Foot loose

Happy new year...

2010-12-31T11:26:00.000-08:00

I was keying in a review of "Mirch", when I was interrupted by some good news.. Something that was totally unexpected... something that was rather unprecedented.

And I felt with utmost sincerity, after a long time, something that has been lacking.

The giddy, unbriddled, slightly hare brained, and rather ambitious optimism. The one you feel as a child. The one you have when cynicism has not yet killed the possibility of super man.

The rush; the desire of glaring, spitting in the eye of the entire world and proclaiming that you are going to rule it, bend it to your own will.

A dash of adolescence.

The assured arrogant feeling. Believing that having everything laid at your feet was due, a natural demand.

So I decided to key this post in and publish it before the adrenaline has subsided preventing me from doing this very stupid act.

And what better than to receive it minutes before the beginning of a new year.

Fuck! I feel good!

Living easy, living free

Season ticket on a one-way ride

Asking nothing, leave me be

Taking everything in my stride

Don't need reason, don't need rhyme

Ain't nothing I would rather do

Going down, party time

My friends are gonna be there too

I'm on the highway to hell

- AC-DC

There is no better high, then to be high on life.

- Shrivallabh Deshmukh

Say NO to Booze

Is Shakespeare dying

2010-10-03T12:47:00.000-07:00

I went today to watch a play in local theater after a long break.

The Marathi stage and movies have been on a rebound.

It was nice to see the number in the audience.

However, while I sat through the play, I found the lights to be dim, the makeup to be dull and the actors to be less beautiful.

In the break, I began pondering over a thought that was beginning to form in my mind over time.

Will Shakespeare survive my generation?

Most of my friends who have gathered courage to endeavor a read, have found Shakespeare "corny" at times, amongst other attributes. Majority have not been able to relate to his writings.

None have seen his work enacted live. A tragedy. I have seen a rendition of Macbeth online and since been hungry for a live performance

There are, albeit few, who have grown fond of the master.

The common in this group is their intellectual eliteness. These are the thinkers of my generation.

Would I be wrong to say that Shakespeare was sought by a much wider audience then he is today.

Never before, I believe, has Shakespeare belonged to the elites.

Just like effect junk food and fizzy drinks has had on our diet, we have been weened off those who were once considered immortals.

We are so numbed with the constant exposure to the brilliant and the florescent, that we prefer to grind to non coherent syllables, that at best resemble expletives, rather than enjoy something of substance.

Our form of socialization and communication is changing. Facebook is rave. "Katta" concept is slowly dying.

It took me sometime to realize, that the not-so-beautiful are real. And just 2 "real" people had captured our attention for 2-3 hours with nothing more than a long conversation and few background scores.

The lights are not dim, but as bright as they should be.

And discomfort is my numbness being sensitized to reality.

A question and challenge, will Shakespeare be dead by the time my next generation arrives. And if he is not, will he survive another generation?

But the English language had deteriorated into a hybrid of hillbilly, valley girl, inner city slang, and various grunts. - Narrator of Idiocracy

Writing

2010-09-22T09:48:00.000-07:00

I recently saw the movie Freedom writers. There is something about the underprivileged and underdogs that we love.

Their trials and tribulations are true. And we love their triumphs.

Moving.

I do not know what chemical in my brain makes me feel this strong empathy, happiness (and may be pride) in their victories.

And it must be a common phenomenon, because a lot of movies and stories are about the underdog victories.

But that is not what I want to write about today.

It is the act of writing.

The Shakespeares, the Wildes, the Hemmingways and may I add the Tolkiens and the Rowlings to the list; have for ages captured the fantasies, inspired romance, given hope, molded thoughts and ruled minds.

The genii have been worshipped for ages; indirectly been responsible for shaping the world as we see is by being a part of shaping the minds of millions.

But how did writing affect them.

Unlike the symphony, and unlike soloist who performs on the stage where he renders his magic, temporal, where he feels the euphoria; exaltation, writing is different.

When you write, does one feel the high? And I do not mean the pleasures of the accolades that follow (if they follow)

No. The effect is something much deeper.

Often treated as a means of healing, you will find a lot of literature about benefits of writing in psychological research.

What of healthy minds?

Why did shakespeare write? Was he sad? Was he disturbed? Could have been a sadist considering the fact that most of his writings are tragedies?

