Vigeland Sculpture Park

Nude Sculptures

All sculptures in the Vigeland park are nude. But none depicts sex. They depicts human being, behavior and relationship with rest of the world. It could be affection,love,sex,hatred,jealousy or any emotion or interaction with one another.

It is nice to assume you are an alien (non human) and observing these sculptures to understand who is a human being. May be this park will serve that purpose if human cease to exist some day.



Human Tower




The nude sculptures of the human tower and surround are made of monolithic rock and will last thousands of years. They depict who is human being by showing following aspects.

• How Human being look like at all ages.

• What are the behavior of human being at each ages (at infancy, toddler, teenager up to elder stages)
• Who does what at what age for the well being of the human kind.

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Longer Day Light

It is 9.00pm in Oslo, Norway. Still I can read a book under natural light.

Is this good or bad.

For whom?.

May be this is good for all plants but definitely not for human beings and animals.

Time travel in cyber space

I wish I could time travel in cyberspace? At least as an observer?

Is this a stupid thought?

Simply I want to set my computer's time as of last weekend and want to see a particular website in the same state as it was by that time. Is this thought stupid?.

Nevertheless what about setting my machine time to a future date and see what the state of all my software systems such as bank accounts, weather, climate, technology (at least things we can predict with current status and trends) etc?

Are all these stupid thoughts ?...

If so forget it.....

ASP Video Tutorials

I got some free time to refresh my knowledge on ASP.net and the video tutorials on asp site are very comprehensive and I think it is the quickest way to refresh knowledge on ASP.Net.

If one has basic knowledge on web site development these are a good set of tutorials to start with asp.net.

Most of the basic tutorials use the express editions of Visual studio tools which are freely download-able from Microsoft site.

Happy.. asp.net..

Best use of Victories

It is now obvious fact that President Mahinda Rajapakse and his government is achieving several victories after independence. Victories such as,

1. Defeating LTTE terrorism and creating unity among all ethnic groups.
   
2. Forming the most strong parliament in the history
3. Better economic policies that makes Sri Lanka stand strong amidst global economic recession
   

So these victories make everyone feel better than ever. It is a well known fact that after a victory it is good time to make decisions on the future strategies. More over now President Mahinda Rajapakse has more presidential power, parliment majority power and ability to be elected as president for another 6 years. So as the most powerful person in the recent history of Sri Lanka, it is time to make use of the opportunity.

For what...?

• To create a better future for Mahinda's family, relations and supporters by involving in business, utilizing government money, foreign aids, loans etc?

Or,

• To bring in new laws to prevent recurence of the past ethnic and political conflicts.
  
• To bring in new national policies by the consititution for country's business model, security model, political model, goverment services model, development strategy, education, health care etc etc.
• To create new businesses/opportunities for everyone in the country including Mahinda's family, relations and supporters (especially Karuna group) by making use of all possible resources efficiently.

I am eagerly waiting to see what will happen in next few years.....

Sledging

We did sledging as part of the team building exercise.

We went to the same place at Voksenkollen by tram on route 1 and rented the sledges. Got the tram again to Frognerseteren. We climbed down 25m to where we start sledging. Just saw some of my team members went down on the sledge so... fast.

My first thought was "I cannot risk my life. I dont want to do this. I will go back and stay till these people finishes sledging". While I was waiting behind one of my Colombo collegues started on his sledge and found he is controlling the speed by pressing the foot on the gound.

So determined to give a try I started on my Sledge with both my feet on the ground. Wow..! is was so fun and so easy to controll the speed. Anyhow came to the meeting point some 500m below. We got some instructions from the experienced collegues on how to turn and control speed while keeping feet on the sledge.

To my astonishment It was a quick learning curve. Once we sledged down to Midstuen I was so confident that I can sledge with both feet on the sledge, turning to the correct path. But still not sure about controlling the speed.

Then started the fun rounds. Got tram back to Frognerseteren, came down sledging to Midstuen (about 3.2 km path). The tram pass is valid for the duration and we can travel as many times as we want. Like wise we did 5 rounds and in final round I could come down the distance of 3.2km in about 4 or 5 minutes. But it was on the final round I went out of the path and hit a pile of wood logs beside that made me realize excessive speed is dangerous even on a sledge.

After all it was so fun. Thanks everyone.

Skiing

I went for skiing for the first time in my life. It is really fun. Giving up the fear to fall down is the key to learn. It does not hurt much when you fall down on snow.
It is obviously not the right age for me to start learning skiing. Just after learning to walk is the right time to start skiing. More over I dont have any experience in a similar sport like Skating or surfing. If I had any experience I would find it easy to catch up.

Anyway it was fun to go skiing with few Norwegian (Swedish and Hungarian too) colleagues at Voksenkollen (Some 6 km north-west of Oslo city). We got tram on route 1 to reach Voksenkollen and Rented Skis (Skis, Boots and Poles) for 200 Kr per person. Skis are of different length and weights (stiffness).




