Don't you feel a kind of listlessness towards the end of any year ?
I certainly do. As if the world has shut shop and is enjoying the holidays, and meanwhile in India, we work though the services are down. Also, there is a feeling of impatience, that this year should get over soon and bring the new year. Albeit there is no big difference between the 31st and 1st, there is always a hope that the new year will bring more joy, more adventures, and more sanity to life.
The Mumbai attack affected all of us, more so because it brought the reality of what happened in Kashmir all these years right into our living rooms. Such audacious incursions and attacks must be pretty common in that beautiful state, it was just not lucrative news material for our news channels. We certainly did not see live coverages of their plight all these years. But the reality that any interior territory of India can be subjected to such an attack was a shocker. We did have bomb attacks, but they were silent killers. But, this was upfront warfare.
Subsequently, Pakistan army and its associates have been creating war hysteria, to deflect the world's attention from what it really has to do, namely clean up its backyards. Our media will do well in not assisting it in this cunning tactic.
Among the many positive signals arising out of this carnage, one was when the Muslims in Mumbai, refused to give proper burial to the terrorists. It sends a strong message to the local India-born terrorists even more than it does to those involved in this act.
Serious thoughts apart, I have not seen Rab ne Bana di Jodi yet. I am keeping that as my holiday treat. Though the movie features indigestibles, SRK rocks. I feel his success is more due to his genius in making you smile while escaping the real life for those three hours. Like a member of the previous generation said, "I hope he never ages".
I have been reading 2010 space odyssey lately. I had always heard about Arthur Clarke, but I am not much of a science fiction fan. My sci-fis have been limited to Michael Crichton, and Doug Adam's Hitchhikers (Of this Im a big fan). Reading space odyssey makes me feel as if Im actually setting off on a voyage. Interesting stuff.
Last good read was 'Curious Incident of the dog in the night-time' I was always afraid of reading this book. Insecurities maybe. But it is a good book. At no point does it dramatize, belittles or bemoans the kid's state. There is a quiet dignity associated with the kid. A must read I think. As necessary as it is to watch Taare zameen par.
Kalki's Ponniyan Selvan has been lying on my shelf for the past few days. I think it means Ponni's son, and is Ponni a river? Ill know more when I read it. Thats next on my reading list. This was highly recommended to me. I had read Kalki's Parthiban Kanavu (Parthiban's dream), which was beautiful, and which made me realise that our central board education system focuses more on the history of North India. I am told that Kalki's creations are mind blowing in its native language, Tamil. I don't read it fluently, so it is lost to me.
Wish you all merry Christmas and a very happy new year :-)
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Friday, October 03, 2008
Khuda Ke Liye
Amazing intelligent movie and very relevant to the current times. Perhaps it is also in context with the kind of witch-hunting that today's generation is being subjected to. Dont miss Naseeruddin Shah's arguments at the end.
This is where you can find it.
http://www.videoduniya.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3347&Itemid=27
This is where you can find it.
http://www.videoduniya.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3347&Itemid=27
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
I create..
I believe I am most creative when I am in an extreme state of boredom. So recently I was attending a set of lectures, and some of them put others to sleep, while they put me to work, in other words, create. So, here I present to you my scribbles.
Do let me know if there is still merit in attending classes. ;-)
What a teacher expects
is a little respect.
Premonition berates
that your future awaits,
when its you who teach
see your students asleep.
---
Path to success
is work I guess
I toil and toil
but sleep foils
and puts to rest
my intentions earnest.
----
Route to chaos
are manifold.
World is filled
with tales untold.
But the common strain,
is when you entrain,
routes abound,
and confound,
you know not where
lies your lair,
until you get there
and despair
---
Do let me know if there is still merit in attending classes. ;-)
What a teacher expects
is a little respect.
Premonition berates
that your future awaits,
when its you who teach
see your students asleep.
---
Path to success
is work I guess
I toil and toil
but sleep foils
and puts to rest
my intentions earnest.
----
Route to chaos
are manifold.
World is filled
with tales untold.
But the common strain,
is when you entrain,
routes abound,
and confound,
you know not where
lies your lair,
until you get there
and despair
---
Friday, April 18, 2008
I'm upto this ..