Or was he happy? What drove him?

I am going to put an abrupt end to this discourse and find the answers by the act.

Write.

Writing books is a socially acceptable form of getting naked in public - Paulo Coelho

Defying gravity

2010-06-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

Something has changed within me, something is not the same

I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game

Too late for second-guessing, too late to go back to sleep

Its time to trust my instincts, close my eyes and leap!

It's time to try defying gravity

I think I'll try defying gravity

Kiss me goodbye I'm defying gravity

And you won't bring me down

2009-12-07T22:38:00.001-08:00

Man! This is why google is google...

http://www.google.com/mobile/goggles/#landmark

Groups for World cup declared

2009-10-14T14:38:00.001-07:00

Groups for the 2011 Cricket world cup World Cup

Group A - Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Canada, Kenya.

Group B - India, South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands.

So India and Pakistan can not meet eaxh other in a league match...

What if one of them gets knocked out in the league match. That would be sad!!!

Silk Route

2009-06-03T11:26:00.000-07:00

I love to peruse through song collection, a "music-digger" one may say, and unearth good songs which are not a part of the mainstream.

I relish the pleasure of showing of my prized collection to my friends, who usually wind up borrowing these songs from me.

Two of the songs that have touched me the most in the recent past, have both belonged to a band called silk route.

Silk route came to fame with their song "Dooba dooba" some time back, but seemed to have disappeared of the chart since.

I, not having a idiot box at my place, risk looking the fool and claiming that these two gems are not that well known.

Guncha koi has been reigning the top of my chart since the first time I heard it.

Stunning, beautiful by its simplicity.

Simply too romantic.

Sabse peeche hum khade, Now this song is something special. I can not, will not write anything about this one. Just listen to it.

Footlooze salutes "Silk route" and Mohit chauhan.

99

2009-05-26T12:45:00.000-07:00

Foot loose recommends 99. An extremely refreshing movie.

Good directors. Good movies :)

Wonder why they starved us for a movie for whole 6 years since Flavors. The 6.7 rating that flavors got on IMDB honestly does it no justice.

Guitarists

2009-04-04T04:54:00.001-07:00

Mind blowing jolts!

Ecstasy ....

Listen to this till the end. The tempo picks up in between. John butler rocks \m/(>.<)\m/

Master of all... This Don Ross for you.

Plug the leak - Sign the petitions my compatriots

2008-12-02T07:55:00.000-08:00

For once, I could not wait to key this in. So no flowery words.

Let us do whatever small bits we can, to improve our system. At the end of the day we make the system - We, the poeple - (I)ndians

Kudos to Vishal, hope he follows up through to the end and does not make a publicity gimmick out if (It seems like the right intentions are there).

The article

The Petition

In Pursuit of happiness

2008-11-14T04:49:00.001-08:00

<< Blank >>

Life and rest of the crap

2008-10-28T14:29:00.000-07:00

"Some men are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon"

And then, some people are just born.

You really don't know which one you are unless you have lived out your time.

One of my friends once mentioned that - your life is behind you, you make a turn and it turns after you.

That my friends is the truth about almost all of the creatures feeding of burgers and coke. And it is the most prevalent lie in the life of every number I have in my mobile list.

Life is, my friend, that feisty lady who is with you. You cannot have a companion that follows.

Epiphany, is it? What is it that has culminated in todays post. Or is it just "Random thoughts of a demented mind"? Ramblings and as such??

Nope, my friend. After cruising in a car for almost 3 hours in the middle of the night, I was expecting nothing short of an epiphany. But what I had was just 2 cups of coffee and one long conversation. And the conversations, like all good conversations led to progress. And progress my friend is the one unchanging characteristic of life - for better or worse.

Why must we lead our lives to a destination if the lord is a shepherd?

Why must we walk our life blind when we bask in the light?

Why must we make a choice when everything has been chosen?

Why do I get the feeling that the daily wage laborer I see laying the brickwork is probably happier sweating in the heat and dust then I sitting in an AC car?

Why do I ask so many questions?

Why is there an "I" in every question?

What is the quintessential question?

Why do I need the answer?

Schmuk - Life is a roller coaster, just get on the ride!

What a way to begin the new Year!

Padavyacha shubhecha.. Happy new year my friends!

