Bliss.

Bliss.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

My Mental Papparazzi. JK. Bye Folks.

My dear Ardent fans and followers {Joke.}
I hate to break the news to you. (Overdrive)
But this is it:
I'm going to stay off my favourite haunt for a while.
I can't tell you when I'll be back.

Reporter 1: What prompted this drastic decision?
Me: Common Sense.
Reporter 1: Miss Rao please explain.
Me: I have huge number of things to be done and they rank higher on my Priority Meter. And there's only so many things I can do without diluting my effort.

Reporter 2: Surely, you have time for occasional posts?!
Me: A fact I don't deny. But I intend to use the time for better purposes.

Reporter 1: Like?
Me: I will continue to write stories, poems and 'pieces'. I hope to give much more time to the subjects I enjoy. And work on those which I'm yet to enjoy.

Reporter 3: So what is the road ahead for readers of this blog?
Me: I will be back. That is certain. Meanwhile, there are million other blogs waiting to be explored.

Reporters: We wish you all the very best for your goals and hope that your distant dreams becomes a reality.
Me: Thank you! I will forever be indebted to faithful readers like you.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas.


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I Believe.


I need to talk about this.

After some serious internal debate, I concluded that I Must say something. Especially since I Have been thinking about it. Except I don't know how to start.

So Shobha De says she will not ask her daughters to carry pepper spray 'just in case', the PM of the country says that being the father of 3 girls, he understands the outrage and the rest of the country is equally shaken.
Yes, I'm talking about the heinous crime that has horrified the nation of 1 billion citizens. Mothers are increasingly worried, elsewhere restrictions are imposed on women for 'their own safety' and people from all corners of the subcontinent are aware of the shameful truth.

True, one can spent hours lamenting over the bitter reality of safety of women in India, but that is not the purpose of this post.

Why does such behaviour arise? Is it a traumatic upbringing? What happened to morals and values? One does not need Education to differentiate between good and bad.
Rich or poor, any family has the moral obligation to inculcate good values in their offspring. The role of the family is of equal importance when any offender is considered. What happened to society? Doesn't it care anymore? Thousands of such individuals are present in society, in desperate need of rehabilitation. But we as the society, choose to turn a blind eye towards these individuals until it is too late.
Our society needs to provide equal importance to the psychological wellbeing of its citizens. Value based education must be provided to all citizens and a rehabilitation program for delinquents in society. I strongly believe that harsh punishment will not weed out the problem in entirety. It is the mindset that must change. True, that means I'm referring to an abnormally huge population, but only that can truly make the nation safe for its women. Merely creating fear of punishment will not end the menace.

I don't remember the exact quote but it's from one of Sudha Murty's books. She ends a story on gender inequality with a Sanskrit verse (yathra narya...) which means "Where women are respected and honoured, that nation will flourish."

I pray that she survives the ordeal and achieves her goals in life. I hope the guilty are punished and that such incidents will soon be a thing of the past.

*I don't mean to hurt or offend anybody. I only hope that the issue is tackled from the grassroots level.

Monday, December 24, 2012

What does Meh mean? Cuz Im feeling Meh.

Meh is an interjection, often used as an expression of indifference or boredom. It can also be used as a verb (rendering something uninteresting, boring or useless to the beholder) and an adjective(meaning mediocre, boring, or apathetic)- Wikipedia

Indifference; to be used when one simply does not care.
A: What do you want for dinner?
B: Meh.
-Urban Dictionary




Strange but true. A decidedly weird feeling has crept into my otherwise (ab)normal self and I've resorted to the familiar cocoon of my blog to rant.

I've been writing college essays. I've put my heart and soul in them. The Baylor one's pending. And one more for CC which requires some reading up.

So I met Daddy. :-D
I think the piccus will do the talking. (Ok I don't always edit my photos. Today is an exception. Deal with it.)
So we got stationary, fruits, Chocolate and some greens (notice the part encircled in red. They're apparently proteinaceous. Lol. Ok I'll chew on that like a cow.)
Yah and that's me.
*please load.*

What makes me 'me'?

From an early age I have been exposed to a variety of opportunities and challenges alike. I have always been encouraged to try my strengths in diverse fields and excel in them; be it academics, sports or extracurricular activities such as music, art and quizzing. This upbringing, coupled with an innate sense of inquisition has imbibed in me the urge to learn more and acquire knowledge.

The knowledge one can assimilate is infinite and the Indian Philosophy of 'Success and failure are part of the eternal cycle, it is the knowledge attained that matters' has inspired me to strive for excellence. With this penchant for knowledge, I forayed into the exciting terrain of quizzing; an activity I have pursued since my elementary school. From fjords in Norway and Moai statues of Easter Island to the Wailing Wall of Jerusalem, quizzing has been my window to the world outside. In my high school I was the only girl who participated in quizzes. Although I was initially apprehensive, it soon motivated me to work harder and be the best among my counterparts. Over the years quizzing has helped me transcend personal boundaries and emerge as a confident individual with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Quizzing helped me stay on top of my game in class and made academics an exciting prospect.

Hardwork and determination have helped me achieve my goals despite all odds. I've always been intrigued to experiment and venture into different activities. Be it Harvard Model UN, heading a photography committee or even trekking in the Nilgiris, I've eagerly explored a variety activities and worked hard to give it my best.

Apart from quizzing, music and badminton have also been integral parts of my life. Learning Indian classical music, with all its intricacies and minute variations has taught me to strive for perfection in all that I do. Badminton began as a pastime but soon transformed into a passion. Badminton has instilled the spirit of competitiveness as well as a sense of sportsmanship in me.

The birth of a sibling when I was in high school was initially a mammoth challenge since we all had to alter our lifestyle to accommodate the youngest member of the family. It seemed like waking up after a decade in utopia, for now, life was everything but perfect. Responsibilities, fragile, unpredictable conditions coupled with a bawling baby was one way of looking at it. Thankfully I envisioned an opportunity: An opportunity to grow; as a person and as a student. It has been one of the best decisions of my life. What intrigued me was how the once motionless baby learnt to make sense of the world around her. Over the months, gurgling sounds turned to fairly legitimate words, serendipitous movements turned to well coordinated steps and through an unwavering spirit, she was one among us.

Her birth sparked a desired to delve deeper into the uncharted terrains of neuroscience and this was further ignited by viewing her growth from the standpoint of psychology. To observe her evolve, learn from her mistakes and piece together the jigsaw puzzle called life has been a captivating experience. The brain with its curiously confounding functioning, is the neuroscientist's muse, an elusive enchanting enigma. Psychology helped to explain how the dynamics of our family changed and enlightened me about the power of the mind.

