Overheard by Moi: Homepage for the Homeless

"You don't need a TV. You don't need a radio. You don't even need a newspaper. But you need the Internet."

- Mr Pitts, aged 37 and homeless for two years.

Via the St Lukes Blog

Overheard by Moi: Day to Day

"Any idiot can face a crisis. It is this day-to-day living that wears you out."

Via Daily Aphorism

On my wallpaper today > Staring at the sky

I can't seem to remember where I got it from. When I do, I shall add the link here. Wish I was here, wearing that, riding that cycle, staring up at the sky like that.

Overheard by Moi: Happiness, Truly.

“You want to know what happiness is? It’s waking up in the middle of the night for no reason, shifting under the blankets and feeling the heat of the person next to you. You turn around and see them in their most peaceful, innocent, and vulnerable state. They breathe as though the weight of the world lays on anyone’s shoulder but their own. You smile and kiss their face gently before turning back around and somehow, an involuntary grin forms on your face. Just before you drift off to sleep, you feel an arm wrap around your waist and you know it doesn’t get any better than this.”

Via Good Morning and Goodnight.

Camhino das Indias

"Since January 19th, Brazilian TVs (approximately 60,000 households just in Sao Paulo) evenings have been tuned to a new telenovela six nights a week. Camhino das Indias (Path of India) “examines beliefs and values that differentiate the Eastern and Western world” and follows the story of a forbidden love between a Brazilan man (whom I understand to be a yoga instructor) and an Indian woman from a conservative family. The drama was filmed with a budget with a mostly Brazilian cast on a budget of $80 million in Jaipur, Agra, Dubai, and Rio (where two Indian towns were constructed for production purposes!)." Via Sepia Mutiny.

Overheard by Moi: War room

President Merkin Muffley: Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room.

from the film Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

My Follow the Leader submission

Catch it here.

Overheard By Moi: Dedicate roofs to the Earth

"If buildings sprang up suddenly out of the ground like mushrooms, their rooftops would be covered with a layer of soil and plants."
- Verlyn Klinkenborg - Nat Geo Feature

"If we steal the ground for a building, we can give it back to nature on the roof."
- International Green Roof Association director Wolfgang Ansel

"People feel happier in a building where we've given something back to nature." - Stephan Brenneisen



Rest of the green roofs feature here.

Guirella Gardening

What it is: Cultivation without permission in neglected public spaces.



See Guirella Gardening

Overheard By Moi: Don't be guilty says Osho

"Don't create ideals. Once you create ideals you will always be in difficulty because you will always be thinking in terms of should, ought. This has to be done...and you will always feel crippled, guilty, a sinner. You will always feel ill. You will never be able to accept yourself. You will never be able to love yourself, and a person who cannot love himself in spite of all the mistakes a human being is prone to make, will miss the whole point of being here in life. To love oneself in spite of everything gives you a base. Only on that base can you love others, only on that base is the edifice of higher loves erected." Osho

My favourite word

Came across a lovely site which lists words that people list as being their favourite with a little story around it.

Here's an excerpt from one of the words.

Abstruse.

My father was neither rich nor well educated. From the stories he told of his days in public school, I’m not sure how he ever graduated. Perhaps he never did. Nevertheless, he loved words, and he thought that a good vocabulary was more valuable than money because no one could take it away. He taught me poems I’ve never found in books. He taught me multiplication: “Eight eights are eighty-eight; you can have it for sixty-four.” But most importantly, he taught me to love words, and one of the first words he taught me was “abstruse.” I love the way it slithers off my tongue and sloshes around in my ear. I doubt if I’ve used it six times in conversation during the fifty years I’ve owned it, but I wouldn’t give it up because it’s the seed my father planted, and its blossoms have brightened all my days.

KR Mullin

More here.

Raise your voice against pollution

Quench a little one's thirst

Intense summer is here. Many birds die without water. Save them. Please put water pots for birds in your balconies and on your window sills.

Via Monica

We didn't start the fire.

Just got this forward from Patrika. Loved the perspective.

A STUNNING SENIOR MOMENT

A very self-important University of Pittsburgh freshman, attending the Pitt - Penn State football game, took it upon himself to explain to a Senior Citizen sitting next to him why it was impossible for the older generation to understand his generation. "You grew up in a different world, actually an almost primitive one," the student said, loud enough for many of those nearby to hear. "The young people of today grew up with television, jet planes, space travel, man walking on the moon, our spaceships have visited Mars. We have nuclear energy, electric and hydrogen cars, computers with light-speed processing and--" pausing to take another drink of beer.

The Senior took advantage of the break in the student's litany and said, "You're right, son. We didn't have those things when we were young... so we invented them. Now, you arrogant little *$@!, what are you doing for the next generation?"

My new temple

Bought a mandir/temple today.

Vote Earth

Caught the bouquet

Went to Kainaz's catholic wedding, and came back with an unexpected return gift...her bouquet. Grin. Here it is, hanging from my study table, over the end of my bed.

r Morning Elegance / Oren Lavie

Gorgeous Video!



Via Kaveri

Overheard by Moi: Do we really want happiness?

"We think that happiness is the be-all and end-all. But we don't really want our children to be happy. What if they are happy bank robbers or happy paedophiles? We ultimately want them to lead meaningful lives. Happiness, 2000 years ago, used to be related to virtue. Now it's just feel-good."

Eric Weiner, author of The Georgraphy of Bliss, in the Saturday issue of Live Mint.

An Awesome Book!

A beautifully written book on dreams and how we're constantly giving up on ours, or replacing it with things, not ideas. Beautifully illustrated and a lovely thought.

http://www.veryawesomeworld.com/awesomebook/inside.html

Via Shami

The Lunchbox Auction

Make a bid on a Michael Stipe, Gwyneth Paltrow, or Mike Myers designed lunchbox and make a significant difference in a child's life.

Please join us in supporting the Lunchbox Fund. Founded in 2004, the idea for the fund began when a school teacher in Soweto, Johannesburg South Africa noticed that a group of students were sitting under a tree at lunchtime, as they had no food, and did not want to watch the others who had food eating.

The Fund's mission is to provide vulnerable school children within South Africa's poorest townships with the nutrition they need to keep them engaged in school. Staying in school and receiving an education provides one of the best ways for breaking the cycles of poverty in a country where over 40% of the population lives on less than 11% of the national income and an estimated 18 million people live without adequate food or water.

You can help feed these children by bidding on one of the celebrity-designed lunchboxes at http://www.thelunchboxauction.org/ where you will find creations by Mario Batali, Liv Tyler, Salmon Rushdie, the Beastie Boys and many others. Many of these unique designs are going for only $100. The auction ends tomorrow, 12/18 at 12:00 pm so please act fast. All of the proceeds will go to the Fund.

Make a bid, make a difference, spread the word.

Via Dinesh

New things at home.

Book Ends from Happily Unmarried


Wooden Bangles from fabindia























Table Sheer from fabindia




Lamp from Tresorie



Flower from local market in a Snapple bottle

A speck and so much noise!!

"We succeeded in taking that picture [from deep space], and, if you look at it, you see a dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever lived, lived out their lives. The aggregate of all our joys and sufferings, thousands of confident religions, ideologies and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilizations, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every hopeful child, every mother and father, every inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every superstar, every supreme leader, every saint and sinner in the history of our species, lived there on a mote of dust, suspended in a sunbeam.

The earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that in glory and in triumph they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of the dot on scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner of the dot. How frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds. Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the universe, are challenged by this point of pale light.

Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity -- in all this vastness -- there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves. It is up to us. It's been said that astronomy is a humbling, and I might add, a character-building experience. To my mind, there is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly and compassionately with one another and to preserve and cherish that pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known."

Excerpted from a commencement address delivered May 11, 1996. Dr. Carl Sagan's book Pale Blue Dot expands on these ideas.

Via Dinesh

Up for the December Dare?

My dearest friends,

Every year, on Jan 1st, there are a host of new year resolutions made, to be broken promptly in the weeks that ensue. This year let us plan to beat this vicious cycle and take December as the action month. Take up one or two things that you have been wanting to do for a long time.

Among the host of things I plan to take up, there's one that's been nagging me for a while. Statistics say that the largest no of new year resolutions are around weight loss. And I am part of that statistic, so I have taken the objective of losing 5 kgs in December. It is possible to do and I have started today.

So take up your objective and let me know. Make a small plan on how you want to go about achieving this. We'll motivate each other and ensure that on Jan 1st, we have achieved what we set out to do and look at New Year resolutions in a new light. Feel free to forward this and take up the dare with other friends as well.

Cheers
Mathatheist

p.s: a big thank you to my friend S who sent me this.

Before you vote in the next election, check this out.

Suren sent me the link for www.adrindia.org, an organisation that works to provide information on election candidates so that we know who we're voting for. The Get Involved section on their site listed how we can assist and volunteer with them.

"We are always looking for passionate people to come and participate in our activities. You can get involved in Delhi and/or other places in several ways:

1. Volunteer for Election Watches: We need people for various activities during election watches, like: data entry, interacting with election officers, etc.
2. Answer the helpline: Answer the questions coming from states going to polls on candidates based on the affidavits filed by them.
3. Design work: Create pamplets banners to support the Election Watch teams in states. The pamplets are based on current events and findings.
4. Web site updates: Our website needs to be updated on a regular basis, with lot of content, a lot of which comes from different states. You can help us with updates to the website.
5. Blogging site: Monitor and contribute to the blogging site
6. Public dissemination: There are a lot of election watch public dissemination activities going in all states. You can participate in these activities.
7. Media Watch: We have a media watch program going on. You can participate in the media watch program
8. Translation Activities: A lot of our press releases, newsletter etc. need to be translated into local languages. You can help in these translations.

If you are interested, please contact Mr. Anil Bairwal at abairwal(at)gmail(dot)com.

http://www.adrindia.org/home/getinvolved.asp

On a terror pilgrimage

Synopsis of 48 hours - the mumbai siege

* Terror attacks in 11 places across Mumbai
* Hostage situation in Taj hotel, Trident hotel, Nariman house
* 101 dead including 14 policemen, 6 foreigners
* Encounter cop Vijay Salaskar, Additional CP Ashok Kamte killed
* Anti-Terror Squad chief Hemant Karkare shot dead
* Nine suspected terrorists caught, five killed, three escape
* Reports: Deccan Mujahideen claims responsibility
* 100 people rescued from the taj , many still trapped inside
* Police: terrorists came by boat into Mumbai
* NSG commandos at Taj hotel, trident hotel
* Places attacked: Cama hospital, GT hospital, VT station, Trident hotel, Taj hotel,
Wadi Bunder, outside Metro Cinema, Girgaum Chowpatty, Petrol pump near bootleggers pub
* Taj hotel staff killed; encounter still on
* Unexploded grenades in the lobby of taj hotel
* BSE, NSE stock exchanges to be shut today
* 5-6 terrorists still believed to be loose in Mumbai
* 800 army personnel at various locations in Mumbai
* Mumbai University cancels all exams scheduled today
* Curfew in Colaba and gateway of India
* Sources: shades of underworld in terror attack
* Hotels in Mumbai asked not to take new guests
* Touring English cricket team wants to head back home
* PM cancels all rallies scheduled for today
* Army officer RK Hooda: terrorists extremely well-motivated
* Army officer RK Hooda: checking for booby traps in hotel
* Operation begins at Trident in Mumbai
* TV sets inside trident disconnected as operations begin
* Hostages at Nariman House, Trident, Taj
* 10-12 terrorists inside Trident hotel
* Pak national held in Chowpatty: Sources
* Rs 5 lakh for killed; 50K for seriously injured
* Foreign hand fully evident: Intelligence
* Helicopters circle over Taj
* At Trident: Two terrorists still holed up
* At Nariman House: 2-3 terrorists inside
* Commandos airdropped at Nariman House
* Schools and colleges remain shut
* Helicopters circle over Taj hotel
* Nariman House clear.
* Taj battle still on.

