For the past two Septembers, I have taken advantage of the fact that I get Labor day off, that the weather is still nice, and that the flights are a bit cheaper, and I have gone on my annual vacation. This year was no different In my line of work, I am actually required by law to take 10 business days off in a row. Fortunately, this has never been too much of a problem!

Since I was on vacation, I am going to switch this up and put the travel category first....

Travel: This year, my travels took me back to Europe, as I could not pass on the cheap Euro and the great deals on flights. I had my eye on heading back to Nepal to finally finish my Himalaya trek, but when I saw a great deal on United to Frankfurt, I knew that Nepal could wait another year. I flew to Germany, then did some hiking in the Stubai region of the Tyrolean Alps (Austria), the Dolomites (Italy) and the Bavarian Alps (Germany). In addition to lots and lots of hiking, I drank way too much wine and ate way too much good (read: carb loaded) foods!

Running: I ran about 180 miles, about 100 of which were mostly hiking in the Alps. Other than that, I did a couple of runs in Frankfurt and around the fields of the Bavarian Alps as well as some short runs while I was home.

Reading: In September, I read 5 books. Surprisingly, it was not more, as I traveled a lot. However, I also watched 5 movies on the plane ride home, so I didn't get a lot of reading done then. In addition, I ended up reading magazines, news and other items, so did not get as much book reading in as I normally would. The best book was Winter of the World, which is the Ken Follet Century trilogy. The first book was about WWI, this one was about WWII and there is a third, which I believe is about Vietnam, the Cold War and the Cuban missile crisis. None of these books were mine; nor were they part of the BR Read Harder Challenge.

Lab Girl (3 stars)
The Kings Curse (4 stars)
A God in Ruins (3 stars)
Winter of the World (5 stars)
Everyone Brave is Forgiven (3 stars)

All in all, September was a great month. Now I just need to start planning my next vacation!

What was the highlight of your month of September? Where did you go for vacation this year?

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Twin girls, Brielle and Kyrie, were born 12 weeks ahead of their due date. Needing intensive care, they were placed in separate incubators. Kyrie began to gain weight and her health stabilized. But Brielle, born only 2 lbs, had trouble breathing, heart problems and other complications. She was not expected to live.

Their nurse did everything she could to make Brielle’s health better, but nothing she did was helping her. With nothing else to do, their nurse went against hospital policy and decided to place both babies in the same incubator. She left the twin girls to sleep and when when she returned she found a sight she could not believe. She called all the nurses and doctors and this is what they saw (refer to the picture above). As Brielle got closer to her sister, Kyrie put her small little arm around her, as if to hug and support her sister. From that moment on, Brielle’s breathing and heart rate stabilized and her health became normal.

Today, they’re all grown up.

The Audi R8 is probably one of the best sports car on the market today.

Audi also spends a bomb on marketing it. We're guessing it entails loads of camera equipment, crew of a hundred and a budget of a million Euros. And then this happened. Audi asked photographer Felix Hernandez to create a photo set of the car. He did it alright. He shot the car that costs about Rs 2.5 crores, using a scale model that costs Rs 2,500.

See the results for yourself.

1 - R8 passing through the Alps

Nope. It wasn't Alps

2. The R8 drifting on snow

Actually it was just a wooden board

3. R8 resting on the beach

Not really

Felix hernandez is specialises in making mock ups and shooting model cars like they were real.

For more amazing pics click the link below.

Felix Hernandez Rodriguez

Chennai: Rajinikanth Robo 2.0 story has been leaked from the closed sources of the team and here is the exclusive Robot 2 leaked story and have a look on it.

Superstar Rajinikanth much awaited movie Robo 2.0 has been started in this month officially and after the completion of Kabali, the superstar will join in the Robo 2 sets. The pre-productions works are going on a jet speed and whole cast and crew have been already finalized by director Shankar. According to latest updates, Robo 2 story leaked by the makers and here is the Endhiran 2 story and have a look on it.