Coming from a society where inequality continues to persist, I hope to bridge the gap between both ends of the spectrum. My experiences have exposed me to poverty and hunger in society as well as wealth and wastefulness. I intend to provide better healthcare as well as provide a solution to neurological disorders. I believe passion comes with a cause. I have a cause; to cure the maladies of the mind, uncover the reasons behind them and make the world a better place for mankind.

Colorado College! ED II


When I decided to apply to colleges in the US, I had specific requirements in mind. I researched online and interacted with a few well-informed people before I concluded that Colorado College would be the best place for me.
Given my love for the outdoors, Colorado College has the perfect location for me to continue my intellectual expedition. The stately beauty of mountains, the panoramic views from summits and the adrenaline rush of adventure sports has always beckoned to me.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity of whitewater rafting in the Sutlej River, at the foothills of the Himalayas. It was here that I developed a bond with nature. To relive that experience at Colorado is an enchanting prospect I look forward to.
There is no definite route to achieve our goals. I realized this when I went trekking in the hills of South India. Our guide, a trained trekker, apprised us on the modus operandi of trekking and rock climbing. Despite his guidance and assistance from my father, I found the climb steep and unconquerable. The guide even dictated where I should place my foot to balance myself. I stopped for a moment and thought, "Surely,I know how to balance myself! I just have to listen to myself". And then, I began with renewed vigour, and succeeded. I scaled the heights of the hill with ease; all because I know where my footing is. No one knows better than that!
Colorado College is known to offer this freedom to its students where they can find their 'foothold' and excel in their field. This only augments the fact that Colorado College is where I can truly thrive and grow as an individual as well as continue my academic pursuit.

At CC I hope to contribute to the vibrant student life as well as partake in community based programs. I intend to have a symbiotic relationship with CC, akin to that in lichens, where I can contribute to the academic research while deriving intellectual nourishment and a 'home' from the College.

In Molecular Biology, I've learnt that in the genetic code, a single codon specifies only one amino acid; there is no scope for ambiguity. Similarly, I strongly believe that CC is 'the' best college for me and there is no scope for uncertainty and hence applying Early Decision is a natural choice for me.

Mount Holyoke!

What do you miss most from your childhood?

It was a simple life back then.
My childhood was synonymous with carefree abandon and freedom in every aspect. I lived in the Castle of Innocence, built from the unrealistic bricks of imagination and fortified by creativity.

Watching the fluffy white clouds drift across the blue sky, setting paper boats afloat on a rainy day or even racing downhill on my cycle were 'major projects' I created for myself. Infact, I had a project to accomplish everyday!
One of these included watching a flower blossom. Having planted the sapling, I was determined to "see the flower bloom". Against all sane advice from my parents, I sat rooted the spot and fixed a beady eye on the plant; I was determined to detect the slightest trace of a petal unfurling. But alas, Fate had ordained otherwise and I fell asleep. When I woke up with the first rays of sunshine, the bright yellow rose was a miracle to my innocent mind.

Another activity I vociferously indulged in was starting my own "clubs". These clubs were started for nature, maths, music or even astronomy and our sole ambition was to "discover something new". So it was not unusual to find a motley group of girls armed with notebooks and magnifying glasses, scrutinizing a surprised insect or a bewildered butterfly.

It was in my childhood that I forged an unbreakable bond with Nature; a bond that has taught me to value and conserve our resources and above all ingrained a deep sense of belonging with Nature.

Teenage has brought its own set of trials and tribulations but my formative years have enabled me to face any hardships with optimism and courage. Be it academic pursuits or social responsibilities, I'm now engaged in a different but equally exciting "project". The creativity and spirit of inquiry have fuelled the ambition of excelling in academics and my love for Nature has transformed into a passion in conservation of biodiversity.

But those magical years of life can never truly be replaced. Gone are the days when I could hop, skip and jump across the street without wondering what anybody would think. Gone are the days when I proposed solutions to the world's problems ignorant of the reality of life. It is this simplicity that I miss most from my childhood. Simplicity, that makes communication easier, learning uncomplicated and dreams, a reality. It is essential that we cling on to the vestiges of this innocuous trait, for it holds the key to our happiness in life.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Ok Something.

Currently going mad for a plethora of reasons. Here are some: Haven't finished mineral nutrition. My playlist seems to be tailored to get on my nerves. SAT results in 10 days, Chicago around 17th or 19th according to speculations. Aakash test. I'm sleepy. Oh and i forgot to mention my main grouse: Finding the right college in the US that is affordable/ scholarship friendly and well known, not to mention neuroscience and premed friendly. Ok bye. Will be meeting dad to shorlist probable unis. O.o Brazil Morroco London to Ibiza (where's Ibiza?) Hookah bar is a silly song stuck in my head. Eeks! Heartbreak. Oh the Directors danced to the tune at HMUN.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

A poem.

She endures in silence.

She serenades with unmatched beauty and grace
Through rocky terrain and rural plains.
To temple towns and swelling cities,
She lends her holy presence.

She hails from the high North;
The snow clad abode is her ancestral home.
From the gentle confines of the mighty peaks
she descends with zest and zeal,
Only to mellow down to a stately cascade.

But alas, her illustrious heritage and purity
are disregarded and she is defiled
by ignorance and mindless Faith.
Once revered as a symbol of divinity,
She now languishes in neglect and depravity.

She grieves in silence at her fall from grace
for the fault of the human race.
Her tears flow unrecognized and her pain is forgotten
as she carries the burden of mankind-
The race which chooses to drown its sins in her,
She plunges into the sea for solace.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Dinka Chika was my life anthem? lol

What we expect and what we get.
So I met papa yesterday. :D
After SAT we may go see Life of Pi!
So yesterday passed in a sleepy haze and I got up with a packed schedule in mind.
I did laundry (I nearly die whenever the machine is in spin mode. It makes all scary rattling sounds and I make a mental plan of how to escape should the machine decide to blow up.)
And then I started homeward for my passport.
Walked for about 1km and then took an auto.
Went home. Ma was leaving. A relative had died.
Don't ask how, but I ended up with her. So we went to KIMS Hospital.
I've never been to a mortuary before. Uhmm.
I sat aloof for the most part, constructing an essay in my mind while occasionally informing inquisitive people that no, I wasn't in engineering but still in 2nd PU.
So there's this post mortem room and one was being conducted there. Later they all came out. It was kind of sad.
Ajji was there. She doesn't know I stay in a hostel. Hmm.
Yeah then came home and Ma showed me her newly acquired skill of riding a two wheeler.
Then back here.
Point being, half of the day passed in a thoroughly unexpected manner.

