Vivek’s Blog

I’ve been on the look out for a new theme for my blog, as I mentioned before.  I’ve looked through at least a dozen websites but no single theme has jumped out and grabbed my attention immediately.  I’m trialling a few of the better ones I found and I may eventually go with one of these.  But I would really, really, really like to find the special theme that I can switch to with no hesitation.

Many good themes are ruined by abnormally large headers that serve no purpose.  Others are handicapped by a poor choice of fonts and/or colors.  Yet more are undone, in my opinion, by the relative lack of information displayed on the blog’s home page.  I can totally see why some people like simple, minimalistic blogs, but that’s not my preference.  I’d like something that presents a decent amount of information in a clear manner and with a dash of color.  I don’t know PHP but I can play around with the CSS code and modify themes to suit my needs.  I think this is what I’ll have to do eventually.

Also, one or more of my older themes will be deleted once I finalize the new theme.  Just cuz.

So it begins.  I’ve formally started researching graduate schools to apply to later this year.  I’m trying to come up with a list that includes some of the top graduate programs for Materials Science, but at the same time, I need some backup schools.  Places that I’m nearly guaranteed to get into.  During my undergrad college search, Adelphi and Georgia Tech were my backups and I got into both.  I need to do something similar again.

So far, my list includes schools like Northwestern, MIT, Standford, UT Austin, Caltech, etc. and I have to do more research before I can finalize this list.  I also don’t want to apply to too many colleges so top choices + backups seems to be the way to go.  If I get into any of my top choices, I’ll definitely go.  Otherwise, my backups should be good enough to make me want to pursue graduate study.

Of course, if I get into multiple programs, then things like financial aid will play a big role in my decision.  But wait a minute, all this is months down the line!  I need to first prepare and do well on the GRE exam and then send in strong applications.  Decision time is almost 10 months away.

I’m also going to try and look for a job.  If I can land one I like between now and March-end, then I might consider working for a bit before going into grad school.  We’ll see, I guess.  Also, just what the fuck is up with the weather in New York?  It’s far too cold for May!  Also also, it seems like the theme switcher is now working fine.  I haven’t worked on the theme or on anything else website-related today.  Tomorrow will be different!

Check off one more item on my summer 2008 list!  I updated my blog to WordPress 2.5.1 today and while not everything is hunky-dory, at least things are functional.  I’m having two issues right now - one, the theme switcher is not behaving properly, and two, some posts have additional text characters like the one here:

I’ve edited most of the posts to fix this problem, but I know it still exists on some posts.  I’m way too lazy to correct the problem in all posts, even though I have nothing else to do right now.  I’m going to look into the theme switcher problem too.

It’s also time for my now annual theme hunt.  The last time I changed my blog theme was last summer, after an intensive search for the perfect theme.  But themes don’t stay perfect for long and now I need a new one.  This time, I’m going to be less strict with my requirements.  I’ll accept any theme that looks good and is functional.  So far, I’ve come across a few good ones and I’ll be trying them out slowly.  If you see new themes pop-up in the switcher, feel free to explore.  But be aware that not all of them will have a switcher installed.  If you notice glaring problems, let me know.

Also, for anyone keeping count, I have now posted a blog entry a day for a month!  WOOOO!  Nothing has affected my determination - finals came and went without interrupting my updates.  Even an utter lack of comments and site visits have not deterred me.

This was my second movie in two days.  Initially this was going to be a double bill, but circumstances caused us to split this over two days.  Anyway, here’s my review.

Robert Downey Jr. is freaking brilliant.  He does an extremely solid job as Tony Stark/Iron Man and is helped by a good cast, great acting, a decent script, and solid production.  All these factors combine to make Iron Man an enjoyable experience.  This is a well-made super hero movie and it may or may not please the die-hard fans, but I think no one would argue that the movie is a lot of fun.

The background score is mostly hard rock/metal and it blends well with all the action on the screen.  Keep in mind that this is a “setup” movie along the lines of Batman Begins, so it’s not an all-out action blast.  However, I thought there was enough action in the movie, and I loved the setup parts.  As you’d expect, some of the stuff is over-the-top, but Iron Man/Tony Stark is not the same kind of superhero that Spiderman and Batman are.  His attitude and personality really stand out.

I was quietly laughing at the sections with the terrorists talking in Hindi.  Especially when the “head” terrorist was threatening one of the guys in Hindi, but the on-screen captions were highly inaccurate for most of the scene.

Most of the plot twists were predictable but well-executed nonetheless.  The end was especially great.  And the dialogue in the movie was quite good and funny (at times).  So, overall, I think Iron Man is terrific superhero movie and all the rave reviews it has received are totally justified.  It’s right up there with Batman Begins as one of the best superhero movies in recent years.  To conclude, a one-word opinion of the movie, courtesy a friend who saw it last week:  bitchin’.

Contrary to the opinion of the uninformed few, Sarah Marshall is not someone I know personally.  Neither does anyone else I know.  I’ll wait while you Google the name Sarah Marshall.

Now that we’ve left the ignorant behind, let me get straight to the point:  this movie is hilarious.  Kristen Bell is hot.  The acting is solid and the story is engaging.  The supporting cast is brilliant.  Oh, and did I mention that the movie is quite funny?

The movie is rated R, and with very good reason.  You’ll know it when you see it, that’s all.  It’s made by Judd Apatow so expect raunchy humor.  Whatever, just watch it.  It’s great.