Month: March 2025
Look At These Photographs
When you see photos or videos of yourself from 5-10 years ago, what goes through your mind?
Lots of things. I do like looking at old pics, although usually its much older pics. It’s fun and nostalgic. Just yesterday when my cousin came over for a visit and saw a pic of a bunch of us when we were kids – he observed that we were both shorter than my older sister back then – and she is just 5ft! We laughed at that a little before we sat down for lunch.
So pics from 5 to 10 years ago, I was in much better condition health wise. I didn’t have these issues which make me scared that I will have any incident and have to be hospitalized. I had a social life, as much as it was. But still I went where I wanted to, I enjoyed a few movies at the theatre and I went to the mall. I met friends if they were free. I haven’t done that in a long while.
I was happier and healthier and I had fun. Nowadays I am a recluse, staying in mostly at home. My photos now would be sitting in my chair and nothing else. The older photos are a reminder of better times gone by.
Prompt from Journaling Prompts from The Coffee Monterz Co . Com
Current Morning Routine While Working At Home
Well, its the end of March and after a brief few days of me going to the office at the end of January, beginning of February, and conducting a training for a batch of 10 employees and then managing them during their nesting. Things went back to normal after that and other than a few meetings about the impending client visit in the first week of May, everything is BAU.
I usually wake up between 6 am and 7am. I go to the washroom and do my business and then wash my face before brushing my teeth. I come back to my bedroom and watch some Star Trek Voyager or TBBT as I am currently rewatching those shows and then go get my first cup of coffee. I do this till 8:30 or 9 and then usually by 9 am I go get my breakfast. After breakfast I usually relax at my laptop and by 11 I drink another cup of coffee.
At 11:45 am I go and take a shower and change my clothes. After drying my hair I setup my work laptop and connect to the wifi and then the VPN. This is usually 12:15 pm and I get my headset and connect it to the laptop. I check my work email and open all the apps and client tools and mark my attendance. By 12:50 pm we have the first meeting of the day!
Arsenal Announce Andrea Berta As Their New Sporting Director
He spent almost 12 years with Atleti and played a major role in shaping the squads which won La Liga titles in 2013/14 and 2020/21, and the Europa League in 2018. They also won the Copa Del Rey, the UEFA Super Cup and Supercopa de Espana during his time at the club, as well as reaching two UEFA Champions League finals.
Andrea said: “I am thrilled to be joining Arsenal in what is a hugely exciting period for the club. “I have watched with great interest the way Arsenal has evolved in recent years and I have admired the hard work that has gone into re-establishing the club as a major force in European football with a passionate following around the world. “The club has great values and a rich history, and I am looking forward to playing my part in shaping a successful future with a great team. I cannot wait to get started in my new role and I am really looking forward to experiencing my first game at Emirates Stadium together with our supporters.”
Co-Chair Josh Kroenke added: “Anyone who knows football knows Andrea is an impressive figure. He has vast knowledge of the game, a great track record, a strong network and an insatiable desire to build winning teams. “Andrea will be a great addition to our club. He understands our values and what we stand for and we have no doubt he will help us push on and take the next steps in our bid to win major trophies.
“We undertook a thorough recruitment process and we were hugely impressed with the level of all the other candidates, but it was Andrea’s experience and the success he has enjoyed that stood out. “We are really looking forward to working together and welcoming him into the Arsenal family.” Everyone at Arsenal welcomes Andrea and his family to the club.
Take An Image Of The Family Dog
Starbucks White Mocha Frappuccino
I’ve been alone at home for the past few days. Since I am not going out these days, that means staying in and watching movies. Also, I order in some coffee, usually from Starbucks. It is hot these days, and every bit of cold drinks help. So while I need my hot coffee in the morning atleast, then I can have a cold one.
Today’s was the Starbucks White Mocha Frappuccino. Basically, it’s coffee or espresso mixed with some cream or milk and, of course, the wonderful white chocolate sauce. White chocolate Cream Frappuccino® is a blend of white chocolate sauce, milk and ice. Topped with whipped vanilla topping as per Starbuck’s India website.
All you white chocolate fans! This White Chocolate Mocha, the Frappuccino is oh-so delicious! A really good choice for a Starbucks drink on a hot day like this – creamy and thick, an amazing balance of sweet and refreshing.
Five More Fun Facts About Corona Extra Beer
Corona dominates U.S. beer imports
Since hitting the U.S. market in 1981, Corona has been a huge beer import. It dominates today; Mexican beer as a whole accounts for 68 percent of the beer imported into America (more than brews from the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium). Corona leads that charge, ranking as the No. 1 import in 2017.
