Every couple have a song(s) that mean something special to them. This is one of our two! Truly timeless..I always feel lyrics are as important as the score.. could never enjoy a song with bad lyrics however good the score might be..Cant really spot the difference between Latha Mangeshkar then and now! The male lead is Manna dey, score is by Shanker Jaikishan and lyrics by Shailendra. Posted by Yours Truly ;)
Friday, May 30, 2008
Stanley and Iris by Martin Ritt
A movie I never wanted to end but go on and on.. Starring Robert De Niro and Jane Fonda. A simple story about a working class woman and a man who doesnt know the letters. The movie brings home with sensitivity the kind of a silent world that an illiterate man resides in - something very close to how a person who cannot speak will go through. Robert De Niro's struggle with himself and his illiteracy is poignantly presented. Jane Fonda is the gentle and encouraging teacher, who refuses to judge him but sees the best in him that he himself doesnt see.
The lesser said about the movie the better enjoyed it is.
A lovely evening watch.
My Rating: 8/10
The lesser said about the movie the better enjoyed it is.
A lovely evening watch.
My Rating: 8/10
Thursday, May 29, 2008
The Titanic
I recently chanced upon the tales of the Titanic passengers on this site. There are several interesting thoughts that came to my mind
a) Even in acts of God, there is some amount of control given to human hands. For example, some men even after the first jab of the iceberg made a bold decision to get on to the lifeboats whereas some others thought it was safer on the Titanic since it was supposed to be 'unsinkable'. Thus the first lifeboat only had 28 people on it - half its capacity. Now, at this point , getting on to the cold black waters vis-a-vis the still relative comfort of the Titanic is a calculated risk. Those who took it survived and those who didnt perished. And it is a change from the status quo. An action. In most high-pressure situations, it is easier to lay still and let fate unfold. That is what some seem to have done, only to pay a heavy price later.
b)If you go through the biographies of all those who escaped and those who perished - you will find a mix there. Noble ones ( Like the woman who let her friend go since she had 'Children waiting back home') when there was only one last place left, or the gentlement who helped all the woman and children on board - they perished. But those who dressed as women to escape and those who even later in life cheated and swindled public money went on to live a 90+ years. But even this is not black and white. Good ones like 'Molly Brown' also survived to live a good life. So there really is no reason or logic! I know.I know. It is foolish to seek for logic in God's handiwork but couldnt help looking for one!
c) There are survivors who beat the odds in any situation. There is a business man who - not waiting for the life boats - vacuums out his suitcase, wraps a fur coat around it, ties it with a belt and buoys himself in the water - till one of the Carpathia boats / other life boats could afford to help him! A man who truly took his fate into his own hands.
d) A man who's mother was born on board a ship in almost the exact same place 82 years ago, drowned there. One of the ladies had an egyptican prophecist tell her that she will face a sinking ship, an earthquake and a motor accident and she will die in the last calamity. She did. One 62 year old woman declared to 'Molly Brown' that she could feel an ill omen foreboding her even before she boarded the Titanic. She was proven right!
Truth is, at most times, stranger than fiction.
a) Even in acts of God, there is some amount of control given to human hands. For example, some men even after the first jab of the iceberg made a bold decision to get on to the lifeboats whereas some others thought it was safer on the Titanic since it was supposed to be 'unsinkable'. Thus the first lifeboat only had 28 people on it - half its capacity. Now, at this point , getting on to the cold black waters vis-a-vis the still relative comfort of the Titanic is a calculated risk. Those who took it survived and those who didnt perished. And it is a change from the status quo. An action. In most high-pressure situations, it is easier to lay still and let fate unfold. That is what some seem to have done, only to pay a heavy price later.
b)If you go through the biographies of all those who escaped and those who perished - you will find a mix there. Noble ones ( Like the woman who let her friend go since she had 'Children waiting back home') when there was only one last place left, or the gentlement who helped all the woman and children on board - they perished. But those who dressed as women to escape and those who even later in life cheated and swindled public money went on to live a 90+ years. But even this is not black and white. Good ones like 'Molly Brown' also survived to live a good life. So there really is no reason or logic! I know.I know. It is foolish to seek for logic in God's handiwork but couldnt help looking for one!
c) There are survivors who beat the odds in any situation. There is a business man who - not waiting for the life boats - vacuums out his suitcase, wraps a fur coat around it, ties it with a belt and buoys himself in the water - till one of the Carpathia boats / other life boats could afford to help him! A man who truly took his fate into his own hands.
d) A man who's mother was born on board a ship in almost the exact same place 82 years ago, drowned there. One of the ladies had an egyptican prophecist tell her that she will face a sinking ship, an earthquake and a motor accident and she will die in the last calamity. She did. One 62 year old woman declared to 'Molly Brown' that she could feel an ill omen foreboding her even before she boarded the Titanic. She was proven right!
Truth is, at most times, stranger than fiction.
Monday, May 19, 2008
St Paul's Cathedral, London
Visited StPaul's Cathedral on Saturday. It was an amazing experience. The beauty of the Cathedral with its expanded style, the stained glass paintings, the etched images, the gate of tijou, the American Chapel, The light of the world image.. it was overwhelmingly beautiful. The minute you enter the cathedral, there is a settling feeling of peace. The tall and wide structure - as intended by Christopher Wren,the architect- opens your heart wide open and lets it free. If you ever visit the place do not forget to opt for the audio guide. It is non-intrusive and very well directed. At appropriate places, the audio stops to play some music that so soothes and refreshes you. When we went there was a marriage in the Cathedral plus a crowd of atleast 500 people. But there was such a silence except for the wedding march that nobody would have guessed such a crowd was inside. I plan to visit again for the place is really something. It also takes a good half a day - if you really want to appreciate every inch of the place. You could sit in front of the American Chapel and the Light of the world image for a good half an hour just absorbing their beauty and richness of detail.
Very well maintained, well organised by the admin and finely appreciated by the visitors.
Click below for a virtual tour for you to get a sense of what I am saying..
http://www.sphericalimages.com/stpauls/virtual_tour.htm
Can't deny the sense of regret at the thought of our ancient Indian architectural marvels, that - if only appreciated and looked after as much as this one, would inspire as much awe and respect- if not more.
Very well maintained, well organised by the admin and finely appreciated by the visitors.