On the books front, I have been busy with short stories of Ruskin Bond and more recently Chitra Banerjee Divakurni. I read somewhere, that short stories are tougher to write, as within a few pages, the writer has to catch the reader's attention, and make reading it worthwhile. Ruskin Bond's work conjures up beautiful images of the region around Nainitaal.And finally, I got Rushdie's Midnight Children issued from the library. Having heard so much about his work, and especially this one, I am looking forward to reading this. In fact, his Haroun and the Sea of stories was very imaginative and I enjoyed it.
On my way to work, I get to see the beach everyday. I love this part of my journey. One can see the different moods of the weather reflected in the sea.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Seasons of life (a fwd)
A good forward I received recently:
Ctrl C Ctrl V, , apart from perhaps getting the season pictures mixed up, is a bad way of resuming blogging I admit. I promise better posts when the inspiration strikes and time permits.
Au Revoir :-)
There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall. When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.Or in other words : Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost ;-)
The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.
The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise.
The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.
The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.
The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life.
If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall.
Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don't judge life by one difficult season.
Ctrl C Ctrl V, , apart from perhaps getting the season pictures mixed up, is a bad way of resuming blogging I admit. I promise better posts when the inspiration strikes and time permits.
Au Revoir :-)
Friday, January 04, 2008
Dekho baarish ho rahi hai, its raining :-D
I'm singing in the rain
Just singing in the rain
What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again
...
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face
I walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just singin',
Singin' in the rain
:-D Chennai has had a lot of rain this year. Infact, since it started raining in May, every month has seen intermittent rains. The climate is lovely and pleasant. Almost like Bangalore :-D
Let me wish you all a very happy new year at the outset. May you all (and me) have a great 2008. Between my last post and now, many things have happened and milestones passed in many fields. Hindi Cinema had many good films to offer in this period - Chak De, Om Shanti Om, Jab we met I have seen. Johnny gaddar, Life in a Metro, Taare zameen par, I would like to see. I'm also looking forward to Jodha Akbar, as we will get to see the handsomest Akbar till date, and its a Gowtriker movie to boot :-D
In books section, please do check out Khaled Hosseini's Kite Runner and Thousand Splendid suns, this author's works are worth keeping track of. Really good writing. I am trying to read Orhan Pamuk's My name is Red currently. A bit slow to start with. Maybe it will gain momentum by and by.
Good luck and cheers :)
Just singing in the rain
What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again
...
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face
I walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just singin',
Singin' in the rain
:-D Chennai has had a lot of rain this year. Infact, since it started raining in May, every month has seen intermittent rains. The climate is lovely and pleasant. Almost like Bangalore :-D
Let me wish you all a very happy new year at the outset. May you all (and me) have a great 2008. Between my last post and now, many things have happened and milestones passed in many fields. Hindi Cinema had many good films to offer in this period - Chak De, Om Shanti Om, Jab we met I have seen. Johnny gaddar, Life in a Metro, Taare zameen par, I would like to see. I'm also looking forward to Jodha Akbar, as we will get to see the handsomest Akbar till date, and its a Gowtriker movie to boot :-D
In books section, please do check out Khaled Hosseini's Kite Runner and Thousand Splendid suns, this author's works are worth keeping track of. Really good writing. I am trying to read Orhan Pamuk's My name is Red currently. A bit slow to start with. Maybe it will gain momentum by and by.
Good luck and cheers :)
Monday, August 13, 2007
Hangover and I-Day runups
Hi people, here I am back in India, safe and single :-) When I returned, I did not feel any difference, maybe I was just plain happy to see my folks. But as the days passed by, I started remembering the teeny-weeny things and then started the hangover of this magical fortnight. Excuse me for this little childishness, but many firsts were associated with this trip, I had a lovely time.
This trip has also helped me in a major sense. I have decided to stay back in research for another year and see if I survive alone. If I do well, I try again, and if I don't, I quit :-D So I will apply for postdocs and since my boundary conditions do not extend very far, I can maybe go as far as Bangalore or Bombay.
I loved the institute I visited (ICTP in Italy). This is a UNESCO funded institute and attracts researchers from all parts of the world. So imagine, in this one visit, I met people from Brazil, Morocco, Iran, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iraq, Japan, China, Italy, Venezuela, Georgia, Croatia, Lebanon, France, Argentina, Algeria, Senegal!!! and saw people from many other countries. A lovely experience. One thing I noted is that everyone else is much well-versed in Geography when compared to me :-D Like my roomie said, she knows India's capital is Delhi, whereas I don't know where exactly her country is in Africa :-D India is very famous everywhere, and much of the credit goes to Bollywood - Shahrukh Khan is hot everywhere :-D
On our way back, we had some 12 hours stopover in Dubai. I roamed around in the airport to my heart's fill and line maarofied openly. (Many) Arabs are very handsome!! No wonder the western M&Bs have an occasional Arab sheikh as their hero. I met a very charming man on my way back to India, but unfortunately, I fell asleep pretty soon. I was cursing myself afterwards for this big blunder.
