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By this point, as virtually everyone knows, Mitt Romney has fed a stereotype of himself as an out-of-touch plutocrat through a series of comments the news media have labeled "gaffes."
The word gaffe, of course, as Michael Kinsley once observed, has at least two meanings: the generally used one of something that's a social faux pas, and the Washington one, which the journalist said was "someone telling the truth by accident."
Romney's gaffes thus have fallen in the second category. He has inadvertently reminded voters that he's a very wealthy man even as his campaign has tried to give him the common touch.
There are the jeans and open-collared shirts and the photo a Romney son tweeted not so long ago of Romney making a repair on the campaign bus with duct tape, for instance.
Whether it was his unfortunately phrased comment a few weeks ago that started with his saying he wasn't concerned about very poor people, or his statement during his visit to Daytona, Fla., over the weekend that he's no fan of NASCAR but knows some of the wealthy owners of racing teams, Romney continues to add to his gaffe supply.
What's interesting about the Romney situation is that a presidential candidate's revelations of his wealth haven't always been seen as a gaffe. Anything but.
In fact, Americans generally haven't shown an antipathy to wealthy politicians running for president or even rich presidents.
Indeed, many presidents have been superwealthy, a point made by the 24/7 Wall Street site, which examined the net worth of the nation's 44 presidents. George Washington, for instance, had an estimated worth of more than $500 million in current dollars, which would make him the wealthiest president.
In the last century the Roosevelts and the Kennedys were men of great wealth, too, which did little to hurt their popularity.
That probably was in part because it was easier for a trustbusting progressive Republican and for Democrats to demonstrate that they were for the common man owing to their more populist party platforms. As a 21st century Republican who wants to be the standard-bearer for his party, Romney offers a prescription for helping average Americans that leans more toward the free market than toward government action.
In part, maybe it was also because those past presidents carried their wealth fairly lightly. John F. Kennedy even joked about his family's wealth and his father's political uses of it by telling voters of a telegram the family patriarch sent him that supposedly said, "Dear Jack: Don't buy a single vote more than is necessary. I'll help you win this election, but I'll be damned if I'm going to pay for a landslide!"
If Kennedy had said in Detroit during the 1960 campaign that Jackie Kennedy owned two Cadillacs, it's hard to imagine it would've had the negative fallout of Romney's comment.
In certain ways, however, Romney may be a target because he has seemed uneasy about his wealth. The whole back-and-forth over his tax returns, for instance, helped further that sense.
And then there is Romney's at-times awkward campaign moments. His comment about wife Anne's two Cadillacs came during a passage in his speech when he repeated his trope about the trees in Michigan being the "right height," which almost made it look as though he was caricaturing his own alleged hypertendency to pander.
For a candidate already facing the authenticity question, that has probably fed into his problems. That, along with the fact that his "likability" factor has fallen the more voters have gotten to know him, probably make it easier for the news media and his opponents to seize on these gaffes.
Brad Phillips, a former broadcast journalist who now runs a media training firm, thinks the answer for the former Massachusetts governor is to unleash his inner multimillionaire. That would allow him to finally relax and could help boost his genuineness quotient. An excerpt from Phillips' Mr.MediaTraining blog post:
"I understand why Mr. Romney's advisers didn't want him to run as a 'rich guy' candidate. With income inequality at record-high levels and Romney's image as a corporate raider, his wealth could easily be viewed as a campaign-killing liability. But Mr. Romney's chronic gaffes have rendered that strategy impossible. It's time for Romney to start running as the person he really is: a rich guy." 'Rich guy' candidates often win. Jon Corzine served as both Senator and Governor from New Jersey, and Michael Bloomberg is serving his third term as New York City mayor. And although he didn't win, billionaire Ross Perot led the polls during his 1992 presidential run. But all three candidates used their wealth as a positive talking point, convincing voters that their wealth allowed them to serve without being compromised. Mr. Romney hasn't sold himself on a similar promise."Copyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.


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Turkey Spanakopita Burger and Fries with Yogurt Dip |
She's here!!! Born in Glen Falls, New York, Rachael Domenica Ray, grew up with restaurant-owning parents, who helped nurture her interest not only in everything related to food but also the business side. She must have sprung out of the womb with a gleaming smile and a positive attitude. Rachel worked as a manager at many different food companies, including the fresh foods department at Macy's, and Mister Brown's Pub at a popular hotel, The Sagamore, in upstate New York. You can find out everything you ever wanted to know about her life here on her website. Whether you love her or are a "hater" all of Rachel's achievements have amounted to her not only becoming a household name, but acquiring an estimated net worth of millions in the double digits. Even if you have one foot heavily in the "hater" camp we all know who she is! For a small town girl, with no formal culinary training, this is quite an achievement! I wish I were Rachel Ray and had even a small amount of her ambition, or her lifestyle. It seems that if you fall under Oprah's radar, success is never far behind.
Personally I like her cooking style which reminds me of sitting down to a delicious meal at the kitchen table at home surrounded by all the people you love. She is my adopted "cousin" Rachel who can feed an army with whatever she has on hand and make it into something worthy. Nothing over the top gourmet, just simple every day food jazzed up a bit with funky names and sometimes "other worldly" flavour combinations, but the bones are there. She deserves to be taken seriously. Can you be a fan of a persons cookbooks and not their network shows? As an aside, I am not over the top in love with the Food Network as a whole these days. If they bring any any more reality cooking shows to the table I may gag on a "wooden spoon":D Frank Zappa and Moon Unit may have something there:D
Nothing is more intimate, or more effective, than cooking and sharing meals together in our home kitchens. Afterall our lives revolve around food and family! A breeding ground for Rachael's warmth, energy, and boundless curiosity. She reaches scores of fans through her popular Food Network shows, bestselling cookbooks, her own line of cookware created by Meyer, knives by Furitechnics, signature food ingredients by Colavita and lifestyle magazine Everyday with Rachael Ray. In 2007, Rachael launched the Yum-o! organization, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering kids and their families to develop healthy relationships with food and cooking and in 2008 she partnered with Ainsworth Pet Nutrition to create a line of pet food of which all her proceeds are donated to organizations that help animals in need. I like a gal who gives back and is not all about the celebrity.