Baaz

2008-10-23T10:35:00.000-07:00

Just here me out - I think that the movie deserves a mention just for the title...

How imaginative!!!

Baaz: A Bird in Danger

Today, My sarcasm fails me!

Visiting Uncle sam

2008-10-01T10:49:00.000-07:00

This is my first trip to the US of A. In fact this is my first adventure out side India. A 48 hour notice, frantic packing, last minute shopping and takeoff. After an incredibly long journey, with a 5 hour stopover at Heathrow, we landed in what people used to call "Land of dreams". Used to? Well they did till Bush took over.

Life here is a complete parody of life in India. No jostling, no cutting in the queue, NO HONKING on the streets for crying out loud! You will find huge 4 lane highways completely empty at peak traffic hours.

On the other hands the details to which standards are followed is impressive; fantastic infrastructure which I must say I am totally impressed with.

From the neon signs to "toy" shops, from fisherman's wharfs to elegant cafe, it has been an interesting trip so far, and I am about at the fag end of the trip. One week on the west coast and another on east coast... it does make an interesting travel story.

What has been most interesting to study is the American audience. And the even more interesting aspect has been the interaction with the Desis. It took a travel across 7 seas to make friends with people I meet every freakin' day.

Good people put on their good faces only in strange lands, or so I should say.

Anyway details coming later. Adios for now! Its 12:06 in the night right now and I am signing off.

Humara dukhada

2008-09-16T22:33:00.001-07:00

Rock On!!!!

2008-09-11T07:07:00.000-07:00

Nowadays I tend to write mostly about movies. Probably I am at a point where I need to seek inspiration outside my own life and thoughts.

Rock on - a story of 4 friends who are all set to rock the world of music with their very own band called "Magic"

The plot of the movie is extremely simplistic. Bunch of kids fresh out of college, get caught in the bureaucratic crap of real world. Conflicts arise due to the compromises band has to make. The band disperses to come back together for one last performance.

The direction in this movie is top quality. The camera angles, takes are simply superb.

Were I to criticize, I would say that the script should have been a bit more... complicated.

The story puts forth the beaten idea - look out of the box. All you wanted could be possible. Don't let yourself be caught up in your own compromises.

The more I think about it, the more I realize I do not even know what I want to do with my life. Did I ever know it? Did I at some point disconnect with my ownself?

Has the mirror become so blurred?

Soul searching. Its good to do once in a while.

Chrome

2008-09-02T10:26:00.001-07:00

Much awaited, much hyped. Google's browser is about to arrive.

It was the most obvious and strategic move. Google brand name will definitely give the browser a push in the monopolized market.

But will it live up to expectations.

The comic strip proclaims much.

I expect this one to be a guzzler of resources. It is about time such a guzzler came.

There is no doubt which way the industry is evolving, and this is just another (and most obvious) step forward.

The only question that remains is - has Google got it right?

I am pretty sure that chrome is going to blast away all the previous download records.

If nothing else, at the very least, the logo lives up to expectations - Simple and elegant.

Eternal sunshine of a spotless mind

2008-06-22T11:20:00.000-07:00

"How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!
The world forgetting, by the world forgot.
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!
Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd;"

A recommendation that was put of for over a year, due to both procrastination and lack of availability.

Writing a critique for this movie is going to be a rather difficult exercise. Suffice to say it that this movie motivated me to write after almost a year.

The plotline moves fluidly through the time, that makes the twists more ... interesting. The movie essentially deals with mundanity of relationships and quirks of human nature.

Given a freedom in the choice of relationships, both in the choice of partner and the longevity of relationships, just the fact that one has a choice can be a source of dissatisfaction. Decisions of a human mind are often ... impulsive.. here and now; failing to grasp the greater significance.

Ok, here I am about to reveal a bit of the plot... if you are intending to watch the movie - close the browser window.. In fact, shut the pc down, get of your butt and go rent the movie. For the rest... do think twice before you read further...

The protagonist is distressed by his girlfriend’s "impulsive" decision to erase him from her memories - a possibility provided by a new age procedure. In his agony he decides to do the same. Most of the movie explores his mind, his memories, his thoughts, his imagination - as the memories are knocked off one after the other. His satisfaction as more recent.. more painful memories are erased, But as the time flows backward; as the memories he cherishes are knocked off, he realizes the mistake he has made. He makes a desperate attempts to resist; to hold on - a desperate fight as he tries to hide her deeper in the closet.

