I just realized i have always had APD

Yeah! APD!! Don't know what that is? You should have met the past me from 5 minutes before I started writing this post and then we would have been like birds of a feather..

     Ahem! (drumroll....) APD is Auditory Processing Disorder. A condition where a persons brain and ears do not coordinate well enough and do not process information the same way everybody else does.
       This pertains mostly to speech processing, for example, you just said something, and an otherwise fairly intelligent(or not) kid/person looks at you like you just spoke an alien language, and you repeat it and he still does not get it.You think, he/she is messing with you, then you ask yourself why is he so dumb, why can he not follow simple instructions? Or maybe you ask something, and the person just gives you a stupid smile like you cracked a joke, and you understand he did not get your question. Or you do not realize the person did not get what you said, so while he is trying to understand what you just said, you keep talking and he is stuck with this soundbite which did not make any sense to him whatsoever and so he discards it in his mind. This happens over and over.

         Or maybe its you, you cannot understand all the dialogues in the movie because they are so jumbled up, or maybe the lyrics of a song sound like a different language. That right there is APD. 

           And sadly, for anyone who has APD, it is a constant mental exercise to go over the sound byte they just heard, turn it this way and that, try to understand it in context, and respond back in the time that is socially acceptable. If this all sounds tough, it is, and its very taxing. There is no medication for this, no therapy. But there is one thing that will help, rephrasing the question. 

Opining about Sexual Orientation

The world has been going up in flames with governments deciding to take a stand about homosexuality and the legality or the illegality of such an act, and in some instances about the validity of  a marital alliance between same-sex couples. I too have an opinion about the issue, and I will lay it down here.
Social media has influenced our lives to a very extreme degree, much to the point that we have opinions about everything and anything even if it is something we have never come in contact with or known or will ever do. Do not get me wrong, I do not have a single thing against social media. But the way of the world is that bad news/stigma/insults/misleading and highly opinionated articles tend to travel much faster than any good/unadulterated/un-opinionated news. The social media just made it infinitely quick. So now, we have to have an opinion the moment we see something, and we have a desperate need for labels (right/wrong, crime/not a crime). We fail to understand, we were not born to judge or be judged, but to live and let live.
To put it bluntly, No person, and certainly No government has any place in an individuals bedroom. Sex between adults is an act of consent, and should always remain so, no matter how bizarre the act itself is. But to force someone into such an act, or coerce someone into it, or taking advantage of one's age or situation to do so is wrong and should be punished accordingly. So, there are laws against rape, blackmail, pedophiles, and quite rightly so because the weak need to be protected and that is why governments exist. And I also agree that, whether same-sex marriage is legal or not should be left to the local governing agencies to decide, because marriage is a social ritual to stay obligated and to stay true to the norms of the society and the benefits bestowed upon a married couple come from the resources of such a society(in terms of insurance benefits, property benefits, ownership rights upon spouse's death and so on and so forth).
Criminalizing homosexuality itself, I do not know how that is going to do anything. How often do you know how your colleague at work handles his bedroom business? Its not nature's way to do so? What is nature's way anyway? and what do we care about nature's way? We kill and eat indiscriminately, we pump up chickens with antibiotics and fatten them up fast , which I am pretty sure is not nature's way. Do we walk everywhere we go? Is that not what nature gave us legs for? We give growth hormones to cows to make them give more milk, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. Forget about making thousands of animal and plant species going extinct, polluting the environment, deforestation, genetic modification, test tube babies, surrogate mothers, milk powders, nuclear wars, plastic.... phew let me take a breath here and stop. Because I know the list will never end. And say what???? Nature's way?? Don't make me laugh.
So don't give me that nonsense about nature's way. Do not use it as an excuse to just do whatever you want. Rape is a crime in India, but whoever listens to a poor raped woman's tale? Instead of being protected and rehabilitated, she is jeered at and shunned by the society. She is not going to get married. She is the slutty one cos she was raped and it makes a lot of sense to say a victim was the mastermind behind it all. What about domestic abuse? Will anyone sit quiet if someone pummells them in the market because they had a difference of opinion? So how is it ok, to do the same to your wife and get away with it? Marital Rape... don't even get me started on that. Child abuse. So you are saying you will do what you like even it is a crime, but what you do not like, even if it does not concern you in the least, should be a crime?????? Give me a freaking break you insolent hypocrite.
It is not the government's place to decide if one's sexual orientation is a crime. It is the government's duty to protect the weak and the bullied and that is the end of it. And those imbeciles in the government do not safeguard laws which are already present, so why do they need to add more to it for? Its just to pull wool over the normal citizens eyes so nobody will look at the actual corruption going on in the country in the name of administration...What a load of bull..

