The Poosa Chronicles

Mediafire - What Gives?

2007-11-15T14:51:00.001+05:30

A few months ago, after I discovered a little known treasure called Mediafire, I was happy to upload all the files I wanted to share, thanks to it's simple file hosting service. Now it's turned into quite a nightmare. I haven't lost a single file I uploaded in the past but uploading a new file is quite traumatic these days.

Here's a helpful bit of info courtesy of tech-recipes - you can search for files on Mediafire using Google:

To look for music files, use this:
Google: site:mediafire.com mp3|wma|ogg

For a specific artist, include the artist's name:
Google: site:mediafire.com mp3|wma|ogg daughtry

For a specific song, include the song name:
Google: site:mediafire.com mp3|wma|ogg "over you"

For video files, use this:
Google: site:mediafire.com asf|rm|avi|mp4|wmv|flv

For Comics, use this:
Google: site:mediafire.com cbr|cbz

To search for a specific comic title, include it in the query:
Google: site:mediafire.com cbr|cbz hulk

For archives:
Google: site:mediafire.com rar|zip

Hiru Makee Yai - Amila Perera

2007-11-14T15:29:00.000+05:30

"Hiru Makee Yai" is featured on a Sri Lankan movie soundtrack - and Amila Perera's vocals are phenomenal. Download the MP3 here.

Fake or Foto?

2007-11-07T00:35:00.001+05:30

Think you can tell which one is real and which is not?

Take this quiz and find out! I didn't do too well. Managed to get only six out of ten correct.

Final Song by Pradeep Rangana and Surendra Perera (SSS 2 Finals)

2007-11-07T00:21:00.000+05:30

Mihiraaviye - Shihan Mihiranga

2007-11-06T23:44:00.001+05:30

Song from Shihan Mihiranga's second album - and a somewhat colorful video. Quite a departure from the grey/green tones in all his previous releases.

Download the MP3.

Origami - Viking

2007-11-06T00:01:00.000+05:30

It's hard to believe this is made of paper!

Link

Beautiful Landscapes

2007-11-05T23:59:00.001+05:30

A collection of amazing landscapes from all over the world.

Interesting Web Sites

2007-10-30T02:17:00.000+05:30

Useful:
Mediafire
Free, unlimited file storing/sharing, links, multiple downloads - no sign up required. Allows creation of folders (sign up required) and no strings!

Picnik
Edit your photos (including those on Flickr, Facebook etc) at this fab site - free of charge. No registration or download required.

Self-help:
Lumosity
Improve your memory

Hilarious nonsense:
Uncyclopedia
A place to waste a few minutes wondering how insane some humans are.

Sirasa Super Star - Season 2 (SSS2)

2007-10-30T01:39:00.001+05:30

So after much pomp and pageantry, Pradeep Rangana was declared the winner of SSS2. Surendra Perera was the runner up at Saturday's final - which went on well into the wee hours of Sunday morning.

My favorite of the season was Buddhika and he was unfortunately sent off three weeks earlier.

I didn't cover this season of SSS because I just couldn't stomach listening to Uncle Kamal's incessant yapping anymore. Enough is enough, Sirasa - give that man a teledrama to act in, already!!

I felt the second season was much more planned and focused than season one. It had it's good moments too.

Here are my favorite performances by the finalists during SSS Season 2:

Pradeep Rangana

Surendra Perera

Sanka Dineth

Polar Bears on Global Warming

2007-09-27T18:15:00.000+05:30

It's a Wonderful Life

2007-09-25T12:04:00.000+05:30

One of the best films ever. Watch it or download it.

Blood Diamond

2007-09-25T11:32:00.000+05:30

Magic Bat

2007-09-18T10:07:00.001+05:30

Bizarre Stuff

2007-09-06T11:30:00.000+05:30

Statues:

See more statues

Translated signs/descriptions:

Link

A Single Sheet of Paper

2007-09-05T12:44:00.000+05:30

Link

Egypt

2007-09-04T11:47:00.000+05:30

Link

Africa

2007-08-30T12:17:00.000+05:30

Link

My Worst Nightmare

2007-08-29T11:24:00.000+05:30

Link

Gullibility Test: History and Culture

2007-08-29T11:14:00.000+05:30

CLAIM: The ancient Sumerians worshiped Ninkasi, a goddess of beer

Find out...