One of my favourite well-travelled bloggers Mary of One Perfect Bite invited bloggers to travel along on a culinary journey throughout the year. Gourmet Live brought out a list of the 50 most influential women in food...Fifty women game changers. Some are chefs, some are food writers, and some are women who are passionate about the creative process. You could certainly add or detract women from this list, but no matter what these women have all influenced us in one way or another. Being a woman and passionate about food myself I wanted to explore and join Mary on this journey and not only learn from the masters but recreate some of their dishes to better understand what has shaped and molded them into who they are today. In doing so I have learned more about myself, and have learned more than a few new recipes and techniques.
For 50 weeks we will experiment with dishes from each of the 50 influential women on "the list". Whether you agree or disagree with the authors chosen fifty and their order it will be an enjoyable and creative outlet to cook from the masters. Follow us on this journey while we take an in depth exploration of these women's lives and what has made them who they are. My cohorts for this adventure can be found below. If you would like to join in please contact Mary. This is an informal event and you have the flexibility to follow along when you can. We will be posting every Friday.
What have we been up to this week for our 13th Game Changer:
Mary of One Perfect Bite - Mexican Lasagna
Val of More Than Burnt Toast -Turkey Spanakopita Burgers with Fries and Yogurt Dip.
Joanne of Eats Well With Others - Grilled Eggplant Subs with Mozzarella and Tomato Jam
Susan of The Spice Garden - Crispy Curried Fried Chicken
Taryn of Have Kitchen, Will Feed - Rachel's Sesame Soba
Heather of Girlichef - Orange-Cashew Chicken
Miranda of Mangoes and Chutney -Red Wine and Blue Burgers
Jeanette at Jeanette's Healthy Living - Tuna Marinara Sauce
Katie - Making Michael Pollan Proud - Tuna Noodle Casserole
Linda of There and Back Again - Macaroni and Cheddar Cheese
Amy of Beloved Green - Rachel's Oat Berry Bars
Linda of Ciao Chow Linda
Back to the Future....
Over four years of blogging I have found many wonderful recipes to share on these pages. Some from my own kitchen, some from your creative blogs and web sites, and some from well known celebrities and chefs. I have been feeling a little nostalgic and was browsing these very pages just the other day, creeping back to the very beginning in 2006 when More Than Burnt Toast was in it's infancy and no more than "knee high to grasshopper". We all have those stellar recipes from when we first started when we were lucky enough to find one comment and have maybe one reader; in my case even before I was taking photos of the dishes I prepared. My other motivation for reconnecting with the past is to create uniform formatting on this blog and this is a fun way for me to revisit past posts.
What did I learn this week... That I can embrace Rachel Ray and frozen french fries. Many "kitchen-phobes" have started cooking because of her.
- 1 package store-bought frozen french fries, any variety
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), plus some for drizzling
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic, 2 chopped, 1 crushed
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 1 box frozen spinach (10 ounces), defrosted
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano, lightly crushed in the palm, divided
- 1/4 pound feta crumbles
- 1 1/3 pounds ground chicken or ground turkey breast (the average size of package)
- 1 tablespoon grill seasoning, such as McCormick Montreal Steak Seasoning
- 1/3 English (seedless) cucumber, thinly sliced lengthwise, plus 1 small, 2-inch piece of cucumber, peeled, trimmed and chopped
- 2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced lengthwise
- Salt and pepper
- 1 1/2-2 cups good quality plain yogurt (look for Greek yogurt)
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1 cup arugula, coarsely chopped or shredded
- 4 crusty rolls, split
- 2 roasted red peppers, drained
- 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley (a generous handful)
- 1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives (about 10-12 olives)
- Hot pepper rings or pepperoncini (optional)
Serves 4

subset: commoncrawl


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It's hard to read anything about UX without finding a reference to the constant tension between simplicity and complexity. People have strong preconceived notions about the words, especially when it comes to experience design. You don't have to be a UX practitioner to understand that simplicity is a good thing; no one goes around the office saying, "Alright team, let's make this application really, really complex!"
Removing that layer of confusion to make the user's goals easy to achieve means making things simple and clear. However, removing confusion doesn't always mean removing complexity—it's somewhat of a grey area. Sometimes complexity actually isn't such a bad thing. In this article I'll examine some of the many faces of complexity and explore the balance we need to find for successful solutions.
Is Simplicity Overrated?
Although most people would say they seek simplicity in life and products, our actions say something different. We actually enjoy, and at times prefer, complex things. Imagine looking at a sky that's completely clear and compare that with a sunset with a variety of colors, layered with clouds, and the beams of sunlight striking the sky. One view would seem less interesting or not as photo-worthy.
In some cultures complex products are more appealing than products that appear simple. In South Korea, for example, products like refrigerators are designed to appear more complex than non-Korean ones, even when the prices and specifications are very similar, because that complexity is equated with sophistication and value, and is thus a symbol of prosperity.[1]
Think about how we compare products when looking to make a purchase—we examine the features. Can this blender do the same things as this other blender, and more? A "simple" blender might seem like it doesn't do as much as a similarly priced one with fewer controls, making it perceptively less valuable to consumers. Even if the simplicity is intended to make the device easier to use, if it diminishes the consumer's sense of the blender's value and the manufacturer's ability to sell it, then simplicity in this case is bad.
For example, Siemens released a smart washer with sensors that can detect the amount of laundry, the kind of fabric, and the soil level. There were only two program settings, and the machine would take care of the rest. This means the washer's control panel could be very simple, but in fact Siemens designed it to have more controls than their other non-automated washers. Even when manufacturers find ways to simplify complex processes, it seems people don't want to give up control and don't necessarily trust the automation, and manufacturers don't want to downplay the apparent sophistication of their products.[1]
The Appearance of Complexity
In design and UX, a simple-looking approach generally receives more praise than a complex-looking one. Google is often held up as an exemplar of simplicity. Even though the back-end workings of Google are incredibly complex, a search engine's UI inherently lends itself to simplicity; the interface doesn't require much in the way of controls or content. Simplicity of use sometimes is confused with taking a minimalist approach in the UI design.
