Holla!

I went Here for the weekend! Its a direction (Towards Gujarat) Ive never driven down in before, and was mucho excited! Somehow, all previous weekend get-aways meant driving in the Pune/Mahableshwar/Matheran/Lonavla/Khandala directions with the lone exception of Durshet which was covered on the way back from Nashik one day.

First the Logistics for anyone who wants to go. 2 days max, in a good resort since there isn't much to do in town. (Except drink like its free, cause it almost is). Hence a good resort is a requirement in case of wanting to spend time indoors, (Swimming pool contributing to a fraction of activities). Its a 3-4 hour drive from Mumbai, with a few decent stops on the way. There's a Kamat for breakfast/snacks along the way which is the only restaurant I would recommend since the rest looked like halts for truck drivers.

Stock up on the booze on the way home for drinking friends and relatives, since Daman is almost like one giant Duty free shop. The Beaches are a slight disappointment, this being my first experience with black sand. Devka beach is pebbled which means not only does it look cluttered (an aside from the usual smooth as butter sandy beaches) but also, there are no activities here.

Jhampore beach is slightly better off, (picture below) with some interesting photography stunts with my new camera! I'm going to try not gloating there, but the Sony DSCT 77 is a seriously bad ass camera. And I mean this in the nicest sense of the term.

I did Horse riding on the beach! Rode this Beautifully Tall and sturdy horse named 'Chetak'. It was the first time I got onto a horse since the tenth standard when my last year of training was. (Serendipity trained in riding for 4 years whilst Dad was in the Navy. If it interest you, the fee was 25 Rs per month for alternate day, 6.oo a.m. in the morning classes for defence kids and 625 per month for civilians lol!! )

I started tentatively with the horse owner (or his little son was more like it) holding the reins alongside, but soon after asked him to let go and broke into a light trot. It was exhilarating, that tiny little pick of speed with the reins in my hand and while we didn't gallop or even canter (since the Horse is not riding trained - only drag along trained) the feeling of being on a horse, saddled up with the reins in my hand was enough to feel a rush. He bucked a few times as the trainer hit him (which I got very angry with) but he wouldn't respond to my gentle prods with my ankles, which made me feel really sad. Having said that, by the time I got off, I was rejuvenated and excited that I could get onto a horse with confidence and not feel as though its something I Haven't done in such a long time!

The resort had a small pond-like pool. (What is with these tiny pools anyway?!) The Naval pool was 10 lanes, Olympic sized and has me spoilt for life. Anything smaller and I feel like I'm swimming in a bathtub or something. It was fun for small races with the boys though. Needless to say, I won (all!) and it does wonder for ones ego. Specially when one is the only girl participating against the boys and one wins. This obviously means the Boys get the privilege of hearing this from me very often. :D

Also, FUSEBALL happened! At Mirasol . Oh, and I also played Frisbee for the first time! It took a couple of very (very very) badly placed throws to get the action right. In fact my first throw was so bad, I was made to throw in the direction of someone standing near the sea, and it STILL (bloody hell) Boomeranged its way dangerously close to disgruntled Uncle. But then, got the hang of it. Cant wait till next time! :)

Ok, In addition to Maldives, Durshet/Kolhad Rafting if your planning a trip to Daman and need info, ask!

On other developing news items, Something transpired over the course of last night and this morning and 6 followers have dropped off my blog. This, for some reason looks to be a conspiracy to me with a lot more bloggers having followers withdraw their everencouragingloveandsupport. Thats just mean no? Is there tum ting wong? :D

I just realized, I got these, from Imps mom. Hence without further ado, Thanks Imps mom. :)

I pass them on to Sunshine, Hitch, Piper, Snow, Kiran, Parul, Abhishek and Aditya Take a bow guys!

Hitch - This guy is fun. He's almost always the first to comment on most of the people he reads. how he does it is beyond me.

Piper and Snow - are recent nameless, faceless blogger friends who I have no idea why, But I really identify with! Most of their posts have me n absolute agreement! and I feel as though I almost know them!

Kiran - Is an outstanding, Inspiring woman. Met her at Indiahelps and I love her stories with the extremely adorable Krishh, who I have to say, will break a lot of hearts when grown up :)

Parul's ranting about the loss of a follower too! :) I absolutely love her slightly sarcastic, easily funny way of putting things. :D

Aditya is also a faceless blogger whose blog I first commented on since he wrote something about Regal Barista - a stone's throw from my house!

Abhishek - Look at this as stimulus to blogging again, Since thats at least one avenue to 'feel in touch'. And the Poems HAVE to make a reappearance now!

Sunshine - Your the only anonymous blogger Ive added to my F/B account or even given my real name to. Think we've been the longest blog-buddies for my blog. :)

The Taggosaurus

I got Tagged! (Kinda has the same rhyme as VH1's Ashton Kutchers Uber cool show 'You got Punked') So, since this is a first (yay) and also since the same is required of me on Facebook, when a very old school friend wrote me an adorable message whilst tagging me (Emotional blackmail), I shall go the copy paste and the killing two birds with one stone way.

I need to list 25 random things about me. (I fear that when I start rolling, I'll reach triple digits) But shall restrict to top-of-mind answers.

Anyway, This is a disclaimer - If at the end of the 25 bullet points reader deems writer too weird to satisfy societal norms, I, err, wouldnt blame you. here goes. In no order.