Alaska Sunrise

2007-08-28T11:58:00.000+05:30

Link

Rude Cat

2007-08-28T11:51:00.000+05:30

Tiger Attack

2007-08-28T11:45:00.000+05:30

Read about it here.

Just Be Yourself

2007-08-28T11:21:00.000+05:30

Ever heard that before? I did, most frequently as advice before a job interview by well-meaning friends ;)

This excellent article by Adrian Savage explores the price of conformity.

Not Your Normal Cup of Coffee

2007-08-27T11:37:00.001+05:30

Turn your cuppa into a work of art:

Link

For more conventional folks, here's something to read.

Apey Nimal

2007-08-27T11:15:00.000+05:30

This is what Nimal Siripala de Silva (Minister of Health) had to say at the ICAAP (held in Sri Lanka from August 19-23, 2007):

“I don’t want people to think I brought all of these people here (for the congress) to promote lesbianism and homosexuality. There are many nice women and handsome men in Sri Lanka,” he pointed out. “People in South-east Asia practice good sexual behaviour with single partners.”

And then, much to the horror of all those present, he went on in the same insulting manner: “When the western world was living in jungles, we were leading a civilised life.”

What a way to start a conference.......

Link

More Beautiful Photography

2007-08-23T12:30:00.000+05:30

Link

20 Famous Last Words

2007-08-23T12:25:00.000+05:30

1. Pardon me, sir. I did not do it on purpose.
Said by: Queen Marie Antoinette after she accidentally stepped on the foot of her executioner as she went to the guillotine.

2. I can’t sleep
Said by: J. M. Barrie, author of Peter Pan

3. I should never have switched from Scotch to Martinis.
Said by: Humphrey Bogart

4. I am about to — or I am going to — die: either expression is correct.
Said by: Dominique Bouhours, famous French grammarian

5. I live!
Said by: Roman Emperor, as he was being murdered by his own soldiers.

6. Dammit…Don’t you dare ask God to help me.
Said by: Joan Crawford to her housekeeper who began to pray aloud.

7. I am perplexed. Satan Get Out
Said by: Aleister Crowley - famous occultist

8. Now why did I do that?
Said by: General William Erskine, after he jumped from a window in Lisbon, Portugal in 1813.

9. Hey, fellas! How about this for a headline for tomorrow’s paper? ‘French Fries’!
Said by: James French, a convicted murderer, was sentenced to the electric chair. He shouted these words to members of the press who were to witness his execution.

10. Bugger Bognor.
Said by: King George V whose physician had suggested that he relax at his seaside palace in Bognor Regis.

11. It’s stopped.
Said by: Joseph Henry Green, upon checking his own pulse.

12. LSD, 100 micrograms I.M.
Said by: Aldous Huxley (Author) to his wife. She obliged and he was injected twice before his death.

13. You have won, O Galilean
Said by: Emperor Julian, having attempted to reverse the official endorsement of Christianity by the Roman Empire.

14. No, you certainly can’t.
Said by: John F. Kennedy in reply to Nellie Connally, wife of Governor John Connelly, commenting “You certainly can’t say that the people of Dallas haven’t given you a nice welcome, Mr. President.

15. I feel ill. Call the doctors.
Said by: Mao Zedong (Chairman of China)

16. Tomorrow, I shall no longer be here
Said by: Nostradamus

17. Hurry up, you Hoosier bastard, I could kill ten men while you’re fooling around!
Said by: Carl Panzram, serial killer, shortly before he was executed by hanging.

18. Put out the bloody cigarette!!
Said by: Saki, to a fellow officer while in a trench during World War One, for fear the smoke would give away their positions. He was then shot by a German sniper who had heard the remark.

19. Please don’t let me fall.
Said by: Mary Surratt, before being hanged for her part in the conspiracy to assassinate President Lincoln. She was the first woman executed by the United States federal government.

20. Now, now, my good man, this is no time for making enemies.
Said by: Voltaire when asked by a priest to renounce Satan.

Link

Beautiful Photographs by Kah Kit Yoong

2007-08-22T12:30:00.000+05:30

Link

How to Stop Complaining

2007-08-22T11:37:00.000+05:30

In a very well written article, Steve Pavlina provides very useful advice for chronic complainers. It's not as easy as it sounds but is a good starting point.

