Youth Entertainment world

Brilliant ad!!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-21T03:44:00.000-08:00

I can't follow you everywhere.

Avoid using mobiles while driving

Top 10 Most Expensive Accidents in History

2008-12-16T00:20:00.000-08:00

Throughout history, humans have always been prone to accidents. Some, such as the exotic car crashes seen on this page, can be very expensive. But that's trivial compared to the truly expensive accidents. An accident is defined as "an undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally and usually results in harm, injury, damage, or loss". Our aim is to list the top 10 most expensive accidents in the history of the world as measured in dollars.

This includes property damage and expenses incurred related to the accident such as cleanup and industry losses. Many of these accidents involve casualties which obviously cannot be measured in dollar terms. Each life lost is priceless and is not factored into the equation. Deliberate actions such as war or terrorism and natural disasters do not qualify as accidents and therefore are not included in this list.

#10. Titanic

$150 Million

The sinking of the Titanic is possibly the most famous accident in the world. But it barely makes our list of top 10 most expensive. On April 15, 1912, the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage and was considered to be the most luxurious ocean liner ever built. Over 1,500 people lost their lives when the ship ran into an iceberg and sunk in frigid waters. The ship cost $7 million to build ($150 million in today's dollars).

#9. Tanker Truck vs Bridge

$358 Million

On August 26, 2004, a car collided with a tanker truck containing 32,000 liters of fuel on the Wiehltal Bridge in Germany. The tanker crashed through the guardrail and fell 90 feet off the A4 Autobahn resulting in a huge explosion and fire which destroyed the load-bearing ability of the bridge. Temporary repairs cost $40 million and the cost to replace the bridge is estimated at $318 Million.

#8. MetroLink Crash

$500 Million

On September 12, 2008, in what was one of the worst train crashes in California history, 25 people were killed when a Metrolink commuter train crashed head-on into a Union Pacific freight train in Los Angeles. It is thought that the Metrolink train may have run through a red signal while the conductor was busy text messaging. Wrongful death lawsuits are expected to cause $500 million in losses for Metrolink.

#7. B-2 Bomber Crash

$1.4 Billion

Here we have our first billion dollar accident (and we're only #7 on the list). This B-2 stealth bomber crashed shortly after taking off from an air base in Guam on February 23, 2008. Investigators blamed distorted data in the flight control computers caused by moisture in the system. This resulted in the aircraft making a sudden nose-up move which made the B-2 stall and crash. This was 1 of only 21 ever built and was the most expensive aviation accident in history. Both pilots were able to eject to safety.

The crash was captured on video. It shows one B-2 Bomber successfully taking off followed by the B-2 Bomber which crashes. The crash starts at 2:00

#6. Exxon Valdez

$2.5 Billion

The Exxon Valdez oil spill was not a large one in relation to the world's biggest oil spills, but it was a costly one due to the remote location of Prince William Sound (accessible only by helicopter and boat). On March 24, 1989, 10.8 million gallons of oil was spilled when the ship's master, Joseph Hazelwood, left the controls and the ship crashed into a Reef. The cleanup cost Exxon $2.5 billion.

#5. Piper Alpha Oil Rig

$3.4 Billion

The world's worst off-shore oil disaster. At one time, it was the world's single largest oil producer, spewing out 317,000 barrels of oil per day. On July 6, 1988, as part of routine maintenance, technicians removed and checked safety valves which were essential in preventing dangerous build-up of liquid gas. There were 100 identical safety valves which were checked. Unfortunately, the technicians made a mistake and forgot to replace one of them. At 10 PM that same night, a technician pressed a start button for the liquid gas pumps and the world's most expensive oil rig accident was set in motion.

Within 2 hours, the 300 foot platform was engulfed in flames. It eventually collapsed, killing 167 workers and resulting in $3.4 Billion in damages.

#4. Challenger Explosion

$5.5 Billion

The Space Shuttle Challenger was destroyed 73 seconds after takeoff due on January 28, 1986 due to a faulty O-ring. It failed to seal one of the joints, allowing pressurized gas to reach the outside. This in turn caused the external tank to dump its payload of liquid hydrogen causing a massive explosion. The cost of replacing the Space Shuttle was $2 billion in 1986 ($4.5 billion in today's dollars). The cost of investigation, problem correction, and replacement of lost equipment cost $450 million from 1986-1987 ($1 Billion in today's dollars).

#3. Prestige Oil Spill

$12 Billion

On November 13, 2002, the Prestige oil tanker was carrying 77,000 tons of heavy fuel oil when one of its twelve tanks burst during a storm off Galicia, Spain. Fearing that the ship would sink, the captain called for help from Spanish rescue workers, expecting them to take the ship into harbour. However, pressure from local authorities forced the captain to steer the ship away from the coast. The captain tried to get help from the French and Portuguese authorities, but they too ordered the ship away from their shores. The storm eventually took its toll on the ship resulting in the tanker splitting in half and releasing 20 million gallons oil into the sea.
According to a report by the Pontevedra Economist Board, the total cleanup cost $12 billion.

#2. Space Shuttle Columbia

$13 Billion

The Space Shuttle Columbia was the first space worthy shuttle in NASA's orbital fleet. It was destroyed during re-entry over Texas on February 1, 2003 after a hole was punctured in one of the wings during launch 16 days earlier. The original cost of the shuttle was $2 Billion in 1978. That comes out to $6.3 Billion in today's dollars. $500 million was spent on the investigation, making it the costliest aircraft accident investigation in history. The search and recovery of debris cost $300 million.
In the end, the total cost of the accident (not including replacement of the shuttle) came out to $13 Billion according to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

#1. Chernobyl

$200 Billion

On April 26, 1986, the world witnessed the costliest accident in history. The Chernobyl disaster has been called the biggest socio-economic catastrophe in peacetime history. 50% of the area of Ukraine is in some way contaminated. Over 200,000 people had to be evacuated and resettled while 1.7 million people were directly affected by the disaster. The death toll attributed to Chernobyl, including people who died from cancer years later, is estimated at 125,000. The total costs including cleanup, resettlement, and compensation to victims has been estimated to be roughly $200 Billion. The cost of a new steel shelter for the Chernobyl nuclear plant will cost $2 billion alone. The accident was officially attributed to power plant operators who violated plant procedures and were ignorant of the safety requirements needed.

Must See - How did google get logo for Chrome

2008-12-16T00:17:00.000-08:00

Cool Business Cards

2008-12-16T00:00:00.000-08:00

LAWN CARE COMPANY

COUPLES THERAPIST

HEAD HUNTER (edible card)

DIVORCE LAWYER

FURNITURE MAKER

SECOND HAND STORE

DENTIST

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

ACUPUNCTURIST

PHYSICAL TRAINER

How Economies, world over, went bust.

2008-12-01T06:35:00.000-08:00

I am not sure if you have seen this earlier. But wonderful analogy. Makes the point very clear..
Just ignore the lack of Wren and Martin in the English.

Once there was a little island country. The land of this country was the tiny Island itself. The total money in
circulation was 2 dollar as there were only two pieces of 1 dollar coins circulating around.

1) There were 3 citizens living on this island country. A owned the land. B and C each owned 1 dollar..

2) B decided to purchase the land from A for 1 dollar. So, A and C now each own 1 dollar while B owned a piece of land that is worth 1 dollar. The net asset of the country = 3 dollar.

