Month: April 2025

Read Madrid 1 Arsenal 2

- Roshan

Bukayo Saka scored a goal and missed a penalty as Arsenal held off Real Madrid to reach the Champions League semi-finals in an incident-packed match at the Bernabeu.

Arsenal had a 3-0 aggregate lead to defend after their superb victory in the first leg last week – and they were given the chance to silence the noisy home support when they were awarded a 13th-minute penalty. Saka stepped up but his weak, dinked effort was saved by Thibaut Courtois. However, the England forward made amends for his miss when he effectively killed off the tie with a fantastic chipped second-half finish over Courtois after Mikel Merino’s clever pass. Real hit back just two minutes later when a terrible mistake from William Saliba gifted Vinicius Junior with an open goal to score.

But Real were not able to capitalise on that glimmer of hope and Gabriel Martinelli capped off a glorious night by making it 2-1 in stoppage time with a breakaway goal, again set up by Merino. It is just the third time Arsenal have reached the semi-final stage of the Champions League and they will face Paris St-Germain in the last four. Arsenal beat PSG 2-0 at Emirates Stadium in the league phase but Luis Enrique’s French champions are much improved since then. The home crowd in Madrid, who had built an excellent atmosphere and were hoping to spark a comeback that would be remembered for years to come, thought their side had a way back into the tie shortly after Saka’s spot-kick miss when they were awarded a penalty of their own.

But a lengthy check with the video assistant referee overturned the referee’s decision after Kylian Mbappe had thrown himself to the floor following minimal contact from Declan Rice. It was hard to imagine that Arsenal were going to be able to produce a performance that would be better than the first leg – but this game comes close. The Gunners had a clear remit to not get dragged into the emotion created by the Bernabeu crowd. Saka had the perfect chance to silence the home support after Raul Asencio pulled down Merino but made an uncharacteristic poor choice from the spot which allowed Courtois to save his chip with ease. But Mikel Arteta’s side were never in serious danger of losing the match by such a margin that would see them knocked out.

Visiting Deep Space 70

- Roshan

Getting back to the journeys of my family, set in the fantastic futuristic science fiction universe that I have created in my mind, read this post and the remaining before you proceed. Ok, all caught up? Now read on!

So, since we had gotten the large red diamond, we had a 3 day journey ahead of us to reach the nearest Space station to us, Deep Space 70. We spent it watching some old movies from the database available and enjoyed a few long lunches and dinners and spending more time together. The kids had to spend atleast 7 hours attending classes and studying before they can play the games areas. Some of my cousins worked on their projects for like half the day. But for me, since this is my work, I completed a report on some meteors and asteroid but even managed almost an entire day in bed. With Shawny & Junior with me ofcourse – sleeping in, leisurely breakfast, napping in the afternoon.

A couple of my uncles and an aunt are involved with inter-planetary law as they are lawyers and caught up on some of their cases that they could present online and ofcourse the 4 doctors in the family catch upon both human and alien biology and do all sorts of work for 8 to 9 hours during these 3 days  Once in the sector, I contacted the Ops section of the space station, requesting permission to dock with them. I was given the coordinates to a docking section and I gave that to my robot pilot and once we reached the station, we docked at around 10 am. This is a station that has a huge civilian section along with the usual Starfleet like personnel as well as some scientists.

The station is actually just above a mineral rich planetoid and they frequently have teams going down to dig for those minerals. This sector has no inhabited planets or moon nearby with the exception of a two small colonies of an alien race we don’t have much contact with almost a day away. Anyways, after docking I get the coordinates to beam the giant diamond into a storage bay. While that was being done, the rest of my family was headed into the station and as it was almost lunch time, they headed to the huge restaurant that had cooked food – instead of just the replicated food, this station has been able to get meat from some animals that resemble deer and yaks on some nearby planets and they cook the meat along with a selection of vegetables.