There are multiple parallel plot lines intertwined explore the one choice in all its aspect.

The movie probes and prods through the situations, the possibilities... What if a person who has had his loved one erased, were to meet again? The very legitimacy of the controversial procedure.

A lot of work has been done on the details. Every time I watch the movie, I realize something new about the characters.

Watching Jim Carrey in a serious role was a complete revelation. His track record does no justice to his abilities as an actor. IMHO he should tread more often outside the beaten comedy path.

Kate Winslet is outstanding as always.

Each and every character is well thought out and well portrayed.

Footlooze awards 5 stars to the movie. A must watch.

Techno Bum!

2008-03-09T05:24:00.000-07:00

After a procrastinating for reallllllllllllllllllly long time - here it is - TechnoBum

Headtracking with WII

2008-01-28T06:59:00.000-08:00

Wii developers out there!?

Rockstars

2008-01-23T02:08:00.000-08:00

Rock on!

2007-10-06T06:14:00.000-07:00

Spoiler warning! Talks about the end of "Stranger that fiction".

I wrote a critique of this movie few of days back.

This is the narration at the end of the movie. I found it to be really beautiful.

As Harold took a bite of the Bavarian sugar cookie, He finally felt as if everything was going to be okay.

Sometime when we loose ourselves in fear and despair, In routine and constancy, in hoplessness and tragedy, We can thank god for Bavarian sugar cookies.

And fortunately, when there aren't any sugar cookies, we can find reassurance in a familiar hand on our skin, or a kind and loving gesture, or a subtle encouragement. or a loving embrace, or an offer of comfort.

Not to mention; Hospital gurneys, and nose plugs, an uneaten dish, soft spoken secrets, fender string guitars, and maybe the occasional piece of fiction.

And we must remember that all these things, these nuances, these anomalies, the subtleties which which we assume only accessories our day, are in fact here for a much larger and nobler cause.

They are here to save our lives. I know the idea seems strange. But I also know that it just happens to be true. And so it was.

A wrist watch saved Harold Crick.

You don't have to watch the movie to appreciate it!

Robert jordan obituary

2007-09-19T23:39:00.000-07:00

Robert Jordan passed away on 16th September.

I have been religiously following "Wheel of time" for about three years now, and am proud owner of all the eleven books.

Hope they do release the book 12's notes at the very least.

Stranger then fiction

2007-09-16T21:54:00.000-07:00

I happened to see this movie purely because it was one of the 4 movies on the DVD I had borrowed from one of my friends.

Stranger then fiction is an off beat movie.

The plot:

The protagonist is another weird creation of imagination, whose life revolves around numbers. This bloke counts everything... how many steps he took from home to bus stop, how many tiles are there in the lobby, how many brush strokes he made while brushing his teeth. In fact not only does he count the number of strokes, but the number has not changed for 11 years.

One fine day he starts hearing a voice. The voice is narrating whatever is happening to him. Even the thoughts that are going through his mind. The voice is right about everything.

Turns out this guy is a character in a novel, and the voice he hears is that of the books author, as she keys in the novel.

The movie takes a turn when the voice narrates the certainty of his "imminent death".

A good one time watch. The characters have been played out well.

Truth is more of a stranger than fiction.

Mark Twain (35)

The Terminal

2007-09-11T04:14:00.000-07:00

I watched The Terminal again yesterday.

Being a die-hard Tom Hanks fan (courtesy: Forrest Gump) and a member of Steven Spielberg fan club, I had very high expectations from this movie right from the beginning. I was not disappointed one bit.

The predicament of a simpleton stuck for more than three years in an airport; who would have imagined thing do mundane could have been turned into such an interesting watch. A fight for survival on one of the busiest place on earth, where the protagonist finds himself stranded. Terribly alone in the churning chaos of travelers.

The movie is slow paced. The characters get build up as the story moves. There is a villain you would love to hate, romance, friendship, drama...

You know what Napoleon gave Josephine as a wedding present?

It was a gold locket.

And on the inside, he made an inscription.

"Destiny"

Why people hate microsoft

2007-08-31T04:41:00.000-07:00

This is why people hate micro.soft . Microsoft has always been known to use under hand tactics.

