Love

What do you do when you love someone with all your heart, your body, mind and soul. You just want to stand the tallest tower and shout and profess your love for them. You don't care how embarassing it may seem or how foolish you may look...you just want people to know your love. You just want to hold them close to you, for every single second that you are them. You want to look at them and kiss them as if its the last time you will ever be with them. You want to love them like no one has ever love them before. Your love for them is so great, deep, immense that you are wiling to take a leap of faith for them. Even though at time you may want to tear the hair off your head and sometime you may question if the whole things is worth or may even cry because you don't feel your being getting what you deserve...but yet your love overcomes all these barrier and goes stronger. This love is not about whose right and whose wrong, whose strong and whose weak, this love is about overcoming obstacles and solving problems, not hiding weaknesses, but making a better person of each other.

This love is so beautiful that even though this love is not acceptable in the eye of society only you can do is to continue to love this person till the very last breath of your life.

The End of Another Year

In another two days we would once again be saying goodbye to yet another year and would be welcoming a new one. With the old year we just want to forget all the pain and sorrows and start the new one with the hope that it will be better than the old one. But what are doing to ensure that this new year is not same like the old???? We squarely blamed the politicians and the police personnel for lack of proper security for the attacks on Mumbai. We blamed them for not taking any responsibilities and called for heads to start rolling. But in all this what did we do??? We have the biggest hands in this whole thing. It is we people who have elected these politician to govern us or have chosen not toe exercise our democratic right to vote. So if we have selected why do we complain about their skills. It is we who have corrupted the police with bribes and underhand tactics to get our work done. So now that they used to it, they can be bribed even by terrorist organization. So why do we complain, after all it is we who have encouraged them. We tens and thousand of celebs who have spoken about these attacks, because this time it hit them the most. What were these people doing during the other bomb blast??? Why do they come on the media with all their fakeness and crocodile tears???

The only solutions to this problem and for a better new year is if we improve ourselves. If we try to exercise our democratic rights in the way it was meant to...in the right spirit. And yes be vigilant and good. Only then we can ensure a safe and fruitful new year.

Do We Celebrate the Season????

It Christmas time around the corner and the year will end soon. However it doesn't feel Christmassy at all :(. Keeping in mind the recent acts on Mumbai, religious leaders of the Muslim community asked that Bakri Eid be celebrated on a low key as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in the attacks, Following this example the Archbishop has called upon the Christian community to do the same with Christmas.

The one thing that I am trying to understand is how will this low key celebration or not celebrating any of your festival at all whether it be Christmas, Ramadan, New Year, Diwali) help. Right now the city is in the state of shock and depression and there is gloom everywhere, along with fear and tension. What we need is something to overcome this gloom and lift us up from the depression. A low key celebration just wouldn't do the truck at all. It would actually do the opposite....remind us why the gloom, fear and tension is prevalent in the air.

As for me I know that I would go ahead and celebrate the festival with all my heart. Would even go out my way to help others get into the festival mood. We have mourned for and saluted the dead now we need to care about the living and bring back the color and joys and happiness in live.

I will be celebrating the season..will you???

Sermons

Today attended Mass where the priest gave a sermon how the morality of society has been gradually being eroded away and how people are loosing themselves to sin. He used a couple pf examples - one obviously the recent attack on Mumbai, the morality of cinema and lastly the institution of marriage.

The so called terrorist captured in the attack has shown no remorse for what he has done or has been part of, and lack of awareness of his siness formed a part of a the sermon. According to my view people like Kasab will never claim what they have done is wrong, they would never view it as a sin. The truth being they have been preached to moulded to understand the fact that what they are doing is right and something what their so called God and religion wants them to. For such people they will never see what they have done as a sin.

The second point that the priest used was vulgarity and no morales in movies and soap. This actually started sounding like some old foggie refusing to accept the changing times. YEs i do agree that at time these do push the boundaries of morality...but don't we have our own sense of judgement to say what is right and what is wrong. The last thing we need is yet another morale policeman or a person telling us what to do.

Lastly he spoke about how same sex marriage is erroding the instution of marriage. This is something I totally disagree on. Marriage is a scared union between two people who are deeply in love with each other and want to be together for the rest of their lives. Hoewever now days marriages have come in with a warranty period. There are cheatings and break ups and seperations and divorces. All this could be due to the fact that people cannot stay in love or with a person too long...or that people are jumping into matrimony without giving time to things to develop before getting into. These are some of the reason for the scatity of the marriage being eroded and not same sex marriage. The Church may not recognised the union between two people if the same sex...but this doesn't mean that their union in unholy or different from a hetrosexual union. The only difference here being is that the two person are of the same gender. I don't see anything sinful in this. The two people love each other therefore tjhey decided to cement thir bond legally.

Anyway this was my view about the sermon.

The Year End

... and so we edge slowly closer to the end of another year. A year that promised so much and delivered a mixture of pain and sorrow and happiness and love. We come to the end of the year in the shadow of terrorism and mourning and sorrow. Burning spirits of the season have been dampened by the violent acts of humanity. What would have been time when people made money has become the time of sorrows and mourning.

But then lets look at the season to help bring love, peace and joy to bring brightness to the darkest of places. We can use this year a promise that we would never cower to forces of people who want to see us cower and suffer. Let stand up against injustice and corruptions and terrorism and let them get the better of us. vow to make the new year a better and safer year. Vow to participate in democracy honestly and make sure the right person is in the right place and not tolerate or encourage corruption.

Let's all wish for a better 2009.

The Day Some Fools Held My Beloved Mumbai Under Seige

I am Mumbaikar or Bomabyite through and through. It's the city where I was born grew up, learnt so many things and lost my heart. Even though for over a year I've been living and working in Pune, my heart belongs to Mumbai. That is why the events of the past couple of hours has shaken me and sadden me.

I don't know who these so called terrorist are or what are their demands are or what are their ideals. But I do wonder what are their motives behind holding the city at ransom. I wonder do they ever pray to God and scared of the eternal damnation that I hope they face when they meet their maker. I ask them who them who gives them the right to take away something that was not theirs to take. That would make them thieves and robbers of the gravest of kind. Who gave them the right to cause this bloodbath, this death, this gloom. I wonder which God do they pray to (if they even pray) and does their God condone violence and taking of life?

It pains me when I see pictures of place that I've been to, that I've gone to throughout my life, as a child with my grandad and my family, as a student, as an adult. They are battered, shattered and bloodied, though they do not appear unrecognizable.

Even as I write this blog I know the bloodbath continues and people continue to loose their lives. Wonder why is this happening because I am helpless, useless spectator of this whole nightmare. I know I can only pray that innocents who have lost their lives are granted eternal rest and the bastards responsible for this is damned in hell, to rot there forever.

That Bitter Sweet Feeling

It's been over a week since I first set foot on American soil with my colleague Ganesh. And now it is almost time to get back home. It is time to get back to friends and family, to your sweet heart. To the people you love and care dearly. But somehow there is this feeling in you that makes you miss this place you called home for over the last week. the room, the television set, the bath tub, the place you called office, the people interacted with and called colleague. Even though it is only a two week trip there is this heavy feeling in your heart. You know you going to miss this place and the people. You never thought you would, but now that the moment is coming upon you.

