Obama urges students to work hard, stay in school

This was the speech that some idiots thought will turn into Socialists or whatever that means. But I think it was one of the best speeches to inspire students to take charge of their lives and be what they want to be. It does not matter who tells you to study and work hard. It is important to work hard to be someone who brings change. President did bring a change in this country by working hard. Let's all just work hard and achieve want to achieve. Yes We Can and We Will!

Go Mercury!

Last Saturday was my friend B's birthday and for the birthday celebration we went for WNBA game Phoenix, Mercury Vs. Indiana, Fever. I have been following basketball for more than two years now but it was my first WNBA game. And it was just fantastic. The game itself was fast paced and very professional. But what I loved about the game was being in the stadium with all those cheering female fans. From 5 to 75, all age groups were present and equally vocal about the game. They were die hard fans of Mercury and perhaps much better than SUNS fans. They were cheering and shouting and dancing and enjoying themselves like anything.

I though the Mercury Hip Hop Squad was way much better than SUNS dancers. The overall experience was much more friendly and warm and informal than the one at SUNS game. Of course I love SUNS but the people who come for the games are big, rich guys who don't really like the camaraderie with the school kids like me. But at the Mercury this thing was completely opposite. There was long time Mercury supporters who were equally welcoming to the neophytes like me.

I loved the game though we lost. But the spirit was alive throghout. Any time I see women in sports I feel powerful myself :) Girl thing, I guess. I told V that from next year we are going to support Mercury as hard as we support SUNS. Go Mercury!

Twilight

I just finished up reading Twilight. I was very curious about it as it has become a big book sensation. I am very proud of myself to finish it up in two days while working full time :)So here are some thoughts. The book is not bad but of course it's more directed towards teenagers. I did not like it that much. First of all I knew it was about a vampire and a human who fall in love. So that surprise was taken away. Secondly, it was too mushy mushy for a vampire story. I like my Vampires bloody and scary. I love Vampire stories and even own some of the classic vampire movies. I am huge fan of Bram Stroker's Dracula. I have read the book, listened to the audio book and have seen the movie couple of times. It's a legendary story with serious tone.
But Twilight is not bad at all. May be I will finish reading all the four books of the saga. May be they will get scary and bloody, the way I love my Vampires :P
But as of now, I think its worth trying. I am ready to watch movie. So I will get back with the movie review soon.

Confessions of a Wokaholic

When you enjoy being busy all the time, it sucks when you don't have much to do some days. I am a self proclaimed workaholic. I enjoy the day when it's filled with reading, writing, home working , learning new softwares. As soon as one of these elements is missing, I go crazy. Some people get kicks from alcohol , I get kicks from working on at least 3 projects at the same time. I believe that when I get paid for working for 8 hours I need to have work for at least 10 hours. There is nothing being "Morally High" about it, it's just simple addiction to be busy ,creatively.
That's why I enjoy when school is is in session. Full time class load and research work keeps me quite occupied for the six months. I found that I am most productive when I am drowning in work. I not only perform well at professional life but I am happy and healthy in personal life. I find time to write blogs, read new novels, call family and friends, watch X files re-runs and try new cuisines. But all this kind of comes to a halt during vacation. Of course I enjoy vacations when they are about a week long. But there after I need to rush back to work.

I think this flows in blood. My father completed his law degree and another masters while working full time as an officer of the law. I have seen him coming home late and then studying for all those degrees. It always made me worship being productive and busy. I have many friends in school, who work full time and go to school full time and manage children at school. Kudos to them. It's lot of work but hey, they enjoy all this work.

Conclusion, give me more work :)

Tired of Summer!

Phoenix summer is definitely hot, burning and tiring. Of course I don't like to admit it to my friends up north as they enjoy nice weather and great summer clothes. I do wear summer clothes but when there is heat warning, it's better to cover yourself up to avoid sun burns. Summer is an extremely lazy time to start anything new.Since the day we came back from Home, I have been trying to get onto on exercise routine. It worked for first two weeks but then I just became lazy and tired and gave up all the exercise. These days I come home from work and just lie on sofa and watch "The X files" back to back.

Most of my evenings are spent sleeping for two hours and then getting up realizing that it's already night. I have even stopped cooking regular dinner. Not that I enjoy cooking every day but eating out at this time is also boring. Even at 830 pm the temperature is about 100F. And of course lunch is outside most of the time. But I hate walking at noon when its burning out there.

Work is good and I like to write but as the day passes by, I start dozing off and they close the Starbucks in Downtown Campus at 3pm!!!! It's maddening especially when I am trying to get work done. So I don't work efficiently. In all I am ready to be done with Summer. The fall in Phoenix is beautiful. I love it. As for me, I need to stop cribbing and get back to work and try to hope for a good week end. Well, that's the only thing keeps me going these days :)

The King of Pop has Exited the Stage!

MJ is dead! Someone told me at work and I thought he was joking. I was just looking forward to MJ's comeback in UK and even planned to go for a show when he performs in United States. But now it's going to be watching his videos on Youtube again and again. I still can't believe that he is no more. For fans like me and million more he was and the only King of Pop. My first experience to Western Music at the age of 8 was to listen to Thriller and then watching the Video of Thriller. I was so exited about the song that I tried to copy the moves (which was a very poor effort). My Father was a huge Jackson fan and along with Indian Classical, MJ's music was an integral part of my childhood.

Sometime in high school I read about his childhood and life and how he became a true Superstar. I was completely moved by his story and wanted to visit Neverland Ranch sometime in my life. Who knows if that's possible now!

Music has tremendous power to change people. As someone told to CNN MJ's music gave him a reason to be happy even with an empty stomach. I am sure there are thousands of stories like this people would like to share.

His music, lyrics, dance and performance was so magnificent that even if you are not a big fan of being in a crowd you would love to be a part of his crowd. I don't know a single person who has not listed to Thriller at least 100 times in his life. That's what we call Legacy. Even after watching many more pop stars, listening really good pop music and dancing to the tune of new hits; Jackson is the only person who makes me dance anytime and every time I listen to him.

Last year I was at a conference and we had a dance night. Some of us were enjoying being on the floor but not everyone was a part of it. But as soon as the DJ put on Thriller every single one from the room jumped to the dance floor. What else can I say about the magic of Jackson.

Jackson's life has been a tragedy. Numerous health issues, drub abuse and court cases. He has a very unhappy childhood. Someone said "He sacrificed his childhood to give us ours". How true!

Even if Michael is no longer with us, his creation will last forever. The music and the magic continues...Rest in Peace, Michael Jackson!

This can happen to ME

Long-Borrowed Library Book Will Be Hard to Forget Now