MTV has gotten itself a makeover, its more colourful and the framespace is well utilized for the logo on top-right, new-shows ad on the top left, marquee tickr on the bottom. I would give a full 10 on 10 for the look. But what it lacks is the quality in the shows it airs.
DND - Discover and Download has replaced the SuperSelect, this is definitely a good watch, though if you are a Internet junkie, you might be discovering more cool sites and downloading more fun stuff yourself than taking a hint from Niks.
I was a huge fan of Raghu and Roadies, I remember every Sat 7Pm last year, Shradz and I would watch it together and chat about it over SMS. I was hugely disappointed in everything that followed the much enjoyable auditions. The roadies were a bunch of losers, the tasks were lame, and the worst- roadies who couldn't ride a Bike, wasn't this show supposed to be all abt bikers??!! Quite expectantly I don't carry the same enthu to watch a whole new episode of Roadies - Hell down under coz I am sure, no matter how Raghu and Rajiv ridicule the contestants they will manage to pick the lamest of them all as roadies.
The other day I caught up on Gtalk, ex-roadies Shambhavi and Anmol host this show in weird costumes, I wonder if they decided to replace Mia, anyway this is yet another lame show with 2 blondes talking about things that doesn't concern you even in your wildest dreams!! May be the reason I hate this show is the fact that both these gals were the meanest foulmouthed characters on earlier Roadies. Is this the kind of message we want to spread - to be mean, arrogant and you get to be famous, what happened to all that "honesty is the best policy" motto that we studied when we were kids, I think its high time we go back to Moral Science books.
PS: I would give my 2 cents if they could play some good music at length in the least.
-RN
Monday, December 22, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
When will we learn?
I get down from an auto, walk upto the gates of the hotel I am staying in and the security guards asked me to have my bags checked. I am delighted, and more than glad to oblige.
Seconds later,
A firangi gets down an auto, walks upto the gates, and security guys wish him a "Good evening, sir!!" and lets him in without any baggage check!!!
Talk about geared up security after experiencing a nightmare just weeks earlier. I was staying up in Taj, Pune.!!! Gawd, when will we learn.
Seconds later,
A firangi gets down an auto, walks upto the gates, and security guys wish him a "Good evening, sir!!" and lets him in without any baggage check!!!
Talk about geared up security after experiencing a nightmare just weeks earlier. I was staying up in Taj, Pune.!!! Gawd, when will we learn.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Silence...
After the mumbai attack there has been a million blog notes updated on the same. One such blog in particular caught my eye coz' it trashed all post-attack events like the parade in Delhi, Light a candle events held in localities, quoting that these were just mere actions by mere mortals and were useless. It said that there is no possible use that one might get out of lighting a candle far off from the place and time of attack, and is just a waste of time.I beg to differ with the author's point of view, I strongly believe that as a mere mortals in a Democratic developing country, we need a voice and it gets stronger only when people get together and bring out issues outfront, this is the best, one like you or me can do.
We had a minute's silence in office today incidentally just after I had read the blog. And I believe gestures like these bring us all together, brings out an assurance that no one is alone out there in the midst of terror. We are all in this together, putting up a brave front for our peaceful existence.
-RN
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Us and the Market slowdown.
The drastic downfall of the market has become the talk of the town, sensex, inflation, job cuts, cost cutting are just few jargons you hear each day in the workplace. Scary mails floating around about hundreds of job cuts in this company or that company. My office is no different everyone is holding on to their dear jobs, though our senior managers have assured that wouldnot be a threat and I have not seen myself any layoffs "yet", but what we have noticed is a big time cost cutting some subtle and some can't-be-missed.
Things that affect us day-to-day, for eg, the soft drink vending machine in the cafeteria has been out of order for a fortnight and the refridgerators are not replenished with new coke cans quickly. They are aggressive in letting employee-travels, there was a hulla made when I had to travel which was anyway duly taken care by my manager stating I was indispensable (hehee!!) and I needed to travel. It was only to Chennai and Pune and not even out of country and there was so much fuss. I am still yet to get a reimbursement, till then I am gonna be a bit skeptical. We are still skeptical about the bonus and the salary rise that we are to get starting this month. Best performance awards generally monetary have been slashed down, you have to be truly genius to get one those these days.
Recently I was asked to be a mobile worker(meaning work out of any office) and give up my cubicle, coz there has been a shortage of workspace and the company is not ready to invest into buildings, atleast for now.
A new policy was pulled out early this week, which mandates all US and Canada employees to take casual leaves the last week of December, and the offices will be shut for the whole week, thus saving the power, employee transports and so on. It is being tried hard to implement the same in India too. Come to think of it, it affects people like me the most, the ones who dont have any plans for the New Year's, what am I supposed to do sitting home for a week? I will be doomed and the worst is yet to come.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Birthday Bribes
I thought turning 26 would have made me a little smarter and a little matured. I was not going to bash anybody if they din't wish me a "Happy Birthday". It was too childish for someone who was on the other side of 25 to have a grudge over such inconsequential details. Well, I wasn't all that grown up.
Two of my close friends forgot my birthday. The belated wishes came in 2 days later from one(U) and got enough hissings from me. I would not stop cursing for having forgotten it.While the other friend (B) was totally oblivious. I waited for a whole week thinking the call might come, and it never did. So, running out of patience,like a true 'matured kid' I mailed a one-liner "You forgot my birthday, donot call :X".
Coming back home yesterday I found a postal delivery for me and I knew. A cute coffee mug, an even cuter teddy and a card that said "Best Pals" was the bribe to calm me down and I made the call.
Now to think of it, I am sure I wont mind if anyone misses wishing me as long as there are bribes like these to make me forgive and forget. Thanks B and N (for fooling me into giving my addr).
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Adventurous Road Trip to Coorg
Uff!! I am just back from an awsm and tiring road trip to coorg alias the Scotland of India, I can't vouch for the name, but its a very beautiful place indeed. Well, this was a trip to remember for everything it had to offer.
An unlikely group with 3 docs, an architect-the planner, an HR and an engineer aka me. All girls group, all busy working professionals, planned on a weekday, with hardly any solid plan. The main plan was to visit a place called Thadiyandamol(i know its hard to pronounce), to join an adventure camp. The rest of the trip was to be impromptu and all we had was a map with directions missing, a car to travel, and the spirit of "Go gals! enjoy your freedom" attitude.
The Route:
8:10:8: Begin
1 AM: We set off from Bangalore, picked up rest of the gals, and we were off on Mysore Road. Plan was to have takeaways from CoffeeDay on the way and reach Mysore by 4AM.
Missed the 24hr coffeeday and reached Mysore at 3:30AM. Not a bad start at all.
A: Lost
3:30 AM - Reaching mysore was a piece of cake, it was one long stretch of road, what was found difficult was to move on to Hunsur Road to carry on with our journey. At 3:30AM, we have asked every living waking soul on the road(mainly the security guards) trying to get onto the Hunsur Road. We did that eventually an hour later.
B: Wrong turn
4:00Am - Based on the directionless map and a verbose of How-to-Get-There instructions, we were to reach VirajPet and move on to Nagarhole then to Irupu falls. Well, we made it to the Irupu falls but purely based on the signboards, missing out on the instructions without realizing it.!!!We never made it to Virajpet afterall.
C: Thru NagarHole
5:30 Am - The morning was freaking cold and the fog had dimmed the vision. At the entrance of Nagarhole, we waited for the gates to be opened for half an hour. And it was then we had a slight 'Eureka moment' that we were just girls in a car all alone in the middle of the forest. This would not have bothered us so much if there wasn't a group of idiots in another car waiting with us at the gates. Well, smart that we were, we stayed miles away from them. But still there was a nagging feel.