So ends my magical fortnight. Ill add little snippets to these posts as and when I remember :)
-----
In the run-up to the independence day, the news channels have been telecasting really good shows. Even Aaj Tak raised its level and had a show on "Hum nahi sudhrenge (we will not rectify ourselves!)" and showed all our(Indians) bad features like spitting and urinating on the roadsides, eve-teasing, corruption, jumping queues, etc etc. BBC has a series on India too. I am also looking forward to The Hindu's supplement on the I-Day. They promise a bunch of articles by eminent personalities and intellectuals.
---
My posts might not be regular until I get a good net connection and a healthier attitude :-) So here in advance are my wishes for a
Happy Independence Day :-)
This trip has also helped me in a major sense. I have decided to stay back in research for another year and see if I survive alone. If I do well, I try again, and if I don't, I quit :-D So I will apply for postdocs and since my boundary conditions do not extend very far, I can maybe go as far as Bangalore or Bombay.
I loved the institute I visited (ICTP in Italy). This is a UNESCO funded institute and attracts researchers from all parts of the world. So imagine, in this one visit, I met people from Brazil, Morocco, Iran, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iraq, Japan, China, Italy, Venezuela, Georgia, Croatia, Lebanon, France, Argentina, Algeria, Senegal!!! and saw people from many other countries. A lovely experience. One thing I noted is that everyone else is much well-versed in Geography when compared to me :-D Like my roomie said, she knows India's capital is Delhi, whereas I don't know where exactly her country is in Africa :-D India is very famous everywhere, and much of the credit goes to Bollywood - Shahrukh Khan is hot everywhere :-D
On our way back, we had some 12 hours stopover in Dubai. I roamed around in the airport to my heart's fill and line maarofied openly. (Many) Arabs are very handsome!! No wonder the western M&Bs have an occasional Arab sheikh as their hero. I met a very charming man on my way back to India, but unfortunately, I fell asleep pretty soon. I was cursing myself afterwards for this big blunder.
So ends my magical fortnight. Ill add little snippets to these posts as and when I remember :)
-----
In the run-up to the independence day, the news channels have been telecasting really good shows. Even Aaj Tak raised its level and had a show on "Hum nahi sudhrenge (we will not rectify ourselves!)" and showed all our(Indians) bad features like spitting and urinating on the roadsides, eve-teasing, corruption, jumping queues, etc etc. BBC has a series on India too. I am also looking forward to The Hindu's supplement on the I-Day. They promise a bunch of articles by eminent personalities and intellectuals.
---
My posts might not be regular until I get a good net connection and a healthier attitude :-) So here in advance are my wishes for a
Happy Independence Day :-)
Monday, July 23, 2007
Ciao Venezia
We finally visited Venice on Saturday after a long deliberation on whether to go or not to go. We even almost missed the train to Venice, barely got in two minutes before it started. The place is so full of beautiful age old architecture that we kept taking snaps. Tastefully done buildings. One thing I like a lot about this place is that lovely flowers dot every balcony.
From the train station, we took a vaporetto to one of the islands called Murano. This island is famous for glass blowing. We saw some beautiful creations made in coloured glass. I will upload some pics when I get them.
Next stop was the San Marco Island. This has the famous St. Marks Square. We first visited the Palace Ducale (Doge's palace), paid an awful lot to see this (13Euro!!) This palace had gorgeous expensive paintings on the walls. The Armoury had a variety of weapons on display, some swords even reaching my height. Those warriors must have been very tall to hold them! Such weapons are seen in Indian forts too.
We walked on the Bridge of Sighs and took pics in front of it. This is a bridge that leads from the palace to the other end of a canal. Apparently, the prisoners, after being sentenced, used to be taken through this bridge to their prisons. The prisoners used to look out of this bridge at their last rays of freedom and sigh, and hence it is called the Bridge of Sighs. This reminded me of Count of Monte Cristo, in which Edmond Dantes, fights for his freedom when he is taken to the dungeon. That book is a masterpiece, in which every passage made an impression.
The St. Marks square was full of thousands of pigeons. We fed these pigeons and took snaps with them.
