Was Jesus Black, Jewish, Italian, Californian, American Indian, Irish, or a Woman?

 

View more presentations from RT

Jersey City to New York City - PATH vs NYC Subway

Well, I haven't moved back to the city (yet), NO. Just talking about my first day of commute from Journal Square to Downtown Manhattan, FIDI (pronunced as Fie-Die, Financial District) as New Yorkers call it. I walk from my place to Journal Square & then take PATH.  I get off at World Financial Center (not WTC anymore) station & walk to my work at Wall Street (I had to mention that to let you know that I work at mighty Wall Street). It's not bad at all. The commute from Jersey city to NYC could be probably less than even being in Manhattan (If you live above midtown, far from Subway.. & you are close to Path in Jersey CIty coming to FIDI etc), or almost same as other Burroughs. You are not in the "City", but I am just talking commute here, which is cool. And there are benefits to living in Jersey too (gotta convince myself, U know).....

So lets do a quick PATH vs NYC Subway check... PATH's monthly pass is $54, $50 less when compared to NYC Subway Monthly Pass. You have to buy a $5 plastic card  called smartlink card from automated vending machine & then refill or recharge it at another machine. Kinda non-intuitive (I struggled like a dumbo for 10 mins) & lotta work  (I had to be "walked through" the whole process) for first time. But there was someone to tell/help which was good. The PATH looks cleaner & nicer too. There is no food & drinks allowed, which must help. I don't see any trash/garbage cans in PATH stations either, which is weird. People might bring stuff & you gotta have place to throw. Frequency & service is good, almost every 10 mins in peak hours. It runs 24 hrs as well. So, I like PATH. But unlike many people, I liked subway as well. You have to understand that there are so many lines & trains they have to run, with so many stations to manage. PATH just has 4 lines & 13 stations. And subway is so old as well. At least is 24 hrs unlike most of rest of the world I guess. LA, Boston, DC, London, Delhi, none of the places have 24 hrs metro service. It may not be very comfortable but it's absolutely convenient. So my verdict is, both are great public transport... Love NYC, Love JC!!

Moved to Jersey City... I am not a New Yorker??

I left Manhattan yesterday to move to Journal Square, Jersey City. Quite a move.. I got movers to move my stuff which cost me $200 + cab ride of $45. Movers were $55/hr + tip, 2 russian guys. And the cab guys says that as soon as they go out of Manhattan, the cab fare doubles + toll $9, so I didn't tip him. Also to went Newport Mall & did some shopping for curtains, rods, home stuff, fan, brita jar etc. So much to do when you move in to your own place. & SO much to unpack/adjust. I am really stressed I guess. Moving is not as much fun, specially when you have to do so much, all by yourself, & my not that enabled/capable hand. But I do like Journal Square so far. I ma 10 mins walk away from PATH, lots of stores around - 99 cents, C-Town, CH-Martin & Bunch of Indian stores at Indian Sq. Also was able to get chinese food at 11.20 pm on sunday Night. Impressive & happy so far, lets see how it goes. BTW - Got lot of help in this move from Tani, thanks a ton!!... So, until next time, Good Bye & Good Luck!! (Am I still a New Yorker??)

Hand in 4 week cast / Dinner Cruise in Manhattan

So I went for  doctor's review after last week's hand surgery. The 7 stitches were taken out, although pin has been left in, with the new blue cast which I have for 4 weeks. I have to go back after 4 weeks when they take the pin & cast off & then I have to go through occupational therapy until I get my strength & motion back. My right hand did look thinner & weaker than left hand (like it's starving), but otherwise it's okay so far. The new fiber casting is quick & impressive. It's like a wrap which they wrap around after putting some cotton base, then applied some sorta medical lubricant & it hardened into a cast in few minutes. I had choice of white/blue/black color; I picked blue because it's darker but you can still write on it... So, Doctor says it's all okay, so I have to take his word. I'll only know when I get my hand fully back!!