Whatever. Sanskrit.
Oh and by the way!
Yesterday, in the bio paper, My answers had a LOT of 'phenomenon's in it.
The phenomenon of attachment of blastocyst, the decrease in rate of photosynthesis, the loss of water through hydathodes, the absorption of water by hydrophilic substances and so on.
And suddenly I stopped for a second and looked at this seemingly innocuous word.
I thought, I should have been a Mallu. You know, not a Nair or even a Tharoor but a nice Menon.
And I should have been christened as 'Pheno' or even 'Feno'.
Cuz then I'd well and truly be a PhenoMenon!
And you won't believe it but I sat grinning into my paper for the next 5 minutes and slowly some semblance manifested itself upon me and I continued scribbling furiously.
Last main was Zoology practical and I chose to draw the digestive system.
But alas, it looked more like a mashup of several deformed organs.
I've got stupid custard apple all over my fav purple bag.
I LOVE NUTELLA! Gosh, Yum. Im going to buy my own dabbi soon. Yumm.
I won't be blogging for a while.
{There, now that I've said that, i should blog after a respectable number of days. Lol}
But wait.
Frankenstein WHAT?! Wow.
And Mary and Percy Shelley. What lives. Lol.
They'd 'fit in' in the 21st century.
Holy Oak.
Mt Holyoke.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

So what can I do?

H
So pingi is probably right. Quality over quantity.
Was chatting with Makshi yesterday. Aah well. So I guess I'm normal after all. Lol.
The father has remained elusive. So be it.
Too much aloo in the food.
Morning alu paratha, noon aloo curry and night aloo fry.
No, there are other options as well, but still!
No wonder papa reached aloo pyaaz saturation after KREC. Lol.
I'll leave you with this and GO.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Bob Marley was Rastafarian.


In my city! Who thought PC could sing? Love it :-)
I can't decide which is my current fav. Jee le zara or Jiya Re.
Omg, i love the lyrics of jlz. I just saw it. With ,meaning obviously, how would i understand otherwise?
And.. I loved the What Katy did series by Susan Coolidge! *quaint classics*
And like I was telling Anjali, I believe in such a world.
True, we're past that era but that doesn't stop me from wishful thinking.
But really, there is something captivating about such books. I mean about Clover and Geoff, Jo and Bhaer, Laurie and Amy, Katy and Ned... :-)
Pollyanna was good until the 'glad game' got on my nerves!

Ok so now for pressing matters.
Maths, I'd done a lot of integration so that part went smoothly. Even the complex number part. What doesn't penetrate into my dura mater is Determinants.
After these exams, I'll do them again. :-\ The current term exam could have been better.
Both term exam and NEET.
Bio day after.
I'll go study.

I like my new friends. Harini from Harihar, Mansa from Delhi, Sandhya and all the others. Khana is good. My Hindi is improving. ;-)
Aaj maine roti, aalo curry aur rice (what's rice in Hindi?!) kaya. Grey's Anatomy ko dekkhe bahut sara din ho gaya hai.
I'll stop right here.
So yeah, people are mostly good. ;-)
Only it's a little odd to hear nearly every girl go on about 'her guy'. Aargh.
And they wouldn't believe me when I said I'm not in the club. Lol.

Neways, as usual I'm going ballistic over the fact that people are reading my blog. When they do, i moan and groan And when they don't i lament about that as well.
I don't mind people reading it, as long as they dont... ok i don't know... i don't mind them reading it. That's all.
Jazba- Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl
Diamonds by Rihanna. Tch Tch.

The one that got away. Katy Perry. ♥

Saturday!!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

The Independence.


Crossroads in Life.
Exam fortnight in progress.
Sleepless nights, fatigued days and a harried life.
But reading about TOI scholars was refreshing.
SAT on Dec 1.
Brain fog LOL.
I need QUIZZES.
I NEED Badminton.
I NEED MUSIC, BOOKS AND DAD.

So I moved out.
I live in a hostel.
Somebody please suggest a better term.
I don't like pg or hostel.
Its good. It was a mutual decision.
Dad felt sad.
I'm happy because this is helping me better myself.
But I haven't come up with an diplomatic answer to shush people.
But it's only natural they'd want to know, so I'm not complaining.
So long! Physics tomorrow. Did i mention i enjoy Resnick Halliday? :-)

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Hmm.


Lingual Lou.


Bonjour!
Mon dernier message a été tapé à la hâte, sans aucun doute. Mère et Divya vont à Chennai pour les vacances. Divya ne peux pas supporter le bruit et l'odeur des pétards. Pinki et je n'ai pas rencontré depuis un certain temps. Qui sera réglé sous peu. Alors qu'Obama est président nouveau. Et il obtient 'One Direction' à la Maison Blanche. Hmm
The same sentences sound different in various languages. Some languages are inherently beautiful.
She stood gazing at the reflection of the setting sun in the pristine waters. The mountains seem to glow with radiance due to the fiery red of the sun. A pleasant breeze mellowed her mood.
Dutch

Ze staarde naar de reflectie van de ondergaande zon in de ongerepte wateren. De bergen lijken te gloeien met glans door de vurige rood van de zon. Een aangenaam briesje milder haar stemming.
German

Sie starrte auf die Reflexion der untergehenden Sonne in den unberührten Gewässern. Die Berge scheinen zu glühen mit dem feurigen roten Schein der Sonne. Eine angenehme Brise gemildert ihre Stimmung.
Hindi:

वह शुद्ध पानी में डूबते सूर्य के प्रतिबिंब पर देखें. पहाड़ों सूरज की आग से लाल चमक के साथ चमक के लिए लग रहे हैं. एक सुखद हवा उसकी मनोदशा नरम.