Click below for a virtual tour for you to get a sense of what I am saying..
http://www.sphericalimages.com/stpauls/virtual_tour.htm
Can't deny the sense of regret at the thought of our ancient Indian architectural marvels, that - if only appreciated and looked after as much as this one, would inspire as much awe and respect- if not more.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Moham Ennum - Sindhu Bhairavi
One of my most favourite pieces of music..Ilayaraja and Jesudas - an eclectic combo. The lyrics, the score and the action have set a level that cannot be crossed. A rare score that allows a man to feel, to give voice to his struggle between conflicting commitments, without being effete.Dont know if you can as finely appreciate it if you cant understand the lyrics or the context. But I wouldnt be surprised if you did!
Thelma and Louise by Ridley Scott
A poignant movie about the unrelenting friendship between a housewife and a waitress. Starting out on an innocent weekend trip the pair's life takes a dangerous turn. One evil man's interruption in their lives dooms them forever. But in those 24 - 48 hours between the time they start on the trip to the heart-breaking finale, these two women live a life that they hadnt in their entire lifetime before those hours.
As different as chalk and cheese, they bicker, they are prejudiced against each other, they tear each other into pieces but are fiercely committed to their friendship without ever having the need to say so. Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis do a brilliant job - surprising that they lost out on the Academy awards. The movie has won one for the Screenplay though. The movie wonderfully captures their metamorphosis like an amoeba in directions they themselves havent fathomed before..
Brad Pitt - the cowboy petty thief- didnt realise he was used in movies as a 'dish' even back then ;)
No woman will come back from this movie without missing their closest friends..past and present..and identifying themselves as Thelma and Louise seperately and together.. No man will be able to resist saying ' pfffff.. women! what were they thinking..'
My rating 8/10
As different as chalk and cheese, they bicker, they are prejudiced against each other, they tear each other into pieces but are fiercely committed to their friendship without ever having the need to say so. Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis do a brilliant job - surprising that they lost out on the Academy awards. The movie has won one for the Screenplay though. The movie wonderfully captures their metamorphosis like an amoeba in directions they themselves havent fathomed before..
Brad Pitt - the cowboy petty thief- didnt realise he was used in movies as a 'dish' even back then ;)
No woman will come back from this movie without missing their closest friends..past and present..and identifying themselves as Thelma and Louise seperately and together.. No man will be able to resist saying ' pfffff.. women! what were they thinking..'
My rating 8/10
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Coming Home..
Coming back from a stranger's arms
To mum's own
Rushing from school
To find mom and sis and bros and dad and hot bhajjis!
Returning from an exhilirating inter-collegiate programme
To the hostel
To familiar room-mates
To banter through the night
Looking forward for the weekend
To catch up with by now scattered friends
And old books that remind you of the carefree days
In a far way city that is home to your job
And now..
Just closing the day
With somebody who knows-not to judge you in anyway
And where 'Being You' makes you endearing and a delight to be with..
'Coming home' is truly a pleasure..
Knowing this will further evolve..
And hoping that
I will be 'Home' too someday to somebody..
Is one of the few reasons..
Tomorrow looks promising and worth planning for..
To mum's own
Rushing from school
To find mom and sis and bros and dad and hot bhajjis!
Returning from an exhilirating inter-collegiate programme
To the hostel
To familiar room-mates
To banter through the night
Looking forward for the weekend
To catch up with by now scattered friends
And old books that remind you of the carefree days
In a far way city that is home to your job
And now..
Just closing the day
With somebody who knows-not to judge you in anyway
And where 'Being You' makes you endearing and a delight to be with..
'Coming home' is truly a pleasure..
Knowing this will further evolve..
And hoping that
I will be 'Home' too someday to somebody..
Is one of the few reasons..
Tomorrow looks promising and worth planning for..
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Good Fellas by Martin Scorsese
My first ever Martin Scrosese movie was The Taxi Driver. Bad choice for somebody who had no clue. The movie disturbed me to no end.Since then I have consciously kept away from his movies. Until now.
If you can cross the first three scenes in this movie without barfing.. then congratulations..you have passed the litmus test to handle the rest. I think what is most disturbing is the gore and blood is so matter of fact. No loud background scores, no close-up shots, no nothing. Three guys on a road, a banging noise from the boot, loads of profanities and before you realise it, the guys get down, check the boot, realise that the half-dead man is throbbing, one of them pulls out a knife and whack, whack,whack.
Now for the not-so-faint hearted.. the story.The movie is through the eyes of Henry (Ray Liotta) who has 'as far as he can remember, always wanted to be a gangster'. He takes us through his growth from a teen flunkie of the gang to one of its 3 very powerful members. This 3-some also includes his one-time idol Jimmy (Robert De Niro). Paul - the head guy keeps warning them to keep of the drugs business but they just dont. In the end it destroys their friendship, themselves and their families. The movie draws you in and leaves you with regret as though you have been part of the gang and all that they have been through. I have seen Ray Liotta perform better though his scope in this movie is quite huge despite the other talented cast. De Niro is understated and just right for his part. I personally found the head guy Paul funny though he is meant to intimidate. He has what Sidney Lumet calls 'Search light' eyes that take aeons to pass from one person to the other! Karen (Lorraine Braco) Henry's wife - seems the smartest of the lot - except for her loose possessiveness for her husband. You keep an eye out for her in the movie and you realise she is more rational and shrewd than the whole gang put together!
My Rating : 7/10
If you can cross the first three scenes in this movie without barfing.. then congratulations..you have passed the litmus test to handle the rest. I think what is most disturbing is the gore and blood is so matter of fact. No loud background scores, no close-up shots, no nothing. Three guys on a road, a banging noise from the boot, loads of profanities and before you realise it, the guys get down, check the boot, realise that the half-dead man is throbbing, one of them pulls out a knife and whack, whack,whack.
Now for the not-so-faint hearted.. the story.The movie is through the eyes of Henry (Ray Liotta) who has 'as far as he can remember, always wanted to be a gangster'. He takes us through his growth from a teen flunkie of the gang to one of its 3 very powerful members. This 3-some also includes his one-time idol Jimmy (Robert De Niro). Paul - the head guy keeps warning them to keep of the drugs business but they just dont. In the end it destroys their friendship, themselves and their families. The movie draws you in and leaves you with regret as though you have been part of the gang and all that they have been through. I have seen Ray Liotta perform better though his scope in this movie is quite huge despite the other talented cast. De Niro is understated and just right for his part. I personally found the head guy Paul funny though he is meant to intimidate. He has what Sidney Lumet calls 'Search light' eyes that take aeons to pass from one person to the other! Karen (Lorraine Braco) Henry's wife - seems the smartest of the lot - except for her loose possessiveness for her husband. You keep an eye out for her in the movie and you realise she is more rational and shrewd than the whole gang put together!