Comparing the context and purpose to other sites reveals more about the apparent simplicity of Google. Google is a search engine whereas Yahoo! and MSN are Web directories—two different types of tool that require two different approaches to the UI.[2] Donald Norman explains why these other tools seem more complex than Google:
Why are Yahoo! and MSN such complex-looking places? Because their systems are easier to use. Not because they are complex, but because they simplify the life of their users by letting them see their choices on the home page: news, alternative searches, other items of interest.[3]
The appearance of simplicity in physical products can also be deceptive. Consider ice skates or a guitar; it's obvious from their appearance how they're meant to be used. But it takes years to learn to use them well. Their lack of controls and few moving parts decreases their apparent complexity, but actually means they're more complex to operate. A jump in ice skating or strumming a melody on a guitar requires a complex range of actions on the part of the user.[4]
As John Gruber of Daring Fireball said, "If your UI even vaguely resembles an airplane cockpit, you're doing it wrong."[5] The cockpit of an airplane certainly is as complex-looking as interfaces can get. When we see an interface or product that appears complex, we assume it must be difficult to use. But to assume that a complex-looking interface means it is difficult to use disregards the goal and tasks involved that a user may require of the interface.
Presenting Information
How information is presented in the UI is an important consideration. There are two important concepts presented by Edward Tufte that relate to how we present the visual layer of interface:[6]
Adjacent in space is taking elements of an application and positioning them all on the same screen. Depending on the information and number of features an application has, it can make the screen appear more, or less, complex. An airplane cockpit is an extreme example of this approach. It makes all of the controls readily available to pilots and keeps critical readouts and important data ready at hand to help pilots make quick decisions. The adjacent in space UI approach gives more immediate power and control. It also reduces the need for navigation between screens to reach additional functionality, speeding up interactions.
Stacked in time is splitting the functionality up into several screens or layers, like a story being spread across pages in a book rather than crammed into a single long page. This approach can reduce the chance of the users making a mistake by guiding them down clear path. It also offers a gradual engagement, showing and hiding controls so only the necessary UI/information is displayed, reducing the perceptive complexity of the UI. It can allow more screen space for feedback and guidance for the user, and can allow for a more aesthetically pleasing and/or branded experience. The stacked in time approach tends to make an application less intimidating and doesn't overwhelm the user with choices.
The adjacent in space and stacked in time approaches each has its own trade-offs. In most cases placing too many elements on screen at the same time creates unnecessary complexity. Not all controls are needed at once, so they should only be presented when needed. However, a stacked in time approach also can become overwhelming to a user if not executed correctly. If the features aren't mapped in logical paths or are split across too many layers, users might not be able to quickly find what they need. This is especially apparent on smaller screens for devices.
When Less is More… Confusing
The amount of data that needs to be presented affects the perceived complexity of applications. When creating a UI, generally speaking, having as few elements as possible on screen is usually the best approach. Simplifying UIs by removing unneeded navigation and UI elements is important to creating focus. But in some cases, it's more important to keep a higher level of information density. As Tufte explains, "Small screens, as on traditional cell phones, show very little information per screen, which in turn leads to deep hierarchies of stacked-up thin information—too often leaving users with 'Where am I? puzzles. Better to have users looking over material adjacent in space rather than stacked in time."[7]
This need for balance was made clear in a recent comparison of the interfaces of the iPhone and the forthcoming Windows 7 Series Phone. Luke Wroblewski wrote up a comparison of the content resolution between the phones showing a significant difference in how much information each device displays at any given time. The Windows phone takes a more minimal approach with the UI, reducing the amount of content that can be displayed in one screen. In some cases, the Windows phone requires one or two extra steps (or taps) to get to the information, whereas the iPhone reveals it immediately because of its higher information density.
The navigation in an application should propel the user toward his goal rather than act as a barrier created just to satisfy an aesthetic requirement for a simpler-looking UI. Simplification in UI design should be focused on reducing "computer administrative debris" while keeping the focus of the interface on content and information.[8]
Using Training Wheels
Many applications are designed to cater to the first-time user by easing the initial learning curve (this is called "onboarding"). They offer a very guided experience, which is good for the beginning user. This guidance is typically presented by stacking content in time, which requires additional navigation interactions because fewer features and less information can be displayed on a single screen. There is also often contextual instructional content to make sure the path is clear.
But leaving these "training wheels" on too long makes the experience difficult or frustrating when users become more familiar with the application and require less guidance.
Consider the graphical user interface (GUI) of computers today. The GUI is an alternative to command-line interfaces, which power users are able to operate quickly but at the expense of having to memorize a lot of commands and parameters. GUIs, on the other hand, take advantage of users' mental models to create applications that are intuitive and easy to learn. But this comes at the cost of efficiency and speed for power users.[9]
Recently, heads-up displays (HUDs) like Alfred and Quicksilver, which allow the user to skip window manipulation to quickly access files or applications, have become popular among power users. Apple has simplified the tablet OS by hiding much of the file metaphor on the iPad.
Using techniques like onboarding to simplify an experience are important, but should be carefully implemented. There should be consideration for the posture of the application or website. If the user is going to be using it often and for longer periods of time (sovereign), then the onboarding help should be able to be turned off or gradually be removed as the user grows. If users rarely visit and only for a short period (transient) this type of interface would continue to be helpful, rather than a hindrance.
Complex Tasks Are Complex
Simplicity allows many applications to be powerful. The UIs are not clouded with unnecessary controls. They are focused on specific tasks and don't get in the way by forcing the user to do too much at once. There are some occasions, though, that the normal workflow for a particular set of users is complex. Therefore, it can be expected that the application that controls these types of tasks will be more complex.
In fact, a complex UI can sometimes be exactly what the user needs. For example, a dashboard that displays visualizations of large data sets can only ever be complex because its purpose is complex.