3) C thought that since there is only one piece of land in the country and land is non produceable asset, its value must definitely go up. So, he borrowed 1 dollar from A and together with his own 1 dollar, he bought the land from B for 2 dollar.

A has a loan to C of 1 dollar, so his net asset is 1 dollar. B sold his land and got 2 dollar, so his net asset is 2 dollar. C owned the piece of land worth 2 dollar but with his 1 dollar debt to A, his net asset is 1 dollar.
The net asset of the country = 4 dollar.

4) A saw that the land he once owned has risen in value. He regretted selling it. Luckily, he has a 1 dollar loan to C. He then borrowed 2 dollar from B and acquired the land back from C for 3 dollar. The payment is by 2 dollar cash (which he borrowed) and cancellation of the 1 dollar loan to C. As a result, A now owned a piece of land
that is worth 3 dollar. But since he owed B 2 dollar, his net asset is 1 dollar. B loaned 2 dollar to A. So his net asset is 2 dollar. C now has the 2 coins. His net asset is also 2 dollar. The net asset of the country = 5 dollar.
A bubble is building up.

(5) B saw that the value of land kept rising. He also wanted to own the land. So he bought the land from A for 4 do llar. The payment is by borrowing 2 dollar from C and cancellation of his 2 dollar loan to A. As a result, A has got his debt cleared and he got the 2 coins. His net asset is 2 dollar. B owned a piece of land that is worth 4
dollar but since he has a debt of 2 dollar with C, his net Asset is 2 dollar. C loaned 2 dollar to B, so his net asset
is 2 dollar.

The net asset of the country = 6 dollar. Even though, the country has only one piece of land and 2 Dollar in
circulation.

(6) Everybody has made money and everybody felt happy and prosperous.

(7) One day an evil wind blowed. An evil thought came to C's mind. 'Hey, what if the land price stop going up, how could B repay my loan. There is only 2 dollar in circulation, I think after all the land that B owns is worth at most 1 dollar only.'

A also thought the same.

(8) Nobody wanted to buy land anymore. In the end, A owns the 2 dollar coins, his net asset is 2 dollar. B owed C 2 dollar and the land he owned which he thought worth 4 dollar is now 1 dollar. His net asset becomes -1 dollar. C has a loan of 2 dollar to B. But it is a bad debt. Although his net asset is still 2 dollar, his Heart is palpitating. The net asset of the country = 3 dollar again. Who has stolen the 3 dollar from the
country?

Of course, before the bubble burst B thought his land worth 4 dollar. Actually, right before the collapse, the
net asset of the country was 6 dollar in paper. his net asset is still 2 dollar, his heart is palpitating.
The net asset of the country = 3 dollar again.

(9) B had no choice but to declare bankruptcy. C as to relinquish his 2 dollar bad debt to B but in return he
acquired the land which is worth 1 dollar now. A owns the 2 coins, his net asset is 2 dollar. B is bankrupt, his
net asset is 0 dollar. ( B lost everything ) C got no choice but end up with a land worth only 1 dollar (C lost one dollar) The net asset of the country = 3 dollar.

Porche - Mirage GT !!!!

2008-12-01T06:16:00.000-08:00

Modern Beds You'll ever see

2008-11-17T02:02:00.000-08:00

Egg Design

2008-11-14T22:53:00.000-08:00

ATLANTIS HOTEL IN DUBAI

2008-11-02T21:52:00.000-08:00

Two Wheeled Ferrari

2008-10-30T23:07:00.000-07:00

Interesting Ferrari motorcycle concept by Israeli industrial designer Amir Glinik based on the engine of a Ferrari Enzo car.

Using drive-by-wire technology, the V4 superbike features hand controls adapted from an F-16 fighter jet and buttons based on those found on the steering wheel of Ferrari's Formula 1 racecars. Other controls for the sound system and trip computer are located on an all weather touchscreen..

Very Effective Joke-Don't copy if you can't paste!

2008-10-30T23:02:00.000-07:00

A popular motivational speaker was entertaining his audience. Said he: "The best years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman who wasn't my wife!"

The audience was in silence and shock.
The speaker added: "And that woman was my mother!"
Laughter and applause!!!!!!!!!.

A week later, a top manager trained by the motivational speaker tried to crack this very effective joke at home. He was a bit foggy after a drink.

He said loudly, "The greatest years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman who was not my wife!"
The wife went wan with shock and rage.
Standing there for 20 seconds trying to recall the second half of the joke, the manager finally blurted out"... and I can't remember who she was!"

Moral of the story:
Don't copy if you can't paste!

Glass Bridge-Would you walk on this?

2008-10-30T22:37:00.000-07:00

Glass Bridge will be suspended 4,000 feet above the Colorado River on the very edge of the Grand Canyon. On May 2005, the final test was conducted and the structure passed engineering requirements by 400 percent, enabling it to withstand the weight of 71 fully loaded Boeing 747 airplanes (more that 71 million pounds). The bridge will be able to sustain winds in excess of 100 miles per hour from 8 different directions, as well as an 8.0 magnitude earthquake within 50 miles.

More than one million pounds of steel will go into the construction of the Grand Canyon Sky walk.

21 Intersesting Facts

2008-10-19T03:09:00.000-07:00

1. Chewing on gum while cutting onions can help a person from stop producing tears. Try it next time you chop onions.
2. Until babies are six months old, they can breathe and swallow at the same time. Indeed convenient!
3. Offered a new pen to write with, 97% of all people will write their own name.
4. Male mosquitoes are vegetarians. Only females bite.
5. The average person's field of vision encompasses a 200-degree wide angle.
6. To find out if a watermelon is ripe, knock it, and if it sounds hollow then it is ripe.
7. Canadians can send letters with personalized postage stamps showing their own photos on each stamp.
8. Babies' eyes do not produce tears until the baby is approximately six to eight weeks old.
9. It snowed in the Desert in February of 1979.
10. Plants watered with warm water grow larger and more quickly than plants watered with cold water.
11. Wearing headphones for just an hour will increase the bacteria in your ear by 700 times.
12. Grapes explode when you put them in the microwave.
13. Those stars and colors you see when you rub your eyes are called phosphenes.
14. Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing.
15. Everyone's tongue print is different, like fingerprints.
16. Contrary to popular belief, a swallowed chewing gum doesn't stay in the gut. It will pass through the system and be excreted.
17. At 40 Centigrade a person loses about 14.4 calories per hour by breathing.
18. There is a hotel in built entirely out of ice; it is rebuilt every year.
19. Cats, camels and giraffes are the only animals in the world that walk right foot, right foot, left foot, left foot, rather than right foot, left foot .
20. Onions help reduce cholesterol if eaten after a fatty meal.
21. The sound you hear when you crack your knuckles is actually the sound of nitrogen gas bubbles bursting.

Man & Woman

2008-10-10T22:33:00.000-07:00

Rangoli By Girls & Boys

2008-10-10T22:29:00.000-07:00

Rangoli By Girls………………..

