Edition #4-Interview with the Rockstar-Sumeet by Deepak Shankargouda

Draped in a black t-shirt featuring some scary, obscure rock band, we are fascinated by our classmate who is also a member of a rock band. Funky specs give him a cool geeky look, but the weird-looking beard reminds us of who he is. It was a brave task for DEEPAK SHANKARGOUDA(TE IT) to ask Sumeet(TE IT) for an interview (you know how they scream).

 DS: Hi, Temme something about yourself.

Sumeet: Hi, I am Sumeet, studying in TE. IT. My hobbies are listening to music, right from classical to extreme metal. But I am a passionate follower of the metal genre. I am also interested in robotics to an extent. But, it’s drumming which I enjoy the most.

DS: Tell us something about the bands you play for.

S: I play for two bands;

‘Gravity’ is an ungeneric experimental progressive band. Progressive bands deal with a more complex form of music compared to other genres. We believe that the music we compose should reflect some ‘Indianness’, we want to be recognized as a progressive Indian band.

‘Catharsis’ (trash metal) is a tight three-piece band having influences like Sepultura, Slayer and the likes. This quenches my thirst for playing heavy music. We believe in playing our originals, and we want to create something on this scene.

DS: Everyone likes music; what inspired you to ‘learn’ music?

S: Music is something which has always been with me, through all the ups and downs of my life. I was acquainted with Western music somewhere in my mid-teens. I was more interested in the work done by the person sitting behind the drums, filling the rhythm in the songs. That is exactly where I decided to specialize. It is not that I listen to Western music alone, also I tried to understand the percussions involved in all other forms of music.

DS: What is your inspiration for your music?

S: I am inspired by everyday heroes.

DS: How did the ‘band’ happen?

S: It all began with our love of music. I had a few friends from my school days who were keen to do it. We did a couple of projects and settled on the genre for the band. It wasn’t easy though. We had to change the lead vocalist fifteen times before zeroing on the current one. We recently added a keyboard player to the group.

Catharsis was formed only recently, the team is pretty much the same but also includes a lead guitarist and another vocalist.

DS: What are your future plans for the bands?

S: It’s only the first year of our bands, but we are in the search of a record deal “he he he….” The only thing we are concentrating on now is performing, and performing well.

DS: Could you share any of your special moments with your band? What is your biggest dream?

S: Well, no special moments as of yet, but I guess one of them is right around the corner.  My dream is simple’ To be the best drummer in the world’.

DS: Any message for music learners?

S: Follow your heart. Do not take music as a career, it’s an art, a form of expression, express yourself and enjoy others’ expressions.

DS: How do you feel about life in SIES?

S: I love the crowd here. They are supportive and friendly, and you never feel away from home. I also like the way the college is managed, its better than most I can see.

DS: Nice talking to you Sumeet. I wish your bands keep rocking!!

S: Its great talking to you. Wish you guys keep on supporting the way you always have.

Edition #3-Editorial

Welcome back to COLLEGE everyone!!!! After such a long and unarguably frustrating exam season, its nice to be back in college. Like every other activity, our Wallpaper is resuming. This New Year of 2009, brings us the opportunity to resolve to do new things, or old things better. We resolved to make the wallpaper fun to read, and bring in new columns whenever possible. We have gotten space open in the Magazine and wallpaper crews to fill, anyone who is interested in working full or part time with the crew do get in touch with any of the people on the mast head. With Republic day around the corner, and a chance to improve ourselves as Indians, maybe we could borrow a leaf out of the new President of the US of A Barack Obama- “For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies, What is required of us is a new era of responsibility.” On that note, and my Audacity to HOPE, I leave you to read the rest of the articles. Have Fun, and do write in with your feedback. If you do want to write into the wallpaper, or contribute in anyway, this is the mailing address- magclubsies@gmail.com. The online or E version of this is http://samanvaycampusbuzz.blogspot.com.

