient. Earlier, the Lock Screen would only show the number of messages (4 emails, 2 missed calls, 10 BBMs etc). With Interactive Lock Screen Notifications, you can tap on said notifications and get the details (From, Subject, Message) without having to unlock the phone.
• Toast Notifications - Not just being notified of an incoming message (email/Text/BBM), but whatever screen or app you may be on - you now see the message as well - without leaving your present screen (I am guessing if it is a long message, then only a preview would show, but so far worked fine for BBM's and Text messages). Oh… and you can even reply from the Toast Notification itself (without having to leave your present screen).
• Visual Theme - Finally the option to choose between Dark Theme / Light Theme.

There was a bit of an issue with getting message previews for BBM working properly (Toast Notifications). Easy fix:

• Settings > Notifications.
• Scroll to BBM.
• Instant Previews – Set to Off.
• Exit Settings.
• Settings > Notifications.
• Scroll to BBM.
• Instant Previews – Set to On.

TOI / TNN And Stuti Agarwal Should Be Sued

Link

Crappy reporting aside, this is just wrong. TNN and Stuti Agarwal should not be allowed to get away with printing such filth. Pathetic reporting.

This is supposed to be a news website! It is NOT your personal blog.

I find this offensive… and I don't even like the show… let alone any of the contestants!

Truce In Washington

It’s Not About Me, It’s All About India: Manasi Moghe

"

"It's a very big responsibility and I have spent every single moment since my crowning, preparing for it. I was never as busy as I am now. From 7 in the morning to 10 at night, all I do is prepare for the pageant. It's not about me anymore, it's only about India. I have to bring the crown home," she says

Link

[Sarcasm]

Right!

You know why I smoke? So the tobacco farmers have jobs and can send their kids to school. Yes. That's why I smoke. It's not about me anymore. It's only about those kids!

[/Sarcasm]

Kuchch baaten stage par hi achchi lagti hain. Please zyaada bakwaas na karen.

Seema Sinha (TOI) Gives Us Another Blinding Glimpse Of The Obvious

Link

[Sarcasm]

Trust, Communication, Forgiveness, Giving Space, Friendship…. Who would have figured that these revolutionary / novel concepts are instrumental in maintaining a healthy relationship! Ufff. What an enlightening article! Deep! Profound! Groundbreaking Journalism!

Crappy Reporting

"

There are different ways to promote a film and superstar Aamir Khan, known for innovation, plans to pitch for 'Dhoom 3' by using the music of the movie as his caller tune.

Link

So the guy likes the music… decides to put it up as his caller tune… how is this supposed to be a PROMOTION campaign? I mean, unless Aamir or TOI decide to publish Aamir's cell number (so people can call up and listen to the music and perhaps have a talk with Aamir or whoever is holding the bloody handset).

Zabardasti 'news' banaa dete ho. Kabhi to akal se kaam liya karo!

iPhone Underwear !?!

Thanks BVG…

Wtf!

Zinda Hoon Iss Tarah Ki Gham-E-Zindagi Nahin

Behzad Lucknawi…

Zinda hoon iss tarah ki gham-e-zindagi nahin 
Jalta hua diya hoon magar roshni nahin

Wo muddaten hui hain kisi se juda hue 
Lekin ye dil ki aag abhi tak bujhi nahin

Aane ko aa chukaa thaa kinaara bhi saamne 
Khud uss ke paas meri hi nayyaa gai nahin

Hoton ke paas aaye hansi , kya majaal hai 
Dil ka muaamalaa hai koi dillagi nahin

Ye chaand ye havaa ye fiza, sab hai maand maand 
Jo tu nahin to in mein koi dil-kashi nahin

Sharp Objects - Gillian Flynn

Page-turner. A very disturbing book / story.

This was a good read, but after reading this and Gone Girl, I feel that Gillian Flynn should get a psychological evaluation (may be more than one). Here is one mind - I feel to be more scary and messed up than my own (not a compliment).

