About Me
Monday, January 28, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Serendipity
Somebody told me about the word "serendipity"
Serendipity means an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident ; good fortune; luck.
History:
We are indebted to the English author Horace Walpole for the word serendipity, which he coined in one of the 3,000 or more letters on which his literary reputation primarily rests. In a letter of January 28, 1754, Walpole says that "this discovery, indeed, is almost of that kind which I call Serendipity, a very expressive word." Walpole formed the word on an old name for Sri Lanka, Serendip. He explained that this name was part of the title of "a silly fairy tale, called The Three Princes of Serendip: as their highnesses traveled, they were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things which they were not in quest of...."
Serendipity means an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident ; good fortune; luck.
History:
We are indebted to the English author Horace Walpole for the word serendipity, which he coined in one of the 3,000 or more letters on which his literary reputation primarily rests. In a letter of January 28, 1754, Walpole says that "this discovery, indeed, is almost of that kind which I call Serendipity, a very expressive word." Walpole formed the word on an old name for Sri Lanka, Serendip. He explained that this name was part of the title of "a silly fairy tale, called The Three Princes of Serendip: as their highnesses traveled, they were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things which they were not in quest of...."
hindu baba talks about Sikhi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJy1R9PZpLk&feature=related
Listen to his misleading explanation of Sikhi.
Listen to his misleading explanation of Sikhi.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Time for public talks :)
The events
- MSDN TechTalk – Wed Feb 20
- MSDN Launch Event – sometime March (to be confirmed)
- A series of 5-15 min “Lunch for Launch” pre-recorded videos
The Topics and themes
- Web dev with Visual Studio 2008 / .NET 3.5
- Web UI dev enhancements with Visual Studio 2008
- Web app deployments and enhancements on Windows Server 2008
- App instrumentation with Operations Manager (web app focused on Windows Server 2008) -----> I will be presenting this.
- SQL 2008 Enhancements for Developers
- .NET 3.5 Enhancements
- MSDN TechTalk – Wed Feb 20
- MSDN Launch Event – sometime March (to be confirmed)
- A series of 5-15 min “Lunch for Launch” pre-recorded videos
The Topics and themes
- Web dev with Visual Studio 2008 / .NET 3.5
- Web UI dev enhancements with Visual Studio 2008
- Web app deployments and enhancements on Windows Server 2008
- App instrumentation with Operations Manager (web app focused on Windows Server 2008) -----> I will be presenting this.
- SQL 2008 Enhancements for Developers
- .NET 3.5 Enhancements
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Guru Nanak
Guru Nanak wrote :
If you want to play the game of love you have to carry your head on the palm of your hand. The game of love is our love for God and God’s love for us.
In order to play this game you have to be willing to give your head, or in other words : to give all.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Sir Edmund Hillary and Tensing Norgay
Sir Edmund Hillary, ONE OF the first men to climb Mount Everest, has died at the age of 88. Let's not forget Tensing Norgay was with Sir Edmund Hillary reached the peak and came down alive.
Just for the records (from about.com):
Hillary and Norgay Climb Mount Everest (1953): After years of dreaming about it and seven weeks of climbing, New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Tenzing Norgay reached the top of Mt. Everest, the highest mountain in the world, at 11:30 a.m. on May 29, 1953.
Mt. Everest had long been considered unclimbable by some and the ultimate climbing challenge by others. Soaring in height to 29,035 feet (8,850 m), the famous mountain lays in the Himalayas, along the border of Nepal and Tibet, China.
Before Hillary and Tenzing successfully reached the summit, two other expeditions got close. Most famous of these was the 1924 climb of George Leigh Mallory and Andrew "Sandy" Irvine. They climbed Mt. Everest at a time when the aid of compressed air was still new and controversial. The pair of climbers was last seen still going strong at the Second Step (about 28,140 - 28,300 ft). Many people still wonder if Mallory and Irvine might have been the first to make it to the top of Mt. Everest. However, since the two men did not make it back down the mountain alive, perhaps we'll never know for sure.
Mallory and Irvine certainly were not the last to die upon the mountain. Climbing Mt. Everest is extremely dangerous. Besides the freezing weather (which puts climbers at risk for extreme frostbite) and the obvious potential for long falls from cliffs and into deep crevasses, climbers of Mt. Everest suffer from the effects of the extreme high altitude, often called "mountain sickness." The high altitude prevents the human body from getting enough oxygen to the brain, causing hypoxia. Any climber who climbs above 8,000 feet could get mountain sickness and the higher they climb, the more severe the symptoms may become. Most climbers of Mt. Everest at least suffer from headaches, cloudiness of thought, lack of sleep, loss of appetite, and fatigue. And some, if not acclimated correctly, could show the more acute signs of altitude sickness which include dementia, trouble walking, lack of physical coordination, delusions, and coma.