CB team: Nikhil Nair Karen A Shradh Aiyer Divya K Creative Design Team: Rajita Roshni Mamta Rajisha Nair

Edition #3-Interview with the GS by Amanda D'souza TE IT

Its FEST SEASON, with all the BUZZ surrounding the fest, Campus BUZZ felt it necessary to find out straight from the HORSE’S mouth what the scene was. CB sent Amanda D’souza(TE IT) to have a little Interview with the General Secretary Nikhil Rao(BE EXTC)

Campus Buzz (CB):Initially there was a big buzz, that we may not be having the festival

General Secretary (GS):      Right……

           

CB: Gossip vines were rife with news that the festival was to be scrapped. Was there ever a situation like that?

 GS: Not really, the point was that we were worried about getting sponsors. The entire scenario was outside college.The rest was smooth sailing. There was never two minds to decide- whether we will have it or not.

 CB: What about the sponsor situation? How are we dealing with it?

 GS: Actually I am very happy looking at the picture, because there are many sponsors who have said that they are willing to work with us. Many companies have come forward to work with us on their own.

CB: So the recession has not hit us badly……

 GS: Not major, but yes ……..

CB: Give me an idea about the kind of work you as a GS do, the whole plan, the different committees working under you and so on.

 GS: Basically, the festival has two major committees –Sponsorship and Publicity. All other committees work under them. We have the CSS and TSS which handle all the events and the budget scenario.

CB: And what about your role?

 GS: My job is to synchronize between all the groups and if it is possible to cut down budgets wherever not required. (Smiles) Actually it's the best job we can do.

          CB: How does the idea of the festival appeal to you? Do you really enjoy it?

 GS: Yes, it increases the interaction amongst students within our college and from other colleges as well. Many a times we are invited to attend meets of GS's and CS's in the University of VJTI which makes it more interactive between various colleges

CB: What about support from our college?

 GS: We have never gotten good support. We have got support in fractional parts. But in the present scenario, not at all.

CB: What do you think is the reason behind this? Academics?

 GS: Academics…yes, but right now it's more of the fear of losing attendance amongst students this semester. Especially the S.E's who have never worked with us before. This is the first time; they are going to be facing problems.

 CB: What type of response do we get from other colleges to our festival?

 GS: It has grown magnanimously over the years. I have been in the publicity committee for three years and I have seen that the number of people coming in has drastically increased over the years.

 CB: Do you believe that we are going to pull in more crowds this year?

 GS: Yes, for sure. I have full faith in my publicity team. I am sure they will go more places than we have.

            CB: Finally, you are aware of our mascot YOSHI? How about we have an all girl cheerleading squad along with him? Do you think we will pull in more crowds?

 GS: (smiles wickedly) YES!!! Surely, as long as the principal is not affected by it. I'm perfectly fine with it.

CB: Now, if we do have the girl squad, would you like to be mascot Yoshi?

 GS: Who wouldn't? I would never say no to that.      

 -----

Edition #3- NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS By Karen A TE PPT

New year means new beginnings and what better way to make this year more fruitful as compared to the last than making a resolution and keeping it.

Some are serious and some others tongue-in-cheek. Hope you enjoy.

We asked our dear friends what they resolved to do or not do in 2009.

·        Work out, study hard and learn a language

                               - CHAITANYA   P.  TE  CE

·        Well  I resolved to eat a truckload of veggies instead of my non-veg binges but the motivation factor seems to be in the negative

                           -ARPITA SAMANTA   TE EXTC

·        Not to drink(too much water) and drive else I  will have to stop at every gas station to answer nature’s call.

                           -SUGANDHA RAO       SE PPT

·        I have been a spend thrift all through 2008 this year I want to set a limit on my expenses.

                            -Deepa Kamat TE EXTC

·        I will stop eating others Lunches when they are busy performing practicals

-                                     -Since this person does not want to be caught, Name not disclosed. (TE CE)

·        I will make use of my Library Card

-                                                                                  - ScaredofAuthority 

·        I resolve to study hard, and get more marks this time.