1. I Love my star sign. No, you dont get it, if it was normal, it wouldnt be on this list. I LOVE MY STARSIGN, and almost qualities associated with it.
2. I can Kill for Brownies AND/OR Cheesecake. Really, if you want some, get your OWN.
3. When im crossing the street, and if there's a Zebra crossing, I walk ONLY on the white stripes. If Im walking on a cobblestone/tiled pavement, Ill only walk on the odd tiles/similar shaped/colored tiles.
4. I can NEVER walk past someone begging without giving something. Ive tried, but it doesnt really work. Its another OCD I have to live with.
5. I have 5 watches. And I still want more. Watches, Perfumes, Bags and Shoes. Thats it.
6. Im not a very Dog person. The only animals I even like are Horses. (Im gonna get socked for this one no?)
7. I currently have Sony Ericcson cellphone earphones plugged in my Ipod.
8. Until a year ago , The only perfumes I ever owned (and bought) were Mens. I am now the proud of 3 womens perfumes which were gifted to me :D
9. I started crying at a birthday party when I was 8 cos the FIRST gift i ever won at (ANY) party turned out to be a wrapped plastic cockroach. The next gift I ever won was 5 bottles of Citra in kids housie.
10. If You tell me a ghost story/ If I watch a creepy movie/scene, I wont get sleep that night. (or a few after that too)
11. I have had braces TWICE and my teeth are still having a party playing musical chairs.
12. I love babies. I could have some serious babykidnapping symptoms specially if i encounter a particularly cute one.
13. I tend to be jack of all, Master of none. I played basketball, badminton, swam, did horse riding, sailing and surfing in summer vacations every year, but never excelled majorly in any of them. The line stopped at good.
14. I had to take 15 injections in the sole of my foot (Interferon) for stupid warts that never even hurt, but bugged me when I looked.
15. I am a sticker for being a good host. So much so, Ill spend half my time out of the room catering to random requests.
16. Damn, I still got 9 to go. Will cleverly disguise randomness in one point so as to have one less muhahaha
17. I used to get my hair cut along with my Dad at A1 Gents Parlor till I was in the 6th standard. I suspect not many people in the parlor figured I was a girl cause my clothes of choice were ONLY shorts and T Shirts. Now I have a near waist length Mane.
18. I 've been Bald Twice in my life.
19. I secretly want grand romantic gestures (even in a little way) to be sprinkled along the course of my life. Romantic movies make me dreamy :D
20. I Hate most women drivers. (Sigh. I know)
21. I Hate when a guy thinks he's better than me. In any aspect.
22. At gym, Two women told me they liked my butt. I responded with an embarassed cough and an equally random 'You should try squats with the bar + 40 pounds' and shuffled away.
23. I need alone-time. If Im out all day, or at a party late night, I still need to come home and just spend some time with myself. Listening to music, looking out the window or even just doing nothing. I hate someone joining me for a jog. If I see someone I know, I discreetly try to switch directions. (is this two points?)
24. I was Memory game champ in an Interschool Delhi school competition in the 1st standard. I won a bicycle, a tea set and some cash. My mother won the award for 'Most supportive parent', courtesy a picture taken of her looking ridiculously nervous, standing next to my table when it was the final game. I on the other hand, was looking impatient (Get this over with and feed me people types).
25. Contrary to initial opinion, I actually enjoyed this tag and sincerely hope that you'll dont abandon me :)

Okay, so heres the problem - I have to Tag 25 people! I dont even know 25 people who wont think its weird I'm tagging them, or kick my butt for doing so. Nevertheless, here are the ones I want 25 utterly random things about -

Piper, Snow, Aditya, Rockpsyched, The Nomad, The Lonewolf, Smita, Abhishek, Imps mom, PJ, Perplexed, Jack, Mumbai Diva and Sunshine for now.

Please oh please pick it up, its only fair. :D and of course, let me know when you have and all that. Cheers!

Parenthood is not for kids

Alfie Patten, Age 13. With his BABY.

source

These are Images of Alfie Patten, Father to a young baby Maisie, conceived when he was 12 with his 15 year old Girlfriend.

This could easily be the pictures of a boy with his newborn sibling. But unfortunately it isn't so. In an incident that's sparked worldwide outrage, this UK based couple decided to have their baby (and were happier for it) a month ago. If that isn't enough for my conservative (Indian?) mindset, two more boys age 14 and 16 respectively have laid claim to the baby, stating that they could very well be the fathers. A DNA test is now being conducted on the three, to determine which child is in fact, the father of the baby.

Alfies father - Dennis (45) split from his wife after an affair with a 19 year old, and is reportedly the one who has advised Alfie to have a DNA test since "That's the only way to settle this".

Facts stated. Now. Such a horrific incident just brings to light the shambles that parenthood in some foreign countries is. This, in retrospect makes the Indian conservative married society and mindset seem like a blessing. The boy looks 8. E-I-G-H-T. I remember my own brother at 13, which was just 2 years ago. This is not even an age that s*xual organs are fully developed, let along the mental daring to go the whole way. Where has the innocence gone? For crying out loud, when asked how he will support his baby Alfie said he gets 'Pocket Money' of 10 pounds sometimes. It just gets worse and worse with speculations that Chantelle was having s*xual relationships with close to 8 boys at the time of conception. The mother however, trashes allegations asserting that her daughter lost her virginity to Alfie.

At 15, in my opinion even SHE is not ready to be s*xually active. For sounding like one old prude, I don't apologise. I see this incident as horrific, and disturbing. Alfies father has 8 siblings and seems to be supportive of this incident, in fact making money of it. Alfie is being paid 5 figure sums for interviews and the parents are caught in legal battle over who will get how much money.

Deemed to be a dampener on Britain's expensive s*x education theory, this just brings to light that kids today are far too exposed, blame it on the media, parents themselves, society as a whole or even the gradual breakdown of the wholesome family model. Its when you watch a popular show like Boogiewoogie and see a 5 year old gyrate (albeit very gracefully) to the likes of 'Kaanta lagaa' or other s*xually explicit popular songs number, that you know that cinema and media infuse s*xuality and vulgarity in the minds of our very young generation.

As i write this, a colleague comes to me with todays edition of the mid day with another scandal reminiscent of the Delhi school scandal with the 9th std school girl. India isn't far from all these scandals, I think we're just a little more discreet. we wouldn't proudly let our 13 year old son be photographed proudly with his son, we'd be hiding in shame and preparing to send him to boarding school or somewhere far away, whilst denying any rumours that allege the same. wont we?

I'm so shaken up right now, that I think I'm just going to hit 'Publish' and come back later with a little more focused, coherent vent.

A Certified Monica

Folks out of town? Maid On leave? EMPTY HOUSE? Sounds like Party time innit? :D

A-L-M-O-S-T.

Serendipity was recently diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive-Clean ship coupled with Extreme-neurospecific-guest-entertaining-feeding syndrome reminiscent of Monica-Bing.

Cleanliness is next to tiredness she thinks.

The occasion was - The empty house. It seems to be a magic word. No sooner had I said 'My folks are gonna be out of to..." than calls were made, people invited and type and quantity of drinks decided. (Food is an unimportant detail, apparently). People came from near and far, to join in the revelry that is the departure of parents for a brief stint. (Long live out-of-town marriages).

The evening arrives. Enter Serendipity along with four hungry friends. There is obviously nothing readily available to eat at home, so hungry looks and cute faces from the other three prompt the removal of Venky's ready to fry chicken cutlets with some mayo and bread. simple enough.

Enter friend number 2. Hungry as can be. (By now the dishes used for aforementioned snacks have been washed, cleaned, kitchen platform wiped). Out come more dishes, more cutlets and more wiping and cleaning. Once the process is complete, Enter wife of friend number 7 (whose not come yet). and the WHOLE ALGORITHM is repeated.

Remove-fry-wash-serve-clean-wash-dry-Replace.

Enter the last of the expected - friends 7 and 8. HUNGRY. (Surprised?)

Algorithm repeats.

One might ask why 8 hungry people were not anticipated. They WERE. the minute I had walked in home, had promptly ordered starters and food for everyone which naturally would take about 30-50 mins to be delivered. That 8 hungry as f*ck people are gonna land up in the space of 10 mins DYING of hunger wanting immediate gratification was one of those situations beyond control. In the midst of all this mayhem, there was also a dropping-and hence re-doing incident which I have not elaborated on.