In the evening we went for a dinner cruise (7-10pm) with Bateaux Cruise New York from Chelsea Piers. It goes all the way to Interpid first & then back south to Downtown & then towards east side of Manhattan until Empire State - cross Manhattan Bridge & then very close to Statue of Liberty (it's beautiful at night) & then back. The food was nice on the cruise & live music was very good. Only bad thing was their photographer, who was really mean/selfish & bad. Tried to force people to buy pictures, not give enough time to think or try good positions, just ridiculous.... Anyways, overall we had a wonderful & great time!!... You should try it too, if you can, & feel free to ask any questions/comments..... I am HERE

MY MOTHER'S VISA APPLICATION GOT REJECTED AT US EMBASSY IN NEW DELHI... AGAIN!!

OMG... REALLY?? HOW CAN YOU DO THAT. I AM A LAW ABIDING LEGAL RESIDENT OF USA, PAYING BIG TAXES & DOING MY SHARE TO HELP THE ECONOMY, ALONG WITH VOLUNTEERING & STUFF LIKE THAT. AND MY MOM'S TOURIST VISA TO JUST VISIT HER SON FOR 1-2 MONTH, WITH HER HUSBAND, IS GETTING REJECTED 2ND TIME. WTF?? WTF IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE?? I AM UPSET, REALLY UPSET & MAD, REALLY MAD. WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?? AND THEY DIDN'T GIVE ANY REASON EITHER, NO REASON. THIS IS JUST RIDICULOUS!!.... ANY COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS??

Fight Club | True Grit | Perfect Host

The week was busy & scary(?) with my hand surgery, but the weekend was nice. Good Movies:

Fight Club (9/10) - Great movie, amazing plot, great performances. This was a BIG-BIG surprise just for me, cuz I didn't know about this movie. I would have given it 10, but I could guess even before half of the movie, the real identity of Tyler Durden. But it's just a great movie with excellent camera work, story line, editing & performances. Great job done, great movie made!!

True Grit (9/10) - Great movie, very good plot, excellent performances. One of the best westerner movies I have seen. The cinematography & camera work is awesome. Everything looks real & convincing. The story of a 14 yr old girl trying to hunt her father's murderer with the help of 2 bounty hunters is just amazing. Everyone has put in great performances & its just a great movie to watch.

Perfect Host (7/10) - Good movie, nice plot, very fine performances. This was a surprise actually. Never heard & never knew abou t it. The story is about a escaped prisoner/convict who takes forced refuge into a man's home & ends up being the victim. How? Just watch the movie... David Hyde Pierce is mind blowing!!

+ good food & lot of nice rest. That's what good time is all about in this HOT New York Weather!!

My first surgery in US - MCP Joint RCL tear & subluxation

The surgery was at Beth Israel center at Union Sq. I was there before 11 am, 2 hrs before surgery as suggested (surprisingly... very unlike me). I was alone, all by myself. They had me fill this huge 10-20 paper form with my injured hand, funny!! Then this lady filled all info on computer, which was using DOS based system, with me. She told me that  I NEED to have an escort or somebody to pick me after surgery. Thanks to my roommate Eddie who agreed to come.  I had to wait little more before they took me in & asked me to change into hospital clothes. They gave me free Beth Israel bag & asked to put my stuff in locker. Now i waited in this small room with a TV for more than an hour. Then nurses, anesthesiologist & my doctor came asking same questions & filling more paper. In another hour, we were ready to go for surgery. I go in surgery room & start feeling cold even before anesthesia. They cover me up with blankets & stuff & sedate me. Sedate me fully to make me asleep & nerve block on right hand to do the surgery. I remember talking to anesthesiologist & assistant surgeon (I was asking if I am talking too much or everyone does that?.. r u angry/pissed at me?.. good luck!!) and then passed out. Next I wakeup, I am in recovery room surrounded by nurses/doctors & with no feeling in right hand. And suddenly it starts hurting, a LOT - 9/10. Nurse gave me some injection & I pass out again. Then I wakeup with 8/10 pain. Injection again & passout, wakeup again with 8/10. She forces me to take percocet & now i feel 6/10 for few mins. But then 7/10 again. The nurse says I can't leave with pain like this. I am smiling. She asks a question from her Nursing stuff: 2 patients saying 8/10 pain, one is smiling & other is crying/screaming. Who you treat? BOTH... Different people can have different pain thresh hold & reaction, but all need treatment. Good Point!! So now I lie to nurse that I am feeling okay, so I can leave. They do let me leave after this, with my roommate Eddie who was there by then. We first went to pharmacy to get my prescription medication & then we go for dinner at Coffe Shop Union Square - I hadn't eaten since last night. It's nice place & I got nice burger but I am in pain again. So we take a cab to go home. Takes almost an hour in cab to go to Hell's Kitchen from Union Sq. But finally I got home, straight to bed. That was my day of my first surgery in US.