-                                         -Name withheld to avoid a major beating.(BE CE)

              

Well I just hope the people here keep their resolutions but the most famous and common resolution was to not have a RESOLUTION at all and enjoy each day as it comes.

Edition #3-Easy Magic: Simple Ring Levitation By Arun Parthasarathy, BE CE

Ok...since this is the first trick I am gonna teach you...lets keep it simple..

Effect: In this easy magic trick. A finger ring that's resting on a pencil mysteriously levitates on its own. There's some preparation involved, but you should have fun with this one.

Trick: To perform this, you need the following...

A pencil
A finger ring
Transparent Adhesive Tape
Black Thread (should be really thin such that it is almost invisible)

Preparation:
Using the transparent adhesive tape, attach a bit of the thread to the top of the pencil, to the metal part that is just under the eraser.

Hold the pencil in your hand, eraser side up. Run the other end of the thread to a button on your shirt or to a belt buckle. You'll need to anchor the other end of the thread on your body. If you choose to use a button, you can form a loop in the thread and wrap it around the button.
If you like, you can also tape the thread to your belt buckle. Of course, you're free to attach the end of thread in any manner that you wish.
You'll have to experiment a bit with the length. Basically, you'll want the thread to be fairly taut when you partially extend your arm in front of your body.
After you have done this you would have got the following set up.

  The thread should not be this thick.

Now here is how you do it...
Step 1:
With your thread in place, hold the pencil in your hand, as shown in the picture. You'll want the eraser side up. Drop the finger ring onto the pencil until it's resting on your hand.

 
Step 2:
Slowly draw your hand away from your body, which slowly tightens the thread. You'll see the ring begin to rise up as it rests against the thread. The picture shows how your hand moves forward, which makes the ring rise.


To make the ring descend, simply draw your hand toward your body and allow the thread to relax and drop the ring.
Make sure that you practice this one so you get the length of thread correct, as well as the motion of the hand to cause the ring to rise.
 

Edition #3-Euro 2008 PC Review By Vivek A. Radhakrishnan- BE CE

Euro 2008 is the second football game released in the year 2008 by EA Sports. It is built for both the play station as well as the PC platform and has eluded the eyes of many FIFA fanatics also part of the engineering college due to its release during the examination period.

The mid-year games released by EA, like EURO and FIFA WORLD CUP, generally have something new in store for us in terms of game-play.

The basic structure of EURO ‘08 is more or less similar to FIFA ‘08, the keys are the same with a few added features to the SHIFT key. The player details and graphics are same as in FIFA ‘08 and so are the system requirements.

EURO’s game-play comes with a lot of exciting new features:

·        The goalkeepers are not as sharp as that of FIFA ‘08. A normal lace shot (D) is enough to beat the keeper and you don’t always need the finesse shot (Q+D) or the chip shot (Z+D) to beat them.

·        The game physics is a lot more realistic. Now players do take some time to change directions so all those who hate defending will hate defending in Euro even more.

·        The TRIX Stick (SHIFT + direction keys) can be used for free kicks and penalties. This new feature is awesome and set pieces are a lot more fun now. You can actually curl the ball and “Bend it like Beckham” .

·        The star player feature has been reintroduced. In EURO ‘08, if you are trailing by a goal or more and it’s the last 10 minutes of the game, your star players’ skills increase -They get faster, more accurate and hit more powerful shots- and you can use them to win crucial and tight games.

·        The campaign mode is really long but at the same time fun to play. Campaign matches help you earn points which you can use to improve your players’ attributes and prepare them for the final competition. These points can be earned by scoring goals, slide tackling successfully, performing tricks successfully, scoring by a header, scoring a hat-trick etc. You also lose points for things like fouls and conceding goals. Hence, making the game play more interesting and finally some reward for those who play because of the flair of the game.

·        EURO ‘08 also includes manager reactions in the game which looks really funny. Also the balls used are really colourful and depend on the flag of the home teams’ nation, which is a little funny.

·        Finally, there is a change in commentary and the referee names are also given due attention.

My Rating: 3.5/5

The EURO ‘08 experience is definitely worth a try.