As we know, Rajinikanth has made a robot titled as Chitti Robo and it turned to be a Villain in the first part. Rajinikanth performance in Chitti Robo character was the main highlight for that film and in 2.0 also Chitti will have a perfect role and it would be the main highlight for the film.

In Robo first part, according to the court statement, Chitti Robo has been destroyed and put in a science museum to show for students. Now as per Robot 2 leaked story, Scientist Vasikaran will be once gain used Chitti Robo to destroy another powerful Robo which will be played by Akshay Kumar. This Robo had also made by Scientist Vasikaran and it would be more powerful and speedier than Chitti Robo. Akshay Kumar Robo is finally shaking hands with Villains and as per Robo 2.0 leaked story, Chitti Robo has been once again re-modified and made with advanced technology.

So will Chitti Robo attack Villain Robo (Akshay Kumar) is not will be seen on the silver screen. According to leaked story, Chitti Robo is back and once gain entertain audience. The fighting scenes between Chitti Robo and Akshay Kumar Robo is going to be rocking and director Shankar is planning extraordinary visuals and VFX works to get the movie in an International range.

SOURCE - INTERNET.

Oxford scientists have created a transparent form of aluminium by bombarding the metal with the world’s most powerful soft X-ray laser. 'Transparent aluminium' previously only existed in science fiction, but the real material is an exotic new state of matter with important implications for planetary science and nuclear fusion.

 Now you can have a window that won’t break.The future has arrived. Sort of. Pretty much.

All that work pays off. AlON can do amazing things. Here, for instance, a 1.6″ thick AlON plate successfully resists a huge, powerful .50 AP bullet that smashes easily through more than twice that thickness of conventional laminated glass armor, with plenty of energy left over to extremely kill a plastic mannequin head. It’s expensive, of course, and so generally reserved for high-performance applications, especially in military fields.

Want to know which app was used last time in your phone is pretty much easy by moving to recent app history or app switcher like this…

But what if someone has cleared it….don't worry I'm with you.

Open your phone dialer and press *#*#4636#*#*

It will open up something like this.

Click on Usage Statistics.

Something like this will open up.

Move to Sort by - dropdown menu.

click on last time used.

All done now see the statistics with full details.

Have you ever wondered what the numbers, or recycling symbols mean at the bottom of plastic bottles and containers?

If you don't then please look at your bottle for the symbols and have a read the below answer.

Every plastic container or bottle has a recycling symbol. The symbol is a number, ranging from 1 to 7, within a triangle(as shown above in the figure).They actually offer a great deal of information regarding the toxic chemicals used in the plastic, how likely the plastic is to leach, how much biodegradable the plastic is, and ultimately the safety of the plastic and its re-usability.

Symbol 1 – PETE or PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) : Usually clear and used to make soda and water bottles. Although considered as safe, but this plastic is known to allow bacteria and flavor to accumulate.

It’s found mostly in soda bottles, water bottles, beer bottles, salad dressing containers, mouthwash bottles, and peanut butter containers.Hence, mineral water bottles come with a statement : Please crush the bottle after use.

Symbol 2 – HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) : It’s found mostly in milk jugs, household cleaner containers, juice bottles, shampoo bottles, cereal box liners, detergent bottles, motor oil bottles, yogurt tubs, and butter tubs.ilk jugs, detergent bottles, juice bottles, butter tubs, and toiletries bottles are made of this.  It is usually opaque. This plastic is considered safe and has low risk of leaching.

Symbol 3 – V or PVC (Vinyl) : Used to make food wrap, plumbing pipes, and detergent bottles, and is seldom accepted by curbside recycling programs. These plastics used to, and still may, contain phthalates, which are linked to numerous health issues ranging from developmental problems to miscarriages. They also contain DEHA, which can be carcinogenic with long-term exposure. DEHA has also been linked to loss of bone mass and liver problems. Never cook with or burn this plastic.