Via NDTV.com

Emergency Numbers in Mumbai

Hi,

I have compiled a list of important contact details which can help you in an emergency. In mumbai emergency can strike at any place any location, just keep these important phone nos stored in your phone, might help you during crisis. Also pass on this mail to your friends,

Emergency contact numbers:

1. Police hotline 100

2. BMC Disaster Management Cell 22694725

3. Blood Banks 1910

4. Ambulance Services 1298

5. General Complaints 1916

6. Railway Any Emergency 23004000

7. Travel Agents Mumbai 149

8. Airport Police Helpline 28225709

9. Indian Red Cross Society for Blood bank 22663560

10. Missing Persons Bureau 22621547

11. Police Control Room Helpline 22620111, 22151855

12. Traffic Control Room Helpline 24937747, 24937755

13. Mantralaya Nariman Point Helpline 22024243

14. Collector of Bombay 22661231

15. Traffic Helpline 25181717

16. J J Hospital Blood Bank: Contact : Dr. Ganesh , Dr.Nair -- 022 – 23739400

17. Bombay Hospital: Contact Person : Ms.Purohit -- 22067676 extn 216

18. St. George Hospital Direct Blood Bank: Contact Tarun - 22620344

19. Taj Hotel - 022-66574322, 022-66574372, 1800 111 825

20. Trident Hotel - 022-23890606 20


For Blood Donors:

Call 922 222 1947 and tell them you want to donate blood. They'll get back to you when someone needs it OR Send an sms - type BLOOD and send it to 96000 97000, donor will call up for donation.

Friends do share whatever details you have this can prove useful to someone.

Regards,
Moses Gomes

Via Jyoti

Mumbai Unite!

A heartfelt request from my friend Simiran.

Friends,

This is an ardent request from an adopted Mumbaikar. I request all of
you intelligent and well-read people to do something really difficult
for just this once .

STOP:
- speculating and blaming
- deploring our government
- angry outbursts
- feeding anger with your anger
- passing word-of-mouth information
- and updating ANGRY status lines on FB and ORKUT etc.

INSTEAD - if you can help by DOING something positive - then DO IT.
If you can calm down or help a neighbour or friend - DO IT
If you can give blood at your local hospital - DO IT!
If you have a positive statement to make - MAKE IT
If you can follow traffic rules for one day - DO IT!
If you can smile at your vegetable vendor - DO IT!

Every little positive thing that you can do - will help our collective
communities to heal and hold together .

Everytime you hear someone BLAMING a political group , a different
community , the state of the country - STOP them.

Do this for once - IT IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT THING TO DO THAN GIVE IN TO YOUR ANGER!

And If this has offended you in anyway - I apologise - you have every
right to your personal viewpoint

Love and respect and faith - Simiran

Overheard by Moi: Recession side effects

"The financial situation today is so bad, women are now marrying for love" - George Koshy and friend.

I've been featured!

http://www.artnlight.blogspot.com

Thanks a bunch Vineeta.

The Pobble Who Has No Toes

"The Pobble who has no toes
Had once as many as we;
When they said "Some day you may lose them all;"
He replied "Fish, fiddle-de-dee!"
And his Aunt Jobiska made him drink
Lavender water tinged with pink,
For she said "The World in general knows
There's nothing so good for a Pobble's toes!"

The Pobble who has no toes
Swam across the Bristol Channel;
But before he set out he wrapped his nose
In a piece of scarlet flannel.
For his Aunt Jobiska said "No harm
Can come to his toes if his nose is warm;
And it's perfectly known that a Pobble's toes
Are safe, -- provided he minds his nose!"

The Pobble swam fast and well,
And when boats or ships came near him,
He tinkledy-blinkledy-winkled a bell,
So that all the world could hear him.
And all the Sailors and Admirals cried,
When they saw him nearing the further side -
"He has gone to fish for his Aunt Jobiska's
Runcible Cat with crimson whiskers!"

But before he touched the shore,
The shore of the Bristol Channel,
A sea-green porpoise carried away
His wrapper of scarlet flannel.
And when he came to observe his feet,
Formerly garnished with toes so neat,
His face at once became forlorn,
On perceiving that all his toes were gone!

And nobody ever knew,
From that dark day to the present,
Whoso had taken the Pobble's toes,
In a manner so far from pleasant.
Whether the shrimps, or crawfish grey,
Or crafty Mermaids stole them away -
Nobody knew: and nobody knows
How the Pobble was robbed of his twice five toes!

The Pobble who has no toes
Was placed in a friendly Bark,
And they rowed him back, and carried him up
To his Aunt Jobiska's Park.
And she made him a feast at his earnest wish
Of eggs and buttercups fried with fish, -
And she said "It's a fact the whole world knows,
That Pobbles are happier without their toes!"

By Edward Lear
Via Kaveri

On my wallpaper today > Photoshop for real

Overheard by Moi: Our deepest fear

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." - Maryanne Williamson

New beings on my walls!

A poster I picked up from a complimentary poster and pamphlet stand in Tokyo.



Invite from the Cinnamon store for a saree exhibition. Love the invites they used to design.



Movie posters, including the duo Cass and Kid.



Andy Warhol painted shoes, quirky strange ones.



More Cinnamon invites. They don't make them like this anymore.

My new plants

New book out!

Björk talking about her TV

Always wanted to take apart my TV and see what's inside. Bjork did.

Photography on the move

The trip is organised in an ‘out of the way’ campsite north of Coorg. This location provides plenty opps to shoot people, culture, wilderness, landscape and more for the keen eye. Alok Johri (photographer) will travel along with his experience, knowledge and his camera guiding u and teaching in subtle ways the art of taking pictures ‘onthemove’. Besides covering basic theory, this workshop focuses on field trips and assignments with plenty interactive sessions between them. The trip will give one an opportunity to discover and photo document life in the remote areas of this hill country, connect with locals, experience their warm hospitality and their grass-root existence.

Stay will be at Civet Creek Camp’ in well equipped tented shacks. Food served will be delicious Coorg cuisine.

Cost of the trip/workshop; Rs 9900/- for three days which includes workshop fees, stay, food and travel.

Trip/workshop dates; Nov 14-15-16; starting 14th morning

For those interested – pls call Robin +91 9980785225 or write to santosh(at)getoffurass(dot)com

Overheard by Moi : Osho Says

“In the East, we have always depicted Buddha, Mahavira, Krishna , Rama as young. You will not find a single statue of Buddha in his old age. It is not that he never became old – he became old – but no statue has ever been made of his old age because that is not true to his buddhahood. Only his body became old. His bliss, his innermost core, his reality remained young.”

My Birthday Flowers

Thank youuu Brahmesh, Krish, Montu and Ambika. Grin.

A list.

I made a list of promises to myself last night.

1. I will write 500 words, everyday.
2. I will cook and not starve.
3. I will lose 5kgs by December.
4. I will get adequate sleep.
5. I will update my blogs every 3 days.

On my progress:

Wrote my first 500 words, Ten Heads and a Million Stories, have posted it on my blog
Bystander Diaries.

Last night, dinner was a bowl of fruit, chicken cafreal,
corn soup, toasted multigrain bread and a cup of curd.

Breakfast today was a cup of tulsi green tea, a corn cob
with a dollop of butter, wheatflakes and milk.

More later.

Overheard by Moi: US Economy

Investment analyst and entrepreneur Dr. Marc Faber concluded his monthly bulletin (June 2008) with the Following:

''The federal government is sending each of us a $600 rebate. If we spend that money at Wal-Mart, the money goes to China . If we spend it on gasoline it goes to the Arabs. If we buy a computer it will go to India . If we purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico , Honduras and Guatemala . If we purchase a good car it will go to Germany . If we purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan and none of it will help the American economy. The only way to keep that money here at home is to spend it on prostitutes and beer, since these are the only products still produced in US. I've been doing my part.'

Via Guruprasad.

Beach Theatre

Tangram Theatre Company Company, UK and Theatre Professionals Professionals, India are looking for actors to create an Indo-UK ensemble that will rehearse and perform 3 classic plays across Goa from the first week of November to mid-January. The plays will be performed with a fresh cross-cultural approach to story-telling and are aimed at general beach goers and revelers who are in search of an entertaining time.

In addition to producing high-quality, low-tech, open-air performances of three
classic plays; the core aim is to create a forum for skill-sharing which develops
the performance techniques of each company member. We aim to create a shared performance vocabulary, rehearsal ethos, and a high standard of theatrical practice over the 5 weeks of rehearsal. We will also be connecting with Goan culture, and utilizing live Tiatra musicians to accompany our performances. The project promises to be highly educational and beneficial to all involved.

Renegade party report

"Vice magazine reports that this past weekend, a renegade party happened on the Williamsburg Bridge in Brooklyn, NY. Ninjasonik and Japanther performed for 100 plus people on one of the bridge's bike lanes. The illegal event went on for a surprising 2 hours before police showed up. Vice reporters on the scene thought it couldn't possibly go on for more than 20 minutes - amplified music and a hundred people crowded onto the side of a bridge isn't exactly discreet.

Impromptu parties are happening with increasing frequency these days. From the SILENT RAVE and PANDEMONIUM party in New York, to the Boombox parties in Berlin, unsanctioned DIY events are using flash mob techniques to create instant nightlife. Illegal parties like this were last popular in the early 90's, at the beginning of the rave (or free party) scene. Maybe the resurgence of these events comes from a desire to reclaim commercialized public spaces, or as a response to overpriced, boring clubs and concerts?

It's also impressive that this party happened at all. In our hyper-connected age, within hours of being announced, potentially anyone could have found out about this secret party - including the police. But I wonder if the cops who keep a facebook, myspace, twitter, bebo etc. accounts? Otherwise, they'd be on to these underground gatherings."

Via Dinesh Thariappa

My living room

Overheard by Moi: Understanding women

"I know I'm not going to understand women.
I'll never understand how you can take boiling hot wax,
pour it onto your upper thigh, rip the hair out by the root,
and still be afraid of a spider."

Rahim Murge Pe Mat Ro

http://www.filminute.com/2008/screeningroom/index.php?id=21

"Rahim Murge Pe Mat Ro" has been shortlisted in the currently running short film festival, "Filminute". It is one of the most prestigious short film festival that showcases films made in 60 sec. Devashish and Rajat got together to put their all time favourite topic of Halaal to tell this short story of Rahim, the Murga.

Watch. Vote.

Overheard by Moi: Ganesha who?

"I never realised how little this festival mattered in the north until a colleague from UP referred to it as Ganesh Chaturvedi."

Harsha Dandapani

Terrorist Logos

Came across a very interesting site called Another Limited Rebellion. One of the posts caught my eye: Here it is.

Ironic Sans has an fascinating article on the design of terrorist organizations logos. While more an overview than a definitive study it is certainly an engrossing compendium which begs some interesting unanswered questions about how these logos get designed and by whom

He's classified them under sub categories such as
1. Stars
2. One Gun
3. Two Guns Crossed
4. Other weapons crossed
5. Crossbones
6. Animals with multiple heads etc.

Makes for an interesting study.

The LiveJournal - Caferati Flash Fiction contest!

LiveJournal and Caferati are delighted to present a contest where you can pit your story-telling abilities against those of your peers. Can you tell a quicker, snappier story than anyone else? We’re putting our money where your mouth is. Click here.

Overheard by Moi: Isn't it ironic

"The irony of life is that the shoes we wear are sold in air conditioned show rooms; but the vegetables that we eat are sold on footpaths."

Via CKGuruprasad

AIDS Sutra: Untold stories from India (book launch)

16 of India's best known writers go on the road to uncover the country's AIDS epidemic.

The stories are extraordinary: Kiran Desai went to coastal Andhra to a village of hereditary sex workers, Rushdie spent a day with Bombay's hijras....Its the first time so many writers of such stature have come together for a social cause in India.

"There are nearly 3 million Indians living with HIV today. If we're going to stop AIDS, we have to embrace every one of them – regardless of social class, line of work, or circumstance…It starts with telling their stories" - Bill and Melinda Gates

"This is a huge achievement" – Amartya Sen

The writers are: Salman Rushdie, Shobhaa De, Will Dalrymple, Vikram Seth, Kiran Desai, Amit Chaudhuri, Sunil Ganguly, Mukul Kesavan, Nikita Lalwani, Nalini Jones, Sonia Faleiro, Siddharth Dhanwant Sanghvi, Aman Sethi, CS Lakshmi, Jaspreet Singh and Siddharth Deb.

For each book purchased, Rs. 80 (equivalent to US $2) will go to support children affected by HIV/AIDS. The fund will be managed by Avahan, the India AIDS Initiative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Published by Random House India, August 2008 (Hardback, 352 pages, Rs. 395)
To buy online: http://www.randomhouse.co.in/
AIDS Sutra releases this week following on from the Mexico World AIDS Conference.