I love(HATE????) Windows 8

             I am going to use this never-contended space in my blog to complain(well, mostly)about Windows 8. I upgraded my laptop to Windows 8 because I was able to get a free upgrade. I appreciate the fact that Windows or Microsoft has taken the same route as Android and IOS in that its trying to provide a uniform platform across different platforms whether it be a tablet, a phone, or a PC. Well, I have been using W8 on my laptop for a while now and these are my impressions. My impressions changed quite a bit from the time of my initial opinions at its launch, but not how i felt about the OS. 

                   Initially,it seemed like a marketing strategy in order to force the customers to also own other W8 forms(tablets, and phones) along with having windows PCs. But, when I once went to an ATT store, the sales guy pitched it as a tablet which converts to a PC once you tilt it and affix it to a mount and this got me REAAALLLLYYYY interested. It would be great to see this idea take off(especially in the corporate world, too). You can work from home, and then just take it and plug it in your office and thats that. It also probably saves the companies many a buck having a office PC and also handing out the employees laptops. 

                     What irritates me the most; and its entirely personal, is that I bought a laptop just before W8 launch, and I have had a really hard time installing windows 8 on it, and also the fact that my laptop which is brand new is probably antiquated in the scheme of things. 

                    I have tried to upgrade W7 on my Lenovo, and then my mouse would not work, my webcam would not work, about every other application failed to launch, most of the hardware did not have compatible drivers, honestly it was a nightmare. The most naggy and interrupted experience I have had on an OS yet. I got sick of it, and tried to do a clean install on a logical partition, to allow for dual booting on my Lenovo, and received the following error that would not allow me to install: 

 "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, windows can only be installed to GPT disks." 

                        By now, I was grinding my teeth in frustration, cos not even a dos prompt linux installation gave me so much headache. My only option after much research,(for which i clean installed a Ubuntu I had on hand, because I was not sure what else would go wrong after the above error, and did not want a completely bricked 1000$ brand new laptop on my hands. Then I tried to logically partition the drive from Ubuntu into a NTFS format, which I could not because Ubuntu was working off that huge 1TB as the root mount. So, finally after much research on Ubuntu too, I used a live cd of Ubuntu to partition the hard drive and then wipe one logical partition and installed W8) I was able to install W8. I agree, I did not do it the right way, nor the most optimal way, but I would not have had to do it if the upgrade was good in the first place. So after hours and hours of research, wipe, install, and re-install, I finally got Windows 8 clean installed on my pc. For this experience, even while reliving it, I had the choicest of words reserved in my vocabulary, but will settle for a PHEW!!! So I start using it, and then my touchpad is really slow, so I upgrade it with a Synaptic W8 driver. It was really fast after that, but if you were watching something full screen, and wanted to check what the time was or the battery left was or something and you end up sliding your finger on the touchpad the wrong way, the screen goes to W8 home screen. I could switch it back, but I should not have to. See what I mean? Really annoying. Maybe theres a place when I can turn the gestures off, but then I also like the gestures. I just wish it would not be such and easy gesture, you know?

                      Also now that my laptop seems to be the most latest no touch screen laptop, I do not know where I stand. I kinda feel like I bought an IPad at the same price of IPad 2 just before the Ipad2 launch(but more expensive). I have more complaints and predictions/speculations about this OS, but I will stop my cribbing and see if that can be doled/rambled/ bitched out in my next post about W8.

TOP action manga must reads(not in any particular order)

I always had a tough time finding the best action manga around. But if you want serious butt-kicking action, look no further than this list. This list does NOT list Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, Claymore, Dragonball, yada yada yada... That list is well known. THIS LIST is on the same level if not better(depending on your taste). Berserk, Vinland saga are more period-type action stories, and the rest are all action, action and (damn)ACTION!!! I have provided information at the end, as to where you can read all the manga here for free, so be sure to have fun... Without further adieu...

1. Berserk(ongoing) - This series is dark, intense, filled with fantasy, a bit of adult content, but definitely a great read. The series starts out a bit aimlessly, but the moment it starts providing the background of the characters, the story turns out extremely engaging. Cannot be said the same about the anime version. Guts, around which the story revolves has been an orphan since birth, taken in by mercenaries, and is a ruthless fighter who wields a giant sword. He is branded by a curse mark from hell, and every night he has to fight off all the ghosts from hell which want to eat his soul up, just that he is not selling.

2. Vinland Saga(ongoing) - Intense, just like Berserk, without the fantasy elements. Great characterization, and good twists and turns. The releases are a bit far apart for my taste but I have a lot of other manga to read so, does not bother me much. Tale of a young kid who becomes a mercenary to avenge his father and wants to find out what true strength is about.