Footloose

2007-08-30T02:34:00.000-07:00

The song that prompted the title of this blog! I was thinking about a couple of other titles when this song happened to start playing on my machine, and voila :D

Do listen to it! Highly recommended!

Foot Loose

- By Kenny Loggins

I been working so hard
Keep punching my card
Eight hours, for what?
Oh, tell me what I got

I get this feeling
That time's just holding me down
I'll hit the ceiling
Or else I'll tear up this town
Tonight I gotta cut

(Chorus)
Loose, footloose
Kick off your Sunday shoes
Please, Louise
Pull me offa my knees
Jack, get back
C'mon before we crack
Lose your blues
Everybody cut footloose

You're playing so cool
Obeying every rule
Dig way down in your heart
You're yearning, burning for some

Somebody to tell you
That life ain't passing you by
I'm trying to tell you
It will if you don't even try

You can fly if you'd only cut
(Chorus)
Loose, footloose
Kick off your Sunday shoes
Oowhee, Marie
Shake it, shake it for me
Whoa, Milo
C'mon, c'mon let go
Lose your blues
Everybody cut footloose

FIRST - we got to turn you around
SECOND - You put your feet on the ground
THIRD - Now take a hold of your soul
FOUR - Whooooooooa, I'm turning it
Loose, FOOTLOOSE
(Chorus)

Lavassa

2007-08-23T22:22:00.000-07:00

This road trip is worth writing about simply because everybody turned up in time to head off towards Lavasa! Unprecedented!

Almost everyone

We gathered at Chandani chowk at around 7:30. After garama garam cutting and a rather spicy breakfast, we started of on the Mulshi road.

The weather was just perfect…. Complete cloud cover and a very light drizzle.

As we turned of at the green sign board pointing towards Lavassa, the descent was steady with blind turns on a narrow road sufficiently wide for only a single four wheeler.

After about 15 minutes we came upon the road to town ship. This road turns of Pirangut and goes straight to lavassa.

The best thing about the ride is, I must say the road. To imagine that we encountered 1 pothole through the entire ride!!!

It winds, cutting through the pristine country side into the heart of the "deep" forest area…

The valley is breathtakingly beautiful.

Beautiful weather - great company - perfect location.

What more can one ask for.

On the way to township, we cross this dam.

Being muddled in court cases, the entrance on to the dam is blocked with thorn bushes. Inspite of that, we did manage to get on top and walk right upto the gate where the water was being released :D

It was an awesome view from atop the dam. The road we had just traveled coiled along the features like a great black serpent.

Just below the dam, we had superb “Kanda Bhajjis”. Mon favorite in this weather.

We turned back at the dam. Lavasa township lay just beyond the next hill. The road crawled up its vast expanse beckoningly, but the time was against us.

The trip back was brisk as we had overshot our estimated time by exactly double the amount.

If you stay in Pune, a bike ride towards lavassa is an absolute must!

60 years and still becoming independent

2007-08-14T11:18:00.000-07:00

What does independence really mean?

As a person, as a nation?

This is the blog I had posted 2 years back -

PS - I tried using divs and spans and tables and hrs to give borders to the post and all failed... something in the CSS is playing tricks on me.. a simple task it should have been - but due to lack of time I have resorted to this primitive way of delineation.

<<Old blog begin>>

Independence

Amongst much celebration, and flag hoisting ceremonies, and laddus, the essence of 15th August seems lost.

Traveling from SB road towards my workplace, I saw a convoy of camels with small kids riding them, jeeps packed with loud speakers, tri colored flags poking in all directions wedged carefully in nooks and crannies of the vehicle's steel body, and pedestrians dressed in white.

A few of them were prancing around from one foot to another in what seemed like an undexterous attempt to dance. I doubt they had any idea where they were walking to? or why?

Nobody gave the company a second glance and were intent on their own destination.

An average Indian youth today, spends all the year lamenting about the social - political - economic issues plaguing the country. The government in general is the butt of ridicule, and the scapegoat for all-that-is-evil. Few people actually nurture superstitions that relate
the governing bodies with monsoon.

(From Times of India - 14th August 2005, Pune edition)

A nation's present is reflected by the attitude of youth.

To me
Independence

Independent - I can take my own decisions.
Independent - I can protect myself.