I had hand surgery... MCP Joint RCL tear & subluxation

This is just a quick note for all of you who must(?) be worried about me. Surgery is done & was successful as per the doctor. I am back home & resting. I do feel moderate to severe pain right now. Also the pain medication is making me drowsy/groggy. Right hand is not usable atall, which kinda sucks & has to be kept elevated. Its fully wrapped from fingers to below wrist. So I am just resting. Anyways, All izz Well overall. Thanks to everyone for your help (although I did take care of this myself), support (expectedly/unexpectedly offered/not-offered)  & well wishes.... All the Best, to ME!! (U realize this is all written by left hand only. I'll provide full details of surgery tomorrow..)

Good Weekend - Journal Square/Harry Potter 8 & Super 8

The week didn't start as nicely with the news of Hand Surgery. This weekend was supposed to be celebration weekend for my 1 year completion in NYC. It was celebrated by me finding a new place in Journal Square, Jersey city to move out of NYC. Ironic.. huh?? I think it's fine. I have kinda finalized on this place which very close to PATH Station, 5-10 min walk south/south-west of it. Let's try Jersey & see how it works out.

Then went for Harry Potter 8 last night, quite an ordeal. We had thankfully tickets in advance & went an hour early but still were way back in line & had to sit on side row. It's because we watched it in IMAX 3D which is $19, so expensive. Sometimes it seems like this whole IMAX & specially 3D is just a scam to mint more money from people. And AMC gave such cheapo glassed which sucked & I was very unhappy. The movie is alright, 6/10. I expected better. I think it's the worst movie in the series. Specially the second half which is so ungrand & unconvincing. They are trying to be funny & cheesy & it just didn't seem to work. Expect poor Snape who did make few 'people' cry. The ordinary & silly way Voldemort died was pathetic. Not the finale I expected.... But still, it's kinda funny to see Harry & friends grow old like this. It's like our kid who were small & young in front of us & now grown up. Goodbye Harry Potter & friends...... I also saw Super 8. You have to see 2 movies to recover the expensive cost of movies I guess. It's a nice (8/10) sci-fi/horror movie, right between E.T.  & Cloverfield. Also watched Tees Maar Khan (4/10) on Netflix and Incredible Hulk (7/10) & Pirates of Carribean 3 (7/10) on T.V.

So... who do you think will be next Harry Potter? Any opinions/suggestion about Journal Square & Jersey City?? I have the hand surgery coming this week, let's see what do I have to report. Until then.... Thanks, Goodbye & Good Luck!!

I am a New Yorker... 1 year in NYC!!

I have spent ONE YEAR in NYC. Big Deal? I guess. It was exactly an year ago when I came here to live. When I came here first time more than 4 yrs ago, I used to say I have a love & hate relationship with NYC. Now I have to say that I have a love-hate-love relationship with NYC. More like a real New Yorker, huh? I don't know. I did get cheated a while ago, that's not a good sign. But isn't that part of experiencing real NYC? (Probably more of getting fooled & not being a smart New Yorker). It's been quite a journey, living in THE CITY, in REAL CITY i.e. Manhattan. 3 blocks from Times Square. 15-20 mins walk from Central Park. 10 mins walk from Bryant Park. (these are all walking times of New Yorker, not regular walk. New Yorker walk, a lot), Next to Western Piers. Working at WALL STREET. Dream life, huh? Dunno... It did used to feel special walking through Times Sq to get home everyday. Now it feels maddening. FUNKING TOURISTS!! I do say that. It could take half hour to just cross Times Sq. They walk so slow, i.e. not walk. Take pictures, ask you to take pictures, expect you to not come in there pictures... GRRRRRRR (like I never did that myself). And I still walk from there everyday, sometimes still feel cool, special. I never thought this will happen. Not while growing up all over in India - Gujarat/Bengal/Delhi and playing around never worrying what to become, what to do in future. USA was not in the dreams, surely not NYC. And now here I am, 1 year in NYC. I tell people: If you can survive in NYC for an year & still like it, you are a New Yorker. Immigrants who moved here in recent future agree & like it. People who grew up here, H(ate) it. But yeah... I am a NEW YORKER!!