And it all begins with accepting responsibility:

* If I’m unhappy, it’s because I’m creating it.
* If there’s a problem in the world that bothers me, I’m responsible for fixing it.
* If someone is in need, I’m responsible for helping them.
* If I want something, it’s up to me to achieve it.
* If I want certain people in my life, I must attract and invite them to be with me.
* If I don’t like my present circumstances, I must end them.

Like I said, it's not easy but it definitely is something to work on.

Prison Break Season 3 Trailer

2007-08-22T11:35:00.001+05:30

Looks like it's going to be much more violent than the previous seasons.

Lessons to be Learnt from Harry Potter

2007-08-17T11:25:00.000+05:30

This article makes so much sense - after you read all seven books in the series, that is - it should be printed, framed and hung up on the wall instead of those corny motivational posters. Great stuff!

Curved Yellow Fruit

2007-08-15T12:25:00.000+05:30

I guess "banana" was a tad difficult to spell...

What a Beauty!

2007-08-15T12:22:00.000+05:30

Not unlike the average tabby ;) but what an absolute beauty!!

Link

Paper Yoda

2007-08-14T11:32:00.000+05:30

The Watercone: Solar Powered Water Desalinator

2007-08-14T11:24:00.000+05:30

A device that converts salty water into fresh water. Brilliant!

Read more

Military Hand Signals

2007-08-08T11:02:00.000+05:30

Jesus Christ they're Shooting at us!

Link

Amazing Digital Photos

2007-08-07T11:36:00.000+05:30

Link

2+2=?

2007-08-07T11:30:00.000+05:30

Fundamentalists: believe 2+2 =5 because It Is Written. Somewhere. They have a lot of trouble on their tax returns.

"Moderate" believers: live their lives on the basis that 2+2=4. but go regularly to church to be told that 2+2 once made 5, or will one day make 5, or in a very real and spiritual sense should make 5.

"Moderate" atheists: know that 2+2 =4 but think it impolite to say so too loudly as people who think 2+2=5 might be offended.

"Militant" atheists: "Oh for pity's sake. HERE. Two pebbles. Two more pebbles. FOUR pebbles. What is WRONG with you people?"

Link

Toyota Commercial

2007-08-06T09:58:00.000+05:30

Religion - Marcus Brigstocke

2007-08-03T10:33:00.000+05:30

100 Places To See Before You Die

2007-08-01T18:55:00.000+05:30

Link

New Guidelines for School Admission

2007-07-31T11:25:00.000+05:30

I had to read this twice just to see if it was real. Of course it is. After all, the Supreme Court did approve the draft on Monday (yesterday). How could it not be real?

So now the pressure is all on the child - all of five (or six) years old - to meet the standards set by the assessment process. 25 marks each for intelligence and aptitude. The balance 50 is allocated for parents/siblings. It all sounds very bizarre.

The last para was just outstanding:

"The independent selection committee of each school will comprise two representatives from the school past pupils` association, two from the school development society (not being teachers), the principal or his representative being a deputy principal or senior teacher, a representative of the zonal director of education and an eminent well-wisher of the school not being a person involved in politics."

That certainly sounds very "independent" to me. I'm sure that all members of this panel including the "eminent well-wisher" are going to be the least corrupt human beings in Sri Lanka.

Irony

2007-07-31T11:09:00.001+05:30

Looks Like Rain

2007-07-31T10:38:00.000+05:30

"How to Predict the Weather Without a Forecast" is a very interesting article that describes ten easy steps to follow. I am going to try this out out - starting with Step 8 (0bserving animals) - will update in a week.

Words You Won't Hear on the BBC

2007-07-30T10:32:00.000+05:30

Swear words ranked according to severity:

Link

Demotivational Posters

2007-07-30T10:29:00.000+05:30

I Don't Think She's Coming Back

2007-07-26T11:48:00.000+05:30

Atlas of Faiths

2007-07-25T11:31:00.000+05:30

Link (via Digg)

Scotch Tape Sculptures

2007-07-25T11:05:00.000+05:30

See more pics

Graffiti

2007-07-20T12:18:00.000+05:30

Link

15 Unfortunately Placed Advertisements

2007-07-20T12:15:00.000+05:30

Link

Beautiful Wildlife Photographs

2007-07-20T12:10:00.000+05:30

Link

Word of the Day

2007-07-20T11:57:00.000+05:30

Sapiosexual
- One who finds intelligence the most sexually attractive feature.

