Ratatouille

A rat in the kitchen is something obviously you don't want to see and find in your own house. A kitchen is not a place for a rat (according to us) . And can be both quite treacherous as well as tempting for the little rodent. But what if this rat has a knack for making exquisite culinary delight? A rat that's not interested in stealing, but rather inclined towards herbs and spices, to Rose Mary and Saffron. What if you came to know that it was a rat that prepared the delicious meal you just had? Doesn't sound too appetizing.


Well then let me introduce you to Remy, the four legged rodent, who actually prefers walking on two as he doesn't like tasting his feet in his food. Who has taste for the gourmet meal and will simply not eat garbage. Someone who can tell spices from each other (something that not even I can do). Someone who lives in Paris and dreams of being a chef. Someone who adorably cute and reminded me of doggie when he made those cute innocent faces.

Ratatouille is the story of Remy and his dream of being a chef. Helping a hapless Linguini along the way, collaborating with him to make splendid dishes (which are finest moments), as well as his true inheritance. Also winning over food critic Anton Ego (marvelously voiced by Peter O'Toole) who was responsible for the restaurant loosing it's credibility. All this aided by the great chef Gusteau, a figment of Remy's imagination and the line "Anyone can Cook".

Never in the million year would I thought that I would find a rat in the kitchen so appealing. But every dish, every ingredient, comes to life. Even when Remy tasting two things the firework representing what the ingredient brings you is absolutely delightful. Sitting in the audience you taste, smell and want what Remy cooks up.

There are moment where you'll simply go aww or just cheer Remy. But there moments that will also creep you out especially when you see the entire rat colony. But then it when the entire rat colony that helps Remy and in turn Linguini in the climax that makes the whole movie great and also gives the movie it's finest moment.

The finale is absolutely a delight with Remy not only managing to win over Anton Ego but at the same time make the food critic remember his mother's preparation. Something that I long for.

Coming out of the theater I couldn't help but have the a broad of smile on face. Thoroughly entertained by cute, squeaky rat. I guess that's what I go to the movies for. Definitely recommend the movie. So till then Bon Apetit.

Marriage & Relationships

There is one question, we eligible Bachelors and Spinsters, have to answer at every wedding. Whenever you go to hello some family friend or an elderly aunties, we can't help but have this question be put to us. "So when are you inviting us to yours?" There a part of me that wants to put the same questions to them during a funeral.

At times, hearing this question makes you wonder whether we are born just to get married and invite all these aunties and friends to the celebration? Is marriage a necessary part of life? What exactly do we look for in a marriage? Time and again we are reminded that man is a social animal. But then does marriage forms a part of this socialising? Is marriage an important part of life?

We seek companionship in life. As a person I know I like being around friends and people I love and care about. Loneliness can be a very treacherous friend, often pushing you down the depths of despair and depression. Often eating you up.

Often we seek out people who could bear witness to our lives. A person to love and care. Someone to call our own, but not own. Being in love can be quite an exhilarating feeling. But how long will this feeling last? What happens when the magic runs out? Is there really a happily ever after?

I remember mentioning this in my toast for my parent's silver wedding anniversary that being together for 28 years (that's when we managed to celebrate their silver anniversary) was quite an achievement. Imagine loving and caring for the same person all these year is quite an inspiration. But do I feel inspired by this is another question.

I know relationship and being in love is somewhat a part of life. Whether its loving someone of the opposite sex or the same sex. But then how do we know we know we are ready for long-term relationship? I know I have failed miserably on these grounds in the past. I know of friends and family member who don't feel the need of being marriage and prefer staying single and drawing happiness from their single hood. They draw happiness and love from the people around them.

Sometime I wonder if I will ever be ready for a relationship, let alone marriage. I know there are times in a relationship when you can feel really great about it and there are time you can feel totally uncomfortable about it. I guess that's part of life. I sometime wonder whether I will ever be comfortable being myself.