Corona Extra is an official sponsor of boxing
Corona Extra proudly proclaimed itself the official beer sponsor of the infamous Mayweather vs. McGregor fight (soap opera?) in August 2017. You can view boxers and bouts in Corona’s video gallery and fight gallery.
Corona is the first imported beer brand to partner with a U.S. university
In 2017, Corona became the official sponsor of the University of Texas Longhorns. The brand’s “Horns Up, Limes In!” assets can be seen across the Texas Longhorns football, basketball, and baseball programs, “responsible drinking” campaign, hospitality, tickets, and media exposure on the Longhorn Network, as well as on other point-of-sale, social, digital, and ad materials, according to a press release. It’s the brand’s first partnership with a college athletics program.
Corona’s biggest fan is the ‘Fast and the Furious’ franchise — for which it is not a sponsor
In an interesting twist of lime, er, fate, Corona’s heavy-handed inclusion in the “Fast and Furious” films is not sponsorship or product placement — just another absurd quirk of the notorious, wildly successful franchise. According to The Ringer, Corona makes several appearances throughout the eight “Fast and Furious” films simply because it struck them as what Vin Diesel’s character, Dominic “Dom” Toretto, would drink. In the first film, in 2001, the beer even gets its own lime, er, line, spoken by Dom himself: “You can have any brew you want … as long as it’s a Corona.” Dom brings Corona up again when offered a tasty Belgian ale in “Furious 7.” “It’s literally a character in the films,” Chris Morgan, screenwriter for every “Fast” script since the third, “Tokyo Drift,” says.
You, too, can become a Corona model
Part of Corona’s iconic branding is its beautiful, beach-ready bods, as well as the attractive people who hand out free cans and bottles of the stuff at promotional events. This could be you! Although the process varies by state and region, those hoping to live la vida Corona can contact your local beer distributor. The sales team works with modeling agencies to hire those who look the part of “saber vivir,” or knowing how to live.
McDonald’s India’s “Korean Menu”
McDonald India does it again! I’ve said this before both here and on my food review channel that India does not do international dishes that well, especially in the mass market. Fast food giants like McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC etc just fail when it comes to trying to replicate an international flavour. Now I do mean this is for the Indian wings of these companies. I do not know how the rest of the world does things.
In India most foreign food dishes are not authentic. Rarely do we find them. Whether it is fast food or proper restaurants. Even if it is an international brand in India, it’s still run by Indians and I guess that is what the issue is. They will add some oregano to the burger and call it “Italian”. Add 2 jalapenos and call it “Mexican”. Some cafes will change a few items of the Full English Breakfast and voila – you have American Breakfast! And now “Korean” Regular chicken burger, but add a bit of Korean sauce and voila! Add paneer and cauliflower and call it Chinese (IndoChinese is more appropriate).
I just got to find out about the new McDonald’s Korean menu which is basically just their regular menu of 4 burgers with a Korean sauce added! That’s it – instant Korean! Korean McAloo Tikki Burger®? Or no, wait, Korean Chicken Surprise Burger? The Korean McSpicy™ Chicken Burger and Korean McSpicy™ Paneer Burger and the Korean McEgg® Burger!
FOOD REVIEW #519
Some Weird & Fun Facts About Gibraltar
Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory, boasts unique features, including being home to Europe’s only wild monkey population, having a runway that crosses a main road, and a history linked to the “Pillars of Hercules”.
Here are some more weird and interesting facts about Gibraltar:
Europe’s Only Wild Monkeys: Gibraltar is home to the only wild monkey population in Europe, consisting of Barbary macaques, which are believed to have been introduced by the Moors.
“Pillars of Hercules”: Gibraltar, along with Mount Jbel Musa in Morocco, are known as the “Pillars of Hercules,” a reference from ancient Greek and Roman legends.
Runway Crossing a Main Road: Gibraltar International Airport’s runway crosses Winston Churchill Avenue, a major thoroughfare, meaning traffic must stop for aircraft takeoffs and landings.
Low Tax Rates: Gibraltar is known for its low tax rates, making it an attractive location for businesses.
Small but Dense: With a population of around 33,000 people in a small area (2.6 square miles), Gibraltar has one of the highest population densities in the world.
Tunnels: There are more kilometers of tunnels than roads in Gibraltar, with over 50 km of tunnels weaving through the Rock.
Birdwatcher’s Paradise: The Rock of Gibraltar is a popular spot for birdwatchers, as it’s a migratory path for birds between North Africa and Europe.