"I want an incisive, inquisitive, insightful, irreverent mind. I want someone for whom philosophical discussion is foreplay. I want someone who sometimes makes me go ouch due to their wit and evil sense of humor. I want someone that I can reach out and touch randomly. I want someone I can cuddle with.

I decided all that means that I am sapiosexual."

This isn't as grand as "truthiness" but a good one to slip into a conversation nonetheless.

How Start a Fire Using Water

2007-07-20T11:50:00.000+05:30

Had a lab partner in school who liked doing stuff like this. Sometimes I wonder what happened to him...

Random Stuff

2007-07-20T11:11:00.000+05:30

Firefox 3.0 - here's a preview of things to come. I'm quite happy with the version I'm using now but some of those features are attractive.

Turns out Commercial Bank has been declared the Best Bank in Sri Lanka. I beg to differ. I'm not a corporate client but thanks to a job I held sometime back I had no choice but to open an account at this particular bank and the customer service has been nothing short of appalling. From rude managers to stoned-looking front desk staff, I have never wasted more hours of my life waiting in line to deposit money or make a payment than at a ComBank branch. Times have changed and I have moved on to more customer friendly places like Sampath and Nations Trust...but the memory of standing in a queue one day for half an hour and then being impolitely informed that the banks' computer network "down" and payments cannot be accepted that day will linger for the rest of my life.

An on-going dispute over teachers' salaries may result in the teachers boycotting work during this year's Advanced Level exam. Love those trade unions that decide to take a stand right before an important event.

Forever Live and Die - OMD

2007-07-20T11:07:00.000+05:30

Here's a blast from the past:

Now I remember what a great song it was and still is!

Perfect Happiness Requires Perfect Ignorance

2007-07-16T11:30:00.001+05:30

Sense

2007-07-13T12:41:00.000+05:30

I agree.

Link

Ever Wondered Where "#" Came From?

2007-07-11T12:41:00.000+05:30

The octothorp "#" - is s symbol that was originally used in mapmaking - representing a village surrounded by eight fields.

Read more fascinating facts about this and the origin of other symbols including this little gem about Prince:

In 1993, Prince’s dissatisfaction with his record label, Warner Bros., finally reached its peak. Despite his superstar status and $100 million contract, the Purple One didn’t feel he had enough creative control over his music. So "in protest," Prince announced that Prince would never perform for Warner Bros. again - this unpronounceable symbol would instead.

The symbol for the Artist Formerly Known as Prince combined three ancient symbols: the male symbol, the female symbol, and the alchemy symbol for soapstone, which was supposed to reflect his artistic genius. Prince retired the symbol when his contract with Warner Bros. ran out in 2000. Today, he is again Prince.

Karma

2007-07-11T11:50:00.000+05:30

(via Digg)

Relationship Issues

2007-07-05T11:29:00.001+05:30

Ring Around Supernova - HubbleSite Photo

2007-07-04T11:51:00.001+05:30

Link

Mind Games

2007-07-03T11:46:00.000+05:30

I came across a list of things you can do to get rid of toothache, acidity and stop a nosebleed. Here's how you solve a very common problem:

"Need to pee? No bathroom nearby? You are male? Then fantasize...
Thinking about sex preoccupies your brain, so you won't feel as much discomfort, says Larry Lipshultz, M.D., chief of male reproductive medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine."

Link

10 Most Bizarre People on Earth

2007-07-03T10:18:00.000+05:30

Whoever compiled this list obviously had no knowledge of the existence of my former schoolmates and colleagues....

The only familiar story on this list was that of Mehran, who inspired the movie The Terminal.

Your Song - Elton John (Live Performance)

2007-07-02T12:44:00.001+05:30

Nail Art

2007-07-02T11:06:00.000+05:30

What the World Eats

2007-06-28T12:41:00.000+05:30

Collection of photographs from around the world (surprisingly nothing from South Asia) featuring families and a list of their favorite food (including "pig's knuckles with carrots") plus weekly expenses.

Link

I'm Glad....

2007-06-28T12:37:00.000+05:30

...this never happened to me....

If You Could Only See - Emerson Hart

2007-06-28T12:30:00.000+05:30

Great acoustic version of an old favorite.

Sri Lanka's First Ever Porn Shop

2007-06-28T12:27:00.001+05:30

I like the "Deshiya - Videshiya" part ;)

If Fire Was Made of Water

2007-06-28T12:25:00.000+05:30

More pictures

Wis.dm - Questions, Questions and More Questions

2007-06-28T10:56:00.000+05:30

I came across Wis.dm by accident and spent a good hour or so browsing the questions and comments. Very entertaining stuff and it certainly is a new version of "social networking".