Rangoli by Boys

The New Dollar is Out in the Market

2008-10-07T23:35:00.000-07:00

AFTER USA's 2 MAJOR BANK LIQUIDATED

Just for Fun

Rajnikant's Trigonometry n Physics

2008-10-02T23:18:00.000-07:00

Software Career Growth Meter

2008-10-02T23:16:00.000-07:00

Nothing Is Impossible

2008-09-22T07:13:00.000-07:00

How u Can Write a painting

2008-09-18T00:37:00.000-07:00

Worlds Youngest Singer

2008-09-14T07:11:00.000-07:00

A sweet little girl who makes you smile every time you listen to her songs. Only 3 years old, the Romanian singer succeeded to have a number one hit with the clip "Ghita" and her cute voice became favorite in Romania and far beyond.

In the clip "Ghita" apparently she sings about a boyfriend named Ghita (a rather funny name, derived from the Romanian equivalent of "George"). Actually, as also explained in some interviews, Ghita means the happiness, destiny, life etc that a little child like her is seeking for.

The song Ghita has also been released on her album "La varsta de 3 ani" ("At the age of 3") along with other beautiful 11 songs. This album, as well as a concert she held, put her in the Guinness Book as The youngest artist ever to have a full length album and concert.
Click on Cleopatra for listening...

A small girl singing for her boyfriend while waiting in the station ...
Lyrics...
The coat is inside out,
There is no sun above
Nothing is going good
Since I think of Ghita.
But Ghita's not in town
I asked why he's not around
It seems to me he's gone
He's gone abroad

Hard, I think it's very hard
Want, I don't know what I want
I know that you like me too
Ghita, what is up with you?
Young, come on in or go
Young, tell me yes or no
Ghita, please dont´t anger me
Tell me how your life will be

Ghita,
Tonight I'm waiting at the wicket
Me at the station I bought a ticket
Come to,
But don't come as you did before
As usually with empty hands...
Who else
Will wait and sing for you as I do
Entire evening just getting there
Ghita,
Show me a girl who's found of you
That loves you more as much as I do...

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Ghita, te-astept diseara la portita
Langa portita de la scoala
Vino da numa nu vini cum vii tu
De obicei cu mana goala
Cine te mai asteapta ca si mine
O seara intreaga numai pe tine.
Ghita, arata-mi tu o fata care
Sa te iubeasca asa de tare!
Ghita, te-astept diseara la portita
Langa portita de la scoala
Vino da numa nu vini cum vii tu
De obicei cu mana goala
Cine te mai asteapta ca si mine
O seara intreaga numai pe tine.
Ghita, arata-mi tu o fata care
Sa te iubeasca asa de tare!

PER MINUTE SALARY

2008-09-09T22:29:00.000-07:00

Shah Rukh Khan

What : Actor

How much: Rs 247 per minute

The King Khan, who started off modestly as a 'Fauji', made about Rs 13 crore last year. This included his endorsement deals for Pepsi, Hyundai Santro - and of course, wetting himself in a bathtub, surrounded by women for HLL's Lux.

Brij Mohan Lall Munjal
What : Chief of Hero Group

How much: Rs 255 per minute

The patriarch of the Hero Group received the Life-time achievement award for 'Excellence in Corporate Governance' by the Institute of Company Secretary of India this year. Brij Mohan Lall Munjal earned about Rs 13.4 crore last year. He continues to be the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer and fuels his bank balance with Rs 255 per minute.

Sachin Tendulkar
What : Cricketer

How much: Rs 1,163 per minute

India's most loved sportsman makes a lot more than most CEOs of Indian companies; going by his annual remuneration for 2004-2005. Breaking it down, his three-year contract for endorsements is worth Rs 180 crores. He is also paid Rs 2,35,000 for a five-day test match and Rs 2,50,000 for one dayers.

A little bit of elementary math: This highest paid cricketer in the world makes around Rs 61.15 crore a year, or Rs 1,163 per minute

Mukesh Ambani
What : CMD of Reliance Industries Ltd

How much: Rs 413 per minute

Head honcho of the $16.5 billion Reliance Industries Limited, Mukesh Ambani was ranked the world's 56th richest man in Forbe's list. But since this is only about salaries (and the like), we'll completely ignore his other earnings. Last year, Mr Amb a ni earned Rs 21.72 crore; a neat growth of 87 per cent over his previous year's earnings. He makes not less than Rs 413 per minute.

Amitabh Bachchan
What : Actor

How much: Rs 361 per minute

Kaun Banega Crorepati? Apparently, Mr Bachchan! With more endorsements and film releases per year than successful actors half his age, Bachchan's take-home last year was around Rs 19 crore - that's Rs 361 per minute.

Indra Nooyi

What : New Pepsi Chief

How much: Rs 2,911 per minute (from October 11)

Chennai-born 50-year-old Indra Nooyi was the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of PepsiCo, the US-based soft drink major. In that capacity, her remuneration stood at $5 million (over Rs 23 crore). With her promotion this year, Nooyi becomes one of the highest paid CEOs in the world, with an announced remuneration of $33 million (approximately Rs 153 crores). This means Nooyi makes a whopping Rs 2,911 per minute.

*All figures based on media reports

Best Advertising war in recent memory

2008-08-31T07:45:00.000-07:00

1. BMW started this Advertisement

2. Audi Answered

3. Subaru needed to say something

4. Bentley Chairman wanted the last word

How the beijing olympics medals r made?

2008-08-26T22:59:00.000-07:00

Architecture at its best

2008-08-21T07:32:00.000-07:00

Beijing olympic 2008 -The fact behind the logo

2008-08-16T09:47:00.000-07:00

Just for Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beijing 2008 olympics opening ceremony HDTV video

2008-08-10T09:15:00.000-07:00

Olympic.Games.Opening.Ceremony.Beijing.2008.HDTV.XViD-PiX
Sample:

http://rapidshare.com/files/136008656/olympic.games.opening.ceremony.beijing.2008.hdtv.xvid.sample-pix.avi

Netload Links:

http://netload.in/datei08b619ca4dfd9d58068801da8cef8957/olympic.games.opening.ceremony.beijing.2008.hdtv.xvid-pix.part1.rar.htm

http://netload.in/dateifc65390572579a0254534809591147a7/olympic.games.opening.ceremony.beijing.2008.hdtv.xvid-pix.part2.rar.htm

http://netload.in/datei3ec94a530dc5ff31cb90f88baa0919c3/olympic.games.opening.ceremony.beijing.2008.hdtv.xvid-pix.part3.rar.htm

http://netload.in/datei5a85d231393624b968b989e9aa2dac75/olympic.games.opening.ceremony.beijing.2008.hdtv.xvid-pix.part4.rar.htm

http://netload.in/datei49c544125b5daee9a20a2907d13b0edf/olympic.games.opening.ceremony.beijing.2008.hdtv.xvid-pix.part5.rar.htm

http://netload.in/dateif41c21df20ebfb72d250484a0557a294/olympic.games.opening.ceremony.beijing.2008.hdtv.xvid-pix.part6.rar.htm

RS Links:

http://rapidshare.com/files/136015553/OC.part01.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/136015693/OC.part02.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/136015374/OC.part03.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/136016050/OC.part04.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/136016088/OC.part05.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/136016051/OC.part06.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/136015803/OC.part07.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/136015833/OC.part08.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/136015960/OC.part09.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/136016023/OC.part10.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/136014936/OC.part11.rar

Torrent link:

http://www.mininova.org/tor/1679166

Indian Celebrity houses

2008-08-10T02:53:00.000-07:00

Shah rukh khans house

Tv Spoils Friendship

2008-08-08T22:14:00.000-07:00

NASA Photo Of Water On Mars

2008-08-04T06:17:00.000-07:00

ANACONDA-MUST WATCH CLOSELY

2008-08-02T21:58:00.000-07:00

LATE BENAZIR BHUTTO'S PALACE IN DUBAI

2008-08-02T21:40:00.000-07:00

Celebrity

BUSHAVATHARAM

2008-08-02T21:20:00.000-07:00

JUST FOR FUN ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BEIJING OLYMPICS GARDENING

2008-08-01T06:32:00.000-07:00

We might not get to China but this will give you an idea
As to what others are being treated to.
Absolutely beautiful???