A couple of my cousins waited for me to be done with beaming the diamond to the bay allocated for it and then we headed to the restaurant as well for some delicious roasted alien yak & deer meat along with some grilled vegetables. We enjoyed the meal and then were offered a tour of the facility to see the various sections and activities that gets done there. We sat in these vehicles that took us around the facilities and refinery areas and saw some of what they do in this station. There were around 500 scientists and refinery workers/volunteers and about 700 Starfleet officers on the station full time and they also see many ships coming and going.

By late evening, we were done and then took our leave from the station admin team. We all boarded our ship and then after de-docking from the station, we headed for our next destination. Soon we were all having dinner and drinks and went to sleep for an early night.

8 Benefits Of Drinking Black Coffee

- Roshan

Black coffee offers a range of benefits, including enhanced cognitive function, potential mood and energy boosts, and improved physical performance. It can also support cardiovascular health, liver health, and may even help with weight management and diabetes control. Furthermore, black coffee is a rich source of antioxidants, which can contribute to overall cellular health and potentially reduce the risk of certain diseases.

Cognitive Function and Mood: The caffeine in black coffee stimulates the brain, leading to improved focus, attention, and memory. It can also boost mood by stimulating the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.

Physical Performance: Black coffee can enhance physical performance by increasing adrenaline levels, which can improve endurance, reduce fatigue, and increase fat oxidation.

Cardiovascular Health: Studies suggest that black coffee may help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Liver Health: Black coffee has been linked to a lower risk of liver conditions like fatty liver, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

Diabetes Control: Regular black coffee consumption may improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, potentially reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Antioxidant Rich: Black coffee is a good source of antioxidants, which can help protect the body against damage from free radicals and reduce inflammation.

Weight Management: Black coffee can potentially boost metabolism and assist in burning fat, making it a helpful tool for weight management.

Digestive Health: Drinking black coffee on an empty stomach may help cleanse the stomach by flushing out toxins and harmful bacteria.

LetterboxD: App For The Movie Lover

- Roshan

As a movie buff, I used to love for ways to track the movies that I watch and love. Typing them down on a webpage in my blog or noting them down on an excel sheets is odd. Instead looking for a website app or something to track them sounded much better. Back in 2013 I had signed up for Letterboxd and kept entering the movies I watched or bought for a long time. For some reason back in 2017 or 2018 I stopped using it and I even forgot my account user id and password. So I created a new one and I am trying to enter the movies that I have in my collection as well as ones I watch on a streaming platform or elsewhere.

Letterboxd is a social media platform specifically for movie lovers. It’s kind of like Goodreads but for films. Here’s a breakdown of what it is and what you can do on it:

Letterboxd is a film diary and social network where users can:

  • Track movies they’ve watched

  • Write reviews or short reactions

  • Create and share watchlists or custom movie lists

  • Rate films (0.5 to 5 stars)

  • Follow friends or film critics

  • Discover new movies through recommendations, trending lists, and user activity

RIP Les Binks

- Roshan

Former Judas Priest drummer Les Binks has died aged 73. The Northern Irish sticksman joined the legendary heavy metal band in 1977, after tenures with Eric Burdon and War (later known as simply War) and pop group Francy. His death was reported by various outlets on Tuesday (15.04.25), however, no cause of death was given. Binks appeared on the pair of 1978 Priest albums ‘Stained Class’ and ‘Killing Machine’, and the 1979 live LP ‘Unleashed In The East’. He departed the group shortly after the latter project’s release. Binks reunited with Judas Priest when they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2017. At the time, he also performed in the covers band KK’s Priest with former members K. K. Downing and Tim “Ripper” Owens.

Previously working for Eric Burdon of the Animals and the funk band War, Binks was also a drummer on Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover’s album The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper’s Feast (1974). The album project began as a soundtrack for an animated film based on a well-known English children’s book, but a promo for the film never gained any interest, so the project was scrapped. Glover went on to release the soundtrack as a “Roger Glover and Friends” title. Binks played for the pop band Fancy who had two U.S. hits in 1974 with a cover of Chip Taylor’s “Wild Thing”, and “Touch Me”.