But then all good things come to end...though not end, but become a memory that you cherish and keep with you always forever. So I guess it time to get back to the life I've been used to and the people that I know and love and care.

Life: As I Experience It

There are times when you feel nothing going your way. You know there are opportunities knocking at your door and all you do is goofyly not open the door, or think you're ears are ringing. You kind of mess up the opportunity. This is something you should have done. You trying not let your ego come in between and learn from it, cause this is an humbling, sick feeling. You try to reach out to someone, but all you do is get irritated and pull away from the only one that can help you get out of it. But all you can do is brood about it and write about it. Who knows maybe writing about can help you get some peace of mind.

Who knows tomorrow is another day, a day that holds promises and new opportunities. And who knows this time around you may get it right.

The Day US made History

As we all must be pretty much aware by now, yesterday the 4th of November , 2008, Barrack Obama defeated John McCain. And in doing he became the 44th president of the United States of America and the first African American President in the history of the country. It was an historical night at around 10 pm. Eastern time, when Senator McCain conceded the presidential election, after Obama crossed the required 270 electoral votes.

Being a person viewing the election from the outside it was kind of fascinating. In way it was entertaining too, thanks to Sarah Palin and the guys at Saturday Night Live, especially Tina Fey. Actually Gov. Palin provided fodder for all comedian. The campaign got a bit irritating with Joe the plumber and all the negative campaigning going on.

but one thing I did admire was the speech made by both Senator McCain and president elect Obama. Especially admired McCain's speech because it showed humility of the person and person acknowledging the fact that he lost and now he would get behind his opponent to get the country back on track. There was something in his speech that showed that though this person lost and appeared like maverick, but in the end he one respect by speech. By congratulating his competitor/victor, and silencing the boos he showed great character. His praises of his victor seemed earnest and not empty.

I wished elections and politicians in India could be the same, could be humble, could articulate, so full of character. I wish I live to see such a day in my great nations.

Life in Dallas: Getting Over the Jetlag

Life here in Dallas though not completely different from that what we are used to India. It's definitely not a culture shock for me as stated by my neighbour on my flight to Amsterdam. There are considerable difference in the way the city looks. The city definitely considerably more cleaner and in away beautiful in a way than what we are used to India. Beauty on the Indian road can only be enjoyed on the outskirts and not within the city.

One thing that is amazing is seeing the types of cars on the road. There are so many SUVs on the road (as remarked by Ganesh) and I've seen a Hummer so often more than I've ever seen in Mumbai (never seen it in Pune though). The room where we work overlooks the parking lot of the office and boy what a sight it is!!! It is a joy to see the different makes, the Pontiacs, the Porsche, the Fords, the Mercs, the Hondas, the Hyundias, the Volkwagons, and the list goes on and on.

The weather here is pretty windy and cold, but hey lived in Pune for the past year so almost used to the chill :) The only thing that kind of getting to me the lack of sleep. Both Ganesh and I end up getting only around three to four hours of sleep. Both of us get up around four in the morning and then we are constantly on the phone talking to parents and loves. I should be thanking to strong coffee that's been keeping me up at work.

Some of the pleasures are seem the current episodes of shows I enjoy (or the one my sis loves) and shows that I've heard about but haven't seen. Another pleasure is having a bathtub in our suite, it was quite experience. Yup made a waffle for the first time for breakfast today :)

I do miss my family and love a lot, living here quite and experience, though I am looking forward to getting back to the life I'm used to. the trip is a nice way of shaking life up from it's mundane routine and putting a new spin on it. So far just a couple of days down let see what the future holds now :)

The Longest Day

We all go through 24 hours in a day. But what if you went through more than 24 hours in one single day???? That's what I've gone through while travelling to Dallas, Texas. Though we boarded the flight at around 1:00 in the morning and reached Dallas around 1:30 in the afternoon and we actually was travelling for more than 16 hours. We kept going back in time, whether we were in Amsterdam or in Dallas. So in the end we lived time again and again. And boy were we jet lagged when we got to our suite in Dallas. Obviously our bodies are used to Indian Standard time so getting used to this is difficult. More over the flight got a bit tiring at the end and sleepy...but it was pretty interesting and worth it while :)

Easier Said Than Done

I will be going for my US visa yet again this Tuesday, the 21st of October. And this time around want to be prepared for it. I've prepared a list of possible questions and my possible replies. But when I discuss this with my colleagues and friends they say I am taking too much of tension and this would only add to my nervousness. I should go there with an attitude that I don't care if they give me a visa or not, and that me being there would only benefit their country. I should be confident and not be afraid of the interviewer. Should be able to think on feet.

All this is very easy to say but hard to do. Somehow I don't know why I can't be all these things. Somehow I know have let the whole thing get under my skin and let it play in my head and make me a kind of lunatic.

But somehow I know I am more confident this time around and know I will do well and not let the interviewer put me. So now let see what happen on the 21st :)

Rejection and then the Dejections

Recently I had to appear for an interview for my visa for the US. Unfortunately due to some stupidly answered questions and a terrible interviewer (at least I can call him that on my blog) I got my application REJECTED. What followed was a fall into the pits of depressions and unending sulking.

A dear friend tried to cheer me up by being at my side the entire day, even trying to irritate me to distract my mind. But somehow the rejection hasn't left my head. I wanted to be an ostrich and bury my head in the sand because I couldn't take it facing the world. I think I am being a bit over dramatical over here. But on the general wanted to avoid people and couldn't get myself to eat (I guess by then people kind of realised something was wrong as I don't refuse not to eat).

I've kept telling myself what a whole bunching of well wisher have been telling me that things happens and happens for the best. Take this whole thing as an experience, accept the good and the bad parts, take it with a pinch of salt, and the whole damn thing. But I guess they must be glad they weren't in my really uncomfortable shoes (boy how the hurt).

It's not easy to climb back from the pits of depressions. Even the three pairs of Mynas that have seen today doesn't seem to be helping :(

Anyway that's life with all its ups and downs and then further downs. We need to accept it and move forward. Accept the moving forward is not an easy task especially when things refuse to vacate the spaces in your mind.

Let see what the future holds and just hope for the best.

P.S. To all my dear sweethearts THANK YOU for all you have done to get me out of things. And to that one Sp person THANK YOU...what would I be with you :)

Indian Cinema

If you have been watching the Indian Hindi cinema for the last couple of months you have definitely notice the shift. No longer you have the Chopras and Johar kind of cinema working. Films from the Chopra camp seem to be flopping left, right and center. No longer are people falling for the candy floss kind of cinema. It's time for something real and not something out of an Archie comic book. These are characters that are real and people you could relate to. Whether it's Imran and Genelia in Jaane Tu or Frahan Akhtar and Arjun Ramphal in Rock On. Beautiful movie with wonderful characters, great storyline, fun music and characters that are believable. Each character are memorable, each person adding to the movie making it beautiful and making the character meaningful, people you can take home. I think finally Indian cinema is coming of age.

Mamma Mia!