Unique Flora: The Gibraltar candytuft is a flower native only to the Rock, and wild olive and pine trees grow on the Upper Rock.
Neanderthal History: Gorham’s Cave, located below the Rock of Gibraltar, was a Neanderthal stronghold and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
KFC’s Zinger Burgers
KFC offers a variety of Zinger burgers, including the Classic Zinger, Tandoori Zinger, and Veg Zinger, with options like the Mexican Zinger Pro and Caribbean Spicy Zinger.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the Zinger burger options available at KFC:
Classic Chicken Zinger: A signature burger with a crunchy chicken fillet, lettuce, mayo, and a sesame bun.
Tandoori Zinger: Features a chicken fillet with a delicious tandoori sauce and cheese.
Mexican Zinger Pro: A premium burger with crunchy chicken, Mexican Habanero sauce, cheese, tomato, and onion.
Caribbean Spicy Zinger: A spicy Zinger burger with a Caribbean twist.
Indian Tandoori Zinger Burger: Grab Tandoori Zinger Burger with Onions & Tangy sauce
Indian Paneer Zinger Burger: Relish the Indian paneer zinger
Veg Zinger Burgers: A vegetarian option with a crispy patty, cheese slice, veggies, and a tangy sauce.
Veg Zinger Burger with Cheese: Signature veg burger with crispy patties, cheese slice, veggies & a tangy sauce
What I Personally Think About Before I Fall Asleep
What do you think about as you are falling asleep?
The usual thoughts I have is off the things that I dream about as well. I dream that all my health issues are gone as as those of my parents and every other family members. Relatives that have passed away are all alive and well as are the 4 pets that I have loved and lost. Same for my relatives and their pets. Everyone is living happy and safe and in relative luxury in a futuristic world.
I think of us growing up and learning about the worlds and the galaxy and universe we live in. I think that at age 18, I decide that I want a pet dog and I go and get puppy Shawny from a kennel and take care of her in my home. I also get Chocolate & Lollipop, my two cats, as kittens and they travel with me wherever I go, in a futuristic vehicle while cuddling in a cushioned bed encased in a compartment inside a robot – to make travel easier. All my friends are alive and well and their families as well, including their pets.
I think of going in a spaceship or I should say starship, with all the luxuries that we see in a current 5 star hotel, along with my family members and going on adventures and exploring the galaxy and seeing new worlds. Our pets are with us, as ofcourse they are family, and we have lots of fun while also learning about our galaxy as well.
Prompt from Journaling Prompts from The Coffee Monterz Co . Com
Remembering The Late Jeff Healey On His 59th Birthday
Jeff Healey was a Canadian blues, rock and jazz guitarist, singer and songwriter who attained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. He reached No. 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart with “Angel Eyes” and reached the Top 10 in Canada with the songs “I Think I Love You Too Much” and “How Long Can a Man Be Strong”. Norman Jeffrey “Jeff” Healey (born March 25, 1966 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) lost his sight as a child due to retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer. He was adopted as an infant; his adoptive father was a firefighter. When he was almost one year old, Healey lost his sight due to retinoblastoma, a rare cancer of the eyes. His eyes had to be surgically removed, and he was given ocular prostheses.
Healey began playing guitar when he was three, developing his unique style of playing the instrument flat on his lap. This was also because his parents didn’t know how to play the guitar either. As a teenager he started playing in prominent venues in Toronto and even got to play with legends like Buddy Guy. Shortly thereafter he was introduced to bassist Joe Rockman (born January 1, 1957, Toronto) and drummer Tom Stephen (born February 2, 1955, New Brunswick – died February 20, 2023), with whom he formed a trio, the Jeff Healey Band. After being signed to Arista Records in 1988, the band released the album See the Light, which appeared on the RPM Top 100 chart in 1989. It featured the hit single “Angel Eyes” and the song “Hideaway“, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. While the band was recording See the Light, they were also filming (and recording for the soundtrack of) the Patrick Swayze film Road House.
In 1990, the band won the Juno Award for Canadian Entertainer of the Year. The albums Hell to Pay and Feel This gave Healey 10 charting singles in Canada between 1990 and 1994, including a cover of the Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps“, which featured George Harrison and Jeff Lynne on backing vocals and acoustic guitar. Post the long tour after supporting Fell This Jeff took a break from touring due to his health and released Cover To Cover, an album full of his favourite songs and influences. But then he mostly concentrated on his jazz & blues club, Healeys’ in Toronto. He also started playing more jazz tunes live at the club. 2000 saw him and the band release Get Me Some, which didn’t do as well as the previous 3 albums.