The cockpit analogy needs to be viewed from the perspective of a trained pilot. The complexity of this interface is necessary because the task of flying a plane is quite complex. One would not expect to be able to fly a 187,000 pound hunk of metal from one end of the globe to another with one button. Pilots would lose control of the system if it were heavily automated and the interface were highly abstracted. Removing all the controls and distilling them down too far for the sake of simplicity alone would come at a very high cost.
Living in a Complex World
As an interactive designer, my first instinct is to simplify things. There is beauty in a clean and functional interface. But through experience I've found that sometimes I can't remove every piece of complexity in an application. The complexity may be unavoidably inherent to the workflow and tasks that need to be performed, or in the density of the information that needs to present. By balancing complexity and what the user needs, I have been able to continue to create successful user experiences.
In the end, simplicity for its own sake should not be the goal. Balancing the amount of complexity that we engage with is something that UX people deal with on a daily basis. A good experience should be the result of using UX design to find what is meaningful to that end user and present it in the best way possible. Donald Norman puts it best: "Complex things will require complexity. It is the job of the designer to manage that complexity with skill and grace."[10]
- Simlicity is Highly Overrated – Don Norman
- Google Says "More is More" – Luke Wroblewski
- The Truth About Google's So Called "Simplicity" – Don Norman
- The Psychology of Everyday Things
- How Bad Is Bad? – Daring Fireball
- Learning from "bad" UI – 37Signals
- iPhone Interface Design – Edward Tufte
- Information Resolution on the Windows Phone 7 Series – Luke Wroblewski
- About Face 3: The Essentials of Interaction Design – Alan Cooper
- Why is 37 Signals so arrogant? – Don Norman
Image Credits
- Airplane image: https://.check-6.com/gallery/heavies/B-2-Spirit-Cockpit-by-Chad-Slattery.php
- Blender Image: https://.flickr.com/photos/35006614@N05/3250917143/sizes/l/
- iPhone vs. Windows Phone image: https://.lukew.com/ff/entry.asp?265


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Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Govinda Gela Re Gela...
It's another Govinda one meets these days. He appears lost and confused. His quotes are inane and insane. Sample this one ,"I stood the ground when everyone else was running. Don't ask me how much I walked and why I didn't run." Huh??? There are several similar gems strewn through the story. But I shall spare you the torture. Bottom line? Actors should stick to what they know best. Leave netagiri to netas. And that goes for you to, Munnabhai. Sanjay Dutt put his foot in his mouth - yet again - when he said his 'Begum' was at home, where she belongs, and where all Begums should be, when asked why she wasn't accompanying him to Lucknow.
One of you wanted to know why I hadn't made a comment on the SRK-Aamir Khan verbal duel. Frankly, I am bored to death with their sniping. I really don't care whose pooch goes by which name. Or who threw the first stone. Aamir hit a home run with his dig at SRK'S current insecurity on account of his films not doing well. God knows what SRK's comeback will be. I'd say sharp and lethal. But just to put things in perspective, there was a time when Bollywood was dominated by three mega stars - Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand. These guys were far bigger than today's Kings and Queens (pun intended). But you never ever heard them bitch each other out. Nobody boasted about being the REAL number one, and they were consistently civil in public. Whatever their personal differences and rivalries, their conduct towards one another was impeccable at all times. A question of class, breeding and basic good manners. But will today's heroes ever learn from those big boys? Naah.
30 comments:
- Zlaek said...
Govinda stopped making us laugh. Gained weight. And decided to try his luck in politics. I don't understand Sanjay Dutt and his wife.
Aamir's fun. Great artist. So it doesn't really make a diff which one says what about the other. Aamir's a different LEAGUE. SRK has only two movies to his credit to date-- SWADES and CHAK DE - March 17, 2009 at 6:20 PM
- Arun said...
"But will today's big boys ever learn from those heroes?"
Says a lot more, doesn't it? :-) - March 17, 2009 at 7:53 PM
- Sidhusaaheb said...
You are absolutely right about Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand.
If Aamir and Shah Rukh were gentlemen, they would stop sniping at each other. - March 17, 2009 at 7:54 PM
- Anon said...
Remember the ad with Cyrus Broacha screaming "Munna when will you grow up??". Guess someone needs to get a hint... Nudge nudge wink wink! Seems like these guys have forgotten that CRASS is not the same as CLASS! Certainly seems like it. Perhaps some english lessons along with etiquette or dare I say "Common sense lessons"
- March 17, 2009 at 8:05 PM
Zlaek, if you want more serious films from srk (and others) clearly bollywood is not the place to be looking.
- March 17, 2009 at 8:06 PM
SRK - Next Election ?
- March 17, 2009 at 10:23 PM
- Narendra shenoy said...
Agree with Zlaek. Aamir Khan is way way better than SRK, who acts like he's competing for the World Histrionic Championships. To call his acting 'understated' would be like calling the Hiroshima bomb a fire-cracker.
- March 17, 2009 at 10:59 PM
- naval said...
Aamir khan has got inferiority complex thats why he lashes out at SRK always ........ writing about Sharuq the bog he has and like that
- March 17, 2009 at 11:11 PM
- Apoorva said...
@Zlaek & @Narendra..
Good on you guys.. I am enjoying SRK critisism.. - March 17, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Shobhaji, Raj Kapoor Dilip kumar and Dev Anand did not have inane TV channels and newspapers to worry about. Neither did AB or Rajesh Babu.
Because however childish, these rants and snipes may be, good newspapers do not seem to carry the story any more than it needs to.
Pseudo journalistic (more tabaloid, less news) channels and newspapers (TOI, MM, Stardust) live and possibly sustain of this kind of Tu-Tu Main Main. - March 17, 2009 at 11:50 PM
I agree with Gautham. Times have changed and so have superstars. SRK even talked about this in some interviews saying it's kind of a give-and-take. They get their readers and he get's his publicity. Personally, I think, it's just the opposite. Where stars like Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand never boasted or bitched, irrespective of their differences; today's SRK, Aamir bitch because of publicity/attention while not giving a 'eff' about it actually. This can be inferred from their 'bitching' pattern. They start doing so only when they have an upcoming release. :)
- March 18, 2009 at 11:02 AM
- Serendipity said...
well said. Now who wil go tell them?