The book will be launched:
In Bangalore, at Brio Café on August 13 at 5:30PM.
In Chennai, at Oxford bookstore on August 13 at 5:30PM.
In Delhi, at the Oxford bookstore on August 13 at 4PM.
In Hyderabad, at the Crossword bookstore on August 13 at 6:30PM.
In Kolkata, at the Oxford bookstore on August 13 at 4PM.
In Mumbai, at the Oxford bookstore on August 12 at 3PM.

Via Caferati

A book of mornings.

They are two friends who live 3191 miles apart
so they upload a picture of their day, each day,
for each other.

mav:
left

steph:
right

Beautiful.


Check 3191 for their pictures.

Pritam's Inspirations

I'd heard about music director Pritam lifting the tunes of Dhoom and Kya muhje pyaar hai...didn't know the list ran so long. Still going through some of them to check whether this is actually true. If it is, it's quite sad that he gets away with it. There's no harm in taking rights of a song, and re doing it, but to keep stealing and getting awards and kudos for someone else's work is deplorable. Leave you to click through and decide.

Dhoom song DHoom Macchale copy of Jesse Cook's 'Mario takes a walk'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=e3iTfEF52kw
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=CvhPvxmD3mI

Race Song Pehli Nazar copy of Chinese Kim Hyung Song Sarang Hae Yo
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=8KoS3weBxAg
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ffp5h_FGEJY

Race Song Zara Zara Touch Me copy of Lee-Hom Wang's 'Zhu Lin Shen Chu'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=wdTrPI3mumU
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=kLU76W2qbPs&feature=related

Jab we met's 'Yeh ishq kya' copy of Anggun's Être Une Femme
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=T4poevqspsI
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=TQyU6EqWh_o&feature=related

Jab We Met Aao milo chale copy Indonesian band, Peterpan's 'Di Belakangku'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=EGXniVSfSZE
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=7jpUic8hWD8&feature=related

Woh Lamhe 'Kya mujhe pyaar hai'copy of Indonesian Band 'Tak bisakah'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=EZTqg1MgkTY
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=2EoblYYvLsE&feature=related

Bhool Bulaiya Halla Hafiz copy of Amr Diab's Awedony
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=8Xi_xOmmsRY
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=UtVerSkccgo&feature=related

Dhol Dil Liya copy of Dania Khatib's 1999 hit, 'Leiley'
Original: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/Leiley-DaniaElKhateeb.rm
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=xBkp57nRE5A

Life in a Metro song Baatein kuch ankahee copy of Korean song, 'Ah Reum Dah Oon Sa Ram' by Seo Yu Seok!
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=KCTGuhPcC4Y
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ura4grIiF90&feature=related

Bhool Bhulaiyya Hare ram hare ram copy of Bill Hailey's Oriental Rock
Original: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/OrientalRock-BillHaleyComets.rm
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=4lu3EorpiQ4

Life in a Metro song O Meri jaan copy of Queensryche's Silent Lucidity and Amr Diab's Ba'ed el Layali
Original 1: http://youtube.com/watch?v=-2ohGF0K4AI
Original 2: http://youtube.com/watch?v=P2y_Vbev5zs
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=3g2ICCQNQ-w

Pyar ke side effects song Jaane kya copy of 'Mahi' by Hadiqa Kiyani
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=mokJJsRfP6Q
COPY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5fEHdP-5Dc

Woh Lamhe song Chal Chale copy of a 1965 track called 'A World of our own' by the band, The Seekers
Original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9oaXzrsV3Q
COPY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeJ2tqPjnps

Dhoom Song DHOOM AGAIN copy of a song called 'Dudu' from Tarkan
Portions edited appropriately
Original:http://www..itwofs.com/audio/Dudu_ver2-Tarkan.rm
COPY: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/DhoomAgain-Dhoom2.rm

Speed song Tikki Tikki copy of Turkish pop superstar Tarkan's 2003 hit, 'Dudu'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=KoJ34jPX3WM
COPY: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/TikhiTikhi-Speed.rm

Agnipankh song Janmabhoomi & Zindagi hai copy of Abrar-ul-haq's 'December
Original: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/December-AbrarUlHaq.rm
COPY 1: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/Janmabhoomi-Agnipankh.rm
COPY 2: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/ZindagiHaiTo-Agnipankh.rm

Bhagam Bhag songs Signal & Afreen copy of Trinidadian Soca hit, 'Signal for Lara' by Superblue & Cheb Mami's 2001 track, 'Viens Habibi'
Original 1: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/SignalForLara-SuperBlue.rm
Original 2: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/ViensHabibi-ChebMami.rm
COPY 1: http://youtube.com/watch?v=G31riHQjvDI
COPY 2: http://youtube.com/watch?v=b-65fajmsC8

Life in a Metro In dino copy of Waqar Ali's 'Mera naam hai mohobbat'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=89wB3og_yXQ
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=aQ52IJjbNg4

Raqueeb songs 'Jaane kaise' copy of Amr Diab's 2003 track, 'Allem albi' and song 'Channa ve channa' copy of Pashto singer Rahim Shah.
Original 1: /youtube.com/watch?v=NqoXaLHFTik&feature=related">http://youtube.com/watch?v=NqoXaLHFTik&feature=related
Original 2: http://youtube.com/watch?v=JplIDBi6wZE
Copy 1: http://youtube.com/watch?v=rjwMsYnEJ58
Copy2: http://youtube.com/watch?v=33EJLt-NMDQ&feature=related

Kya Love Story Hai Song 'Miss you everyday' Lift of Lebanese singer Karina's 2006 chartbuster 'Alatoul'
'Jab se tum mile ho' is a lift from Pakistani singer Hadiqa Kiyani's 1996 number (album: Raaz), 'Jab se tum milay ho'!
Original 1: http://youtube.com/watch?v=snIA9iR0b-0
Original 2: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/JabSeTumMilay-Hadiqa.rm
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=FJ_w0HDh0N0

Kya Love Story Hain song 'Deewana teri aankhon ka' copy of Black Eyed Peas' 'Bebot'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=gQAGh3JViyI
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Nr0ASdmHF40

Kya Love Story Hai song Gum sum hai dil mera copy of Thai song, 'Oh la nor...my love' by Bird Thungchai.
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=tJjrJIh8c8k
COPY: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/GumSumHaiDil-KLSH.rm

Ankahee song Aa paas aa copy of Ottmar Liebert's 'Starry nite (March of Kings)
Original: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/StarryNite-OttmarLiebert.rm
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=KbsUBqQxygY

Apna sapna money money song Dil mein baji guitar copy of song, 'Sheloha shela' by the Middle Eastern group, Miami Band
Original: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/ShelohaShela-MiamiBand.rm
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=pCPA80elJlY

Woh Lamhe song 'Tu Jo nahi' copy of 'Tu Jo Nahi SB John
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=HWoKJMnMRSQ&feature=related
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=br_RJ0-rlbY

Bas ek Pal song 'Hai ishq' copy of Yuri Mrakadi's 'Arabiyon Ana'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=c8gt6agxYN0
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=qoHtiN4rWJo

Pyaar Ke Side Effects song 'Is this love' copy of Paul Anka's 1969 track 'A-mi-manera'
Original: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/A-mi-manera_MyWay.rm
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=CGzMwPzc1VY

Ankahee Title song copy of Boney M's 1984 track, 'Somewhere in the world'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=68hPjUoAk4E
COPY:http://www.itwofs.com/audio/Ankahee-TitleSong.rm

Gangster
Song 'Ya ali' copy of Arabic band Guitara's 'Ya ghaly'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZJi50826cu4
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=dpl9o_0Dtb4&feature=related


SOng 'Lamha lamha' lifted form Waris Baig's 1998 track, 'Kal shab dekha maine'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=0wfe0u-7DpI
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=dJscz7bJ080

Song 'Bheegi bheegi' lift from Mohiner Ghoraguli's Bangla jibhonmuki gaan
Original:http://youtube.com/watch?v=xAkzopTMXHc
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=_wwsyz2YBUg&feature=related

Song Tu hi meri shab hai copy of 'Sacral Nirvana' by Oliver Shanti & Friends
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=5JXrmUD0EK0
Copy: http://youtube.com/watch?v=BklekKJPjlI&feature=related


Ek Hasina Thi
Song Akhiyaan Na Maar copy of Pakistani singer Waris Baig's 2004 track, 'Challa'
Original: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/Challa-WarisBaig.rm
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=BuFQ0aZLP8E

Song Jal Jal Ke copy of Yuri Mrakadi's 2001 track, 'Arabiyon Ana'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=gmmToe4TJw8
COPY:http://youtube.com/watch?v=F_MYsiA3YY0

Fight Club Song Chorein ki Batein copy of Pakistani singer Ali Zafar's 'Channo ki aankhen'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=lLhylAWQgo8
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=NrVm2NEoatY

Ek Khiladi Ek Hasina song 'Jhoom' Lifted from Britney Spears' commercial for Pepsi, 'Joy of Pepsi'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=HSZaif6xlWc
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=wKpYRUI3o4M

Garam Masala
Songs 'Dil samundar' copy of Turkish singer Tarkan's 'Kuzu kuzu'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=u4kncVrjaQk
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=4SHSxTBT4D0

Song 'Chori Chori' copy of Balwinder Safri's 'Hai rabba'
Original 1: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/ChoriChori2-GaramMasala..rm
Original 2: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/HaiRabba-DrZeus.rm
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=xT5-NxdawRI

Song'Ada' copy of song Amr Diab's Ana
Original: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/AmrDiab-Ana.rm
COPY:http://www.itwofs.com/audio/HaiRabba-DrZeus.rm

Dhoom song Shikdum copy of Tarkan's 'Sikidim'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=g2uy7Cfl6kU
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=i2xThHWuM9A

Chocolate
Song 'Zahreeli raatein' copy of Jal's 'Aadat'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=FdZDRZTf67Y
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=XyZEth7A0aw

Song 'Bheega bheega sa' copy of Abrar-ul-Haq's 'December'
Original: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/December-AbrarUlHaq.rm
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=LCZhMHUFabI&feature=related

Song 'Halka halka sa' copy of 'Breeze from Saintes Maries'
Original: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/BreezeFromSaintesMaries-JesseCoo k.rm
COPY: http://youtube.com/watch?v=xcaog3CT6Fs

Via Rajesh Krishnan

WordGame: Circumstantial Ad Hominem

A Circumstantial ad Hominem is a fallacy in which one attempts to attack a claim by asserting that the person making the claim is making it simply out of self interest. In some cases, this fallacy involves substituting an attack on a person's circumstances (such as the person's religion, political affiliation, ethnic background, etc.). The fallacy has the following forms:

1. Person A makes claim X.
2. Person B asserts that A makes claim X because it is in A's interest to claim X.
3. Therefore claim X is false.

1. Person A makes claim X.
2. Person B makes an attack on A's circumstances.
3. Therefore X is false.

A Circumstantial ad Hominem is a fallacy because a person's interests and circumstances have no bearing on the truth or falsity of the claim being made. While a person's interests will provide them with motives to support certain claims, the claims stand or fall on their own.

There are times when it is prudent to suspicious of a person's claims, such as when it is evident that the claims are being biased by the person's interests. For example, if a tobacco company representative claims that tobacco does not cause cancer, it would be prudent to not simply accept the claim. This is because the person has a motivation to make the claim, whether it is true or not. However, the mere fact that the person has a motivation to make the claim does not make it false. For example, suppose a parent tells her son that sticking a fork in a light socket would be dangerous. Simply because she has a motivation to say this obviously does not make her claim false.
Examples:

1. "She asserts that we need more military spending, but that is false, since she is only saying it because she is a Republican."

2. "I think that we should reject what Father Jones has to say about the ethical issues of abortion because he is a Catholic priest. After all, Father Jones is required to hold such views."

3. "Of course the Senator from Maine opposes a reduction in naval spending. After all, Bath Ironworks, which produces warships, is in Maine."

4. "Bill claims that tax breaks for corporations increases development. Of course, Bill is the CEO of a corporation."

Via http://freedompark.rediffblogs.com/

My new Indian Design Blog

I've often heard people tell me that Indians are doing nothing exciting in the field of design. I'm glad to say that's definitely not the case.For proof, here's my new design blog that focuses entirely on Indian Design - architecture, art, interiors, graphics, fashion, photography.