There are movies that so campy and corny that it makes you squirm. And then there are movie, though corny and campy, but you can't help but smile after watching them. Mamma Mia! falls in the later category. Ya the movie may seem crappy at time and not all are ABBA fans, but then at the end of the day the movie entertained and put a smile on my face. It also gave me a chance to hear my favorite ABBA songs on the big screen, after all I have grown up listening to them and I must admit I do love them a lot. It was great idea of having the lyrics appear on screen so you could sing along. And what more it took you on Greek holiday with gorgeous scenery and gorgeous eye candy. The songs played their part in moving the story ahead but at time you felt there were one too many...but hey whose complaining, I was singing along my favourite songs :) Loved the way the songs were placed in the movie and how they were picturized. The way the winner takes it all (Pierce Brosnan and Meryll Streep), Lay all you love on me (Domnic Cooper and Amanda Syfried), DAncing Queen (Meryll Streep, Krstin Branski, Julie Walters) was done.

Meryll Streepo was always great actress and now it proves she can sing too and act as well as she can. Domnic Cooper and Amanda Syfried sizzle and look hot and Amanda Syfried got some pipes there. Though the songs in the closing credit seemed a bit over the top, they were fun.

At the end of the day couldn't help but stay back humming Thank you for the music while the end credits rolled, because that's what the movie was all about :)

Another Day ... Another Blast

Yet another city of my country was rocked by a serial bomb blast today. This seem to becoming pretty regular. All these bomb blast, deaths, protest, banning, seem to have become a regular occurrence. But somehow when you learn about these occurrence it kinds of freaks you out. There is this anger in you. You kind of wonder which God do these people pray to??? Which God listens to these people's pray??? Which God condones these people's violent acts??? Sometimes it makes you wonder how these people go to bed at night knowing they have taken something that was not theirs. Who gave them to right to take lives of when it was never their to take. You are angry and frustrated because these are loonies who use religion as a shield and you can do nothing to make them see straight. You wonder how can these assholes ever justify these acts. You just wished these people killed those who perpetrate violence rather than innocent people.

Jumping Jobs

Recently, during the flag hoisting ceremony at my colony we had a gentleman who had worked for his organisation, a bank, for approximately 35 years, before he retired. It's quite surprising that one person could be with an organisation for such a long time. Probably his entire working life which is pretty remarkable. In the present time he would have been considered as stagnated in one job.

We are people who are used to jumping from one job to another, never staying with a single organisations for more than year. I know I have too in my almost 8 years of working experience. I have moved from one organisation to another. The longest I have been with an organisation is 4 years with Fuel.

What causes us modern people to jump jobs??? Is it the pay hike that we crave for??? The job satisfaction (which is something that we tend to compromise at times in a materialistic world)??? Bad appraisal, not getting the position and raise we desired??? As a way to move up the corporate ladder??? Not wanting to be stagnated in one organisation, after all isn't variety the spice of life. Probably all these are the possible reason that cause to move from one job to another.

Wonder if anyone of us all will ever get stuck with an organisation for such long time. You can say completing a year with a single organisation is quite a landmark.

Definitely, Maybe

Life always has a way of giving us a second chance. Look at what a second chance did for our Indian wrestler, Sushil Kumar. After loosing his first round bout he was given a second chance and he went on to win the bronze medal at the Olympics.

Second chances are all about redeeming ourselves and avoid repeating the same mistakes. Taking another stab at life. I know I have had my own share in love, but somehow blundered it up initially but I guess I got it right now.

A couple of minutes a go watched the movie Definitely, Maybe, about man on the cusp of a divorce, spending time with his daughter who just had her sex-ed class, and curious to know how he met her mother. So he creates a story about his three loves of his life, changing their names, and all the heartbreak he goes through. For the daughter this is not only a love mystery game of which one of her father's lady love is mother, but finding out about love and its complications, and most of all her father. For him it's a realisation about love and what was there in front of him and with him the whole time.

Many a time we are searching for love when love has always been right in front of us, staring us in the face. Love been our confidante, our friend, but we always turned a blind eye towards it or didn't realise or may even deny it. Love is all about the friend that you care, about the one you cannot live without, about the one you want to spend the rest of your life with. The one you unintentionally hurt and then feel like a dog-gone wretch about it. Love is your best friend. I know I found love and love is my best friend, the one I cannot do with you.

P.S. I was really surprised to see Ryan Reynolds act in a mature way (for a person normally associate with screw-ball comedy). And I am definitely falling in love with Abigail Breslin with each movie of hers that I see.

So am I in Love
Definitely, Maybe

So You Think You Can Dance: Bollywood

So You Think You Can Dance is an American dance reality competition from the creators of American Idol. You have the contestant competing against each other for the title of America's Favorite Dancer. The contestant are paired together. Each week a couple picks a different dance style, which rages from Salsa to the Cha Cha. In the current season they have introduced a new dance style called Bollywood (Yes that's right after our good old Hindi film industry). The couple Katee Shean and Joshua Allen actually picked this dance style (loved the way she said Bollywood when they picked the dance style). This was something they knew nothing about and in the rehearsal looked quite funny. But the end product was pretty damn good. Yeah! They did put some of their own style in the dance. They performed on Dhoom Tanna from Om Shanti Om and they did it even better than the Indian actors. See for yourself. They looked great and danced pretty well. Loved the way they did the namaste at the end of their performance.

But then at the end of the day it nice to see an Indian dance form (though not exactly a dance form) being recognized on international stage. And nice to see contestant other than our actors perform it.

Problems and Solutions

At times we are so wrapped up in our problems that we are not able to see the solutions, even if it was standing right in front of us. Just keep worrying and quacking like ducks, bitching and complaining, but not making any effort to find the solution. We continue to get stressed rather than removing the stressor.

61 Years of Independence

Another couple of days and we will complete 61 years of independence. Though mean feet, how far have come since that historic day in 1947. Well we could say there have been a lot of changes over the years. For one thing an Indian runs the country (or someone of Italian origin). But then you have the other political parties trying to pull the ruling government. Often they end making a spectacle of themselves which actually is more entertaining than the daily soaps on television. We have had a dalit, a scientist, a woman as presidents, and now we have a dalit leader who has shown her aspiration of taking over the running of the country (God save us). We have political parties, government and parliament full of tainted leaders. Some accused of various scams, some for inciting riots, some for murder. But even still they are elected to represent the common man. These political parties love to polarise the country on the basis of religion, by taking a problem and putting a religious spin to it. So in the end they trying to create a vote bank by adding more fuel to the fire, instead of finding a solution to it.

It's been 61 years since we have got independence but life has grown difficult. Inflation is at a all time high, making it difficult for the common man even to attain the basic necessities. Price are sky rocketing and the interest rates on home loans only seem to heading north. Add to that power shortages and political parties against finding an alternative. Plus you have bombs going on after every couple of months, making it unsafe. We live in a constant fear for our lives.

Even though we claim to be a free country we have political parties chasing out people from different states. We have political parties and religious leaders who love to oppose every freedom of expression. We have the so called Moral Police who make it their duty to decide what is moral and what is immoral.

But anyway it's been 61 years since we attained freedom. So wish you a Happy Independence Day.

How Do You Pick Yourself????