Independent - I do not need any aid.
Independent - I can stand straight without any crutches.

Independent - I am proud.
Independent - I am.

Jai Hind

<<Old blog End>>

Today, we depend on other countries for the most essential.... power. The countries main artery is in the hands of foreign power. Many have vocalized their opinions on the recent Nuclear deal, and I am neither the authority, nor the willing, to add to the plethora of opinions.

Political scenario - no comments.

Media - tabloids.

We depend on other countries for ideas and innovation. The IT sector, which brought the current economic boom to India, is still services based. We hardly have any software product companies. In recent years, the American product companies have started setting up offices in India, a positive sign. However, we have very few products to boast as our own inspite of having proven talent to deliver the same.

Nonetheless we have come a long long way. A really long way since the last post. There is an air of anticipation.

You can almost feel the country's vibrancy. Tangible.

On the eve of this Independence day, I would like to share with my brethren, my opinion in what we must do to achieve our common dream.

A dream of truly independent India.

We must start looking inwards rather than out wards.

We must concentrate on building strong and competitive market within the country, rather than it being driven by foreign commercial powers. We must target what the firangs have been targeting all along. The massive potential of India as a market.

Maintaining the infrastructure is not the responsibility of the government solely.

Sell goods targeted home, rather than targeting foreign market. Raise the expectations of Indian customers.

Life it says takes a full circle. Recently, there have been numerous acquisitions by Indian biggies.
Time will tell, whether they will eat the pastry or choke on it.

The beginning of true independence starts with economic independence.

I received an offer to work in US - H1B. A lucrative offer that I almost took.

I made a choice to stay.

Wherever you go, whatever you do... At the end of the day, you want to come home.

Programmer's hierarchy

2007-08-05T02:37:00.000-07:00

I found this link on Niels Hanson's blog who found it on David Weiss’ blog

Just goes to show that Java programmers are really really modest.

Prejudices

2007-07-31T12:16:00.000-07:00

Cleaning up the attic - This appeared on June 5th, 2005 on my old blog "Thoughts".

Felt that it warranted a repost, since Thoughts has been pulled of the net.

There are few words in dictionary which can boast as grand an eminence as the word "prejudice". A homely cousin of more alluring emotions such as love and fascinating virtues such as valor, It is but convenient to deny its very existence, and ignore its presence.

Inconspicuously, it prevails, sporadically coming to light with lot of sparks.

With age, innocent inquisitiveness is so completely abolished by a labyrinth of "known" facts, "correct" opinions and "righteous" values, that this labyrinth becomes the identity, necessity and sanctuary of the ego.

Prejudice - An enemy of justice.
Prejudice - An enemy of innovation.
Prejudice - inequity.
Prejudice - division

But are prejudices essentially vulgar and detrimental?

In fact bonds formed on basis of alligned prejudices tend to be much stronger, spontaneous, giving a sense of brotherhood.

Ironically, I believe prejudices unite far more people then love.

Volumes can be written about prejudice, and I intend to explore it. Until then ....

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen."
- Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

"A great many people think they are thinking when they are really rearranging their prejudices. "
- Edward R. Murrow (1908-1965)

"Never try to reason the prejudice out of a man. It was not reasoned into him, and cannot be reasoned out."
- Sydney Smith (1771 - 1845)

"I am free of all prejudice. I hate everyone equally."
- W. C. Fields (1880 - 1946)

"I am prejudiced against prejudices"
- Shrivallabh Deshmukh (1983-????)
;-)

Pay phone in Ashiads

2007-07-19T02:01:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not! Our very dear S.T. karmachari (State transport personnel, Maharashtra) are very concerned about the passenger's connectivity to the rest of the world.

This seems like a very good idea, especially because of the notorious habits of Ashiad buses to breakdown on remote locations.

Only if the payphone actually worked!

Crazy art!

2007-06-24T03:55:00.000-07:00

People out there are complete whacks!

And what makes the net so cool is that whacks can be self congratulatory of their collective whackness! Proudly wear it as a badge!

This is an ideal example of misuse of a tool - using a hammer to poke a hole.

But nonetheless it is impressive art :)

Crushes

2007-05-31T05:28:00.000-07:00

A post appeared on one of my companies newsgroup called "Humor". The post potrayed a sorry love life of a young chap - A long list of crushes turning into crashes. The post ended in a lament of all-that-is-good-has-already-been-taken.