Vaha śud'dha pānī mēṁ ḍūbatē sūrya kē pratibimba para dēkhēṁ. Pahāṛōṁ sūraja kī āga sē lāla camaka kē sātha camaka kē li'ē laga rahē haiṁ. Ēka sukhada havā usakī manōdaśā narama.
Spanish
Racuvantittu espejo sol son acuático. Cuando la luz roja del sol, la vista del fuego. Viento flojo en el estado de ánimo

Latin
Racuvantittu speculum solem sunt aquatica. Cum rutilo splendore solis, visus montibus ardent. Lumen ventus in mood

Kannada
ಅವರು ಶುದ್ಧ ನೀರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಳುಗುವ ಸೂರ್ಯನ ಪ್ರತಿಫಲನ ರಾಚುವಂತಿತ್ತು. ಸೂರ್ಯನ ಉರಿಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಕೆಂಪು ಗ್ಲೋ ನೊಂದಿಗೆ, ಪರ್ವತಗಳು ಗ್ಲೋ ತೋರುತ್ತದೆ. ಆಹ್ಲಾದಕರ ಗಾಳಿ ತನ್ನ ಚಿತ್ತ
English
Racuvantittu sun mirror are aquatic. When the red light of the sun, the light of the fire. Light wind in the mood
lost in translation.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

The Amazon


Mimosa Pudica


How apt. I thought of the name first and then it hit me why.
So I might go out of station. Term exam HELLO?
I've had a painful day. To say the least.
And the urge to swear is overwhelming.
I have/ had Several close friends.
When they're really close to me, I'm there for them.
I do the best i can to help them.
And they don't know the trouble i took just for them.
And to the same people who don't want to even keep in contact:
SCREW YOU ASSHOLES.

I talk. No its wrong.
I don't talk. No something's wrong.
Let me be.

I need music. No wait. It's a distraction. I should be doing diffraction.

Damn this freaking mess. It's shocking how people lie SO BLOODY BLATANTLY.
So I'm learning lessons that will stand in good stead? Why didn't you learn them at my age?
You were studying right?


Bye.
No point continuing this.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Contra-Addition


Dear God.
On the bright side: teeth okay! :-) And... I'm going to college tomorrow. Might play baddie?

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Olfacto-Auditory connections.

http://m.guardian.co.uk/ms/p/gnm/op/sc701N-e5o42uj41C1_S3Xg/view.m?id=15&gid=science/2012/oct/22/sound-and-smell-create-harmony&cat=most-read

A few years ago, on work experience at Oxford University's psychology department, I found myself roped in to participate in an experiment by a research team led by Professor Charles Spence. Sitting in a tiny room in the warren of labs and offices, I was shown a rack of bottles of scent and a simple computer program that let me play the sound of musical instruments at different pitches. My task was to sniff each of the scents, and pick the sound that fitted best with each smell.Puzzled, I inhaled my first sample – sweet and slightly sickly, like bubble gum. Deep blaring brass seemed instinctively wrong, so I tried out higher and purer sounds and eventually settled on a high piano note. An hour later, I left not much the wiser about what was going on. Only later did I find out that the team was covering new ground in a field known as crossmodal perception.

When we think about how our senses work, we imagine them operating individually: you sniff a flower, and the smell is delivered uninterrupted from nose to brain. However, it is more complicated than that. Our senses mingle more often than we realise, collaborating to help us make sense of the world more easily. For example, we call dull thuds "heavy" and associate them with large objects, even though the sound itself has no size or weight. This would have helped our ancestors decide whether to run away from predators based on how big they sounded, without stopping to look them over. Most evidence for crossmodal perception comes from studies into sound and vision, which isn't surprising considering how often we use them together. But research that shows other senses crossing over is emerging all the time, and it seems that even sound and smell sometimes form an unlikely pairing.

Two New York researchers, Daniel Wesson and Donald Wilson, were confronted with this fact when they began investigating an "enigmatic" area of the brain known as the olfactory tubercle. Originally, they only intended to measure how olfactory tubercle cells in mice responded to smell. But during testing, Wesson noticed that every time he clunked his coffee mug down next to the experiment, the mouse cells jumped in activity. In fact, the olfactory tubercle is physiologically well-placed to receive both smell and sound information from the outside world; and so Wesson and Wilson broadened their investigation.They found that among individual cells, most responded to odour but a significant number were also active when a tone was played. Some cells even behaved differently when smell and sound were presented together, by either increasing or suppressing their activity. As Wesson and Wilson point out, there may be some evolutionary sense behind the phenomenon – the sound of movement accompanied by an unfamiliar smell could alert you to the presence of a predator.Of course, mice are not people, and a handful of firing cells don't always add up to a conscious experience. But Charles Spence and Anne-Sylvie Crisinel have been carrying out experiments such as the one in which I participated at Oxford University, which seem to show that sounds and smells cross over in human perception, too. Recently, they delved into the world of wine-tasting, using a kit designed to help novices learn about the basic smells found in wine. Participants in their experiment were asked to sniff different samples, and then match them to an appropriate musical instrument and pitch. There were interesting consistencies in the smells people picked. Piano was often paired with fruity scents and with smells that participants said were less complex.

Musky and unpleasant smells, meanwhile, sounded like brass.Further research found that listening to different sounds can alter your perceptions. Studying taste this time, the team ordered some cinder toffee made by Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant and put together "soundscapes" corresponding to bitterness and sweetness. Participants tasted identical pieces of toffee while listening to each soundscape, and found the toffee more bitter or sweeter, depending on which soundtrack they were listening to.

Studies like this are helping psychologists redefine our understanding of the senses, and how the brain integrates them to its advantage. And just imagine the possible creative collaborations between musicians and chefs: sound-enhanced wining and dining could be imminent. You might one day be routinely ordering a coffee with a soundtrack to bring out your favourite aromas. Best not to mention all this to Starbucks.

• This article is a winner of the Wellcome Trust Science Writing Prize2012.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Time to Apply!

w i i s h t d t?
I MEAN  W H Y  I S  I T  S O  H A R D   T O  D O  T H I S ?

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Oh Yeah, I Have a Blog.

So I went to HMUN 2012 after all.
After all that happened.

And I know it's one of those memories I'll cherish forever.
Where I learnt a lot. Including about myself. Where I learnt to be more independent? Where I learnt to have fun (but not do anything I'd regret? :)
No, But I mean it. I met people from all over India and also from across the border. I had great company for most part. I had the opportunity of competing against veteran MUNers, honing my own skills and gaining a wider perspective.

Of course I'd love to give a blow by blow account of all that happened, but given my time constraint, that is highly unlikely.

But I wouldn't like to bore you with bullet points either.


They train journey was fun. The boys were mostly good. And a lot of fun  :)
The hotel was nice. The breakfasts were YUMMMMMMMMM.