Anyway, the evening proceeded with a lot of fun being had, jokes being cracked. (no breakage was reported), and Serendipity rushing to wash each dish the PRECISE INSTANT it was being placed in the sink.

Lol. All in all, it was fun. Friends over always is. Semi-Drunk friends? Even better!

And What you did on Valentines? Tell tell!

Kids say the Cutest things!

My little nephew, all of 5 years old came over this weekend. He's recently been given spectacles to rid a pesky squint, which although made him look very adorable, broke my heart at the same time spectacles at such a young age? =(

Anyway , in accordance with the sophistication and pseudo intelligence that spectacle wearing people (usually) emanate, he asked sincerely -
"Mom, should I be wearing my spectacles on the potty as well?"
My cousin is his validator for all doubts in life, guess all moms’ are. When I told him my car is faster than his, he looked at his mum with BIG sad eyes and asked 'No Na? Ours is the fastest in the world na?'

Reminds me of a few stories of my brother pre-spectacles. It started off with complaints from the class teacher that he was not completing his class work (in addition to incomplete homework), and when asked about it, he would very dramatically hold his head in pain and say 'I cant see the board' or 'My head aches', which unfortunately for him was a case of Boy who cried wolf. He seemed to have used the excuse little too often on my folks, who reprimanded him for his tardiness.
It was only my mother’s instinct that said 'What if he's telling the truth' that he got taken for tests - which indeed showed a slight number.

After which proceeded 4 days of trying to find a pair of spectacles that conformed to both the tricky conditions of socially acceptable (read: Considered Cool and hip) for my brother as well as conservative (read: No jhatak matak) for parents. Did I also mention budget? They needed to be cheap because of the frequency of replacing which was very accurately diagnosed by parents (How do they know kids so well??!). The first pair was sat on, second run over, third fell while playing football, fourth got stolen at boarding (how?!), fifth stopped being cool, sixth was left behind in the train and so on.

Having said that, he's a cutie. Working older sister situation is well and truly taken advantage of. Mom and Dad are for school fees, Uniforms, food and shelter and other such basic necessities of life. Sisters are for the more lavish extravaganzas to name a few - PSP (Playstation portable : Rs. 8,500 currently), Birthday treats (Movie at a multiplex for more than a half dozen kids with food before, after AND in between) and Nikes, Pumas among other expensive brands which parents readily replace for the more practical Power and Bata, but don’t now because they hate the "Rolling eye motion" which has been perfected from daughter to son.

I miss him. When I sent everyone in my mailing list this article, I marked a copy to him as well, since I realized he's grown up enough and has his own email id. Last evening when I spoke with him after nearly 2 months, he told me he loved it, and HE'S PROUD OF ME! My 15 year old baby brother, 9 years my junior is proud of me. And what a wonderful feeling it is.
He's due to give his boards this March -- and I wish we could be there for him during this very crucial time, Since we cant, Just gonna pray for him and hope he makes it. NDA awaits...

Luck by Charm!

Review time! We watched Luck by Chance last evening at the newly opened (and very plush) PVR Phoenix. First things first, I LOVED the movie, in fact all four of us who had gone, did.

Luck by Chance is First time feature director Zoya Akhtars offering. It shows a very realistic, no holds barred sneak peak into the life and times of actors, producers and film set crew. Although not so harsh as Page 3 or Fashion, this movie lets you in on what a newcomer trying to make a break into the world of films has to endure. The pace of the movie could seem slow to a few -- we're usually accustomed to the frantic pace and fast forwarding of events in commercial cinema. Not here, no. The director takes us step by step, engrossing us further and further until you don't even realize how long its been since you entered the theatre.

The story - simple, realistic, charming and well portrayed. It just strengthens the 'Good movies need good script' mantra critics have gone sore trying to teach the likes of Akshay Kumar and a few other top heroes who bask in the glory of 25 day collections made by high end marketing and promotion, but scripts that don't even need a mention. Why movies like 'Singh is Kingg' or even 'Rab ne ..' garnered so much attention and were declared 'Extraordinary' blockbusters is beyond me.

Coming back to this movie. Farhan Akhtar is effortless as as actor, very laid back and comfortable in his skin. This translates into a very subtle, yet impacting performance as one really begins to believe he is a struggling newcomer in this movie. And that's really the best part abut this film, each character carries off his role as though they've simply been filmed in real life, no one really feels as though they're acting. Konkona comes in with yet another completely adorable character, and fills it up with her simple charm. Shes put on a little weight, which is very visible in the film, but for some reason (I love her), I think its adorable.

Rishi Kapoor and Juhi are really cute... I think Juhis outfits (and hair styles) et all are a little over the top, but I'm guessing the character demanded it. Two of my favorite dialogues in the movie are (Farhan Akhtar to Isha) "You live in a cake" and (Rishi Kapoor) "He's a vulcano of telent" (no, there was no typo there :)) Dimple has EXQUISITE Indian wear and her bags are simply Dee-lish. If anyone (specially bag freaks like me) have noticed, her yummy Hermes Birkin in Burnt Orange and Large LV are unmissable :)

The only Link I missed in the movie was the role of Farhan's critical friend (the theatre actor) whose name I forget now. After the scene when the studio girl pushes his photos, there is no mention of it, hence I'm not sure where that even fit into the plot. I'm guessing it didn't. All in all, an enjoyable film, and the best part was the lack of songs. There's only one...the others are just woven into the movie/as background scores and don't bother you much. Go watch!

If anyone's into plays at all, I watched 'Murder on the Menu' last weekend, and LOVED IT! Cant tell you much, but I will tell you this - There's a murder, and as an Audience, your involved in guessing whodunit. A Fantastic script, and wondreful actors bring it all together in a 2 hour experience you wont regret! Its gonna be in Mumbai again on the 20th of Feb, so if u can make it, GO.

Priceless?

Without a doubt.
All roaming around on Marine drive. Started with me wanting to buy this one kid a packet of chips for fun, and while we began walking to the store, were joined by 2 -3-4 finally 6 kids in all.

They were all very clear on which flavor and brand they wanted. "Chittoz" yelled one while another wanted "Kukure". Not to miss the little boy on the extreme left whose name is 'Sehwag'.
Adorable little guy, covering another little punt of the same height, who could pass of his brother. Walked hand in hand with The Nomad and I to buy the chips.

Also, Sehwag and the kids in this picture are too little, but a few older kids we treated too (not in picture) were tellign us about 'Hamara Footpath'. go, have a look and if you have the time and dedication, you can get some happiness for free. Also, the chance to give loads away.

What with the Recession and all....