The basilica in the square was closed by the time we reached, so we couldn't see that. Thats a big regret as we were told that it is a must-see, and now I might not get another opportunity like this.
We then went in search of the Rialto bridge. Apparently, this is also very famous. We just did not know where to find it. So we reached these streets, which are basically waterways, and gondolas were passing through these. We were told that gondola rides are very expensive, and are meant for honeymooners and those others who have time and money to kill. So we didnt take one. In one of the gondolas, a man was singing "Ciao Venezia" to the tune of an instrument. Thats when the beauty of Venice sank in. So far, it was nice architecture etc etc. But we experienced the charm on listening to that song. Those 5 minutes were very beautiful. Venice has to be lived in, to experience it completely. We saw the Rialto Bridge when we took the vaporetto back to the station.
Venice was truly an experience of a lifetime.
Another thing I like here is the music. I will learn to play an instrument sometime in my life.
I wish we had more time to explore. We caught the last train back, which takes a longer route. Halfway through, the next coach caught fire. It was controlled immediately though. Happening trip :)
Yesterday, we took a boat ride to the downtown city. Roamed around, ate genuine pizza with tuna fish toppings (I love Tuna fish now) and icecream (Yummmmm).
Lovely weekend. :-)
From the train station, we took a vaporetto to one of the islands called Murano. This island is famous for glass blowing. We saw some beautiful creations made in coloured glass. I will upload some pics when I get them.
Next stop was the San Marco Island. This has the famous St. Marks Square. We first visited the Palace Ducale (Doge's palace), paid an awful lot to see this (13Euro!!) This palace had gorgeous expensive paintings on the walls. The Armoury had a variety of weapons on display, some swords even reaching my height. Those warriors must have been very tall to hold them! Such weapons are seen in Indian forts too.
We walked on the Bridge of Sighs and took pics in front of it. This is a bridge that leads from the palace to the other end of a canal. Apparently, the prisoners, after being sentenced, used to be taken through this bridge to their prisons. The prisoners used to look out of this bridge at their last rays of freedom and sigh, and hence it is called the Bridge of Sighs. This reminded me of Count of Monte Cristo, in which Edmond Dantes, fights for his freedom when he is taken to the dungeon. That book is a masterpiece, in which every passage made an impression.
The St. Marks square was full of thousands of pigeons. We fed these pigeons and took snaps with them.
The basilica in the square was closed by the time we reached, so we couldn't see that. Thats a big regret as we were told that it is a must-see, and now I might not get another opportunity like this.
We then went in search of the Rialto bridge. Apparently, this is also very famous. We just did not know where to find it. So we reached these streets, which are basically waterways, and gondolas were passing through these. We were told that gondola rides are very expensive, and are meant for honeymooners and those others who have time and money to kill. So we didnt take one. In one of the gondolas, a man was singing "Ciao Venezia" to the tune of an instrument. Thats when the beauty of Venice sank in. So far, it was nice architecture etc etc. But we experienced the charm on listening to that song. Those 5 minutes were very beautiful. Venice has to be lived in, to experience it completely. We saw the Rialto Bridge when we took the vaporetto back to the station.
Venice was truly an experience of a lifetime.
Another thing I like here is the music. I will learn to play an instrument sometime in my life.
I wish we had more time to explore. We caught the last train back, which takes a longer route. Halfway through, the next coach caught fire. It was controlled immediately though. Happening trip :)
Yesterday, we took a boat ride to the downtown city. Roamed around, ate genuine pizza with tuna fish toppings (I love Tuna fish now) and icecream (Yummmmm).
Lovely weekend. :-)
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Magical fortnight ahead :)
Hi all, here I am in a new country and enjoying it thoroughly. The place is gorgeous and the food (especially the sea food) is delicious. On our way here, we stopped over in Dubai. The airport was posh and the guys handsome. Woww what great looks. It was also like a home away from home, with many Indians employed there as service staff. I plan to shop a bit on my way back.
The guesthouse in which I have been put up here faces the sea. Its my dream stay. We leave the doors open at nights. People play soft music here at the sea side at night and we fall asleep to the sounds of that. Guess what! Day before, they even played a hindi song. I couldnt believe my ears. My roommate is an African Muslim girl and is very gorgeous. She says India is very famous in her country as people there often watch Shahrukh Khan movies. I was amazed (and thrilled) at the outreach SRK has.. She speaks good french and bad english. My french doesnt go beyond Bonjour. But we manage well :-D I am learning a bit of Italian too. As far as the conference is concerned, it is all nice and good, but I have this thing that I cannot apply for post doc yet and that slightly gets me down. I mean I feel whats the use of all this for me :-D So I am maintaining a low profile here.