I need hand surgery... MCP Joint RCL tear & subluxation

of my right thumb injury from last weekend. I have a grade III tear which mostly can't be successfully fixed by casting/immobilization, so requires surgery to fix. How do I know all that? Cuz I am smart & awesome. And also because I went to Hand Orthopedist at Beth Israel in NYC today. He did a review, some X-Rays (no MRI) and said that surgery is best solution to ensure (although doctors never 'guarantee' a fix from surgery, it just mostly works) full recovery/fix where they'll do an incision at the RCL joint of MCP, put the dislocated joint together properly and sew/fix the broken ligament, then put a pin in there to stabilize it, immobilize it with a cast. Then they take off the pin in 10 days & keep hand in cast for another 3-4 weeks. After that they take off the cast & put a splint/brace on & I start occupational therapy/rehabilitation to gain strength back. And after all this, I am back in motion. If I don't do surgery, it might heal by itself with the splint/cast/brace (at least it looks cool) they have put me in. But it might heal crooked or with bump. I might not get full range of motion or have pain or even future arthritis. All "might" happen (or I might get totally fixed!!), kinda SUCKS!! Doctor's suggestion is surgery & I am not very excited about it. But 2-3 months of pain for lifetime of no problems (guaranteed?) isn't that bad. I am still thinking of getting a second review... Any suggestions/comments??

The week & weekend was spent mostly relaxing & taking it easy, still working though. Got outta bed after 4(pm) on Saturday and 2 pm on Sunday. Sometimes its just god top lay in bed to feel that it's really a day-off, I felt good. Went to Sheep Meadow in Central park for sun-bathing; I love central park & I am even a member & do donations to them. It's so big & confusing though sometimes, need to explore more. Also went to Bryant Park which is small & cool & nice. That's it. Will keep posted of new updates, until then.... Good Luck to me, & U!!

Hurt Again... I injured/broke my thumb

First, Happy Independence Day & 4th July!!... Second, it totally sucks. Not 4th July, my injured/broke thumb. Total Bummer... How? We went for White water rafting to Harpers Ferry West Virginia. As per RiverRiders, the place we went to, 'White Water Tubing' is there most popular & exciting sport. They put you in a tube in the river & you flow down through the rapids. No protective gear like helmet, gloves etc or paddles; you just have to use your hands. They do give you a life jacket thankfuly so non-swimmers like me & you cna put there life in danger (just kidding!!). It's lotta fun actually. Very different form rafting & very independent too. If you are not with big team or wanna try something new, tubing is kinda cool. They had this luxury tube with cup-holder & bottom too, so its liek mini raft of yours. You could pick flat-water tubing but the adventurer in me wont do anything less than  AWESOME, which in this case meant White Water Tubing. It went well, I had a good time.

EXCEPT... There was a big rapid/mini fall & I got stuck by the flow in there. I did think it'll be more adventurous so I went for it. It was kinda cool but the tube flipped over & I fell out. I hit my right thumb on a rock & it was injured. Not bent or anything but swollen & hurt, really HURT. But I continued the sport with some help from "awesome people". Went to historic town of Harpers Ferry & had nice Dinner there. AND then drove all the way back to Virginia too. The next morning was not good. Thumb was hurting & swollen & I thought I had a fracture. I ran to Urgent Care and they did an X-Ray saying there is no fracture but just some subluxation at MCP Joint i.e. the second joint of right thumb may be little dislocated. Suggested to see Hand Orthopedic. Gave  me a sad looking finger splint to put on thumb.

Anyways... also watched the July 4th Fireworks in DC, awesome but too short, just 15 mins?? And also watched Transformers 3 (6/10), Kinda nice. All in all, still had a nice weekend!! What about you????

Funny National Flags Made Using Food

Funny national flags made using food

View more presentations from Rahul Tiwari

Happy Birthday Maa...