Nagma's vying for a seat too. What are we coming to. - March 18, 2009 at 11:20 AM
- Scarlett said...
Can't believe Govinda can make such statements & get away with them! Exactly what the eff was he doing contesting the elections then? Did no one ask him THAT question??? I remember how the media made a big hue & cry (and rightly so) about Govinda not even stepping out of his home to check on people in his constituency after the Mumbai floods. Our political system has become a mockery & our politicians the biggest jokers in the country.
- March 18, 2009 at 11:59 AM
- athi said...
i happen to be a big srk fan but i agree aamir is definitely a diffrnt league. Der have been times wen i misd an srk movie bt aamir never :)
- March 18, 2009 at 1:22 PM
- athi said...
N who rly cares wot dey say bot each oder? As long as v get gud movies to watch? Let dem have fun sniping !! :P
- March 18, 2009 at 1:23 PM
- Kalyan Karmakar said...
my first time on your blog and wasn't dissapointed.
One question on your last observation on the earlier super stars. i cam across this belief while growing up in Calcutta that the big three got together to keep Uttam Kumar out, specially when he did a Hindi film, 'Chhoti Si Mulaqat"
Any truth in that? Or is that another big Bengali conspiracy theory? - March 18, 2009 at 2:11 PM
- yogendra said...
Govinda doesnt understand politics and neither do you.In one of your columns you glorified Obama and crucified Rahul Gandhi.I am no supporter of Congress nor Rahul Gandhi.But why so much for Obama?You used all kinds of superlatives for him.Now jut look what he is doing to us Indians.I know your job is secured.But now Obama is putting restrictions on companies who outsource.This in turn is resulting less outsourcing from America which is major parts of revenue for IT companies of India.The already worse scenario due to Satyam-gate and Recession ,is now turniing even bleaker for IT engineers but nobody is raising a voice because its election time.BTW just remember every politician irrespective of cast,religion and country always thinks of HIMSELF first,his country,his state and not other countries.Respond to the comment if you have a view
- March 18, 2009 at 5:20 PM
- slash said...
Shobha, I agree with you that Govinda, Sanjay Dutt and all other actors (and by that I mean the ladies too) should stick to their profession (acting) and leave politics aside. If politicians do their job well, they would not need these stars to come to their election campaigns or join their parties to attract votes.
Re SRK-Aamir spat, I must say that SRK appears to be a spoilsport. He cracks jokes at almost all his colleagues at public (award) functions and thinks of himself as quite humorous in the process. As per some media reports, he did that with Amar Singh too at one of the Filmfare awards. (http://in.rediff.com/movies/2007/feb/27amar.htm)
I am no fan of Amar Singh. Not at all. But I am all for fairness. When you accuse someone of having 'darindigiri' (in the eyes) in front of a large audience and pass it off as a joke, it's not fair. It doesn't matter how or what you think of that person. The joke is cruel. Period. Then, when Aamir Khan names his dog SRK, the so-called and self-proclaimed number one feels offended. I ask why. When you crack jokes at others, you bloody well be prepared for some of it to come your way, someday. It is called Karma.
Lastly, I have a bone to pick with journalists and I say this being a journalist myself. Even you, Shobha, if you don't mind my saying so. Let us all stop calling Sanjay Dutt as Munnabhai, Arshad Warsi as Circuit, SRK as Badshah, and so on. These names are just given by chamcha journos who want to stick up to these stars. (I do not mean to include you here, Shobha, as I know in what context you refer to them, but it is still avoidable, I think). Mr Dutt is not Munnabhai, that was the role of an angel he had played in that movie. It is a pity in India that when actors play hugely positive roles, they somehow get associated to those characters, while those who play villians fade away from public memory, no matter how good they may be in their real lives - March 18, 2009 at 9:51 PM
- Another Kiran In NYC said...
The crowned Bollywood Raja's of yesteryear wernt exactly blameless nice guys either. In thier own time and by thier own standards I am sure they were equally cut throat and strategy minded, so I am not going to compare them favorably to todays contemporaries.
SRK and Aamir know exactly what they are doing, amusing us no end and getting newspaper inches. They are playing the part of entertainer in thier oneupmanship plots. They depend on newspaper realestate and thier careers are bolstered by it. They are certainly laughing all the way to the bank and we are laughing along with them while we go deposit our money into thier accounts. So its all good.
As for Govinda and his ilk, opportunist famewhores/politicians, what can I say. You and I vote them in. Yeah you and I ... even if we say we are disgusted blah blah. Our inaction is as bad as voting for them ourselves. So do we all get whipped with a wet noodle or wet sevian as the case may be?
Rant start...
Am I the only one really bothered by the horrible text speak as is written by everyone 30 and under, in India. It is really awful. (wen, gud, dere etc). I even came across a resume with some words like that. Needless to say. it was thrown into the garbage pronto.
Speak in Hinglish all you want, but when it comes to writing atleast write like you passed elementary school without failing thrice... which is what wen, dere, gud reads like!
end Rant! - March 18, 2009 at 11:58 PM
- Chandra said...
@Another kiran
Totally agree with you about the paper real estate..and before we talk about ppl voting intelligently,I think media should change its habit of making entertainment and everything/one associated with it media luminaries.
In my opinion,media gives ppl like sanjay 50% of the power they use to sway ppl.
"everyone 30 and under, in India. It is really awful. (wen, gud, dere etc). I even came across a resume with some words like that. Needless to say. it was thrown into the garbage pronto."
'Am I the only one bothered'???i shld say yeah.
1.Wen we guys r NOT writing a resume,we ll rite any way we want 2...as long as its understandable.
Are u d custodian of communication?
2.even if d poor guy had used 'sum' such words in his resume,u threw it 'pronto'?do u realize dat u cld hav cost sum1 his career cos of ur prejudice? - March 19, 2009 at 1:15 AM
- Another Kiran In NYC said...