What do you when you find yourself in the dumps, all lonely and sad in the muck, but definitely not frolicking in it. What do you do when you feel low and all your attempts to pick yourself seems to be failing, just like team India trying to win a gold at the Olympic (even though we finally have one). A number of Self-Help books asks you to take the negative and convert it to a positive. But then what do you do when your mind refuse to see beyond the negative. What do you do when you want someone to console you, but the unfortunate thing is that spirit refuses to take-off in spite all their attempts to console you. You know your present is secure but you worry about the future and bury yourself deeper in the muck.

I guess I know what U can do about it, I'll just blog about it :) Yeah!!! And that's what I am doing :)

Why So Serious???

When you normally go to the theater to watch a superhero film you normally expect something that very campy (read Batman and Robin) with over the top villains (read Dr. Freeze and Poison Ivy), elaborate sets and visual effects and weird costume (remember the bat suit with nipples) and mostly bad characterization (Daredevil, Electra, anyone???). Well this all changed withe release of Ironman (and please I'm not even taken into account Spiderman, even though it has earned millions). A great character that's quite believable and not over-the-top, and so were the villains, these were real. A great story with great supporting character. And you sang your Halleuah and thought that a superhero movie couldn't get better than this. But then enter Dark Knight and all this has to be rewritten.

For a movie on a superhero, the Dark Knight is literally a pretty dark movie. Watching this movie only one word came to my mind "Bloody Brilliant" (OK so that's more than one word). Never thought that a superhero movie can be this interesting and yes DARK. For two and half hour the movie is pretty long by Hollywood standards, but there is enough action, enough of stories, enough of everything to grab on to you from the very beginning and never let you go till the very end.

What makes this fair so interesting is surprisingly the character called the Joker, and yes not Batman. I never thought anyone would top Jack Nicholson's performance of the same character and was pretty pessimistic when they announced that Heath Ledger would be playing the character. But I must say he takes the Joker to a whole new level. He's pure evil who knows no bounds. Pretty maniacal as well as diabolical, who falls no rule and believes in chaos and anarchy. Brilliant portrayal of the character that makes you want to see more of him than even the hero. You real believe he's freak and not queer like some of the other villains. A evil genius behind the clown make up. Someone who can easily send chills up your spine.

Even though the Joker overshadows everyone in the film that doesn't mean that the others are not good. Each character is portrayed brilliantly. Whether it's Christian Bale portraying the Batman, Gary Oldman as Commisioner Gordon, Aaron Eckhart as DA Harvey Dent (and yes later as the Two-Face), Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox and the brilliant Michael Caine as Alfred. And yes Maggie Gyllenhall is a definite improvement over the wooden Katie Holm, as Rachel Dawes. Each of these people make their character credible and believable and good. But then at the end of the day it's all about the Joker.

But then at the end of the day the credit must go to Christopher Nolan for creating something that nothing short of a masterpiece. Making everything real and not campy. One movie that I definitely enjoyed and wouldn't mind watching again or owning on VCD.

So let's say "Why So Serious????"

Rickshawallas: A Tale of Two Cities - A Tale of Woes

Anyone who has come across the species called rickshawallas know the plight that I am talking about. The obnoxious, self-centred, egoistic, so called "Public Servant" who are unwilling to go anywhere. What more, I have the misfortune of encountering these species in two different cities every week, the Puneities and Mumbaikar. Each bearing the similar attitude of not wanting to go anywhere you want to go.

A rickshawalla in Pune are totally disinterested in taking you any where and often quote exorobent prices to take you for short distance, even though they have been supplied a meter, under the pretext that they wouldn't get a return fare. They look at you as if they are doing a great service to you and are mostly unwilling to go.

The Mumbaikar ones maybe a bit better, but then they are always saying no and shaking their head. "Ek number chalenga???", "Orlem Chalenga????"...each of these are met with the same reply, "NO". Imagine you just arrived from an approximately 4 hours journey, you are roaming with your baggage and you are unable to find a rickshawalla to take you, at the same time you are competing with a bunch of people. At times I do give these guys the finger salute and the choicest of words.

But in the end we all are tortured by these species in one way or the other. Whether you are riding in one or encountering one while you are in the comfort of your own vehicle.

A Changing World

We live in a world that is constantly evolving, constantly changing. But then these changes are not always good. Yes we have made progress in life, but at what price??? My grandpa talks about the good old days when food was unadulterated and the air was clean, crime was punished and terror threats were more or less known existent. There was no squabbling politicians or mud slinging between political parties and terror threats.

We live in a constant shadow of terror threats. The object were developed to make life better are now being used to be take life. There is no surety that if you step out of your house today you would return in a single part or own your ability. We say we live in a modern society but we still have the religious fanatics who are all against it, we have politicians who all against progress, we have the moral police who make it a point to oppose whatever they feel (or is convenient) is against their so called.

It's been well over 50 years since we received our independence, but we have political parties who believe that outsiders should go back to their own states. People who in a way oppose the freedom, the freedom to choose to work anywhere in the country. We have politicians who make their duty to oppose whatever the opposite party, even if this is for the progress of the country. Politicians who love to make spectacle of themselves. The trust vote in the Parliament was probably the most entertaining show on television and fodder to the media, more entertaining than any show on television.

We live in a society who though claims to be modernizing but still show the signs of its narrowness. A society with it's own rules and norms and total intolerance to most of the thing.

Our world today revolves around money. We have forgotten to live our lives. Rising inflation has even worsen the situations. The basic necessities of life have become costlier forcing us to be and even bigger slave to money than we already are.

The world may be changing...but the question is in which directions are we heading????

Janne Tu...Ya Janne Na

You go to films with the intention to be entertained, to forget the world you live in, your present, to get transported to a world of make believe. There are various kind of films, the masala ones, which is typical Hindi film, the romantic comedies, the crass, those based on real life, those that are preachy, those that are bloody fantastic and those that simply want to make you pull your hair out.

Watched Jaane Tu ...Ya Jaane Na last Saturday at the PVR cinema in Oberoi Mall. The movie doesn't... kind of, offers you anything new in terms of content. It's the story of a boy and girl who are best friends, who don't see each other as life partner material, even though their friends and family and everyone else believe they are made for each other. The movie is all about when do you actually know its love??? But then what makes the film standoutand worth the time and money spent is the way it is treated. The characters are real, believable (though the end is kind of over the top), the setting, the relationship, the bonds that are shared between the characters, the friends, the intended lovers, the parents. All these lend to making the film a beautiful, fun, bright, refreshing viewing experience.

You totally can relate to our hero Jai Singh Rathore or RATS. He's not your typical hero with bulging bisceps and a huge or small bank balance. He doesn't wear designer clothes or drives a hot rod, has the babes drooling over him and no at least he doesn't dance as if he wants to give someone a run for their money. He's been brought up as a non-violent person by his mom, even tough he's a Rajput, a Rathore. Then on the other end is Aditi, who sweet and cute but then looks could deceive. She's totally opposite of Jai. A girl who can stand up for her firends, especially Jai, her best friend. No one can say anything about him, she'll be ready to claw their eyes out. She not a sized zero female. She beautiful and doesn't look as if the maker have starved or wears clothes that are meant for kids. She on the lookout for a girl for her friend and at the same time for a guy who will love and protect her. But needs to come to terms with her own feelings for Jai.