There is so many question and no answer and solution in sight. Is there really any solution for these question?. Anyway till then I'll be a Bachelor Boy and that's the way I'll stay. :)

Celebrating 60 Years Of Independence

Everyone has their own unique way of celebrating India's Independence. Some watch the parade on TV, some actually go to places that have parades. Others would have to go to school or college for the flag hoisting ceremony (this is if your a student or a teacher or a professor). Still others go to church (as it is also the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady) and follow that with the flag hoisting ceremony at the Parish's school. Well this time decided to do something different. It's been a month since I've been in Pune and so wanting to visit various forts that formed a major part of the Maratha history. Decided to trek and so formulated a sort of plan with my colleague and friend Rahul, to trek to Torna.

Even though I've trekked before, a numerous amount of time when I was in boarding school. And I have been to forts like Lohgad and Raigad. Nothing in this world could have prepared me for this trek. The first problem was getting to the place. There was problem trying to pronounce the Base village (which was Valhe, by the way). This raised a bigger problem trying to find a bus that went there as we had one great difficulty pronouncing the village name. Somehow we did managed to get there. The initial part of the trek seem all nice and fun. Passing fields and cattle and little streams, getting your feet wet in the cool water. Taking pictures of the scenery. At all times adrenaline pumping at the sight of the fort covered by clouds.

But then that was the good part. Our problem was trying to decipher which path to follow (as no one thought it would be wise enough to put signs to point the right directions). Then there was problem getting lost and meeting people who were lost themselves (however never thinking of sticking with them so that all could find the proper path together). Climbing what looked like path of a small stream, then trying to scale upward holding on to grasses and trees. Snapping branches, slipping down loose mud and rocks. The rain not making our task any easier. Getting totally muddy, totally dirty (which actually was least of worries). Hanging on to grass and branches, if they could take our weight, our determination to reach the top almost diminishing with every slide we were taking. There a part of me that thought that I would end there or would need someone to come and rescue me. And then I would put my story in the Reader's Digest under the true incident section. Anyway screaming at people for direction and meeting another pair who were as lost as us, we finally found what we could call proper path, with the occasional steps. Somehow we managed to make it to the top.

Breathless, tired, thirsty, hungry, dirty, we finally made it to the top. Gave a huge yell reaching the main gate. Felt like I just conquered my Everest. Remarkably managed to get a network on cell up on that mountain. Wished my Mumma, Grandpa, and Godma, and also a good friend of mine, wishing them from over 3000 feet. It was really emotional wishing them as there was part of which only recently thought I would have never hear their voice again.

Now the other daunting task was reaching the base again. Since we didn't have the energy and the mist didn't help make thing clearer, we decided to come down with another group. Trust me the trip getting down was obviously not at all easy. Had a whole lot of scare getting down slipper rocks. Trying to get foothold, holding on to the pipe railing (this became a dangerous when there were gaps between railing). Anyhow made it down, slipping and sliding, soiling clothes, footwear and bag in the process. Pitying the poor knees that was taking all the body weight. Finally getting down and washing ourselves in the cool, flowing water. Giving a thought of those who may have gotten lost among the trees in the mountain.

Reaching down, realizing how lucky we were to make it to the top safely. All the dangers we had put ourselves into. The adventure that we had, the scare of lives that we had. Finally glad to live to see a new day. Moreover grateful for the experience, for the adventure, for the story that we now have to tell the generations to come. Looking forward to another trek :)

Chak De India

Since of late it become a very rare that I go for a film, due to a lack of proper company. And seldom do I go to watch a Hindi film (though the last one was quite recent, Life in a Metro). Well as I've written in my previous blog I decided to go for a movie all by myself. It's not like was desperate to watch a movie. It was just that I was feeling lonely, bored, and didn't want to spend my Sunday evening holed up in my apartment by myself reading The Namesake (since I had come to the part where the character Ashoke passes away, which in turn reminded me of my own dad passing away), or reading some health magazine. So after my friend Ashutosh left, decided I just go over and try and catch Simpson the Movie. However since there was no show for Simpson and was in no mood to watch Rush Hour 3 decided to catch a 9:45 show of Chak De India.