PIPS* WILL BE CHIPS :(

(* Performance Incentive Program Payments - Salary component, usually over and above amount mentioned in CTC, depending on performance of company, team, individual etc)

Fed Ex vs. Rafa last evening. Clash of the Top two seeds in the world of Tennis. Conversation with Mom just before the Match -
Me - "So, Mom whose side are you on?" {Mom's a DIE HARD Federer Fan}
Mom - " Federer, But Nadal has been playing so well, and its commendable how much of a challenge he poses to Federer. (pauses for a minute) No wait, Im a Federer Fan, so Federer.
(Some time into the match when Nadal just wins his second set with some BEAUTIFUL angled forehand shots)
Mom - (exults with semi Yahoo type stance) "Hes playing so well no? He should just stay cool now, and concentrate on breaking Federer in the first 2 games itself."
Me - "err, whose side are you on?"
Mom - "Nadal!"
Rangbadlu girgit type side switching detailed above continued throughout the match. When the game was at a crucial 2 sets all (and unfortunately we were out) but when told, she had an incredibly perplexed "Oh no, whom to support look now" with so much sincerity that I pinched her cheek and found her ultimately cute.
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Rafael, your cute. I like how your Racquet matched your wristband which matched your headband which in turn matched your shoes, which were contrasting your shirt very well. It brought our your tanned, even skin perfectly. Having said that, PLEASE wear better underwear. It was truly painful to see you undo wedgies every time it was your serve or 4 minutes, whichever came sooner.
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Here's a fair warning. At a party, If you take it upon yourself to order shots for a half a dozen people (or more) at a party, ASK THEM IF THEY WANT IT. Specially if said shot were to cost 400 bucks a piece, and taste like bitter bathwater and needs to be washed down with sprite.
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I just did this. And it turns out that my top three Qualities are Confidence, Openness, Extrovertism and Empathy. Which is true, but what about My great sense of humor and looks? GAHH. :)
Also, it said semi-high masculinity (68%) so i now have an official statistic to prove tomboyishness. err, anyone think i ought to be ashamed of this? hehehe
And you, reading this, DO IT! But, please to be making sure that 20 minutes are free since the quiz has long introspecting questions and 11 pages. Don't say I didn't warn you.
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You know that feeling when a client calls you up and RUSH RUSH RUSH this job is so urgent and time lines are so critical and then out of dedication to duty you work work work and get job done in condensed amount of time, only to mail said client and you get an out of office reply?
"I (client) will be out of office until the 15th of February with no access to mails and blah"
Aren't they just peachy?
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Last Sunday, the three girlies J, U and I sat for an hour and a half discussing travel plans (which I fear shall remain in exploratory phase only) to very ambitious (and out of budget) places like Ireland, Gold Coast, Ibiza, Bali and such. If any kind soul in aforementioned places would like to offer us help (stay, food and money lol) and advise, please feel free to do so. Also, European readers (if any) please to offer backpacking help which shall be reimbursed on your trip to India (or something).
Knowing trip above may not work out, I went ahead and made plans for Leh Laddakh with N. Leddus see where I go finally. Leddus hope I go SOMEWHERE finally.
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The Nomad and Serendipity met before their Indiahelps meeting very ambitiously to grab a soup and sandwich before. We called the Soup Watermelon Juice and the Sandwich was called an 8" Veggie Delight pizza.
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And I leave you with that. And this - :)

The Serendipity. B.E. Etrx

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Class of '99.

If anyone asks, I Did Engineering. Electronics. Further degrees await to adorn the latter half of my name, but so far its just Firstnamespacelastname, B.E. Etrx. Other Alphabets to follow Suit soon. Thats Electronics for you. Not Electrical, not IT, and certainly not Computers. Related to BJT's, FET'S and Microprocessors and the workings of the tiny microscopic little thinga-ma-jigs in your electronic items.

Our curriculum included subjects from a few varied streams, and is common for all branches in the first year. (There are a total of 4). Which is to say, we learnt a bit of Computer programming, Mechanics (not the car fixing type - The how a bridge is built and how many forces act on a point type), Biochemical Reactions (why?) and Math. Everyone needs Math. Apparently we need complex can-only-be-solved-by-scientific-calculators math, which we learnt for 2 semesters.
If you forgot to take your calculator to the exam, consider yourself failed. or KT like we say...ATKT (Allowed to keep term- can repeat the paper next semester without losing a year). Loosely interpreted as After trying keep trying or Aaj thoda, Kal thoda. For a long time, I had no idea what the official full form was.

Coming to the actual Electronics part - 6 semesters of trying to figure out which direction the current and god-darn electrons flow if opposed by battery which is connected to Voltmeter which in turn encounters a resistance and GAHH. One Semester of VLSI - Very Large scale semiconductor design ---layer by layer designing of semiconductors. What are semiconductors? Let me put it this way - Anything that's computerized or uses radio waves depends on semiconductors. The same subject introduced me to Doping. Yeah, the silicon kind. Its the same thing as regular doping, corrupting the body by unnecessary additives. Only here, your changing the behaviour of Silicon by adding impurities (doping). One semester of studying Amplifiers, Another one on wireless communication (which was BY FAR, my favorite), and a few other Gazillion subjects I cant apply in real life. Now or ever.

In short, after all these fancy sounding names, my practically applicable knowledge of said stream can be compiled into a short note, on a mini post-it, if written in Verdana, Bold, Font 16.
So, 4 years of Engineering. 8 semesters. 1460 days of hell later, I was asked by a very hopeful uncle living in Building -

"Beta, Your an Engineer no? Can you fix my fridge. The De-frost is not working"
Of course I replied with necessary and satisfactorily apologetic Wish-I-Could-help accompanied by offer to walk his dog since I couldn't perform said task. Why couldn't I do it?

a) To fix Fridge, You need Mechanic type Engineer.
b) Mumbai University doesn't believe in Practical Knowledge.
c) Had I Sought a job with an Electronics company after Graduation, I'd have been fired soon after due to lack of sufficient interest/knowledge/experience in the field.

Want to do your bit? Here's a chance

A drive for street kids/ old people on the street…anyone and everyone who has almost no belongings of their own.
Let us give them some clothes to wear, some toys to play with, bedsheets to cover themselves …anything you don't need anymore and which can still be of use. Utensils, Old toys, crayons, bed sheets, blankets, clothes, bags, story books….we'll find someone to give it to. Anything is welcome…

If you would like to contribute (Anything at all), mail us at indiahelps@gmail.com for an address you could have stuff dropped off at.

P.S..Dont go

WARNING: SPOILER ALERT! If you've read the book, then no worries =)

In between commitments this Saturday, I made a stupid move. Watched P.S. I love you on my computer. It stars Hillary Swank and Gerard Butler as the main leads...neither of them being my favorite actors by far. Had read the book... and was WELL aware of the story line. Why I dared watch was beyond me. I cried myself to puffiness. And the strange part is, the Movie isn't even all that good! (yeah, I suck). Maybe the next few lines will tell you why.