What I liked about the movie is you take a piece of each character and not only the lead ones. Each supporting character is beautifully created and memorable and ably support the movie. There are the sweet and hilarious scene between Jai's mom and the portrait of her dead husband. One wants the boy to be non-violent and peace loving and the other want him to be a true Rathore. Then there is Aditi and her brother, who longs for his sister, who he calls his best friend, who he seems to have lost over the years. Then there is Manjari who is trying to cope with bickering parents with her own sweet innocent game. And then there are the friends, also the narrator of the story. You have Roltu who is crying about lack of cash (I actually kind of related to him) who harbours a crush for Aditi and a receeding hairline. Then you have Bombs, the cute and the dumb who also secretly likes Jai. Then there is Jignesh or Jiggy the money Guggu of the group, who invites people for his surprise birthday party. And lastly there is the Shaleentomboy of the group :). Each of these character lends credibility to their characters and makes them memorable. Each complementing the other and not just props.

Even though the end can be over the top you can forgive the director and the writer because on the whole you have had a beautiful viewing experience. The music is great, and the setting is thankfully real and not something taken out of a Archie's comic book. You the leave the movie with a smile on your face because you have been thoroughly entertained. And because you watched something beautiful with someone you care.

Trekking All By Yourself

Trekking all by yourself can be quite a daunting task, as well quite a risky move. But then what do you do when your friends prefer to travel by a bike, or some form of vehicle other than public transport. Since you already taken a risky step of trekking alone you can't afford to take any further risks like climbing a steep fall or trying to find short cuts. It's also pretty dangerous, what if something were to happen to you, what if you get lost, who would look out for you???? What if you hurt yourself, sprained or break a body party, who would help you back???

Nevertheless it's worth the adventure, it's better than being holed up in your room pondering on what to do, what to read. But then do you miss company. There is no one to talk to to help pass the long walks, there is no one who you can click photos with or to click your own photos. There is no one to share the wonder of seeing water flow backward. There is no one to offer you a hand when coming down or climbing slippery place. No one to turn to when a savage beast threatens. You do miss your friend. But then there are things you need to do and place you want to go to, and you may not always have company. But then you need to see them, to do it, who know what the future holds and if you'll ever be in the position to such a thing in the future.

So did in short was a gist of my Lohagad Trek :)

Whose side do you take???

What happens when two friends have a misunderstanding, therefore have a disagreement and don't want to talk to each other. What do you if you are the common link between the two??? Both are stubborn and stand by their point of view. Both in a way are wrong. One jumps to a conclusion based on what they see, without clarifying or trying to understand the situation, hence says things that are not necessarily right. Then the other friend is a bit aggressive and gets angry quickly without trying to properly rationalise the whole situation. A person who cares deeply but can go overboard showing it. Both think the other is wrong, weird, immature, childish, stupid.

How do you bridge this misunderstanding without taking sides of anyone??? How do you make them realise their mistakes and stop further bad things happening to their friendship, at the same time saving your friendship, your relationship (especially if one of them is a very important part of your life). What do you do without loosing your own mind or temper??? You care for both, you don't want anything bad to happen. You know bad things were said or may be said, but you know this a result of flaring tempers. Deep down none mean things they say.

How do you solve this problem while trying to be unbiased to either??? How do you solve this without putting your relationship in danger??? How do you solve this before you loose your own sanity???

Sarkar Raj: My View of the Film

There is often a huge hype riding a particular movie. A few deliver and a huge chunk disappoint. You could say Sarkar Raj is riding this hype. It not only stars the Bacchan family (well almost, discounting Jaya Bacchan from it), acting together in a movie (not caounting any sort of item number). After the dismal movie Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, the director Ram Gopal Varma had a lot stake riding on this movie.

So does the movie deliver? In my view I would say it didn't. Hey I am no expert at critiquing an film and secondly no big fan of the Bachan clan or even Ash (I don't like her though). Plus I've not seen the earlier movie, Sarkar, to which the movie is a sequel. But then after taking this is the same dirctor who gave us the gritty movies like Satya, Company and yes the entertaining masala Rangeela, this movie doesn't seem to deliver.

The Big B takes the back seat in the movie with the spotlight is on the Baby B and his real wife. Abhishek seems to be sullen and grim throughout the movie (and doesn't shave throughout the movie), seems like he's already sulking the impending death of his wife, thought we told that he is sulking for having to kill his elder bro. Mrs. Ash is supposed to be a business woman, an NRI, but then surprisingly she doesn't feel like either. Except for the beginning where she shows some of the edginess of a business woman but after the initial scene her character is given emmotion that shouldn't have been the case. Her character should have the icy bitchiness (which would have come naturally to her), her character should have been cool and calculating, that would required of a business woman. She seems to be crying a lot. Plus the stage seems to be set a romance between the real life couple. That means killing off the poor Tanisha halfway through the film (she anyway didn't have anything to do).

On the whole the movie doesn't seem to have anything new to offer. Scheming politicians, betrayed henchman, a negative Muslim character, name them you have them in the film. Business giving a contract to kill character. Henchman feeling bad because he was left out. Nothing that you haven't seen in other film. The background is kind of jarring and the character tends to scream a lot. Still nursing that headache from the movie. Even the mad camera angles seems to make you feel kind off giddy. And glaring fact when Tanisha is bumped off the car is a total mangled wreck but the house is unharmed and Abhishek just some minor bruises.

It is left to the Big B to save the day in the climax, which he does with a coldness that I would expect of the character. The end when he ties up all the knot is quite interesting. But even the plot doesn't seem quite plausible because the character in question is never shown with the other negative character.

So on the whole the movie disappointing. The only positive point I can take from this viewing experience was that the theater was really good. And the other thing was watching the movie with someone special that made watching the movie worth it.

Feelings

It feels like hell when you know you have done something that has hurt someone, real badly. This guilty feeling becomes your unwanted companion. You know you cheated and and you wronged and there is no way of undoing the wrong that you have done. This clearly exposes your weak side, a dark side, that should be under lock and key. You know you have done something that hurt the one you loved and there is nothing you can do repair the damage. And what hurts even more that you really care and yet you end up doing such a stupid thing. It makes you want that your life just ends here, because you don't know what to do. Though you talk to friends who try to tell you that you are thinking too much, it still feels like hell, feels horrible.

How wished things would have been different. How wished what happened were never to happen :(

Honey and ME

The other day was reading an article in the Men's Health magazine which talked about the having dogs as pets and how they help us human in more than way and how they love unconditionally. Reading this article took me back when Honey formed a major part of my life.

They say dog love is unconditional and honey proved just that. The love that I got from her I probably would never get it from anyone else. She meant a lot to me, because she companion through the happy times and sad times. Someone who I was really overprotective about. I considered her to be my baby. Took her for her walks, to the vet for her shots, stayed awake with her the whole night when she was not well, gave her medicine and bath. But no way could my love away measure up to what I used to get from her. The excitement she showed when we got home, her scratching at the door trying to open it quickly (which I left as remembrance of her). I know that she loved my whole family, especially my mom, because she was the one who looked after her when we were out at work. When dad expired she sat with my mom next to my dad's coffin after seeing my dad's body. People used to call her mom's daughter. She was very fond of my dad too. After her initial barking she got very attached to my dad, would never leave his side. This led to people teasing my dad that Mally has a little dog. She would just go where he was. If he was standing outside house she would run out and put her paws on his big belly and make my carry her and stand with her, like a little baby. when dad returned back to Dubai, she would go around searching for him. Even when we got his body she came running into the house put her paws on the coffin had a look at his lifeless body and went and sat with my mom.