My Rating : 7/10
Friday, April 18, 2008
abhi na jao chodkar
Magic is such as this one created by Sahir Ludhianvi, Jaidev, Mohmd Rafi and Asha Bonsle. The fond mischief in the lyrics and the score is what is so endearing.. note the mischief -' jo roj yun hi jaaogi..tho kis tarah nibhaogi?'
Marriage Compass!
I keep telling my K that the only reason I married him is 'coz he can make me laugh - no matter what the circumstance..and he re-affirmed it yet again!
Yesterday he innocently asked me if he could have an Egg dish the next day..In view of the fact that it was a Friday and we had mutually decided long back that no egg dishes would ever be cooked on tuesdays and fridays.. i went on a tirade of how it was just like him to be insensitive and not take such things seriously and so on and so forth.. he let me run my steam and said 'ok.. that means no egg dish tomorrow' - and went back to what he was doing..
The best part is that today - on Friday - I forget it is a Friday and ask him if he would like an egg dish - he turned fully towards me and repeated every word, re-enacted every intonation and every head thrust and stopped exactly where I did yesterday!.. and I burst out laughing uproariously.. Was I indeed so melo-dramatic, so hysterical and petty for such a small misdemeanour? Why, I never thought of myself to be such a drama queen! Next time, for sure I shall stop and think before I work myself into a temper!
You know that the Marriage Compass is pointing right - if as a couple you laugh more than once a day and more so if you are laughing at one of yourself or both!
Yesterday he innocently asked me if he could have an Egg dish the next day..In view of the fact that it was a Friday and we had mutually decided long back that no egg dishes would ever be cooked on tuesdays and fridays.. i went on a tirade of how it was just like him to be insensitive and not take such things seriously and so on and so forth.. he let me run my steam and said 'ok.. that means no egg dish tomorrow' - and went back to what he was doing..
The best part is that today - on Friday - I forget it is a Friday and ask him if he would like an egg dish - he turned fully towards me and repeated every word, re-enacted every intonation and every head thrust and stopped exactly where I did yesterday!.. and I burst out laughing uproariously.. Was I indeed so melo-dramatic, so hysterical and petty for such a small misdemeanour? Why, I never thought of myself to be such a drama queen! Next time, for sure I shall stop and think before I work myself into a temper!
You know that the Marriage Compass is pointing right - if as a couple you laugh more than once a day and more so if you are laughing at one of yourself or both!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Ram from Mars
All you modern girls
Raise your voices
In indignant haste
At my unjustified silence
Against Ram's silly rambles..
Sita! You silly girl..
I hear you squeal..
Fight for your rights woman!
My dear fellow women..
Years from now
When you are married
For the first few years
You will question and question and question your spouse
And receive no answers or worse
Receive answers that are tangential to a tangent
And post stepping past the threshold of that initial hope for wisdom
From year 5 if not sooner
You would just give up and listen
'Coz as he puts question after question to you..
Your mind will - like a lazy dog in the afternoon
Get up, look sulkily and go back to sleep on screen-saver mode..
Murmuring only to you..
'Whats the point?
He will never understand
Let me go home to mum!
And let this Martian be..'
Raise your voices
In indignant haste
At my unjustified silence
Against Ram's silly rambles..
Sita! You silly girl..
I hear you squeal..
Fight for your rights woman!
My dear fellow women..
Years from now
When you are married
For the first few years
You will question and question and question your spouse
And receive no answers or worse
Receive answers that are tangential to a tangent
And post stepping past the threshold of that initial hope for wisdom
From year 5 if not sooner
You would just give up and listen
'Coz as he puts question after question to you..
Your mind will - like a lazy dog in the afternoon
Get up, look sulkily and go back to sleep on screen-saver mode..
Murmuring only to you..
'Whats the point?
He will never understand
Let me go home to mum!
And let this Martian be..'
isko hi jeena kehtein hein tho yuhi jee lenge...
Play the song. Close your eyes. Listen to the lyrics. Go over them line by line.
S D Burman's background track will allow you to listen to those rich lyrics. He even manages to somehow enhance their meaning through the haunting score. Hemant kumar goes straight for the emotional jugular and S D Burman facilitates it mesmerisingly.. I for one never developed a liking for Guru Dutt's self-pity oriented themes.. but his rendition of these themes.. oh,the honest rendition .. with the rough edges left deliberately unpolished.. just phenomenal! Just think of a moment when you were at your weakest, drained, tired, misunderstood - and his songs will pay homage to your emotions - in the most graceful manner possible.
Click here for the song..
http://youtube.com/watch?v=dkKt8cGZPz4
S D Burman's background track will allow you to listen to those rich lyrics. He even manages to somehow enhance their meaning through the haunting score. Hemant kumar goes straight for the emotional jugular and S D Burman facilitates it mesmerisingly.. I for one never developed a liking for Guru Dutt's self-pity oriented themes.. but his rendition of these themes.. oh,the honest rendition .. with the rough edges left deliberately unpolished.. just phenomenal! Just think of a moment when you were at your weakest, drained, tired, misunderstood - and his songs will pay homage to your emotions - in the most graceful manner possible.
Click here for the song..
http://youtube.com/watch?v=dkKt8cGZPz4
Friday, April 11, 2008
Heat by Michael Mann
Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight.. an impressive cast. I rented the movie with great expectations. Turned out to be an out and out guy flick.. Lots of 'GO,GO,GO! ' and shoot outs and macho dialogues and what not.. full masala! Al Pacino's flamboyance in this movie reminds of the Tamil hero Vijaykanth! Hubby says am free to call Al -'Al Kanth' just for this one!
Now, dont get me wrong.. am not against flamboyant characterisation..if I think flamboyance suits a guy.. it is John Travolta.. I totally fell for that guy's ability to pull it off in 'Get Shorty'. With Al.. somehow it doesn't fly..
My Rating : 5/10
Also saw Frankie and Johnny by Garry Marshall ( Al again and Michelle Pfeiffer) and The Dirty Dozen by Robert Aldrich ( Lee Marvin and a whole others am not familiar with..)I have nothing much to say about either!
Now, dont get me wrong.. am not against flamboyant characterisation..if I think flamboyance suits a guy.. it is John Travolta.. I totally fell for that guy's ability to pull it off in 'Get Shorty'. With Al.. somehow it doesn't fly..
My Rating : 5/10
Also saw Frankie and Johnny by Garry Marshall ( Al again and Michelle Pfeiffer) and The Dirty Dozen by Robert Aldrich ( Lee Marvin and a whole others am not familiar with..)I have nothing much to say about either!
Thanksgiving!
Here's to somebody who..
Let go of you completely
But still when you are down..
Knows to write to you..
Exactly what will help you deal with it..