Usually length of ski is selected to be the same as one's height. Theory behind the skis is that middle part of the skis should not touch the ground when you stand on both legs.
But when you put all your weight on one leg the ski straightens and middle of the ski (just beneath the boot) should touch the ground. Usually we apply a wax to make the middle of the ski to have more resistance.

Spent about one hour walking with skis before I could actually slide a considerable distance. By the time when we reached Frognerseteren I was proud of being able to slide on skis with less frequent falling :)

Passing a difficult era again

Again seeing a lot of bloodshed these days. I hope nobody on earth like to see so many people being killed. But I wish this is the last time in my life I see this happening in my country. Hopefully in the whole world. We should put a full stop to terrorism and the kind. In my life I first saw a bloodshed in 1983 where Tamils were robbed, chased away or killed throughout the country. In 1989 I saw lot of young men and women slaughtered by both government forces and JVP military arms. Then from time to time LTTE's bomb blasts and mass murders. And this time in the attempt to correct all political mistakes of the past.

I hope SL government eradicate terrorism from our land this time and bring hard and fast rules to avoid any such conflicts in the future.

I WISH I WILL NEVER SEE BLOODSHED AGAIN..!

Walking on the Frozen Sognsvann Lake

Took a subway from Majorstuen to Sognsvann lake. It was nice to see the frozen lake with about 2 feet snow layer. Just walked around the lake and crossed the lake without any difficulty.
Observed the fun of skiing and ashamed a little for not being able to do it. Anyway determined to come here again with skis and have the fun.
Returned to Majorstuen and again took the subway on route 1 to Frognerseteren. Frognerseteren is a mountain area from where the whole Oslo city is visible. It was very nice to see the Oslo city with the frozen sea.

Microsoft Security Training - A rare opportunity

Had a rare opportunity to take part in "Trust Worthy Computing" training by Microsoft professionals. Learned on Secure coding, Threat modelling/Analysis, Tools used to hack and explore code security/Attack surface analysis.

Thieves in Oslo, Norway?

I came to Oslo, Norway today with few other colleagues. An incident voided my presumption that Norway is such a peaceful country.
We arrived at hotel and waiting in the reception checking the room reservations. Seven of us kept all our bags aside and a bit relaxing till check-in procedure is done. One of my colleagues noticed that his bag with the laptop, passport and other documents is missing. At first we did not believe that the bag was stolen. But soon we realized that another bag also missing with the same content. There were only 5-6 people at the reception area other than 7 of us. However they must be very clever and expericend thieves to escape avoiding 14 eyes looking at the bags.

Beggary & Lottery

Beggary & Lottery ? Any relationships between the two?. I dont think so. Except that if a beggar wins a lottery that would be a wonderful coincidence. I believe the money going to be an utter waste.

Anyway I am not going to talk about a beggar winning a lottery.

How does the beggary and lottery affect Sri Lanka?

My opinion is that both should be banned. Why ?

Beggary

1. Most Beggars are spreading viruses and varies illnesses. Eventually government is paying the cost through free health care.
2. Underworld thugs, terrorists, prostitutes are connected to beggars. They are in the same network.
3. Beggary misuse the willingness of common public to donate.
4. Brings down the courage of common mass to be self-sustained.

In fact Sri Lanka doesnot seem to have any laws regarding begging in public. Most beggars make use of thier children or even infants to draw attention of the people. Sometimes very small children come begging. There are beggers with big wounds, infections etc creeping through crowded busses or trains. No once takes any action. No rules. Eventually government's free heath care pay the price.

Usually their is a network of beggars which most probably has a connection with drug addicts, then drug smugglers and gradually to prostitues and then to underworld

If beggary is completely banned, there will be a better way for the common public to channel their donations to the people who are really in need. They will plan lot more organized donations. Mostly buddhists are always encouraged to donate.

Lottery

There is a saying "The hope makes the life live". So this is one way of the government to keep some people alive. There are lot of people who spend a substantial portion of their income for lotteries. Specially there are lot of pensioners who go to town once a day just to buy a bottle of liquor and few lotteries. It is true that this bottle of liquor and lotteries keep them live a day. But imagine we did not have the lotteries?. Wouldnt they find another way to keep them happy?. Definitely they find a better way.

Long term effect on a nation for allowing the lottery and gambling is obvious. Making people believe in fortune brings down the courage of common mass to be self-sustained. Unrealistic daily hopes on fortune prevents people become organized enterprenuors. Also frequent disapointments (however small they are) not good for well being of a person.

Solar Power

I bought few more solar electricity panels and added to my lighting system at home. Now whole lighting system runs with solar power. I need to add a better charger controller and solar tracker to optimize energy absorption. Then I expect a significant reduction in monthly electricity bill. Anyhow now I independant of grid-electricity for lighting and hence of any accidental or planned power cuts. More over I am proud of being echo friendly.

Next steps for permanent peace

What are the next steps for permanent peace in Sri Lanka after defeating LTTE armed conflict? Any rectifiable mistakes happened in the past? 1956? 1983?. I think there are a lot. As a responsible government we should start them as soon as possible.