Holly (Hillary Swank ) is a young woman, married out of love to a not so rich Gerry (Gerard Butler), living in a rented apartment which is no dream mansion. The dream bubble bursts with fights and arguments over mundane inconsistencies of life, with Holly and her I'm-not-sure-what-I'm-fighting-for attitude, exasperation over the size and quality of apartment and general lifestyle. However, Love keeps them together...until he dies unexpectedly. Of a brain tumour. This in itself is no surprise in the movie since the book begins with him already being dead.

Gerry leaves behind notes for Holly - one to be read each month...each with a plan, something she needs to do. These vary from cleaning up the house to getting a new job, to meeting her giant fear of karaoke head on, vacationing with girlfriends...all planned out in the last few months of his death. The opening of these notes, execution of their contents and flashbacks of their life constitute the remainder of the film. All very mediocre in terms of screenplay, dialogues, acting and even direction.

HOWEVER.

It makes you cry. Thinking of the possibility even. Being widowed before having kids, before even feeling like you've spent a big part your life with him, waking up to an empty bed (a heartbreaking scene of Holly instinctively asking Gerry to turn off the lights and patting his side of the bed, only to wake up and remember hes gone), being widowed at all, realizing you'll need to be on your own now...

It was lesser about the movie and more about the thought of it ever happening in real life and the people it must have happened to. I cant imagine it. I cant deal with the deaths of people close to me. Never learnt how.

Anyway, that was P.S. I love you. Also watched Slumdog millionaire.

I thought it was fantastic. The screenplay was wonderful, the editing crisp and neatly done, the direction and understanding of Mumbai's slums and politics thereof was commendable and complete. I don't see this movie being made better by an Indian Director. For the critics who are slamming the movie publicly, they re either sour grapes or want a piece of the pie...since as a movie...this one is a lesson in itself.

My first reaction was 'I want to go home and watch some friends, to get over the mellow feeling' BUT. A said - 'Its the truth, Why're you running from it?' The 'Its the truth' bit me hard.

How an Outsider come to India, brave the heat and sweat, dust and grime, stink and chaos of the slums and the city, and make such a brilliant movie is beyond me. Through the grotesque visuals, heart wrenching scenes Danny Boyle evokes only one feeling - that of Sympathy. All of us in our fancy homes and designer clothes know fully well that this is a side to Mumbai that exists... In fact a lot of us come face to face with it each day... people squatting on the railway tracks, shanties being dangerously close to the train bogie's, kids with disabilities rapping on taxi windows begging, kids selling rubber bands and hair clips in trains...

Why is it then, that if its shown on the big screen, the Director has portrayed only one side of Mumbai, and is slammed for it? Have these critics not seen 'The pursuit of Happyness'? And why is it that we need Movies to show Mumbai or even India in a glorified splendour, when actually it isn't so?

A PIL has been filed against Slumdog Millionaire that alleges that the title is defamatory since it insinuates that we Indians, are (hold your breath) Dogs. Yeah. Please to ask respective people if they've watched the movie and what its about before wasting out already majorly loaded courts with more baseless PIL's and what not.

Well actually, they're right, we're not dogs, we're dumasses. For these pointless PIL's and not having a decent honest government, for making corruption a part of our lives, that's what we are. So go ahead with the PIL I say, change in adjectives is a must.

I loved this movie. It sank in, when I got home...played so many gruesome scenes back, and felt this overwhelming urge to do something. And its coming. Thats a promise I made to myself, 27th January 2009. Thanks Danny Boyle for shaking me up so much, that I cant ignore it, for reminding me of something about my OWN city I shield myself from at signals and trains by looking away.

Weight for me?

I really need to get down to it. Working out again i.e. The question is HOW? The Gym i worked out with for 3 years, has gone and gotten itself a new swanky avatar - a new name (5), a new location, and additional activities (A Plush Swimming pool among others).

Sounds good so far. My gym fee used to be about 15 grand (inclusive of taxes) for the year until the last year. I didn't renew gym when my membership expired cause I would've been getting married and moving. (note - missed the offer of a yr membership @ Rs. 18,000). To further note that I am one of those people who -

• Is not only a foodie, BUT
• Puts on weight like its in fashion AND
• Eats when shes upset/angry etc.

This cant be good.

Moving onto the Renewing Business. I acknowledged my wanting-to-get-back-to-gym-and-get-ass-kicked hence called up gym to inquire about new rates.

Me: "Hi, I'm (Insert Real life name), wanted to inquire about your new gym rates, wanted to renew my membership."

Guy (Major smile beaming through phone voice): "Sure Ma'am - The yearly fee is Rs. 27, 555. Would you like us to come by and pick up your payment?"

Me: (Gulps) "27, 555? Inclusive of tax (12.36%)?"

G: (Less smilingly):" Taxes extra"

Me: (Slow sinking cant-afford-it-feeling coupled with quick 27555*.1236 calculation) "What about off peak hours?"

G: (Shes not gonna join voice):"Ma'am we've discontinued the off peak hour rates. We now have a standard fee. This entitles you to use the swimming pool, steam, sauna all for free (FREE, REALLY? wtf am i paying 30 grand for then?)"

Me: (Desperately): "Ive been a member for three years! Cant i get a discount? Is Shahzad (the Manager last I went). Can you please check"

G: (Stop wasting my time voice), (Two minute pause) :" Ma'am we can give you a five percent discount on the total cost"

Me: (mentally calculating 27,555 - 0.05*27,555 = f*ckloads of money): "All right let me call you back shortly"

By now im quite upset and pretty sure I wont be able to join cos shelling out close to 30 G for gym just wasn't happening. My middle class upbringing forbids me from splurging that money although it sits pretty in account, could be put to better use. Anyway, to further (and then end) the conversation.

G: "Ma'am if you were to ask me, our best scheme and most economical one for you is the three year package. Only 69, 555 for three years."

Me: (in my mind) "Shut up"

Me: (Out Loud) :" Ok great, ill have to call you back". (open a send-me-to-gym foundation, gather funds and then)

Now, considering I gymmed with them for three years, its a given that my name and number are in the database. No sooner did I hang up with Euphoria-now-5 guy, i get the sms below -

"Members are requested to bring their own swimming pool caps while availing facilities. The new and improved 5 also has something something for your all round fitness regime."

YARGH.

Anway, Coming back to square one. Needing to get down to it. Must start deadlining. And weight losing. Let me start with 3 Kgs. By end Feb? Anyone wanting to be mentor and shouting at me end Feb if this deadline is not met, feel free. To note I will make sad face and get away so please to be hardass. Volunteers?

Bring it on...