Lives with you day in and day out..
And still has it in him to be ok with all that you are..
And finds it possible to check in on your comforter
In the middle of the night - despite a raging fight
Worries, hurts and celebrates
As much as you do and tries to take some of your part
As only a mum can..
Adjusts, accepts and guides
Shares lessons from her own life
And helps you relate to someone important through
Milestones in her own struggle to relate and understand..
Comes over to your house to chill
And still cooks for you 'coz she is fond of you..
Though a happy-go-lucky person
Shows a rare but much appreciated, unexpected sensitivity
To what you may feel
Shares his vulnerabilities
Pulls back when hurt
But gets back with no grudges held
Is generous enough to take the time off
To write something nice
About an 'out of sight' person
Just pops out of nowhere
To connect again
Like there was no break inbetween
Always delighted to hear from you
And not shy to show it..
Uses you as a sounding board
And listens to you with respect
Is willing to go a step further
To understand and empathise what is not being said..
Digs you out of bales of others
And tells you day in and day out
What makes you special and
Gives you an opportunity to prove it..
Sits across the table cutting all heirarchies
And values your opinion
Communicating the reason why you are valued
So you make no mistake of false humility..
Calls you from a land very far away
At the hint of a crisis
And spends hours to guide and empathise
When there are absolutely no stakes left
But 6 years of seniority in a similar life and a growing fondness..
Knows when you are disturbed
And takes you to a Ghazal lunch
And cracks jokes that ensure you smile..
Stands by you like a rock
And more importantly
The person that is dear to you..
Despite the pressure that it brings..
Even while taking those tentative steps as an acquaintance
But crossed and boldy morphed into a friend
When the need suddenly arose
Always treated you with class like you were the most graceful of them all
Even when you werent sure exactly what that meant..
There..
I have attempted to count my infinite blessings!
Like somebody said
For the sake of the those above
Next time when there's a problem
I shall not tell you guys how big my problems are..
But
I shall tell my problems how great you guys are!
This is for each one of you who have made my life more beautiful..
By just being who you are..
Let go of you completely
But still when you are down..
Knows to write to you..
Exactly what will help you deal with it..
Lives with you day in and day out..
And still has it in him to be ok with all that you are..
And finds it possible to check in on your comforter
In the middle of the night - despite a raging fight
Worries, hurts and celebrates
As much as you do and tries to take some of your part
As only a mum can..
Adjusts, accepts and guides
Shares lessons from her own life
And helps you relate to someone important through
Milestones in her own struggle to relate and understand..
Comes over to your house to chill
And still cooks for you 'coz she is fond of you..
Though a happy-go-lucky person
Shows a rare but much appreciated, unexpected sensitivity
To what you may feel
Shares his vulnerabilities
Pulls back when hurt
But gets back with no grudges held
Is generous enough to take the time off
To write something nice
About an 'out of sight' person
Just pops out of nowhere
To connect again
Like there was no break inbetween
Always delighted to hear from you
And not shy to show it..
Uses you as a sounding board
And listens to you with respect
Is willing to go a step further
To understand and empathise what is not being said..
Digs you out of bales of others
And tells you day in and day out
What makes you special and
Gives you an opportunity to prove it..
Sits across the table cutting all heirarchies
And values your opinion
Communicating the reason why you are valued
So you make no mistake of false humility..
Calls you from a land very far away
At the hint of a crisis
And spends hours to guide and empathise
When there are absolutely no stakes left
But 6 years of seniority in a similar life and a growing fondness..
Knows when you are disturbed
And takes you to a Ghazal lunch
And cracks jokes that ensure you smile..
Stands by you like a rock
And more importantly
The person that is dear to you..
Despite the pressure that it brings..
Even while taking those tentative steps as an acquaintance
But crossed and boldy morphed into a friend
When the need suddenly arose
Always treated you with class like you were the most graceful of them all
Even when you werent sure exactly what that meant..
There..
I have attempted to count my infinite blessings!
Like somebody said
For the sake of the those above
Next time when there's a problem
I shall not tell you guys how big my problems are..
But
I shall tell my problems how great you guys are!
This is for each one of you who have made my life more beautiful..
By just being who you are..
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
The Sixth Sense
Chat
Mail
Skype
Orkut
Linkedin
Facebook..
How can you possibly miss anybody?
You ask.
Knowing that when she says that particular comment he'll smirk -
Turning around to catch that predictable reaction..
Catching her eyes across the room to wink about girly secrets ..
Secretly listening in as a group to a mundane telephone that is suddenly hilarious ...
Hearing their guttural laughter and joining in..
Teasing about her not-so-secret crushes..
Till its me who blushes and not she..
Oh.. it is very much possible to miss a lot of people
Despite a complete access to their electronic avtars..
Now, You get off G- talk
And come home to me.
Skype
Orkut
Facebook..
How can you possibly miss anybody?
You ask.
Knowing that when she says that particular comment he'll smirk -
Turning around to catch that predictable reaction..
Catching her eyes across the room to wink about girly secrets ..
Secretly listening in as a group to a mundane telephone that is suddenly hilarious ...
Hearing their guttural laughter and joining in..
Teasing about her not-so-secret crushes..
Till its me who blushes and not she..
Oh.. it is very much possible to miss a lot of people
Despite a complete access to their electronic avtars..
Now, You get off G- talk
And come home to me.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Dog Day Afternoon by Sidney Lumet
Again a real life adaptation, this movie is simply brilliant. The plot is fairly simple. An amateurish bank robbery that 'Sonny' almost pulls off..or so he thinks... Al Pacino is brilliant as the young and inexperienced 'Sonny' who wants desperately to satisfy everybody around him but fails at it every time. On a 'Dog Day Afternoon' he tries to rob a bank so that his boyfriend can afford to have a sex-change operation. The relationship between his boyfriend and him is potrayed as naturally as possible.. in Sidney's own words ' as conflicts in any relationship are.. only these are normal people in a bizarre situation'. There is no exaggeration or stereotyping of the relationship.
There are several brilliant scenes that stand out for their most un-melodramatic rendition of humane emotions.
a) The top scene has to be 'Sonny's' dictation of the will.. ' To Leon.. the only man I ever loved' and 'To Angie.. the only woman I ever loved'
b) 'Sonny's' spontaneous screaming of the anti-establishment chant 'Attica' that is soon picked up by the gathered crowd
c) 'Sonny's' mom trying to convince him to surrender or run.. without listening to a single word he says. A single scene that tells us the exact relationship between him and the authority figures in his life
d) His telecons with his wife and Leo.. the rage, the love, the generosity.. Al outshines himself several times over!