P took turn to drive thru the forest roads, this was her first time on a tavera, and our driver was all too glad to take a break from driving, but we weren't, we had our hearts in the throat!!
We spotted herds of deers and stag, oh! they were awesome.
D: Empty Stomach
11:00 AM - We were all visibly tired, hadnt slept well the nite and still in our work clothes of the previous day's. We needed some refuelling for our body. Lays, krackjack, good day are good but not when you are really hungry. Few miles from Nagarhole called Kutta we were told of a hotel for breakfast. But sadly, the place just repulsed us and we had to make do with a pack of marie and nutrichoice and head on to Irupu falls. Again with constant help from the localites on the directions we reached Irupu. Its a mile long walk from the parking lot to the falls thru the forest. And yes, we did meet our group of idiots here too:(. And we made sure we stuck with each other and enjoyed things to ourselves without letting them spoil it for us. And we did the same. It was a pleasure to the eyes to see the gushing water flow down the rocky mountain. We had our moments in the water (trying hard not to get wet miserably), and shot a million photographs- drama queens that we all were headed by the bigger of the lot-P.
Irupu
E: To eat or not to eat
Noon - we were visibly famished. We were confused whether to break for food or travel to the camp and eat. We confused the guy at the camp too.
F: Almost there
Sometime noon - Ok, I was getting that "Are we there yet?" jitters already. For GodSake's! I was hungry, and the ghat sections make me sick. Oh! yes I have motion sickness and so does my sister, its in the blood you see, I stayed put near the window all the time.
G: Destination Base Camp
AfterNoon -With greater difficulty and a hard time pronouncing the name of the destination (Thadiyandamol) we got on track. The roads to the camp was just wide enuf for our vehicle to go. Any mistake, the vehicle would have been scratched and scathed beyond recognition. Was a real tuff job for the kid -the driver, but we managed to reach the camp. It was a huge open space with a creek in the middle of the coffee plantation. We met the crew, and freshened ourselves up - change of clothes was all we did. And finally the food. Ah! was I happy :)
The itinerary of the camp was simple: we were to do trekking,boating, rappelling and a night safari - all to be done until the noon of the next day. And we managed to pull it off all in one go the same day.
Boating - We did a bit of boating in the creek, well I stopped rowing on the way back after a lil squabble with my sis, but moreso coz my wrists were crying out with pain- followed ofcourse with multiple photo shoot.
Day Ride -The organizer-S came in rite in time after the coffee/tea and we were to start with the rappeling, but before that we were in for a surprise that the adventure would begin a lil earlier than we thot. We boarded the open truck and S drove us past thru the plantation on the tiny roads at high speeds and we were holding to the railings of the truck and to our dear lives, screaming, giggling, were all a part. The wind brushed through our face. It truly was a Krissh/SuperMan moment, well ofcourse without the cape and the weird dress.
Rappeling - Rappelling wasn't new to me. The first time I tried, I quit just after I was harnessed, I was only 9 then. The second time I did was in Savandurga- another adventure camp I had been to last year, and I did a pretty good descent. But this was different, it was a 180 foot rock just close to the water fall, the rock was slippery coz of the moss, the vision was not great coz of the water sprinkling from the fall, and the angle was an amazing 90 deg. To everyone's surprise all of us did a cool descent off the rock, and yes posed for the photgraphs too.:) Were we adventurous or what??!!
Night Ride - The girl in the movie "The girl next door" asks the guy, "What is the craziest thing you have done in your life?". This is the one for me. This is the one for all 6 of us.
10 PM - Dinner and sleep. Still no proper plan for the next day
H: Abbi Falls
10 AM: Bid adieu to the crew, and started off from the camp, and the plan was to check out another water fall near Coorg called the Abbi falls. Again with lots of help with the localites reached Coorg and went to Abbi. Amazing water fall this was, it was wider than irupu and the water was more forceful. Did our photoshoot, ate some junk and had our pleasant peaceful
moment, before we headed back to coorg.
1 PM: Quick Lunch, towards KushalNagar.
I: Instintive Turn
1:30 PM : Heading towards Kushalnagar, we took an impromptu turn to Dubare- an elephant sanctuary for a quick elephant ride. Once there, realized that the rides were post 4:30. So instead hopped into a boat with a guide for a lil micro-rafting. This time I rowed.:). Few took a dip in the water, and took there first swimming lesson from the sole swimmer, and yes posed well for the camera too.
J: Way to Golden Temple
3 PM: We dint want to miss the Golden Temple near Kushalnagar. A huge piece of land in coorg has been given to the Tibetian refuge, once u enter the place it almost feels like you are in tibet. The temple is great, even with the loads of ppl and noise, it inflicts some kind of peace into you. Wish we could stay a little while more there, but time was a constraint and we started our journey back Home.
K: Back Home Tired
5PM : Wasnt very eventful, except for missing out on the CoffeeDay yet again, and a major confusion on the final accounting.
Thanks to the extra 3 years of math I studied, we tallied the numbers good enuf and all was well. We did a bit of review of the snaps taken.
9.10.8: End
10 PM: I was the first one to be dropped, went home, bathed and slept like a log till the next morning. Wish I could chuck office.
An unlikely group with 3 docs, an architect-the planner, an HR and an engineer aka me. All girls group, all busy working professionals, planned on a weekday, with hardly any solid plan. The main plan was to visit a place called Thadiyandamol(i know its hard to pronounce), to join an adventure camp. The rest of the trip was to be impromptu and all we had was a map with directions missing, a car to travel, and the spirit of "Go gals! enjoy your freedom" attitude.
The Route:
8:10:8: Begin
1 AM: We set off from Bangalore, picked up rest of the gals, and we were off on Mysore Road. Plan was to have takeaways from CoffeeDay on the way and reach Mysore by 4AM.
Missed the 24hr coffeeday and reached Mysore at 3:30AM. Not a bad start at all.
A: Lost
3:30 AM - Reaching mysore was a piece of cake, it was one long stretch of road, what was found difficult was to move on to Hunsur Road to carry on with our journey. At 3:30AM, we have asked every living waking soul on the road(mainly the security guards) trying to get onto the Hunsur Road. We did that eventually an hour later.
B: Wrong turn
4:00Am - Based on the directionless map and a verbose of How-to-Get-There instructions, we were to reach VirajPet and move on to Nagarhole then to Irupu falls. Well, we made it to the Irupu falls but purely based on the signboards, missing out on the instructions without realizing it.!!!We never made it to Virajpet afterall.
C: Thru NagarHole
5:30 Am - The morning was freaking cold and the fog had dimmed the vision. At the entrance of Nagarhole, we waited for the gates to be opened for half an hour. And it was then we had a slight 'Eureka moment' that we were just girls in a car all alone in the middle of the forest. This would not have bothered us so much if there wasn't a group of idiots in another car waiting with us at the gates. Well, smart that we were, we stayed miles away from them. But still there was a nagging feel.
P took turn to drive thru the forest roads, this was her first time on a tavera, and our driver was all too glad to take a break from driving, but we weren't, we had our hearts in the throat!!
We spotted herds of deers and stag, oh! they were awesome.