Yeah Chandra, perhaps I cost someone a job, but you know what, my employees are my public face. If they cannot communicate effectively, they cant be my employees. Simple.
In any real job where what you do affects profitability there are rules. Good and effective communication and good manners are the most fundamental of them. - March 19, 2009 at 2:53 AM
- athi said...
hmm... for a job resume i ges dats not pardonable kiran bt oderwise we all do wot we pls :) N we are assuming ppl who r reading hav 'passed elementary school without failing thrice' n r able to correlate d words :P Nothin personal. Cheers
- March 19, 2009 at 3:02 PM
- Another Kiran In NYC said...
"we are assuming ppl who r reading hav 'passed elementary school without failing thrice' n r able to correlate d words"
After living into my forties with some life experience, I have learnt not to assume ANYTHING.
Assume.. is pretty much ASS-U-ME!:)
Its all good, write how you may, but the real world out there... especially the corporate world dosent like it at all.
And thats all folks! :) - March 19, 2009 at 8:07 PM
Govinda just attended parliament for 12% and didn't even ask single questions in parliament. I guess, he went their to take some rest from his busy shooting schedule. Stars and actors (atleast in India) can only speak loudly but once again proved that they could not work for common man and their problem. And now Munna bhai is contesting election and that too from SP. What else can we expect from party like SP.
I hope that he will not win. - March 19, 2009 at 10:30 PM
- Unknown said...
I agree with Scarlett, the journo who interviewed Govinda did not have the courage to ask him why the eff he had then contested the elections, maybe the privilege of interviewing the honourable MP was so great. That's the problem with the media, they create heroes out of nobodies and then rant.
- March 20, 2009 at 11:17 AM
- athi said...
gud one on ASS-U-ME. I ges it ll take me some time to rch der Kiran :) to gain dat experience u r talkin bot :P
- March 20, 2009 at 1:24 PM
- Unknown said...
I teach a lot of young people meditation and so get invited to their homes for lunches and dinners... and thence into their rooms, where there are always photos of some bollywood star or cricketer or bodybuilder...
These kids look upto them, but when asked would you like to be like them... They look down, and say no ...
And thats when i know there is hope for our country :)
Jai Gurudeva!
www.bawandinesh.name - March 20, 2009 at 7:18 PM
- Kush said...
I miss out on that regular everyday dose of trashy news coz I dnt get regular access to TV and news feeds of BBC doesnt feature all that. Nonetheless, some nasty clips are dwnloaded and circulated in the hostels so get to watch then!
- March 22, 2009 at 6:50 PM
- amolsledge said...
Absolute truth.. I don't understand why People of India too accept these guys just like that..
It is just good times that today's star have a larger media to take their so called self promoted fame to masses.. but Older generation made headways not just within India but overseas on sheer talent.. & not self propoganda..
Love reading your blog... thanks. - March 26, 2009 at 2:36 PM
- Unknown said...
you are right...
Work from home India - November 9, 2009 at 4:10 PM


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Videogames are interactive experiences with emotional highs and lows, providing players with thrilling experiences alongside wondrous vistas. The greatest games can leave lifelong impacts on their players long after the controller is put down.
Emulators serve as a convenient way to relive those past experiences and rediscover hidden gems from one's childhood. But what if an emulator could not only recreate those moments, but enhance them by pushing the games you know and love to new heights? At what point do people say that the must-play experience of the game is not on the original console, but on an emulator?


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We will replace any diamond, ruby, and sapphire which in normal use chips, cracks or separates from its mounting and is lost with a diamond, ruby, or sapphire of comparable quality up to 110% of the original gemstone purchase price for the purchaser's lifetime. If a lab-created diamond is purchased, then it must be replaced with another lab created diamond up to 110% of the purchase price and is subject to availability.
If you purchased your ring online you must bring it into any Robbins Brothers store once a year in order for your warranty to stay current. If you miss an inspection within a 12-month period your warranty will be suspended until you can bring in your ring.
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At Robbins Brothers we take great care and pride in hand-selecting our diamonds for visual beauty. We have the utmost confidence in the beauty and quality of every diamond we offer. If within 30 days of your purchase, you find a more beautiful diamond with the same specifications at a lower price anywhere in the USA, bring the diamonds to Robbins Brothers. We will then send both diamonds to our corporate office to be graded for the three attributes of light performance: brilliance, sparkle and intensity. We know you don't want to be separated from your diamond, but it's the best way possible to provide an objective measurement for comparison. If your diamond scores higher, we will refund the Robbins Brothers diamond or we will refund 110% of the difference between the purchase price of the two diamonds.
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WASHINGTON – Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages moved closer to their record lows this week, a trend that has made home buying more affordable and helped sustain a housing recovery.
Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate on the 30-year loan slipped to 3.34 percent from 3.35 percent last week. That's near the 3.31 percent rate reached in November, the lowest on records dating to 1971.
The average on the 15-year fixed mortgage ticked down to 2.64 percent from 2.65 percent last week. The record low is 2.63 percent.
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate averaged 3.66 percent in 2012, the lowest annual average in 65 years, according to Freddie Mac.
Cheaper mortgages are a key reason the housing market began to come back last year and many economists predict the recovery will strengthen in 2013.
In November, sales of previously occupied homes rose to their highest level in three years, while new-home sales reached a 2½ year high. Home prices are steadily increasing, which makes consumers feel wealthier and more likely to spend.
Another reason for the recovery: the nation doesn't have enough houses for sale. The number of new homes available for sale at the end of November was just slightly above the lowest on records dating to 1963. And the supply of previously occupied homes for sale was at an 11-year low that month.
A limited supply has created demand for new construction, which has made builders more confident.
Lower mortgage rates also have persuaded more people to refinance. That typically leads to lower monthly mortgage payments and more spending. Consumer spending drives nearly 70 percent of economic activity.
Still, the housing market has a long way to a full recovery. And many people are unable to take advantage of the low rates, either because they can't qualify for stricter lending rules or they lack the money to meet larger down payment requirements.
To calculate average mortgage rates, Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the country on Monday through Wednesday of each week. The average doesn't include extra fees, known as points, which most borrowers must pay to get the lowest rates. One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount.