The conference was great. Our director, Divya Seth, was really nice. :)
Lunch and Dinner at Novotel were great fun too. :D
And the social events were once again, an amazing experience. :)

Shilparamam
Sorry
Rabbit
Gun
We found Love
Apologize
Slimshady
The Sprite Face
Pseudo-Drunk?
The Madagascar knife
Penguin- PMPD, Antarctica, Happy Feet
Muffins
Puddings
Nestle
Oreo
Squelchy Mess
I could go on. And on...


L-R: Kirthan Pai, Manas Sharma, Anirudh R, Akhilesh A, Sanjana and Me.
At HICC, Hyderabad.
August 19th 2012

Ok I doubt I'll churn out anything sensible.

Tis a pity. When I want to blog, no comp at hand, and when there's one, I don't seem to be able to verbalize.

Life is certainly not perfect. Not even close. Maybe that's why there's the thrill to achieve it?

Maybe I'll do some Bio. Bioenergetics?

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Love and Hate.

I'm living a lie.
But the other option is that I resign myself to a future of misery.
When is the solution to all this?
What do I do?

Sanjana and Medha came home today. I felt so happy that the got along well with Di. We spent quite some time in the house and then went out (Di included!) dress-hunting, had lunch, fed Di idlis and then finally made it back home intact :)
I consider this a momentous occasion given the entropy within Di. Nuff said.

It is also a moment to reflect and ponder.
Pa got hurt yesterday. I have no joy in narrating how. Yes, you're hunch is probably right.
And even objectively, It was not anything trivial. He was bleeding. And this happened like inches away from his eye.

And today I woke up, spent the ENTIRE FRICKING morning trying to sort out things, but NO USE.
Nobody wants to change. So now they're at the PS. Why? For What Joy?

I feel exhausted.
Di will wake up very soon.
I'll take her to the park.


Everybody deserves a life of dignity and freedom.
Nobody can deny this birthright to anyone.


But here's a case where it is not so.
What to do?

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

MUNmunMUNmmmmm

Hello Peebal (I know no one's around, but anyway)
MUN in a WEEK.
Position Papers TOMORROW.
Here's a list of the people who make my day: (In NO order)
Murgi
Soni
Sanjana
Raksha
Priyanka
Medha
Nirupama
Raji
Varsha
Vaishnavi
and so on.


Gah! I'm on a time limit. Bye

Saturday, July 28, 2012

iMetPinki

Nuff said.
Ate Nuff.
Lovely hour with the Lowliest thing. (Haha)
Biotech is good.
I'm suffering from a Relapse. SOB.
But...
I'm some kind of optimist eh?



But wait. Then what do I want?
I'll never know what's right.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

iBunk

It's not something I do everyday. But sometimes I need it. Or maybe I want it. Either way, given that it's a rare phenomenon, I'm not worried.

Now I have something to say and you may not like it. I'm all for dignity of labor. Why, one of our maids and I were great friends. We played badminton and I tried teaching her English. But then, she left to pursue a career in tailoring and the ones that followed her are an entirely different species altogether. I don't get it.
I'm not overtly talkative with her, but I'm on good terms. At least I thought so, until this squealing business started. And the 'Looks' as I'd like to call them. Bah.
I do my dishes and I maintain my room. I only have to wash my own clothes to be Maid-Independent. I'm seriously considering the prospect. :-/

I read the Wikipedia synopsis of 'A beautiful Mind'. Should watch it, don't know when, though. But I understand why Pa was so moved by it.

I read up the entire synopsis of MIOBI. Dude, what the hell was that about Sasha and Payson? It's a weird world. I used to watch it for the gymnastics and all, but anyway, who cares.

Todsie is Duckie's B'day :)
I might go to her place :)
(But I admit, it feels WEIRD to visit your decade old friend after a gap of 9 months.)

Monday, July 23, 2012

UNIMUNQ :)

Yep, so I've finally begun working on it.
I had a sleepover at Jillu's place. :P It was fun. :)
I also realized how much more I need to do as a part of my research for MUN.


My topic at hand is 'Children and Terrorism'. It is one that I feel strongly for and I believe it must be condemned by all nations. I was watching 'To die in Jerusalem' and I understood how powerful these videos are, by way of influencing citizens to join the fight for their rights. Wafa Idris, I believe set off the wave of female suicide bombers, some of them, in their teens.
I believe in plausible solutions and pro-active resolutions and I'll come up with just that, because I'm no good with fluff. And about the second topic, There is a lot more to do!!


The whole formal atmosphere of it all is something I'll need to adapt to given that it isn't my usual way of talk (unlike Nirupama). I've picked up 3 shirts and I'm guessing the rest will fall in place.


My new favorite word is 'Godspeed'.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Of Inky Records and splitting Headaches.

Water fights (or water therapy as I call it) should never occur in the vicinity of a Record.
A bio record. Written in black Ink. With drawings.


I'm such an UB. Pa's B'day tomorrow. I've got a few songs he might like. I'll write something. That's ALL.
And frankly, I don't feel like writing too. Because that would seem Fake. Earlier, I wouldn't have felt this way, but now, Yes.


Mol.B is something I need to get a hang of.
And Ray Optics on Monday. And AIPMT exam on Saturday, after that the PUC term exam.
Hmm. All that haggling with Gopalan was a waste of time?


I feel like doing something productive. Bye.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Huff. Puff.

I Can Run!

Today

Keerthana spoke in the assembly today. She read the synopsis of her book. And urged us all to pursue writing. When she came forward to speak, I wanted to go jump in a well (yeah, dumb I know), I remembered having a conversation with her months ago. I'd told her I write short stories and I hoped to do something about it in the near future.
And surprisingly, she ended her speech by mentioning this fact (not my name, certainly). 


Its a commendable achievement.


I read the article about Dr.Sarpeshkar in BM. A few days ago, they'd mentioned about the Glucose based cell also. I went around telling everybody about it in college.


I'm not a loner. I'm not a recluse. I am shy though.
It shouldn't matter right? Because every other person at MIT is on the quieter side.


And I nearly died again. Tongue-tied? Aargh.

Bio-energy Cell!