Sri Lankan Maid Sentenced to Death in Saudi Arabia

2007-06-26T12:09:00.000+05:30

Rizana Nasik was 17 years old when she allegedly murdered a four-month-old infant in Saudi Arabia. Two years later (June 2007), she was sentenced to death by a Saudi court. Details about her trial are vague and as usual, not many people are interested in getting any further facts about her case.

Nasik, who was underage at the time she left Sri Lanka, had changed her age in her passport to gain employment in SA. As usual the embassy is going to appeal the death sentence but have passed the buck to local job agents for sending underage girls to work in the Middle East.

So many migrant workers have had their heads chopped off in SA that this news item is hardly surprising - what gets me is the attitude of the Sri Lankan embassy in SA with regard to the life of a young woman who was underage at the time of employment. Since when did life become so cheap? Oh wait - it's not "cheap" as long as the riyals keep rolling in.....

Please visit AHRC link

Meow!

2007-06-21T12:19:00.001+05:30

See more crazy feline pics

Amazing Art

2007-06-20T11:32:00.000+05:30

Link

Link

Calvin & Hobbes - God

2007-06-20T10:34:00.000+05:30

Link (via reddit)

Cinderella - Amila Perera

2007-06-20T09:54:00.000+05:30

Amila Perera performed two songs at Sirasa's 9th anniversary program - Cinderella(originally by Kithsiri Jayasekera) and "Sanda Hangila".

Photographic Evidence That Proves Humans and Dinos Co-existed

2007-06-19T10:32:00.000+05:30

Link (via Boing Boing)

How To Properly Place People in Jobs:

2007-06-18T10:53:00.000+05:30

1. Put 400 bricks in a closed room.
2. Put people being assessed in the room and close the door.
3. Leave them alone and come back after 6 hours.
4. Then analyze the situation:

* If they are counting the bricks, put them in the Accounting Department.
* If they are recounting them, put them in Auditing.
* If they have messed up the whole place with the bricks, put them in Engineering.
* If they are arranging the bricks in some strange order, put them in Planning.
* If they are throwing the bricks at each other, put them in Operations.
* If they are sleeping, put them in Security.
* If they have broken the bricks into pieces, put them in Information Technology.
* If they are sitting idle, put them in Human Resources.
* If they say they have tried different combinations, they are looking for more, yet not a brick has been moved, put them in Sales.
* If they have already left for the day, put them in Marketing.
* If they are staring out of the window, put them in Strategic Planning.
* If they are talking to each other, and not a single brick has been moved, congratulate them and put them in Senior Management.
* Finally, if they have surrounded themselves with bricks in such a way that they can neither be seen nor heard from, put them in Government.

Link

Paul Potts - Semi Final Perfomance

2007-06-15T10:15:00.000+05:30

How did this man end up selling phones for a living when he has a voice like that??!!

Watch his audition on BGT where he sings "Nessun Dorma".

Physical Oxymoron

2007-06-11T12:15:00.000+05:30

Absurd yet memorable.

Link

Paul Potts on "Britain Has Got Talent"

2007-06-11T11:00:00.000+05:30

Paul Potts sells mobile phones for a living. And sings like....well, nothing like I have heard on a TV talent show before - ever.

How to Identify a Fascist Society

2007-06-08T11:55:00.000+05:30

In an article titled "Fascism Anyone?," political scientist Dr. Lawrence Britt identified 14 characteristics of fascism:

1.. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism – Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.

2.. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights – Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to ‘look the other way’ of even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

3.. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause – The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe; racial, ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists; terrorists, etc.

4.. Supremacy of the Military – Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.

5.. Rampant Sexism – The government if fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation and national policy.

6.. Controlled Mass Media – Sometimes the media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or through sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in wartime, is very common.

7.. Obsession with National Security – Fear is used as a motivation tool by the government over the masses.

8.. Religion and Government are Intertwined – Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government’s policies or actions.

9.. Corporate Power is Protected – The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders in power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.

10.. Labor Power is Suppressed – Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely or are severely suppressed.

11.. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts – Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts is openly attacked, and governments often refuse to fund the arts.

12.. Obsession with Crime and Punishment – Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses, and even forego civil liberties, in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.

