Linux-like terminal colours and correct EPD paths in OSX Leopard

After some searching on the internet, I have finally managed to configure my terminal so that it displays different colours for files, folders etc. (from here). I also managed to isolate the correct paths in my ~/.bash_profile for the various scientific python modules and the python installed by the Enthought python distribution. Since I am a complete noob at playing with the command line and other nerd features of the computer, it took me quite some time to round up all the correct paths for bash, python and EPD packages. But, here is a stylised visual of the paths in my ~/.bash_profile. I hope this helps all the other noobs who are desperately trying to establish more linux-like features in their Mac OSX (Leopard).

Matplotlib boxes and lines cheat sheet

I have recently discovered the joys of plotting data in python. However, since I have migrated from Origin, I have serious issues dealing with simple plotting features. In this series, I attempt to supplement already existing help on matplotlib for established Origin users who face a relatively steep learning curve with matplotlib.

In this post, I have simply created a visual summary of different types of boxes and lines for highlighting sections of data in graphs. I have essentially re-presented the contents of the original matplotlib help such as the graphics (scroll down here) and code (found here ) into a visual cheat sheet.

I hope this post and the subsequent follow ups will help more Origin users enjoy their matplotlib experiences by improving the efficiency of making plots. Moving from point-and-click software which encourage little thinking to plotting software that engages the brain while generating plots is always a good thing!

Please note that this summary is free to all. Please use it in any way you like. Also, if anyone finds a mistake do let me know. Enjoy!

Quick ‘n’ Dirty noodles

There posts galore in the Blogosphere on the subject of quick and easy meals. Here is another. Perhaps the only difference between mine and the rest is that all my recipes are vegetarian. The advantage of this recipe is that it is healthy (the carrots are steamed not fried) and the taste isn’t overpowered by oil or spices. The key seasonings are soy sauce, sesame oil and chilli flakes.

Ingredients

1 generic noodle cake (I use a 10 pack of Maggi noodle shaped noodles sans flavouring)
Soy sauce
Korean chilli flakes
Sesame oil
1 small onion
1 large carrot

Method

1. Cut the carrot into 1/4 circle slices.
2. Boil the carrot pieces in a covered saucepan. Use approximately 1/2 cup of water. Meanwhile, cut the onion into long slices.
3. When the carrots are almost cooked, break the noodle cake into several pieces and cook it for about 2-3 minutes.
4. Ready a frying pan once the above steps are over with 2 tsp of sesame oil and 1 tsp of vegetable oil.
5. When the frying pan is hot, fry the onions until golden brown.
6. If your frying pan is large enough (as mine is), combine the carrots and noodles with the onions. Mix and season with soy sauce to taste and 1-1 1/2 tsp of chilli flakes.

Notes

1. The sesame oil used during the frying imparts a subtle flavour to the dish so it shouldn’t really be skipped.
2. I cut the cooked noodles in the saucepan with a knife into smaller pieces so that they would mix well and evenly with the onions and seasonings.

Pretty Art II

More Inkscape Mania

Pretty Art I

Pattern created in Inkscape using this video

Religulous

A humourous cartoon depicting the ridiculous religious contrast between me and my grandmother. The TV in the background is showcasing some special song and dance about a man who lived life as an ascetic, Shirdi Sai Baba, but who is now regarded as an avatar of God.

My Rehearsal schedule on some days..

Gmail awesomeness..

First it was Gmail chat, then Gmail video and now, it is Gmail Tasks! GTD has never been awesomer!

Aie! My dancing is bringing me down..

While I am improving considerably with each class, I am still nowhere near ready for a production in less than three weeks! Oh Gods! Also, I feel like an uncoordinated baboon next to Varshini who weirdly enough is my understudy. There is some mix up here. She should really be Parvati while I should rightfully be her dancing monkey.

Oh Gawd!!! Why me?!?!?!?!

I have just discovered, to my dismay, that my samples, which I toiled over all weekend, contain more aluminium than gold! Can someone please shoot me! Turns out that the coating machine was fucked by someone a while ago and it now sputters bits of the electrode rather than the target. Fabulous. The next bit of good news is that I no longer have access to the cryostat because it is currently hard at work on a relatively rare sample. Fantabulous. I wonder what on earth I will present at my conference (which is in less than 2 weeks, hurrah!).