Drop by, leave comments, let me know if you see interesting Indian work I can feature.

http://indianbydesign.wordpress.com

Cheers.

: )

Ugly aur Pagli (2008)

Synopsis: Ugly meets Pagli.

Review: Love the title and the trailers seemed decent, but the movie was terrible. Predictable jokes, predictable script, felt sorry for the two actors as they tried to carry a silly story through.

My verdict: Ugly

Feast

Douse my skin in apple cider,
and let sparrows loose on me.
The trees are bare
and I'm ripe with excess.

Kavita Rayirath
August 2008

Word Game: Ataraxia

Ataraxia is a Greek term used by Pyrrho and Epicurus for a limpid state, characterized by freedom from worry or any other preoccupation.

For the Epicureans, Ataraxia was synonymous with the only true happiness possible for a person. It signifies the detached and balanced state of mind that shows that a person has transcended the material world and is now harvesting all the comforts of philosophy.

For the Pyrrhonians, owing to one's inability to say which sense impressions are true and which ones are false, it is a pleasant place that arises from suspending judgment on dogmatic beliefs or anything non-evident and continuing to inquire.
The experience was said to have fallen on the painter Apelles who was trying to paint the foam of a horse. He tried and failed so many times that in a rage he threw a sponge he was cleaning his brushes with at the medium and thus produced the effect of the horse's foam.

Josh Hartnett's character in Lucky Number Slevin claims to "have Ataraxia" in the sense of a medical disorder. A paper on it here.

Global Warming Warning

More of Joshua Allen Harris here.

Ikea Tidy Up After Yourself

Kuselan (2008)

Synopsis: A superstar comes to shoot at a Barber's village. They were old friends once. Will the star recognise him? Or will he be turned away?

Review: The story is good - the original in malayalam is a tearjerker scripted by the gifted Srinivasan - but in the hands of director Vasu, it's a masala fare that's barely watchable. Rajnikant gives the film some dignity and the songs are entertaining, but the film isn't worth a whistle and a cat-call.

My Verdict: Even Rajni can't save a bad film.

Exam

The papers have been set.
The questions are always the same,
Reworded here and there to give it novelty.

The supervisors walk serenely around
Ensuring no one cheats.

Some write with purpose,
Some with intuition;
Some flounder, lose their way,
Don’t understand the questions,
And raise their hand for help.

I watch others refill ink,
Sharpen pencils,
Knit brows,
Pray for miracles,
Mutter with frustration.

I sit and pore over the words
For a while.
Humour the question maker
With attention.

I put my pen down and
And wait for the bell.

It’s a long way off I’m told.

I click my fountain pen shut.
Arrange the sheets in order,
So that no page peeks out
More than the others.

I look up.
And yell at the top of my voice.

I’m done.

Mr. God, can I leave now.

Kavita Rayirath
4th August, 12:30 am

Caramel (2007)

Summary: 6 women. Their lives. Their loves. Their fate.

Review: Caramel is a simple story that's been told many times. What makes it new is that it's based in Lebanon, and brings with it quirks of a different country. Nadine Labaki's direction is poetic, and the casting quite apt. The art direction is beautiful, and the story makes you smile, sniff and sigh.

Verdict: Sweet and sticky

Sale!

Overheard by Moi: On love

"You don't love a woman because she is beautiful, but she is beautiful because you love her." - Anonymous

p.s: Who is this Anonymous! I'd love to meet him/her. He/She always has such amazing quotes. ;)

The surfeit of Malls and an introduction to Caferati.

I went to Karjat this Sunday. Passed Andheri, Powai, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, and was surprised to see Malls at every nukkad. This obsession with creating large ugly spaces of commercial leisure one has to spend money in to enjoy is rather disturbing. I wish the government would make it mandatory for Malls to build parks and community centres within them, or on their premises - spaces for creative activities, dance workshops, skating rinks, painting lessons or just free space for literary workshops. The reason why I was on my way to Karjat.

A Caferati read-meet.

Caferati is a forum for writers. They have a Ryze page where members post work and share feedback online. And they also host read-meets, where members meet face-to-face, drink coffee, get to know each other and share works in progress.

This one was special. It was their 4th anniversary, and I landed up after a late night Saturday conversation with Asif, who was going there as member Cyrus's guest. Thus, unprepared, and unbiased I sat through the day long proceedings and was happy to find myself quite entertained.

Content Writing by John I felt just brushed the topic, Screenplay writing by Batul was helpful, Nonsense by Raamesh was enlightening and confusing and Writers Block by Manisha was fun. Got online and clicked on all the 'subscribe' and 'become a member' links I could find on their site, blog, flickr groups, updates, contests and listings.

Drove back past Malls in their glowing-glittering best, wooing me with their wares. Sorry, but I've had my fill of goodies for today.

WordGame: Clerihew

Greed and anger were the end of Tamerlane
Who rode to china to die on a plain
False descendent of Chengis Khan
He couldn't harm a hair on Hunan.

Edmund Clerihew Bentley (1875-1956) is remembered mainly for his classic detective story Trent's Last Case and for the verse form that was named after him - the Clerihew. It was at the age of sixteen, while he was at St. Paul's School in London, that Bentley first started writing Clerihews, as a diversion from school work.

Sir Humphrey Davy
Abominated gravy.
He lived in the odium
Of having discovered sodium.

Bentley's first collection of verse in this vein was published in 1905 as Biography For Beginners. Further collections appeared in 1929 and in 1939. It was soon after publication of the first volume that the name CLERIHEW became applied to this particular form of light verse.

Frances Stillman in The Poet's Manual and Rhyming Dictionary defines Clerihew as 'a humorous pseudo-biographical quatrain, rhymed as two couplets, with line of uneven length more or less in the rhythm of prose'. Add to this, that the name of the subject usually ends the first or, less often, the second line, and that the humour of the clerihew is whimsical rather than satiric.

The people of Spain think Cervantes
Equal to half-a-dozen Dantes;
An opinion resented most bitterly
By the people of Italy. The meaning of the poet Gay
Was always as clear as day,
While that of the poet Blake
Was often practically opaque. I doubt if King John
Was a sine qua non.
I could rather imagine it
Of any other Plantagenet. Dante Alighieri
Seldom troubled a dairy.
He wrote the Inferno
On a bottle of Pernod.

Teach India

Today, at 4 pm, a tiny little skit by Makarand Deshpande was enacted. It was about the Times of India campaign, Teach India. They spoke of contributing 2 hours, and teaching anything that one is proficient in; it need not be academic. Made me wonder about armchair criticism and all that talk of how India is going to the dogs, without me actually doing anything to change that. So, I decided to get off my ass and register.

Happy Birthday Central Park

Central Park in New York City was officially born on July 21, 1853 when the State legislature authorized the City to buy more than 800 acres. The enormous park was designed by America's most famous landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted.
pic courtesy: the situationist

Overheard by Moi: Earth, to ET

"It is terra-centric of us. It's like that story of a person who loses their keys on a dark sidewalk and looks for them under the street light because that is the only place he can see."
- planetary scientist Sara Seager on having no choice but to use the Earth as a role model in the ongoing quest to find life elsewhere in the universe.

On my wallpaper today - Dorothy's Shoes

In celebration of The Wizard of Oz's 70th anniversary next year, Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Swarovski, and 19 designers have teamed up to create their own version of Dorothy's magical ruby slippers - A. Testoni, Abaeté, Alberta Ferretti, Betsey Johnson, Botkier, Christian Louboutin, Diane von Furstenberg, Giuseppe Zanotti, Jimmy Choo, L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani, Lisa Pliner, Manolo Blahnik, Moschino, Oscar de la Renta, Roger Vivier, Sergio Rossi, Stuart Weitzman, Tibi, and Tuleh are the chosen ones who will be creating their very own rendition of these magical shoes using Crystallized Swarovski Elements, which will be officially unveiled in Saks Fifth Avenue's windows and designer shoe salon during a gala on Sept. 4.
Via fabsugar

Speaking of birthday gifts.

In a world where Mukesh Ambani is gifting his wife a sea facing edifice, or others a car or diamonds, little gifts seemed to have lost ground. That's till I found mention of Abigail on A cup of Jo.

She writes:

My husband gave me a wonderful 29th birthday gift -- 52 tiny red envelopes with a handwritten love note and a bit of cash in each, just enough to run across the street to the flower stand and make a bouquet, once a week.

Abigail took pictures of all the flower arrangements she made every week and posted them on her Flickr page. The one above is one of them.

I'm tagged.

Mee got me into this. It's a game of blog tag. Where bloggers tag fellow bloggers with an assignment, and the blogger then has to tag someone else.This time it's me.

The house rules:
* Each person tagged has to write 12 random facts/habits about themselves.
* Those that are tagged will have to write a post on their own blog (about their twelve things)
* At the end of your post, you need to choose two other people to get tagged and list their names.
* Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your post.

MY 12.

1. I have 3 basketfulls of bags. I cannot help buying them, carrying them, stuffing them with things.

2. Every time I stand on the balcony of a tall building, or the edge of a mountain, I have this extremely overwhelming urge to jump. Like someone's calling out to me.

3. I love movies - all kinds, especially witty chick flicks and Tarantino's work.

4. When I wake up in the morning, I like to smile.

5. I secretly wish I had gone to dance school or art school instead.

6. I have OCD. I arrange things everywhere I go.

7. I have conversations with my house, my plants, my buddha statue.

8. I like re-arranging furniture and putting together things.

9. I love the idea of being in love.

10. I like bunching up wildflowers in vases and opening up windows to let the sunlight in.

11. I love cooked apples.

12. I cannot resist stationary.

Tagged next: Ankit and Vani

2 Movies - a study in oposites

The Dark Knight
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger

The second coming of the new Batman series with Bale was a treat. Heath Ledger was beautifully styled and pure evil. He lived the Joker, and as many think, died with the Joker. Oldman was a much better Gordon than he was a Sirius Black. And Aaron Eakhart was a surprise. The movie pandered a bit to post 9/11 American sentiments with some crowd pleasing dialogues(if you want to kill the DA, buy American, not chinese). But overall, it was dark, intense and had great moments. Ledger being the icing throughout.

Verdict: Knight in shining armour

Kismat Konnection
Directed by Aziz Mira
Cast: Shahid Kapur, Vidya Balan

The only two people who kept the movie from sinking completely were Shahid Kapur and Himani Shivpuri. The director had no connection with the script, the actors, the cinematographer or the story. Vidya Balan needs to reconsider her wardrobe and her co-stars; she looked like Shahid's aunt, and delivered a poor performance. The rest is not even worth mentioning.

Verdict: Cross Connection

More movie reviews here.

Overheard by Moi: Off Consumption

"I have gone off consumption, not because of the absence of money or an overdose of ideology, but because I’m tired of buying things." Gaurav Mishra, from Mumbai, a marketing professional and a social commentator, who's giving away everything he owns for free, on August 1st.

Movie Sunday

Spent Sunday watching movies.

Jaane tu ya Jaane na
A love story. The main cast is full of immature actors, barring two, an air-hostess and a guitarist. Imran is endearing even if not a good actor or dancer. Genelia is not bad. Prateek and Paresh Rawal were good surprises. The song Aditi is lovely.
Verdict: Timepass

KungFu Panda
Sweet film with a basic storyline and no layers. Jack Black makes it shine. The other cast members just dissolve - you don't get why Jolie and Chan and Liu were asked to play their characters. They were so lost. Loved Uguway, the yoda like turtle and Panda's duck chef dad.
Verdict: Sweet, but beginner level stuff.

Hancock
Loved the concept. A filthy, bad mouthed, unsophisticated, reluctant superhero. The first half was interesting. Things happen, and you sense a depth, an angst a la Bruce Wayne. But the second half turns into an out and out Hollywood masala movie that ends as shabbily as Hancock's stubble.
Verdict: Hero, but not super.

Chak de India
A simple, unassuming film, made with subtlety. Liked SRK in it, liked the girls. It's masala enough, but the director has tried to keep it believable. Great example of good casting.
Verdict: Chak Diya

Aamir (Spoilers included)

Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta
Cast: Rajeev Khandelwal

Summary: One man. Many unfortunate circumstances.

