Turns out I needed to run a cron job. Whatever that was. A bit more reading and it turns out that cron is similar to Windows’ task scheduler. So you can get your system to run jobs using a table file. Ubuntu’s how-to showed me what needed to be done and using the info in the Squid related FAQ, I was able to populate the file easily enough.

sudo crontab -e

The above command caused a prompt for choice of editor. I chose nano. At the bottom of the file, I appended the entry as follows:

0 0 * * * /usr/sbin/squid -k rotate

This means that under the root user, squid will be involved with the parameters “-k rotate” which should do the trick. I found that all the apps I’d installed on Ubuntu seemed to be in the /usr/sbin directory.

Some more digging showed that when I find that the boot sequence appears hanged, I should press CTRL+ALT and F1 through F6 keys. I tried that and it got me into terminal mode. I’m not sure which key it was. Some more digging pointed out that the most likely culprit was the /var/log folder. So I went there and deleted all the files therein with the following:

sudo rm /var/log/*.*

That seemed to do the trick. But the issue was not yet solved. I’d just gotten a temporary reprieve. What was needed was a deep look into where my space was going. Luckily I found this article which had some great tips to offer. The ones that helped most were the tip about using baobab as a root user and deleting the root user’s trash files.

My big culprit was Squid. Next job is to modify Squid’s config to generate very tiny log files!

• 350F = 176C
• 325F = 162C

Universal crust for Gluten Free Dessert bars:

• 1 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup margarine or butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Recipe:

1. Blend flour, margarine, and brown sugar until crumbly
2. Press into a 9" square pan. Bake in 350F oven for 15 minutes

Lemon Bar

• 1 cup of white sugar
• 3 tbsp. lemon juice (i usually use 5 because I like it very lemony)
• 2 tbsp. corn starch
• 1.2 tsp. baking powder
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp. grated lemon rind

1. Stir together all ingredients except 1 tsp. lemon rind
2. Pour over baked base, return to oven at 325F for an additional 25 – 30 minutes until lightly browned and firm to the touch
3. Let cool completely in pan before serving
4. Dust with icing sugar and slice 
5. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1 week, or in the freezer for 3 months

Macaroon Bars

• 2 egg whites
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp. corn starch
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 cups coconut
• 1 cup of chocolate chips (can use dairy free, or pure cocoa)
• 1/2 cup walnuts (optional)

1. Mix together all egg whites, sugar, corn starch, and vanilla in a large bowl. Add coconut, chips, and nuts if desired 
2. Spoon mixture onto baked layer and bake for an additional 18 – 20 minutes at 350F.  Cool before cutting into bars

One of the best versions, according to the sender, is substituting the chocolate chips for dried apricots, cranberries, and cherries, and drizzling the bar with white chocolate.

Here’s the first one I got from Iran (elaborated):

Ingredients:

• 2 Aubergines
• 1 medium onion, roughly chopped
• 2 small tomatoes, halved and thinly sliced
• 1 cup yoghurt, well mixed and fluid (add water if needed)
• 1 tbsp. Mint powder
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsps. vegetable oil

Recipe:

1. With flame:
   Using the oil, coat the Aubergine’s skin and roast it on a low flame. You’ll find that it’ll char and go soft. Turn it slowly and often  to ensure that it roasts well without burning. Once done, leave it to cool in some water. Peel when ready
   OR
   With Oven:
   Halve the Aubergines lengthwise and coat it in oil. Using a fork, punch some holes into the Aubergine to allow heat to traverse and lay it flat on a baking sheet. In a preheated oven, leave it to bake for 10 minutes, or until the Aubergine softens enough to spoon out the flesh. Spoon out the flesh
2. On medium flame, fry the Onions in some oil until they’re translucent and soft
3. Using a fork, mash the Aubergines and onions together. Add salt and pepper to taste as you mash
4. Using very little oil, fry the mint powder gently and briefly. Add this to the yoghurt and mix well (the mint powder is a substitute for the original Iranian mix – I suspect it’s a bit like Tzatziki powder)
5. Add this yoghurt to the Aubergines and enjoy with the tomato slices and some pita bread

In case you were wondering, I sent out my favorite Sai Bhaji and Gobi Aloo recipe.

		Lotus Temple VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Today I visited the Baha’i Temple on the outskirts of Delhi. It was a good opportunity to try out my camera and catch some sights of Delhi at the same time, and having a guest over was the perfect excuse.

Getting there was easy as falling off a log. Easier, perhaps. The thermometer showed that it was about 19 degrees outdoors. So, the weather was warm enough for a walk to the metro station. Within minutes we were headed towards Kalkaji station on the violet line. The temperature inside the metro was a bit too warm and I had to shed a layer to stop overheating.

We got off at the Kalkaji station and headed towards the temple at a slow pace, enjoying the  Seeing it from a distance, I’d formed a vague impression of the place, but being there I had an impression of horizons opening up.There were a good number of tourists visiting and walking through the gardens to the temple, I was a bit disappointed that the gardens had been closed off. I can imagine why, but it was still a bit disappointing.

As we approached the temple things started getting more orderly as guards and ushers asked people to form a line. Closer to the temple, we waited as the group ahead of us lined up. Two ushers formed two groups in front of the temple entrances and proceeded to give them a talk. I was curious as to what they’d have to say. I found out soon enough; it was a brief introduction about the Baha’i faith and a request that we proceed into the temple quietly and not disturb the peace with conversation, mobile phones or cameras.

The prayers were as magical as one could’ve imagined. The acoustics of the place gave the recitals a very hallowed feel and I was amazed at the fact that everyone was so quiet inside. I’d love to learn some more about the Baha’i faith.

So, some research was needed. I called up the previous owner, and AJ’s response was, “What?! You want to change the tyre yourself? Take it to the service center.” Um, yeah, but the tyre’s flat, so how did he suggest I move it. “Call them. That’s what they’re there for.”  Not satisfactory. So, I rang up the workshop and told them that my tyre wouldn’t budge, and yes, I did know how to change one. “Kick it, and pour some water on it”, said they. Check and check. No budgy. I recalled something about using Coke, so I poured a full bottle of coke over the part where it joined the axle. No effect.

And today I was walking down the road and found a tyre repair workshop. I walked up to them and explained. “Hammer the wheel from the inside so it pops out.” I’d been jacking the car up and down for every damn suggestion I got, so after these 4 trials, I smoothly jacked up the car in under a minute and this time the advice worked. A few gentle hits with the hammer and out came the tyre! In 5 minutes I was working on the next problem: my curtain runners.

And as the Indian saying goes, Laatoon ke bhoot baatoon se nahi maante. Some situations just can’t be solved gently. Which actually might apply for my next experience too.

Note to self: To avoid this issue in the future, keep a hammer in the car.

In Germany, a few years ago, I was driving down a country lane near Stuttgart one weekend with friends. A man cycling alongside his dog, blocked the road ahead and refused to let us pass. He came up to the driver’s side and signaled that we should roll down the window. We did and he started an angry barrage at us. My friends later explained that he was protesting and angry because this road was closed on weekends for automobile traffic and we were violating his right to peacefully enjoy these surroundings. I laughed at his attitude then, but looking back at it now, I feel that he was right to rebuke us. I only wish that I and my fellow Indians find the integrity and courage to stand up for something.