The team of MIT researchers, led by Rahul Sarpeshkar and Jakub Kedzierski, reporteddeveloping a Si-based fuel cell that can break down glucose and harvest its energy. The device operates by collecting the electrons liberated during electrooxidation of glucose at the anode, while the liberated protons travel to the cathode through the solution. The subsequent reduction of protons and electrons, catalyzed at the cathode, restores the net charge neutrality in the solution (or tissue). Since glucose is present in the brain and spinal cord, including the cerebrospinal fluid, the fuel cell can operate autonomously at the implantation site, without the need for supplying the fuel. Moreover, the catalyzing agent for the anodic reaction can be produced by a bacterial biofilm, which has a self-regenerating capability (although this approach might not be suitable for humans due to the biosafety concerns). Researchers calculate that a very small fraction of available glucose will be used, therefore not impacting normal brain consumption of glucose. The prototype device was able to harvest the energy at the power density up to 100 µW/cm2, which is sufficient for operation of the ultra-low-power analog electronics that is also being developed by Dr. Sarpeshkar. Harvesting the biological energy is important for removing the batteries or inductive coils from the implanted neuroprosthetic device, and consequently shrinking its size and reducing the number of feedthoughs and leads from the device. Harvesting the energy of organic compounds, such as glucose, it just one possible method of collecting the energy from biological environment, while other groups are evaluating the absorption of light, heat and mechanical vibration.




(Dr.Sarpeshkar is, incidentally a Bangalorean. There was an article about him in BM. He got IIT rank 7 in'86 :))

Sunday, June 17, 2012

I Miss My Grandpa.

All that he needed was peace and harmony in his twilight years. After years of drudgery and working for his children, all he asked for was beyond material wealth. He desired nothing more than good company, love and affection from his children.


For years, he had worked to bring up his four children. He started as a mere assistant in the bank, but worked his way up the corporate ladder. And he retired as the General Manager in SBM. 


His daily routine was one that would impress any youngster. He rose early and set out on a walk all the way to Vidhan Soudha. It was a pattern that he followed for more than a decade. He met the same people at the same time everyday. He sat at the same bench overlooking the Red-stone library and meditated for exactly fifteen minutes. He jogged a set distance everyday, exercised with vigour and returned home at a slower pace. All this despite age and poor vision that threatened to encumber his zest for life.


With equal exactness and precision he performed the duties in the house. Soon after his bath, the chants of Hindu Prayers would echo across the house while he offered home grown hibiscus flowers to the Lord. After cooking, he sat down for breakfast with the newspaper which he scanned from end to end...


The rest of the day would be spent over bank work, some television, shopping and talking to his daughters. His ambition was to witness the weddings of his granddaughters, to live long and to see his brood happy.


But there came a time, when his own children fought over the money and property he had struggled to earn. A time when he was hounded and harangued by his kith and kin. When the harsh words cut through him, sharper than a knife, more poisonous than venom. When he lost all reasons to live. When the stress manifested itself in the form of health issues. When one day, his weary heart could take it no longer and called it a day.


At last, he was in peace.






(Its true. I cry)

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Its Been A While



Its been really long. Since I used a laptop. Lenovo is not bad, but Acer will always be my fav.
Dear Life,
I know you're unfair. I know its pointless to expect that. But is there really a silver lining?
I'm SUFFERING from writer's block and believe me, it Sucks.


I've been reading up on UniMUNQ (Unicef, MUN and Qatar) and its all So interesting! :)
College is fun these days. Qatar gave more opportunity for some comic relief.
But I've been ill-tempered for the last two days. Its irritating when you know it and yet you're still a grouchy git.


Elite classes going on. Class seemed different for the first few days. Now, we've just gotten used to who we really are.


I'm filled with apprehension, guilt and also sadness.
It's hard to cope.
I wish I could rant.
The thing that haunts my life.
That hasn't skipped a single generation.
Something I want to change.
Something that may take away the most precious things of my life.
The people I love.
That has changed the people I loved into people I don't recognize.
That has irrevocably changed me.
That threatens to loom over the sunny landscape of my life. (it already has.)
That has no permanent solution.
I've just got to live with it?
I can't.
I need to change things.
Can I?
Can I face the consequences?
What's the priority?
Happiness.
Pursuit of Happiness.
Its within myself.
Peace.




You don't need an axe to cut a tree. In one corner of the world, they curse the tree until it withers to its death.
Similarly you don't need to physically kill someone. Sharp words can be slow death. I'm watching one.
Honestly, how long can Any Individual endure? What's left within you then? You've nothing to live for.
I need a miracle.
Or maybe I need to do some Math.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Medha's Freaky Guess

No, let's not get into that, but I'll just say that Medha's guessing skills are commendable.
Anyway, it's still the same. But I believe its slightly better. Marginally.
So I heard about the Harvard MUN in Hyderabad and Deeksha College will take part!
I've never been part of a MUN (Because it was never a part of my school CCA and I didnt think we could do it otherwise), so I'm considering this prospect! :) But I need to sort out the realities with Daddy.

That apart, life has been topsy-turvy but I know now that somethings will never be the same again.

Ammensalism
Team A -1
Team B 0

Commensalism
Team A 1
Team B 0

Competition
Team A -1
Team B -1

Mutualism
Team A 1
Team B 1

That's Ecology for you. Lol. No really.
Capacitors +2
Ray Optics +1
Electrostatics 0
Hah.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

24 Hours.

A day spent in an endless elusive and unattainable Quest.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

It's Been Some Day.

It started at Breakfast break. I knew something was wrong when I felt the way I did. Of course, I was mad at myself. How could I be so Utterly idiotic? After all these years? The intensity of it took me by surprise and I knew I had to get over it.
Lunch Break, I tried hard and succeeded in my Austerity attempt.

I don't believe in Astrology but Amma does and sometimes she sends some message regarding my forecast for the day.
Today's was Strange. Because it was true.

Never Mind. Optics is SO much better than Electrostatics!!

Sunday, May 27, 2012

I Did It!!!

There's Nothing Like Success.
Nothing like indulging in something outside your sphere and triumphing.
All you've got to do is believe. Believe that you can do it.

I completed the 10k! :) And in 1.5 hours (as I had expected)

Yeah Me. I couldn't stand below the 'I'm a Finisher' Slogan. Too bad. Nm.

At home, with my medal! and the thing on my T is the 'Running Bib'

I'd like to thank:
Mom and Dad (for believing that I can't do it? Reverse Psychology worked :))
Sanjana (:D)
Raksha (Victory Coin :))
Aneesh (for all the help :))
Pinki (for all the BS :))
Lokesh (How would I make it there?)
Anusha's mom (well, I considered her my competitor!)
And EVERYBODY else who motivated me and also for their contributions for my Fund Raising!


So I'm kinda tired. Fatigue or whatever. Bye

Saturday, May 26, 2012

A Bad Blogger Eh?

*It's to late to apologize*

Those who know me, will shake their heads at this, cause they're probably positively tired of my over usage of the word.