Thanks for everything you have done for me. There is nothing I could ever do to payback or even get close to what you have done for me. With your love, care,  guidance, support, teachings and everything else; you have made me the person I am and I am really glad to be what I am today (which is awesome) & what I will be tomorrow (which would be awesomer). I really wish that you get your visa and be able to visit me here in US so I can spend some time with you, my dearest mom. I miss you.. I love you... Happy B'day Maa!!

Attack The Block... (Happy Father's Day Daddy!!)

I watched my third pre-screening in New York after Bang Bang Club & Beastly, on this Wednesday. This is a British movie from the producers of Hot Fuzz & Shaun of the Dead with Nick Frost & bunch of new/unknown actors.  The story is about a bunch of teenage kids who are like a small local gang of hoodlums in southern London. They are mugging this nurse who apparently lives in there building, when something falls from sky. Turns out its an ugly looking monkeyish alien, with no super powers or anything. So they kill it, cuz it scratched the leader of the group Moses. They are celebrating the kill when it turns out there are many more aliens dropping from sky into the city. These don't have any super power either but they are Bear+Wolf kinda strong things with no sight but smell only & great strength. The story us what happens next cuz they are trying to kill Moses. It's a well done movie which is funny & scary at places. I hear its getting great reviews. Performances are very good & music is great too. I would give it 7/10.

The weather has been weird as usual. Rainy or coldish or Hot. I still have some sorta cold that's why. This weekend is going to be exciting & fun though. I am going to Philadelphia for a conference. Excited!! Also, we re-applied for my mother's visa. Hopefully this time it will be alright. I bought a nice navy jacket at Macys, love them. Great customer service & great stuff too. I bought it for $145 on Tuesday but they had a special one day sale today line they have 10 times a year; I went gain & they gave me $15 back as it was marked down for sale today. Awesome!! BTW, did netflix android app, take off HTC EVO from there supporting devices? Sucks..... Anyways, rest is all cool, hope you are doing great too. Tell me, wassup?? Thanks for visiting, see U again soon. Same place & anytime u want.... Hast--La-Vista!!

Tony Awards.. I can't believe I haven't seen Broadway yet!!

Even when I have been visiting NYC for4 years & been living here since almost one year; and I am supposed to be an artist, a theater performer & appreciator myself & all that, but still. I have been visiting stand-up comedy shows & even some plays but not a single Broadway or even off-Broadway show yet. What a SHAME.... I realized this after watching a wonderful performance of 65th Tony Awards last night. Presented by Neil Patrick Harrison who opened the show with a "comic" and edgy number "arguing that Broadway, with its con artists, Mormons and nuns this season, is 'not just for gays anymore.'" (is it??). No Comments... There was a show/stand off (click here to see) between him & Hugh Jackman (3 times Tony Host & Emmy winner for one his hostings) which was pretty cool too. & Lots of performances from different Brodway shows which were nice. The one with Daniel Radcliffe (yup, the Harry Potter.. he sings & dances) for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying  was pretty cool too. I really wanna see The Book of Mormon (Romney) as well which won the Best Musical Award. My other favorites are The Lion King & War Horse & many others too (any suggestions?). I did want to see Spiderman too, but with all the recent reviews & jokes, I am not sure if it's worth risking my life. In addition to the CBS television broadcast, the ceremony was simulcast live to Times Square and included the Tony Awards Red Carpet and the complete Tony Awards show, including the Creative Arts Awards. I was there for while in beginning but decided to go back & watch from home cuz of weather, time concerns & my sickness...

On that note, I have been little sick (feeling between 50-80%) since Saturday & going out in weekend for Belmont Stakes and not enough rest (maybe) and the weird weather (for sure) of hot & cold & rain & thunder-storms etc was not very helpful either. I did go to gym both Friday & today and did some weight training, as doctor has said that my shoulder is better & I can go back to doing some weights. What else?... Why don't you guys tell me something?? I still need to go back & update my vacation blogs. I've been so lazy/lousy after coming back form vacation. I guess it's not that easy to turn off vacation mode & get back to normal, especially after such an awesome vacation like mine. Anyways, Hope I feel better & so do you. Thanks for visiting/reading/commenting (more will be appreciated :), until next time - B-Bye!!