I know friendship and Love's supposed to be all Rosy and Giving and Selfless. That's what they say.

BUT.

I will go only a certain length. I promise to be your friend or lover till the point that there still exists Respect. I Promise to understand your moods and tantrums only till the time that they seem reasonable. I will come back to you after you hurt me only till when I can forgive you again. I will not forgive and forget things that dont deserve it, or repeated mistakes. I will hold on only till the time your holding the other end as tight as I am.

I will let go if I feel you dont deserve me. I wont be there always. There is no forever. You cant just come and go. Shutting out is not a solution. If it was, no one would ever let in. Somethings DON'T get undone. And, there's a window - a window for things to get undone, for things to unhurt, for things to be unsaid and a relationship to rebuild. If you miss that Window, you remain on the outside.

The Good news? There's a choice always. Inside or out?

Who have YOU helped today?

And its growing...

Today I got a forward from a friend about Indiahelps ... and I felt a rush of pride, happiness and excitement all at once. "Its growing" I thought to myself with absolute glee.

For me, it started with leaving a comment on The Nomads blog saying I cant sit still, I need to be up and doing, and Parul's reply asking us both to attend a meeting. Neither of us knew what it was really about, or what we were even getting into... went to the wrong venue, reached over an hour late, but, we made it. We were about 12 of us at the meeting ... from all walks of life... some Professionals, homemakers, self employed...but all with the single minded focus of wanting to help heal wounds of the families affected by the gruesome terror attacks by devoting our time, energy, resources...whatever it takes.

We began by assigning a few families to each person, and gave ourselves time for home visits. Parallel and simulatenous reports from everyone were streamlined into a google group, compiled onto the blog and eventually a dossier of all case studies was prepared. Streamlining of operations is an interactive everyday affair with members coming up with suggestions, and majority votes being the deciding factor. (I got back from a 4 day break with 197 mails lying unread in the Indiahelps folder) =)

We then moved ambitiously into getting a logo, a badge and now a registered web domain (will be shared once complete). A few meetings with Taj Trust to put forth a few cases to them, as well as an unrelated meeting regarding an RTI application for Surjan Singh later, Kiran and I realised the need for visiting cards, and interim cards have been handed out to the founder members.

Yesterday hopefully, the final papers for the Indiahelps Bank account have been filled in ... Cant wait to be up and running and officially registered... its a whole new rush. And to think we were all unknown strangers who came together under one cause --- Im in awe of the women who make me want to give off myself more, with their sheer focus and hardwork. Dilnavaz, Prachi, Kiran, Sumita, Rohini, Priyanka, Lavanya, Aparna, Sayantani, Vidya. You guys are awe-spiring.

This is Kirans baby... so all credit to her for having the courage, empathy and determination to even dream it up. We're just partnering in this cause that gets bigger each day...
Come, join us. Feel the Magic of giving. After all, all you need is Faith.

More Happy :)

Thank you Imp's mom. for these... This award is given to a blog that invests and believes in PROXIMITY – nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! .

For this, please take a bow - Sunshine, Nomad, Kiran, Aditya, Jack, and three more in due course of time.

The above one goes to the Indiahelps team - a family Im so proud to be associated with. Pick them up wonderful wonderful people - Kiran, Orangejammies, Nomad, Parul, kbpm, wordjunkie, Rohini and for the non blogger members - Aparna, Sayantani, Nihas...
ee. Hopefully, im deserving.

Oh Boy!!!

Im back (briefly) for a day before I leave for Mahableshwar (tomorrow). Before it sounds all cool and vacation hopping, its not. :) Mahableshwar is office review meet thingy which owing to (a**hole recession) is NOT happening in a foreign location. In case the small unkypunkymood badge on the blog is not visible clearly and telling folks, I was in GOA for the last 5 days. :) got back last morning wayy too early in the morning for my comfort and headed to work.

My voice, will join me in a few days (is still in Goa somewhere I suspect) . Hence until then I shall resort to hoarse whispering and typing on cellphone, since I sound like a MAN.

Coming to the trip, Oh boy-oy-oy-oy-oy!!! Never before have I had SO MUCH fun concentrated in a space of 5 days before! The place we stayed at (Hacienda) was 5 mins away from Baga beach, really homely and inviting...considering we were a group of 42 people, we filled up the place, and pretty much took over the house. At any point of time, if you were to walk around the place, you'd find some of us scattered around - on the lawn, in a few open rooms, in the reception. we were everywhere! :)

Partied till 5 each morning, ate prawn curry rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Had there been any meals in the middle, we would've had the same then as well I suspect.

The TAN. Much lesser and quite subdued compared to the Maldives trip, which had everything to do with me acting like Miss Freak-of-nature, applying and reapplying suntan every 30 mins or so, hiding under humongous (and really cool) hat which i bought an hour into reaching Goa. (i also did jet skiiing after sunset, and also jumped into th water only then which would've contributed to a major proportion of the tan had there been one.) O kay, don't judge me, I got bai-like tan the last vacation i went to, and I'm mentally scarred for life.
Meals were eaten at Boscoes (Baga), Zanzibar (Baga), Curlies (Anjuna), Brittos, club Ivy, Totos and breakfasts in Hacienda itself. Yummy french toast and chaai everyday :) Partying happened at Ivy, Nine Bar (Rave type but INSANE house music), Poison and Shiro (must-see full on romantic dinner by the sea type place).

To add to the frenzy of all things that happened, I had a bike accident and got a Tetanus injection too. The bike accident was scary, obviously miss smarta** was riding. And for reasons known to her, lost control on a turn. What ensued was 10 mins of people trying to ascertain damages by cellphone light since it was dark. I'm fine though, a bunch of NASTYY bruises on knees, stomach and thighs aside. A, behind me was fine too, a few scratches here and there... What Ill remember from this fall is falling, not knowing what the f happened for the first 2 mins, and hearing A say 'S, are you OK' repeatedly till I managed a 'I'm fine'. Persistent little brat stands up, even though he was hurt too, stands me up, does a quick recce, and doesn't stop worrying till we reach home and dab undiluted dettol all over. (YARGH).

Anyway, so that was the bike accident. Scared I was, sore and hurt all over the next few days, but the blow to the ego was the biggest. My first reaction (absurdly) was to blame A for my loss of balance. I wish I could pass it off as him having distracted my attention, but as a rider, I am fully accountable for my own as well as my pillions safety, so It was my fault. Though I wish it was his. or someone Else's. But that's the thing, A was so concerned about my safety and the hurts I felt creepy and petty for wanting to blame someone else.

There was a dance...the kinds I always wanted. Beach, stars, music, red dress. And jet skiing in the moonlight, with the moonrays dancing along with us...BUT that's a whole new post.

All in all, this trip was a million thoughts, a trillion memories and a gazillion posts rolled into one.