Review: The movie starts with a sentence – "Kehte hai aadmi apni kismet khud likhta hai. Bakvaas." Reminded me of the start from ‘Ek Chalis ki last local’, but I have a feeling, if I had sat to watch the entire film, I would have found more meaning in Ek Challis than I did in watching the whole film Aamir.

Rajkumar Gupta seemed to have started with a different story in mind, because the intention of the film, and the much too enthusiastic background score (not to be confused with its beautiful soundtrack), did not match the fate of Aamir.

There is much to learn from Greek Tragedies. Or much closer home in the Mahabharata. The sense of fate, of hopelessness, of utter despair is so beautifully crafted in the above. In Aamir, it’s absent. The film shows Aamir having the most terrible day of his life, chased around for no fault of his, in the middle of a destiny not of his own making. But the film, till a little after the interval, makes it seem like a game. You almost expect it to turn out to be this farce where the young doctor is made to realise that the India he's come back to needs people who are willing to get down and dirty and truly understand its people’s woes. But the film suddenly turns and becomes jehadi. The end is silly because of the way the movie is made. It would have been a poetic end if the film was made differently – more like Karna in Mahabharata, where his doom is apparent, but you love the underdog anyway. Here, you feel nothing for the oppressor, whose character is so badly etched out, and very little for Aamir, when he blows himself up.

While watching the film, I found Rajeev Khandelwal earnest but if he had worked on a graph for his character, like Aditya Srivastava had in Black Friday, it would have been magical. It’s a beautiful character, like Karna, who suffered for no fault of his. It would have made the audience feel a lot more for him. But when the movie ended, I realised it wasn’t Rajeev's fault as much as the director who didn’t know where he wanted to go, so it was the blind leading the blind.

I received a mail from a dear friend, who had endorsed his support for the film and added reviews by famous people on what a great landmark film this was. I did not see any evidence of that in the two odd hours I spent there. It was extremely well shot, well edited, decent performances by everyone, but sadly no soul. Mithya, which did not have great production values had soul. It had a feeling of doom. It made sense. And it was a far better film than Aamir.

One face that strangely stood out in all this was a quiet one – of Uday Chandra (who’d so beautifully played KL Saigal in a play of the same name). He had two frames, and a whisper of a sorry (the man in the bus Aamir brushes past in the slo mo in the end), but he was captivating and so soulful. Like a teardrop on a hot tin plate. If the movie was anything like his blink and he'd dissapear cameo, it would have sizzled.

My first joyful attempt at scrapblogging.

Scrapblogging is a lot of fun and the possibilities are immense. I plan to make a series of children's estorybooks out of this. Then maybe some scrap movies and create a new blog out of those. :)Yup, I'm a certified blog junkie.Scrapblog

Word Game: "Lorem ipsum"

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua."
If you've come across any sites still under construction, or templates for blogs, you would have seen this Latin text. Well, for those in search of a plot anywhere, this has nothing to do with hidden templar texts or the priory of Sion. It's dummy copy that's a stand in for matter that will be filled in later. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It is used because the letters involved and the letter spacing in those combinations reveal, at their best, the weight, design, and other important features of the typeface.

A 1994 issue of "Before & After" magazine traces "Lorem ipsum ..." to a jumbled Latin version of a passage from de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum, a treatise on the theory of ethics written by Cicero in 45 B.C. The passage "Lorem ipsum ..." is taken from text that reads, "Neque porro quisquam est qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit ...," which translates as, "There is no one who loves pain itself, who seeks after it and wants to have it, simply because it is pain..."

For more information on this, check lipsum.com

Al Gore move aside. Let the mob rescue Mother Earth.

This is a fantastic idea. And makes perfect business sense. To both the consumer, and the corporate.Carrotmob organizes consumer mobs. These mobs get together and make purchases in order to give financial rewards to those companies who agree to make environmentally friendly choices. Carrot Mob's first ever campaign took place on March 29th, 2008.
Let's start one in our neighborhood. Think of all the things we could change.

The Prophet

Directed by Naseeruddin Shah
Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Heeba Shah, a child, a ward boy

Synopsis: An enactment of Khalil's Gibran The Prophet, a book of 26 poetic essays. In the book, the prophet Almustafa who has lived in the foreign city of Orphalese for 12 years is about to board a ship which will carry him home. He is stopped by a group of people, with whom he discusses the many issues of life and human condition.

Review: I've read The Prophet, and understood it differently at different stages of my life. Motley's enactment of it was enlightening. The poetry was enhanced by Naseeruddin Shah's mastery and by his poetic direction. Set in a clinical hospital room, with a child for company, the words flow without interruption yet with much added that one would not have seen while reading the book. The imminent death of the narrator makes the message desperate and thus you are compelled to understand, his words, his parting wisdom.

Verdict: A fulfilling prophecy

ViaDarjeeling

Directed by Arindam Nandy
Cast: Kay Kay Menon, Sonali Kulkarni, Vinay Pathak, Parvin Dabbas, Sandhya Mridul, Rajat Kapoor, Prashant Narayanan, Simone Singh

Synopsis: Five people in a room, reconstruct the same incident in their own way.

Review: The movie, inspired by Roshomon, wasn't. In the hands of an incapable director, the inspiration dies a thousand deaths before it gasps and chokes in the arms of a confused audience. The actors were not directed, the screenplay flawed, the production values poor. Vinay was fine, Kay Kay was lost and I wish Sonali had struck the right tone at least once. The other bunch of Bengali friends(Sandhya Mridul, Rajat Kapoor, Prashant Narayanan, Simone Singh), who had nothing Bengali about them, except some carefully placed 'Shothi' and 'dada' were characters with no history or depth. I could find nothing that salvaged the film, not even the presence of the otherwise competent Kay Kay and Vinay.

Verdict: ViaHell

Garfield minus Garfield

Garfield minus Garfield wipes out Garfield from all his comic strips, and what's left behind is a fresh new way of looking at the comic strip, a story of desperation you never imagined existed. Garfield creator, Jim Davis, calls the work “an inspired thing to do” and thanked the creator of GG, Walsh, for enabling him to see another side of “Garfield.” Via Happy Thought

Living on my own - More Lessons

1. Whether you're setting up home for one person, or four, the effort that goes into it, is the same. Worse, the expense is too.

2. If you're getting a gas connection for the first time, and don't want to buy the suspicious brand of stoves the gas agencies peddle at even more suspicious rates, tell them you already have a stove (quickly buy a stove of your choice and let it lay innocently on your kitchen table when they drop by). If you tell them you’d rather go buy yours, they will delay your connection unnecessarily. Ahem.

3. Don’t buy tiny things just because you’re one person. A tiny cooker, one plate, two spoons, one glass etc. Unless you’re a misanthropist and a fatalist, please keep in mind friends who’ll drop by, parents who definitely will, and a future that might later need to accommodate two or more.

4. The prevalent rate you’ll hear for household help is mostly for families. Work out a reasonable sum based on specifics that make sense to your home - single person, hardly any laundry, little furniture to clean etc. It might even come to half of what the market pays.

5. Keep accounts, everyday. Know what expenses are fixed every month, and what are flexible. Stow away the credit card for emergencies and ticket bookings, and use cash where possible. It's easier to keep tabs and know when you're close to broke. Being broke is not romantic when you're living on your own.

Chidiya Udd Art for Sale!

Contact Kavita Arvind on her blog for a pdf of the art on sale, and prices.

How Green is my valley?

I received a mail asking me what I was doing to stop global warming. At first, I shook my head, and said nothing. Then I tried putting something down. It turned out to be a list.

> I walk home instead of taking a cab, as often as I can.
> I use a small shower head so as to not waste water.
> I use cold water to have a bath, and avoid using the heater unless really necc.
> I don't buy aerosol cans.
> I don't own a car, I use public transport.
> I bought/got gifted old/used furniture instead of making new pieces.
> I do not use an air conditioner or a washing machine or a dish washer.
> I use biodegradable tissues.
> I give my newspapers to a scrap fellow who recycles it.
> I make books out of used sheets and write on the other side.
> I give away things to friends so they don't need to buy what I have no use for.
> I am part of a freecycle group.
> I started planting fruit trees through www.treesforfree.org
> I mop and sweep instead of using a vacuum.
> I turn off the switch when my mobile charger/tv is not in use.
> I use mud planters for my plants, instead of plastic ones.
> I buy locally as much as I can.
> I use energy efficient light bulbs.
> I dry my hair with a towel.

The world's first internet balloon race - that's my contestent - cloudchachaser - egg him on, click here.

http://www.playballoonacy.com/show/3ac78fbf3a106a84d2c88f99c39d8cfe

Love this idea.

Idea A Day
Where Ideas Are Free

Welcome to Day 2856

Repeat the first five minutes of the movie at the end of the closing credits for those who arrived late at the theater.

day 2856 by Mary Slim

Subscribe to more such ideas on www.ideaaday.com

p.s.: Would have put in an addition - repeat all the trailers shown as well. I hate missing trailers.

My Kitchen Blog gets a new lease.

Have started blogging on my kitchen blog again. There are five more authors on it, and hope they get enthused to write too. :)

New posts:
> Jack's really small kitchen.
> How to Defrost Frozen Meat
> How Long Can You Leave Cooked Food Unrefrigerated?
> The proper way to blanch asparagus.
> The proper way to peel ginger.
> The proper way to hard boil an egg.

Word Game - capitonym

A capitonym is a word that changes pronounciation and meaning when it is capilatised. Examples can be found in the following poem entitled 'Job's Job' : In August, an august patriarch/Was reading an ad in Reading, Mass./Long-suffering Job secured a job/To polish piles of Polish brass.

Via Ten Things

Mumbai Update - stranded in my own house!

Well, I've had quite an adventurous weekend. Apart from a damp mattress, an upset tummy thanks to take out, I went on a cleaning frenzy with my Colin and wipe, and found myself on the ledge outside my window furiously rubbing away at dirt and grime. Somewhere in all the fury, I forgot it was a self-lock window, and slid it shut to be able to clean better. To my horror, I found myself locked out and stuck in the two feet of ledge space, on the 3rd floor. My door was locked and there were no spare keys given out. I called out to the watchman to get a locksmith to open my door and let me out. My phone was in my hand, so I tried asking my estate agent if he had a spare key. The locksmith was summoned. Friends who were transiting from Bangalore to Jodhpur, dropped by, took pictures, had a good time. I tried breaking the window with some paint can lying outside, there was a loud thunk and then nothing. I decided to finish the windows while the locksmith figured it out. Kapil and Mona rushed there with food for me. Finally, the locksmith broke two badly made keys, and was attempting to break open the door, when a carpenter working in the next building suddenly realised that I wasn't just gallivanting, but actually stuck up high for the last 45 minutes, and calmly told me to lift the window and slide it to one side to unlock the lock. I did. It did. I rushed to the door before it was unnecessarily broken. Door open. Saw relieved faces of all my friends. And a grumpy faced locksmith (all his efforts were wasted). Mona's khichdi in my tummy, I could finally speak to my transiting friends for two minutes before they left. Once again, all alone at home I realised I learnt a lot from this -
1. How to open a closed window from outside. 2. My main door is pretty strong and safe. 3. Never trust your life to a locksmith, always look for plan B. 4. Keep a spare key with a friend who'll pick up the phone anytime, anywhere. 5. Be alert. Ya.

Overheard by Moi: What makes women happy

"Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl 'Will you marry me?' The girl
said:'NO!' And the girl lived happily ever-after and went shopping,
dancing, camping, drank wine, always had a clean house, never had
to cook, did whatever the hell she wanted, never argued, didn't get
fat, traveled more, had many lovers, didn't save money, and had all
the hot water to herself. She went to the theater, never watched
sports, never wore friggin' lacy lingerie that went up her ass, had
high self esteem, never cried or yelled, felt and looked fabulous in
sweat pants and was pleasant all the time.

The End...hehe!"

Via Deena

Padosi

Mere padosi bhoot
ki haveli pe
taala lag gaya hai.

Lagta hai
koi insaan
rehne aaya hai.

KR, 2nd June, 2008

I am wiser.

The best way to get wiser, fast, is to ignore good advice. Take my advice on this.

Over this weekend, I was, for the first time ever, setting up a home by myself. Everything that had to be delivered, was delivered. The owner hadn't put in curtain rods, so I had to. Ignoring suggestions of going to a hardware store, I hopped into Home Centre and picked extendable rods (595 per rod) that I'd heard were a quick n easy solution. But with a cranky electrician and flimsy bolts, it turned out to be a chore. After two hours of tinkering and chipping off paint, I told the man to stop, and Dev and I walked to the nearest hardware store (plenty around thanks to film city), got simple white rods cut to size (500 rs in all) and installed it within half and hour. Dev kindly didn't say, I told you so.