Through his connection to Roger Glover who had just wrapped up production of their album Sin After Sin, Binks joined the up-and-coming heavy metal act Judas Priest in March 1977 for their world tour – their first on American soil. Binks stepped into the role Simon Phillips had held in the band. Binks remained with Judas Priest for two and a half years, until July 1979, recording the studio albums Stained Class and Killing Machine (both 1978) and the live album Unleashed in the East (1979), all of which feature a faster thrash metal, speed metal double bass drumming approach, thus helping to develop and explore new terrain within heavy metal music. Binks left the band just before the start of the North American leg of the “Killing Machine” (Hell Bent for Leather) tour. Binks said in 2017 that he left because he felt he was essentially hired as a “freelance session drummer” by the band and was never made an official member.

Binks toured with the bands Lionheart (1981) and Tytan (1982–1983) soon after their first single release. Since 2017,[12] Binks performed classic Judas Priest songs live with a new band called Les Binks’ Priesthood. He additionally intended to join the band KK’s Priest after a one-time show in November 2019 playing Judas Priest songs at KK’s Steelmill in Wolverhampton, along with other former Judas Priest members K. K. Downing (guitar) and Tim “Ripper” Owens (vocals). Other participants included David Ellefson (bass) of Megadeth and A.J. Mills (guitar) of the UK band Hostile. However a fractured wrist stopped him from joining them.

In 2022, Binks was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Judas Priest via the Award for Musical Excellence.

Headphones VS Earbuds

- Roshan

Here’s a quick comparison of headphones vs. earbuds, breaking down the key differences depending on what matters most to you:

Headphones

Pros:

  • Better Sound Quality: Larger drivers = richer bass and clearer highs.

  • Noise Isolation/Cancelation: Over-ear and on-ear styles often block more outside noise, especially ANC (active noise canceling) models.

  • Comfort for Long Use: Cushioned ear pads can be comfier during long sessions (like work or gaming).

  • Battery Life (wireless models): Usually longer than earbuds.

Cons:

  • Bulky: Not as portable, take up more space in a bag.

  • Can Get Hot: Especially over-ear models after long periods.

  • Not Great for Exercise: Too big or can shift during movement.

Earbuds

Pros:

  • Portability: Super compact and lightweight — fits in your pocket.

  • Great for Exercise: Secure fit (especially with sports designs), sweat-resistant options.

  • Discreet: Ideal for commuting or casual listening on the go.

  • Convenient Charging Cases: Easy to carry and recharge on the move.

Cons:

  • Sound Quality: Smaller drivers = generally less rich sound (though high-end earbuds can be amazing).

  • Battery Life: Shorter than headphones — typically 4–8 hours before needing the case.

  • Fit Issues: Not everyone finds them comfortable or secure.

So… Which One’s Better?

  • For commuting or workouts: Go with earbuds.

  • For immersive music, gaming, or working at a desk: Choose headphones.

  • If sound quality is your #1 concern: High-end headphones win.

  • If you value portability and convenience: Earbuds all day.

Total Control – John Norum

- Roshan

Total Control is the first solo album by Europe guitarist John Norum. It was released after Norum left Europe following the release of 1986’s The Final Countdown and the tour that followed.  Apparently guitarist John Norum left Europe back in the 1980’s because he was unhappy over the more commercial bent of the group’s music. The band definitely had more success with that change but in more recent years have gone more towards that classic rock sound. While the album’s production is clearly of the 80’s, the material does veer greatly into the heavier guitar driven sound. While keyboards do have a presence on the album, they don’t overwhelm the clearly more aggressive rocking vibe.

Joining him on this album are singer Goran Edman on 3 tracks, while John tackles vocals on the other 8, and Norum’s friend from the early days of Europe Marcel Jacob, when they were still called Force. Jacob joined the band Force for 3 years before quitting to rejoin Yngwie Malmsteen’s band Rising Force. Jacob also cowrote 8 of the 11 songs. Peter Hermansson played drums on the record while Per Blom added keyboards on some songs. We start off with Norum singing and playing guitars on the more rockier Let Me Love You which has a great bass and drum rhythm throughout the song. It was also the first single. The video for the next song, Love Is Meant To Last Forever is from a live performance. The song is about two lovers who are trying to make it through the struggles and Goran takes the vocals on this one.

