Old Faithful of California

It seems just normal. For someone who is not fascinated by nature and its phenomenon, this is just another 'ordinary fountain'. The landscape is barren, a dry and rusty mountain in the background. Bamboos and tall pampas grass and in the middle lies a small pond with moss underneath. It looks very ordinary place until the water gushes out

Magnificent and spectacular; hot water accompanied with steam; shoots up to 60 feet in the air; around 177 degree Celsius hot. In awe, I witnessed a geothermal geyser for the first time in my life. I have always wanted to visit Yellowstone National Park or New Zealand to witness these hot springs. Never knew one existed right here in California; that also in the famous wine county of Napa valley. Thanks to my dear friend and his wife who took me there.

The backdrop of Mount St. Helena, Old Faithful towers up high in the air for a period of 2-3 minutes at regular intervals of 10-20 minutes; and then recedes. Its calm and barren all over again until it shoots out again. Its called Old Faithful because it is regular and periodic and erupts without fail.

Factors like moon, tides, barometric pressure and the tectonic stresses determine the interval and the height of the geyser shoots. These geysers can be utilized to harness geothermal power and hot thermal springs are good source of minerals that could be used for health spas and volcanic ash rich in minerals for mud bath.

They can be observed for probable earthquake occurrences. 2-14 days prior to earthquake, the geyser gives warning by delaying its regular performance to long intervals. A geyser exists only where conditions within earth's crust are right for it. Natural supply of water, heat source and series of fissures, cavities and fractures Surrounding formations of rock must be very strong to maintain the intense pressure of steam explosion.

When the water from deep within flows over the hot magma or lava waste, it boils and collects in cavities. Under ordinary conditions, the water, the heat and the underground structure remain still and constant. Thats why the water shoots out at regular intervals. Any deviation in this pattern relate to earthquake and that's how the geyser can predict  earthquakes.

We spent around an hour or so; saw 7-8 performances of the geyser. Its mystic; out of nowhere from the earth's crust, boiling water and steam erupts and then calms down. The mount St. Helena in the background is composed of 2.4 million year old volcanic rocks. The area has volcanic rocks all around, and its breath-taking and gorgeous. I felt the water in the pond, the water at the border was warm; I could guess how hot it must be at the center!

Isn't nature mystical?

The pond, behind is mount St. Helena

Geyser just started.

The height at which it shoots up

A well nearby

What is REAL?

How far can we go to seek entertainment? Scoops, sensations, undercover operations, gossips, controversies, reality shows.....

All these and more to satisfy disloyal audience who could change their loyalty more quicker than our politicians changing their parties,  and to increase the TRPs of television channels.

There is absolutely no reality in the reality television, except for the name. The dialogues, the moves, the actions every bit is planned, designed and orchestrated as if they were impulsive and natural. Tapping the fact that human nature being curious to something illegal or unsocial or sinful like extra-marital issues, sex, love, treachery; these shows go on to create nationwide sensation.

They preach wrong ideals, are fiercely competitive, those who can survive the competition by hook or by crook are the winners; and what they claim is the act of survival; self help and sheer boldness. Does calling names, using cuss words, bitching, seemingly voyeuristic advances etc qualify for boldness? It is to such an extent that the participant tends to forget the real self.

These participants are mere commodities who just want 15 minutes of fame and little money. Its tragic that they lose their identity forever and later are in pangs trying to identify their original self. The extreme pressure to perform outstandingly good, competition with the best, the consciousness of being seen live by millions of people and the constant appraisals and criticisms by the judges in the name of advice and suggestions - all these take a toll.

But the most pathetic tragedy in these reality shows are employing kids. The kids have no idea of what is being asked from them. They are not aware what a pelvic thrust they do in the name of dance would suggest. Little girls as paired with adults and are expected to dance in a sensuous and provocative manner. The clothes and gestures are inappropriate, total mismatch to these kids age. They are made to use filthy languages and behave offensively. Boys as young as 3 years are made to mouth lengthy dialogues and made to mimicry film artistes. Parents want to show that their kids are smart. What would these kids know? Why are they subjected to such torture? Is anyone bothered about the impact in the long run? Does anyone realize that this trauma can leave a scar and make these kids doubt their ability forever and lower their self confidence?

They are trained to perform and they become just performing creatures with manufactured antics, they are trained to look provocatively at the camera, they are trained to talk sensuous, they are trained to walk, to laugh, to see......they go about their trained rituals as if it were natural. They have so much pressure to succeed, else they have to carry the guilt of letting down their parents, friends and mentor and losing their respect and prestige.

Its a disaster, the participants suffer from harsh realities of grueling routines, constant verdicts from judges, expectations and fear of losing. This is REAL and is tragic.

ZooZoos - stars of IPL

I have been tuning onto Set MAX everyday during IPL matches. No, I am not one among the 1 billion cricket crazy fans. So why IPL? Its during the IPL matches that the latest Vodafone's ZooZoos advertisements are aired between breaks. I am crazy about them, they make me go ga-ga; to jump around with joy.

Image from http://www.emergingyouths.com/entertainment/67-cool-stuffs/211-vodafones-latest-ad-sensation-qzoozooq.html

Indian advertisement has come a long way. Well, there are quite few senseless ones - like the Clinic Plus shampoo. The cricket coach asks the girl's mother "What if her hair gets damaged?" What the heck!!! I wonder where have all these creative media person vanished? But this particular piece is brilliant, hits the nail at the right spot.

These little characters with a large head, tiny limbs and a huge belly laughing out captures the audience. I would bet there would be not one person who does not like it. They are called ZooZoos, they are so lovable, cute and charming; innocent folks laughing and making fun, naive and simple. The concepts are so brilliant that they perfectly compliment to the service/product they are advertising about.

These ZooZoos are the star in their own right. A great success amongst many advertisements which features celebrities, extravagant settings; yet fail to capture the audience. This fine piece with just ZooZoos, bland and simple backdrop but brilliant concept has captured every one's heart. Be it the ZooZoo teasing a crocodile with a fish(Missed Call service) or the one in which a ZooZoo shares its shower with another(Chota Credit).

Image from http://www.emergingyouths.com/entertainment/67-cool-stuffs/211-vodafones-latest-ad-sensation-qzoozooq.html

And mind you, ZooZoos are not animation, but real life professional ballet dancers who were made to wear body suits. The supposedly animated look was an illusion that was created to be intentional.

Image from http://www.emergingyouths.com/entertainment/67-cool-stuffs/211-vodafones-latest-ad-sensation-qzoozooq.html

This advertisement is a perfect example of communicating the technicality of the product in a consumer-friendly manner. The crux here was the ability to communicate effectively with an unconventional idea and it struck gold.