F1 Car From 956,000 Matchsticks

2008-08-01T05:52:00.000-07:00

Man Builds Car From 956,000 Matchsticks

Man Builds Full Scale F1 Car From 956,000 Matchsticks

Michael Arndt is a man of matchsticks.Over the course of six years,

using 956,000 matchsticks, 1686 tubes of glue, and at least

three different varieties of mustache, he built a full-scale replica of a McLaren 4/14 F1 car

at a cost of around 6000 Euros ($8,725). The giant model takes up Arndt's entire kitchen

and probably his social life. It can be broken down into 45 parts for easy transport

to various matchstick-builders conventions

SALARY THEOREM

2008-07-26T22:34:00.000-07:00

Figure Out the Puzzle

2008-07-22T21:20:00.000-07:00

STUMPER

I could not figure it Out and had to look at the answer.

See if you can figure out what these words have in common.

1 Banana

2 Dresser

3 Grammar

4 Potato

5 Revive

6 Uneven

7 Assess

Are you peeking or have you already given up?

Give it another try. Look at each word carefully.

(You'll kick yourself when you discover the answer.)
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..

Answer: No, it is not that they all have at least 2 double letters.

(Thought I had the answer, but I did not go far enough.)

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Answer:

In all of the words listed, if you take the first letter, place it at the end of

the word, and then spell the word backwards, it will be the same word.

MISSILE ART

2008-07-14T22:20:00.000-07:00

AFRICA FROM AIR

2008-07-14T07:21:00.000-07:00

LAMBORGHINI REVENTON........AWESOME

2008-07-13T02:12:00.000-07:00

Check out the first of the Lamborghini Reventon's arriving in US shores. Only 20 of these monsters will ever be made. All these were sold out before the car was first shown to the public. It looks awesome and is extremely quick. Have a look!!

INSTRUCTION FOR LIFE

2008-07-13T02:07:00.000-07:00

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three R’s: - Respect for self, - Respect for others and - Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship.
7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It is way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

AWARD WINNING CONSTRUCTION

2008-07-13T01:59:00.000-07:00

Nominees are?

FACTS OF LIFE

2008-07-13T01:54:00.000-07:00

ROMANCE MATHEMATICS

Smart man + smart woman = romance

Smart man + dumb woman = affair

Dumb man + smart woman = marriage

Dumb man + dumb woman = pregnancy

OFFICE ARITHMETIC

Smart boss + smart employee = profit

Smart boss + dumb employee = production

Dumb boss + smart employee = promotion

Dumb boss + dumb employee = overtime

SHOPPING MATH

A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.

A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't need.

GENERAL EQUATIONS & STATISTICS

A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.

A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.

A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.

A successful woman is one who can find such a man.

HAPPINESS

To be happy with a man, you must understand him a lot and love him a little.

To be happy with a woman, you must love her a lot and not try to understand her at all.

LONGEVITY

Married men live longer than single men do, but married men are a lot more willing to die.

PROPENSITY TO CHANGE

A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.

A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, and she does.

DISCUSSION TECHNIQUE

A woman has the last word in any argument.

Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.

KING ARTHUR!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-07-13T01:49:00.000-07:00

Young King Arthur was ambushed and imprisoned by the monarch of a neighboringkingdom.The monarch could have killed him but was moved by Arthur's youth and ideals.So, the monarch offered him his freedom, as long as he could answer a verydifficult question. Arthur would have a year to figure out the answer and, If after a year, he still had no answer, he would be put to death.The question was: What do women really want? Such a question would perplex eventhe most knowledgeable man, and to young Arthur, it seemed an impossible query.But, since it was better than death, he accepted the monarch's proposition tohave an answer by year's end.
He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everyone: The princes, thepriests, the wise men, and even the court jester. He spoke with everyone, but noone could give him a satisfactory answer. Many people advised him to consultthe old witch, for only she would have the answer. But the price would be high,as the witch was famous through out the kingdom for the exorbitant prices shecharged. The last day of the year arrived and Arthur had no choice but to talkto the witch. She agreed to answer the question, but he would have to agree toher price first. The old witch wanted to marry Sir Lancelot, the most noble ofthe Knights of the Round Table, and Arthur's closest friend !! Young Arthur washorrified.She was hunch-backed and hideous, had only one tooth, smelled like sewage, madeobscene noises, etc. He had never encountered such a repugnant creature in allhis life. He refused to force his friend to marry her and endure such a terribleburden. But Lancelot, having learnt of the proposal, spoke with Arthur.He said nothing was too big of a sacrifice compared to Arthur's life and thepreservation of the Round Table.
Hence, a wedding was proclaimed and the witch answered Arthur's question thus:'What a woman really wants?' she said, 'Is to be in charge of her own life.'Arthur's life was spared and Lancelot and the witch had a wonderful wedding. The honeymoon hour approached and, Lancelot, steeling himself for a horrific experience, entered the bedroom. But, what a sight awaited him. The mostbeautiful woman he had ever seen lay before him on the bed.The astounded Lancelot asked what had happened. The beauty replied that since hehad been so kind to her when she appeared as a witch, she would henceforth beher horrible and deformed self only half the time and the beautiful maiden theother half. 'Which would you prefer? She asked him.'Beautiful during the day ... or at night?' Lancelot pondered the predicament.During the day he could have a beautiful woman to show off to his friends.But at night, in the privacy of his castle, an old witch! Or, Would he preferhaving a hideous witch during the day, but by night a beautiful woman for him toenjoy wondrous, intimate moments with?
Lancelot knew the answer the witch gave Arthur to his question, said that hewould allow HER to make the choice herself.Upon hearing this, she announced that she would be beautiful all the time,because, he had respected her enough to let her be in charge of her own life.Now... what is the moral to this story

The moral is...

1) There is a witch in every woman no matter how beautiful she is

2) If you don't let a woman have her own way, things are going to get very ugly

HAVE A BREAK

2008-07-13T01:43:00.000-07:00

A team of Managers was given an assignment to measure the height of a flagpole.So the Managers go out to the flagpole with ladders and tape.They're falling off the ladders, dropping the tape measures ? the whole thingis just a mess.

An Engineer comes along and sees what they're trying to do, walks over, pullsthe flagpole out of the ground, lays it flat, measures it from end to end, givesthe measurement to one of the managers and walks away.
After the Engineer has gone, one manager turns to another and laughs.' See thisidiot. We're looking for height and he gives the length!'

Moral: 'No matter what good you do, Managers can always find fault in you'.