To prevent the acute symptoms of altitude sickness, climbers of Mt. Everest spend a lot of their time slowly acclimating their bodies to the increasingly high altitudes. This is why it can take climbers many weeks to climb Mt. Everest.
In addition to humans, not many creatures or plants can live in high altitudes either. For this reason, food sources for climbers of Mt. Everest are relatively nonexistent. So in preparation for their climb, climbers and their teams must plan, purchase, and then carry all of their food and supplies with them up the mountain. Most teams hire Sherpas to help carry their supplies up the mountain. (The Sherpa are a previously nomadic people who live near Mt. Everest and who have the unusual ability of being able to quickly physically adapt to higher altitudes.)
Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Hillary were part of the British Everest Expedition, 1953, led by Colonel John Hunt. Hunt had selected a team of people who were experienced climbers from all around the British Empire. Among the eleven chosen climbers, Edmund Hillary was selected as a climber from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, though born a Sherpa, was recruited from his home in India. Also along for the trip was a filmmaker to document their progress and a writer for The Times, both were there in the hopes of documenting a successful climb to the summit. Very importantly, a physiologist rounded out the team.
After months of planning and organizing, the expedition began to climb. On their way up, the team established nine camps, some of which are still used by climbers today.
Out of all the climbers on the expedition, only four would get a chance to make an attempt to reach the summit. Hunt, the team leader, selected two teams of climbers. The first team consisted of Tom Bourdillon and Charles Evans and the second team consisted of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.
The first team left on May 26, 1953 to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. Although the two men made it up to about 300 feet shy of the summit, the highest any human had yet reached, they were forced to turn back after bad weather set in as well as a fall and problems with their oxygen tanks.
At 4 a.m. on May 29, 1953, Hillary and Norgay awoke in camp nine and readied themselves for their climb. Hillary discovered that his boots had frozen and thus spent two hours defrosting them. The two men left camp at 6:30 a.m. Upon their climb, they came upon one particularly difficult rock face, but Hillary found a way to climb it. (The rock face is now called "Hillary's Step.)
At 11:30 a.m., Hillary and Norgay reached the summit of Mt. Everest. Hillary reached out to shake Norgay's hand, but Norgay gave him a hug in return. The two men enjoyed only 15 minutes at the top of the world because of their low air supply, but they spent their time taking photographs, taking in the view, placing a food offering (Norgay), and looking for any sign that the missing climbers from 1924 had been there before them (they didn't find any).
When their 15 minutes was up, Hillary and Norgay began making their way back down the mountain. It is reported that when Hillary saw is friend and co-New Zealand climber George Lowe (also part of the expedition), Hillary said, "Well, George, we've knocked the bastard off!"
News of the successful climb quickly made it around the world. Both Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became heroes.
Just for the records (from about.com):
Hillary and Norgay Climb Mount Everest (1953): After years of dreaming about it and seven weeks of climbing, New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Tenzing Norgay reached the top of Mt. Everest, the highest mountain in the world, at 11:30 a.m. on May 29, 1953.
Mt. Everest had long been considered unclimbable by some and the ultimate climbing challenge by others. Soaring in height to 29,035 feet (8,850 m), the famous mountain lays in the Himalayas, along the border of Nepal and Tibet, China.
Before Hillary and Tenzing successfully reached the summit, two other expeditions got close. Most famous of these was the 1924 climb of George Leigh Mallory and Andrew "Sandy" Irvine. They climbed Mt. Everest at a time when the aid of compressed air was still new and controversial. The pair of climbers was last seen still going strong at the Second Step (about 28,140 - 28,300 ft). Many people still wonder if Mallory and Irvine might have been the first to make it to the top of Mt. Everest. However, since the two men did not make it back down the mountain alive, perhaps we'll never know for sure.
Mallory and Irvine certainly were not the last to die upon the mountain. Climbing Mt. Everest is extremely dangerous. Besides the freezing weather (which puts climbers at risk for extreme frostbite) and the obvious potential for long falls from cliffs and into deep crevasses, climbers of Mt. Everest suffer from the effects of the extreme high altitude, often called "mountain sickness." The high altitude prevents the human body from getting enough oxygen to the brain, causing hypoxia. Any climber who climbs above 8,000 feet could get mountain sickness and the higher they climb, the more severe the symptoms may become. Most climbers of Mt. Everest at least suffer from headaches, cloudiness of thought, lack of sleep, loss of appetite, and fatigue. And some, if not acclimated correctly, could show the more acute signs of altitude sickness which include dementia, trouble walking, lack of physical coordination, delusions, and coma.