Ok so here full and final is my advertisement for a cheerful, educated, liberated Muslim guy who will let me live my life as I wish :-D Most desirable if he is 6'2" :-D ;-) Btw lots of handsome Muslim guys in the campus here too, mostly from west asia.. Umm but my mom objects to (even) north Indians, I dont think she ll like the idea of a foreigner :-D
Jokes apart, nice place, nice people and I plan to enjoy myself the rest of this magical fortnight.
Ciao to you and have fun :)
(wow i posted this post with italian instructions)
The guesthouse in which I have been put up here faces the sea. Its my dream stay. We leave the doors open at nights. People play soft music here at the sea side at night and we fall asleep to the sounds of that. Guess what! Day before, they even played a hindi song. I couldnt believe my ears. My roommate is an African Muslim girl and is very gorgeous. She says India is very famous in her country as people there often watch Shahrukh Khan movies. I was amazed (and thrilled) at the outreach SRK has.. She speaks good french and bad english. My french doesnt go beyond Bonjour. But we manage well :-D I am learning a bit of Italian too. As far as the conference is concerned, it is all nice and good, but I have this thing that I cannot apply for post doc yet and that slightly gets me down. I mean I feel whats the use of all this for me :-D So I am maintaining a low profile here.
Ok so here full and final is my advertisement for a cheerful, educated, liberated Muslim guy who will let me live my life as I wish :-D Most desirable if he is 6'2" :-D ;-) Btw lots of handsome Muslim guys in the campus here too, mostly from west asia.. Umm but my mom objects to (even) north Indians, I dont think she ll like the idea of a foreigner :-D
Jokes apart, nice place, nice people and I plan to enjoy myself the rest of this magical fortnight.
Ciao to you and have fun :)
(wow i posted this post with italian instructions)
Thursday, July 12, 2007
A new adventure
So I am leaving for Italy in two days after all. A new adventure and a new experience :) Looking forward to it and at the same time nervous about it. At the end of it, I will certainly have some new material for this blog :-D So long then. I have no idea about what after this.. but I do deserve a holiday and so will try to enjoy being jobless for some time.
Kafeel's terror attack had us all shocked. So far we had this perception that jobless, uneducated youth are easily brainwashed and they resort to these acts. This guy's act was shocking and condemnable. I would have written much much more about it but in a hurry.
Kafeel's terror attack had us all shocked. So far we had this perception that jobless, uneducated youth are easily brainwashed and they resort to these acts. This guy's act was shocking and condemnable. I would have written much much more about it but in a hurry.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Rains
Its been raining here since yesterday. Very pleasant climate :-) And I have been walking in the rains mindless of the aachoos which are bound to follow. I do take to water like a true Pisces
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Notes from Bangalore
I spent this weekend at Bangalore. This was my first visit to the city. Visited my relatives. Met old college friends. I must say I seem to be the only one who has not changed at all in appearance. Everyone else has put on weight.
My impressions of the city! There are always goods and bads in a city and so its not even a good thing to compare. But then one does end up comparing.
The autowallahs are much much better there than in Chennai. I was surprised to find them following the meter rate to a rupee. The meter can be used in a negative way also as we found out in one case where this guy was taking us through narrow lanes and byways instead of the main roads just to increase the rate. We promptly got down 10 mins after getting in ( I was suspicious also as this guy covered up his face in the petrol pump, and avoided the main roads. Who knows if he is a terrorist. He he my imagination was on full drive. I digress.)
The bus service is lousy, Ill say. And the commuters are more lecherous (in my experience). I felt travelling there is difficult unless one has a personal vehicle.
It was so pleasantly cool there. After the sultriest few days in Chennai, this was very welcome. As it happened, it rained in Chennai too this weekend. Not fair. We missed 4 days of chennai rains :-(
We roamed around Garuda Mall. One can buy stuff in Spencers but not in Garuda Mall. Its indecently overpriced. I think Spencers caters to all sections. Anyway, we entered the Scary House there and got mighty scared. My cousins tell me that I apparently told one "bhoot" to not do what he was doing- scare me :-D He he I am jumpy by nature and I am scared of darkness too. So I got my money's worth of getting scared :-D Enjoyed max in all. I would love to return to Bangalore :)
There is big hype surrounding the movie Sivaji down south. Apparently people are even paying 1k to watch this movie! Its a crazy little world.