Sadhu Dreams Of Buried Gold… UP Government Sends ASI Team To Start Digging

"

The excavation is triggered by a local sadhu or sage who says he dreamt that 1000 tonnes of gold are buried under the ruins of a palace…

Yogi Swami Shobhan Sarkar says the gold he dreamt of belonged to a nineteenth-century ruler, Rao Ram Bux Singh. He wrote to the Reserve Bank of India, suggesting that the government use the treasure to help India recover from its economic slowdown.

The Archaeological Survey of India has sent a team of archaeologists to the village of Daundia Khera in Uttar Pradesh. They plan to dig two 100-square-metre blocks beside the palace.

Link

*Rolls eyes. Bangs Head Against The Wall

And I have this recurring dream that the public - in general - and public officials - in specific – have somehow managed to grow a brain and are now capable of exhibiting a certain basic level of intelligence.

Well… one can always dream.

The Back Up Plan

Kuwait Censor

Censoring Archie comics…

I do wish they would use something other than a marker pen… here is why:

• Hardly effective (picture above).
• Ruins the text printed on the next page (highlighted in the picture below)!

---

Whoever is responsible for this censorship is rather liberal with the use of the 'Censor Pen'… but s/he isn't consistent or thorough.

• The picture above highlights the liberal (and at times unnecessary) use of the 'Censor Pen'.
• The picture below is from the same volume… and … well it's self explanatory.

Bollywood – Just Keeps Getting Worse

Ye lyrics hain!? Ye Choreography hai?! Karan Johar - doob ke mar jaa!

Seriously, how bad does it have to get before someone finally puts a stop to this?!

Pathetic!

Uff… Zaalim!

Speechless…

CaseCollage

"

CaseCollage for iPhone 5c provides an interactive way to add personality and design for the new 5c case. Use the case holes as frames for your artwork, friends, and interests. Merely create and print for endless custom cases.

Link

A bit disturbing to know that someone would spend time coming up with a pointless app like this. Even MORE disturbing to know that people are actually using such a pointless app!

If you also have some time to waste, here is the video:

Satyagrah

Nautanki…

It was bad enough that we had to put up with Anna - and his chamchaas – hijacking the digital media. Took a while, but thankfully it came to an end (seriously, that was just bad television and horrible reporting). I don't think there was any need to repeat the drama on the cinema screen.

Just like Anna's 'movement', this film is - Crap. Waste of time. Pointless. Idiotic…

Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn

Not what I was expecting. Definitely a good read. It took a few chapters before this turned into an amazing page-turner (for me).

Felt a lot of different… <emotions / feelings / degrees of rage>, while reading this book (can't call it 'emotions'… just a feeling). Will be reading this one again.

Wataniya Recharge Offer

Link

The Silent Wife - A.S.A. Harrison

It wasn't too bad to read, but I did find it rather girly. The plot is predictable (in my view), yet manages to maintain reasonable interest. Not really a thriller or a page-turner.

I was a bit disappointed with Jodi's character. Not nearly as intelligent as I had anticipated (the character is a qualified and practicing psychiatrist). She comes across as fragile / needy as opposed to intelligent and headstrong. At times she even comes across as incapable and err… for lack of a better word - stupid.

Bandook

Waste of time. Don't bother.

Obama Care And Shutdown

Zanjeer

Zanjeer... Ye Kya Banaa Diya Yaar! by rajlord

Horrible film. Don't watch

'Community Packs' From Wataniya

Link

TOI Rehashing Articles

Some idiotic incidents are difficult to forget. It's even more difficult to miss out when they get rehashed.

• 16-09-2013 - Drinking tea can't be a crime: Bombay HC
• 02-10-2013 - Man arrested for sipping tea ‘suspiciously’, HC slams cops

There is little difference in the text of the articles. Definitely not enough to justify a fresh article for the same story.

---

The 2nd October article states:

"

However, the bench of Justices S C Dharmadhikari and Gautam Patel disagreed with the prosecution. "There seems to be very little justification for the impugned orders or even for taking the view the police claim they did. Why exactly his behaviour was thought to be suspicious, we are not told. We are only told that he has a very long line of criminal cases," the bench said earlier this month.

What exactly do you mean by earlier this month?? Do you mean 1st of October? That is the only possible date that could be 'earlier this month'.