SHAH RUKH KHAN'S RESIDENCE --MANNAT

2008-07-08T01:19:00.000-07:00

celebrity

The View from Mt Everest

2008-07-08T00:29:00.000-07:00

What would it be like to stand atop the tallest mountain on Earth? To see a full panoramic vista from there, scroll right. Visible are snow peaked mountains near and far, tremendous cliffs, distant plateaus, the tops of clouds, and a dark blue sky. Mt. Everest stands 8.85 kilometers above sea level, roughly the maximum height reached by international airplane flights, but much less than the 300 kilometers achieved by a space shuttle. Hundreds of people have tried and failed to climb the behemoth by foot, a feat first accomplished successfully in 1953. About 1000 people have now made it to the summit. Roddy Mackenzie, who climbed the mountain in 1989, captured the above image. Mt. Everest lies in the Himalayan mountains in the country of Nepal . In the native language of Nepal , the mountain's name is "Sagarmatha" which means "forehead of the sea."

COOL GUN!!!

2008-07-08T00:19:00.000-07:00

Guns for taking corner shots

GENIUS AT SCRABBLE

2008-07-08T00:04:00.000-07:00

DILIP VENGSARKAR When you rearrange the letters: SPARKLING DRIVE
PRINCESS DIANA When you rearrange the letters: END IS A CAR SPIN
MONICA LEWINSKY When you rearrange the letters: NICE SILKY WOMAN
DORMITORY When you rearrange the letters: DIRTY ROOM
ASTRONOMER When you rearrange the letters: MOON STARER
DESPERATION When you rearrange the letters: A ROPE ENDS IT
THE EYES When you rearrange the letters: THEY SEE
A DECIMAL POINT When you rearrange the letters: IM A DOT IN PLACE
AND FOR THE GRAND FINALE:
MOTHER-IN-LAW When you rearrange the letters: WOMAN HITLER

EXACTLY IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!

2008-07-07T22:28:00.000-07:00

A 90-year-old man was having his annual checkups. The doctor asked him how he was feeling.' I've never been better,' the old man replied.' I've got a twenty-year- old bride who's pregnant & is about to deliver a child. What is your opinion about that, Doc?' the old man asked. The doctor thought for a moment, then says, ' Well, let me tell you a story. I know a guy who is a hunter. He never misses a season for hunting. But, one day he's in a bit of a hurry and he accidentally grabs his umbrella instead of his gun '.The doctor continued, ' so he's walking in the woods near a creek, and suddenly he spots a lion in some bush in front of him. He raises up his umbrella, points it at the lion and squeezes the handle. BAM! The lion drops dead in front of him, that’s impossible!' said the old man in disbelief. Someone else must have shot that lion.

’Exactly’ Said the Doc

MY NEW BIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-07-07T22:24:00.001-07:00

CUTE HEXAPLET AFTER THE TWINS

2008-07-07T22:12:00.000-07:00

This is rare event..Having 6 babies after twin daughters...the babies are soooooo cute...

YOUNG INDIAN TEAM

2008-07-07T22:08:00.000-07:00

Watch closely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

INTERESTING PICS!!!!!!

2008-07-07T21:41:00.000-07:00

MICROSOFT OFFICE BUS IN CHINA

2008-07-07T21:03:00.000-07:00

Have a fun for a minute

2008-07-07T20:52:00.000-07:00

A man dies and goes to hell. There he finds that there is a different hell for each country. He goes to the German hell and asks, "What do they do here?" He told," First they put you in an electric chair for an hour. Then they lay you on a bed of nails for another hour. Then the German devil comes in and beats you for the rest of the day."

The man does not like the sound of that at all, so he moves on. He checks out the USA hell as well as the Russian hell and many more. He discovers that they are all more or less the same as the German hell.

Then he comes to the Indian hell and finds that there is a long line of people waiting to get in. Amazed, he asks, "What do they do here?" He told, "First they put you in an electric chair for an hour. Then they lay you on a bed of nails for another hour. Then the Indian devil comes in and beats you for the rest of the day." "But that is exactly the same as all the other hells - why are there so many people waiting to get in?"

"Because maintenance is so bad that the electric chair does not work, someone has stolen all the nails from the bed, and the
devil is a Software Engineer, so he comes in, signs the register and then goes to the Cafeteria !!!!! !

Every IT professional should read this (A Story about Onsite...!!!)

2008-07-07T10:21:00.000-07:00

One fine day, Vivek's PL Bhatia asks him whether he has any time for a small meeting. Vivek obviously has time and so the two go to a conference room. Bhatia then clears his throat and says "Vivek, there is an on-site requirement. It is in Covina,Los Angeles. It is for sixmonths.I can suggest your name. Do you have any problems?" Vivek cannot believe his ears. Of course why should any one have problems going to the Sam land. "Of course no Bhatia.. I have no problems." he says. Bhatia looks at him very kindly and says "You better draw up your personal plans with your wife and let me know in a day or two" That's when Vivek remembers that he has a wife. Then it strikes him that there is a himalayan problem in front of him. Shobana is working in Wipro. She is in the middle of a project in which she is a moduleleader. She cannot leave it all and come to Covinawith Vivek. On the otherhand it will be cruel on Vivek's part to leave her here and go to Covinafor more than half a year. Moreover, they have just been married. Vivek can stay back. But one day he has to go.. He cannot stay back in Indiaindefinitely. Project requirements are too demanding. Shobana can resign Wipro and accompany Vivek. But what is the guarantee that she would find such a nice job in such a nice company after they come back from Covina? So Shobana and Vivek discuss this issue. They reluctantly agree to get separated for six months. Vivek hugs Shobana in the airport and says "I will be BACK" in a typical ArnoldScharzegger tone and then boards Delta Airways leaving Shobana in tears. In CovinaVivek gets lots of work and his stay gets extended by two more months. The days and months move very slowly. Vivek starts counting even minutes. During this period, Shobana's PL Ashish Mehta calls her one day and asks her whether she has any time for a small meeting. Shobana wonders what that meeting is.. They go to the conference room and Mehta tells her about a great on-site requirement in Berlin, Germanyfor their customer. "It is for six months and you are most suited person for this. I am going to suggest your name. Do you have any problems?" Mehta asks her. Shobana gets excited.. Berlin! She has never been out of India. So she instantly nods her head. Mehta then smiles and says "Okay discuss with your hubby and let me know in a day or two" That's when Shobana gets the gravity of the situation. It will be two months before Vivek can come home..... By the time Shobana will have left to Berlinfor six months. Shobana cannot decline this as this is an important assignment. That night Vivek spends hundred dollars on telephone to discuss this matter with Shobana. Finally they decide to go ahead. Shobana breaks down in the phone and Vivek breaks down thinking about his phone bill. And then Shobana leaves to Berlin. One month after that,Vivek comes back to India. Then Shobana calls him almost everyday and they discuss about all petty things on the phone. Shobana applies for a loan to clear her telephone bills. Vivek gets into a new project which is not yet started. His PL Prateek Ray calls him one day and says that he has to go to ToledoOhiofor the requirement analysis of that project. Vivek frantically says no. Shobana is arriving next month. He doesn't want to miss her. But Ray assures him that the work is only for one month and that he would be back before Shobana comes to India. Thus Vivek flies to ToledoOhioand gets into the requirement analysis of the new project. That's when he comes to know how difficult it is to retrieve information from the users. You can design a system the user wants only when the user knows what he wants. Vivek gets baffled by the questions his users put.. "Do you think I need those fields "GMG_TYPE_HJHJ_TW" and "Auto_level_ind"?What are they by the way?" The requirements analysis stage continues for three full months at this pace. Shobana comes to Indiaone month after that. And she tells her PL that she doesn't want anymore on-site assignments. "I understand" says Mehta and she desperately waits for Vivek to come back to India. It has already been two months over a year since they last met. Vivek then gets the role of an on-site co-ordinator for this customer. He calls Shobana that night and they really don't know what to do. Shobana offers to resign her job and join him in Toledo. But she is getting 21 grand per month in Indiaand Vivek doesn't want to lose that. "Two more months Shobana and I promise I will be back" Shobana retorts back, "There is no solution for this problem." Vivek gets surprised. "What are you talking about?" he asks her. Shobana fights back her tears. "As long as I am in Wipro I will be getting a lot of on-site opportunities. Even if I decline all of them, what about you? You also work for a software company and there you need to go abroad almost once every quarter. I cannot accompany you as you don't want me to resign my job here. Does that mean we have to stay like this forever? Vivek! I love you and I don't know how I spent fifteen months without even seeing you once. I may not recognize you also if you come in front of me now... Tell me Vivek, is there a solution for this problem?" Vivek doesn't speak anything for a moment. He then realizes the truth in her sentences. It is a neverending problem. But what about the 20 grand she is getting per month? "Vivek, is money everything? Can't we comfortably live with what you are getting? Please Vivek, try to understand the situation" Shobana breaks down. Vivek is still undecided. He married a software engineer with a hope that with two incomes he would have a good deal of money to plan their future."Let us face the reality, Vivek" Shobana says, "How much are you paying for the phone calls now? More than 20 grand per month. If I am with you there will your phone bill be so astronomical? Just tell me one thing. Won't you be happy having me there with you?" Shobana slowly turns hysterical. Vivek gets into the crux of the situation. It is true. He has been spending around 600 to 700 dollars per month on Indiacalls... that is far more than what Shobana is getting then. He thinks and thinks..for two days he does nothing else but thinking. Finally he decides that he should have Shobana with him all the time from then onwards at any cost. Shobana gladly prepares the resignation letter and submits it. Her PL smiles and says "You've made the right decision Shobana.. congratulations for the bold step. I understand your problems. Anyway! you have a three months notice period here, right? We have a one month assignment in Singapore....."
MORAL : Go behind relations with your loved ones rather than money and status.....stay with them for life time as its too short and no body know when it ends..... let your family members know that you are alive with them....