Other than a couple of live albums, he only released jazz records until 2008. On January 11, 2007, Healey underwent surgery to remove metastatic cancer tissue from both lungs. In the previous 18 months, he had two sarcomas removed from his legs. On March 2, 2008, Healey died of sarcoma in his home town of Toronto at the age of 41, just a few days short of his 42nd. Over the years, Healey toured and sat in with many well-known performers, including The Allman Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, B. B. King, ZZ Top, Steve Lukather, Eric Clapton and many more. In 2006, Healey appeared on Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan’s CD/DVD Gillan’s Inn. Healey discovered and helped develop the careers of other musical artists, including Alex Pangman, Terra Hazelton, Amanda Marshall, Shannon Curfman, and Philip Sayce.
My introduction to the late, great Jeff Healey was back in late 1990 when a friend of my in grade 9 let me borrow his cassette tape of this album and recommended it to me. A little while later, I bought my own copy. I became a huge fan and bought Feel This in 1992 and his debut See The Light in between. He has always been one of my favourite singer/guitarists since 1990 and the music world lost a great artist when he passed away.
Regular Flights To Bangalore To Stay In A Hotel & Buy Magazines!
I’ve had this odd dream, which felt so real. You know one of those dreams where you even feel the breeze, you feel the softness of the pillow against your face and head etc etc. That kind of a dream. Also, I’ve had this kind of a dream a couple of times but I was reminded about it this morning and thought I’d type it down.
So in this dream, I am taking a flight to Bangalore and apparently I do this often. In the dream I look for long weekends and then book a flight in the evenings to fly off to Bangalore. Once I land, I take an Uber to a restaurant that I had wanted to try out and have a nice meal. An hour or so later and it’s almost 9 pm and so I take an Uber to my hotel and check in. I go to my room and change into a robe and get into the sheets and watch some tv before sleeping for a few hours.
I don’t remember much else other than that the next day I did go to a shop, that has music books and magazine like Guitar Player & Metal Edge. I spend some time browsing before buying some of them and paying for it and then I remember taking a shower in my bedroom, extending my stay for a 3rd day after checking to see if I could afford it and then going down for a buffet dinner. That’s it!
Who Is The King In Yellow?
Pic from Pulp University
The King in Yellow is a collection of weird and supernatural horror stories written by Robert W. Chambers in 1895. The stories are loosely connected by references to a mysterious and forbidden play called The King in Yellow, which is said to drive those who read it insane.
Key Themes and Story Elements
The Cursed Play
- Many of the stories mention a fictional play titled The King in Yellow that is said to reveal cosmic horrors beyond human comprehension.
- Reading the second act of the play causes madness and despair.
- The play introduces terrifying entities, including The King in Yellow himself, a mysterious and possibly supernatural figure.
The Yellow Sign
- A recurring symbol in the book, often associated with the King in Yellow and the madness it brings.
- Those who come into contact with it experience strange visions, paranoia, or even encounter eldritch beings.
Madness and Cosmic Horror
- Many characters in the stories slowly lose their grip on reality.
- Chambers explores themes of existential dread and the idea that the universe is governed by forces beyond human understanding.
Notable Stories in the Collection
- “The Repairer of Reputations”
A dystopian tale set in a future America where the protagonist, possibly insane, believes he is destined to rule under the King in Yellow. - “The Mask”
A tragic love story involving a scientist who discovers a way to turn living things into stone. - “In the Court of the Dragon”
A man is haunted by a sinister organist after reading The King in Yellow. - “The Yellow Sign”
An artist and his model are tormented by a strange presence connected to the cursed play.
Influence on Horror and Pop Culture
- Chambers’ work heavily influenced H.P. Lovecraft, who later expanded on the idea of cosmic horror.
- The King in Yellow is often associated with the Cthulhu Mythos, even though Chambers’ stories predate Lovecraft’s.
- The book has inspired modern works like HBO’s True Detective (Season 1), which references the Yellow King and Carcosa.
The IPod Shuffle : A Nostalgic Look Back
Back in 2007, I was gifted a 1GB Ipod shuffle from my cousin Raakhee. She lives in the US & sent it to me via her mother (my mom’s sister) who was visiting her on the birth of her (Raakhee’s) second child. Her mom came back to India that year after her visit and she gave the box to my mum and another sister who were there waiting to pick her up. My mum came back home and sprung this surprise on me when she gave the box to me. The iPod Shuffle was a small, flash-memory-based MP3 player by Apple, known for its simplicity and portability, featuring no screen, FM radio, or Dock Connector, and was discontinued on July 27, 2017.