3. Gantz(ongoing)- Very dark manga.. Sits right up there with Berserk and Vinland Saga as far as pace of the manga and the intensity goes. It has gotten a bit slower currently but expect it to be back up on its feet pretty soon. Great story line, lots and lots of action, and superb plot twists. Must read. People who are going to die, are pulled out of the situation right before they die and are pulled into a game where you get to kill aliens or get killed.

4. Beelzebub(ongoing)- Hilarious is the word for this manga. Very evil and stupid protagonist, and equally stupid storyline with great fights make this manga unavoidable. Not dark like the ones I have mentioned till now, but is not in anyway less fun to read. An evil school delinquent is forced to take care of a baby (who happens to be the Demon Prince from hell) and he will be electrocuted to death if he tries to get more than 15m away from the Devil baby(Beelzebub). He is to raise the baby in a fit way so the baby can destroy our world once he grows up.

5. Hajime No Ippo(ongoing)- Who does not know about this manga? or anime? If you are into the world of manga or anime, this series is right up there at the top of all sports manga and anime. Its been going on for long, and has every reason to continue. I keep checking its updates with fervor and it has never disappointed me. This is a manga about Ippo, a bullied kid who wants to find out what does it mean to be strong, and enters the world of boxing. Its funny, and it has everything to keep your blood pumping and the laughs coming.

6. Psyren(complete)- Psyren starts out by people disappearing from this world. It starts out by random people who have received a red calling card vanishing in thin air. The protagonist uses his card so he can save his friend and enters a world; a futuristic world full of death,surprises and fights. This story is interesting right from the start and keeps you hooked on to it. The writer keeps the suspense going and unravels the story gradually.

7. Akumetsu(Complete)- Awesome, phenomenal and very original. Striking a perfect balance between science fiction and social issues, this is a story about a young man vexed with the corruption in the society. He finally decides to take things into his hands; but hang on, this guy is no ordinary person. With fantastic story telling, plots and twists, this is the most exhilarating manga I have come across till date.

8. Fullmetal Alchemist(complete)- This manga has a couple of different anime versions, but Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood is the original anime adaptation of the manga. Action packed, fast paced and foreboding, this manga and anime tell the story of two brothers practicing alchemy. They are Ed and Al, and they have tried to resurrect their dead mother. But human transmutation is one of the most forbidden arts, and Al had to sacrifice his physical body and Ed his arm and a leg.Now they are on a journey to regain their bodies.

9. Katekyo Hitman Reborn!(ongoing)- I have only been recently following this manga, but this manga is action oriented and seems promising enough. It tells the story of tsunayoshi sawada, who is supposed to be the 10th generation boss of the Vongola family(mafia yada yada yada..)How he protects his friends and rises up to his duties is the story. Some people think this manga is STUPID, but I wanted to introduce some playful action into the list.

10. History's strongest Disciple(ongoing)- Very VERY hilarious, this is a story about a weakling who decides to get stronger in order to protect the girl of his dreams. The only problem is she is a superb martial artist herself, so he has a lot of work ahead of him. Enter the five masters of Ryozanpoku(with whom the girl lives btw..), and their murderous training and all the people who want to fight him because he is the only disciple these five masters have ever taken.

Phew.. that is it folks. The websites currently hosting these great manga for free are(TADA!!!)
1. Spectrum nexus- http://www.thespectrum.net/ -- Berserk,Vinland Saga,Gantz, Hajime No Ippo
2. Mangafox- http://www.mangafox.com/ -- Beelzebub, Psyren, Akumetsu, History's Strongest Disciple , full metal alchemist.

The prattle of the rain

The prattle of the rain.. Haven't heard that in a while! Sure brings back nostalgic memories. Never leaving me, always reminding me of what I was, have been. I still remember my mom admonishing me for getting wet, my dad not so much except when its the first rainfall in a long time(It is more prone to cause the flu). I remember having so much fun, that me and my brother did not care one tiny bit. I remember the times I was TOTALLY drenched to the bone, and feeling good and super about it. I remember the time when I was back in India, waiting for that big monsoon to show up for the last 4 or 5 years like back when I was a kid and being disappointed every time.... It is tough when something which has been so close to my heart and so much a part of growing up has suddenly gone missing. There are not many things I will not trade for the monsoons to come back to India. I love the Indian monsoon, when you get drenched and its not cold outside so you can feel good about it. Well, I don't have much choice in the US. But, getting to see it pour down cats and dogs and smell the flavor of earth rising up and hear the prattle of rain beats not having rain at all....

