Sunday, March 01, 2009

The Art of Pink Floyd!

Anybody who is a fan of Pink Floyd will always be fascinated by the art that the music group had on its album covers. If you take a look at most of their album covers, and think about it a bit you will realize that these albums were released in the 70's 80's and early 90's (Division Bell) but the art was way ahead of its time. Here is a collage of the various album covers from Pink Floyd that I found on the web and following that is an article that I read a few days about an interview with Storm Thorgerson who was the man behind the art, the artist behind Pink Floyd's album covers.

Pink Floyd’s album cover artist reveals lighter side of the moon
by Brendan Montague and Maurice Chittenden (http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article3779870.ece)

THE creator of Pink Floyd’s album art since the 1960s has revealed the comic scenes behind some of the band’s most famous album covers and opened up his portfolio of designs that were never used.

Storm Thorgerson disclosed that he originally favoured a different design for Dark Side of the Moon, released in 1973. It showed a figure similar to Silver Surfer, the Marvel cartoon character, sipping a cup of tea while riding a mighty wave.

However, the band members took just three seconds to choose a prism and rainbow of light for their most famous album. Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Rick Wright made a unanimous decision in front of a gallery of seven rough images pinned to the wall of London’s Abbey Road studios.
The album went on to sell more than 30m copies worldwide over 35 years.

A prototype for the 1977 album Animals, which featured a 32-ft high inflatable pig flying over Battersea power station, was originally intended to feature a young boy walking into his parents’ bedroom to discover them having sex.

Shooting the album cover for 1987’s A Momentary Lapse of Reason involved dragging 700 hospital beds onto a beach in Devon. Rain interrupted the shoot and they had to repeat the exercise two weeks later.

“It wasn’t one lapse of reason, it was two,” said Thorgerson, 63, whose retrospective is at the Oxo gallery in London in July.

The cover for 1994’s The Division Bell was the most ambitious, featuring two Easter Island-style statues. An alternative included a magical junk floating above an estuary.

[ posted by PseudoFreud @ 10:41 PM ] [ | ]

Friday, February 27, 2009

Swimming Revelation!

So I went to my swimming practice at LA Fitness today. My instructor had taught me to float and paddle my legs in the water. But each time I used to paddle, my legs used to be below the water surface and so due to that I did not move smoothly thro the water. The right way is to paddle your legs just at the surface to make a splashing noise. By this action, you move smoothly and fast thro' the water. All this is greatly dependent on your centre of gravity when floating in water. My legs used to be submerged because I was not able to locate my centre of gravity during floating. MY instructor always said try to work with the water, don't work against it....and without knowing my centre of gravity and paddling my legs, I was working against the water. So today as I was paddling and paddling and paddling suddenly I realized my centre of gravity and how to maintain it while in water. Everything just fell in place....and I started moving smoothly as a fish! IT was a great revelation for me! I was absolutely thrilled to put in minimum effort and move the maximum distance in water. I could cover more distance in one breath, as I still don't know how to breathe while swimming. So now to make this paddling action as reflex and then start moving my hands and learn the breathing technique. That shouldn't be tough I guess!! I'm enjoying every bit of my swimming and practice... :-)

[ posted by PseudoFreud @ 11:50 PM ] [ | ]

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Just got an email from Yahoo! saying that Yahoo Briefcase will be closing on March 30th 2009. Does that mean that Yahoo! is going bankrupt too?

[ posted by PseudoFreud @ 12:36 AM ] [ | ]

And I thought such things happened only in India...and in 2004 such a thing also happened in IRAN too....and now here in the U.S of A!!

Bikini dancer recovering slowly from fiery attack in Tarzana.

[ posted by PseudoFreud @ 12:13 AM ] [ | ]

Sunday, February 22, 2009

THE OSCARS!!

Some points that I observed during the Oscars:

Apart from Slumdog's not-so-surprising sweep, the choice of Sean Penn for the Best Actor, Kate Winslet for the Best Actress the following are a few observations of my own:

The stage design and set up was excellent!

Beyonce has put on a lot of weight, but her voice is still awesome.

Heath Ledger in the Best Supporting Role is just perfect.

Diane Lane still looks stunning!

Anne Hathaway and Penelope Cruz looked really cute and elegant.

At one point I felt there was no difference between the Oscars and Filmfare Awards! :D

On a side note, A.R. Rehman after winning the original song score Oscar, hurried out with the mic....probably to have the free mic for himself.

The best speech after receiving an Oscar was by the winner of the Best foreign film, Japnese guy...Awesome speech...he was 'Beri Beri Happy'.

Angelina Jolie and Mellissa Leo were wearing similar earrings! But Meryll Streep's earrings were really beautiful and so were Nicole Kidman's! I didn't like Kate Winslet's though...

[ posted by PseudoFreud @ 11:07 PM ] [ | ]

Thursday, February 19, 2009

HOW IRONIC!!