D: Empty Stomach
11:00 AM - We were all visibly tired, hadnt slept well the nite and still in our work clothes of the previous day's. We needed some refuelling for our body. Lays, krackjack, good day are good but not when you are really hungry. Few miles from Nagarhole called Kutta we were told of a hotel for breakfast. But sadly, the place just repulsed us and we had to make do with a pack of marie and nutrichoice and head on to Irupu falls. Again with constant help from the localites on the directions we reached Irupu. Its a mile long walk from the parking lot to the falls thru the forest. And yes, we did meet our group of idiots here too:(. And we made sure we stuck with each other and enjoyed things to ourselves without letting them spoil it for us. And we did the same. It was a pleasure to the eyes to see the gushing water flow down the rocky mountain. We had our moments in the water (trying hard not to get wet miserably), and shot a million photographs- drama queens that we all were headed by the bigger of the lot-P.
Irupu
E: To eat or not to eat
Noon - we were visibly famished. We were confused whether to break for food or travel to the camp and eat. We confused the guy at the camp too.
F: Almost there
Sometime noon - Ok, I was getting that "Are we there yet?" jitters already. For GodSake's! I was hungry, and the ghat sections make me sick. Oh! yes I have motion sickness and so does my sister, its in the blood you see, I stayed put near the window all the time.
G: Destination Base Camp
AfterNoon -With greater difficulty and a hard time pronouncing the name of the destination (Thadiyandamol) we got on track. The roads to the camp was just wide enuf for our vehicle to go. Any mistake, the vehicle would have been scratched and scathed beyond recognition. Was a real tuff job for the kid -the driver, but we managed to reach the camp. It was a huge open space with a creek in the middle of the coffee plantation. We met the crew, and freshened ourselves up - change of clothes was all we did. And finally the food. Ah! was I happy :)
The itinerary of the camp was simple: we were to do trekking,boating, rappelling and a night safari - all to be done until the noon of the next day. And we managed to pull it off all in one go the same day.
Boating - We did a bit of boating in the creek, well I stopped rowing on the way back after a lil squabble with my sis, but moreso coz my wrists were crying out with pain- followed ofcourse with multiple photo shoot.
Day Ride -The organizer-S came in rite in time after the coffee/tea and we were to start with the rappeling, but before that we were in for a surprise that the adventure would begin a lil earlier than we thot. We boarded the open truck and S drove us past thru the plantation on the tiny roads at high speeds and we were holding to the railings of the truck and to our dear lives, screaming, giggling, were all a part. The wind brushed through our face. It truly was a Krissh/SuperMan moment, well ofcourse without the cape and the weird dress.
Rappeling - Rappelling wasn't new to me. The first time I tried, I quit just after I was harnessed, I was only 9 then. The second time I did was in Savandurga- another adventure camp I had been to last year, and I did a pretty good descent. But this was different, it was a 180 foot rock just close to the water fall, the rock was slippery coz of the moss, the vision was not great coz of the water sprinkling from the fall, and the angle was an amazing 90 deg. To everyone's surprise all of us did a cool descent off the rock, and yes posed for the photgraphs too.:) Were we adventurous or what??!!
Night Ride - The girl in the movie "The girl next door" asks the guy, "What is the craziest thing you have done in your life?". This is the one for me. This is the one for all 6 of us.
10 PM - Dinner and sleep. Still no proper plan for the next day
H: Abbi Falls
10 AM: Bid adieu to the crew, and started off from the camp, and the plan was to check out another water fall near Coorg called the Abbi falls. Again with lots of help with the localites reached Coorg and went to Abbi. Amazing water fall this was, it was wider than irupu and the water was more forceful. Did our photoshoot, ate some junk and had our pleasant peaceful
moment, before we headed back to coorg.
1 PM: Quick Lunch, towards KushalNagar.
I: Instintive Turn
1:30 PM : Heading towards Kushalnagar, we took an impromptu turn to Dubare- an elephant sanctuary for a quick elephant ride. Once there, realized that the rides were post 4:30. So instead hopped into a boat with a guide for a lil micro-rafting. This time I rowed.:). Few took a dip in the water, and took there first swimming lesson from the sole swimmer, and yes posed well for the camera too.
J: Way to Golden Temple
3 PM: We dint want to miss the Golden Temple near Kushalnagar. A huge piece of land in coorg has been given to the Tibetian refuge, once u enter the place it almost feels like you are in tibet. The temple is great, even with the loads of ppl and noise, it inflicts some kind of peace into you. Wish we could stay a little while more there, but time was a constraint and we started our journey back Home.
K: Back Home Tired
5PM : Wasnt very eventful, except for missing out on the CoffeeDay yet again, and a major confusion on the final accounting.
Thanks to the extra 3 years of math I studied, we tallied the numbers good enuf and all was well. We did a bit of review of the snaps taken.
9.10.8: End
10 PM: I was the first one to be dropped, went home, bathed and slept like a log till the next morning. Wish I could chuck office.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
After Death
My way of looking at death has drastically changed, but that will be something to write about some other time. Going through my huge wallet I realized that I don't have the much needed Eye donor card in there. Yes, I want to have my eyes donated when I die.
Way back in mid-90s, Aishwarya Rai pledged to donate her eyes in a Public Awareness Ad on national tv, and that impressed me a lot, if a beauty queen one like herself with the most beautiful eyes can give up her asset why shouldn't I?. It was more of a fantasy to me then, and its been more than a decade and i have not signed up for it, its not exactly an easy decision to make when you are young- to make a will for your eyes.
Come to think of it, its just not eyes, there are a bunch of organs that one can leave behind for the better of the deprived. Glancing over the list, I have come around with a few ticks myself, I am ok with passing on my eyes, kidneys,pancreas, lungs and liver. What I am still not ok with is my heart and my brain. I have this lame idea that if there exists something called a heaven and I end up there, I would want my heart to beat over every joyous minute and if there exists something called hell and I end up there, I would want my brain to crack a scheme to get rid of any trouble I will have with the Devil. Yea I know its a bit childish and the most lame reason but then, I cant justify any better. Anyway, I have got to get my eye donor card to begin with.
PS: All you need to do is sign up for the eye donation in any eye hospital in the city and you will be given a card that carries your name and your will to donate. Also do let your close ones know about your intentions, high chances your last goodwill wont be done otherwise.
PPS:I just remembered the famous Kannada actor Dr.Rajkumar had his eyes donated to a kid.
Way back in mid-90s, Aishwarya Rai pledged to donate her eyes in a Public Awareness Ad on national tv, and that impressed me a lot, if a beauty queen one like herself with the most beautiful eyes can give up her asset why shouldn't I?. It was more of a fantasy to me then, and its been more than a decade and i have not signed up for it, its not exactly an easy decision to make when you are young- to make a will for your eyes.
Come to think of it, its just not eyes, there are a bunch of organs that one can leave behind for the better of the deprived. Glancing over the list, I have come around with a few ticks myself, I am ok with passing on my eyes, kidneys,pancreas, lungs and liver. What I am still not ok with is my heart and my brain. I have this lame idea that if there exists something called a heaven and I end up there, I would want my heart to beat over every joyous minute and if there exists something called hell and I end up there, I would want my brain to crack a scheme to get rid of any trouble I will have with the Devil. Yea I know its a bit childish and the most lame reason but then, I cant justify any better. Anyway, I have got to get my eye donor card to begin with.
PS: All you need to do is sign up for the eye donation in any eye hospital in the city and you will be given a card that carries your name and your will to donate. Also do let your close ones know about your intentions, high chances your last goodwill wont be done otherwise.
PPS:I just remembered the famous Kannada actor Dr.Rajkumar had his eyes donated to a kid.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Why so serious?
Ah!! Finally I made it to the movie Dark Knight before it got removed from all theaters. And I am so damn excited!! What a shame it would have been if I were to be content watching the movie just on DVD?