John comes back to sing the slower Too Many Hearts which is the first ballad in the album. The slower paced guitar solos shows off more of Norum’s range. Someone Else Here sounds more like Europe than most of the other songs in the album. Eternal Flame starts off with a searing solo before the rest of the song kicks off, reminding me a bit of Joe Lynn Turner era Rainbow. Back on the Streets is a cover of a Vinnie Vincent song from the previous year and has got a great music video in which John’s guitar is stolen and he searches for it only to find it in a pawn show before he joins Goran, Marcel and the others to play the solo. More chaotic is the song Blind with John singing again.

One of my favourite songs of the record is the oddly sounding Law Of Life penned by Max Lorentz & Mats Lindfors. For a 11 year old, I thought that this song would be good in a Western movie. We’ll Do What It Takes Together is once again another song that reminds of Turner & Rainbow – especially the rhythm part. I remember singing this song loudly in my room back in the preteens. The album ends with the instrumental In Chase Of The Wind, featuring some beautiful acoustic guitars along with electric. Some regions got a bonus track in a Thin Lizzy cover of Wild One. Norum who is a fan of the band and Phil Lynott, dedicated it to the latter who passed away the previous year.

The album earned the #4 spot in Sweden and did well across Europe heralding Norum’s successful solo career before he rejoined his friends in Europe in 2003 as the band reunited from a long hiatus and has put the band first while still maintaining his solo efforts.

Why Do People Like Watching Scary Movies And Get Frightened?

- Roshan

Great question—people have all kinds of reasons for loving horror, even though it’s basically signing up to be scared. I am a fan of horror movies myself and I love the stories and the creatures. Here are some reasons for why people love watching them.

Horror movies trigger the fight-or-flight response—your heart races, adrenaline spikes, and your senses heighten. It’s like riding a roller coaster: scary, but in a safe environment. People get to explore scary stuff—death, danger, monsters, the unknown—without real risk. It’s a way to “practice” fear and come out the other side okay. Some folks are just fascinated by the dark, weird, and mysterious. Horror taps into taboo topics and deep fears, which can be super compelling.

Watching horror can be a form of emotional release. It can help people process real fears and anxieties by confronting them in a controlled way. Watching horror with friends or a date? Fear can bring people closer—you laugh, scream, and hold onto each other. Shared emotions = stronger connections. Believe it or not, some people enjoy horror because they know it’s not reals. You can turn it off, laugh at it, or analyze it—so you’re in control of the fear. For fans of filmmaking, horror often pushes boundaries with creative visuals, sound design, and storytelling. Some horror movies are like twisted works of art.

You into horror, or just trying to understand why people are into it?

Arsenal 1 Brentford 1

- Roshan

Yoane Wissa scored late in the second half as Brentford and Arsenal played out a drab draw that leaves the second-placed Gunners 10 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta made five changes from the side that so impressively beat Real Madrid 3-0 midweek in the Champions League, and this game at Emirates Stadium lacked quality from the off. It took until the 20th minute for the first effort on target when Kristoffer Ajer had a shot saved by David Raya after Bryan Mbeumo played him into the area. Arsenal thought they had taken the lead minutes later when Kieran Tierney headed in Ethan Nwaneri’s cross, but a video assistant referee (VAR) check showed the left-back was offside.

Leandro Trossard produced the Gunners’ first effort on target just before half-time when his low drive was pushed away by Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken. Thomas Partey scored the opening goal in the 61st minute after excellent work from Declan Rice, the England midfielder carrying the ball from deep in his own half and setting up Partey who shot powerfully past Flekken. Brentford equalised 13 minutes later when Nathan Collins headed the ball back across the Arsenal penalty area for Wissa to cleverly hook it into the net on the turn from six yards out.