This inspired me to tell a story to all my comrades-in-lost-war-of-love, a story with a moral (please don't stop reading here).

Like all great stories with wisdom to offer, I wanted this one to start with the immortal words "Once upon a time". And so it will, even if it sounds offbeat, slightly stupid and grammatically incorrect.

Once upon a time (my 10th standard), when I faced my first crash and burn case, I was desperately hoping to grow a beard. I wanted to be a more authentic "Devdas".

I had seriously considered becoming a Bollywood ishtyle outlaw Aashique, who, by undefiable laws of bollywood, would eventually win the heart of his lady love, after

Getting fatally injured in an attempt to save her izzat (honour) / her sweet doggy or summat like that (this is a critical step and cannot be obviated as further steps are dependant on it. Heck you don't WANT to obviate that. Getting injured and surviving a coma for lady love is 'Macho')
As mentioned in previous step's description, survive a comma. Do not wake up until step 5.
Your whole family will gather around you. Your mother will cry desperate tears for your tragic fate.
Enter lady love - She will shed some tears, comfort your mother during hard times, shriek at you to get up. DON'T!
Finally in desperation, she will do the "ijhar" (a sort of confession cum acceptance) of her feelings that she has developed overnight when you smashed up the goons for her. That's it - your moment!

For happy endings, turn good. Fight crime, turn in your old boss whose gang you had joined during the outlaw days, or become Dr. Ashok and treat poor and helpless for no charge even if that means that your lady love will starve.

On second thoughts, she might even thank you for that when she turns 40 and all her friends keep growing out of the clothes that they bought just a week before.

I had this scenario all figured out. However I decided to settle for a bearded Devdas as I seriously lack the body structure to fight more than a half a thug at a time.

And of course, I had the typical juvenile curiosity-cum-fascination for liquor.

Now the wisdom part, read carefully -

During the long dreary days of foul tempered cribbing, one of my cricket buddies, a chap elder to me (in 12th - who to me seemed to be the most experienced and wisest person in the whole word as he did have a girlfriend AND smoked, a major achievement in my eyes at that time) caught me by my scruff, and gave me his great words of wisdom

"Shut up! You are never going to grow that stubble into beard. Go to third man and if you misfield again *vigorous fist shaking*. You don't even have hair on your chest!"

I flushed pink and did more hopelessly with the ball.

That was a long long time ago (in a different millennia), and I did manage to grow a beard.

I have had many-a-bitter feelings, sworn to read "Hanuman chalisa" and die a bachelor (that is between my inevitable crushes), and done umpteen stupid things (after all stupid is as stupid does).

I have loathed, criticized, insulted, and runaway from women as many, or rather many more times than I have chased them - a rather sinusoidal relationship, if I may say so.

But, now I have made peace.

So my friend, for what its worth - Here is my view.

The flights are worth the crashes.
If all the "good ones" are taken, and you are still single - comrade, figure the rest of the sentence out. Don't give up hope on finding love.
Seek and thou shalt find.
And if all attempts fails - Google!

Disclaimer: The story presented in this post is based on fictitious events in my life. Now, taking the following facts into consideration
a) These events have not occured in my life.
b) I am generally acknowledged to lack good imagination and good sense of humor.

I guess you people are smart enough to put together 1+1=11 (ah now mathematics skills, I am proud of). So the obvious and logical conclusion is, these events happened in somebodies life, and that somebody is not Me.

So if you know me and there has been a similar incident in your life, then it is about you whom I write. Don't bother sending me hate mails. I will simply post them here.

Why Indian cricket lost?

2007-03-29T23:37:00.000-07:00

Where does India really stand?

2007-02-06T04:36:00.000-08:00

I was going through an article about the recent giant takeover by Tata Steel.

It seems that the firangs are investing in Indian Management. They are backing the Indians to make profit from the loss making companies which they themselves are unable to manage.

But then in the broader picture, where is the Indian common man placed in this whole picture.

We have an extremely large talent pool which can be engaged. We are already seeing a lot of money getting pumped into the indian economy. The service class is better paid than in the yesteryears, and a better lifestyle is elusively within grasps.