Here are some key facts about the iPod Shuffle:
- Smallest iPod: It was the smallest model in Apple’s iPod family.
- Flash Memory: It was the first iPod to use flash memory for storage.
- No Screen: It lacked a screen, FM radio, and a Dock Connector, focusing on simplicity.
- Headphone Controls: The 3rd generation Shuffle had no buttons on the device itself, relying on a small remote on the headphone cord, while the 4th generation added buttons back.
- First Model: The first model was announced at the Macworld Conference & Expo on January 11, 2005.
- Discontinuation: The iPod Shuffle was discontinued by Apple on July 27, 2017, along with the iPod Nano.
- Capacity: The iPod shuffle was available in 2GB and 4GB memory capacities.
- Dimensions: The iPod shuffle is 45.2mm tall, 17.5mm wide, and has a depth of 7.8mm.
Hell To Pay – The Jeff Healey Band
Hell to Pay is the second album by the Jeff Healey Band. It was released in 1990, and was one of the top 25 best-selling albums in Canada. In 1991. it was nominated for a Juno Award for “Album of the Year”. Guest musicians on the album include George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Bobby Whitlock and Mark Knopfler. The album was recorded at Le Studio in Morin Heights, Quebec, Canada in January and February 1990. It reached #27 in the US, #5 in Canada, #18 in the UK and cracked the top 10 in both Norway & Sweden while hitting #20 in Australia. This was my introduction to the late, great Jeff Healey back in late 1990 when a friend of my in grade 9 let me borrow his cassette tape of this album and recommended it to me. A little while later, I bought my own copy.
We start of with a foot stopping rocker in Full Circle about a certain type of hot woman who teases and pleases but does not commit and likes to keep you waiting. Second up is a Mark Knopfler written & composed song I Think I Love You Too Much. This one has some of the best solos in the whole album with Jeff shredding his strat, while singing about the elusive lover who still makes life difficult for the protagonist even while they are together. I Can’t Get My Hands On You is about a rich playboy who has property, jets around the world, has expensive things and cars but does not have the object of his desire. He understands that all the riches mean nothing and is frustrated that he can’t get this particular woman. It ends with a nice drum solo.
How Long Can A Man Be Strong is my fav song performed by Healey. This gentle ballad is a longing for that one woman, the love of your life, the one who will be with you forever and you are waiting for her and you just know that she is also waiting for you. You haven’t met her yet but you know she’s out there and it’s lonely until you find her. Let It All Go is a cheerful, with a tinge of sadness, hopeful look at staying positive and has a nice sing along feel to it. I see a bunch of people singing along at this one. Hell To Pay is more of a blues to rocker letting you know that yours may not be the biggest problems around and that there are others have it worse.
One of his best and most recognized songs is the cover of the Beatles While My Guitar Gently Weeps. The George Harrison single has been performer and covered by many but with this studio release, Jeff truly makes it his own. Again the trio switches gears with the rockier Something To Hold On, about a troubled woman wanting to escape an abusive relationship. How Much is about love and the risk of trying to go all out and the man is asking how much should be be willing to give and he could take away the pain of past problems and issues. Highway Of Dreams is basically about the fame game, the search for money and glory and how about everyone is basically travelling the same road or highway. Life Beyond The Sky is looking optimistically while the world struggles with despair and war and hopefully there is a life of goodness beyond this. This life is worth looking forward to.
The album has 5 singles released with varying degrees of success with I Think I Love You Too Much – #5 in the US as well – & How Long Can A Man Be Strong hitting #5 & #8 in Canada, while Full Circle aided by its music video hit 16 in the US.
Teenage Me Would Be Ashamed Of Current Me
Would teenage-you proud of you today?
Nope! Not a chance. He would only be happy about the job but nothing else. If teen me met me know he would be so disappointed at the balding, overly obese, lonely recluse living within the confines of his apartment and not stepping outside. He would feel extremely sadden to see the state that 48 year himself turned out to be.
He would get so depressed that he might not even speak to anyone or get outta bed for a while. I am so far away from what I had hoped that I would be at this point in my life. I am so far away, I might as well be in another galaxy. My teenage self would say, can I not grow up to be him? I would have wanted more of a social life, a wife and a dog or two, maybe a cat and living in a house of my own and enjoying that kind of a family life.
Not this hermetic lifestyle because my clothes don’t fit and I have issues with my feet and trouble all around. Someone who lives for the weekly fast food or something he really likes to eat and the odd coffee from Starbucks that he orders when no one else is at home. The one who lives for his dreams where he can be more of the person that he sees himself as.
Prompt from Journaling Prompts from The Coffee Monterz Co . Com