There is not a single studio-shot in th entire movie and the effect is phenomenal.. you feel part of the crowd watching the action..only you have closer access to Sonny's real and self-exaggerated predicaments. Like in 'Donnie Brasco' where you cannot but grow fond of 'Lefty' despite who he is.. here you can't help feeling sorry for Sonny and what becomes of him despite the fact that he took an option that shouldnt have been one for him in the first place..
My Rating : 8/10
There are several brilliant scenes that stand out for their most un-melodramatic rendition of humane emotions.
a) The top scene has to be 'Sonny's' dictation of the will.. ' To Leon.. the only man I ever loved' and 'To Angie.. the only woman I ever loved'
b) 'Sonny's' spontaneous screaming of the anti-establishment chant 'Attica' that is soon picked up by the gathered crowd
c) 'Sonny's' mom trying to convince him to surrender or run.. without listening to a single word he says. A single scene that tells us the exact relationship between him and the authority figures in his life
d) His telecons with his wife and Leo.. the rage, the love, the generosity.. Al outshines himself several times over!
There is not a single studio-shot in th entire movie and the effect is phenomenal.. you feel part of the crowd watching the action..only you have closer access to Sonny's real and self-exaggerated predicaments. Like in 'Donnie Brasco' where you cannot but grow fond of 'Lefty' despite who he is.. here you can't help feeling sorry for Sonny and what becomes of him despite the fact that he took an option that shouldnt have been one for him in the first place..
My Rating : 8/10
Google Google
Being soooooooo used to 'Googling' whatever I want.. it is strangely comical that my mind desperately wants to Google when..
a) I misplace my reading glasses/letter from home/internet banking password somewhere in the house and need to find it in a hurry..
b) I cant remember the name of the guy from office who is supposed to be processing my PF papers..
c) My little Nephew's birthday is coming up and I cant remember the exact date!
d) When am lost on my way back home and dont know which turn to take ..
Google guys! Pls get a palmtop version that can access our memory( like the 'Harry Potter' silver veins that can be poured into a flask!).. and help us search for sense when we need it badly!
a) I misplace my reading glasses/letter from home/internet banking password somewhere in the house and need to find it in a hurry..
b) I cant remember the name of the guy from office who is supposed to be processing my PF papers..
c) My little Nephew's birthday is coming up and I cant remember the exact date!
d) When am lost on my way back home and dont know which turn to take ..
Google guys! Pls get a palmtop version that can access our memory( like the 'Harry Potter' silver veins that can be poured into a flask!).. and help us search for sense when we need it badly!
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Serpico by Sidney Lumet
A much acclaimed movie by the director who had directed the 12 Angry Men and Dog Day Afternoon amongst many others. Based on a real life incident, the movie stars Al Pacino as the idealistic Franc Serpico alias Paco. The movie faithfully records his angst, frustration and final disillusionment with the corruption within the American Police Department. What leaves me cold is Serpico's naivete and refusal to see the big picture. Forget a Police Department, wherever you go, if there is widespread corruption, it would be prudent to assume that it could not have possibly grown to such proportions without the support or indifference of the higher-ups. Point 2, if you want to change a system from within, to expect to do that without encountering any enemity is too far-fetched. Thirdly, when you are in the system and want to go to outsiders especially the media to wash dirty linen within - no senior is going to take too kindly to that. This is true anywhere - be it Politics, the Corporate world, the Movie industry or anywhere. And lastly, after being warned openly about the possiblity of mortal danger, to register shock at being shot in the face - is simply lack of reality orientation!
Franc's idealism though initially appealing, the naivete and dogged angst after 5 years in the system is frustrating, not just to his girlfriend but as an audience to me as well. If he was anyway planning to give up on the system and move to Switzerland he could have done that without getting shot in the face!
Anyways, Al Pacino as usual turns in a brilliant performance - so it wasnt after all a complete waste of time. And may be, me being a cynic couldnt relate much to the character. Somebody else might find Franco highly endearing..So not completely a bummer..
My Rating : 4/10
Franc's idealism though initially appealing, the naivete and dogged angst after 5 years in the system is frustrating, not just to his girlfriend but as an audience to me as well. If he was anyway planning to give up on the system and move to Switzerland he could have done that without getting shot in the face!
Anyways, Al Pacino as usual turns in a brilliant performance - so it wasnt after all a complete waste of time. And may be, me being a cynic couldnt relate much to the character. Somebody else might find Franco highly endearing..So not completely a bummer..
My Rating : 4/10
Friday, April 04, 2008
Sophie's Choice: By Alan J Pakula
Saw this enchanting movie yesterday. A movie that won an Oscar for Merylstreep and was nominated for cinematography, Screenplay, Music and Costume design. But thats not what matters. It is the way the movie draws you slowly but surely into the worlds of Sophie, Nathan and Stingo - seperately and as best friends. The plot has startling revelations every half an hour. Some new piece of insight into each of their lives something that makes you understand and relate to them better. Each of these characters fight with their own demons at the same time trying to help and understand each other. Sophie lies about her father, uses his name in auschwitz,chooses between her children, cheats in her marriage, refuses to be drawn into the Resistance,tries to seduce a Nazi officer and continuously humours her suspicious boyfriend - but in the context of her life.. she comes across as a touchingly vulnerable woman fighting for survival of not just herself but those she loves. A very normal human being undervery very abnormal circumstances.
The pink flat in Brooklyn where the three friends meet and love and fight and seperate signifies a cheer that they desperately try to draw and reflect but fail more than occassionally. Nathan the brilliant always- been- free jew in love with the Auschwitz-returned Catholic Sophie is caught in the vortex of the ironies of their lives to the point of self-destruction. Can't believe Nathan is the same Kevin Kline who was famous for his ' What was the middle thing?' one-liner in the ' Fish called Wanda'. An absolutely riveting performance.
Stingo , in who's voice we hear the story, is the least disturbed - if emotional disturbances can be quantified or qualified! A trifle over-whelmed by Nathan and devoted to Sophie, he represents the normal, the average human being that sincerely wants to help but almost always fails to fully empathise.
Meryl Streep in her in-your-face closeup conversations makes a fidget of the eye , and a tilt of the head speak volumes. In fact I think she is one actress who in many movies has used fidgeting as a tool to express myriad emotions. A sudden turn of the head, hands at the neck, and a jerky step this side and that..and you see the conflict in her mind in the context she wants you to. ' The Bridges of Madison County' is just one another example. And of course, her Polish-accented broken English is another weakness that strengthens her appeal.