To compensate for increased pay, we seem to be faced with a run away (?) inflation. I must say it is time to call inflation runaway.

The tax keeps increasing. I always have a feeling that the government is making a gigantic effort in keeping me poor.

But along with the extremely large talent pool, we have a much larger pool of unskilled, poorly educated laborers.

Are they being engaged? What is the future of farming? We are running short of land. Forced acquisitions have always marred India's economic growth plans.

Until recently all the babus wanted to sop up the lone farmers nibbling on small pieces of land. Now suddenly they want to increase the productivity by consolidating the farms into larger chunks, and engage the poor farmers in industrial activity.

India is no doubt vibrant. But where are we heading? Where are we going to be 10 years down the line? How are the European - American incumbents viewing the situation? To allow these developments there must be some factors which are working in their favor in long term. Especially, We cannot afford to underestimate the far sightedness that US has shown in the past.

Salaam E Ishq

2007-02-05T01:55:00.000-08:00

A complete surprise package, I must say. It would be wrong to say I had no expectations from this movie. In fact I had iron clad expectations, that I would not be able to endure the entire length of the movie.

My sister had to resort to force to make me watch the movie. She even bought the tickets (trust me that is a really big deal).

Knowing for sure that she does not read the blog, I can confess that it turned out to be a really good deal for me.

I have come to terms with the fact that whenever you are watching a Hindi movie, especially any of the Yash chopra / Karan Johar productions, you should take your common sense and lock it safely in a box. IMHO, Nikhil Advani is from the same camp, just a tad more palatable.

Precondition being satisfied, the movie turned out to be a good watch.

Parallel story lines unraveling and meeting towards the end is in vogue. Crash, Babel, bollywood had to come up with its own.

5 love stories which run in parallel, do not really entwine but are forcibly made to appear connected towards the end of the movie, as that was supposed to be the central theme of the movie.

Sohail-Isha cameo does not even qualify as a thread. It does not have a relation with the story, more or less a gimmick.

John abraham and Vidya Balan compete over who sheds most tears in least amount of screen time. And as usual, men are better.

Anil kapoor and Juhi chawla, both great actors, have an interesting story line (inspired from "Shall we dance", I believe) and have done justice to there role.

Akshaye khanna and Ayesha Takiya have a fun run-of-the-mill romantic story.

Priyanka chopra and Salman khan have a dreamy love story.

But the best thread, and the best performances - Govinda and Shannon Esrechowitz. In simple words-Govinda rocks! And "Maydame" has given a surprisingly good performance. She fits in very well into the movie, and does not seem out of the place in the Indian setting.

On the whole a satisfying experience. The movie has one of the more common vice of a bollywood film, and that is the length (3 hours 36 mins! whew!)

Definitely a one watch.

PS: I am now a not so proud owner of the movies DVD (original). Got it dead cheap in a sale at crosswords.

One man show

2007-02-01T21:26:00.000-08:00

This guy has been working on creating a commercial 3-d game single handedly!

Hats off to him!

Jeff Han on TED Talks

2007-01-31T01:39:00.001-08:00

Enter Matrix!

The YouTube link to the video

Happy feet

2007-01-23T06:08:00.000-08:00

It was refreshing to watch "Happy Feet" after a series of disappointment.

Surprisingly I would say, we are getting better quality Bollywood movies than what Hollywood is dishing out these days.

But when it comes to animated movies, Hollywood is miles, leagues, light years ahead.

~~Pix ar proves its mettle yet again. It simply never seizes to amaze the audience. Each new production is a new milestone achieved in animated arts as well as the technology that makes it possible.~~

(Thanks for the correction Debajit and Onkar)
Not Pixar, but Animal Logic takes credit for this fantastic movie. Nonetheless, I would still rephrase and endow the same compliment on Animal logic. Happy feet is a new milestone achieved in animated arts as well as the technology that makes it possible. :-)

Each graphic detail is meticulously worked on. The scene rendering has never been better. Sparkling snow, dark stormy waves, complex facial movements - as a computer geek, I can't but feel wonderment.

The script, though one might argue is cliched, is good enough. Old wine in new bottle is still attractive.

Where Pixar really scores is bringing characters to life... (Hey, but is it not the definition of "Animation"?)

Animation allows you to stretch your imagination, but it takes a genius to not warp it :-)

All and all a MUST watch.