Lesson One - Sometimes 'Installs Easily' just doesn't. And tough looking hardware stores do. And cheaply so. Tip: Never pay MRP in a hardware store, they're open to bargaining.

I was advised to move in, live on the floor if need be, but try and get a sense of the space before I bought furniture. I didn't see reason in waiting, when I had a fair idea of what I wanted, so went right ahead and bought what I wanted. Realised on Sunday that my bedroom would be too cramped with a chest of drawers in it. Thankfully, my kitchen needed storage, so it's gone there, and surprisingly is looking quite nice too.

Lesson Two: Live in the space, and then slowly get only what's necessary. Houses in Mumbai are merciless to blind extravagance. Oh, and yes, don't take anyone's word for it, measure your space precisely and then buy furniture.

With the help of my friend Dev, I moved around my furniture and slowly, the room started to look livable. Shut the door, and proceeded to hang my new lock on it, and realised that there's no latch on the door. I hadn't noticed till then. And the electrician and his drill had left by then.

Lesson Three: Don't assume the presence of anything. And always make a list of what needs to be fixed if you're calling help home. Or you'll be left with a lock and no latch to put it on.

This might seem obvious to some. But I've never had to do this before now, so it's all new to me. Some of the other advice I plan to take now - Don't buy anything more. If I can lessen it, better. First think of the cheapest option, and then work your way up. Most times, cheap is good. Be alert, be aware, ask questions, don't be pressurised into a decision. Go back and forth before you take a final decision. Time gives you better perspective, and you can be sure you've taken the decision you really wanted to.

Ever made a tape for your sweetheart?

Well this is a sweet site. It's got mix tapes that lovers have made for each other. Not only do they put their tapes up, they also write a bit about why and how and the memory of that time. Very sweet. Check it out here - http://www.cassettefrommyex.com/

Via Rajesh and Pallavi

Song stuck in your head, but don't know where it came from?

Find it at www.midomi.com. You just need to sing, hum or whistle a few bars into your computer microphone, and this online search engine can match the tune against its ever growing musical library. You then have the option to purchase the track and can connect with others who share the same musical interests.

Via Priyanka Nayak

Oshiwara Furniture Market

Went to the Oshiwara furniture market, twisted and turned and wedged through narrow passageways flanked by old, dusty furniture and bought myself a bed, a chest of drawers, a writers bureau and a cupboard. Hemal's bhabhi who's an interior designer, and a big help, helped me buy it all.

The furniture is old, wood and warm and homely. I wanted desperately to buy a four poster but it was very expensive. I'm still thinking maybe I should have. Hmm...

Will post pics when I take some. Also plan to visit Chor Bazaar sometime.

Ismat Aapa ke Naam

Director: Naseeruddin Shah
Venue: Prithvi
Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Heeba Shah

Summary: The play was a set of three monologues from Ismat Chugtai's works. Chui-Mui, Mughal Baccha and Gharwaali.

Review: Absolutely wonderful. The stories, as well as the performers. Simple sets that served the actors well. And delightful writing that makes me google Ismat and want to read her books.

Mumbai Update VII - I got my home.

Well, after many weeks of heartache and broker mismanagement, I have finally got my home. It has large windows but no view as such, vitrified tiles and yellow walls, and two bathrooms for one bedroom, so if I have friends or family over, it's convenient.

Now I need to do it up. Friends have been generous as hell, as I've already got a dining table, a fridge, an aqua guard and a bench. Now Im looking to get a bed, mattress and cupboard. My friend's bhabhi is an interior decorator and said that she'll come with me to buy a reasonable one from Oshiwara. So that's done. Father's transferring the airtel line here, so my net connection is taken care of. Now to get gas connection, set up my kitchen and get a maid and cook in place. Whew! This is fun. :)

Things to keep in mind while renting a flat.

I've been doing the rounds of apartments for the past month. Thought I should make a list of things I've learnt along the way.

1. Always try and speak to the owner. The broker speaking for you, or for the owner, always creates confusion.

2. Be very clear with the brokers about budget, deposit, company lease etc.

3. Don't get pressurised by brokers - they would like to put in minimum effort and get their money fast. It is in your interest to be absolutely satisfied with your apartment.

4. Get a clear idea of the area you're looking at - travel by local transport or car and judge actual distances to place of work. Sometimes, other options might emerge this way.

5. Follow up relentlessly.

Ever seen umm heard a verbal cartoon?

I love my share of Mark Twain and Woody Allen, but I loved the fact that this chap named the same thing a verbal cartoon. There's an entire website full of his work. It's called VerbalCartoonist.com

Via Sue

Mumbai Update VI - Bombay Heritage Walk

Woke up early on Sunday morning to get to Gateway of India, where ironically, like the British, our discovery of Mumbai would begin.

Mrugaya, from Bombay Heritage Walks (read about them in Time Out) took Parag, Vaishalee and me around. The weather started off pleasant and we went from Gateway to Yatch Club to Regal to David Sasoon Library to Mumbai University.

Tidbits - The British statues, those noble men on horses directing their fingers in strange directions, have not been battered by freedom fighters. They instead exacted poetic revenge and placed them all in the Byculla zoo. Jamshedji Tata built the Taj hotel after being refused entry at the now dilapitated Watson. Mumbai and Miami have the most Art Deco buildings in the world. A new term was recently coined to describe the mixed up architecture in the city - Bombay Gothic. A haunted house still stands on Wodehouse Road. James J Berkley was born on the same day as I was. (Don't ask me who he is. Important enough to have a bust at the David Sassoon Library.)

To be honest, we were disappointed. The guide was dry and spouted rehearsed lines. It ended without much adventure. And to to top it all, our walk cost us 500 bucks a head. I would not recommend it. Take a friend who's lived here long enough or walk with a book. It'd be better.

My friend Dev (worked on Black Friday, in Dharavi) has promised to be my guide for free next time around. His tour includes cutting, pav, lots of slush and the gritty side of Mumbai. I'm excited.

Shape Up Mom.

The glossies of Sunday Times, Mumbai carried four pages on Mother's Day. The focus was not so much on Mother's Love or what mothers go through raising a child, or a celebration of motherhood. Instead it was a ode to model moms who maintain their figures and look and behave more like sisters than moms. It left me very unsettled. As if moms didn't have enough on their hands. These few examples of well married, well moneyed moms who have help at their beck and call is worrying, as they make it seem so easy. I can see husbands and kids turning to their moms and wishing their model mom was a 'model' mom too. I like my mother the way she is - round and very huggable. I don't think a size zero would make me want to love her more.

Another article calculated how much moms would make if they had to be given a salary - 117,000 $. Tch Tch. Someone's worse than me at numbers.

One night at a call centre

The graveyard of books by my bedside just had one nirvanic moment when I finally managed to finish a book in ages - One Night at a Call Centre by Chetan Bhagat. Just for breaking my book jinx, it had to be written about.

It's a bathroom read, won't stress you with language or meaning or foresight. The good thing about writer Chetan Bhagat is that he writes about today, and today ought to be chronicled. You wish for depth and a keener understanding of the characters rather a paper puppet version you get to imagine, but the story doesn't demand it, and neither will the reader who probably picked it up to kill time in an airplane or a train. Or like me, used a shortcut to break a jinx.

The Can Film Festival

The Can Film festival, cheesy as the name is, is up to a lot of good. It's screening DiCaprio's ecological docu 'The 11th Hour' for free, to encourage UK cinema goers to recycle.

The most interesting thing to note though is that attendees are encouraged to bring along an empty drinks can to be recycled as part of the festival's effort to spread the word about changes that must be made to conserve the future of the world.

Via Time Out, London and Contactmusic.com

Gaiman Characters Smell

The Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab specialize, in their own words, in formulating body and household blends with a dark, romantic Gothic tone. Their scents run the aesthetic gamut of magickal, pagan and mythological blends, Renaissance, Medieval and Victorian formulas, and horror/Gothic-themed scents.

I came across their collection of perfumes for Neil Gaiman's characters and thought it was a great idea. Wonder why no one's ever tried it before for other fictional characters. Would Cinderella have top notes of soot and soapsuds and gentle mid notes of fairydust? Or Holmes hashish and tobacco. Anyone with a nose for the unique would surely sniff an opportunity here.

Iron Man (2008) - expensive to make, as expensive to watch

Stood at the ticket counter at Fun Republic, and asked for one ticket for the night show of Iron Man. The guy at the counter asked me to repeat myself twice - are you sure, only one?

Walked in, like a pro solitary moviest, with my gold ticket (180 bucks, only 20 bucks more than the silver, so...) bought a narrow tub of popcorn for 70 bucks (ulp), killed time with a black coffee and blueberry muffin (85 bucks and unpalatable) and realised how expensive watching a movie really is.

Walked into an near empty theatre with two rows of noisy NM College boys at the back and a smattering of people in the front. Just as I settled in with my bag and popcorn and shawl (Mumbai ac brrr...), a slide said 'stand up for the national anthem'. Stood up, watched Bala and Kanika's siachen film, heard the boys mutter and stumble over the words, and finally sat down to trailers of Speed Racer and Get Smart.

And then it began. The mad action adventure. Superhero stories are unbelievable but this one was utterly so. But it didn't matter. Robert Downey Jr (have to say the whole name to get who he is unlike Brad or Clooney or Depp)was good as Tony Starck and interesting to watch, Paltrow looked tired and out of place. Jon Favreau's made a slick movie, the music is great, but unlike most movies when one tends to get fascinated with superhero, I'm not in love with Iron Man. Tony Stark is way more magnetic.

Overheard by Moi - on growing older

Playwright Vijay Tendulkar when asked 'what makes him glad to be an adult'.

"There is nothing that makes me glad. In fact, when I was a kid, there were so many elders around. As I started growing up, the number of elders started decreasing, which is what I hated the most."

Via Tehelka

Mumbai Update V - I love mumbai

Some observations post getting back here...

Mumbai makes you power hungry. Even if you've lived in a small town all your life, and consider yourself a content person, a few days in the city is enough to clear all delusions of satisfaction.

Mumbai is an illogical city. Where fame, power and success are non-linear. Unlike cities that bank on IT, Banking to shoot up standard of living, Mumbai thrives on stock markets, films and real estate. All of which mean unplanned lives with unplanned successes. That people try, restlessly, to plan for.

Mumbai is original. The test of anything original is this - does it offer an experience that no one else does. Trains, Dhobhighaat, Dharavi, Crawford Market, Dabbawalas and 5 rupee sandwich is organic to Mumbai, so part of its bloodstream that it doesn't require the tourism ministry to rescue it. Pirated cities built in a giffy on aluminium cladding and glass might be a great idea, but it will never earn the status of a unique culture.

Mumbai stinks.Everywhere you go, there's an all pervading smell you cannot shake off. Maybe that's why they don't have balconies in houses here. But amidst the odors is a vibe that keeps you going.

Mumbai makes you dream. They say that people come to the city with dreams, but I think even those without imagination learn to dream in the city. For every cynical person, there are a dozen dreamers here.

Mumbai keeps you moving.From women cutting vegetables on the train on their back home to no one stopping to just chat for a while, Mumbai keeps you from wasting seconds. To save it all, for more rushing around.

Bored? Need something to do?

Artists Miranda July and Harrell Fletcher got together to post a whole load of interesting, quirky, fun assignments on their website Learning to Love You More.

Accept an assignment, complete it by following simple but specific instructions, send in the required report (photograph, text, video, etc), and see your work posted on-line.

Your assignment could also be part of presentations they do across America. Since it's inception in 2002, over 5000 people have participated in the project.

My friend Sue sent me the link to Miranda's lovely website http://noonebelongsheremorethanyou.com/

ABCD

Absolutely love this.

Onlne Music Streaming

My music is on my old comp, and the files haven't been transferred yet. So, have asked a couple of friends to send across music, and am tuning onto online music streaming sites to fill in the rest. Found three good and one promising site to listen to music online.

http://www.finetune.com/
You can make your own tapes, embed them onto your blog or website or mail them to your friends. My tape -http://www.finetune.com/playlist/2184687

http://last.fm
It tells you the artists that are like the artists you like to listen to, gives you a little dope on each one of them and is pretty handy.

www.musicovery.com
It's a mindmap, and connects one artist or one genre to another. Very interesting to see where you end up.

http://www.accuradio.com
Recommended by a friend, haven't used it yet.