The heart-wrenching lines below in the context of Sophie and Nathan's lives at the end of the movie..leaves you deeply saddened and thankful for the simpler complexities of our lives.
Ample Make This Bed
Ample make this bed.
Make this bed with awe;
In it wait till judgment break, Excellent and fair.
Be its mattress straight, Be its pillow round;
Let no sunrise' yellow noise Interrupt this ground.
-- Emily Dickinson
My Rating : 9/10
The pink flat in Brooklyn where the three friends meet and love and fight and seperate signifies a cheer that they desperately try to draw and reflect but fail more than occassionally. Nathan the brilliant always- been- free jew in love with the Auschwitz-returned Catholic Sophie is caught in the vortex of the ironies of their lives to the point of self-destruction. Can't believe Nathan is the same Kevin Kline who was famous for his ' What was the middle thing?' one-liner in the ' Fish called Wanda'. An absolutely riveting performance.
Stingo , in who's voice we hear the story, is the least disturbed - if emotional disturbances can be quantified or qualified! A trifle over-whelmed by Nathan and devoted to Sophie, he represents the normal, the average human being that sincerely wants to help but almost always fails to fully empathise.
Meryl Streep in her in-your-face closeup conversations makes a fidget of the eye , and a tilt of the head speak volumes. In fact I think she is one actress who in many movies has used fidgeting as a tool to express myriad emotions. A sudden turn of the head, hands at the neck, and a jerky step this side and that..and you see the conflict in her mind in the context she wants you to. ' The Bridges of Madison County' is just one another example. And of course, her Polish-accented broken English is another weakness that strengthens her appeal.
The heart-wrenching lines below in the context of Sophie and Nathan's lives at the end of the movie..leaves you deeply saddened and thankful for the simpler complexities of our lives.
Ample Make This Bed
Ample make this bed.
Make this bed with awe;
In it wait till judgment break, Excellent and fair.
Be its mattress straight, Be its pillow round;
Let no sunrise' yellow noise Interrupt this ground.
-- Emily Dickinson
My Rating : 9/10
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Scope
5 years old
Lacy dresses
A swing at home
DD Cartoon on Sundays
10 years old
Friends in school every day
English class - Anitha Ma'am
P T Period
Tinkle, Tintin, Amarchitra katha and Asterix at home
15 years old
Lipstick and Nailpolish
English and Language Class
Saturday Colour dress!
Oh to belong to my group of friends!
Nancy drew, Famous five, Charles in Charge
Jeffrey Archer, Sidney Sheldon, Aananda vikatan
Trips to the library,
Arvind swamy, Table tennis, Winning Prizes
18 years old
Freedom! Hostel!
Eat, sleep, read books any time you want..
Irwing Wallace, Wilbursmith,
Oh buying second hand books
Anything for good food..
21 years old
Oh.. so this is Co-ed
And this is Hindi!
My preference
Of job
Of friends
Of life
Steinbeck and Sashi Tharoor
Nasrudin Shah and Waheeda Rehman
Bengali and Kannadiga Friends
25 Years old
Promotion
Bonus
Money
Hubby remembers this day
I can cook well!
Ah.. time to relax
Call from family!
Trips to resorts..
Ponniyin Selvan, Shantaram,
Amarchitra katha!
Calvin and Hobbes!
The scope for ultimate happiness evolutes, repeats and expands as the years roll on...
Lacy dresses
A swing at home
DD Cartoon on Sundays
10 years old
Friends in school every day
English class - Anitha Ma'am
P T Period
Tinkle, Tintin, Amarchitra katha and Asterix at home
15 years old
Lipstick and Nailpolish
English and Language Class
Saturday Colour dress!
Oh to belong to my group of friends!
Nancy drew, Famous five, Charles in Charge
Jeffrey Archer, Sidney Sheldon, Aananda vikatan
Trips to the library,
Arvind swamy, Table tennis, Winning Prizes
18 years old
Freedom! Hostel!
Eat, sleep, read books any time you want..
Irwing Wallace, Wilbursmith,
Oh buying second hand books
Anything for good food..
21 years old
Oh.. so this is Co-ed
And this is Hindi!
My preference
Of job
Of friends
Of life
Steinbeck and Sashi Tharoor
Nasrudin Shah and Waheeda Rehman
Bengali and Kannadiga Friends
25 Years old
Promotion
Bonus
Money
Hubby remembers this day
I can cook well!
Ah.. time to relax
Call from family!
Trips to resorts..
Ponniyin Selvan, Shantaram,
Amarchitra katha!
Calvin and Hobbes!
The scope for ultimate happiness evolutes, repeats and expands as the years roll on...
Friday, March 28, 2008
The Psychology of TV Shows
a) The massive success of Soap operas .. Apparently before the advent of home entertainment, most housewives (and in the office , the gents too) spent a good part of their time gossipping or just switching tidbits of juicy info about the neighbours, colleagues etc.. This as we would all agree, though might not be called entertainment.. does enhance the flavour of the day for us! When houses disappeared and became flats and neighbours became strangers, this massive gap is to have been fulfilled by the Soap operas. It gives us the pleasure of peeping into somebody else's household affairs and comment on it! Hence the huge open female audience and closet male audience for the soap operas!
b) Kaun Banega Crorepati - The ability to sit at home and shout out amongst family and friends that you know the answer and could have been the winner of such a big jackpot -with no stakes involved - seems to what make the audience tick!
c) Now, there is a very popular show in Tamil called 'Neeya Naana'.. the biggest strength here is that the moderator doggedly pursues a positivity throughout the show.. even while he handles two every emotional opposing groups of people - he ensures that possessiveness communicated is moderated by him to reflect love, anger to passion, doggedness to commitment etc . He also ensures that the final conclusion is decidedly from a positive perspective. To give the feeling to the audience at the end of heated discussions that all is still well with the world and this is the best place and culture to be in and send them to bed with that thought , I think, is the true competence and beauty of this show!
b) Kaun Banega Crorepati - The ability to sit at home and shout out amongst family and friends that you know the answer and could have been the winner of such a big jackpot -with no stakes involved - seems to what make the audience tick!
c) Now, there is a very popular show in Tamil called 'Neeya Naana'.. the biggest strength here is that the moderator doggedly pursues a positivity throughout the show.. even while he handles two every emotional opposing groups of people - he ensures that possessiveness communicated is moderated by him to reflect love, anger to passion, doggedness to commitment etc . He also ensures that the final conclusion is decidedly from a positive perspective. To give the feeling to the audience at the end of heated discussions that all is still well with the world and this is the best place and culture to be in and send them to bed with that thought , I think, is the true competence and beauty of this show!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Of days gone by..
It is the end of the JFM quarter..