A driver in a convertible Rolls Royce passes a Santa Monica Boulevard clothing store offering 30% to 70% off. The recession has landed in Beverly Hills as many stores around the ritzy Rodeo Drive retail neighborhood have hung out signs offering savings of up to 80% and there are many vacant spaces for lease.

I find this picture ironic cos my first impression was that the Rolls Royce was parked out there in front of the shop. So with that frame of mind, I just said to myself, a person who drives a Rolls Royce, and shops at a store like that, which is now offering a 70% discount on goods, would I be able to even think of affording such a bargain?!? Do words and concepts like economic recession even exist in the dictionary of people who are used to driving not a standard Rolls Royce, but a convertible one!

Courtsey- The LA Times

[ posted by PseudoFreud @ 8:29 AM ] [ | ]

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Swimming and LA Fitness

I have lately been enjoying my evenings. Firstly took up a yearly multi-club LA Fitness membership. My new work place has an agreement with LA Fitness and all employees get this plan for a discounted rate. So initially before joining LA Fitness, I used to work out at the fitness centre in my complex. It was jsut OK to keep yourself fit. But I guess people here are not so keen on being fit and invariably I used to be the only one working out there most of the time. Working out by yourself requires a lot of motivation and determination. So actually I was getting tired of doing this by myself and so I had started running on the road. On an average 4.6 miles every alternate day in the week. And now that I have joined LA Fitness, it feels good to work out in the middle of many people. Since LA Fitness has a swimming pool, and like most Indians I did not learn swimming in my days when I should have learnt. So joined this 'how to learn swimming class. It is every Monday from 7.30 to 8.00pm. Initially when I enrolled for this, I was quite embarassed cos there were only small kids who came there to learn. Even the enrollment form was designed with kids in mind. But was relieved that I am not the only one to learn swimming at this age. So we are two of us and one instructor, which is kind of nice. So I learnt to float on my back and head down on my chest. Next monday we will be taught to move our legs. So far so good. There is a lot of fun if you know how to swim! I am looking forward to it :)

[ posted by PseudoFreud @ 9:11 PM ] [ | ]

Monday, February 16, 2009

Changed the car oil myself yesterday. I am particular about using the Mobil synthetic High Mileage oil for my Jetta GLS 96 as it has been keeping the engine in good condition. Yesterday after draining the used oil I noticed that there was a large amount of sludge at the bottom of the tub in which I collected the used oil. Hmm....this is actually not good news cos it is telling me that the wear and tear of the engine has increased. I also use Lucas Engine Oil Stabilizer 1/2 Quart to 3-4quarts of engine oil. It has helped keep the engine smooth and stop any pesky oil leaks. Also today I had the biggest starting problem for my car. I almost thouhgt that the battery had died and I would need to jumpstart my car today. But in the end it started. My Jetta is also leaking coolant and I have to top it every 10 days or so. But for the last 1 week the coolant level has remained constant. Lets see how it goes. The starting problem today might have been due to the inefficient mixing of the engine oil and the Lucas oil and due to the cold temperatures here, the lucas might have ~~solidified~~ thickened, hence the starting problems.

[ posted by PseudoFreud @ 8:59 PM ] [ | ]

Saturday, February 14, 2009

A Toast to 5 Years Today!!

So today is February 14th....Valentine's Day! I did my normal chores for the day i.e. wishing a few friends Happy V-day!! heh heh. I clearly remember as far as Valentine's Day goes, I have never felt any attraction towards the day and all I see year after year is the card paper and all other environmentally hazardous material made 'Hearts' keep on getting bigger and bigger in the Hallmark stores. Ok so let me not digress...as I was saying as far as I remember I have not changed much since the past 5 years. I say so cos, I clearly remember exactly 5 years ago, on this day I was sitting in the University of Texas' Perry Castaneda Library trying to set up this very HTML design of my blog. Too bad I don't have that coool Pink Floyd graphic template of my blog. Sometimes I think it was very nice. So today my blog actually completed 5 years. On Feb 16th my posts will complete 5 years as my first post here was on Feb 16th.
I am right now single and enjoying my Pinot Grigio. Also listening to Kishori Amonkar...she sings really amazing. I have been wanting to write these drafts of recommendation letters so I can give them to my professors for recommending me, but my rate of writing a complete letter has been 1 letter per week. I know it is just a matter of flow of words, but the damn words just refuse to flow. Oh well...thats ok. One fine day when the time is right, I think I shall do 2-3 letters in one sitting.
Yesterday was a nice day. Its been almost a month since I left my first job (Jan 14th) and so yesterday met up with my colleagues DD, M and a bunch of others over a drink. It was good to catch up with people. Also met with DD's boyfriend. Kinda felt like a sissy to me....guess DD has him in her fist I guess...or maybe he is just desperate for her and she is taking full advantage of the situation. Anyways that was my first impression and I may be wrong and also it doesn't concern me. Also heard M saying 'Fuck' for the first time. I guess people need to release their pressure from work in some way or the other...oh well stuff happens you know.
I feel really fortunate to have left my first job and still have a smooth transition to another one without a break in these times of economic recession. Last week on Thursday there were major layoffs at my previous workplace. Almost 25% of the R&D workforce was eliminated. I am not sure I had been at my 1st job, would I have been terminated. I personally think no, cos the projects that I had been working on, they did not touch any of people and all those who were laid off had much higher salaries than me. All directors and associate directors were kicked out.
I must say that this wine is worth a mention...Bella Sera Pinot Grigio from Italy. I found it in the grocery store in a pack of 4 small bottles...perfect for me cos I cannot finish a complete bottle of white wine by myself. So this is a very nice thing. Some of the smaller things in life that I find extreme joy in :-) Ciao!! More later.