Symbol 4 – LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) : Low density polyethylene is most found in squeezable bottles, shopping bags, clothing, carpet, frozen food, bread bags, and some food wraps. This rests among the recycling symbols considered to be safe.

Symbol 5 – PP (Polypropylene) : It is typically found in yogurt containers, ketchup bottles, syrup bottles, and medicine bottles. It is one of the safest plastic to be used.

Symbol 6 – PS (Polystyrene) : Polystyrene is Styrofoam, which is notorious for being difficult to recycle, and thus, bad for the environment. This kind of plastic also poses a health risk, leaching potentially toxic chemicals, especially when heated. Most recycling programs won’t accept it.

Symbol 7 – Other, Miscellaneous : All of the plastic resins that don’t fit into the other categories are placed in the number 7 category. It’s a mix bag of plastics that includes polycarbonate, which contains the toxic bisphenol-A (BPA). These plastics should be avoided due to possibly containing hormone disruptors like BPA, which has been linked to infertility, hyperactivity, reproductive problems, and other health issues.

Avoid recycling symbols 3, 6, and 7. While Number 1 is considered safe, it is also best to avoid this plastic.

Look for symbols 2, 4, and 5, as these plastics are considered to be safest. These are the plastics to look for in terms of human and animal consumption.

So next time you buy bottles for storing drinking water, look for the symbols first, color,design and price could be compromised not your health.

Many people will subconsciously check their wallet when they see this sign, and that will reveal to an observant pickpocket where someone keeps their valuables. So if you see a sign warning for pickpockets, don’t check your pockets.

During the Interview 

Interviewer 1: Do you have any questions?
Me: You told that you provide free food, transportation and work from home.

Interviewer 1 & 2 : Yeah
Me: So, can I use the free transport go to office have food, come back with the free transport, and then work from home.

REJECTED.

 This is crime story :
5 friends lived in a room
namely 1.mad 2.brain 3.fool
4.somebody 5.nobody.
one day, somebody killed nobody
that time brain was in bath room,
mad called police.

mad: is it police  station?
police: yes, what is matter?
mad: somebody killd nobody
police: are you mad?
mad: yes i am mad.
police: don't u have brain.
mad : brain is in bathroom.
police: u fool
mad : no, fool is reading...

Part of Donald Trump's slash and burn electoral strategy is to claim that the election is rigged.  The only way to prove, in Trumpland, that it isn't rigged is for him to win.  Trump's claims of rigging are ludicrous, but they are taken seriously by the nearly 40% of voters who are firmly in his column.

Politico notes that the Trump strategy could have serious repercussions for American democracy after the election, especially if Republican leaders keep the same silence on the result that they've been keeping about the campaign itself.  Trump cites media coverage as his main "evidence", but let's just consider for a moment the other case - that the election is rigged against Hillary Clinton.

If you were Hillary, and you had the same political nihilism as Trump, you could cite the following:

1.  The consistent hacking of Democrat emails by Wikileaks and possible (though only alleged) Russian agencies.  Wikileaks has emerged firmly in the Trump camp, and hasn't undertaken any leaks against Trump and his associates at all.  The leaks, no matter how innocuous or explainable, consistently hurt Hillary.

2.  The mainstream media insistence on "equivalence" between Hillary and Trump.  Trump is arguably the worst candidate in American history, lies consistently, has failed to pay income tax or declare his tax returns, is a four-time bankrupt, has sexually assaulted women, uses dangerous rhetoric against minority groups, has run businesses that have destroyed the livelihoods of small workers, cosies up to one of America's biggest foreign foes.  Hillary's record doesn't even begin to touch all of this, yet is portrayed in the media as being somehow equivalent.  This campaign is indeed destroying American democracy, but the destructive impetus comes from one side only.

3.  The Republicans have history in rigged elections, as witness the "Gore v Bush" 2000 one.  Al Gore won the popular vote, and a predominantly Republican appointed Supreme Court decided in favour of the Republican nominee in the highly disputed Florida count.  The Democratic nominee, Gore, conceded as soon as the decision was made.