The average fee for 30-year loans was 0.7 point, unchanged from last week. The fee for 15-year loans edged down to 0.6 from 0.7 point.
The average rate on a one-year adjustable-rate mortgage rose to 2.57 percent from 2.56 percent. The fee for one-year adjustable-rate loans dipped to 0.4 from 0.5 point.
The average rate on a five-year adjustable-rate mortgage ticked up to 2.71 percent from 2.70 percent last week. The fee declined to 0.6 point from 0.7.


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It appears thousands of Connecticut residents may have failed to comply with that state's new gun registration law. The sale of guns categorized by the state as assault weapons were banned after Newtown. Connecticut also created a registry for residents who already own them. Failure to register is a felony. But Jeff Cohen of member station WNPR reports that officials have no way to identify the new group of criminals and no plans to round them up. Joel Cramer sells guns and he's surrounded by his inventory on the exhibition floor of the Northeast Fishing and Hunting Show in Hartford.
JOEL CRAMER: That's a suppressed .44 magnum rifle.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: What is this? 700 - model 700?
CRAMER: Yeah, that's a model 700.
JEFF COHEN, BYLINE: Cramer specializes in guns like that rifle, machine guns, silencers, and very short shotguns. But one thing he can't sell anymore is what the state calls an assault weapon.
CRAMER: I sold assault weapons up until the moment they said I couldn't sell them anymore. It's a big part of the business. It's the gun that everybody wants.
COHEN: It's also the type of gun that Adam Lanza used to kill 20 children and six educators at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. Now, it and other guns like it are banned. If you already own one, you can keep it, provided you registered it with the state before January 1st. Don't comply and you could face a hefty fine and jail time. A similar provision is in place for people who possess high-capacity magazines - those are the boxes that supply bullets to a gun.
Cramer says the new law is a bureaucratic exercise meant to frustrate people who shoot for fun. He says it won't prevent future mass shootings. Still, he registered his guns because not doing so is too risky. You could lose your right to vote and lose your right to have any guns at all.
CRAMER: And a lot of us, we like to shoot. So not registering my gun means I can't take it out of the house. If I can't take it out of the house, then I can't shoot it. So I've got a $600 toy sitting in the closet doing nothing. What good does that do anybody?
COHEN: But as pointless as the new gun law seems to Cramer, it makes perfect sense to Mike Lawlor. He's the governor's undersecretary for criminal justice and policy planning, and he says these guns are banned with good reason.
MIKE LAWLOR: These are weapons that are specifically designed to kill a lot of people very quickly and very accurately.
COHEN: Lawlor says about 50,000 guns were registered with the state before last year's deadline. But he admits Connecticut doesn't know how many illegal guns are still out there.
LAWLOR: No. I mean, we don't know, I mean, any more than we know how many people in the state right now posses illegal drugs. I mean, all we know is if you get caught with it, you're in a lot of trouble.
COHEN: Lawlor says the state isn't going to go around searching for people who've broken the law. And he says that, otherwise, law-abiding citizens probably wouldn't get convicted of a felony the first time around because the goal of the law wasn't to have a complete assault weapon registry.
LAWLOR: The goal of the law was to have fewer of these weapons in circulation, and that's definitely going to be the case over time because you can't buy them or sell them legally in Connecticut anymore.
COHEN: None of that comes as any solace to Robert Crook. He runs the Coalition of Connecticut Sportsmen and spent much of last year at the Capitol advocating against the new gun laws.
ROBERT CROOK: They shouldn't be going after legitimate gun owners. They should be going after criminals and people robbing banks and so forth. We're criminals based upon an act by the legislature, which accomplishes nothing.
COHEN: That Democratically controlled legislature has just gotten to work for the year. And while some have called for an amnesty period for those who failed to register their guns, others say it's unlikely lawmakers will reopen one of Connecticut's most contentious political battles in an election year. For NPR News, I'm Jeff Cohen in Hartford.
You're listening to ALL THINGS CONSIDERED from NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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Miami Heat's LeBron James (6) is defended by San Antonio Spurs' Danny Green during the second half at Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball series, June 16, 2013, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
by Brian Mahoney
AP Basketball Writer
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — With the old Manu Ginobili back, the San Antonio Spurs looked like champs again.
One more victory and their Big Three, not Miami's, will be the one that rules the NBA.
Ginobili broke out of a slump in a big way with 24 points and 10 assists in his first start of the season, and the Spurs beat the Heat 114-104 on Sunday night to take a 3-2 lead.
Tony Parker scored 26 points, Tim Duncan had 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Ginobili had his highest-scoring game of the season as the Spurs became the first team to shoot 60 percent in a finals game in four years.
Danny Green smashed the NBA Finals record for 3-pointers with six more and scored 24 points. Kawhi Leonard finished with 16, but the stage was set when Ginobili trotted out with Duncan, Parker and the rest of starters in what could have been the last finals home game for a trio that's meant so much to San Antonio.
The AT&T Center crowd roared when Ginobili was the last Spurs player announced and chanted his name in the second half, a familiar sight and sound in San Antonio but not during what had been a miserable series for the former Sixth Man of the Year.
"He's obviously very popular. He's been here a long time. He's helped us have a lot of success over the years," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade each scored 25 points for the Heat, who host Game 6 on Tuesday. They need a victory to force the first Game 7 in the finals since the Lakers beat the Celtics in 2010.
Miami's Big Three formed a few weeks after that game, with predictions of multiple titles to follow. Now they're a loss away from going just 1 for 3 in finals to start their partnership, while the Spurs could run their perfect record to 5 for 5.
Duncan won his first title in 1999, and Parker and Ginobili were with him for three championships since. They have been the perfect partnership, keeping the Spurs in the hunt virtually every year while teams like the Lakers, Mavericks and Suns have all risen and fallen in the Western Conference during that time.
They remained unbeaten in Game 5s, including two previous victories when the series was tied at 2-2. Of the 27 times the finals have been tied at 2-2, the Game 5 winner has won 20 of them.
