WHY I LOVE THIS GIG

A blogger's job is never done. This month I had the task of reviewing a mobile phone sent to me by Nokia. Specifically, the Nokia X6 music touchscreen smartphone. Nose to the grindstone, I poked, prodded, charged, loaded, and listened and I can now give my verdict.

This regular-sized sucker's pretty cool. Almost the same size of my earlier cell phones and quite a bit lighter, I have to admit, I wasn't expecting much. But I was wrong.

Turning on the mobile brought me to an appealing comprehensive 3.2 inch splash screen where I was able to navigate through the several categories of music player, media and supports. Audio files, messaging, dialer and contacts are all available from this screen. Navigation to each is simple by running your thumb or any other favourite finger across the screen. I was most curious about the audio (since I am, chiefly, a huge music lover) so I checked that out first. Having loaded a few of my favourite MP3s. Sound was all right, not too great. And even when it was bumped up by enhancements made through the equalizer it didn’t really sound too awesome. That was pretty much the only drawback noted here. The navigation between artists, albums and songs is trouble-free.
Next, I tried the video. It was crystal clear and the details are sharp.

The storage – 16 GB - is impressive. The rechargeable battery stays alive for quite a while (the box advertises 35 hours of music playback time and I've found nothing to prove that wrong). Stereo headset is provided, as well as a car charger cable and a phone holder. A USB cable is made available as is additional software. Of course, I can tell you much about that. I installed the music I love listening to when I’m at the gym or on my way to the office. Add your media files through the Nokia Ovi Suite and you're good to go.

Perhaps the greatest selling point? The OVI services. One of them being free downloads from the Nokia Music Store and the 5-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics - I know, I know who really cares about cameras in phones... but I’ll tell ya what, it's nice to have the option.

I love the way this phone operates. And if you're in the market for a nice phone that everyone else doesn’t have or won't break the bank, this is a good deal. My final admission. I've had this thing for a couple of months now. Who knows how it'll work over time. From my point of view, you're getting a lot of features for a pretty awesome price.

It's also probably worth mentioning that I love reading or checking my blog and other blogs from this phone.

And if you're wondering what to get all those people on your Christmas lists, give this a try. You can check the phone out at http://www.nokiax6.org
Some additional info can be found at YouTube.

At first I thought I'd just show you my mobile phone. Then I had an idea...

HI!!!!

My disappointment at realizing I’m a full 48 hours further from the weekend than I’d been led to believe was quickly tempered by the fact that I discovered a new band called ‘Pomplamoose’ (The name of the band derives from the French word ‘pamplemousse’ – incidentally which is from Tamil pampa limāsu meaning generally grapefruit) with a little help from Facebook. In fact, as soon as I got home, I got a copy of the songs, and am happily listening to it right now. And it’s good. (And, yes, I’m a dork. I’m a big dorky girl who thinks this is one of the best things since sliced bread. I think this cover originally sung by the band - Earth, Wind and Fire, ‘September’ is slightly different but good and has everything I like about this band and I’m going to listen to it over and over and you can’t stop me!

Ahem. Before we delve any further into the closet of my Musical Preferences, let’s move on to more important things. The music!

Here's a new feature on EC. Every month, this space turns it’s scheduled tasks over to friends to find out what’s playing on their music devices or in their heads. This week, we hear from Silvester Phanbuh, my peer from work. He's from the North-East, is a swell cook (he hasn’t invited me over yet) and person all around. We have a ball when we get together, which is always too rarely. Read his blog, Down-Shop Memoirs, here.

Where are you from?
Shillong, Meghalaya

What song did you think about when you got dressed this morning? Any new artists you’d like to recommend?
Not specific to this morning but if I were to have a soundtrack for my mornings it would have to be some landscape piece like an epic movie theme or Ennio Morricone, or the likes - A nice grand string arrangement. That’s because I live in a city so the only open spaces that I can open my windows to are in my mind.

How has your music progressed from when you started listening to music to right now?
As a kid I listened to anything that was popular or accessible – more than the word “listen”, the better terms would be “heard” or “familiar” as I never really paid attention. Although there were a couple of songs which I’d actually make an effort to listen to. As I grew up it got interesting - I discovered the Doors and Scorpions and finally I started listening to metal. Megadeth was, is and most probably always will be my all-time favorite band.
Initially I was very close minded, and my music represented my rebelliousness and there was always an “anti-something-or-the-other” angle to it. However, there was a natural expansion of my tastes and music started being influenced by my moods rather than an image I was supposed to cultivate. Hence, I don’t like it when people assume that I’m a plain old metal-head, because that term confines me.