BMW M1 SUPER CAR

2008-07-07T10:13:00.001-07:00

It was thirty years ago that BMW first introduced the BMW M1 super car to the world. Now, to celebrate it’s thirty year anniversary, BMW thought it would be fun to tease us all with this updated “concept” version of the original Bavarian bombshell. Originally designed by Paul Bracq and later by famed Italian design house Giugiaro, this BMW M1 Hommage takes a clearly aggressive pose, with retro features mixing it up with very modern elements. From the louvered rear window, to the 80’s style badging on the rear and the conspicuous (for Germans) wheel design, the 80’s are definitely in at BMW’s studios and this latest version if the M1 just mig

Try Magic!!!!!!!!

2008-07-07T10:02:00.000-07:00

Can you read this in first attempt????

Close your eyes almost 90% so that you can actually read it Its really superb!!!!

Skills only found in Asia

2008-07-03T00:16:00.000-07:00

Source:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fun_and_fun_only/

Beautiful Kerala..... Gods Own Country(All in one snapshot)

2008-07-02T23:49:00.000-07:00

Effort is Important but more important is ....

2008-07-02T23:42:00.000-07:00

A giant ship engine failed. The ship's owners tried one expert after another, but none of them could figure but how to fix the engine. Then they brought in an old man who had been fixing ships since he was a young. He carried a large bag of tools with him, and when he arrived, he immediately went to work. He inspected the engine very carefully, top to bottom. Two of the ship's owners were there, watching this man, hoping he would know what to do. After looking things over, the old man reached into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. Instantly, the engine lurched into life. He carefully put his hammer away. The engine was fixed! A week later, the owners received a bill from the old man for ten thousand dollars. "What?!" the owners exclaimed. "He hardly did anything!" So they wrote the old man a note saying, "Please send us an itemized bill."

The man sent a bill that read:

Tapping with a hammer...... ......... ........ $ 2.00

Knowing where to tap.......... ......... ...... $ 9,998.00

Effort is important, but knowing where to make an effort makes all the difference

BOYS R ALWAYS INNOCENT

2008-07-02T23:32:00.000-07:00

Dasavatharam- All in one Photo and Review

2008-06-30T03:37:00.000-07:00

Dasavatharam:

Directed by: K. S. Ravikumar
Produced by: Venu Ravichandran
Written by: Kamal Haasan, K. S. Ravikumar, Sujatha, Crazy Mohan
Starring: Kamal Haasan, Asin Thottumkal, Mallika Sherawat, Jayaprada, Napolean
Makeup: Michael Westmore
Music by: Himesh Reshammiya, Devi Sri Prasad
Cinematography: Ravi Varman
Editing by: Ashmith Kunder
Budget: 140 Crores

Story :
The film story starts in the 12th Century wherein Rangarajan Nambi - A whole hearted and staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu, does not accept Lord Shiva to be the Lord. On the other hand powerful King Kulothunga (Napoleon) an ardent follower of Lord Shiva does not believe in Lord Vishnu and compels Nambi to be a follower of Lord Shiva. Nambi is imprisoned and asked to chant “Om Nama Shivaya” but refuses to obey, he chants “Om Namo Narayana”. Enraged the king sentences Nambi to death, throwing him in to the deep sea after being tied to the statue of Lord Vishnu, his wife Kothai (Asin) also kills herself.

After the tragic end of the first avatar the second part of story is shot in US as, Dr. Govind Ramaswamy a renowned Biotech American scientist invents a dangerous bio-warfare weapon and the consequences of it forces him to destroy it. His boss tries to sell the weapon to scrupulous people who can cause destruction to humanity, that where the story catches motion and revolves around rest of the 8 characters enacted by Kamal Hassan.Keith Fletcher - A Former CIA Officer, The Terminator,George W. Bush - The American President,Chinese Martial Arts Teacher - The Fighter,Balram Naidu - Telugu Police Officer in the Chennai Police,Avatar Singh - A Punjabi Pop Singer,Krishnaveni Paati - An Old Woman,Vincent Poovaraghan - The Dalit Activist,Kalifullah Khan - A 10 feet tall humble Afghan.Govind who manages to escape with the bio weapon heading to India, is followed by Fletcher and his Tamil interpreter wife (Mallika Sherawat), the story covers most of the continents and revolves around the rest of the characters like Balram Naidu, Avatar Singh, Krishnaveni Paati, Vincent Poovaraghan, Kalifullah Khan and Andal an Iyengar Brahmin girl who are incidentally caught in the mire of dangerous chase. All of the Ten Avtars do really build into the storyline , it’s the character of Balram Naidu and the character of Krishnaveni Paati which catches attention, but the rest are not to be outdone.

Asin plays a double role in the film that is a part-comedy-part-tragedy mishmash. Mallika Sherawat flits across the screen in skimpy costumes and ends up dead. The movie ends with a flash back and the immersed statue of Lord Vishnu appears on the shore.