I did watch it on DVD first though, and that made me think it to be too unfair if I dint catch the movie on big screen. I was overwhelmed with everything the movie had to offer, starting from the casting, the acting, the setup, the dialogues, the stunts and the story - is just ultimate.
Following the rage of movies coming out based on DC and Marvel Comics superheroes - Superman, Spiderman, Wolverine, DarkKnight stands out to be different. It shows batman to be just another mortal and with flaws, as a matter of fact, Will Smith tried to portray the same perception in his movie Hancock, but somehow it missed the intensity that DK carries through the entire movie.
I have fallen head over heels for Heath Ledger, pity he is no more. He is so good at being the Joker, and its hard to believe he was just 28 yrs old. What a talent! One has gotto see this movie for him atleast and I have no words to describe how much impressed I am with the movie. I am glad I dint miss it.
PS: Din't realize there was yet another sequel to Terminator coming up, its called Terminator-Salvation, and its got Christian Bale(Batman), well I am not gonna miss this one either. :)
I did watch it on DVD first though, and that made me think it to be too unfair if I dint catch the movie on big screen. I was overwhelmed with everything the movie had to offer, starting from the casting, the acting, the setup, the dialogues, the stunts and the story - is just ultimate.
Following the rage of movies coming out based on DC and Marvel Comics superheroes - Superman, Spiderman, Wolverine, DarkKnight stands out to be different. It shows batman to be just another mortal and with flaws, as a matter of fact, Will Smith tried to portray the same perception in his movie Hancock, but somehow it missed the intensity that DK carries through the entire movie.
I have fallen head over heels for Heath Ledger, pity he is no more. He is so good at being the Joker, and its hard to believe he was just 28 yrs old. What a talent! One has gotto see this movie for him atleast and I have no words to describe how much impressed I am with the movie. I am glad I dint miss it.
PS: Din't realize there was yet another sequel to Terminator coming up, its called Terminator-Salvation, and its got Christian Bale(Batman), well I am not gonna miss this one either. :)
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
A Wednesday on a Tuesday.
Well, am talking about the movie "A Wednesday" that I watched yesterday the Tuesday. Why not Wednesday you ask, well I have a late night meeting tonight that's why. hehe.
Anyway, this movie is a Naseeruddin and Anupam Kher starrer with few other low profiled but yet good actors on the support. The casting seems perfect except for Deepal Shaw, what were they thinking putting her in a reporter's role, she can barely squeak the lines. Naseeruddin stands out in the movie as an extortionist demanding the release of 4 terrorists and Anupam Kher being the Commissioner of Police with the hi-tech war room at his disposal to track the baddies. Jimmy Shergill looked good for the role, wonder why talented actors one like himself don't get to be in many movies. Basheer was great, especially the first interview he gives on camera - that was funny.
The dialogues are impressive, they are crisp and witty. The first half, slow but introduces us to all the main characters, their signatures and the current pitiful state of Media(news channel in particular). Its the second half that gets you excited. The climax with Shah speaking out his intentions and reasons seemed a bit of a drag, though it carries a message to all Indians, it could have been made a lil' shorter and straight to the point. Seemed like the director was trying to justify the climax.
All in all, a good movie to watch, and the best part its over in less than 2 hrs. A clean straight intelligent movie worth watching if you appreciate one.
Anyway, this movie is a Naseeruddin and Anupam Kher starrer with few other low profiled but yet good actors on the support. The casting seems perfect except for Deepal Shaw, what were they thinking putting her in a reporter's role, she can barely squeak the lines. Naseeruddin stands out in the movie as an extortionist demanding the release of 4 terrorists and Anupam Kher being the Commissioner of Police with the hi-tech war room at his disposal to track the baddies. Jimmy Shergill looked good for the role, wonder why talented actors one like himself don't get to be in many movies. Basheer was great, especially the first interview he gives on camera - that was funny.
The dialogues are impressive, they are crisp and witty. The first half, slow but introduces us to all the main characters, their signatures and the current pitiful state of Media(news channel in particular). Its the second half that gets you excited. The climax with Shah speaking out his intentions and reasons seemed a bit of a drag, though it carries a message to all Indians, it could have been made a lil' shorter and straight to the point. Seemed like the director was trying to justify the climax.
All in all, a good movie to watch, and the best part its over in less than 2 hrs. A clean straight intelligent movie worth watching if you appreciate one.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Bangalore-Hyderabad-Warangal
Well, its been a hectic and a long weekend for me. Been traveling for 36 off the 60 hrs I was away from home! It was a trip from Bangalore-Hyderabad-Warangal a kutty village in AndhraPradesh. A trip worth remembering for all its oddities.
My Best Friend's Wedding: This was something I would not want to miss.I have known these two imps for about 4 years now separately and together too. They are poles apart, he being the quiet, smart types and she loud-mouthed, bindaas types. (I would'nt say she aint smart, but she does seem a lil not too smart when hez around, I wonder if she puts up an act just for him!!). Talk about opposite attracts huh??
Anyway, the wedding was all over a week back in Dehra Dun(her place), we were just attending the reception here in Warangal. It was a grand affair, with tons of relatives(mostly his) bustling around the hall, wanting to catch up on one another's tell tales, getting a snap with the bride and the groom who were visibly tired (What would you expect after a day long picnic in the scorching sun?). But kudos to both, they managed to pull it off, well of course with a lil' squabble but then it wouldn't have been them if they dint have an argument once in a while!!
My other fren and I were decked up in the saree(counting up, this was my 5th or 6th time in saree). She carried it off pretty well(count-countless),and went on saying that saree is the sexiest dress ever, well, I beg to differ I was looking anything but sexy, I was just struggling hard to manage it, but I think I did look good.(I am kinda good looking anyway!!!).
The fiesta ended with the food and the generally-funny-photo-sessions turned out be way too hilarious with a baccha party for an audience!!
My Travel to Warangal and back: I owe this trip completely to my other best friend who has narrowly escaped from me killing her. She was my companion to this wedding. I have had to put up with her and her tantrums - she had me waiting at the bus stop, had no plan howto reach warangal, did not pick up the gift and the worst- her mental absence. Well the reason for her behavior has a completely logical explanation- her new boyfriend. Need I say more.!!!
OMG!! I couldn't have believed that she would be this if I hadn't met her myself in flesh, was I in for a shock. She would be on the phone all the time, except for when there was no signal.lol!! Now thinking back, it was painingly funny!!
Onwards, she wasn't all that enthu about going at all, of course the reason already mentioned. Anyway, she had all hopes on me cancelling out in the last minute (I am pretty good at that) which I did not and she had to unwillingly tag along with me.
Return, she was pleasantly glad that she had come to the wedding, she saw a ray of glowing hope that things might work out for her too, and yes, I had stuck to my part of the deal and had woken up at 6AM to leave. The sad part though, We had the bride and the groom wake up at 6AM to drop us off at the bus stop, felt a bit unkind.
My Stay at Hyderabad: After Bangalore, Hyderabad is my home. I know this city better than Bangalore, everytime I drop in here, it makes me feel like I am in charge of my life.(Not completely though!!). Yes, I had to stay put with my aunt for the rest of my trip. She's always wanted me to be more girlish, wanted me to indulge in shopping for things like jewellery, accessories, salwars, while I on the other hand successfully disappoint her time and again. I am sure one day I will surprise her.. one day..
My Travel to Hyderabad and back: Oh! I almost thought I will be missing my train onwards to Hyderabad, but bless the auto fella who promptly dropped me off the station a good 30 mins ahead. Everytime I am in the train alone, I follow the same routine, dump the bag onto the upper berth, climb up, open a bag of lays, pull out a book, read, eat and doze off until the next morning. This time I picked Medusa- had it borrowed from a fren, not sure I will ever give it back to him!!. Prolly will write about it once done.
