In 1999, I graduated with a SSC degree! It was a wonderful year, and I LOVED every second of my tenth grade... being seniors, on the verge of stepping into the adult world and to say nothing about the summer vacation I had to look forward to! Despite my best intentions, those memories faded away to be replaced by exciting things life brought to me in my undergraduate years. This wasn’t surprising considering that some of the best moments of my life happened in 2001! I turned 18 and learnt to drive, could vote, received my first cell phone (was uncommon back then), had another fabulous holiday! So you can only imagine how and why my grey cells recycled the ‘carefree moments’ of my childhood and adolescence and replaced them with these ‘exciting, novel’ experiences! As time passed, and the pressures of adulthood proved tedious, my brain metamorphosed and released those precious memories of my past again!
This week, I met an old friend after a long time that revived some more of those old memories.... when I did not have a justifiable worry in the world, when life was simpler, when summer vacations existed and so did the concept of pocket money!
And as I sat in the bus thinking of those days of uniforms, scary test papers, school bells, lunch breaks, dabbas, awful canvass shoes, geometry sets... I felt like I was 12 again and when the bus reached the stop... I found myself skipping all the way to work humming to my radio!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Shutter Island - An Review
SHUTTER ISLAND .............Was a complete surprise!
Betrayal, insanity, commitment, friendship and humanity!
This is a fantastic thriller that keeps the viewer glued to the seat holding on to each word...guessing till the very last minute! Shutter Island is an explosive combination of a superb storyline, spectacular performances and a tight screenplay! The twist keeps the viewer riveted on the spot, oscillating between two impossible possibilities....each more farfetched than the other!
Di Caprio has done it again, gotten into character and convinced the audience of the conspiracy shroud that clouds “shutter island” home to the criminally insane. He convincingly plays the part of the brave detective, one who will do anything to expose the questionable tactics in play at the asylum. His 2 day journey to find the elusive man comes to fruition with shocking results! The wife’s betrayal, followed by the couple's insanity that tests DiCaprio and his partner’s friendship, questioning their commitment to the case they are diligently following for the sake of humanity!
Madly in Love with Moonsoons
June was my favorite time of the year... yes loved it more than my birthday month!
All because of the onset of moonsoons.. they were our prize for enduring the blistering summer, that left us almost shriveled and aching for the rains to bless us again!
The first rain of the season usually lasted for a short time and sneaked upon us in the middle of the night, its wondrous pattering drowned by the air conditioner's humming! The damp, clean roads were a dead give away in addition to the cool breeze that swept past us carrying the indescribable smell of "after rains"! Aaah... total bliss... the moonsoon is here!!! The season of overcast skies, gentle breeze, rain, rainbows, hot cuppa chais and bhajiyas and the waterfalls disappearing among the fog and mist!
It was also the start of the new year. New books, new dresses, new teachers who we hoped were oblivious to our 'shortcomings' and 'pranks'! The excitement was heightened by the weather which caused delays and at times flooded our schools and colleges... gifting us an impromptu holiday! I vividly remember the graveyard opposite our school grounds which had turned green in a week and did not look spooky anymore... despite the weird noise the wind made when it echoed across it! I have clearer memories of the lush lawn and hillocks around my college that looked fresh after a morning shower, making it impossible to attend classes... so a group of friends decided to cut class for the day and visit Khandala! This was one of the best vacations of my life! We were supposed to go to college, and a dear friend was supposed to pick me up from the station, because it was pouring. We were practically drenched and in no mood of sitting through whatever our first class was about.. when someone said "lets go to Khandala"! Without a second thought we rushed there and had a simply fabulous trip. "Bushi dam", countless little waterfalls and a very good meal later we rushed back home. Every year we reminisce about this trip and wish we could turn back time and go there again!
So for those of you in my beloved Bombay, do visit Khandala and send me pics! :) OR simply stroll around Marine drive and catch a afternoon show at regal! Have fun my friends... dekho barish ho rahi hain...!! :) :) :)
All because of the onset of moonsoons.. they were our prize for enduring the blistering summer, that left us almost shriveled and aching for the rains to bless us again!
The first rain of the season usually lasted for a short time and sneaked upon us in the middle of the night, its wondrous pattering drowned by the air conditioner's humming! The damp, clean roads were a dead give away in addition to the cool breeze that swept past us carrying the indescribable smell of "after rains"! Aaah... total bliss... the moonsoon is here!!! The season of overcast skies, gentle breeze, rain, rainbows, hot cuppa chais and bhajiyas and the waterfalls disappearing among the fog and mist!
It was also the start of the new year. New books, new dresses, new teachers who we hoped were oblivious to our 'shortcomings' and 'pranks'! The excitement was heightened by the weather which caused delays and at times flooded our schools and colleges... gifting us an impromptu holiday! I vividly remember the graveyard opposite our school grounds which had turned green in a week and did not look spooky anymore... despite the weird noise the wind made when it echoed across it! I have clearer memories of the lush lawn and hillocks around my college that looked fresh after a morning shower, making it impossible to attend classes... so a group of friends decided to cut class for the day and visit Khandala! This was one of the best vacations of my life! We were supposed to go to college, and a dear friend was supposed to pick me up from the station, because it was pouring. We were practically drenched and in no mood of sitting through whatever our first class was about.. when someone said "lets go to Khandala"! Without a second thought we rushed there and had a simply fabulous trip. "Bushi dam", countless little waterfalls and a very good meal later we rushed back home. Every year we reminisce about this trip and wish we could turn back time and go there again!
