Blah Blah Blog

A Doctor, a Mutation and a Potential Cure for AIDS

YK9 — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:51:14 GMT

"HIV is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Until now, HIV has no cure and has led to the deaths of over 25 million people. However, a possible cure has appeared. Dr. Gero Hutter, a brilliant physician in Germany, replaced the bone marrow of an HIV patient with the bone marrow of a donor who has natural immunity to HIV. The new bone marrow in the patient then produced immune-system cells that are immune to HIV. Being unable to hijack any immune cell, the HIV has simply disappeared. The patient has been free of HIV for about 2 years. Some physicians at UCLA have developed a similar therapy and plan to commercialize it." http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122602394113507555.html

See me perform on YouTube

YK9 — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 08:14:18 GMT

This is a song we did for my company's Diwali celebration & talent show that took place on 10/24. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQq5YhMFdyg Check out my YouTube profile for additional Hindi webcam action :-)

US Army To Develop "Thought Helmets"

YK9 — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 08:30:38 GMT

"Soldiers barking orders at each other is so 20th Century. That's why the U.S. Army has just awarded a $4 million contract to begin developing "thought helmets" that would harness silent brain waves for secure communication among troops. Ultimately, the Army hopes the project will "lead to direct mental control of military systems by thought alone"..." http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1841108,00.html I got to experience this technology first hand during Yuri's Night back in April, where NeuroSky demonstrated their "MindSet" headset for brainwave-controlled video games. http://www.neurosky.com/menu/main/technology/product_summary/

Anyone going to Radiohead tonight at GG Park?

YK9 — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:48:23 GMT

Hit me up if you want to go together.

Psyched

YK9 — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:52:25 GMT

Back in SF after amazing 2 weeks in Israel, Boom Festival and Lisbon. I am still integrating everything I’ve gone through, including time with old friends in Tel Aviv, driving adventures on the way to Idanha-a-Nova and magical Boom experiences. Truly this vacation is turning out real nice and still ahead of us is Radiohead concert in GG Park on Friday (anybody going btw?) and of course BM next week. Boom turned out to be one of the most fun and inspirational experiences of my life! In many ways it is even better than BM and includes lots of other things to do and learn besides just dancing. Our camp was an awesome group of people from Philadelphia/NY/Denver/SF and naturally many random and deep connections took place all the time. I especially enjoyed the workshops, “groovy beach” and sacred fire. The food was awesome too. I am now going back to work for 3 days and need to finalize my BM plans. I’ll be heading out of town around Monday evening and will probably hit BRC on Tuesday morning. I am taking Pearl with the same setup as last year and trying to find friends who can reserve a small area for me. I plan to leave the playa around Saturday afternoon (right before the burn), although I am open to stay until Sunday afternoon if it works out that way. Hope to see many of you at Synchronize tonight. I’ll be there, but not too late. Blessings.

Save the Internet

YK9 — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 04:58:09 GMT

Take a few minutes to learn about Net Neutrality in this 10 minute video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4332830819848713435 Spread the word!

Happy Solstice

YK9 — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:14:31 GMT

This years summer solstice occur at its earliest in more than 100 years. The last time it fell on June 20 was in 1896, a time when Queen Victoria ruled England and the first modern Olympic Games took place. It was also a leap year, like 2008. Have a great summer!

Bacteria make major evolutionary shift in the lab

YK9 — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:46:17 GMT

"A major evolutionary innovation has unfurled right in front of researchers' eyes. It's the first time evolution has been caught in the act of making such a rare and complex new trait. And because the species in question is a bacterium, scientists have been able to replay history to show how this evolutionary novelty grew from the accumulation of unpredictable, chance events..." http://www.newscientist.com/channel/life/dn14094-bacteria-make-major-evolutionary-shift-in-the-lab.html

Numbers

YK9 — Sun, 11 May 2008 00:18:06 GMT

Today, the estimated population of the world has passed 6,666,666,666 people. 5,555,555,555 was passed about 14 years ago. You may not realize that only a 80 years ago, the population of the Earth was only around 2 billion. Indeed the population of the world has increased at an alarming rate in recent times. Although the growth rate is almost half what it was at its peak in 1963, when it was 2.2%. Unrelated but an interesting coincidence: the estimated number of available IPv4 addresses has gone below 666,666,666 today as well... World population clock: http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/popclockworld.html Available IPv4 address counter: http://entne.jp/tool/toollist/000101.php Image: 6x6 magic square

NASA Offers $5000 a Month For You to Lie in Bed

YK9 — Fri, 09 May 2008 00:07:31 GMT

"Need a break from the working, walking, and standing required by the demanding and stressful life you lead? Well, pack your bags for Houston because NASA wants to pay you $17,000 to stay in bed for 90 straight days..." http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/05/nasa-offers-500.html

Attack of the Clones, for real

YK9 — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:48:09 GMT

Two unrelated stories from slashdot attracted my eye today: 1. The world's first cloned sniffer dogs have begun their training in South Korea, as reported here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/21/2223407.htm 2. The U.S. Department of Defense has announced the creation of the Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine to "harness stem cell research and technology... to reconstruct new skin, muscles and tendons, and even ears, noses and fingers.", as reported here: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49610 I wonder if George Lucas gets any royalties...