My impressions of the city! There are always goods and bads in a city and so its not even a good thing to compare. But then one does end up comparing.
The autowallahs are much much better there than in Chennai. I was surprised to find them following the meter rate to a rupee. The meter can be used in a negative way also as we found out in one case where this guy was taking us through narrow lanes and byways instead of the main roads just to increase the rate. We promptly got down 10 mins after getting in ( I was suspicious also as this guy covered up his face in the petrol pump, and avoided the main roads. Who knows if he is a terrorist. He he my imagination was on full drive. I digress.)
The bus service is lousy, Ill say. And the commuters are more lecherous (in my experience). I felt travelling there is difficult unless one has a personal vehicle.
It was so pleasantly cool there. After the sultriest few days in Chennai, this was very welcome. As it happened, it rained in Chennai too this weekend. Not fair. We missed 4 days of chennai rains :-(
We roamed around Garuda Mall. One can buy stuff in Spencers but not in Garuda Mall. Its indecently overpriced. I think Spencers caters to all sections. Anyway, we entered the Scary House there and got mighty scared. My cousins tell me that I apparently told one "bhoot" to not do what he was doing- scare me :-D He he I am jumpy by nature and I am scared of darkness too. So I got my money's worth of getting scared :-D Enjoyed max in all. I would love to return to Bangalore :)
There is big hype surrounding the movie Sivaji down south. Apparently people are even paying 1k to watch this movie! Its a crazy little world.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
My good luck charm?
Crow droppings. Yes, you read it right. Consider these incidents:
1. School days: My brand new cycle used to be parked in the stand alongwith others'. But most often, only my cycle used to be spotted with crow droppings.
2. College days: My lunch periods used to be spent in searching for a crow free zone. I was notorious for attracting crows.
3. Masters convocation: I was seated in the last row in a hall with very high ceiling. All the parents were seated on a higher level right behind me. In the middle of the ceremony, when we were awaiting our turns, this crow which is flying over us, makes it mark on me, and a collective gasp is heard from the scores of parents seated behind me. In an assembly of 1000 heads, this crow in flight, has to select just me to drop its blessings!
I remembered all this, cos yesterday a crow blessed me again. Again lots of people before and after me were walking under the tree, but this crow had to choose my head. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
1. School days: My brand new cycle used to be parked in the stand alongwith others'. But most often, only my cycle used to be spotted with crow droppings.
2. College days: My lunch periods used to be spent in searching for a crow free zone. I was notorious for attracting crows.
3. Masters convocation: I was seated in the last row in a hall with very high ceiling. All the parents were seated on a higher level right behind me. In the middle of the ceremony, when we were awaiting our turns, this crow which is flying over us, makes it mark on me, and a collective gasp is heard from the scores of parents seated behind me. In an assembly of 1000 heads, this crow in flight, has to select just me to drop its blessings!
I remembered all this, cos yesterday a crow blessed me again. Again lots of people before and after me were walking under the tree, but this crow had to choose my head. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Updates
Pirates of the Caribbean - Worlds end is a must watch for all those who did not miss the earlier movies. We watched it in our old style - bunked a working day and rushed to get the movie tickets after lunch. This part is an entertainer like the rest and ends with a blast ( or is this really the end ?!)
I have the sequel to Inkheart by Cornelia Funke in my kitty for the past one week but its impossible to read a book at home. I spend some 5 waking hours there, and there is always something or other going on. Even my plans of preparing for the interviews haven't been put in action yet. I also realized that TV doesn't interest me anymore.
I have the sequel to Inkheart by Cornelia Funke in my kitty for the past one week but its impossible to read a book at home. I spend some 5 waking hours there, and there is always something or other going on. Even my plans of preparing for the interviews haven't been put in action yet. I also realized that TV doesn't interest me anymore.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Another bus story
Maybe I should rename this blog as Chronicles of my bus journey :-D
Today, a nice old lady was sitting next to me. She asked me about my education and went on to say thats a good thing, one should stand on their feet, and a life partner should be just that - partner in life, we shouldn't depend on him, kaalam maari pochi (days have changed), we should do as well as he does. She said all this with a passion.
These ideas are very common now, but it felt good to hear them from a veteran who has lived and learned.