Recommendation:

Must Watch For kamal's Hard work

The Ultimate Gift is a film based on author Jim Stovall's bestselling novel

2008-06-26T03:59:00.000-07:00

Jason thought his inheritance was going to be the gift of money and lots of it. Was he ever in for a big surprise. Based on the best-selling book "The Ultimate Gift" by Jim Stovall, the story sends trust fund baby Jason Stevens on an improbable journey of discovery, having to answer the ultimate question: "What is the relationship between wealth and happiness?" Jason had a very simple relationship with his impossibly wealthy Grandfather, Howard "Red" Stevens. He hated him. No heart-to-heart talks, no warm fuzzies, just cold hard cash. So of course he figured that when Red died, the whole "reading of the will" thing would be another simple cash transaction, that his Grandfather's money would allow him to continue living in the lifestyle to which he had become accustomed. But what Red left him was anything but simple. Red instead devised a plan for Jason to experience a crash course on life. Twelve tasks, which Red calls "gifts," each challenging Jason in an improbable way, the accumulation of which would change him forever

Offical Website :

http://www.theultimategift.com

Rapidshare link:

http://rapidshare.com/files/49398892/TheUltimateGift2007DvDRipFxM.PLUBE.COM.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/49398936/TheUltimateGift2007DvDRipFxM.PLUBE.COM.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/49399000/TheUltimateGift2007DvDRipFxM.PLUBE.COM.part3.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/49398558/TheUltimateGift2007DvDRipFxM.PLUBE.COM.part4.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/49398644/TheUltimateGift2007DvDRipFxM.PLUBE.COM.part5.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/49398723/TheUltimateGift2007DvDRipFxM.PLUBE.COM.part6.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/49398785/TheUltimateGift2007DvDRipFxM.PLUBE.COM.part7.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/49398810/TheUltimateGift2007DvDRipFxM.PLUBE.COM.part8.rar
Password: www.BayW.org

Torrents link:

http://www.torrentz.com/0125675b1e854699bd318cdabdb488e8816fb8fa

Street Kings DVDRip

2008-06-24T07:33:00.000-07:00

Tom Ludlow is a veteran LAPD cop who finds life difficult to navigate after the death of his wife. When evidence implicates him in the execution of a fellow officer, he is forced to go up against the cop culture he’s been a part of his entire career, ultimately leading him to question the loyalties of everyone around him.

Rapidshare Link:

http://rapidshare.com/files/124249788/inq-street.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/124251266/inq-street.part2.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/124249529/inq-street.part3.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/124249507/inq-street.part4.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/124249535/inq-street.part5.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/124251391/inq-street.part6.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/124249536/inq-street.part7.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/124246069/inq-street.part8.rar

Salman's London trip halts Boney's film

2008-01-17T04:38:00.000-08:00

Salman Khan's trip to London to unveil his wax statue at Madame Tussauds has put Boney Kapoor's film on hold. But the director isn't complaining too much.

"As it is, everything in Tamil Nadu was closed for Pongal. So I'd say Salman's visit to London was well timed. We now have just a portion of the talkies and some songs and then we're done," said Kapoor.

Boney's unit in Chennai awaits Salman's return before shooting resumes for the film, which was earlier titled Wanted Dead & Alive.

Salman, in and out of various controversies throughout 2007, has managed to complete Kapoor's film in almost record time.

"I always had full faith that he would," said Kapoor emotionally. "We never panicked because of Salman's troubles. We knew he would make it."

The director is also enthusiastic about making the sequel to No Entry in 2008. "With Welcome doing so well, I'd like to bring back the No Entry characters."

Also on the anvil is a vehicle for Kapoor's wife Sridevi. "We're working on it. But it has to be something that takes Sri beyond where she left her career."

The little appearance that Sridevi made in Halla Bol was a teaser trailer for the audience.

Sania Mirza advances to 3rd round

2008-01-17T04:36:00.000-08:00

Sania Mirza beats Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland to enter the women's singles third round in Australian Open on Thursday.

In a battle lasting for one hour and 44 minutes, Sania got the better of Timea 6-1 4-6 7-5.

In the next round, Sania has the uphill task of taking on eighth-seeded Venus Williams of the USA. The American defeated Camille Pin of France 7-5 6-4 to book a berth in the third round.

Sania banked on the unforced errors of her opponent to wrap up the first set in style.

Mirza has struggled with injury over the last year, and the problems have continued in 2008. She had an average outing in the Hopman Cup team event before reaching the quarter-finals of a Tier-IV event in Hobart.

Kumble claims 600 test wickets

2008-01-17T04:28:00.000-08:00

Anil Kumble became the first Indian bowler and the third in the world to reach the milestone of 600 wickets in the third cricket Test against Australia on Thursday.

Kumble achieved the record just after the tea break when he had Andrew Symonds caught by Rahul Dravid at first slip.

Symonds edged the ball which hit Dhoni's gloves and went up in the air before Dravid pouched it safely.

Symonds stood his ground while umpire Asad Rauf took some time to raise his finger even as the appeal grew louder. When the decision finally came in India's favour, Kumble heaved a sigh of relief amidst the applause from the crowd.

In a friendly gesture, Adam Gilchrist shook hands with Kumble and congratulated him.

Kumble's 600 wickets came in 124 matches at an average of 28.68. He is the third bowler after Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan (723) and Shane Warne (708) of Australia to reach the milestone.

Interestingly, in his career Kumble has captured most number of wickets against Australia. He has taken 104 Australian scalps in 17 matches at an average of 27.5.

What's Victoria's Secret? Creating 'lingerie fantasy'

2007-12-04T03:34:00.000-08:00

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- It might be too much to devote an hour of prime-time television to long legs, taut tummies and half-bare bottoms and bosoms. So the Victoria's Secret fashion show incorporates elaborate staging and musical performances.

Among the performers at the Victoria's Secret fashion show: the recently reunited Spice Girls.

The annual hourlong flesh fest, featuring songs by will.i.am, Seal and the Spice Girls, airs 10 p.m. EST Tuesday on CBS.

"This is really an event that's anchored in a fashion show," said CBS executive Jack Sussman.

But isn't it essentially an hourlong commercial?

"To a degree," he said.

Still, with top talent and a $10 million budget, the Victoria's Secret fashion show is more interesting than most everyday advertisements. This year's show spotlights 61 skimpy outfits worn by more than two dozen of the world's most beautiful women.

Sixteen cameras stationed throughout the Kodak Theater capture the catwalk action from every angle.

"A normal fashion show has two," said executive producer Ed Razek. "We have almost as many as the Super Bowl."

That means each fetching curve is filmed multiple times. The fashion show is performed and taped twice, with the best moments blended into the special.

Despite the assets on display, the show is designed for women, Razek said.

"The notion that we pander to men or advertise to men is ridiculous, ludicrous," he said backstage before the show, pausing midsentence to greet models on their way to hair and makeup. "Maybe 2 percent of our customers are men. Women shop us every day. ... Guys come in twice a year: December 24 and February 14."

Women make up slightly more than half of the show's viewers, according to ratings information provided by CBS. But overall viewership has declined each year, from more than 9 million in 2002 to just more than 6.5 million last year.

Razek isn't daunted.

"The shows we're doing today are by far the most ambitious, most entertaining, most watched fashion shows in the world -- and the most expensive," he said. "It's very important to the brand because it is a symbol of the best that we can do."