Miami was the most recent loser, falling to Dallas in Game 5 in 2011 before being eliminated at home the next game.
San Antonio shot 42 of 70, right at 60 percent. The last team to make 60 percent of its shots in the finals was Orlando, which hit 62.5 in Game 3 against the Lakers in 2009, according to STATS.
"They just absolutely outplayed us," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "At times they were just picking one guy out at a time and going at us mano-a-mano. That's got to change."
Ray Allen scored 21 points on the night for the Heat as Green shattered his finals 3-point record.
The Heat were within one with 3:05 left in the third before Green hit yet another 3-pointer and Ginobili followed with the stretch that turned the game into the fourth straight blowout of the finals.
The crafty lefty plays with a flair developed on the courts of Argentina and perfected in Europe before coming to the NBA. He sees angles other players can't and takes risks few others would, but his style has been the perfect fit alongside Duncan and Parker.
He converted a three-point play, tossed in a floater with his left hand as he drifted right, and found Tiago Splitter under the hoop with a pass to make it 85-74. He flipped in another runner with 2.9 seconds to go, sending the Spurs to the fourth with an 87-75 lead as fans chanted "Manu! Manu!" during the break between the third and fourth quarters.
Ginobili had been averaging just 7.5 points on 34.5 percent shooting in the series, making only three of his 16 3-point attempts. But Spurs Popovich made the finals' second lineup change in two games, after the Heat inserted Mike Miller to start Game 4.
Ginobili didn't make a start this season and certainly hadn't been playing like someone who belonged with the first five. But in the Spurs' biggest game of the season, they remained confident he would break out, and they were right.
It was the first time he scored 24 or more points since having 34 on June 4, 2012, against Oklahoma City, according to STATS.
The AT&T Center crowd roared when Ginobili was the last starter announced, the cheers growing louder when he made a jumper — originally ruled a 3-pointer but later overturned by replay — on the first possession. He assisted on the Spurs' next three baskets, and it was 15-10 when he later hit a 3 that did count.
Parker picked it up from there, dancing his way into the lane repeatedly and scoring seven points in a 12-0 run that made it 29-17. Leonard's 3-pointer with 4.7 seconds left, on an assist from Ginobili, made it 32-19 and gave the Spurs 12 makes in 19 attempts (63 percent) in the opening 12 minutes.
Green has 25 3s in the series. Allen made 22 3-pointers in six games in 2008 finals for Boston.
Green's third straight 3-pointer made it 45-28 about 5 minutes into the second quarter, and it seemed the trend of blowouts would continue. But James suddenly got rolling during a 14-2 Miami spurt that cut it to five on his third consecutive Heat basket.
San Antonio made 21 of 34 shots (62 percent) in the first half, opening a 61-52 lead on Parker's drive with 0.4 seconds left.
Miami then ran off eight in a row to start the second half and get within one. They cut it to one again later in the period before Ginobili led the flurry that finished the Heat for good.
It was a fitting finish if it was the last home game in the finals for this San Antonio trio, which has combined for 101 playoff victories together. Ginobili has said he might think about retirement as he turns 36 next month, and Duncan is 37.
Both coaches said it was difficult waiting two days between games — Popovich said it was "like death" — though he did say it was great for the Spurs because they have some older players.
The break seemed to help his team early, particularly Parker, whose energy sagged in the second of Game 4 as he struggled with a strained hamstring that he said could tear at any time and would've had him sidelined during the regular season.
Notes: The last team to lose Game 5 of a 2-2 series and then win the title was the Los Angeles Lakers, when they beat Boston in 2010. … The Spurs said Sunday that reserve guard Patty Mills had surgery to remove an abscess Friday and would miss the rest of the series. Mills had an infection in his right foot and the abscess developed between his fourth and fifth toes.
Follow Brian Mahoney on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Briancmahoney


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(Yes yes yes, I know you can't get Zen out of a book. But the covers are so pretty.)
I'd never thought about Buddhist magazines, though, until two days ago when I picked up something called Shambhala Sun because of the amusing cover illustration of George Washington sitting in full lotus. Ha, ha.
The articles were worth a read, aside from one Buddhist mother's endless description of how her son's "innocent, wondering" questions keep her on her Zen mettle. That one just set my teeth on edge. Lady, if you're reading this:
- I recommend you learn to make liberal use of the phrase "Because Mommy said so, that's why."
- This was transparently an excuse to write about how your child is the latest incarnation of Master Hakuin. Bully for you. Check in with us again after he robs his first liquor store.
After I'd gone through all the articles I started noticing the ads. If I buy another copy of Shambhala Sun, I admit with a blush that it will be for the ads. Because they are delicious.
Some are what you'd expect. This meditation center, that cushion supply company. But then there are banners for companies that will furnish you with digital "Zen clocks" or invest your money according to the principles of the dharma. (The ad for the latter featured a statue of Buddha buried up to his pendulous earlobes in gold coins.)
And there are real estate advertisements. Properties, most of them in Santa Fe or Colorado, beginning in the half-millions. Not so different from such listings in uppity mainstream rags; except that instead of noting access to spectacular golfing, or electrified perimeter fences to zap unwanted Mexicans, they tout the proximity of stupas or retreat centers. Sotheby's, known worldwide as an avatar of the simple life, even takes care to note that it practices "mindful" real estate.
I love that. I can just imagine a pair of clench-jawed WASP Zennies looking down on the Asian-style adobe next door and thinking, "Sure, they have two Bentleys, but we can see the stupa from our his-and-hers teak jacuzzis from Dharmabubble."
Amazing how much non-attachment you can get for a couple million, no?
This lovely warm smugness filled up my stomach and a fully-complete blog entry sprang into my mind like Athena from the head of Zeus. Silly Americans buying enlightenment. Thinking that a triangular digital clock and an expensive platform bed will bring them closer to satori. An AmEx Gold card is not the key to enlightenment. What fools. Ha ha ha. Snark snark snark. Everybody knows retail consumption doesn't make you more of a Buddhist.
And then that frigging little voice in my head spoke up.
You bought the magazine, didn't you?