To prevent the acute symptoms of altitude sickness, climbers of Mt. Everest spend a lot of their time slowly acclimating their bodies to the increasingly high altitudes. This is why it can take climbers many weeks to climb Mt. Everest.
In addition to humans, not many creatures or plants can live in high altitudes either. For this reason, food sources for climbers of Mt. Everest are relatively nonexistent. So in preparation for their climb, climbers and their teams must plan, purchase, and then carry all of their food and supplies with them up the mountain. Most teams hire Sherpas to help carry their supplies up the mountain. (The Sherpa are a previously nomadic people who live near Mt. Everest and who have the unusual ability of being able to quickly physically adapt to higher altitudes.)
Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Hillary were part of the British Everest Expedition, 1953, led by Colonel John Hunt. Hunt had selected a team of people who were experienced climbers from all around the British Empire. Among the eleven chosen climbers, Edmund Hillary was selected as a climber from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, though born a Sherpa, was recruited from his home in India. Also along for the trip was a filmmaker to document their progress and a writer for The Times, both were there in the hopes of documenting a successful climb to the summit. Very importantly, a physiologist rounded out the team.
After months of planning and organizing, the expedition began to climb. On their way up, the team established nine camps, some of which are still used by climbers today.
Out of all the climbers on the expedition, only four would get a chance to make an attempt to reach the summit. Hunt, the team leader, selected two teams of climbers. The first team consisted of Tom Bourdillon and Charles Evans and the second team consisted of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.
The first team left on May 26, 1953 to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. Although the two men made it up to about 300 feet shy of the summit, the highest any human had yet reached, they were forced to turn back after bad weather set in as well as a fall and problems with their oxygen tanks.
At 4 a.m. on May 29, 1953, Hillary and Norgay awoke in camp nine and readied themselves for their climb. Hillary discovered that his boots had frozen and thus spent two hours defrosting them. The two men left camp at 6:30 a.m. Upon their climb, they came upon one particularly difficult rock face, but Hillary found a way to climb it. (The rock face is now called "Hillary's Step.)
At 11:30 a.m., Hillary and Norgay reached the summit of Mt. Everest. Hillary reached out to shake Norgay's hand, but Norgay gave him a hug in return. The two men enjoyed only 15 minutes at the top of the world because of their low air supply, but they spent their time taking photographs, taking in the view, placing a food offering (Norgay), and looking for any sign that the missing climbers from 1924 had been there before them (they didn't find any).
When their 15 minutes was up, Hillary and Norgay began making their way back down the mountain. It is reported that when Hillary saw is friend and co-New Zealand climber George Lowe (also part of the expedition), Hillary said, "Well, George, we've knocked the bastard off!"
News of the successful climb quickly made it around the world. Both Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became heroes.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Awarded Microsoft MVP for another year.
I have been awarded the Microsoft MVP again for another year. Waheguru.
Here is the email i received this morning.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Sarbjit Singh Gill, Congratulations! We are pleased to present you with the 2008 Microsoft® MVP Award! The MVP Award is our way of saying thank you for promoting the spirit of community and enhancing people’s lives and the industry’s success every day. Your extraordinary efforts in Windows Server System - MOM technical communities during the past year are greatly appreciated.
Begin taking advantage of your award benefits by signing into the MVP Award Web site using the credentials listed below. Both new and renewing MVPs must specify MSDN or TechNet technical subscription preferences for the next 12 months via the MVP Award Web site. ***********************************************************************
Your MVP Identification (ID) is: xxxxxx
Your one-time passcode for www.mvpaward.com is: xxxxxxx
***********************************************************************
On behalf of everyone at Microsoft, thank you for your ongoing contributions to technical communities.
Sincerely,
Lilian Quek
your MVP Lead
Here is the email i received this morning.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Sarbjit Singh Gill, Congratulations! We are pleased to present you with the 2008 Microsoft® MVP Award! The MVP Award is our way of saying thank you for promoting the spirit of community and enhancing people’s lives and the industry’s success every day. Your extraordinary efforts in Windows Server System - MOM technical communities during the past year are greatly appreciated.
Begin taking advantage of your award benefits by signing into the MVP Award Web site using the credentials listed below. Both new and renewing MVPs must specify MSDN or TechNet technical subscription preferences for the next 12 months via the MVP Award Web site. ***********************************************************************
Your MVP Identification (ID) is: xxxxxx
Your one-time passcode for www.mvpaward.com is: xxxxxxx
***********************************************************************
On behalf of everyone at Microsoft, thank you for your ongoing contributions to technical communities.
Sincerely,
Lilian Quek
your MVP Lead
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