Today, a nice old lady was sitting next to me. She asked me about my education and went on to say thats a good thing, one should stand on their feet, and a life partner should be just that - partner in life, we shouldn't depend on him, kaalam maari pochi (days have changed), we should do as well as he does. She said all this with a passion.
These ideas are very common now, but it felt good to hear them from a veteran who has lived and learned.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
My chance to say get well soon :-D
Two hours of travel in the peak hours is definitely painful but it has its moments of humour also. At least I manage to enjoy myself. :-D
It often happens to me in the bus that just when I get a seat, either an old lady or a pregnant woman comes and stands near me. Courtesy demands that I sacrifice my seat, but it does annoy me no end.
So yesterday this fat lady in a crisp starched cotton sari gets in and asks me to give up my seat. I try to hedge as she looked very fit to me. She insisted, even refused to share my seat, so finally I gave up. thinking maybe she does need to sit ( Unfortunately I am easily bullied). This lady turned out to be attending a party in some hotel. She even once asked me not to crush her sari (!!).
Anyway I said "Get well soon" to her before I got down :-D
(Well I didn't want to risk her pitaai so chose the last moment before I escaped :-D Mom says I will get beaten up for my cheekiness some day soon :-D )
It often happens to me in the bus that just when I get a seat, either an old lady or a pregnant woman comes and stands near me. Courtesy demands that I sacrifice my seat, but it does annoy me no end.
So yesterday this fat lady in a crisp starched cotton sari gets in and asks me to give up my seat. I try to hedge as she looked very fit to me. She insisted, even refused to share my seat, so finally I gave up. thinking maybe she does need to sit ( Unfortunately I am easily bullied). This lady turned out to be attending a party in some hotel. She even once asked me not to crush her sari (!!).
Anyway I said "Get well soon" to her before I got down :-D
(Well I didn't want to risk her pitaai so chose the last moment before I escaped :-D Mom says I will get beaten up for my cheekiness some day soon :-D )
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Ta ra rum pum and hum
Hi all ( at least the ones who still read this blog :-D I too have been a bit slack in putting up new stuff here. Somehow for the past few days blogging was not the fun it used to be. I realised that it has been about I-me-myself in the past many posts and I took a break. Its not as if it has changed but then still, here I am).
Watched Ta ra rum pum a couple of weeks back. Recently, we have seen many low budget movies with not so famous actors albeit with refreshing stories. Sweet, amusing, astonishing, thought-provoking - many varieties of them. Ta ra rum pum jarred on the senses in comparison. Agreed Rani, Saif are established actors but Im sure even they did not know who their target audiences were. Muddled and directionless. Thats what it was. (Spoiler) Saif is a tire changer who meets Rani and falls in love. He also has a penchant for driving fast that lands him into car racing. He gets rich and also spends more than what he earns. (Bit like me. I never go in for instalments but I spend a lot :-D bad habit) has two cute kids and an awesome glass house, He has an accident and his car racing suffers. He loses all his assets and is now poor, this is where it gets more annoying. A blatant copy from Life is beautiful, they pretend to the kids that its all a reality show and they have to win the game. The poverty gets so worse that Saif and Rani miss their meals to save money!! Then after a series of events, Saif emerges victorious/richer and wiser.
Now to talk about the target audience, they were confused whether its the NRIs or the desis, or the kids, or the resident Indians. I loved the car racing sections. I would like to know this, Did Schumacher also win by hitting his opponents, Never watched F1 races before this.
My friends said at the end, that we spent some 100 bucks per head for the movie only to learn that one should never spend in excess and should value money :-D
****
I changed my status from a hostelite to a day scholar last week. I have been eating well, sleeping well, and traveling a lot - 2hrs per day. Mom is trying to rid me of the hostel habits. For starters, Im not regular about eating, I sleep at any vacant place, I dont use the regular things like towels, tumblers, pillows and etc etc. 7 years of hostel living ought to make a mark :-D
If things work out I might be visiting Italy in July. Im already dreaming about Venice :-D Only if things work out :-D
Watched Ta ra rum pum a couple of weeks back. Recently, we have seen many low budget movies with not so famous actors albeit with refreshing stories. Sweet, amusing, astonishing, thought-provoking - many varieties of them. Ta ra rum pum jarred on the senses in comparison. Agreed Rani, Saif are established actors but Im sure even they did not know who their target audiences were. Muddled and directionless. Thats what it was. (Spoiler) Saif is a tire changer who meets Rani and falls in love. He also has a penchant for driving fast that lands him into car racing. He gets rich and also spends more than what he earns. (Bit like me. I never go in for instalments but I spend a lot :-D bad habit) has two cute kids and an awesome glass house, He has an accident and his car racing suffers. He loses all his assets and is now poor, this is where it gets more annoying. A blatant copy from Life is beautiful, they pretend to the kids that its all a reality show and they have to win the game. The poverty gets so worse that Saif and Rani miss their meals to save money!! Then after a series of events, Saif emerges victorious/richer and wiser.