Honey had this smart trick when she wanted someone to take her down. She would go and whine in front of my grandad as if to complain that these people are not taking her down, you tell them. She was pretty smart in this way. She knew which car in the parking lot belonged to my sister or where the car is parked. She was the first to enjoy a drive in the car when my sis first go it. She also had good memory. She hated anyone who had a dog, barring my best friend's family because they had brought her up as a pup. She was very fond of them and they of her. Initially she wasn't fond of children and used to get totally jealous when my mom used to carry any kid. But then over the year she mellowed. So by the time my god child Jayden was born she totally ignored him and let him play with her. She used to let children in the society take her for walks in the garden and play with her. So much so she became more known than any of my family member.

I loved her lot probably more than I ever loved anyone in this world. I cried like a baby when she passed away peacefully in her sleep between my mom and sis. I cried bitterly when we cremated her. This made my mom remark that he didn't cry that much when his dad died that he cried for Honey. Though she is no longer with us she is always a part of mind. Someone I loved a lot.

Indiana Jone and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull marks the return of the legendary Dr. Henry Jones Jr. along bwith his fedora hat and whip, after a hiatus of nearly 19 years. The movie has the usual thrills and chases and adventures, evil bad guys (in this case, bad gal) , some mysterious artifact, something that we have come to expect from every Indy flick.

The current flick revolves around the mysterious crystal skull and the powers that it possesses. You are re-introduced to Indy's ex-flame Marion Ravenwood, from the Raiders of the Lost Ark. You are also introduced to Mutt Williams, who happens to be Marion and Indy's son. The action this time around, takes place mostly in South America where Indy along with Mutt must retrieve the crystal skull from an eerie cemetery and then along with Dr. Oxely and Marion and Mac find the City of Gods to restore the skull in it's rightful place before the Russian, led my Irina Spalko, can get their hands on it.

The movie has it set of snazzy fight sequence, especially the sequence where you have the fight for the skull taking place on multiple vehicle, which is something that is remnant of ally Indy flicks. The cemetery sequence was bit eerie and well shot, especially the guys in the cemetery who kept giving you the thrills. Not forgetting the chase sequence in the university campus. The movie was well paced and mostly entertaining. And as you may have guessed by now, involves Aliens and UFO, which is quite a departure since two of the Indy flicks were based on religious artifacts.

This is just the second Indy movie that I've watched in the theater. Previously watched the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, along with my dad and grandad. Somehow with the advent of films like The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, that movie didn't seem all that novel. Somehow left you wanting a bit more, something new. But then on the whole watching the movie was a good cinematic experience.

Love and the Whole Damn Thing

Why does love have to be so contradictory in itself. It's a beautiful emotion, but you need to be so careful with it, because unknowing you can hurt the one you love. Though the saying is that the you should set your love free, if it returns then it's yours, but somehow it seems like we are never free. There is always a doubt in your head and chain on your feet. You change to a person to please the other half. You make assumption but you are not sure if they are right or wrong. You are worried that you may say or do something and you may just loose everything for some stupid reason or something you did. You compromising and avoid doing things so that it doesn't make your other half feel bad. You need to live your life in a particular way. Why does it seem so difficult to be in love??? You care for the person so much but even then you may do something that makes them feel that your insensitive and not worth it.

Why does love have to be so difficult????

Murder Most Fowl

For the past week the whole country has been caught in the shock and gruesomeness of two murders. Though they have occurred in two different cities in the country the whole country has been shocked by the way these crimes were committed. It makes you wonder who would be such a fiend to carry out such diabolical and cold-blooded act. Though the paper pins the reason as rage, crime of passion or honor killing, who could be consumed by so much hate or ego, to carry out such an act. Is rage so blinding that it can drive a person to commit such a heinous crime.

We live in a time where there is so much of stress with no outlet for it. Is this rage a manifestation of this pent up stress??? It's scary, such a feeling can turn anyone into a cool blooded crime. Reading about the brutality in the way crime was carried out makes you want to cringe. Makes you worry what the world is coming to.

Getting Mobile

I was never too inclined to learn to ride or want to ride. Call it my lack enthusiasm for biking, lack of opportunity, my sisters never trusted me with their bikes, and I felt that i wasn't financially in a position to invest in one. But that all changed. Since shifting to Pune 10 months ago. It seemed like my foot revolted against me for all the time I made them walk. So finally purchased a scooty. Been riding it around Koregaon Park, initially just South Main road to build my confidence but have begun tackle the main roads on it traffic. Ziegler was right when he said that riding would help build my confidence. It does feel great riding for a change rather than being a pillion. So now to legally ride it around town I would require a Learner's Licence. So I found myself at the RTO office at Sangam Bridge to get my learner's licence. The verification was a bit scary because I didn't have a proper proof to prove my residency in Pune (after all me Mumbaikar) but then made it through it. Then came the other part of the procedure, taking your picture, thumb impression and your signature. I am afraid they put my old Mumbai address on it (pointed it shouldn't matter). Then came to the test, something that I wasn't prepared for but something that I aced, that is got a 10 out of 10 (though I doubted that I would even pass) without any one's help.

So finally got my licence, even if it just a learner's. So I know I am going to be back there for my permanent licence to ride :)

A Muggy Morning on Dadar Station

Mumbai's summer can be quite relentless. The humidity only adds to the misery. The combination of heat and perspiration can lead to uneasiness and annoyance. Even though it's morning, there is no reprieve for the Mumbaite traveller. Add to this misery that the train that you are schedule to catch is delayed because of an unknown or understandable (you never understand what those railway announcer are trying to say), and stuck between stations. There is uneasiness among my fellow traveller that I share and partake. People dressed in formals trying to get to their office, wanting to get over the travel as quickly as possible and reach the confines of their air conditioned offices. Families making the trip with their kids who always want the window seat even though it's not their seat, and some poor chap (read me) has to give up their seat so that they are not seen as a some cruel, stone-hearted traveller, and moreover there is no use in creating an ugly, unwanted scene. Then there are those immersed in their newspaper or books, with their sweat dripping on each of the pages. You have the couples who keep getting all lovey-dovey and cute and playful. People walking up and down buying newspaper, buying samosa, chips, teas, waiting for the bloody train to arrive. All the time getting restless. People leaning over the platform waiting to see if the train arrives anytime soon.

This is just another muggy morning on a Mumbai station. To be more specific Dadar station.

The Weekend

I know it's too late to be blogging about the weekend when it's already been a day overdue when you should have blogged about. But anyway, it better late than never blogging about it.