My Best Friend's Wedding: This was something I would not want to miss.I have known these two imps for about 4 years now separately and together too. They are poles apart, he being the quiet, smart types and she loud-mouthed, bindaas types. (I would'nt say she aint smart, but she does seem a lil not too smart when hez around, I wonder if she puts up an act just for him!!). Talk about opposite attracts huh??
Anyway, the wedding was all over a week back in Dehra Dun(her place), we were just attending the reception here in Warangal. It was a grand affair, with tons of relatives(mostly his) bustling around the hall, wanting to catch up on one another's tell tales, getting a snap with the bride and the groom who were visibly tired (What would you expect after a day long picnic in the scorching sun?). But kudos to both, they managed to pull it off, well of course with a lil' squabble but then it wouldn't have been them if they dint have an argument once in a while!!
My other fren and I were decked up in the saree(counting up, this was my 5th or 6th time in saree). She carried it off pretty well(count-countless),and went on saying that saree is the sexiest dress ever, well, I beg to differ I was looking anything but sexy, I was just struggling hard to manage it, but I think I did look good.(I am kinda good looking anyway!!!).
The fiesta ended with the food and the generally-funny-photo-sessions turned out be way too hilarious with a baccha party for an audience!!
My Travel to Warangal and back: I owe this trip completely to my other best friend who has narrowly escaped from me killing her. She was my companion to this wedding. I have had to put up with her and her tantrums - she had me waiting at the bus stop, had no plan howto reach warangal, did not pick up the gift and the worst- her mental absence. Well the reason for her behavior has a completely logical explanation- her new boyfriend. Need I say more.!!!
OMG!! I couldn't have believed that she would be this if I hadn't met her myself in flesh, was I in for a shock. She would be on the phone all the time, except for when there was no signal.lol!! Now thinking back, it was painingly funny!!
Onwards, she wasn't all that enthu about going at all, of course the reason already mentioned. Anyway, she had all hopes on me cancelling out in the last minute (I am pretty good at that) which I did not and she had to unwillingly tag along with me.
Return, she was pleasantly glad that she had come to the wedding, she saw a ray of glowing hope that things might work out for her too, and yes, I had stuck to my part of the deal and had woken up at 6AM to leave. The sad part though, We had the bride and the groom wake up at 6AM to drop us off at the bus stop, felt a bit unkind.
My Stay at Hyderabad: After Bangalore, Hyderabad is my home. I know this city better than Bangalore, everytime I drop in here, it makes me feel like I am in charge of my life.(Not completely though!!). Yes, I had to stay put with my aunt for the rest of my trip. She's always wanted me to be more girlish, wanted me to indulge in shopping for things like jewellery, accessories, salwars, while I on the other hand successfully disappoint her time and again. I am sure one day I will surprise her.. one day..
My Travel to Hyderabad and back: Oh! I almost thought I will be missing my train onwards to Hyderabad, but bless the auto fella who promptly dropped me off the station a good 30 mins ahead. Everytime I am in the train alone, I follow the same routine, dump the bag onto the upper berth, climb up, open a bag of lays, pull out a book, read, eat and doze off until the next morning. This time I picked Medusa- had it borrowed from a fren, not sure I will ever give it back to him!!. Prolly will write about it once done.
Monday, August 25, 2008
3 mistakes of my life
Just put down Chetan Bhagat's "3 mistakes of my life".I am not going to blog about what the books is all about and how it is coz I know there are already thousands of guys who have beat me on that earlier.
Though I would just say that it is a simple read, and nicely put issues faced by an average Indian youth, revovling around 3 Gujjus and their passions - Business,Cricket and Religion which incidentally are the passions of most Indians. And the power of Orkut!!
A famous quote from Churchill says “All men make mistakes, but only wise men learn from their mistakes.”. One learns from mistake only when one realizes it was a mistake and registers it, so that next time you can go back to the day you made the mistake and know how bad it felt and you can work your way out of it this time.
Well, with me thats the problem. I don't remember most of them, and owing to that I am sure I have couple of (read hundreds of) repeats too!! (Lord when will I learn). My inner voice is already screaming out asking me not get started with the list of my mistakes, well alright I wont. Instead, I jot down the mistakes that I have been regretting lately.
Long long back in time when Bangalore was not yet an IT capital, I used to ride my sister's bike. One supposedly small break from driving led to not touching the bike for years. Now, I am so scared out of my wits to get onto the road with the vehicle that I fear I might never drive a car all my life. My first recent regret - Giving up driving.
Everytime I see the leftover wooden stump of the tree, it pricks and I find myself mumbling "I am so sorry". I was just another coward who could not stand up to fight for the environment when I go around preaching about it. It was a tough for me to face my rude bulldog material typed neighbour who was solely responsible for chopping down the tree just because there were too many fallen leaves to clean( Its spring for God;s sake what do you expect.!!!) Well, my second recent regret - I let the tree down, I am so sorry.
Though I would just say that it is a simple read, and nicely put issues faced by an average Indian youth, revovling around 3 Gujjus and their passions - Business,Cricket and Religion which incidentally are the passions of most Indians. And the power of Orkut!!
A famous quote from Churchill says “All men make mistakes, but only wise men learn from their mistakes.”. One learns from mistake only when one realizes it was a mistake and registers it, so that next time you can go back to the day you made the mistake and know how bad it felt and you can work your way out of it this time.
Well, with me thats the problem. I don't remember most of them, and owing to that I am sure I have couple of (read hundreds of) repeats too!! (Lord when will I learn). My inner voice is already screaming out asking me not get started with the list of my mistakes, well alright I wont. Instead, I jot down the mistakes that I have been regretting lately.
Long long back in time when Bangalore was not yet an IT capital, I used to ride my sister's bike. One supposedly small break from driving led to not touching the bike for years. Now, I am so scared out of my wits to get onto the road with the vehicle that I fear I might never drive a car all my life. My first recent regret - Giving up driving.
Everytime I see the leftover wooden stump of the tree, it pricks and I find myself mumbling "I am so sorry". I was just another coward who could not stand up to fight for the environment when I go around preaching about it. It was a tough for me to face my rude bulldog material typed neighbour who was solely responsible for chopping down the tree just because there were too many fallen leaves to clean( Its spring for God;s sake what do you expect.!!!) Well, my second recent regret - I let the tree down, I am so sorry.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
This Morning WFH..
This morning I woke up with a lousy feeling, don't even know what was wrong today. It was supposed to be a good day, I wasn't even getting up early to take the cab to office(Working From Home), and moreover there is a long weekend coming up and I am traveling to meet up my extended family for 3 days. What better reason to be glad about, but I wasn't glad instead had this uneasiness crept into me and I cant figure out what was bothering me.
Then it struck me, it was my sister. She had come down to stay with us for the week and she was going back to her in-laws today after work and not coming here to us. Its not actually that I get along with her perfectly well, we have our quarrels more than often, in fact that is how we communicate, we scream each other calling names, trying to hurt each others ego. As a matter of fact I had a quick fight with her at 6AM over my repeated snoozing of the alarm. But then, the wounded ego recovers quick enough for us to get back to normal. It was nice to have her home, it did feel like a full house. She is just about 15km from my place, its not like I cant give her a call anytime or meet her up anytime of the week but its just that the house looks a little empty and I am sitting alone here "WFH" and missing her already.
Damn you "Work From Home" option.