Anyway, I've been training and I reached 8k and I know I can do another 10 and hopefully quick enough to get that Blue T. Problem is, I fell ill and all 'Bulla Shitta' happened. But I'm fine now (if you exclude the throbbing pain in my brain that makes me feel maybe all the effort will go down the drain [OK, that's NOT gonna happen])

College is nice these days. With circular squares and Jalaja jokes, and the occasional palak paneer to add some spice (no pun, losers), I'm laughing more than ever. :)

I raised funds for Sahasra Deepika (an NGO working to educate underprivileged children) as a part of my 10k run. I just need to hand it over.

Hmm. So I've been wondering. People are (re)taking the SAT. I know, I know I said I wont take it again. But I have to take the Subject SATs right?


I guess I have some time to think about it. The next SAT is in October, so I can look at my options around August and take a call. :)

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Hmm?






Maybe This Is How It's Meant To Be?

So far, It's been great!
I'm enjoying every bit of it.

Yesterday's Menu:
  • Cornflakes for breakfast at home
  • Chapathi and Beans side-dish for college breakfast
  • Dal fry and rice for Lunch
  • Eggs for Evening snack
  • Apple for Dinner
Today's Menu:
  • Chapathi and Channa Masala for breakfast at home
  • Biscuits for college breakfast
  • I'd made chitranna but it didn't quite match up to Amma's standards, so I had some more chapathi and channa
  • Noodles for Evening snack
  • Pizza for Dinner
And the other things I wouldn't otherwise bother about; I take care of those too. All in all, it's a radical experience, one that I'd be happy to continue.
I'm saying, maybe it's I'm designed to function better this way, independent living makes me more alert and vigilant. Also it makes me more aware, of myself. Why? well because otherwise, my thoughts are always partially diverted towards what's going to happen next? When's the next personal Apocalypse? What effect will my hasty words have on certain people? What consequences do I have to face when I return?

I'm not against company, no, certainly not. I'm just saying to 'live with' I'd rather live alone than anything else. Bu then again, they're family and what I'm saying is probably bizarre.
But there's no denying that I'm enjoying this stint. I can say that without bothering about political correctness.

The blogosphere is too silent for my comfort. All I can hear is the echo of my rambles.
Seeya! :D


Sunday, May 6, 2012

No Explanations.(2)



By Myself.

This is something I've always wanted. And I'm so glad it all worked out!
Mom Dad and Di are on vacation. I'm here, doing everything on my own! Yay! I went and got myself some MTR Ready to Eat stuff for tomorrow. Now I need to make sure everything is locked up and head for bed :)

Pinki and Sanjana shouldn't be panicking. Really. I'm not a Kid.

And Umm. I've gotta learn how to use Blogger Mobile. I'd probably be more regular then.
Given that my Laptop is smashed beyond repair.

You know what?
Somethings don't just fade away from memory for eternity. Atleast in my case. The deepest scars will always show.
  • 23rd September 2008
  • 25th December 2010
  • 1st November 2011
Blah. Blah. Blah.

The first one is probably the one that made me feel worst. The rest aren't even my fault, but it doesn't work that way does it?

Looking back, several years of my childhood now appear misty and dreamlike. Everything about those years makes me wonder about the incredible reality called the Present. I mean, there have certainly been drastic changes.

I've been dreaming a bit lately. They're the silliest ever.
But some of them can be unsettling. Like those that replay the bits of reality I want to forget.

One way to cope with an unpredictable life is to stay aloof, but not in the indifferent way.
  • I mean you just take things as they come.
  • Accept the fact that a lot of things are not in your control. 
  • Don't be overwhelmed by anything; good or bad.
  • Save for the rainy day.
  • Do not form too close associations. You never know what's going to happen. You don't want to end up hurting anybody.
  • Be prepared for a 100 million mood swings a day.
  • Don't let anything affect your ambitions.
Toodles!

Friday, May 4, 2012

Run Maadi Run!

Yep I've been Running like there's no tomorrow! Cuz folks, I'm running the TCS World 10K! Yes, me. The couch potato, bookworm and seemingly indoor person! Its a challenge and I'm training for it. No mean feat, but it makes it all the more thrilling :)
As of yesterday, I've reached 5k. It's on May 27th, so I want to make a gradual and steady increase.

A few days back I was cleaning my room (long overdue) and guess what I found? A Birthday card from My Cousin Brothers!
Well, those who know me well, know that I've rarely mentioned their existence but that's not entirely without reason.
I realized then, that it was a pity that I didn't meet them all that often cause everything about that crooked basket of flowers and a fake Rs.500 note touched me. And apart from Di, nobody else has ever called me 'Akka' or so I thought until I looked inside and found a note addressed to 'Jayashree Akka'.

Another thing that touched me. Or rather, made me guilty. I was walking to my stop around 7 in the morning and at the road end, which is by default considered a garbage dump had an unusual visitor (the usual ones being a hungry cow or a stray dog). It was an old man scavenging for food or anything useful from the dump. His eyes darted around as if expecting to be admonished for his activity. He looked at me with eyes that contained fear and  defiance but his expression betrayed his vulnerability.

There is so much inequality. On one end of the spectrum, people starve without a morsel of food while on the other end, excess food is thrown away without an afterthought.
Where is the value? For money, for everything we have been blessed with?
None. It's always the demand for more. 


I had a sleepover at Priyanka's place! I visited Sanjana1 and I read Hunger Games... :)

Monday, April 16, 2012

Ah?

Sometimes, Something said to someone under some circumstance can be misconstrued.
Brouhaha.
Mortification.
BlahBlahBAH

Monday, April 9, 2012

Art Attack!

A lady. I wanted to do a Rajasthani lady with all the colourful clothing but I ended up with this!

Pot Painting.


Waterfall

Ganesha Wall piece

A closer look

A 'random sheets' holder+ photo frame..PS: Its one of my fav photos :)


That's me! Itsy Bitsy- photo Frame!
Made at Medha's place! Photo taken at Munnar!!
And This is what I've been pto during the hols!

Gone With The Wind

Yes, I read it! It took my three days and 2 whole nights (in between D-sitting, helping around)

Wow. Wow. Wow. (I'm dying to watch the movie)

The book is one of the best I've read. The characters, the narration , the War and its implications. What makes it even more *insert right word* is that I've read Little Women which also depicts the life and times of a family during and after the Civil War, only it's set on the other set, the Yankees.. (And It doesn't focus on the war)

I really want to say more, I want to read it again sometime soon and I hope to see the movie!
Scarlett's character is truly ruthless and self-centred, but I can't exactly hate her. She did a lot of foolish things in the hope that it would eventually lead to happiness but it was not meant to be. And Rhett! I can't believe anybody could have actually been that way. But a intriguing character, no less. And Bonnie's death nearly made me cry. The two lead characters apart, it's Melanie who deserves a mention. Initially I did sympathize with Scarlett because Melanie saw good in just about Everything. But then, it becomes evident that Melanie is a woman of substance and not just a frail ninny (who can't say Boo to a goose [lol])..