For me the weekend this week began on Friday night itself, when I went to the movie my friends Noella and Swapna. Not wanting to spend time alone (since my roommate had left for Mumbai) watched the movie Bhootnath. The movie seemed like fun with the story of a child befriending a ghost. Moreover the movie was marketed as a family film, so there was hope there wasn't going to be any preaching or lecturing or anyone masquerading about as a teenager. And yes the movie starred my favourite actress Juhi Chawla. The movie was fun, at least it a funny and entertaining first half, though the second half could have done away with the melodrama. Plus since this was a family film you had numbered of kids in the theater whoever somehow frightened by the appearance of the ghost, Mr. Amitabh Bachan (this also included Swapna). But once the films got to the pranks with the Ghost and the Kid and the one up-manship between the kids and the principal, the fun was enjoyable. On the whole had a enjoyable time.

Next morning, caught the movie Ironman, again with Noella and Swapna. Again what i liked about the movie that the superhero seemed real. As pointed out in the million of reviews, the superhero was man-made and not someone who got his power from bites of radioactive spider or from another planet or born with superhuman powers. Also the villains seemed real in a world constantly under the threat from terrorist who somehow are using technologies created by the West. Moreover the hero is a Man and not a teenage boy, a bad boy, aptly played by Robert Downey Jr., and not some nerdy kid or reporter. He was someone who's conscience pricked him when he saw the effects of his weapons, which according to him was meant to maintain peace in the world. On the whole a good viewing experience. It was good see the gorgeous Gwyenth Paltrow on the big screen (the last movie I had seen of hers in a theater was Shakesphere in Love). She looked pretty hot, wonder how did she managed to run in those pencil heels.

Finally on Sunday spent time reading And Then There was None by Aghatha Christie, after attending Mass. Always wanted to read it, so finally picked it from Landmark after spending over three hours browsing through the book section. The book tells the tale of 10 strangers who are invited to an isolated island by the mysterious Mr. U N Owen. Each of them with a dark secret to hide. Each wondering who among them is a lunatic murderer has been bumping each of them on the lines of the nursery rhyme that has been framed in each of their bedroom. the book made a very interesting Sunday read. And even though I did have a fair idea about the story the book kept me riveted and guessing.

..and so that's how I spent my weekend in Pune :)

Fashion & Style

At a recent audition for Mr. and Miss Pune the contestant were asked what was Style and Fashion. So what exactly is Fashion and a Style???

Fashion for one thing is something that we see on the catwalk, the weird, flamboyant creations of the designer, that probably not make it way into our humble wardrobes. Something that showcased on the catwalks and runways around the world by well toned and built model that would not necessarily suit us. These are based on what someone else envision would be the latest trend.

Style is more personal, something that you can only do by yourself. It's not only about wearing clothes and accessories that you are comfortable in, but also all about carrying them off. Style is all about making a statement. It's mixing the latest trends with stuff that makes you look good and suits you. It's all about making a statement and wearing your attitude. Above all it's about looking good.

Fashions come and go but Style remains your own forever

Horton Hears A Who

Horton Hears a Who and who exactly did Horton hear??? Horton heard the Mayor and people of Whosville who reside on a speck of dust. And how Horton the elephant saves the Whosville against all obstacles, even going against the citizen of Nool, forms the gist of the movie.

A marvellous adaptation of Dr. Seuss's beloved book, the movie brings to life the colorful pages of the book. And as with all Dr Seuss's book this one too as a message for all, subtly hidden with the dialogues.

The innocence of Horton and his freaking out and determination and imagination brings a smile on your face and make you want to root for him. His antics and imagination light up the screen. "An Elephant is Faithful One Hundred Percent" and "A Person is a Person No Matter How Small", drives home the central message of the film. The closing credits when the entire cast, both the citizens of Nool and Whosville, breaks into Rio Speedwagon's I Can't Fight this Feeling Anymore, you can't help but smile, sing along, clap, or even find a tear glistening in your eye.

Overall, as we heard with recent animated movies, a movie for the entire. A lot in it for the kids and something for the adult. But at the and a day a marvellous movie. An experience that proves why we go to theaters to watch films.

Cafe Britannia

There are just a handful of Iranian Cafes in Mumbai, mostly around the South Mumbai. These have managed to survive the sands of time and still run. This weekend went to one such cafe, Cafe Britannia at Ballard Pier, along with my friend Neil. These restaurant have managed to maintain their charm over the years without succumbing to the urges of modernising. With it's table covered in the typical red checks tablecloths and its wooden chairs, you are taken back in time to an era that is definitely not forgotten. The ambiance and feel of the place manage to maintain its old world charm. The food delicious and leaves you with the longing for more, if not that of perfect satisfaction. Had the Chicken Berry Pulav and the Chicken Dhansak. I heard soo much about the Berry Pulav from Neil and I wasn't disappointed. Had a Carmel Custard for dessert.

What I marvelled about this place is that the owner, a gentleman well over 80s, took our orders and chatted with us. Hew was chatting with others telling them that the person sitting on the cash counter was his son. What's even more inspiring and fills you with awe is that this place is opened for only around four hours in a day.

All-in-all had a great meal and wonderful time.

Seeing Yourself in the Papers

Yesterday, the 5th of May, I got my profile printed in the newspaper Yuva, a Mumbai daily. This was done on the insistence of my good friend Neil, the Chief Sub-Editor for the paper. It's a weird but happy feeling to see yourself printed. Even though it not about something that you achieved, just a simple profile, you can't help but feel proud about yourself and go around showing it off to all your friends and colleagues. You can't help but get the urge to call up or text messaging friends, asking them to pick up the newspaper (without telling them why), even though at times it may seem awkward and funny. But then at the end of the day it's yourself in the paper...and you can't help but smile and feel happy :)

Thanks to Neil :)

THE GREAT POLITICAL CIRCUS

If Shakesphere said that the whole world's a stage...then I'll say that the current world politics is a three ringed circus. There so much mud slinging going on that all politicians appear black. So whoever get the presidential ticket, there are chances that America will get it's first black president, that's if the Republican candidate is not able to use the mud from all the this slinging for his benifits. The funny thing is these candidate are single handedly destroying each others presidential chances and providing fodder for their rival Republican candidate.

Closer to home...we always Knew our politicians were closer to clowns in a circus. A Chief Minister unveiled her own statues (which are normally erected after the leader passes away), next to her mentor, because her mentor wanted it as his last wish. Then again the same Chief Minister accuses the scion of a famous political party to wash himself with special soap and uses incenses to cleanse himself after meeting with the dalit people in her constituency.

Are State's politicians (or even the whole country's) are at it again. They call the so called 'Cheer Girls' who cheer the teams in the IPL matches as against the so called Indian culture and vulgar. I guess they don't have anything better to do. They closed down the bar girls, chased away all the North Indian...so guess now what is left is their duty, and that's very difficult job to do :)

So it can be rightly said Politics is on big circus :)

What do you get when you fall in LOVE...

"What do you get when you fall in love...A girl with a pin to burst your bubble..."

Love can be one very beautiful part of life, at the same time being horribly scary. It is pleasure and pain. Something you try to be away from, something you can't help falling into...

Love such a situation when you seem helpless. It is a sinking feeling where you feel you are sinking...

You try to do everything that's right and try to compromise but somehow you always fall short...