Looking for good Internet radio resources

YK9 — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 20:38:20 GMT

Can you recommend good Internet radio stations to listen during work? Electronic music of all types is usually my favorite but any other quality station will be appreciated…

Do you have a meat grinder I can borrow?

YK9 — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:49:37 GMT

Hi, For the upcoming passover holiday I have been tasked with cooking gefilte-fish for 25 people. I am going to attempt my family's secret recipe which calls for a meat grinder. I don't want to buy a new one - perhaps you can lend me yours? In return I will happily give some samples of the celebrated dish - that is if you are into boiled and cooled fish patties... Many thanks!

Watch this amazing 19 minute talk - "my stroke of insight"

YK9 — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 07:56:35 GMT

I came across this amazing TED talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/229 "Neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor had an opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: One morning, she realized she was having a massive stroke. As it happened -- as she felt her brain functions slip away one by one, speech, movement, understanding -- she studied and remembered every moment. This is a powerful story about how our brains define us and connect us to the world and to one another."

Change is the only constant

YK9 — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 04:38:11 GMT

New year, new beginnings and many changes are just around the corner: After more than 9 years of working for the same company, I will be leaving next week and start soon after in a new place. It will be an interesting transition for sure – moving from a company of about 120 people, most of which I know personally, to a huge monster of 4000+ employees in 35 countries. They are willing to sponsor my green card (finally this issue will be resolved) so I welcome the new experience and grateful for it. As I leave my old job I will also leave my PC behind and transition to a Mac. It’s funny to mention it in this context, but being a computer geek I am very excited about this move. Unfortunately I need to return my laptop soon and MacWorld is in 2 weeks. Afterwards I’m sure there will be some announcements and prices will drop by like $500. Of course being without Internet for even 5 days is out of the question. Agh, I’ll figure something out. During the weekend right before I start my new job I will also be leaving my current apartment and move to a new place in the dog-patch. It’s a very nice apartment with lots of potential – slightly cheaper than where I am now and almost twice the size. I have about a thousand ideas on how to deck it out. Last major change has to do with the detox I posted a while ago. After receiving lots of excellent advice I decided to go hardcore, use the opportunity that I’ll be home a lot anyway, and attempt the “master cleanse” - basically giving up all solid foods and only drinking water and lemonade for 10 days. I Hope I can do it… BTW, I have been Diet Dr. Pepper (and all other Aspartame products) free for 2 weeks now. I really haven’t been taking care of my body in the last year and I am starting to feel it... So that’s it. I will probably go underground for the next 2 weeks until I finish dealing with all of the above, but afterwards will emerge a new and improved Yariv. Give me a call if you want to come and hang out before I move out. The cleanse will probably keep me at home most of the time and I will appreciate the company. Much love

"Leave No Trace" - Really???

YK9 — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 23:08:17 GMT

Last night at Zero Ground, which was supposed to be an eco-conscious event, I was amazed at the quantities of plastic that was wasted on water bottles and cups. This really bothers me. Aren’t we all about “Leave No Trace”?!? If we can’t set an example, who will? I liked how in Symbiosis they tried to put this system for re-using dishes and cups. At parties where there is no food I think it should be even easier to do. So I’ve been doing the math: 300 pcs of 14oz thermal cups (see picture): you can get for about $2.8 per cup (including shipment) Water filtration system (purifies 200 gallon): about $60, about $0.2 per person if you count 300 Ice: shouldn’t be more than $1 per person for the entire night, right? The above means we can have the following system: In the next big party (200+ people expected) we can have – BYO cup will be $1 flat fee for purified water and ice the entire night. If you don’t have a cup we’ll sell you one for $4 (includes water fee). We will also provide pens and stickers so you can mark your cup. They have a lid and a handle and won’t spill. At the end of the night we will buy the cup back for $3, or you can keep it for the next party. Of course these cups are also good for beer and liquors. I am totally willing to put the capital for this experiment. Too bad it’s a bit late for the Tantra NYE party, but maybe next time? I’d like to know what you think. Is this a good idea? Would you participate? What do you think are the flaws with this system?

Burglarized!

YK9 — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 01:21:16 GMT

Yesterday I left my apartment around noon for just 40 minutes, and when I returned I was amazed to discover that my laptop was gone! I didn’t even think about bolting the door this time of day (honestly, I never use the deadlock) so it was very easy for the burglar to break in. The laptop itself belonged to my work so I am not too upset about it. I had backups for most of my stuff anyway… The thief also took my bag which contained my $200 earphones and iPod accessories. Bummer, but honestly I am not to upset about losing stuff – this is life... The burglar however had a very good day. One other apartment in my building was hit, plus another one across the street. Each time only light electronic devices were taken. Based on the time of day and the unlikelihood of this happening exactly during this short time I was away, I suspect the burglar was standing in the hall, just waiting for someone to leave without locking the deadbolt. Please join me in sending good energies to the thief. May he/she overcome whatever drives them to resort to this.