So for those of you in my beloved Bombay, do visit Khandala and send me pics! :) OR simply stroll around Marine drive and catch a afternoon show at regal! Have fun my friends... dekho barish ho rahi hain...!! :) :) :)
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Iron Man 2!
What springs to your mind when it reads the words Iron Man 2?? For those of you who have seen its precursor.. Robert Downey’s face lights up the memory as he smiles rather smugly before flying off into the sky in a red metallic suit! For others...picture forms of a lumbering crude metal robot that is neither agile nor intellectually capable of doing anything but swing Neanderthal weapons around. For the latter group... I kind of envy you guys because you will enter the cinema hall with a blank slate and be genuinely surprised and equally impressed with a sleek machine and a radiant heart that swoons in and transforms to a charismatic and ostentatious billionaire Tony Stark.
Stark, a prodigy whose lineage boasts of innovations in weaponry developed the concept of a single fighter man with flying prowess, an impenetrable shield and other innumerable assets to protect America and her interests against threats both foreign and domestic. Stark actually makes the perfect poster boy to "glamorize" the otherwise dorky research world!
Seething with arrogance and complacency Stark went around what he thought were his last days attempting to live his life to the fullest when his vacation was cut short by a savage beast wearing a suit very similar to the one Stark created.
The audience gets a glimpse of the self assured man’s vulnerabilities and proof of that he did care inspite of portraying a devil may care attitude. From then on the movie takes on a full throttle and action scenes and special effects take the front seat for the rest of the adrenaline shot ride.
I walked out of the theatre smiling and completely high on adrenaline that raced through my veins temporarily deceiving me to believe that I too could swivel around and kick some ass! The icy cold wind rudely knocked my sense back to place as I scrambled back to the car with the smile intact on my face!
Go watch it my friends!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Twisted ideas to save the world!
Following was emailed to me!
Recently there has been debate in national press relating to human beings' total life impact on the environment. Studies have shown that although people with unhealthy lifestyles (lack of exercise, excessive drinking, smoking and unhealthy eating) do consume slightly more resources per day than fit and healthy people, they do not live as long on average, and therefore will consume less of the earth's resources over their total lifespan.
For example, the 2004 Surgeon General's Report on the Health Consequences of Smoking states "During 1995-1999, smoking caused approximately 440,000 premature deaths in the United States annually, leading to 13.2 years of potential life lost for male smokers, and 14.5 years lost for female smokers". This represents an 18% reduction in average life expectancy, and infers a similar reduction in the total amount of resources used.
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/smokingconsequences/
Although we are not actively advocating for an unhealthy lifestyle, know that by reaching for a Guinness or Twinkie, or just skipping the gym for a few days, you could in the long run be having a positive effect on the environment!
Recently there has been debate in national press relating to human beings' total life impact on the environment. Studies have shown that although people with unhealthy lifestyles (lack of exercise, excessive drinking, smoking and unhealthy eating) do consume slightly more resources per day than fit and healthy people, they do not live as long on average, and therefore will consume less of the earth's resources over their total lifespan.
For example, the 2004 Surgeon General's Report on the Health Consequences of Smoking states "During 1995-1999, smoking caused approximately 440,000 premature deaths in the United States annually, leading to 13.2 years of potential life lost for male smokers, and 14.5 years lost for female smokers". This represents an 18% reduction in average life expectancy, and infers a similar reduction in the total amount of resources used.
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/
Although we are not actively advocating for an unhealthy lifestyle, know that by reaching for a Guinness or Twinkie, or just skipping the gym for a few days, you could in the long run be having a positive effect on the environment!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Banned from Walmart..
This is why women should not take men shopping against their will.
After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunately, my wife is like most women - she loved to browse.
Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local Wal-Mart:
Dear Mrs. Gilbert
Over the past six months, your husband has been causing quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against Mr. Gilbert are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras .
1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts when they weren't looking.
2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minut e intervals.
3. July 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.
4 July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away.'
5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&M's on layaway.
6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told other shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department.
8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'
9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.
10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were..
11.. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the ' Mission Impossible' theme.
12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels.
13.. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through yelled, 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'
14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed, 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'
And last, but not least...
15. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here!'
Sincerely,
Wal-Mart
This is way too funny NOT to share!
After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunately, my wife is like most women - she loved to browse.
Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local Wal-Mart:
Dear Mrs. Gilbert
Over the past six months, your husband has been causing quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against Mr. Gilbert are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras .
1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts when they weren't looking.
2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minut e intervals.
3. July 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.
4 July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away.'
5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&M's on layaway.
6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told other shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department.
8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'
9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.
10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were..
11.. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the ' Mission Impossible' theme.
12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels.
13.. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through yelled, 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'
14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed, 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'
And last, but not least...
15. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here!'
Sincerely,
Wal-Mart
This is way too funny NOT to share!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Superstitous ME!
The west is superstitious too and I have willingly fallen prey to this superstition!
Groundhog is a adorable creature who is famous for his ability to predict the onset of spring. Tradition dictates that on the 2nd of February, the groundhog is lured out of his home. If this furry animal sees its own shadow and scampers back in, spring is pronounced to be 6 weeks away!
Long long ago.. this custom originated in a land we now call Germany. The then Europeans depended on the Bagder's role of oracle as he predicted the onset of spring and set their farming clock accordingly. When the Germans migrated to Pennsylvania the Badger's role was taken over by Groundhogs native to the region. And the tradition has stuck ever since.
So the enthusiastic ME has become the superstitious ME as I eagerly await Spring which my furry little friend says is 6 weeks away! :)
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