Liverpool can move 13 points clear when they host West Ham on Sunday (14:00 BST), but Arsenal’s focus now turns to their Champions League second leg in Madrid on Wednesday. With such a big game in Madrid looming, Arteta made changes to his side as he looked to rest players. The Gunners struggled to create chances without captain Martin Odegaard and key threat Bukayo Saka in the starting line-up, and only produced three shots on target. Arteta was able to bring off Rice and Partey, whilst making sure several of his key players did not play the full match.

Why Are External Hard Drives So Expensive In India?

- Roshan

External hard drives can appear expensive in India compared to global prices due to factors like import duties, taxes, and the overall cost of doing business in the Indian market. Additionally, the specific type of external storage (HDD or SSD) and its capacity significantly impact the price. While HDDs are generally cheaper, SSDs offer faster performance and greater reliability at a higher cost, according to Lenovo.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

Import Duties and Taxes: India has a high import duty on electronics, which directly increases the price of imported goods like external hard drives.

Cost of Doing Business: The cost of running a business in India, including infrastructure, labor, and logistics, can contribute to higher prices.

HDD vs. SSD:

HDDs (Traditional Hard Disk Drives): These are generally more affordable and offer larger storage capacity, making them ideal for backup and archiving.
SSDs (Solid State Drives): SSDs provide faster data transfer speeds and greater reliability but are more expensive per GB. They are a good choice for laptops or as a primary storage drive in a desktop.

Market Demand and Competition: The Indian market for external storage is relatively competitive, with various brands offering different price points. However, demand for specific types of storage (like high-capacity HDDs for AI) can also lead to price fluctuations, according to reports.

Storage Capacity: Larger external hard drives will naturally cost more, but they also offer more storage space per dollar.

Chicken Tikka Masala : The UK’s National Dish

- Roshan

Chicken Tikka Masala is a classic curried dish with soft tender chunks of char-grilled chicken, simmered briefly in a delicious & super aromatic sauce/gravy. The dish comprises of 2 components – first is tikka and the other is the masala, which is the gravy or sauce in which the tikkas are simmered.

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 25g butter
  • 4 onions roughly chopped
  • 6 tbsp chicken tikka masala paste
  • 2 red peppers deseeded and cut into chunks
  • 8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 2.5cm cubes
  • 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
  • 4 tbsp tomato purée
  • 2-3 tbsp mango chutney
  • 150ml double cream
  • 150ml natural yogurt
  • chopped coriander leaves, to serve

Method

step 1 : Heat the vegetable oil and butter in a large, lidded casserole on the hob, then add the onions and a pinch of salt. Cook for 15-20 mins until soft and golden.

step 2 : Add the tikka masala paste and peppers, then cook for 5 mins more to cook out the rawness of the spices.

step 3 : Add the chicken breasts and stir well to coat in the paste. Cook for 2 mins, then tip in the chopped tomatoes, tomato purée and 200ml water. Cover with a lid and gently simmer for 15 mins, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through.

step 4 : Remove the lid, stir through the mango chutney, double cream and natural yogurt, then gently warm through. Season, then set aside whatever you want to freeze. Will keep, in an airtight container, in the freezer for up to three months.

step 5 : Scatter the rest with coriander leaves and serve with basmati rice and naan bread.

Making your own curry paste:

In a small food processor, whizz together :

  • 5 garlic cloves, 1 large knob of ginger, roughly chopped, 1 red
  • chilli, deseeded and roughly chopped,
  • 2 tsp each ground cumin and coriander,
  • 1 tsp each turmeric, paprika and garam masala, and the seeds from 4 cardamom pods. Add a little water or vegetable oil to bring the paste together.

Staring At The Night Sky While Sitting In A Hospital Ward

- Roshan

On the night of the 9th of April, while I was still in the hospital my sister had to go back home in the morning so she could take our father for his checkup. Unfortunately, he kinda had a blackout after he went to the bathroom and he had to be lifted to make him lie on the bed. Sister called an ambulance and had him checked out – he was ok and it’s something that can happen for someone in his condition and his age. Anyway, we did get scared. Since I needed someone to be with me at the hospital, one of my cousins came to sit with me by 12 and he bought me a light lunch and a lemonade.

