2008 March : Maitri’s VatulBlog

VatulBlog now comes to you via Wordpress 2.5.
Thus far, I am underwhelmed by the new dashboard because it is powered by widgets. So what if I can customize some aspects of the Wordpress interface to my feng-shui liking if something as simple as the Insert/Edit Link window doesn’t work? (Update: The form works in Mozilla […]

Day 945: Richard Dawkins Rap!

Posted on March 30, 2008 - Filed Under funny, science & technology | 1 Comment

Thanks to Julie who says, “Dancing Darwin is my entire reason for being right now.”

Posted on March 28, 2008 - Filed Under blurbs, computing & internet, funny, media | Leave a Comment

Mainstream media finally states that sharing is caring (thanks, D, for the tip). All because some punk kid said, “If the news is that important, it will find me.” Wait for the NYTimes sidebar Twitter nightmare.

Day 943: Rest In Peace, Sameer

Posted on March 28, 2008 - Filed Under desi / india, health | Leave a Comment

Sameer Bhatia passed away yesterday after a brave battle against leukemia. My thoughts are with his wife and family.
There are many still in need of bone marrow. Sign up for the next drive or find a donor center in your state.

Day 943: How Can You Afford Your FEMA Trailer Lifestyle?

Posted on March 28, 2008 - Filed Under We Are Not Ok, federal flood, government, katrina, new orleans, recovery | 7 Comments

If you read nothing else, this is my point: Immediately on hearing of this city ordinance, I knew it came with an appeals process. This, to me, is more egregious than the arbitrary June 1st deadline. If squatters are the problem, address them separately using law enforcement and immediate trailer confiscation. As […]

Day 943: FEMA Trailer Wishes And MRE Dreams

Posted on March 28, 2008 - Filed Under We Are Not Ok, federal flood, katrina, new orleans, recovery | 2 Comments

Go read E now.
Unbelievable. You’re floating a June 1st deadline so that we don’t become known as “trailer city” but you admit that most residents are economically incapable of finding new housing or rebuilding their own home enough so that it is livable by summer. Your plan to help them with lending programs will not […]

Day 943: ASPCA/St. Bernard Adoption Event This Saturday

Posted on March 27, 2008 - Filed Under new orleans, recovery | Leave a Comment

From Ms. Lisa Mulvey:
One of the most heartbreaking places I volunteered at during Spring Break was the St. Bernard Animal Shelter. Check out my flickr for the pictures and my blog for our experience. They are in such desperate need of all kinds of support: monetary and supply donations, volunteers, and whatever you can think […]

Posted on March 27, 2008 - Filed Under WTF, new orleans | 2 Comments

Woke up this morning to another red-light-runner-caused SQUEAL CRASH SQUEAL CRUNCH. Same intersection, but this time rear bumper of one car was almost inside front door of corner coffeeshop. *sigh*

Day 942: And You Were Worried About Red Light Cameras

Posted on March 26, 2008 - Filed Under computing & internet, funny, mapping, new orleans | 4 Comments

On first seeing it, I thought the map referred to the Broadmoor neighborhood of New Orleans. It turns out to be a possible drug deal going down in the Southside of Chicago as captured by the Google Maps “Street View” camera. Silly me, New Orleans has no street views.
I go back and forth between pondering […]

Posted on March 26, 2008 - Filed Under WTF, We Are Not Ok, blurbs, media, new orleans | 1 Comment

Publishers’ fear of Britney Fatigue - no. Abject trembling before Katrina Fatigue - absolutely. Just another example of the American consumer’s misplaced priorities.