Ticket to ride!

Friends of a friend of mine, a couple working in the garment industry, quit their job, packed their bags, locked their house, and took their Santro on a ride. No destination in mind, except a promise to keep traveling till their money ran out. This was their route map.

Bangalore - Hampi - Goa - Ganapatiphule - Pune - Ellora - Ajanta - Ujjain - Udaipur - Chittorgarh - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Bikaner - Amritsar - Mc Leodganj - Nagrota - Srinagar - Sonamarg - Kargil - Nimmu - Leh - Sarchu - Keylong - Kaza - Tabo - Nako - Kalpa - Narkanda - Kasauli - Mussorie - Lansdowne - Corbett City - Nainital - Aligarh - Agra - Lucknow - Khajuraho - Allahabad - Beneras - Bodhgaya - Shantiniketan - Kolkata - Malda - Balurghat - Kurseong - Jaldapara - Guwahati - Shillong - Guwahati - Siliguri - Behrampore - Kolkata - Similipal - Bhadrak - Chilika - Vizag - Ongole - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Madurai - Kanyakumari - Varkala - Periyaar - Coonoor - Bangalore

18,673 km, 114 days, 20 states, 61 stops. Whew!

On my wallpaper today: Melissa Moss Art

Melissa quit a publishing job that stifled her to study color psychology and during her course work, she discovered her true passion - painting. I love the atmosphere that she creates in her art. Each painting has such a definite mood.
Via Ambika
http://www.melissamossart.com/gallery3.htm

Overheard by Moi: Mythology and Lord McCaulay

"Please don't use the word 'mythology'. It's a post-colonial hangover. The British in order to keep us subservient to them had to make our culture look inferior. So Lord McCaulay (he introduced English education in India) started using the term mythology when referring to Indian religion or culture. But myth you see is a lie. Now would you do that with the Bible for instance? Is Jesus mythology? Or was he real?"

- B Viswanatha Reddi, editor, Chandamama
Via Mumbai Mirror

Idea a Day - Something to show for all the sweat

I'm part of a mailing list called Idea a Day that mails out ideas from people across the world. Some are sweet, some are entertaining, some you wish could come true and some seem like why the hell hasn't this been done yet! This is one of those. :)

Idea A Day
Where Ideas Are Free

Welcome to Day 2801

Produce an exercise T-shirt that, when soaked with sweat, would reveal the amount of calories burnt off or, perhaps, the image of a food product with the equivalent calorie content. If a person works out hard enough - and perspires sufficiently - they would eventually end up with a shirt full of images (or numbers). The shirt would boost morale, encouraging people to exercise for longer periods of time.

day 2801 by Sean Chilvers

Mumbai Update IV - "Don't Worry"

There is a time when these two words are a solace, and there is a time when it's just plain unnecessary. I admit I am worried about sealing an apartment and moving into it. But the worry is more practical than emotional. Till I don't do that I am living out of suitcases, and that's not pleasant. Thus, talking about my apartment woes is not a stress thing. So my dear friends, 'don't worry'. :)

Post an Asian Paints meeting at Andheri East, I ventured to Infinity Mall in Andheri West and decided that InOrbit is a much better Mall. And hopefully Oberoi (the one next to my office) will be even better. Purely selfish reasons. Went to a party post that, where the hosts and their guests cooked. And cooked for four hours, amidst mayhem and lots of laughter. Heard make-up-your-songs Antakshari for the first time in my life, and watched a hilarious version of the Mahabharata enacted by someone. I even discovered Sudoku on my phone in dull moments in between. So all in all, it was a good day.

Mumbai Update III - The apartment woes

The hunt continues. Met the 15K apartment owner Major Singh. Cordial chap. We almost sealed the deal, when I got told that the office doesn't pay deposit for flats that the owner is still paying emi for. And like 90% of flats in developing areas in Mumbai, this one is. So that narrows my options down to dingy, thin walled, rickety staircased tiny nothings which can't even be called owned, more like survived. I went around the last few days and saw more of them. Getting stuck in a depressing apartment is far scarier than the reality of watching days go by without finding one. So I'm standing my ground, and driving my brokers to look for more.

The new issue of TimeOut is out. They ve done famous family trees, and its funny how so many famous people are related to so many other famous people. Is there a famous gene? (Apart from Hackman and Kelly, in case my punster friends are quickly typing out comments)

Overheard by Moi: Holi in Manipur

Holi in Manipur is celebrated for a week.

DAY 1, Evening : Every neighborhood makes a hut and burns it in the evening, to signify burning of Holika (Good over evil)- Kids rush to houses and the first one gets some puja and blesses the lady in the house (they get money) - then they venture to all houses till the next day morning.

DAY 2 - Temple troupes from the entire state (villages , towns, etc) come and get a few minutes each to perform on the old royal temple.

Games/sports are organized in every locality - old to young participate.

Teenagers block roads and allow people/vehicles to pass only after money is given - funded towards a get together etc

And in some places at moonlit nights, guys and girls alternating, do a traditional dance around in a circle, holding hands, I guess it was a like courting/socializing event.

That's Holi in Manipur.""

Via Bilat

On my wishlist

Shady Lace The umbrella casts shadows of branches and leaves on the ground.
Via http://www.chriskabel.com/

Tea Brewer - The Eva Solo design utilizes a solid metal cup that when depressed fully encases the leaves, preventing further steeping and the tea from becoming bitter. The fabric cover or “tea-shirt” keeps the tea hot and accentuates the sleek lines of the glass jug as well as protects the pourer’s hand and the table from heat. The “shirt” comes in a variety of colors and materials.
Via http://www.urbanzeitgeist.com and http://evasolo.dk


Twilight Lamp
Via http://www.chiasso.com/


Missing Chairs from Nobody&Co


Almost anything GeorgeGinaLucy

Mumbai Update II - Happy Vishu!

Woke up this morning, and cupped my hands to my eyes, expecting mother to lead me to the Vishu Kanni, only to realise I wasn't home this Vishu. So peeped at the sunrise instead. It was warm and bright.

It's been a week since I've been in Mumbai, and it doesn't feel like like a week. Guess even time doesn't stop to rest here, much like its people. But in this hustle, I've found calm spaces in half empty trains, watching people let a bunch of wheels substitute the steady rush of their feet.

The house that I loved and lived in, in my head, is gone. Some other broker was the main guy on it, and he had his people to give it to. Felt peeled of memories I haven't even lived. Silly, but the city makes personal space worth lusting for. :) Peeked and squirmed at six or seven more apartments, and shortlisted two that I could transform to make comfortable. Both are out of my budget, one at 13k and the other at 15k. The 15 k is a better building, has better access to the main road and my office. Spoke to the legal department here. They will speak to the brokers and figure the lease thing out. So fingers crossed again. :)

p.s.: Was feeling a bit hungry post 11. So asked for something to eat. Breakfast is served in the narrow common area en mass, and is consumed in seconds, so if I'm late, I need to call to get a sandwich. And the guys on the other end have the memory of a goldfish. Apparently the canteen folk here speak Kannada, and Kapil gets a ear in cause he speaks the language. Can't believe I come to Mumbai and have to learn Kannada. lol.

Answers to questions that strike you on a lazy summer afternoon.

Came across this site by Cecil Adams called The Straight Dope. It features, among other things, questions that have puzzled people, and Cecil sort of tells them why. His answers are always enlightening, tongue in cheek and very entertaining. Pasted the basic answers here, for the funny bits, check his site.

How does a fly land upside down on the ceiling? On approaching the ceiling, and while still flying right side up, flies extend their forelegs over their heads till they can grab a landing spot with the suction cups in their feet. Their momentum then enables them to swing their hind legs up, like a gymnast on a trapeze. Result: inverted fly, home and dry.





Can trees live forever?All trees die eventually, of course. Trees endure as long as they do basically because they're non-hierarchical organisms. In animals, all vital functions are controlled by the central nervous system, the guiding element of which is the brain. When the brain dies, so does the animal. By contrast, vital functions in trees are decentralized. A large part of the tree can die, and indeed routinely does die, without killing off the tree as a whole. Most of a mature tree is dead except for a few layers under the bark.

Why do wet things look darker than dry things?\When something is wet, light bounces around inside it more (as opposed to merely bouncing off the surface) before being reflected back to the eye. The more the light bounces, the more of it gets absorbed, the less reaches the eye, and the darker the object appears. The reason the light bounces more is that the moisture increases the average scattering angle of the light particles. When the photons strike the surface of the wet material most of them bounce forward and hence deeper into the stuff rather than backward toward the eye.

Via Guruprasad and Murli

Answers courtesy http://www.straightdope.com

THINGS FOR SALE THAT I WILL MAIL YOU.

This is an amazingly quirky idea. David Horvitz, an art student, has a website, where he promises to to do things for others in return for money. But the things he promises are the quirkiest I've ever heard of. If I lived in the US, I would have definitely given this guy some money.

This is an excerpt from his site:

"If you give me $250 I will buy you a PO Box in New York for a whole year. I will mail you the key. Throughout the year I will mail letters and things to the PO Box. I am hoping that you don't live in New York, and that where ever you are in the world you will know that there is a small PO Box in New York amassing with little things for you. You will come to New York before the year is up and collect the little pile. Since PO Boxes are small, it will be a small collection, so I will only mail things when I feel there is something special to send.

* Nigel Maister has a PO Box at Cooper Station in New York until 2/28/09
* Jessica Shade has a PO Box at Grand Central Station in New York until 2/28/09
* Bernice McDonnell has a PO Box at the Knickerbocker Station until (they didn't give me an expiration date - I assume one year from 3-14-08)
* Marloes Lasker has a PO Box at the Knickerbocker Station until (they didn't give me an expiration date - I assume one year from 3-14-08)"

See all that is for sale on his website.

Via Shami

Water Water everywhere, not a drop to spare.

AabidSurti, the national award winner and creator of Bahadur Comics, takes a plumber around the flats in Mira Road every Sunday, and fixes leaking taps for free. He says "A tap that drips once every second wastes about 1000 litres of water every month". So he, with a friend Tejal Shah started DropDead, an NGO to raise awareness about water conservation. They are keen that others take up this initiative to other areas as well. Fantastic! www.aabidsurti.com, email him at dropdeadmira@gmail.com or call him on 9920099373

Via Time Out Magazine

Mumbai Update

It's been almost six days in Mumbai city. Here's a run down on what's been up so far.

Friday: Landed at midnight after hovering over the city lights due to air congestion, or should that be land congestion. Hemal came to pick me up. Met Vaishu and Maasi. Crashed.
Saturday: Woke up, fixed up with broker Vikas Jain, and went hunting for apartments in Goregaon East where the new Ogilvy office will be.
I wonder if early man was picky about his food, or did he just eat what he found. I couldn't digest half the apartments I saw for my 10K budget. Too small. Too dirty. Too many staircases without lifts. Too Indian looish. Sigh. Said bye when I has squeezed the last apartment off his roster, and took an auto, train, auto to Turner Road. Turned into the road, and felt like I was home. Sadly, someone's else home, as rentals are not less than 25k for a 1BHK. Had delicious prawn and mushroom risotto with Kaps and Mona at Just around the corner. Went to Shoppers Stop and then drove to their place. Had standing dinner outside Mithibai College (the roadside cheese dosas, vada pav and babycorn rolls are yum). Back home by 12.
< The new Ogilvy Office building

Sunday: House hunting again. Only this time he showed me something that got my heart beating a little faster. By the time we left the flat, I'd already spent a day lazing around, danced around on a rainy morning and spent a sunset with a cup of tea by the window in my mind. Sigh. I want this house. Got Kaps and Mona and Payal to see the place. They loved it too. rent 13k. out of my budget, but this is the house. Heard that the owner was out of town, so will wait till Saturday when he gets back. Left. We all drove to Malad to InOrbit and HyperCity. Apt name considering the consumerist vibe everywhere. Rushed from there to Prithvi for Bali and Shambu. Decent play. The guy who played Bali was good. Went to Little Italy for dinner. I took a cab by myself at 12 in the night. Finally it sunk in that I was in Mumbai.