One thing for sure I am neither a great fan of Hindi cinema and definitely not a fan of Shah Rukh Khan. What drew me towards the movie was the reviews of the movie that I had read earlier in the morning, and the intriguing thought of watching a sport based film on a sport that hasn't gotten it's due, in spite being the national sport, and female team that's never given prominence. So anyway went for the movie which had a 15 minute delay, which meant that the movie would end well beyond midnight and I would have to find a way of trying to get back home all by myself. All this time questioning whether it was right way of spending time and money. I have seen a number of sport based movies like Lagaan, Angels in the Outfield, Jerry McGuire (which did have sport theme to it), and Bring it On (even though this is about cheer leaders). So I had a good idea of what to expect. Moreover I did play the game when I was in the boarding school.

Well the movie began with Mr. Khan been shown made as an outcast for missing a crucial penalty against none other than Pakistan (wonder what did the Italian do to Roberto Baggio for missing that crucial peanlty at the world cup). Anyway things pick up a bit when each of the girls are introduced, each coming from various states including Jharkhand. You have the typical cat fights and the Diva attitudes, quarrels and squabbles. And between all this you have a committee who feels like Indian women should not be running around running in their knickers, but should be holding a rolling pin instead of a hockey stick. There are characters that you immediately fall in love with like the dimmunitive, fire cracker Komal from Harayana, the very manly hot headed Punjaban (can't remember her name), and the two girls from Jharkhand who couldn't speak English, let alone understand Hindi. Then there was the most senior player Kunjan (as we are reminded repeatedly throughout the movie) who you want to whack with her hockey stick because of her attitude that is typical of a senior player in any sport. Well there is also Vidya, the married team captain and it's goalie and Preeti, who is engaged to the Indian cricket team's vice captain, who doesn't think much of the sport (which pretty typical of our fatted, over payed Indian cricketers). There are other characters that aren't given much scope.

Well the first half is how the girls are learning to gel with each other and to play the game for the country and rather than individually. A sought of high point in this half is the girls getting into a brawl with guys at McDonald for eve teasing one of the fellow players. This even dominates the match of the sexes against their male counterpart in order to decide whether the girls get to go abroad for the world championship.

The second half is where the things actually pick up when they actually play at the championship. Initially totally un-co-ordinated and loosing miserably, but slowly and steadily getting their act together. Then you also have the friction between Preeti and Komal. But finally, as you know they will iron out their differences. Then there is also Kunjan trying to seduce the coach with regards to becoming the captain. But all is well that ends well. The part where Preeti equalises in the dying minutes thanks to Komal is pretty good. During the penalty shootout you can feel the anguish when the team misses the goal or the esctacy when Komal, Kunjan, and the Mizoram player convert their penalties. But the final goal that Vidya saves is probably the most tense moment in the movie. The funny thing is that you know what is going to happen, but even then when it happens all you want to do is cheer for the team and clap (which I did along with the others in the hall).

When I left the movie hall after the movie got over, well beyond midnight, didn't mind walking all by myself back home, in the cold night, as I just enjoyed a good Adrenaline pumping movie. Time and money well spent :)

Crossing Bridges

Yesterday went for a movie by myself. On the way I actually need to cross a bridge that connects Koregaon Park (i.e. where I stay) and Kalayani Nagar (where the theater is). Well the movie got over around one o'clock in the night and since I am looking at saving cash decided to walk home in the dead silent night. While crossing the bridge, it made me recollect about the number of bridges that we have crossed in life. The many times we have debated with ourselves whether it is proper in crossing the bridge and moving on to the other side. Making decision that we may wonder if were right. Standing in the centre of the bridge, looking down at the water flowing under it rapidly, enjoying the breeze against my face, not wanting to go on to the other side. Wanted to just stand there and look at the water and somehow find peace with myself. It feels the same way in life where cometo bridges where we just want to stand there and maybe enjoy the moment, not sure whether going to the other side is the right decision, or whether I should just turn back.

But anyway I did needed to get back home, to my bed, for some sleep, though I didn't want to move from the centre of the bridge. Because it's during this solitude I can ponder what's gone by, if what I've done is right or wrong?? Or even scold myself for being foolish. Anyway did cross this bridge. I know there will be a number of bridges that I would need to cross. Some I will and some I will continue to wonder if I need to cross. And some I may just turn back and return. but I know till then I will continue to live my life pondering whether what I've done is right or wrong.