Then it struck me, it was my sister. She had come down to stay with us for the week and she was going back to her in-laws today after work and not coming here to us. Its not actually that I get along with her perfectly well, we have our quarrels more than often, in fact that is how we communicate, we scream each other calling names, trying to hurt each others ego. As a matter of fact I had a quick fight with her at 6AM over my repeated snoozing of the alarm. But then, the wounded ego recovers quick enough for us to get back to normal. It was nice to have her home, it did feel like a full house. She is just about 15km from my place, its not like I cant give her a call anytime or meet her up anytime of the week but its just that the house looks a little empty and I am sitting alone here "WFH" and missing her already.
Damn you "Work From Home" option.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Much Ado...
How often have you seen a movie which starts off with the male lead and the female lead not being able to stand each other, squabbling over little things, each making the other's skin crawl, the witty duel of words they have once in a while trying to outdo one another and then it so happens that after you get back from the interval, they seem to be in love. (Way too often I am sure)
This pattern of a romantic comic love story should have seen its birth by some great creative writer, and my guess is William Shakespeare. The other day I was reading Shakespeare's play "Much Ado About Nothing",and I found that Beatrice(Female lead) and Benedick (Male lead) fit in perfectly as desc above, they can't seem to stop themselves from getting onto the other's nerve.
There are a some really funny yet intelligent exchanges and I quote a few:
Benedick : "What, my dear Lady Disdain! Are you yet living?"
Beatrice : "Is it possible Disdain should die while she hath such meet food to feed it as Signor Benedick? Courtesy itself must convert to Disdain if you come in her presence."
This is when Beatrice confesses that she will never marry,
Benedick: "God keep your ladyship still in that mind, so some gentleman or other shall scape a predestinate scratched face."
Beatrice: "Scratching could not make it worse, and 'twere such a face as yours were."
Benedick:"Well, you are a rare parrot-teacher".(monotonous speaker of nonsense)
Beatrice:"A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours."
Beatrice replies to Hero when she suggests that Bendick is a better match for Beatrice.
Beatrice : "He that hath a beard is more than a youth and he that hath no beard is less than a man;and he that is more than a youth is not for me; and he that is less than a man I am not for him. Therefore I will even take sixpence in earnest of the bear-ward and lead his apes into hell"
(As a matter of fact, post few sceens(Act 3 Sceen 2 to be exact) Benedick actually gets his beard shaved off to woo his lady love Beatrice!!)
When Beatrice is forced by her uncle to bid Benedick goodnight.
Benedick: "I thank you for the pains."
Beatrice: "I took no more pains for those thanks than you take pains to thank me, If it had been painful, I would not have come."
The comic continues and somewhere in Act 2 the Cupid in guise of their common friends strikes and brings them together. Well, "All is well that ends well"- wasn't this the famous quote from the man himself. But it is the war of words between B and B that one will enjoy through the play.
PS: Yet another rumbling of Beatrice I loved was,when Hero has been proposed, Beatrice burning inside herself charges with the rage against the whole concept of love and marriage.
"wooing, wedding, and repenting, is as a Scotch jig,a measure(discernible time sequence), and a cinque pace(lively dance): the first suit is hot and hasty, like a Scotch jig, and full as fantastical; the wedding, mannerly-modest, as a measure, full of state and ancientry; and then comes repentance and, with his bad legs, falls into the cinque pace faster and faster, till he sink into his grave."So true:))
PPS: Much Ado About Nothing
This pattern of a romantic comic love story should have seen its birth by some great creative writer, and my guess is William Shakespeare. The other day I was reading Shakespeare's play "Much Ado About Nothing",and I found that Beatrice(Female lead) and Benedick (Male lead) fit in perfectly as desc above, they can't seem to stop themselves from getting onto the other's nerve.
There are a some really funny yet intelligent exchanges and I quote a few:
Benedick : "What, my dear Lady Disdain! Are you yet living?"
Beatrice : "Is it possible Disdain should die while she hath such meet food to feed it as Signor Benedick? Courtesy itself must convert to Disdain if you come in her presence."
This is when Beatrice confesses that she will never marry,
Benedick: "God keep your ladyship still in that mind, so some gentleman or other shall scape a predestinate scratched face."
Beatrice: "Scratching could not make it worse, and 'twere such a face as yours were."
Benedick:"Well, you are a rare parrot-teacher".(monotonous speaker of nonsense)
Beatrice:"A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours."
Beatrice replies to Hero when she suggests that Bendick is a better match for Beatrice.
Beatrice : "He that hath a beard is more than a youth and he that hath no beard is less than a man;and he that is more than a youth is not for me; and he that is less than a man I am not for him. Therefore I will even take sixpence in earnest of the bear-ward and lead his apes into hell"
(As a matter of fact, post few sceens(Act 3 Sceen 2 to be exact) Benedick actually gets his beard shaved off to woo his lady love Beatrice!!)
When Beatrice is forced by her uncle to bid Benedick goodnight.
Benedick: "I thank you for the pains."
Beatrice: "I took no more pains for those thanks than you take pains to thank me, If it had been painful, I would not have come."
The comic continues and somewhere in Act 2 the Cupid in guise of their common friends strikes and brings them together. Well, "All is well that ends well"- wasn't this the famous quote from the man himself. But it is the war of words between B and B that one will enjoy through the play.
PS: Yet another rumbling of Beatrice I loved was,when Hero has been proposed, Beatrice burning inside herself charges with the rage against the whole concept of love and marriage.
"wooing, wedding, and repenting, is as a Scotch jig,a measure(discernible time sequence), and a cinque pace(lively dance): the first suit is hot and hasty, like a Scotch jig, and full as fantastical; the wedding, mannerly-modest, as a measure, full of state and ancientry; and then comes repentance and, with his bad legs, falls into the cinque pace faster and faster, till he sink into his grave."So true:))
PPS: Much Ado About Nothing
Sunday, August 10, 2008
In Progress
This note has been highly inspired by Unfinished Posts .
Going through Shradz blog I sat down for my "Unfinished List of Business" and I was in for a surprise. A couple of blogs waiting for the final touch so that they can be put up formally where they belong,few miss the premise while few miss the conclusion. A couple of halfbaked ideas jumbled in my mind, wanting to be materialized into something more tangible. A bunch of halfread books - both the tech books and novels. I believe its a pardonable act when you ditch a tech book half way coz it gave you a headache but how can I justify abandoning Jeffery Archers "A Prisoner of Birth" half way.Grr..I have all of them dogeared , well the reason being clear - ran out of bookmarkers!!!.
Come to think of it,one needs keep the spark burning exactly the same way when one starts off with anything that matters. Easier said than done, but I am going to reignite the spark in me and have all these undone done.
Going through Shradz blog I sat down for my "Unfinished List of Business" and I was in for a surprise. A couple of blogs waiting for the final touch so that they can be put up formally where they belong,few miss the premise while few miss the conclusion. A couple of halfbaked ideas jumbled in my mind, wanting to be materialized into something more tangible. A bunch of halfread books - both the tech books and novels. I believe its a pardonable act when you ditch a tech book half way coz it gave you a headache but how can I justify abandoning Jeffery Archers "A Prisoner of Birth" half way.Grr..I have all of them dogeared , well the reason being clear - ran out of bookmarkers!!!.
Come to think of it,one needs keep the spark burning exactly the same way when one starts off with anything that matters. Easier said than done, but I am going to reignite the spark in me and have all these undone done.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Revival of TV
After a long hiatus ( TV Withdrawal ), my TV has been re-incarnated. Was I glad to see my old tv placed in its niche in the living room. The happiness was short lived, until I noticed the remote control was of a different make than the one we used, ours was a trademark device, the battery pack at the back was packaged with few strips of metal to connect the batteries +ves and -ves and few pieces of paper to hold it together, all done by us after we had broken the device over a fight!!