What were the first songs that you liked that made it onto a music CD?
The first mixed tape I made had songs from KISS, Scorpions and Deep Purple if I correctly remember.

How do you feel the reaction is to music in B’lore?
I believe the music lovers in Bangalore are quite intelligent and there is always something for all genres. From my first hand experience I regard the metal crowd as the best in the country. Also the local scene is supported well which is refreshingly nice.

Where did you get the music you listen to?
I borrowed a lot of tapes from friends and vice versa – later on with the dawn of the “inter-web” acquiring music became easier. Of course, I always follow up on my favorite musicians to know about releases etc.

How big do you think blogs and internet buzz has been in a band’s success?
The internet is a great place to find music – I cannot explain the huge difference it’s made. Everything is faster, easier, has more options and mostly free. So automatically this led to exposure to lots of bands who would have otherwise been dependent on whimsical trend conscious record labels.

Check back and there’ll be more music lovers to read about.

The breaks between posts have been long and I do apologize, but I’ve been busy. I’m attempting to cobble together my life and that has taken over most of my music listening time. Fortunately I stole some time back over this past week to listen to a handful of random songs strewn about here and there on the web. Even more fortunately for all of us I tripped on this cover that the Noisettes have done that are worth a listen.

For those of you who are completely in the dark about Pop/Indie rock band, Noisettes, they covered the popular ‘When You Were Young’ by The Killers in March 2009 . This cover is especially nice. As would only be appropriate for it to gain space on EC.
I’ll do my best to post as often as possible. Rest assured that the music is still here and EC will continue on. Enjoy the music.

For a large chunk of my young-womanhood, I lived in B’lore, a heavily residential Anglo-Indian neighborhood. Despite having Khasi (Shillong) relatives myself, I wasn’t actually aware about the area; my family paid little attention to lineage and I never heard the language spoken. Until I met my best friend and later, my bro-inlaw. They were the main source of my North-Eastern influence in the neighborhood, particularly in the area of food. My first life-changing Naga-influenced food experience was delivered courtesy of my bro-in-law’s mum, Aunt Anung, in Nagaland. But not just any meat preparation. Her meals were tastier than any spread I had eaten before. The pork was perfectly smoked and fried, served with steamed vegetables and axone (fermented soy-bean) on the side of raja-mirchi (The Naga jolokia) chutney. When paired with a bamboo mug of red tea, made a far better nightcap than a Hot chocolate with a shot of Bailey's Irish creme mixed in ever could (well, maybe not far better).

So my first lesson in great food pairings came to me on a chilly evening, in a small town of light and bright colors and late night city occupants, while I sat at the dinner table combining tastes and on the edge of every flavor of meat, vegetables, side dishes and drink. And it’s still one of my favorite moments. The crunch of the roasted pork, the snap of the fried fat, the bite of the rajamirchi-axone mixed chutney; nothing on the planet sets up the taste and texture of a meal better.

Picture Courtesy : The Naga Kitchen

But the reason for this post isn’t about the recollection of a gourmet moment. There’s one other major culinary event for which I have the Naga neighborhood to thank: it’s the opening of The Naga Kitchen. The first Naga restaurant in B’lore city that I visited on Friday and Saturday. This local joint, serves a wicked version of authentic Naga cuisine, and from the moment I bit into my first roasted pork piece, I was hooked. I don’t care who you are, or how much you struggle with ethical issues around eating meat: you’re just going to have to admit that there’s pretty much nothing as delicious as properly cooked pork.

What's better than this? Almost nothing.

So allow me to say it: it’s time to come home to Naga food at:
The Naga Kitchen
#26 A.V.S Arcade, Above F Square Garment store
Terrace Floor, Opp. Adidas Showroom
Next to Empire and Nandhini hotel
Kamanahalli Main Road
Bangalore - 84

If you’re around this side of town, do get to The Naga Kitchen and taste some of their smoked pork and your ethical dilemma will be a thing of the past. At least until hunger strikes again.

In exactly three weeks, at 9:01 a.m. on Friday, September 24, I will turn 27. If 27 is dead in woman years, does this mean I am approaching resurrection? Or has my flesh finished rotting off my bones and is my skeleton just lying here, deluding itself that there is any life left in it at all?

Sara Bareilles : King of Anything

If you haven’t figured it out yet, I was trying to branch out a bit on this track. Most of the time I get into the groove of singer/songwriter Indie kid with a jones for folk tunes music and run it until it’s dead. But on this single I was looking for a bit more. A bit of pop oomph. Welcome to Sara Bareilles, almost-gonna-make it pop rock act. But I bring you good music with a focus on the music being good. Hence, she has made the cut.