4.  Election machinery in each state is in the hands of state governance.  31 states have Republican governors, only 18 have Democratic governors.  It was a Republican governor's administration in Florida in 2000 which determined the Republican outcome of that state's vote.

5.  Mainstream media may lean towards Clinton (but see point 2 above), but much other media leans heavily towards Trump, including Talk Radio and the still much watched Fox News, who present Trump's outlandish and palpably false claims uncritically.

6.  The Trump campaign is the culmination of more than two decades of well-funded, committed and consistent denigration of the Clintons by Republican right-wingers.  From the millions poured in by Richard Mellon Scaife to things such as the Arkansas Project in the 90s, through the special prosecution of Bill Clinton by Republican activist judge Kenneth Starr, to the present day, the Clintons in particular have been the target of unrelenting abuse.  There is a whole Republican industry dedicated simply to destroying the Clintons and reversing their and President Obama's liberal agenda.  Nothing similar exists on the Democratic side.

7.  The last boundary changes for the House of Representatives saw one of the most audacious gerrymanders in modern representative politics (detailed in a book by Salon's David Daley).  While the Senate could change hands, there is virtually no possibility of the House doing so - it will stay Republican.

Donald Trump is the Republican Party's Frankenstein, and his claims of election rigging would have more resonance if they were spouted by a Democrat.  At the moment, though, Democrats still believe in the American system and refuse to denigrate it.  When media outlets talk of a "dirty election" and how it threaten American democracy, it's worth remembering that their false attempts at equivalence hide the fact that only one party, and its atrocious nominee, are engaged in that work.

A few quick takeaways from tonight's Trump v Clinton debate.

1.  Hillary Clinton is not great at being able to take down a great hulking target standing right next to her.  Perhaps she's wary because of the various scandals attached to her own person, but such scandals are in no way equivalent to the host of issues suggesting Trump is unfit for high office.

2. Trump really has no use for his vice-presidential running mate.  Rarely has a No 2 been so publicly humiliated as Mike Pence was tonight when Trump dismissed his views with the words "He and I haven't spoken and I disagree".  If Pence had any dignity left he would leave the ticket.  He hasn't and he won't.

3.  Trump could have been a nightclub bouncer; his body language was tense and uneasy throughout and he wouldn't sit down, preferring to loom ominously over the set.

4.  Trump got off lightly over the video of his sexist comments - or virtual endorsement of sexual harassment - and shoudn't have done.

5.  Trump wants to put in place criminal proceedings against his opponent if he wins, with the intention of seeing her jailed.  He would do well in an authoritarian banana republic.

6.  Hillary is far more comfortable talking policy than debating, and it showed.  She allowed Trump to lead the debate several times.  She's not an instinctive politician in the way her husband or Obama are.

7.  This debate will have changed few minds, but it may well have entrenched their respective supporters behind the two candidates.

8.  Trump is awful.  He is grotesque, lies congenitally, has few ideas about the policies he name-checks, is brutalistic and should never have been a contender.  But you get the democracy you vote for.

Here is a compilation of certain interesting unknown facts about the Lady Herself.
PURATCHI THALAIVI SELVI JAYALALITHA JAYARAMAN.

1. WIDOWED AT THE AGE OF 16??

Yes, I know this sounds rather more weird, but that’s not what I am about to say here. Her first Movie in the Tamil Industry was “Vennira Aadai “ (white dress) at her tender age of 16. The movie went on to get her an impression of a strong and charismatic performer with the audience. Although, the interesting part is that the Movie was certified with “A” rating which unfortunate for her, even she couldn’t watch because she wasn’t even an adult by then.
   

2. SHE WAS FORCED TO ACT OWING TO HER FAMILY SITUATION

She was amazing at scholastic. She secured first rank in the state in her Matriculation common board exam. Her mom, Sandhya, was by then a well-known actress in the industry and thus she gained access for Jayalalitha at such young age, although her passion was not acting because she was more of a scholastic person who was driven by her academics.