"Gerald O'Hara: Do you mean to tell me, Katie Scarlett O'Hara, that Tara, that land doesn't mean anything to you? Why, land is the only thing in the world worth workin' for, worth fightin' for, worth dyin' for, because it's the only thing that lasts."

Scarlett: Sir, you are no gentleman.
Rhett Butler: And you, Miss, are no lady.

Scarlett: I only know that I love you.
Rhett Butler: That's your misfortune.



(Btw I started on 'For whom the Bell Tolls' by Hemmingway)

Thursday, March 29, 2012

The Bizarre Brain.

Prosopagnosia 
Prosopagnosia is a disorder of face perception where the ability to recognize faces is impaired, while the ability to recognize other objects may be relatively intact. The term originally referred to a condition following acute brain damage, but a congenital form of the disorder has been proposed, which may be inherited by about 2.5% of the population. The specific brain area usually associated with prosopagnosia is the fusiform gyrus.
Few successful therapies have so far been developed for affected people, although individuals often learn to use 'piecemeal' or 'feature by feature' recognition strategies. This may involve secondary clues such as clothing, gait, hair color, body shape, and voice. Because the face seems to function as an important identifying feature in memory, it can also be difficult for people with this condition to keep track of information about people, and socialize normally with others.

The Capgras Syndrome
The Capgras delusion theory (or Capgras syndrome) is a disorder in which a person holds a delusion that a friend, spouse, parent, or other close family member has been replaced by an identical-looking impostor. The Capgras delusion is classified as a delusional misidentification syndrome, a class of delusional beliefs that involves the misidentification of people, places, or objects. It can occur in acute, transient, or chronic forms. Cases in which patients hold the belief that time has been "warped" or "substituted" have also been reported.

Many researchers think that Capgras syndrome is actually the result of something wrong with the brain, an organic cause. They look for lesions on the brain, signs of atrophy and other cerebral dysfunction. Although Capgras syndrome is usually seen in people who have psychotic disorders, more than a third of Capgras patients have signs of head trauma [source: Hirstein and Ramachandran]. Many Capgras patients also have other organic conditions, like epilepsy or Alzheimer's.
Still more doctors and researchers combine the idea of both a physical and a cognitive cause. There's something wrong with the brain, but why and how is Capgras syndrome occurring because of it? Maybe the organic cause leads to feelings of disconnectedness that lead to Capgras syndrome. Maybe it's too tough for people with a brain lesion to update memories when they see a person and the person looks slightly different. Your body is having a strange experience and your brain scrambles for a way to explain it.
Somewhere, the brain isn't communicating when it should be. This breakdown of communication might be happening between the part of the brain that processes the visual information for faces and the part that controls the limbic system's emotional response.
The argument seems to come down to whether Capgras syndrome is a problem of perception or of some other process, like memory. Hirstein and Ramachandran proposed that Capgras syndrome is a problem of "memory management." They give this example: Think of a computer. You make a new file and save it. When you want that information, you open the old file, add to it, save and close it again. Perhaps people with Capgras keep creating new files instead of accessing the old one, so that when you leave the room and re-enter, you are a new person, a person who looks like the one who left, but slightly different -- maybe your ears look bigger, or your hair a different hue. There's still a lot that science doesn't know about the human memory.
Some studies have also shown blind people with Capgras syndrome -- their delusion extends to the voice of a person, thinking that the voice is a voice of an impostor, instead of the face, so perhaps it isn't a face-processing problem at all. Other studies have shown people who were convinced by looking at a person that that person was an impostor, but they recognized the person's voice on the phone.



Fregoli Syndrome
The Fregoli delusion or the delusion of doubles is a rare disorder in which a person holds a delusional belief that different people are in fact a single person who changes appearance or is in disguise. The syndrome may be related to a brain lesion, and is often of a paranoid nature with the delusional person believing themselves persecuted by the person they believe is in disguise.
A person with the Fregoli delusion can also inaccurately replicate places, objects, and events. This disorder can be explained by "associative nodes." The associative nodes serve as a biological link of information about other people with a particular familiar face (to the patient). This means that any face that is similar to a recognizable face to the patient, the patient will recall that face as the person they know.
The condition is named after the Italian actor Leopoldo Fregoli who was renowned for his ability to make quick changes of appearance during his stage act.
P. Courbon and G. Fail first reported the condition in a 1927 paper (Syndrome d’illusion de Frégoli et schizophrénie). They described a 27-year-old woman living in London who believed she was being persecuted by two actors she often saw at the theatre. She believed these people pursued her closely, taking the form of people she knew or met.

Thatcher Effect
The Thatcher effect or Thatcher illusion is a phenomenon where it becomes difficult to detect local feature changes in an upside down face, despite identical changes being obvious in an upright face. It is named after British former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on whose photograph the effect has been most famously demonstrated. This was originally created by Peter Thompson, (Thompson, 1980).
The effect is illustrated by two originally identical photos, which are inverted. The second picture is obviously altered so that the eyes and mouth are vertically flipped, though the changes are not immediately obvious until the image is viewed in normal orientation.
This is thought to be due to specific psychological processes involved in face perception which are tuned especially to upright faces. Faces seem unique despite the fact that they are very similar. It has been hypothesised that we develop specific processes to differentiate between faces that rely as much on the configuration (the structural relationship between individual features on the face) as the details of individual face features, such as the eyes, nose and mouth. When a face is upside down, the configural processing cannot take place, and so minor differences are more difficult to detect.
This effect is not present in people who have some forms of prosopagnosia, a disorder where face processing is impaired, usually acquired after brain injury or illness. This suggests that their specific brain injury may damage the process that analyses facial structures.
Rhesus monkeys also show the Thatcher effect (Adachi, et al., 2009), raising the possibility that some brain mechanisms involved in processing faces may have evolved in a common ancestor 30+ million years ago.
(I found the pictures related to these rather grotesque, so I decided against including them in the blog)


This is my 100th blog post! Here's to a 100 more hundreds! :D Or maybe a Googol more posts!