You feel that you are always the one making the mistake...

Somehow all this end in heartache :(

Let Me Be "ME"

There are aspects of you may come across as quirky, eccentric and queer to others. The way you are, the way you walk and talk, the way you deal with situations...in short who you are. You have friends constantly telling you, advising you, guiding, shouting at you, because they want you to be what they think is the right thing. But somehow you want to be who you are and be open and not put on a so called act to cover up your blemishes and short coming.

Miss India

Being an avid follower of beauty pageant I have been following the Femina Miss India for quite sometime now. Watch this year's pageant with avid interest seeing who would be chosen to represent India on the international stage. But Somehow what I found that competition lacked the what was seen in the past. I have seen Nafisa and Diana duke it out with each other, proving both had the intelligence and poise and what it took to be a Miss Inida. Seen Lymariana D'souza strut her stuff on stage with confidence (mind you she's not as beautiful as other) but boy did she have the confidence and something that made you want to root for her. Admired Lara when she won the crown because here was beauty with brains and poise and a voice to die for. All these contestant had the brains and the wits to answer question. Sadly over the years I don't think the contestant have the same potential in them. Though some of the past winner like Sindhura Gadhe, Ami Washi and Sarah Jane Dias showed promise with great stage presence and poise. I feel that the whole pageant has steeped too much into Bollywood with most of the panel of judges being from the film fraternity and most of the acts being that of Bollywood stars gyrating on stage. I remember when there used to have weird acts on stage but then they were what made the pageant stand out from every other award function. Gone are the international acts like Sonique and stuff. Even the opening acts were class and almost over shown the international pageant. But looking at this time pageant it seemed very awkward badly choreographed. Like last year only the winner Paravati managed to standout with her beauty and poise and wits.

Hopefully in the years to come the pageant improves it to its past glory rather than falling into mire it is currently .

Standing on Treshold

In a relationship there are times and things that you forsee things that may happen. You are aware that these events are bound to happen and you try to prepare yourself for it. You try to steel yourself for it. However, when that moment arrives, no matter how prepared you are for it, to take that first step is very difficult. You know it's for the best and whatever happens will be good for both. But somehow there is deep sadness in you. And it is not as if the event happening is anything that's bad or something like a breakup or parting. But somehow there is sadness.

Irony

Life so full of Irony. We hurt the people we love the most and in the process we hurt ourselves. We try to runaway from family troubles, but overtime when we are away from them we long to for them. A person you love can cause you pain and hurt you but somehow you long for that person.

We make love even though the process of love making may not be comfortable an din fact painful. I guess for this there is pleasure in pain :). We long to give birth but the whole birthing process is very painful. We like poking and digging into a painful tooth trying to extract it because the pain helps to kill the other pain.

life is so full of irony that we live everyday.

Miracles

We are people who look for signs and miracles to restore and strengthen and faiths and beliefs. We go about looking for signs. We visit places that we believe is a place where miracles takes place. As Catholic I know people thronging to places where a statue of Mother Mary weeps blood, a Cross that continues to grow, the picture from where blood and water flows from the feet of Christ, religious places like Lourdes and Fatima to for healing, or even closer to home Mount Mary and Velankani, because they need healing or made promises. We seek miracles and signs. But then we overlook so many miracles that take place everyday. Every time a new life is conceived that's a miracle. Every time love blossoms is a miracle in itself. When peace is made between warring fractions, vices are given up, bridges are built over gaps formed due to misunderstanding, a friendly hand comes to help of the fallen, all these are miracles and signs. When misunderstanding threaten destroy something beautiful created, a ray of hope coming in to help this misunderstanding disappear, that's a miracle. The bond that ties a family together no matter how different each member is from each other, that's a sign.

If God has provided us with so many Miracles, so many Signs then why do we go about searching for it???

What Were They Thinking???

There are times when you watch a really bad and horrible movie because you favourite actor (both male and female, trying to be politically correct) is starring in the film. You feel like hammering your head against the wall. Makes you cringe in your seat, makes you wonder what did the actors ever see in the script in order for them to agree to part of a mess?

A good example would be the Batman and Robin movie. The movie makes you squirm and wonder what the hell a person as talented as George Clooney doing in such a campy idiotic movie. The other day was watching the movie King Uncle a movie directed by Rakesh Roshan, starring the so called King Khan, Shah Rukh Khan in a supporting role. You had a very wooden Anu Aggarwal who looked and acted horrendously. Wonder what's wrong with the makers. I think Shah Rukh has a habit of acting in crap Om Shanti Om being a really well intentioned crap.

There are so many movie. I think even each and every Hindi soap makes you want to pull off all the hair on your head. They so crappy and campy and so outdated and so feminist. It seems made by female for female who have no better things in life.

All this makes you wonder what the hell were they thinking???

Gymming

Gymming can be fun and if you are really into it it can be healthy and can improve so much. As person who has been working out now for nearly 3 years (used to say 2 and half years before ;) I think I have quite a ideas of workouts and how you need to go about doing. I see soo many people doing their workout in the wrong form. Would love to correct them and tell them that what they are doing is wrong. Show them the right form and push them. Prashant used to do that to me and I have carried the habit pushing people like Sandeep, Hrishi, Kiran and not leaving the ladies :). That's just me. But wonder if what I am doing is right. Am I right person to even to tell people what they are doing is wrong. Am I capable of evendoing that. There is very much a possibility that they maybe more experienced than me and could make a big popat of myself. And what if they don't want my help, then what would I do. And isn't that the instructor's job to guide the person and tell them whether what they are doing is right or wrong. There is always a tempatation of being a smartass at the gym. But will try not being that though :)

Family

The most important an essential part in a child life. It's the basic unit in life. It teaches you to be who you are. Can drive you mad by what they do. But people you cannot do without. You want to run away from them. They can drive you mad. You try to hold them together but someone does something and throws the spanner in the whole smooth working system. You try to be the peacemaker and that can be quite a job, especially you have people with personality that's diverse and rebellous and madening. But whatever they maybe I love them very much and cannot do without them :)

Juno

Juno is a simple story about teen pregnancy. This could have easily been a very preachy, bland, cheesy and TV soap like movie (read Kya Kehna! here). But its steers clear from these territories (Thankfully, I may add). What you have here is a simple story refreshingly told, wonderfully acted, with characters that are believable, people you can relate to. Everything on screen seems real, whether its the accidental pregnancy, adoption, being prepared for parenthood, events that change family dynamics, family support. Everything seems so true and believable.
Juno belongs to Ellen Page. She smart, in your face, witty, independent, adorable character who goes through things that way beyond her age. I always liked Jennifer Garner but here I liked her even more. She seems to be so believable as a woman trying to fulfil her maternal instinct. And so is Jason Bateman, a man who initially seems ready for parenthood but yet longs for the good ole days. And yes there is the simple, nerdy, Michael Cera as Bleeker, the person responsible for the pregnancy (and the whole movie) . The scene where he just comes holds on to Juno after she's given birth and given the baby up for adoption, touches, shows his support to her.
Most of all the movie is Diablo Cody's masterpiece. For a lady who has been a stripper to write such a beautiful movie is hats off and the Oscar is well deserved. :)