The Mom and Dad files

Happy new year has been wished and all that, but since this is my first post of 2009 its only Apt that I say it again - Happy New year everyone! Lets renew our faith and strength and gear up for this year.
Happy Birthday Mom! Her birthday was on the 4th, and was celebrated with a small Chocolate Hazelnut Cake from Gaylord (Please, get some for yourselves too, its unbelievable *smacks lips*) We did the whole candles (one for each decade + one for the other years) and she still insisted we had too many in there!

On another note, that night, as we sat waiting to leave, to go out for dinner my Dad and I were talking and I happened to mention seeing a set of suitcases he had bought from a friend, in a store on Colaba.
Let me give some background. Dad is a simple person, he understands politics only from the news, and will do anything for his friends, unquestioningly. He tends to believe too easily and hence qualifies to be on the gullible side - anyone sounding slightly in need/genuine, and my dads sold. This obviously means he's been cheated at points of time in his life.. by people he never thought possible. And he's movd past it as though he should've known better.

Anyway, recently he bought a pair of really nice suitcases from a jogging buddy who claimed he bought it from Abroad and is giving my dad a massive discount on it. Daddy, having bought the story, proceeded to buy the suitcases and very proudly came and gave them to me since they were very nice :)
A casual walk down Colaba, Mom and I discovered the same bags, (size, colour, brand) et all in a store, and cheaper than what the uncle had sold it to my dad for... we were stunned. Verified and cross verified when we got home, to confirm our suspicion. it was the same bag, CHEAPER.

I was mentioning this to him the other day as we sat waiting - 'Dad we saw the same bag, same brand etc...Uncle cheated you'. No sooner did I say those words than I saw a shadow go over his face, blanketing it with a softness, a tiredness and reluctant disbelief a look that I hope I never see in his strong, determined face ... and he said 'No I havent been cheated, it mustve been different'.

And there wasnt a bone in my body that wanted him to think otherwise. 'Yes', I said. 'It mustve been a different brand'.

Its that time of life...

...When folks say 'Oh there's this nice Rishta (proposal) that's come, why don't you meet him?' One broken semi-engagement down, its the last thing I want to do. I got away from it all for a while with having been given time to get over events of the past, and now more recently 26/11 with dad having moved back home only last Tuesday, nearly a month after he left home.


Anyone who knows me, knows Im a dreamer, a sucker for falling in love, a staunch believer in meant to be and Prince Charming. True Ive wavered from my incurable romanticism many times, thinking its all in the movies and what not. But still, that persistent tiny little voice inside says 'I want to marry for love'. I always have.

I don't know what it is about 'Arranged' marriages and the concept that scares me.... Actually no, I do know. A complete stranger, who will seem chivalrous, gentle, kind, well dressed when you meet him 4-5 times...how do you know how bad his temper is? Or If he has a really bad history? I know Indian society is pretty close, and parents generally do a lot of groundwork and background checks... but how does coming from a great family and being well educated guarantee that your not a selfish, narrow minded person? These are qualities (among many) that can really undo a good impression, and will generally never be displayed in the first few meetings..


How do you get yourself to spend the rest of your life with someone you have known 3-4-5 or max 6 months? I knew someone 8 years, and things didn't work out with us. So a few months pale in comparison. I'm a crazy, entangled, moody, hormonal, sentimental extreme person. Id need someone who would understand that and embrace it. I've seen fun filled, enthusiastic young women turn resigned, quiet, compromised ...lose the very part of them that made them the person they are. That's something I cant compromise. If i were to stop being so mad, spontaneous and extreme..I wouldn't be me.

That said, Compromise I'm willing to make. I'm willing to try hard to get his folks to like me, or move another city if he gets a job he cant refuse (and expect him to do the same) or tone down a Little, or try learning a new language in case he's not a Maharashtrian like I am, or have a kid extra if he wants lol!!
I'm also a person who wants to settle down at the right time in life... I was always very clear that I want to have a family and a husband ... when I'm young, and have time to enjoy married life. Career driven is right, but family comes first.

Which puts me in a fix. I'm 25. Not open to Arranged Marriages. Very scared of the whole love marriage thing even, cause Ive been through the planning shanning, and it wasn't as fun as I thought it would be. In fact, with the amount of compromises that were being made by my family and me, with the boy very adoringly trying to soften the blow for me each time (and bearing the brunt of things most often), I'm surprised people manage to stick it out and smile on the wedding day. I had reached a point when I didn't want to sacrifice anymore... I wanted it my way. A maharashtrian wedding, a pretty engagement ring which I or we pick out, A proposal Id never forget, A fun filled Sangeet....most of which somehow were Just not panning out. I should mention how supportive and understanding the boy was at this time just cause it was something Ill always admire him for. Amid everything that was happening, I could see how much my dreams meant to him... and that is a quality I hope the person I end up with has...exchanging each others dreams and making them ours.
Ive never realized how that falling out made me feel.. I simply run away from most feelings, but Ive come to realize... It felt bad. And Feb 1st will always be the first almost wedding date I had. No regrets though, the boy is also happier this way... having given wayy too much into making me happy than he deserved. So here's to a new lease of life...

Somehow the years keep slipping by, I dont get why. Shouldnt they go slower? Considering a minute is 60 seconds and 60 minutes is an hour, and a day is 24 hours? sheesh. I almost pased out when I realized I passed out of school about 10 years ago. This when I was mentioning in a conversation to someone how 5-6 years ago when we were in school something something and I was corrected saying its been 10. Seriously? Seriously.

So like it or lump it, new years here. So, as Opposed to being home last time, I will be at a friends terrace this year, bringing the new years with my friends, then following it up with my first ever trip to Goa with friends yay! psst, I was born in Goa :) , and share my birthday with St. Xaviers which is a BIG day in Goa. (Maybe Im him, reborn?). Im praying I dont get so tanned since this tan is just about wearing off. :(

Anyway, for having read my rants and leaving me a word, and for the silent readers (there are some I hope =)) please leave me a word lol!! Thanks guys, I wish you all the love and luck and good health I can muster up. Hang with me :) Have a good year, and DONT DRINK AND DRIVE!

And We Wait....

For Justice. For Answers. For Action.

Each day I watch ardently, hopefully (to no avail) as just more and more of the same cat and mouse game continues on the news. Each day I wish that someone would take a FIRM stand on things, and say it like it is. Maybe its just me, but I think we've reached a point where 'DIPLOMATIC' is the last thing I want to be. Two days ago Mr. Pranab Mukherjee realizes The terror attacks were a cold and calculated act”, (Really, What a revelation. And here we were, thinking it was a stroke of luck for the terrorists that they managed so much damage)

As I stood at my window overlooking the Badhwar park sea just a day ago, I thought had I been in my window on that ill fated day. I could've seen them probably. Get off, Unload. And what an eerie thought it is.

