Blue screen of Death

That proverbial blue screen of death happened to me during shut down minutes ago. Much to my annoyance, I had actually reformatted my VAIO just days ago… so these hang ups shouldn’t happen. But it did and so far, I am pretty satisfied with my Sony. A couple close shaves with crashes in the past year but somehow this laptop has this canny ability to resurrect itself. I’m playing safe now… regular back ups. I am somehow amused by Microsoft’s acknowledgement of this particular way operating systems go to computer heaven.

Live Unbuttoned

The rains that blew through this morning cooled and stablised the air so much that all the landings were greasers. One of those exceptional days that remind you about the joys of flight. As I was packing up to leave the flight deck, I saw my haphazardly folded chart in my bag. These charts are issued to us on a regular basis because of constant updates and changes to its content. So its something that is use-and-throw-when-outdated.

What struck me about most was the way I folded it this time round. For the many years I have used this chart, I have always folded them along the original seams, so that its nice, prim and proper. But not this time round. I think this reflects a subtle change in me. About there can la. No need to be anal about little things like that in life. Gotta live unbuttoned like that Levi’s ad says.

Architecture Fiver

I chanced upon a couple of these 5 Euro coins in a hobby shop today. Just had to buy them. First read about this uber-cool-design coin on productdose dot com. A website I frequent just for the fun of it.

Here’s something about the coin from the Royal Dutch Mint’s website.

The Architecture five-euro coin was designed by artist Stani Michiels (b. 1973). The design on the obverse of the coin pays tribute to the history of Dutch architecture, with the portrait of Queen Beatrix being distinctively constructed using the names of important architects from Dutch history. The artist used the internet as a popularity-meter to determine the names’ order of appearance.

The reverse of the Architecture five-euro coin draws attention to the striking fact that many Dutch architects have also included publishing books on architecture in their professional activities. To illustrate this phenomenon, recent books on architecture rise up from the sides of the coin like buildings. Through their careful placement they combine to outline the Netherlands, while birds’ silhouettes suggest the capitals of all the provinces.

The detailing on the coin is superb. Cool huh.

Blair Deux

Just about a year ago, I was here for a Defence Relations exercise. Here I am again. I like it here even though things are still rather backward.. kind of a short break away from the hectic life back home. Here’s a little photoessay.

The ‘Orchard Road’ of Port Blair. Blairbucks where you can get a tea for 4 Rupees. Intrepid me taking a shot in the middle of the road… notice how Jimmy is shying away from me. Traffic there is horrendous. People drive and ride on the wrong side of the road, expecting the on-coming vehicles who have the right of way… to give way. Not for the faint hearted! Charms… what do you have in store I wonder?

Provision shop with prices of all the commodities listed on a chalk board. Me with an nonchalant looking evil green kangaroo.

Port Blair’s runway. Airlifted donuts!