Now to talk about the target audience, they were confused whether its the NRIs or the desis, or the kids, or the resident Indians. I loved the car racing sections. I would like to know this, Did Schumacher also win by hitting his opponents, Never watched F1 races before this.
My friends said at the end, that we spent some 100 bucks per head for the movie only to learn that one should never spend in excess and should value money :-D
****
I changed my status from a hostelite to a day scholar last week. I have been eating well, sleeping well, and traveling a lot - 2hrs per day. Mom is trying to rid me of the hostel habits. For starters, Im not regular about eating, I sleep at any vacant place, I dont use the regular things like towels, tumblers, pillows and etc etc. 7 years of hostel living ought to make a mark :-D
If things work out I might be visiting Italy in July. Im already dreaming about Venice :-D Only if things work out :-D
Friday, May 04, 2007
Monday, April 30, 2007
Whats in a name
I saw Orhan Pamuk's My name is red in the library and wanted to read it. I am curious about his book as I have heard much about him here and there. I admit that the work of Nobel laureates has ever been beyond my understanding.
Dont you think Orhan has a nice sound to it! Few months back I met a sweet Turkish lady with twinkling greyish blue eyes, whose husband's name was Orhan and she pronounced it very musically (OrHAAN). Maybe her affection to him also added to the charm.
A name defines the identity of a person, and so is a very important thing to that person. Names have character too.
And when someone doesnt even take the time to pronounce it right or spell it right, even when they know the person quite well, it is not right. At least I get very annoyed. You are not my friend until you know how I spell my name and how I expect you to pronounce it.
Some people have very beautiful names, many a times influenced by the local culture. For instance, what is Maitri or Maitreyi in other languages is Moitri in Bongland, sanjay is Shonjoy, or Kajal is Kajol.
He he sometimes the local language screws up the name too. Eg. in Tamil (Tamizh), maha is not accepted. So Mahalakshmi is Magalakshmi. This is a Tamilian enough name so it sounds nice. But when Zahera (ZAAhayRaa) changes to Jageera or Jagara, I draw the line :-D
As an aside, I realised that lately I have been giving very corny titles to my posts - Moving Movies, Post Mortem, Castles in the air! and whats in a name :-D Kya karen mamu, bheja chutti pe gayela hai and waise bhi creativity thodi apun k reach k baahar hai :-D
Anyway, another fantasy series I discovered is Septimus Heap by Angie Sage. The first part is called Magyk, and next one lined up is Flyte. It is an interesting read. Good timepass.
Dont you think Orhan has a nice sound to it! Few months back I met a sweet Turkish lady with twinkling greyish blue eyes, whose husband's name was Orhan and she pronounced it very musically (OrHAAN). Maybe her affection to him also added to the charm.
A name defines the identity of a person, and so is a very important thing to that person. Names have character too.
And when someone doesnt even take the time to pronounce it right or spell it right, even when they know the person quite well, it is not right. At least I get very annoyed. You are not my friend until you know how I spell my name and how I expect you to pronounce it.
Some people have very beautiful names, many a times influenced by the local culture. For instance, what is Maitri or Maitreyi in other languages is Moitri in Bongland, sanjay is Shonjoy, or Kajal is Kajol.
He he sometimes the local language screws up the name too. Eg. in Tamil (Tamizh), maha is not accepted. So Mahalakshmi is Magalakshmi. This is a Tamilian enough name so it sounds nice. But when Zahera (ZAAhayRaa) changes to Jageera or Jagara, I draw the line :-D
As an aside, I realised that lately I have been giving very corny titles to my posts - Moving Movies, Post Mortem, Castles in the air! and whats in a name :-D Kya karen mamu, bheja chutti pe gayela hai and waise bhi creativity thodi apun k reach k baahar hai :-D
Anyway, another fantasy series I discovered is Septimus Heap by Angie Sage. The first part is called Magyk, and next one lined up is Flyte. It is an interesting read. Good timepass.