The funds for the next quarter would have come..
The Marketing plan and the new launches media plan needs to be ready..
Promotional plan needs to be briefed to sales..
Back end of offer fulfillment need to be in place..
Brand plan needs to be given a go ahead by AP..
The Olympic plan needs to be fine tuned..
JFM quarter eval deck needs to be sent..
Hope my successor remembers all of the above..
Oh Crap..
Another Chapathi burnt!
The funds for the next quarter would have come..
The Marketing plan and the new launches media plan needs to be ready..
Promotional plan needs to be briefed to sales..
Back end of offer fulfillment need to be in place..
Brand plan needs to be given a go ahead by AP..
The Olympic plan needs to be fine tuned..
JFM quarter eval deck needs to be sent..
Hope my successor remembers all of the above..
Oh Crap..
Another Chapathi burnt!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Breach
Do not compel me to speak
No questions pls
I value my space
Do not judge me
Nor comment
Just let me be
I do not owe an explanation
What?
Yes. Love me without the above.
Try.
No questions pls
I value my space
Do not judge me
Nor comment
Just let me be
I do not owe an explanation
What?
Yes. Love me without the above.
Try.
Identity!
I have heard some intellectuals discuss on and on about what defines Indianness.. and how to classify the various religious, regional, linguistic, patrilineal, matrilineal permutations that pervade this peninsula! But the world over, I think there are very simple formulae that easiy define the typical Indian ( .. and mind you I represent the best such Indian of them all! )
a) Somebody you dont know is working on his laptop and you peer most un-self-consciously into his work.. and even give suggestions/comments!
b) Two people are snogging/smooching in a public place and yours is the only set of eyes that is trying hard to avoid the same but ends up gaping at the spectacle with mouth slightly ajar!
c) Somebody says 'hi' to you and you move with a 'license to kill' with questions like 'so, where do you work?, how many children?, where do you live?, nice tie - where did you buy it?' etc etc..
d) Be it a museum or a fort.. you dont recruit a guide of your own.. but slightly inch closer to wherever a recruited guide is giving his lecture to a group..and listen in surreptitiously!
e) Take packed food wherever you go and gather around in a group in a park, open the home-cooked spicy food and dig in with relief, but guitily refuse to look at the eyes of the foreigners who are curiously looking at you as if to say..' whats wrong with our food man!'
f) Plan weekly trips to particular temples, not just to worship but more importantly for the free Indian food that these temples give out that spares you the weekend cooking!
g) Land up in any place with luggage and make a big show of lugging all the luggage 'All by yourself'! .. with no porters or coolies to help!
But jokes apart.. I have been abroad about 10 years back too and the difference between then and now is mind blowing! There is a new confidence in being an Indian, no desperate need to 'fit in'.., no desire to please. The attitude is bold and the style distinct.
I guess there is no better time as this to be an Indian! Even vis-a-vis the foreigners.. the stereotyping has changed a lot from just ' the patels owning motels'..to 'Information Technology Geeks' (though I am not sure if that is an improvement ;)..
The most obvious signs of these cultural stereotypes can be observed in the most subtle environments.. especially when you go shopping.. My Marks and Spencer acquaintance says.. 'Earlier with Indians, we always focussed on the discounted and the bulk purchase ware.. but now-a-days things have changed.. it is they who pick up the most expensive and exclusive desinger wears.. and they know exactly what they want and that is some Indian customisation to such wares..so we are equally if not more prepared for any Indian customer vs an European'
But what has also changed is the wonderful ' Wow.. are you too from Bangalore? How long have you been here..' enquiries with a spark in the eye! Nowadays every 3rd face you see on the street in any country is Indian! So..Familiarity seems to have bred contempt! Not even a 'hi' or a 'hello' if you meet a fellow Indian.. everybody just looks through you!
And even worse is the distaste of the second or third generation Indian to mix with the 'fresh off the boat' ones.. its almost like they dont want to be mistaken for new ones while they are actually citizens of the land! Yeah.. that trend is sad to acknowledge..
Anyways.. with no statistics to support my claims.. most of the above are personal observations.. so.. feel free to protest, disagree and disprove! May be my views are subject to change after all!
a) Somebody you dont know is working on his laptop and you peer most un-self-consciously into his work.. and even give suggestions/comments!
b) Two people are snogging/smooching in a public place and yours is the only set of eyes that is trying hard to avoid the same but ends up gaping at the spectacle with mouth slightly ajar!
c) Somebody says 'hi' to you and you move with a 'license to kill' with questions like 'so, where do you work?, how many children?, where do you live?, nice tie - where did you buy it?' etc etc..
d) Be it a museum or a fort.. you dont recruit a guide of your own.. but slightly inch closer to wherever a recruited guide is giving his lecture to a group..and listen in surreptitiously!
e) Take packed food wherever you go and gather around in a group in a park, open the home-cooked spicy food and dig in with relief, but guitily refuse to look at the eyes of the foreigners who are curiously looking at you as if to say..' whats wrong with our food man!'
f) Plan weekly trips to particular temples, not just to worship but more importantly for the free Indian food that these temples give out that spares you the weekend cooking!
g) Land up in any place with luggage and make a big show of lugging all the luggage 'All by yourself'! .. with no porters or coolies to help!
But jokes apart.. I have been abroad about 10 years back too and the difference between then and now is mind blowing! There is a new confidence in being an Indian, no desperate need to 'fit in'.., no desire to please. The attitude is bold and the style distinct.
I guess there is no better time as this to be an Indian! Even vis-a-vis the foreigners.. the stereotyping has changed a lot from just ' the patels owning motels'..to 'Information Technology Geeks' (though I am not sure if that is an improvement ;)..
The most obvious signs of these cultural stereotypes can be observed in the most subtle environments.. especially when you go shopping.. My Marks and Spencer acquaintance says.. 'Earlier with Indians, we always focussed on the discounted and the bulk purchase ware.. but now-a-days things have changed.. it is they who pick up the most expensive and exclusive desinger wears.. and they know exactly what they want and that is some Indian customisation to such wares..so we are equally if not more prepared for any Indian customer vs an European'
But what has also changed is the wonderful ' Wow.. are you too from Bangalore? How long have you been here..' enquiries with a spark in the eye! Nowadays every 3rd face you see on the street in any country is Indian! So..Familiarity seems to have bred contempt! Not even a 'hi' or a 'hello' if you meet a fellow Indian.. everybody just looks through you!
And even worse is the distaste of the second or third generation Indian to mix with the 'fresh off the boat' ones.. its almost like they dont want to be mistaken for new ones while they are actually citizens of the land! Yeah.. that trend is sad to acknowledge..