I enjoyed Stakes... Belmont Stakes

Today was the day of Belmont Stakes 2011 & I really enjoyed it. No wonder people are crazy about horse racing (not as much though I hear). We ended up betting $64 & won $48, which is not bad considering first $10 was practice/trial & another $20 got screwed because of all the top horses 'Animal Kingdom, Nehro, Mucho Macho Man, Shackleford & Master of Hounds' (look at the names, they sound like Fantasy Super Heroes or something??) were not competent enough to even make it to any of the top 3 slots (called 'show' in horse racing). The winner was Ruler on Ice (apparently he has a Wikipedia page for him, I should've checked that & that would've told me that he's better than the other 3 horses). It was a rainy day (yep, yet again... rainy & COLD after a heat wave all week) & apparently most of these horses suck at raining in mud which I should've been told earlier, they should put this on the ticket, 'Horses suck when it rains & its muddy' (like I would've done something different then). This whole horsey thing started after watching Secretariat & now I am watching horse racing & betting money. Phew!! 

Anyways, the day ended with a nice Indian dinner at Sagar Restaurant in Jamaica, Queens, NY. Oops, actually the day ended with Apollo13 the movie on Netflix. It's a nice movie (7/10) with good performances & nice visuals etc. I was at NASA just few days ago so it feels even nicer. so BTW, the day started (i.e. previous night, after midnight) by watching The Missing Lynx which was nice too (6/10). Good to see foreign (Spain) animated movies, very different & innocent & childish humor & feel good movie. That's it for this one, keep visiting/reading/commenting. Until next time... Good bye & Take care!!

Black Eyed Peas & Friends Concert in Central Park, New York - Got canceled :)

& I still had a agood time. How? Well... It's a long story. There was this Black Eyed Peas & Friends (Taylor Swift, LL Cool J, Debbie Harry (of Blondie), Carol King, Natasha Bedingfield and more appearing) concert from Red Robin Hood Foundation in Central Park New York today. I won four tickets as part for a contest with lucky draw (you make "donations", but don't pay for the ticket). I sold 2 tickets to this retired FDNY guy. He took half an hour inquiring & ensuring I & ticket are genuine before buying, although I was cool because of my experience last time. Being inquisitive is not wrong & he seemed like a good guy. I sold him two tickets for $70 (he payed me $60 & said will pay $10 after the concert when we meet, or when he gets in). I was hapy cuz he seemed good guy & he is retd FDNY guy Greg which I respect. People were selling these tix for $100+. I sold another ticket to this guy for $50 who came at 2 am in night to buy this ticket, driving half an hour from outside the city. People are crazy for such stuff, aren't they. Anyways, I reach for concert at 5.30 pm (leaving early form work.. earlier than usual) and gates haven't opened which were supposed to be open at 3 pm. It was rescheduled to 4.00 pm first because of heat& then 7.30 pm because of thunderstorm. It started thundering & raining actually. I met Greg & his friends & was hanging out with them. Seeing the rain, they rescheduled it again to 8.30 pm. We were in some restaurant at Upper West Side so we were having nice time. At 8, guess what? They canceled the concert. And because no one officially paid for the ticket (it was all donation), they don't even have to reschedule I guess. Sucks for people who were hanging in rain from 12 pm & came from far places. I hung out with Greg & his friends all over Upper West Side & had a good time still.

Rest been okay. Really HOT in NYC now. We humans have a tendency to complain... Cold & Hot & Rain & this & that... whatever we can complain about. Everything else is okay here. Just feel bored/tired/weird after coming back from Vacation. Vacation was so much fun. Anyways, it happens. So, until Next time... good Bye, Take Care & Jai Ho!!

Savannah, GA to Charleston, SC to Washington DC : End of Florida Vacation

Arrived at Charleston, South Carolina last night with a stop at Savannah, Georgia for dinner. After a day at Charleston, drove from Charleston with a stop at Cracker Barrel in Rocky Mountain, North Carolina, arriving at 2.30 am to Washington DC. More details to come soon...

Daytona Beach is really COOL... Ocean View with Balcony & Drive on the Beach!!

Arrived Daytona Beach last night & spent wonderful time here. More to come soon...