That means the company shows more than its typical underwear offerings. Each lingerie ensemble is embellished with one-of-a-kind couture creations such as flowing feather skirts and crystal-encrusted accessories.

The pieces that turn underwear into outfits aren't for sale, said spokeswoman for the Columbus-based company, Monica Mitro, but the basic items upon which they're added are. It's all about creating a "lingerie fantasy," she said.

"When you're doing a show, especially a TV show that millions of people see, it's important to take the items a little big further. With a lingerie show, you're starting out with minimal to begin with," she said. "You have to make it with style and outfits, otherwise it becomes extremely monotonous: bra, panty, bra, panty."

The show's fantasy element -- which this year includes scantily clad beauties ornamenting an oversized Christmas tree and an inspirational choir marching through the crowd -- is what makes the show a must for models, said 10-time Victoria's Secret catwalk queen, Heidi Klum.

"That's what makes it special," she said as attendants prettied her hair, face and fingernails. "It's dreamland fantasy: sex-goddesses wearing amazing lingerie. ... You can't wear it on the street, you can't wear it underneath your clothes, but it's fantasy and it's so special."

Seven-time show model Karolina Kurkova concurs.

"I love that we have people performing on stage while we're working. There isn't any other show like that," she said. "Other fashion shows are a little more quiet, a little more controlled, smaller. This is totally Hollywood."

Past shows have had issues with overexposure, prompting the Federal Communications Commission to investigate the program in 2001. But these days, the network collaborates with the lingerie company to avoid "a post-production situation of having to edit around a lot of things," said Sussman of CBS.

"It's still the sexiest night on television," he said, "but within the realm of standards."

Jennifer Love Hewitt

2007-12-04T03:30:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Love Hewitt: 'A Size 2 Is Not Fat!'


Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ross

It should be the time of her life for Jennifer Love Hewitt, instead the newly engaged actress is taking to the Internet to speak out about unflattering photos of herself snapped by the paparazzi during her Hawaiian getaway with fiancé, Scottish actor Ross McCall.

"Like all women out there should, I love my body," Hewitt, 28, wrote on her blog after photos of her in a bikini hit the Web. "I know what I look like, and so do my friends and family."

Hewitt, who has modeled for Hanes, explains, "I've sat by in silence for a long time now about the way women's bodies are constantly scrutinized. To set the record straight, I'm not upset for me, but for all of the girls out there that are struggling with their body image."

She adds, "A size 2 is not fat! Nor will it ever be. And being a size 0 doesn't make you beautiful. … To all girls with butts, boobs, hips and a waist, put on a bikini – put it on and stay strong."

Is 'Golden Compass' 'selling atheism to kids'?

2007-12-04T03:23:00.000-08:00

"The Golden Compass," a $180-million fantasy epic coming to theaters next Friday, is more complex than that.

Based on the first volume in the award-winning trilogy "His Dark Materials" by religious skeptic Philip Pullman, the movie already has been condemned by conservative Roman Catholics and evangelicals. They say it will hook children into Pullman's books and a dark, individualistic world where all religion is evil.

But at least one liberal scholar has called the trilogy a "theological masterpiece," and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops rates the film "intelligent and well-crafted entertainment."

Meanwhile, some secularists complain the movie from New Line Cinemas waters down Pullman's religious critique. They feel sold out by the author, who has described himself as both an atheist and agnostic.

Starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, "The Golden Compass" traces a 12-year-old girl named Lyra from Oxford, England, to the Arctic to the edge of another universe, where she becomes locked in a battle between good and evil. The characters are shadowed by their own "daemons," talking animal companions that take on soul-like qualities.

In early October, the New York-based Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights launched a boycott of the film, calling it "selling atheism to kids" at Christmastime in stealth fashion.

Director Chris Weitz has said he cut controversial religious content to make the film more commercially viable, with the plan of being more faithful to the original material in sequels.

For instance, the evil organization dominating the world is not "the church," as it is in the book, but the "Magisterium," which is getting criticism anyway because it's a Catholic term.

The later books are even more direct in their religious criticism. One character, a former nun, says: "The Christian religion is a very powerful and convincing mistake, that's all." Pullman himself has said, "I'm trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief."

Britain's National Secular Society, of which Pullman is a member, has said the changes made to avoid controversy amount to "taking the heart" out of the work.

Yet the film's co-producer, Deborah Forte, said that in 12 years of being associated with the movie and the books, not one young reader has mentioned religion to her. Children love the story and the characters, she said.

"I think it's a tempest in a teapot," Forte said Friday. "What we find interesting about our film is we've made this wonderful epic adventure story for families. ... We encourage parents to make their own decisions."

"The Golden Compass" arrives at an opportune time. Books by atheists are best-sellers, Hollywood studios are plumbing the fantasy genre for the next big franchise, and movies exploring faith are finding a place at the multiplex, if not always box office success.

The Pullman series follows the release of the first movie based on Christian author C.S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia." Both feature epic battles, talking animals, polar bears and a wardrobe. But from there, the works diverge.

Catholic author Sandra Miesel is among those who call "His Dark Materials" the "anti-Narnia." Miesel co-authored a forthcoming book, "Pied Piper of Atheism: Philip Pullman and Children's Fantasy."

Among her complaints: Every clergy person is evil, and their daemons typically take the form of snakes or frogs. And standing in contrast to the Christian belief in heaven, Pullman's afterlife consists of bodies breaking into particles and being recycled into the material world.

But Miesel isn't a believer in protests.

"That only gives it more publicity," she said. "I merely suggest that if you look at what the material is about, you might find it advisable to stay home, go to another movie, or read a good book."

Other critiques have appeared on evangelical blogs and Web sites. Adam Holz of Focus on the Family, writing on the Christian ministry's Plugged In site, calls Pullman's books and the film a "deliberate attempt to foist his viciously anti-God beliefs upon his audience."

Most diabolical, Holz said in an interview, is that Pullman's audience is children, setting it apart from another book-to-movie some Christians view as heretical -- "The Da Vinci Code."

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office for Film and Broadcasting gave the film, which is rated PG-13, a warm review. The film is not blatantly anti-Catholic but a "generalized rejection of authoritarianism," it said.

While noting the story's "spirit of rebellion and stark individualism," the office said Lyra and her allies' stand for free will in opposition to the coercive force of the Magisterium is "entirely in harmony with Catholic teaching."

Sister Rose Paccate, director of the Pauline Center of Media Studies in Culver City, California, said the books portray benevolence toward children and a God figure -- just one that's much different than the one Christians know.

She sees irony in calls to shun the film, considering that one of Pullman's central themes is that people should not follow orders and forfeit critical thought.

"If you just say 'no' to your kids without engaging in a conversation, they're going to see the movie anyway and all you're teaching them is power, not really teaching your values," Paccate said. "If we have faith, what are we afraid of?"

Donna Freitas, a visiting assistant professor of religion at Boston University, goes a step further, calling the books a "theological masterpiece." Pullman's intent aside, she views the trilogy as a treatise on Christian belief.

To Freitas, the series' mysterious "Dust" -- portrayed in the books as connected to original sin -- represents the Holy Spirit. Pullman is not attacking religion but those who use power to corrupt, she said.

Freitas, who co-authored a book on Pullman and religion, says that "ultimately, the arch of the trilogy is about revealing God."