I switched on the TV and already had started to miss my old remote. But this was not the only thing I would miss. Minute by minute I realized the main qualities of my old TV that I would go ga-ga over were all gone in this new one owing to the fact that the IC board was completely damaged and had to be replaced with another and hence most of the functionality was screwed up!!!
First and foremost point to notice was the low "Speed of Channel Flicking", channel flicking requires 2 jobs done in quick succession, one being pressing on the Program+ or Program- on your remote, this ofcourse our thumbs have been trained quite well. And the other being the actual changing of the channel on your TV. With the old but new TV, this was a considerable
let-down,there was a black screen popped up for a microsecond while switching the picture from one channel to another(Yes, this is annoying) and the time taken to browse a given number of channels was longer than earlier, effectively it means lower productivity!!
Next was the "-/--/---" button on the remote, I have always hated this one. These are the ones to set the single digit or double digit or triple digits channel. So, in effect you wanted to switch to channel number 45, you had to press "-/--/---" button twice, "4" and "5". How primitive is this? I hate it. The older one was smarted, you had to just click "4" and "5" in succession on voila!! you had channel 45.
Next was the memory, the "Alt C" button, used to go back to the previously watched channel. The older tv had a smart check in its memory and never stored the current and the previous channel to be the same, the newer one doesnot have this. So, if you make a mistake of choosing the same channel, you will end up with duplicacy of the info, what good is this?
Following up on the previous point -memory, the "Alt c" gets refreshed back to "0" everytime you switch off your TV, so in case of a power down, you would not remember which 2 channels you were juggling with prior to it! In a channel band of 1 to 100+ its gonna be a huge task to find what you were watching earlier!!!! A major let down.
All in all, the experience of watching TV has been drastically pulled down with my old but new TV. Its got the same body, but the soul has been changed. Watching TV is no more fun, high time I need to think about changing the set. Its going to be hard to give up which was once a beauty and a great old friend.
PS: I still am a huge TV junkie. I have managed to sit though whole of Sunday glued to this TV even with all its limitations.
I switched on the TV and already had started to miss my old remote. But this was not the only thing I would miss. Minute by minute I realized the main qualities of my old TV that I would go ga-ga over were all gone in this new one owing to the fact that the IC board was completely damaged and had to be replaced with another and hence most of the functionality was screwed up!!!
First and foremost point to notice was the low "Speed of Channel Flicking", channel flicking requires 2 jobs done in quick succession, one being pressing on the Program+ or Program- on your remote, this ofcourse our thumbs have been trained quite well. And the other being the actual changing of the channel on your TV. With the old but new TV, this was a considerable
let-down,there was a black screen popped up for a microsecond while switching the picture from one channel to another(Yes, this is annoying) and the time taken to browse a given number of channels was longer than earlier, effectively it means lower productivity!!
Next was the "-/--/---" button on the remote, I have always hated this one. These are the ones to set the single digit or double digit or triple digits channel. So, in effect you wanted to switch to channel number 45, you had to press "-/--/---" button twice, "4" and "5". How primitive is this? I hate it. The older one was smarted, you had to just click "4" and "5" in succession on voila!! you had channel 45.
Next was the memory, the "Alt C" button, used to go back to the previously watched channel. The older tv had a smart check in its memory and never stored the current and the previous channel to be the same, the newer one doesnot have this. So, if you make a mistake of choosing the same channel, you will end up with duplicacy of the info, what good is this?
Following up on the previous point -memory, the "Alt c" gets refreshed back to "0" everytime you switch off your TV, so in case of a power down, you would not remember which 2 channels you were juggling with prior to it! In a channel band of 1 to 100+ its gonna be a huge task to find what you were watching earlier!!!! A major let down.
All in all, the experience of watching TV has been drastically pulled down with my old but new TV. Its got the same body, but the soul has been changed. Watching TV is no more fun, high time I need to think about changing the set. Its going to be hard to give up which was once a beauty and a great old friend.
PS: I still am a huge TV junkie. I have managed to sit though whole of Sunday glued to this TV even with all its limitations.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Bangalore at 6AM
Recently I made a resolution to myself that I would treat myself with some good "morning walks". To a nocturnal and a couch potato like me, Morning Walk meant two disasters clubbed into one package , one - I had to get up atleast 45mins earlier than usual and two - a workout and me just don't go together.
But determined I was, for this whole week shradz would inspire me to wake up and go for it, she would give me a wake up call at 6AM, and I also had 2 alarms timed 6 and 6:05. But then, come on, you can always snooze the alarms and cut the call..:) Thats what I did until today.
After lot of self-determination I did wake up at 6:05 today, and I was already so proud of myself.
I freshened up myself, the fact that I was still in my tees and jeans from yesterday when I slept was a help, I hit the road in less than 5 minutes. I had my nike jacket, adidas shoe, music on and a high tied pony, all set for the endeavor.
There was no human soul(of course there were the infamous stray dogs) on my road, I just took a deep turn down the road, coz I knew there was a park at the other end of my colony. It was a beautiful morning, not so chill, a bit cloudy but not so misty, it was perfect(almost too perfect to have gone under the sheets) but I carried on. I put on the radio and tuned to some random channel playing some hindi music, the "dingchak" kinds , I needed all the inspiration I could get.
On the way, I spotted a kid cycling , I just had seen the guy who brought us the newspaper everyday. I saw my dhoodwala too for the first time
I hit the park hoping to find atleast some human presence, and was not all that disappointed, there were few middle-aged and oldies already doing the rounds and some yoga. I was the youngest of the lot.(was I proud of myself or what?)
This park had a fierce tiger and 3 deers at the core lawn, while we would circle them on the pathway. It was a small park but very well maintained, there was music on the speakers placed at the center too. Well, I wasn't interested to listen to some 'suprabatha', so I stuck to my radio still playing some ding-chak songs. I overtook the oldies on the pathway a couple of times, and one 'thatha' would smile at me everytime I passed by him, well I think I have already made a friend in the first 10 minutes of the workout. I could not go on for too long, so at 6:45 I shut down the music and sat down on one of the stone benches enjoying the greens. It was different, it was ..uh... peaceful, something the recent Bangalore misses, there were no motors on the road, no honking, people taking a playful stroll, not rushing to get somewhere, some leisurely sitting, with no frowns on any face. I loved it.
I just love Bangalore at 6 am, do love Bangalore anyday, anytime, but at 6AM, I just love it all the more..:)
Looking forward to all the 6AMs..:)
But determined I was, for this whole week shradz would inspire me to wake up and go for it, she would give me a wake up call at 6AM, and I also had 2 alarms timed 6 and 6:05. But then, come on, you can always snooze the alarms and cut the call..:) Thats what I did until today.
After lot of self-determination I did wake up at 6:05 today, and I was already so proud of myself.
I freshened up myself, the fact that I was still in my tees and jeans from yesterday when I slept was a help, I hit the road in less than 5 minutes. I had my nike jacket, adidas shoe, music on and a high tied pony, all set for the endeavor.
There was no human soul(of course there were the infamous stray dogs) on my road, I just took a deep turn down the road, coz I knew there was a park at the other end of my colony. It was a beautiful morning, not so chill, a bit cloudy but not so misty, it was perfect(almost too perfect to have gone under the sheets) but I carried on. I put on the radio and tuned to some random channel playing some hindi music, the "dingchak" kinds , I needed all the inspiration I could get.