WEEKEND RECAP

Another weekend is, once again, behind us. Admittedly, this is a condition which sucks donkey balls. But the weekend was a busy one; I've got a lot to tell so I can't dwell on that.

On Friday, I was tuckered out by the time I rolled out of work so I preferred to collapse on the couch for the evening and watch Criminal Minds. And surprisingly I had a great time.

On Saturday, I headed to a friend’s place, who also happens to be guitarist and vocalist for popular local band Lounge Piranha.

He’s working on a new t-shirt line and I wish I had taken my camera with me to capture everything I had seen - the creator at his home. I just loved his work, a place that looked like a home/ studio and work on the walls for ideas and inspiration.
His work place is like something out of a dream sequence, and the designs on t-shirts are full of humor and playfulness as well as great craftsmanship and unique style. Visit his homepage here to view his work!

Saturday afternoon - There was more than a little playing, multiple rounds of beer in a well-known pub called ‘Noon Wines’. I think I fell in love with the Lamb Steak Burger at Ice & Spice instantly, and a shockingly impressive consumption of mayonnaise. We had a wonderful time. Afterwards, I think we were all worn out. We headed home and passed out for the evening.

Sunday involved sleeping in for me, the expected weekend with older sis and her family for lunch and desert. While that was neat and all, it was my niece that stole the show as usual. By the time they left, though, I had her trained, getting her to sit down, stay still and everything. I'm sure "accidentally" feeding her cookies and chocolate didn't hurt her conformity either.

Most of you probably wouldn't mechanically leap to this guess but, if left to my own devices, there's a fair chance I'd become a loner. I like time to myself and with my music. But through all this eventful weekend, I was reminded that it's often through the eyes of other people – family and friends - that you're told again and again how privileged you are. And I'm one fortunate lady.

It seems like I talk every month about how surprised I am by the amount of new artists that show up on my playlist, but they’ve really outdone themselves this year. As far as this blog goes, I’ve added a new band to review this month, titled ‘Revelation’ by Sons of Sylvia. In fact I’m listening to it right now and it’s still solid from start to end. The album ‘Revelation’ is so good, so instantly timeless, that my unconscious has filed it away with albums I’ve loved over the last 15 years of my life.
As always, make sure to leave a comment if you like what you see or have your own favorite albums or songs to add. To the readers, thank you for continuing to support this blog and reading what I have to say. Have a wonderful September!

It’s Only Love’ by Sons of Sylvia

I CAN EAT MY DINNER IN A FANCY RESTAURANT......

Here's something to ponder while you sip your coffee, make plans for the weekend, get ready to have a nice meal or sit in an endless stream of traffic on your way back from work. Who is your role-model? And, in fifty words or less, why? Watch, allow me to demonstrate:

My best friends, Runa and Ruan are my role-models. They stand strong when I cannot, push me towards the right path when decisions are lost upon me, and help me to be a better person. Wonderful people, loyal friends, beautiful chicas, and of course, they have smokin’ hot asses.


So - husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, mom, dad, teacher, altar boy, rockstar or football fan - let me have it.

In an interesting turn of events, I won last quarter’s ‘Star Performer’ award and my team (Display Advertising) won the most prestigious annual award our company can give to any individual/team; and this is among 13,900 employees in the world. The gods of technology seem to be cutting me some slack. It was a good day. Now? I need chocolate...and tea...lots of tea.

Sinead O’Connor's 'Nothing Compares To You' cover by Stereophonics

I still really, really, really love this song.

As I was struggling through one of my longer runs on the treadmill, this song came up on my playlist. (Yeah, what’s up? I listen to this Sinead O’Connor cover while running.) One of the ways I get through the parts where I just don’t want to run anymore is allow myself a little psychotic lip-syncing singing along with whatever is playing. I was working my way towards the end of a run, and mouthing the words to this song while people did their stretches and lifted weights. And by “lip-syncing,” I mean puffing out incomplete lyrics, by which I mean crazily panting, “I CAN EAT MY DINNER IN A FANCY RESTAURANT.”

I’m at a point in my life where I’m fortunate to discover so many wonderful covers. As I’ve said before in other EC posts, I’m a sucker for good covers. And Sinead O’Connor’s famous ‘Nothing compares to you’ covered by Welsh band Stereophonics is pure class. There is something captivating about spitting venom over a gorgeous O’Connor backdrop. I simply cannot force my brain to move beyond this track. If you have only one song to listen to today this should be your choice.

Keep listening to good music.