Lets pretend this plan was hatched only 6 months ago. Picture the Mastermind Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT)'s Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and a few others sitting around in a dinghy room in our dear Neighbouring (Friendly) country. I wonder who it was that came up with the idea. Did they have a good laugh after coming up with such an ingenious plan? Or pat themselves on their backs for their plan? Or was it grim silence while they contemplated the task that lay before them.. recce of the places, training to the selected, selection of the executioners? Do they have families? Wives? Mothers? Do their mothers know they raised vicious heartless ruthless men? Can they see it in their eyes?

Did they spend the run up days to November 26th in eager anticipation of their attack? Did they pray to Allah before they embarked on their mission? Why did Allah listen to them? Didn't he know better?
Understanding the psyche of such deranged demonic men gives me goosebumps. I wonder what they were talking about on the dinghy on their way... When they could see the lights at Badhwar park, while we all went about our mundane activities unaware...
Did any one have cold feet? Even for a second? Did they expect to see each other again? Did they really think they'd achieve some form of sainthood,nirvana, jannat?

I wonder what we were all doing at the time... its an eerie feeling. That we went about our daily life, groaning about its inconsistencies while such a sinister plot was already underway. Who knows, there could be a meeting in process right now?

But the Mayhem continues, Tongues wag, and more politicians embarrass themselves. Nearly a month down the line, we are still looking for a strong, reassuring voice, a resilient defiant stand against the perpetrators, and an end to being taken for granted. Both as a country, and as a citizen.

And we wait.

Its not everyday...

That you meet someone, who does something so extraordinary with so much ease, that you realize, that yeah, you can do it too.

Meet Kiran Manral, mom of one (fondly called the brat) in her words 'A concerned citizen. And a mom. Trying to help those she can to the best of her abilities'. Shes started the India Helps blog of which today, I am also a part. It started with Mumbai helps... and moved on to India Helps. We are just a few people, bound by love for our city, concern for the affected, and a restless urge for doing something which will help us move past this feeling of futility.

We're all doing stuff... in our own way. And this is just a start. Each one of the women who attended the meetings so far, is driven, dedicated and confident - about helping, and making a change.
Kirans effort is inspiring - she started off with nothing, and we strangers have just come together with a bond that overwrites not knowing each other, for the cause we are workign towards. You can see what we're upto on the website I've linked before. also working on a badge for the blog and other enhancements... not only to the blog, but also to the cause.

If you want to contribute in whichever way, drop me or any of the team members on the website a line, we can figure it out. Thanks Kiran, for a wonderful effort... you've certainly inspired me.

Rab ne bana di body!

Took some advice.. and went and watched 'Rab ne bana di jodi'. Heres my two cents on it.
I maintain that I am not an SRK fan. I loved him in Swades, liked him in Chak de. THAT'S WHERE THE LINE ENDS . Im done with the song and dance routine, the over-emotive crying, the typical voice modulation and the benevolent, unrealistically nice roles he plays.

After forgettable (and seemingly repetitive)perfomances in KKHH, Mohabbatein, KANK, DTPH and the likes, I heard he's playing a person suffering from Autism in the next one. That'll be a challenge for him, I should think. I don't think anyone can ever outdo Sean Penn (I am Sam) though, or even Hrithik (Koi Mil Gaya).
'I am Sam' is arguably one of the most moving films I've seen, with commendable performances by both, Sean Penn as well as Dakota Fanning. Such Mature expressions, in depth understanding of the character and a crisp, strong portrayal of a young girl by Dakota were unforgettable.
(If you haven't got the hint by now, PLEASE RENT THE DVD AND WATCH IT, IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY)

Coming to Rab ne... I had serious issues with the script. While one cant hate the movie (one can rarely hate mellow, non violent, pretty actress song and dance movies can one), Id say i came pretty close. Its a good concept, and a good scriptwriter couldve done wonders, considering the gamut of emotions he had to play around with. Grief, new beginnings, hesitation, simplicity, love, ache, want, long, quiet desperation.. all could have been woven into a beautiful interleaved tale. I don't know why most Hindi movies make me feel as though the writers get carried away halfway through the movie and decide that since people have anyway come all the way to a theatre, lets try and make them sit for as long as possible. I had similar problems with Dostana, which could've ended a good 15-20 mins sooner, and not gone into predictable Hindi movie style chaos.

A movie is funny, cute, adorable etc, only till a certain point. If someone keeps tyring to prolong it, in a hope that it will make the story more intricate or interesting, then what they are achieving in effect is boring the audience. I was groaning when (ANOTHER) dream sequence song started playing. That's another problem. When you have more than one song which is a dream sequence, you should realize that since you don't have places to put songs in your movie (cos they are not required maybe?) you make dream sequences out of them.

I did like Surinder though. So many of him exist in a typical non metro Indian society. He was surely likable, his simplicity, the Unsure gait, the moustache proclaiming his masculinity, his scooter, the Reebok shoes (which are the cheapest in the range but Reeboks nevertheless), dedication and love for his tutor - he was simply difficult to dislike.

My next problem was the transformation. I refuse to buy a quiet mouse like character suddenly unleashing a lecherous, Over the top, loud and distasteful character like Raj, unless the character is suffering from Multiple Personality Disorder. That too, slipping in and out of the characters with ease, and no conflict or friction during the transformation. Even leaving my brains behind and going for a movie after a gap of nearly a month (and what a month its been), I simply couldnt get myself to let go of this absurdity. Cinematic liberties are all good, but come on, the characters were not that complex that asking for a semblance of sense is asking for too much.

The new girl is refreshing, cute and is undeniably fit for the role... that of a typical Gori-chitti pretty North Indian girl. I adored her clothes... the patiala's and dupattas she wore were pretty, classy, vibrant and yet, simple. I WANT. Other than the muddle of emotions that she was made to undergo (I wasn't sure what she was supposed to be feeling at many points in the movie), I don't have too many issues with her. I did like her long flowy hair, young and innocent face, and her body - tall, slim yet curvy. A refreshing break from thin and flat. =)

All in all, it couldve been better, or even bearable had it been at least 40 mins shorter, less dramatic, entangled and slightly crisper in terms of story line. If the scriptwriter isn't sure where the story is going, the audience wont either. And simply uniting the hero-heroine in the end just doesn't a good movie make.

The stars know...

"You may be a bit obsessed with finding your true purpose in life right now, Serendipity. Although you may not like to admit it, this may be occupying your thoughts a great deal of the time. Try not to be so stressed out about this. Realize that knowing your true purpose can take many years, even a lifetime, or careful thought and observation. Try to focus instead on enjoying more of the day-to-day moments, perhaps spent with your loved ones. You may just stumble onto the answer you were searching for... "

My Horoscope for today, 17th Dec '08! God read my mind.