Looking for advice about cleansing and detoxifying

YK9 — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 07:54:43 GMT

Recently I have been feeling low on energy and I think I am long due for a cleanse/detox. I know many of you tried various methods and products so I wonder if you have any recommendations/tips/resources to offer. I’ve never done this before so any help would be appreciated. Many thanks!

Seattle

YK9 — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:50:30 GMT

I'm going to spend 2 nights in Seattle next week, Monday 12/3 and Tuesday 12/4. I'm going there on business, which has become the theme these days. The week after I'll be in Salt Lake City, UT. Anybody has good ideas for things to do in either city between say 7pm and 12am?

Camping adventure this Saturday

YK9 — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 20:58:01 GMT

I decided to book a camping spot at Big Basin State Park just for the heck of it. I might use it or not. It just seems like a shame to waste this perfect weather. Pearl is loaded with fire wood and ready to go. Maybe you like to join? Just putting it out there as a possible option...

Green Festival & Expo – Nov 9, 10, 11 in SF

YK9 — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:00:34 GMT

I am thinking about visiting it on Saturday. Anybody interested in joining? http://www.greenfestivals.org/content/view/626/281/

I need a vacation

YK9 — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 01:27:16 GMT

"A thing long expected takes the form of the unexpected when at last it comes." -- Mark Twain

Back from Hawaii

YK9 — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 16:59:59 GMT

Greetings everyone, My trip to Maui and Hawaii was AMAZING, but I am glad to be back and already running around like crazy preparing for BM. I really wanted to stop by Synchronize last night but fell asleep so hard that the alarm simply didn't wake me. I hope you are all well - I missed you very much! Pictures from my trip are here: http://picasaweb.google.com/yarivk9 Hope to see you soon!

Warning! Never trust Nik Pastor (Nikon) with money

YK9 — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 10:05:16 GMT

After thinking long and hard about this, I’d like to share the story of how Nik Pastor (Nikon) stole $600 from me. Before I go into detail I’d like to point out that I don’t post this story out of anger or revenge. My goal is simply to warn others, because as you will soon see I was only one victim among many, and I fear that Nik will do it again unless his behavior becomes known... So the story goes like this: about 10 months ago I received a call from Nik who told me that he is in a financial difficulty because of legal issues with his label Psybertribe Records. He wanted to raise $6000 and asked how much I can help, offering to pay me back within 2 month at the most. Because Nik was always very nice to me and because I think he is a very talented, I agreed to help him with $600 and told him he can pay me back until the end of 2006. Nik thanked me and asked me to keep this interaction to myself – saying he feels very vulnerable coming to me and that he doesn’t want people to think his label is in trouble. I agreed. Time went by and I didn’t hear anything from Nik. Instead, I started hearing more and more stories about people who Nik scammed in various ways during the last year. The list includes people like me who Nik called in a “state of vulnerability”, roommates and landlords that didn’t receive rent money, artists that provided tracks to his label and so on. The list is VERY long. Where is all this money going to I wonder...? Obviously if I had known about this, I would never have agreed to help Nik. I contacted him several times and asked him to give me even just a portion of the money, as much as he can afford at the moment, but I never received a penny. Instead I always heard empty promises, excuses, and lies. I stopped counting how many times Nik left me messages with promises that never amounted to anything. So now I decided to make this issue public and offer this advice: * If you give money to Nik, don’t expect to get it back. You should know that there is a VERY long line of people he owes money to. * If you are buying CDs from Nik thinking that you are contributing to the SF psytrance culture, then ask around and see how many artists that contributed tracks to his release actually got paid... (If you are an artist that actually got paid – please respond and correct me!). Behavior like this is giving a bad name to the SF psytrance scene! * If Nik asked you to keep quiet about money you gave him – don’t do it! This is why he is able to keep doing it to so many people. As I started to share my story with the “elders of the SF tribe” I was shocked to learn that many are aware of his behavior which has been going on for many months! Why isn’t anybody talking about this?!? Maybe some people think that talking about it will give Nik an excuse not to pay back the money. I personally believe I’ll never get anything back anyway, and I seriously doubt Nik EVER intended to pay me back. * Pass this story on. The next person to get hurt might be your friend. If you suspect that Nik is asking money from people you know, warn them about his behavior so they see the whole picture before agreeing to give money. Nik – I hope that this post will encourage you to stop this behavior towards your “friends”. I truly hope that you re-channel your talent into positive areas.

Coming soon... Outpost 23 Ignition

YK9 — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 19:15:40 GMT

August 4th - save the date. Come and support the psytrance boom-bus art car project for BM 2007! Lineup: 09:00PM-10:00PM - Fanboy (H.O.T.H., Freaknation)) 10:00PM-11:30PM - *christine* (Vaporvent Records) 11:30PM-01:00AM - Meta (Highway 604, Geomagnetic.tv) 01:00AM-02:30AM - Konflux (Phar Psyde Records, LA) 02:30AM-04:30AM - Paul Taylor (Spun Records, U.K.) 04:30AM-06:00AM - Obu (Bombay Power, Outpost 23, Dreamlabs.MX) Location: 3201 3rd St, San Francisco, CA Details: http://www.outpost23.org