There are lot of innocent tamils who,
1. were killed and simply forgot
2. were chased away from their inhabitants
3. were compelled to sell their properties for rock bottom prices.

If the government is going to simply ignore this bitter past I dont consider the government as a fair government in terms of resolving the ethnic conflict.

Strict law enforcements to avoid any racial conflicts in the future?

My kid

I came home after 6 weeks in a business visit to US. My daughter (2 years 4 months) saw me and very happy to see me again. I was too tired of 35 hours journey. But she gave me no rest in the whole evening. The following day I decided to stay home with family. My kid wanted to me to be closer to her whole day. She was so afraid of loosing me again. I was not even allowed to go to the bath room. One moment I went upstairs and observed what she is doing. She searched for me everywhere for 5-10 minutes and finally cried saying "Thaaththa aayith rata gihilla wage" (Daddy seems to have gone abroad again).

I used to call home everyday through internet with live web cams. But I can imagine how she was feeling without me.

Heathrow Airport Terminal 4

Most of the flights departing from this terminal are destined to Asian countries. Yet there are no any restaurants that offer any Asian food. I happened to stay 14 hours transit and thought what a f**king terminal it was.

Luckily my flight back to Sri Lanka is a Sri Lankan airlines. It is really like home. Nice food, smiles and courtesy. Thanks SriLankan airlines.

Making regional friends

I was staying in the hotel 3 weeks without knowing there are friends around. Fire alarm went off one evening. Everyone happened to come out of the rooms. Met 5 Indian people and to my surprise one of them works for the same company as I. Thereafter we helped each other, cooked and had meals together, did shopping and became good friends. Had lengthy chats, arguments and learned about everyone’s country, culture, opinions.

My friend who works for the same company originated from a very remote village in India and being the first graduate from her area is a great achiever in her life. Yet long way to go. I wish her all the best and courage

Tax Rebate

I missed filing for 2007 tax returns in USA. Anyway I took the W2 form to ask some one if I can do something about it. In a free time I browsed Turbotax.com and came to know that I can file for a refund before 15th October. Created an account in turbo tax and did e-file for refund. I was said that I would get a rebate of $300 too. But I am getting all the tax I paid back. How come I get more???? State tax was in my account sharp at the estimated date. Then federal tax refund was in my account another 3 days later. One week passed, the rebate $300 was in my account. IT REALLY WORKED. That is how taxation happens in United States. On the other hand I have not received my 2004-2005 tax refunds yet in Sri Lanka.

Frightened Seeing me?

It was just getting dark. I got lost on my way to find an Indian grocery shop after shopping. I was driving through a lonely road for 15 minutes. Finally saw two persons walking beside the road. I just slowed down my car to ask for the directions. The two people were some 50 meters away from me. So I got out of the car to ask the directions. To my astonishment they were two girls (not sure what the ages are)and started to scream. I got shocked as to why they are so afraid of me. I shouted “I am lost. Tell me where should I go to find nearest gas station?”
Still frightened they screamed back to me “Call Police”. I said “I got no phone”. “Go ahead. Go away. Go away” they said.

I thought it is better to go away as soon as possible. Went ahead and found a gas station in 5-6 minutes. Went inside and asked the sales person “How can I go to I-95?” He started to explain me the route but suddenly looked at me in as if I am a robber. I guess something appeared on his computer. He said “Sorry I don’t have an idea”.

I went out and got in to my car. Just then a police car came and stopped near me. They asked me to stay in the car. Took 2-3 minutes and the police man asked me if I frightened two girls 10 minutes back. I admitted. By that time he knows I am from Sri Lanka and that the car is a rented car.

I wondered about the security system. He took my driving license, told me the directions to my destination very clearly and finally apologized for the inconvenience caused.

This happened in Wilmington area in MA.

Kelaniya Fly-over Bridge

It's a great achievement of Sri Lankans to complete the construction of this bridge as planned. This is the one and only achievement I felt in my life to be "Proud to be a Sri Lankan". Even if the technology and material are not ours we deserve the achievement in terms of project management adhering to the schedule.

We need more and more of the same kind of achievements from Sri Lankans in the near future to build self confidence of our capabilities.
It is a known fact that we had lots of such achievements in our history before imperial age. We had our own technology and applications as well. We have forgotton that we born with the same genes of our fore fathers. The reason is that we lack of confident of our capabilities.

I believe the relative interlectual level of Sri Lankans is very high. This fact is proved by the continuous brain distribution(I dont want to call brain drain) to new colonies from Sri Lanka. We produce ample number of superior brains with genes of our fore fathers and by giving knowladge with free education. Let it happen continuously till we have systems to utilize those brains in our country itself.

I suggest the goverment should take measures to do more greater achievements in the future. I can give few examples.
1. Build our own helicopter or airplane
2. Build and launch our own communication satellite.
3. Build our own submarine

An economist would think this a stupid idea. But I would ask them this questions.
1. Did the America conquer the moon just because it is economically advantageous? If not what did they achieve?.
2. What other things we should do if we are to re-gain self confidence of capability of our genes?.