On the way, I spotted a kid cycling , I just had seen the guy who brought us the newspaper everyday. I saw my dhoodwala too for the first time
I hit the park hoping to find atleast some human presence, and was not all that disappointed, there were few middle-aged and oldies already doing the rounds and some yoga. I was the youngest of the lot.(was I proud of myself or what?)
This park had a fierce tiger and 3 deers at the core lawn, while we would circle them on the pathway. It was a small park but very well maintained, there was music on the speakers placed at the center too. Well, I wasn't interested to listen to some 'suprabatha', so I stuck to my radio still playing some ding-chak songs. I overtook the oldies on the pathway a couple of times, and one 'thatha' would smile at me everytime I passed by him, well I think I have already made a friend in the first 10 minutes of the workout. I could not go on for too long, so at 6:45 I shut down the music and sat down on one of the stone benches enjoying the greens. It was different, it was ..uh... peaceful, something the recent Bangalore misses, there were no motors on the road, no honking, people taking a playful stroll, not rushing to get somewhere, some leisurely sitting, with no frowns on any face. I loved it.
I just love Bangalore at 6 am, do love Bangalore anyday, anytime, but at 6AM, I just love it all the more..:)
Looking forward to all the 6AMs..:)
Monday, June 9, 2008
The Day I Went Missing
Has it ever happened to any, that there are about a hundred odd people trying to reach you, and you have your mobile tucked away safely in your bag and getting on with your life.
I have and I tell you it ain't nice at all.
Just the other day I met a friend after really long time in CoffeeDay, and we began to yup away to glory while my family was trying to reach me. With the loud music and all the stories we had to exchange, I never for once thought of checking the time let alone my cell!!
It was when I got back home of course well within the curfew time, I realized I had caused a panic attack in the world I knew. I checked my phone and there it was, about 17 people who had called maybe close to a 30-40 times with 5-6 messages "wru" "y u not pickin call?" "call bk". It all happened just because I had not left behind any proper number of any of my friends back home. And in the process of tracking me down my family had called up every single soul they had a number of, and they in turn had called me (which I was oblivious to) and called someone else and the chain-call had just continued (Its exponential I tell u). It had reached Mysore, Hyderabad and Delhi. If I hadnt turned up by then, they all were ready with the search teams.!!
Phew!!!... I had to call up everyone who tried to find me and apologize to them and had to listen to their reprimands and lectures - given for my own well-being. Shoot.. I felt like an idiot!! I cant imagine I had caused a panic attack, Gosh!!..I have never been this irresponsible before!! It took a good one hour for me to return all the calls.
Next time, I will make sure I leave behind the correct number of the friend I am meeting up with, or better never forget to give my location co-ordinates to the people who care.
I have and I tell you it ain't nice at all.
Just the other day I met a friend after really long time in CoffeeDay, and we began to yup away to glory while my family was trying to reach me. With the loud music and all the stories we had to exchange, I never for once thought of checking the time let alone my cell!!
It was when I got back home of course well within the curfew time, I realized I had caused a panic attack in the world I knew. I checked my phone and there it was, about 17 people who had called maybe close to a 30-40 times with 5-6 messages "wru" "y u not pickin call?" "call bk". It all happened just because I had not left behind any proper number of any of my friends back home. And in the process of tracking me down my family had called up every single soul they had a number of, and they in turn had called me (which I was oblivious to) and called someone else and the chain-call had just continued (Its exponential I tell u). It had reached Mysore, Hyderabad and Delhi. If I hadnt turned up by then, they all were ready with the search teams.!!
Phew!!!... I had to call up everyone who tried to find me and apologize to them and had to listen to their reprimands and lectures - given for my own well-being. Shoot.. I felt like an idiot!! I cant imagine I had caused a panic attack, Gosh!!..I have never been this irresponsible before!! It took a good one hour for me to return all the calls.
Next time, I will make sure I leave behind the correct number of the friend I am meeting up with, or better never forget to give my location co-ordinates to the people who care.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Return of Indiana Jones
I caught up on the latest of the Indiana Jones on the first day of its release. The thrill of watching a movie on the first day is tenfolds than you watch it any other day, and I am glad I did before it went under the pens of the critics and old fans of Jones.
I was pleasantly surprised to see Harrison Ford still had a charismatic presence, my eyes would light up everytime he comes on screen, which btw he does every other second or so, but whoz complaining. He still is a darling!
Credits must go to Cate Blanchet too who plays the villainous Russian mind-reader, you would hate her the first minute you lay your eyes on her. And I could not stop adoring Mutt who just reminds me of Fonzie from Happy Days. (But I guess he wont be the next Jones, coz he doesn't get to wear the hat at the end of the movie)
Ford still retains the same old look, the same leather jacket, the same whip, the same highly credited hat, and a fear of snakes!!Nothing seem to have changed, it has just got better with great artwork thanks to the technologies of today.
The movie has all the antics and the charms that make people love Jones so much till date, and by no surprise the element of extra-terrestrials which are Spielberg's specialization( I am sure he thinks about them 24*7).
The hot ride on the Harley Davidson across the University library, would definitely bring back the memories of the 80s and sure keep the young at the edge of the seat. (Well, i was at the edge of the seat). The sword fight on moving jeeps is adventurous as well as hilarious. The climax is breath-taking and well ended, but it makes you wonder what "spaces in between spaces" actually mean!
A thoroughly enjoyable movie after a really long time, its just gonna be adored by all ages, the oldies for they idolized Jones heronics, the young who grew up watching him, and the kids who would just like to watch a nice treasure hunt movie with some cool graphics.
I was pleasantly surprised to see Harrison Ford still had a charismatic presence, my eyes would light up everytime he comes on screen, which btw he does every other second or so, but whoz complaining. He still is a darling!
Credits must go to Cate Blanchet too who plays the villainous Russian mind-reader, you would hate her the first minute you lay your eyes on her. And I could not stop adoring Mutt who just reminds me of Fonzie from Happy Days. (But I guess he wont be the next Jones, coz he doesn't get to wear the hat at the end of the movie)
Ford still retains the same old look, the same leather jacket, the same whip, the same highly credited hat, and a fear of snakes!!Nothing seem to have changed, it has just got better with great artwork thanks to the technologies of today.
The movie has all the antics and the charms that make people love Jones so much till date, and by no surprise the element of extra-terrestrials which are Spielberg's specialization( I am sure he thinks about them 24*7).
The hot ride on the Harley Davidson across the University library, would definitely bring back the memories of the 80s and sure keep the young at the edge of the seat. (Well, i was at the edge of the seat). The sword fight on moving jeeps is adventurous as well as hilarious. The climax is breath-taking and well ended, but it makes you wonder what "spaces in between spaces" actually mean!
A thoroughly enjoyable movie after a really long time, its just gonna be adored by all ages, the oldies for they idolized Jones heronics, the young who grew up watching him, and the kids who would just like to watch a nice treasure hunt movie with some cool graphics.
TV Withdrawal
Being a total TV junkie that I am, blogging has come to my rescue miraculously after the sad demise of my tv, thanks to the heavy downpour and a scary lightning. It is the sudden withdrawal that has pulled down my spirits or rather ripped it into minuscule bits.
This is when I realized I needed a distraction, just like any addict would need when he's got to get over his addiction, like a smoker would turn to chews and gum or probably a patch. I needed a similar nicotine patch too. (It is cruel though that there is no such thing as a nicotine patch for TV addict)
So I decided to keep a journal, a simple one though, for I am sure I won’t be religiously jotting things down. That’s where the problem started, try as much I might, I just could not find a nice little e-diary that fit my requirement, and that’s when my attention turned to blogging.
Hope this helps me recuperate from the huge loss and shoulder me through the withdrawal.
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