Anyways.. with no statistics to support my claims.. most of the above are personal observations.. so.. feel free to protest, disagree and disprove! May be my views are subject to change after all!
Celebration..!
Silent Snowflakes..
A clear beam of sunshine..
The common music that you and I grew up with in our seperate worlds..
Familiar food boiling at the kitchen..
Eyes locked on a particular verse..
A soft smile that transforms into a giggle..
Here's to life .. like this..
Forever and beyond!
A clear beam of sunshine..
The common music that you and I grew up with in our seperate worlds..
Familiar food boiling at the kitchen..
Eyes locked on a particular verse..
A soft smile that transforms into a giggle..
Here's to life .. like this..
Forever and beyond!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Manathil Urudhi Vendum... (A resolute mind I seek..)
To be objective, even when I or my country or my loved ones are involved..
To be able to generously love..even while hurting myself.. for they did so once..
To be able to forgive..and smile and move on..
To be able to give another culture, as much leeway for its evolutionary mistakes as I do for mine..
To be able to acknowledege that yes.. the other is being a better person.. and I can learn from them.. howmuchever I want to believe otherwise..
To think of the way forward.. though Guru Dutt-sque self-pity is so romantically enticing..
To be kind to myself.. knowing fully well I have screwed up.. badly...
To stand up for what is wrong.. but with as much wisdom as courage..
To take calculated risks and not give into the surge of emotion that smacks of 'heroism'..
To be able to start over.. from the context that as long as life beats.. nothing is ever completely over..
To be able to give my body the respect, the care and the difficult discipline of exercise it deserves..
To seek to understand especially when it is so, that it is deliciously sweet to dislike and condemn..
To seek to encourage when it seems so self-righteous to say..' dont bother'...
To remain silent and empathetic when i can easilys say ' I told you so..'
To let go and love from a distance of nowhere and nothing inbetween..
Manadhil urudhi vendum..
To be able to generously love..even while hurting myself.. for they did so once..
To be able to forgive..and smile and move on..
To be able to give another culture, as much leeway for its evolutionary mistakes as I do for mine..
To be able to acknowledege that yes.. the other is being a better person.. and I can learn from them.. howmuchever I want to believe otherwise..
To think of the way forward.. though Guru Dutt-sque self-pity is so romantically enticing..
To be kind to myself.. knowing fully well I have screwed up.. badly...
To stand up for what is wrong.. but with as much wisdom as courage..
To take calculated risks and not give into the surge of emotion that smacks of 'heroism'..
To be able to start over.. from the context that as long as life beats.. nothing is ever completely over..
To be able to give my body the respect, the care and the difficult discipline of exercise it deserves..
To seek to understand especially when it is so, that it is deliciously sweet to dislike and condemn..
To seek to encourage when it seems so self-righteous to say..' dont bother'...
To remain silent and empathetic when i can easilys say ' I told you so..'
To let go and love from a distance of nowhere and nothing inbetween..
Manadhil urudhi vendum..
Thursday, March 20, 2008
To want a little more..
Oh! Lets want a little more..
A little more of love and peace..
A little more of wanting to give..
A little more tolerance for the 'Special' (Not 'abormal' but always 'special' if u please..)
Lets want more colour in people and around..
Lets want more thoughts and more smiles..
Lets want more of the earth and the moon..
Lets want to live a little more of life every day..
They say if one person wants something with all his heart
The entire universe conspires to give it to him..
Lets want and want and want so much..
That all the Universe and the powers that be ...
Are compelled to give it to to us!
Heres to Life and more!
A little more of love and peace..
A little more of wanting to give..
A little more tolerance for the 'Special' (Not 'abormal' but always 'special' if u please..)
Lets want more colour in people and around..
Lets want more thoughts and more smiles..
Lets want more of the earth and the moon..
Lets want to live a little more of life every day..
They say if one person wants something with all his heart
The entire universe conspires to give it to him..
Lets want and want and want so much..
That all the Universe and the powers that be ...
Are compelled to give it to to us!
Heres to Life and more!
Watching me while I decide!
Saw Dil, Dosti etc..The protagonist is as rational as they come.. he merely perceives himself as an audience in the play of life.. an audience who also watches himself! Evaluating... smiling.. lauding.. chiding.. though not too seriously..I guess these are the people that ' Succeed' in terms of wealth, position, power etc.. The completely rational ones with no emotional vulnerabilities.. or atleast very minimal vulnerabilities.. as for me, I have always been emotional about every decision i have made.. no regrets.. but yes.. having a healthy mix of the rational and emotional does seem 'appealing.. so, let me see.. be it the 'Commerce group' decision in 10th std despite the whole world advising otherwise, giving up XLRI, choosing a life partner, choosing and later relinquishing the best friend.. hmmm... everything has been heavy on the emotional side!
So I have now decided to watch myself decide atleast once in a while.. that ways I know if i am taking a emotional or rational call.. this should be interesting.. whats more intriguing than getting to know yourself better! All the best to me!
So I have now decided to watch myself decide atleast once in a while.. that ways I know if i am taking a emotional or rational call.. this should be interesting.. whats more intriguing than getting to know yourself better! All the best to me!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
So.. this is London...
The first thing I noticed is that this city is one with moods of its own.. much like me.. suddenly it is warm and bright and lo and behold there is a gust of wind that will well nigh blow you off.. of course the next thing I noticed is the Teens.. man.. i never thought a day will come when the most feared section of society would be its Teen kids! I land off the flight on to the road and I see a bunch of Teen kids creating a ruckus on the road.. one with a bright silver viking hat to boot! Being the ever curious Indian I peek a little and got shouted at ' Hey Lady.. Dont you stare!'.. What a welcome to the city! And here I am , in the city for just 2 weeks now and all I read in the newspapers is Teen crimes..hmmm.. wonder what 'Freakonomics' has to say about this!! Am sure a study of the statistics would reveal something very interesting about the generation that went by - that resulted in these teens! And given that guns are banned, it is knives that rule the roost.. In a 'Metro' column a teenage kid shares her angst..' Dont stereotype us.. we turn to such stuff because you guys dont offer us anything better to do!' initially i was flabber gasted but when I forced myself to lookat it from her point of view.. hmmm.. may be at her age it is but natural that she cant think beyond this.. atleast she is recognising the problem..anyways.. yet to see the Tube or Madame Tussads.. given that we are going to be here for a while now.. hubby dearest is in no hurry to explore ..no harm done.. i am enjoying the onset of spring.. with the chirping of the birds and green leaves peeping out of hitherto twiggy trees...
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