We sat and talked for a while and in the evening we drank some coffee and had a small snack from the cafeteria. He had to leave by 6:30 pm as he had stuff to do at home. I told my sister that she should stay home with my dad and mom, just in case and that I would speak to the doctor and nurses and let them know that just for the night I would be alone. They understood the situation and though they normally don’t allow it, for Wednesday, they would let me stay in alone. I was in a ward, there are other patients and their by-standers around and the night nurse on duty would be checking on me quite a few times. So before my cousin left, I ordered a sandwich and a lemonade which he brought up to me and then he was off.

My phone getting charged, I took a long nap till almost 8pm. I went to the loo and freshened up. By 8:30 I had my dinner and sat up to watch Youtube videos. The nurse connected the fluids drip on me while I sat on a chair and I kept watching. I was watching a couple of football talk show videos and then went onto a horror podcast. With very little light around me, the separation curtains drawn and most of the other patients were sound asleep by 10 pm. As I usually am but that night I wasn’t. So after assuring the nurse that I was fine, I settled back in the chair and watched these long videos. By the time I reached the horror podcast, I felt like I was in a different world, sitting at the window and looking out at the night.

It was like – since I am into science fiction a lot – I was in a large moving vehicle on an alien planet along with several others. A small group were driving this vehicle along in the front and there were several small bedrooms in this scifi vehicle. I felt like I was in my little bedroom, sitting and watching the landscape go on by as we drove on through the night. But I felt alone! So very alone!

French Footballer Dimitri Payet In Legal Trouble As A Woman Accuses Him Of Abuse

- Roshan

A Brazilian woman claiming to have had a romantic relationship with French footballer Dimitri Payet has lodged a complaint against him in Rio de Janeiro for “physical and psychological violence”, according to reports. The 38-year-old midfielder, who spent much of his career with Marseille either side of a stint in the Premier League with West Ham United, joined Vasco da Gama in 2023, arriving in Rio with his wife and children.

The complaint was registered at a police station specialising in assisting women and the investigation is underway, under the seal of confidentiality. According to the police report, dated March 29, the woman said she had been “assaulted” by Payet, leaving marks on her body, and suffered “physical, moral, psychological and sexual violence”. AFP has contacted both Payet and his club but neither has responded. The complainant, a 28-year-old lawyer and Vasco da Gama supporter, told AFP that she met Dimitri Payet via Instagram last August, and that they subsequently had a romantic relationship.

“In December, we had our first argument and he started telling me he was going to punish me,” she said. “He asked me for proof of love, which consisted of humiliation. I recorded videos of myself drinking my own urine, drinking the water from the toilet bowl and licking the floor,” she said. The woman also claimed that Payet sometimes “pushed” her and “stepped” on her. According to another report which AFP has viewed, the complainant, who says she suffers from borderline personality disorder, which is characterised by hypersensitivity and emotional instability in interpersonal relationships, has asked the police for protection against Payet.

Food Delivered Right To Your Door Step

- Roshan

Do you like ordering food delivery? (e.g. Skip, Door Dash, Uber Eats)

Yes I do. I like ordering in a bunch of food that I haven’t tried or that I really like. We don’t have Skip the Dishes or Door Dash here and Uber Eats sold off it’s India operations to Swiggy. So we have that and Zomato which are the two major national food delivery service apps. It’s a great alternative to making bland food at home or if you are like me, don’t know how to cook anything other than the bare essentials like coffee and sandwiches or omelettes. What if I want something more than that?

Right now, I am living alone at home due to my dad’s ill health he and my mom are staying at my sister’s place since there is more space there for them and a male nurse. I usually make toast for breakfast and sometimes order in idli or dosa, since I don’t know how to make them. Maybe the occasional upma.

Lunch/dinner could be a sandwich or a burger or even pizza. Momos. None of these I can make at home except for sandwiches and the options that I do have with those are also limited. How about fire rice with some honey glazed sesame pork? Or shawarmas? The options are endless. I remember when the only delivery for food was KFC, Chicking or Dominos.

Prompt from Journaling Prompts from The Coffee Monterz Co . Com