3. LOVE BLOSSOMS

During her movie career she already fell in love with a married actor, Shoban Babu. She was caught in people’s sight, watching him through her binoculars from her residence. But still it did not materialize and she continued to rather be alone and excel than be with someone’s company and be satisfied with what she had, as she was very brave and was constantly looking out for opportunities to move ahead.

4. BOOK-ISH

Ms.J.Jayalalitha, apart from being a successful actress and acclaimed politician was an avid book reader. She used to carry English books all the time to her shooting spots and would be drowned with them during breaks in between shots. She was equally interested in writing contents which gave her another aspiration to dream about.

5. BOX OFFICE RECORD BOOKS – REWRITTEN!

Her performance in movies not only were critically acclaimed but stromed the box office with collections. For the record, out of her 125 films as the female lead, 117 were box office hits. Her Bollywood film “ Izaat” also faired pretty well and gave her a statistical lead in Bollywood ahead of other actresses at that time. Though she never capitalized on that share of market and chose to continue down south, she had offers flowing down from time to time. She never failed to impress anyone who ever saw her on the big screen. Her mannerism and acting skills got her a place that no one could ever possibly do.

6. LOWEST PAID CHIEF MINISTER IN THE HISTORY

When she became the Chief Minister, she was given a cheque as her first salary. She said that she had “abundant source of income and she does not need a salary”. On being told that she should receive a salary as public servant, she accepted a salary of Rs.1/-. This led to further sparks about her making her even more impressive among the publics and even a few experienced politicos that they decided to join her and work on alliances. She created a turbulence of change in Tamil Nadu which did get under scrutiny most times, yet she kept going.

7. THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORD WAS NO EXCEPTION

She holds the record for hosting the “largest wedding banquet/reception”. In 1995, during her first term as Chief Minister, she organized an obscenely lavish wedding for her ‘foster son’ Sudhagaran. The Guinness record book notes that over 150000 guests were invited to the wedding at a 50-acre ground in Chennai.
In a breathless prose of the New York Times, the reception featured “a cardboard and papier-mache ‘fort’ that covered an area as big as several football fields.

A media report back then read:

“For miles between Jayalalithaa’s official residence and the wedding site, streets were decorated with Grecian statues and gilded lions. Shrines were erected, with icon-like images of Jayalalithaa in place of Hindu Gods. Fountains played, and the turmoil of daily street life was hidden from view by walls of banana leaves.”

8. AN ANGELIC DEMICE!

The politician joined the Mahamakam( The Kumbh Mela of South India)  Festival in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu in 1992. Although the ‘ghats’, where she was to take the customary bath were barricaded, the crowds that engulfed to see her were stuck in a stampede. Nearly 50 people died in the incident reported a famous daily newspaper.

9. THE NO JEWELLERY NOTION

It is interesting to note that in 1997, she vowed not to wear any Jewellery after the then Government of Tamil Nadu, run by DMK, confiscated all her jewellery during investigation into cases related to owning disproportionate assets. Things recovered from Jayalalitha’s house included 750 pairs of footwear, 800 kilograms of silver, 28 kilograms of Gold, 10000+ sarees,91 watches and 44 air conditioners.

For fourteen years, she never wore and jewellery and wore it once again in 2011, after storming back to power. She said she had to wear them because her party workers insisted her and she respected their sentiments. That right there, was an example of how much determined a women can get.

10. AN ALTERNATE PROFESSION, MAYBE?

In an acclaimed interview with the most famous Simi Garewal, who has the gift of getting her celebrity guests to open up and reveal their secrets, making her syrupy interviews one of the most popular shows on television, in 1999, when she was questioned what should would have pursued if it wasn’t for politics or movies, the answer came as a shocker. She wanted to do LAW. Well, that makes sense now, considering the recent Assets case she has upon her and the way she managed to get out of it altogether. The LAW brain does work so efficiently. Who knows, maybe down the line she may as well excel in that in no time, given her track record to excel in new professions.