A fast torrid affair of mine.....I meant speeding

I recently bought a new car for better mobility. Not because I wanted one, but because I needed one. Living in Spencer,NY does not help at all. Far flung from the rest of the civilization by at least 40 minutes of drive, no bus and nothing, kind of takes a car out of the WANTS section and ever so unceremoniously drops it into the NEEDS section. I could not afford to look at any with a "For Sale" symbol with a glint of interest in my eyes anymore. It was replaced by the look of a bloodhound preying its quarry, a rustic Indian over-aged unmarried male ogling a luscious NRI in a small tight skimpy dress and I could go on, but I believe I made my point. Eventually after compromising with reality,crashing any fantasies I harbored for a corvette(yeah yeah I know I am a big dreamer), I settled for a Honda Accord with about 100,000 miles on it. I was told it would run forever and that the car would fall apart before the engine died. That was good enough for me.

So I now had a car. And to my delight, I had roads to run it on. And to further indulge my diablerie, I took to going on a 2.6 hour drive to Rochester every weekend. On occasion, I would briefly, push the car over 93mph only to find my car shaking as if I was in the middle of an earthquake. I would remind myself about the "car falling apart" part and decide it was not worth the curiosity(It could probably get me killed too). One of my friends later told me if I were ever to get into an accident in my 93 Honda Accord going at 93mph, the cops would not probably be looking for me in the car, but rather the car itself. I can see a red flag especially when it is right in my face, so I paid heed.

Karma is a bit slow in catching up, but it does so eventually. I was cruising behind another car and just before I was pulled over 5 minutes later, this expensive looking car which was going full throttle until then, suddenly managed to pull itself into the heavily packed right lane. Now, you should never speed behind an expensive car, primarily because they have enough money to pay the ticket off, wipe the dirt off and walk away, and secondly if they do slow down suddenly, it is a clear indication there is a police car ahead(Police radar in the car blip blip...). I had too many things on my mind then, so instead of slowing down and falling behind I instead sped up,passed all those cars on my right and pulled over to the right lane. Sure enough, a cop car came up like 5 minutes later. I believed I could talk myself out and thought I was just a notch over the speed limit. As it turns out, I was doing 76 in a 55mph(Holy crap! did not look at the speed zone change from 65 to 55). I told him I was going to eat pizza and so he served me a ticket along with it.

A brief look at the Drivers manual freaked me out with charges of reckless driving, etc etc. My friend(the same one)suggested I talk to a District Attorney. While I was in court I was offered the choice to talk to a DA and I did that. Once I was there I confessed it was my mistake to the DA and my job needs me to have my license(I was on my probation, so a speeding ticket will suspend it), told him I had a clean record and all. He gave me a non-moving violation. Here are my words of wisdom to those drivers who sped and are now in court.

Do not plead guilty to the charge which is posted on the ticket. More often than not, once you talk to the DA, he will reduce the charge because it saves court time and money, and he has a better chance of convicting you at a lesser charge than to fight you for the charge on the ticket in the court. The DA is also human, and if your reasons are genuine, he might completely waive the charge.
So when you go to court the first time, say you plead not guilty to the charge, will need an attorney for the trial, and request to talk to a DA. Showing every intention to fight the ticket is really good, you are more liable to get a plea offer that way. Always be prompt to the court, try to be before time if you can be, and be as courteous, crisply dressed and well spoken as you can be. Do NOT show up drunk or stoned. On the date given to meet the DA, make sure you meet him. If you cannot, call the town clerk up to find out if you can reschedule. Talk to the DA and go all out and tell him how it will affect your life. If you like the plea bargain take it(You should most probably do that), else the next best way would be to keep postponing your appearance in the court and hope that the time you choose to actually make an appearance, that the police officer does not turn up. And make the fine payment promptly. All the best!!

These days, I never ever drive over the posted speed limit and try to save myself the trouble. After all, its like marriage. Its easier not getting into it(a ticket) that trying to get out of it.

The travails of work

Lot of things could(will) happen in a work environment which will change a newbie's (Me) perspective of the work culture. Though there are vast differences in the way this work culture is looked at from country to country, the basic premise is always the same. DO NOT FALTER. The most important thing though is try to be perfect and remembering where you stand.
An incorrigible part of human nature is we like to see people fall. The bigger the fall, the more excited everyone is. Sure, you have your mentor who feels bad but the word "friends" in a work place is something of an elusive shadow. But there is no denying that making friends is one most important part of being able to thrive in a career. Having said that, never go looking for one. And above all, have a refreshing personal life and good friends out of work. But no matter what, remember your fall is what most people(the jealous ones) look for and your faults are some other people look at.

ALL THE BEST THEN...