Monday: First day at work. Met my boss. Chilled out chap. He gave me the day off. I met all the familiar faces around, a fair bit, I realised. Parag, my AAC buddy took me to lunch at Pheonix Mills, LemonGrass. We ended it with ice cream at Naturals. Then I went home. Chatted with Vaishu. Took a train to VT. Ambled around, soaked in the old structures and the dark walkways all the way to Churchgate. Went to Bodhi art gallery. Met Dev and his friends. It was a strawberry and chocolates and wine do for Atul Dodiya's Pale Landscapes. It paled so much I couldn't see the merit in having a showing for it. disappointed, we rushed to Churchill for dinner, and Theobroma for yummy dessert. Kosty called. He was in town. Dev and I went to Bandra, met up with him. Went to Out of the blue, (lovely place that would be lovelier in Bangalore weather) where we chatted as Kosty had delicious dinner. Then went to Toto's to meet Dev's friends. Good vibe, good music. Then broke up the party and parted ways. Got home at 2.

Tuesday: Work. Got briefed on something. Spent the day getting access card and comp and things set thanks to Clemmie. Plans were to go to Blue Frog in the evening but got cancelled. Went to Juhi's cosy apartment, met Dipti and spent some time there. Got back, had yummy enchiladas that Vaishu had made and snoozed.

Wednesday: Work. Met Asian Paints client in the evening. Home and kulfi and conversation.

Thursday: Finally updated blog. ok.ok. I do miss all my dear Bangalore lot. :)

Lakme Fashion Week 2008 - My Favourites

Sabyasachi Mukherjee - Sabyasachi said that his line is inspired by "plastic farmlands and sugary brothels". Words as eccentric as his collection.



RimZim Dadu - My Village is an interesting mix of weaves.






Vivek KumarI love the pockets and the idea of a future being more organic than metallic.







Geetika - Titled 'The Fold', Gen Next designer Geetika Gulia's line is designed to travel. All the perma-pleated outfits and accessories fold up to the size of a single pleat and can fit into a wallet. Godsent in lost baggage and frequent flyer times.


Anand Kabra - Inspired by Malena, a young widow who's wanted by every man and envied by every woman. Very feminine and ethereal. Love the black blouse over the turquoise saree.



Narendra Kumar - Mensline - Love the use of colors and models.



Via rediff.com

Overheard by Moi: How facebook is like Ikea.

"They get their customers to do the work—and to enjoy doing it."

by Tim Harford, a columnist for the Financial Times and author of The Undercover Economist, and The Logic of Life.

The entire article here.

On my wishlist

Via Ajesh and CoolHunter

Ideal Cubicle. Isn't that like saying ideal prison cell?

Scott Adams approached IDEO to create Dilbert's Ultimate Cubicle, an attempt to address the myriad issues connected with partition-based offices. The result is a modular cubicle that allows each worker to select the components and create a space based on his or her tastes and lifestyle.

Via Ramesh

http://www.ideo.com/dilbert/index.htm

Three reviews - Olive, Giancarlos, Sunnys

Olive Beach
Location: Wood Street
Dinner for two: 3000

REVIEW: We ordered SweetBeet salad (lots of diff flavours), Tomato Tart (would have preferred them as mini tarts), plum tomato and chicken rissoto (very well flavoured) and John Dory fish(fresh and light). We skipped dessert and had chamomile andkahlua and cinnamon coffee. And were surprised with some chocotini served complimentary to us.

VERDICT: The portions are generous, and the food very tasty. This beach is worth drowning in.

Rating out of five stars -
Ambience: ****
Food: ****
Service: ****
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Giancarlos
Location: Lavelle Road
Lunch for three: 3400

REVIEW: The restaurant is geared to create more conversation about Giancarlo than his food. The walls have his mug smiling cheesily like an Italian hero wooing you. The bar has a plaster of paris
bust that looks like it came from a flea market. The loo has articles
on him for wallpaper. I'm surprised the plates are not hand painted
portraits of his. The menu hasGiancarlos's favourites and his Chef's
favourites, and they almost always pick diff things - not a heartening
sign. The food is pretty to look at, but tastes just aboutok . The
serving staff is quick to prattle off a 'Italians don't have herb
butter with their bread, that's french' and loftily hand us olive oil
and vinegar. The dessert (Panacotta and Milk Chocolate something) was good.

VERDICT: Too self consumed to make his food worth consuming

Rating out of five stars -
Ambience: ****
Food: **
Service: ***
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunnys
Location: Lavelle Road

REVIEW:I'd thought I'd grown bored of eating out. All the food across restaurants starts to taste the same, and in doing justice to the recipe, chefs don't seem to add that special something that will make the dish a must-come-back for. Till I ate at Sunnys last week and discovered almond crusted fillet of fish in a bed of leek cream. Gosh. Yummy. And I finished it with hazelnut meringue pie. Even more yummy. Individual taste, and not easy to replicate.

VERDICT: The best meal I've had in a long time.

Rating out of five stars -
Ambience: ****
Food: *****
Service: ****

Useful Forwards: Ten ways to stop those credit card sales, mobile companies, insurance calls from irritating you.

1. After the telemarketer finishes speaking, ask him/her to marry you.

2. Tell the telemarketer you are busy at the moment, and ask him/her, if he/she will give you his/her home phone number so you can call him/her back.

3. Ask them to repeat everything they say, several times.

4. Tell them it is dinnertime, BUT ask if they would please hold. Put them on your speaker phone while you continue to eat at your leisure. Smack your food loudly and continue with your dinner conversation.

5. Tell them that all business goes through your agent, and hand the phone to your five year old child.

6. Tell them you are hard of hearing and that they need to speak up.... louder... louder... louder!

7. If they start out with, 'How are you today?', say 'I'm so glad you asked, because no one these days seems to care, and I have all these problems...'

8. Tell them to speak very slowly because you want to write every word down.

9. Cry out in surprise, 'Helen, is that you? I've been hoping you'd call! How is the family?' When they insist they are not Helen, tell them to stop joking. This works especially well if the telemarketer is really MALE.

10. Tell the ICICI call centre guy to call on your office number - and give him the HSBC call centre number.

Via Guruprasad.

Rayirath Lexicon: Subtitling the mind

Subtitling the mind - adjective - when one person puts into words what someone else might be thinking at that time. The word could be positive or negative depending on usage. The word mind can be interchanged with other words.

Origin: from foreign language films that have subtitles for people who don't understand the language.

Usage:
"Stop subtitling my mind."
"He could probably understand him better if he stopped subtitling his client's mind."
"She was a terrible communicator, and it was great that her boss could often subtitle her silence."

Beware of the New Santro Motor Driving School

New Santro Motor Driving School.
Address: No 90, 16th A Manin Road, 7th Cross, Koramangala. Near BDA Complex.

Stay away from these guys. They are thoroughly unprofessional, have unreliable instructors and after getting their money, might not even complete your full driving course. I joined up with them, and had a terrible experience. The instructor stopped coming after six sessions, I was told he was ill, and a new guy came for one hurried session, after which I haven't had a class for two weeks. No one in their office picks up their mobiles either. And today, as I waited for an auto to get to work, I saw my instructor taking someone else for a ride. Grrr! Wish I had, like my sensible friends Ashima and Rajesh, joined the very professional Maruti Driving School instead.

Useful Forwards - Slow Down

"The first time I was in Sweden, one of my colleagues picked me up

at the hotel every morning. It was September, bit cold and snowy. We

would arrive early at the company and he would park far away from

the entrance (2000 employees drive their car to work). The first day, I

didn't say anything, either the second or third. One morning I

asked, 'Do you have a fixed parking space? I've noticed we park far from

the entrance even when there are no other cars in the lot.' To which he

replied, 'Since we're here early we'll have time to walk, and

whoever gets in late will be late and need a place closer to the door.

Don't you think?"

Many of us live our lives running behind time, but we only reach it when we die of a heart attack or in a car accident rushing to be on time. Others are so anxious of living the future that they forget to live the present, which is the only time that truly exists.

P.S: The forward talks about the slow down and slow food movement in Europe and how taking your time to do things is being encouraged. Mail me or leave a comment with your email id if you'd like the entire mail.

Hampi - first pics

Spent this weekend at Hampi - a place I have wanted to visit for a long time. Writing my travelogue, it should be up in a few days, along with all the pics. Here's a first view of some pictures.
Kiran Guest House
Mango Tree
River Bank
Four at the ruins

Food review: Spaghetti Kitchen

Location: Lido Mall
Cuisine: Italian
Lunch for two: Rs. 1200

REVIEW: What would one call good food? One where the chef managed to do justice to the recipe, or one where he added his own touch to make it so unique that you have to come back for it and recommend it to everyone you know. If it's the latter, and I believe it ought to be, then Spaghetti Kitchen is not up to the mark. We ordered crisp Garlic Bread, average Farfelle Olio Aglio (Sue loved it tho) and insipid Wood Grilled Pomfret with lemon butter and arabiata sauce (the pomfret, we were told was imported, and probably had a tasteless afterlife). The saving grace was the yummy Tiramisu. To be fair, our friends at the next table loved their Vodka Pasta and sizzling brownie, and said they would go back.

VERDICT: The credit card machine and the coffee maker wasn't working, nor was most of the food.

Rating out of five stars -
Ambience: ** 1/2
Food: **
Service: **

Overheard by Moi - I do. Brrrr.

"Get hitched in Antarctica. The penguins always come well dressed" - Lonely Planet Great Journeys Issue

Antarctic wedding video here.

On my wallpaper today - Castle in the Pyrenees

This is a painting I could stare at forever - my absolute favourite.

Created by Rene Magritte, a 20th century Belgian surrealist painter, who loves to mislead the conscience by paradoxes and contrasts.
He said that "If the dream is atranslation of waking life, waking life is also a translation of thedream." and "Mypainting is visible images which conceal nothing.. they evoke mysteryand indeed when one sees one of my pictures, one asks oneself thissimple question 'What does that mean'? It does not mean anything,because mystery means nothing either, it is unknowable."
His other famous works include Golconda, The treachery of images and Son of Man.

More about Magritte here.

3 a.m. amateur art.

It's been a long time since I touched canvas and paint. Sat up and painted something to fill the blank walls of my room last night.

No Hallmark tears here!

Say it like it is. Quirky, mad, tongue n cheek e cards.


http://www.someecards.com/

Via http://www.swissmiss.typepad.com

People I know and the interesting things they re doing online.

Vinod Lal

www.treesforfree.org

Trees for Free was started by Janet in memory of her husband. She plants trees across Bangalore and tends and waters and protects the saplings, so that the city is not left barren thanks to growth and technology. Vinod (Meridian Advertising) works and writes and brainstorms for Janet, to create as much support and word of mouth for her cause as possible.


Bhavik Gandhi

www.bhavik.com

Bhavik just completed a solo row across the Atlantic, and every day of that journey was documented on the web, thanks to his blog. He now plans to circumnavigate the globe by completing a 30,000 mile round-the-world single-handed yacht race.

Dev Hazarika

www.techindicator.com

"Technical analysis of the Indian stock market made easy by identifying candlestick patterns and calculating indicators like support & resistance levels and bollinger bands without having to download or make complex software settings. Featuring besides the Nifty 50 stocks are the Gold and Nifty Benchmarks."

Blaiq

http://blaiq.typepad.com/misentropy/ten_things/index.html

ten things i didn't know until last week is a list of ten interesting things that Blaiq regularly sends out to his mailing list. His main MisEntropy blog is an interesting read too.

Kavita Arvind

www.flotsamnweeds.blogspot.com

Chidiya Udd is the new company that Kavita's formed, and her blog is filled with sketches that will go onto the children book she's currently writing. So her blog, is more like a test page before the book hits the print shop.

Suzanna Kurian

www.link-e-link.blogspot.com

Sue's a magical gopher who finds the most interesting sites ever. And blogs them all here. It's a net beaver's dream.

http://qhome.tumblr.com/

This is her idea of a perfect home, and what she'd like to see in it.

The room is done.

What I started off with:


What it looks like: (taken on my N72 in minimal light, so pardon the terrible photography)

7 years in Ogilvy on March 15th '08. The Ides of March are here.

What my colleagues and friends had to say.

"Wow!"

"most of the furniture in office must be younger than you"

"you must've seen 3-4 generations of macs changing"

"Don't sound so happy. You oug