Dance Session

The last time I spoke about attending the kickboxing session at my gym. Well yesterday went for the dance session. Well this was typical Bollywood dance with it's typical jathkas and miming and dancing to the lyrics of the song. I do consider myself as quite a competent dancer. Know how to jive since a kid (something that I pride as being in my blood). Have taken Salsa classes and made it through the beginners and improvers level (before giving up). Even featured in a documentary for a Friend about Salsa in Mumbai. Bot Bollywood dancing proved a whole different ball game altogether.

Firstly there were three different guys instructing on songs that they previously worked on. So it was trying to understand the steps, playing catch up. The steps that they were doing were pretty quick and if you couldn't do them in the same way they were doing, they looked very awkward. Though these guys made it look pretty neat, trust me it wasn't that easy. Felt like a total spaz. Felt like I had two left feet. And trust me I haven't felt like that since Kaytee (my Salsa Guru) taught us step involving the open break.

What surprised me the most is that in spite all the awkwardness and the two left feet, I did enjoy the session. Though didn't like the songs they were using (Since they were playing Hindi film music and me used to listening to English music), started enjoying the music. Lasted the entire session and at the same time managed to sweat it out, which actually was the main aim. :)

Kick Boxing @ Gym

At the gym where I workout there are session like Bollywood Dancing, Kickboxing session that members can attend. I have seen many people take these sessions. Since these session takes place behind glass walls you can see what happening inside. It at times seems like great fun and at times awkward if the people are not getting what needs to be done, especially the dancing session.

Well since I was supposed to my cardio and abs thought why not give the kickboxing session a try, as it will serve as a good cardio session too. Well it was actually pretty good. Initially felt odd and awkward, especially when doing high kick, keeping timing, and coordination. Learnt, or I should say, confirmed that I was directionally impaired. Kept kicking on the wrong side. As a result had to 10 dips, which actually I didn't mind. During the stretching session, where you had spread your feet at least 3 feet, had problems as my shoes weren't providing me the proper grip. So there was always a scare of loosing balance or having a Rodman split. though painful had a good stretch. Also what enjoyed was the combination of kicking and punching (whenever I got the sequence properly) and also the abs session.

It did feel odd when you are making mistake and you can see people from outside looking at you. But in the end it was fun. And yes looking forward to next Tuesday's session.

Dance and Music

You must surely across moments when you are listening to music when you suddenly fell like letting go of yourself and drowning in the music. Drowning in the beats and lyrics. Your feet tapping the rhythm. Slowly you letting go and dancing to the rhythm, steps that may seem funny to someone but at that moment seems graceful and freedom for you. Moving your body to the rhythm. doing steps you've may have learnt...to a specific timing...1, 2, 3 and 5, 6, 7...or just moving your body, or just moving along something you've seen. Then there is the singing along, imagining you're the one singing the song...miming for the time being. Playing the air guitar or the drums or the piano. Totally enjoying the music...but moreover losing yourself to the moment...enjoying. Being the rock star, Fred Astaire that you are.

Are we comfortable in our skin?

One thing over the years I have observed, including myself, we meet people and interact with them. We smile, we chat, exchange pleasantry, occasionally gossip and bitch. We go to social gatherings and work. We do things and make choices in life based on what's best for us...what best for us to look nice to other. We try to maintain an external appearance, appeal and do so many things not because they are right, but because we think other things its right. This happens most of the times but not always. We try to appeal and gain approval of people.

As I said I put myself as one of these people. What I wonder is am I comfortable being what I am actually? Am I comfortable being myself? am I superfluous? I know every time I make a choice or take a decision I wonder what would be the consequences on others as well as myself. Though my choices and my decision are mine, but somehow they seems to put everyone in it.

Some time I wonder am I living my own life or am I living a life that's been trying to appeal others? Am I being true to myself? Or am I uncomfortable being me? Am I comfortable being in my own skin?