[ posted by PseudoFreud @ 11:40 PM ] [ | ]

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

This friend of mine is settled in Dubai. I was chatting with her last weekend and she said she is still in Mumbai, she had been there in December for a visit. I asked her what wrong and she said she has had a bad start for the year. One fine day she had severe back pain so unbearable, that she passed out on the way to the hospital. The doctors did a series of tests to diagnose what was wrong and all tests turned out ok. Then they went in for an Xray of the chest and shockingly found out that she is suffering from lung cancer. The cancer has affected the lower portion of her lungs and then spread to the vertebra. Hence the back pain. This was a great shock to me too...no doubt it has shattered her. I looked up on the net and it says that people who recover from lung cancer have a 14% chance of survival after recovery. The doctors are hopeful for her as her over all health is excellent. She will be undergoing 6 chemo therapy sessions, one of which she has already had it. I need to check on the information again about the survival % chance. Life is really unpredictable and you never know what is around the corner waiting for you.

[ posted by PseudoFreud @ 9:52 PM ] [ | ]

Friday, January 23, 2009

So I have finally changed jobs. My official start date at the new work place is from Monday Jan 26, 2009. I think it is a good day considering that it is the Indian Republic Day. Although I have already started working unofficially, doing some literature survey and misc. stuff which would help me to get used to the daily routine. As it is a University atmosphere, the overall state of things is good. The labs are really impressive and colleagues are helpful or appear to be helpful. So far so good without any hurdles. My new professor is also very nice. The commute to work is around 30 minutes where in approx 17 minutes (7 miles) for taking the back roads to avoid the awful Freeway 91 traffic and then another 10 minutes (14 miles) on another empty freeway to reach my destination. Thanks to my earlier job, I reach here by around 8.15-8.30am. Coincidently, taking the back roads allows me to pass my ex-employer. Good news about my renumeration at the new place, fringe benefits are in addition to my pay which I earlier thought was otherwise. Also my new job allows me to get a free membership to LA Fitness, something that I am looking forward to.
I really don't miss my earlier job, considering the kind of jerk that the organization has been....mind you its the organization. My colleagues were the best and I miss them dearly. As always I think with many organizations, I have reached a conclusion that the HR are nothing but a bunch of scum bags. They are just like or even worse than the Mumbai Muncipal Corporation a.k.a good for nothing people who are just desperate to show the importance of their existence.

[ posted by PseudoFreud @ 11:43 AM ] [ | ]

Friday, January 16, 2009

I have lately been running! Almost every alternate evening 4.6 miles to be precise. My jogging path is on 2 small hills to and fro. I have been doing this stretch since the last 2 months i guess and initially it was very exhausting mainly due to the hills, but now its really refreshing. I have always had a thing for running. I just love running. Once those endorphins kick in afer the first 5 mins of jogging, ohh...man....I feel like I can almost go on forever. With the music from my I-Pod (usually its either Deep Forest or Pink Floyd instrumental by the London Symphonic Orchestra) the runs are usually heavenly. They do tire me a lot, but I think thats essential considering the sedentary work lifestyle that I have been having. So the bottom line is that I LOVE RUNNING, I ALWAYS HAVE AND ALWAYS WILL. OTher sports that i love are racketball, squash, and soccer and ofcouse cricket. :D

[ posted by PseudoFreud @ 10:37 PM ] [ | ]

Monday, January 05, 2009

December 08 to 09...

Life has been a up and down roller-coaster this past year. I graduated, in Dec 07 and started working in Feb 08. A lot of changes are taking place and I ahve learnt a lot in my 1 year of industry experience. This one year has also taught me to be more adaptable and be receptive to unforeseen circumstances and situations. As they say every input has to equal output, or energy can neither be created or dstroyed and that the total energy in the universe is a constant, or every action has an equal and opposite reaction, I wonder all these changes in the past year goo or bad....how does one handle it and what kind of a toll does it take on the human body and human mind or our everyday life? I really wonder how...

[ posted by PseudoFreud @ 8:29 PM ] [ | ]

Monday, September 08, 2008

A Passing Thought!

Paradise is just another state of mind! Just like the 'Matrix', it just exist in the mind but in reality you can still feel it, taste it and experience it.

[ posted by PseudoFreud @ 8:49 AM ] [ | ]

:: PseuDoAnaLysiS!! Confessions of a Dangerous Mind....
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