13.. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption – Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions, and who use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability.

14.. Fraudulent Elections – Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against (or even the assassination of) the opposition candidates, the use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and the manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.

Link

The Zoomquil

2007-06-07T10:33:00.000+05:30

An outstanding art project. This is really stunning - each picture has minute details and it takes several views to take it all in!

Power Cuts?

2007-06-06T11:55:00.000+05:30

A delay in the May-August monsoon may result in mandatory power cuts, according to the CEB.

It all depends on a very simple formula: No Rain = Power Cuts

What's with this dependence on hydro-electricity anyway?! What happened to looking for alternatives?

Thanks to political interference and vicious opposition from religious groups and environmentalists, a much hyped construction of a coal plant on the West coast was delayed for several years. Now it's on track again. But it's not going to solve the impending power crisis anytime soon.

Life in Sri Lanka is tough enough with electricity - what with the war and all. In addition to the various security risks that would arise during power cuts, there's nothing worse than trying to sleep in a mosquito infested house without electricity. I should know - there was a time when power cuts lasted six hours in the night and it wasn't a pleasant experience.

Yet Another Great Photo by National Geographic

2007-06-06T11:29:00.000+05:30

Link

Question Everything

2007-06-05T11:43:00.000+05:30

Road of Death - Bolivia

2007-06-04T11:37:00.000+05:30

From : The Top 5 Most Dangerous Roads in the World

Beautiful Wildlife Photographs

2007-06-04T11:30:00.000+05:30

Link

8 Year Old Serial Killer

2007-06-04T11:18:00.000+05:30

I saw a brief news story on NDTV during the weekend that left me speechless. An eight year old boy in Bihar, India has confessed to killing three children (all under the age of one) during the past year.

"The police claim that Amardeep Sada has been charged with strangling and then smashing the child's head with a brick before burying her body at Manopurmusahari village in Begusarai district on Tuesday.

The boy's uncle admitted that he had earlier killed another infant sister of his six months ago and a cousin about a year ago." Link

What else can I say except - WTF??

Global Peace Index

2007-06-04T10:30:00.000+05:30

So now there's an index for peace. Compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit, it comprises of 24 indicators which measure both internal and external "peacefulness" of nations. The moment I read that I knew Sri Lanka was not going to be in the top 50. Turns out SL way down on the index at No. 111. The US isn't all that "peaceful" either - at No. 96.

The Index is topped by Norway. No surprise there. The highest ranked Asian country Japan is 5th; Canada is No. 8 and Germany is outside the top ten (12th). Italy (33rd), France (34th), and the United Kingdom (49th) rank in the top half of the table.

The Global Peace Index reveals that countries that had a turbulent time for parts of the 20th century, such as Ireland (4th) and Austria (10th), have emerged as peace leaders in the 21st century.

Link

Whose Line is it Anyway?

2007-05-31T11:35:00.000+05:30

One of the best programs on tv - ever. I like both the UK and US versions.

Party Quirks:

Dubbing:

Passive Aggresive Notes

2007-05-24T09:48:00.000+05:30

A collection of notes left by roommates, office colleagues and neighbors (and even relatives).

On a microwave:

Office fridge:

Link

Gmail Increases Maximum Attachment Size to 20MB

2007-05-23T10:22:00.000+05:30

About time they did. I was getting quite annoyed with the 10MB limit. Sometimes I was able to send a 12MB file and sometimes not. I managed to send out 15MB without a hitch this morning - great!

Saturn Backlit by the Sun

2007-05-22T11:41:00.000+05:30

Link

Tigo Ad

2007-05-22T11:19:00.000+05:30

Tigo (previously called Celltel in Sri Lanka) launched a series of very cool ads in Sri Lanka this year. Here is my favorite:

Beautiful Dog

2007-05-21T09:58:00.000+05:30

Link

Thou Puny Milk-livered Mammet

2007-05-21T09:20:00.000+05:30

That's right - get your own personalised Shakespeare insult right here.

One Good Dose Deserves Another

2007-05-17T11:40:00.000+05:30

House and Wilson at their best.

French AIDS PSA's - Disturbingly Erotic

2007-05-17T11:32:00.000+05:30

As far as Public Service Announcements go, this one certainly makes you look at it a little longer.

And about that not-so-clear message it's trying to convey.......

What message? Oh the "unsafe sex with creepy crawlies is bad for you" thing? Sure. It does.