Paradise Now, here and ever (in every sense)!!!

Weekends are some of my favorite times. Times when I pick up a nice flick to spend time with my hubby! I have already detailed some of these rare moments from my book of life, through blogs and not and so to carry forward the tradition, the last weekend was spend with no difference from this routine. My love kept drilling through his rack of DVD collection to pick a nice, sensible flick which we both would enjoy watching over a drink of Cosmopolitan or Irish Bailey. Meanwhile, I simply used the latest Tata Sky PVR (for those who are not familiar with this facility, log to http://tataskyplus.com/index.html - it is a TV cable service provider in India (Good to know, for all expatriates) that offers user-friendly options to enrich the experience of watching TV. It provides options like pausing the live TV, (OMG!), rewinding the live TV (Awesome, isn’t it?) or even live recording of one channel while the viewing of another channel is on! (That is Technology, my friend!), to scan through our set of movie channels like HBO, Star Movies, World Movies and… hey, Zee studio! These guys really know to pick up the best flicks from the history of world cinema and showcase it for us who might know the least of existence of such masterpieces.

Anyways, as I looked at the time, I realized it was the moment for the commencement of ‘After 10’ movies. So without haste in time, I continued watching this flick and called on my hubby to check out what this movie has to offer. We realized it was a Palestinian flick. Hesitated for a moment did we, but took the challenge and continued watching the movie. Fortunately, the subtitles were displayed in English, thanks to Zee Studio.Now, back to the movie! This was quite an unusual screenplay with a portrayal of excellent and minimal characters, reeled on to speak the story of million such similar young boys in the corners of Israel or Bosnia who undergo traumatic déjà vu experiences of fighting for their country or preserving their rights as locals and not settlers. The war is still on! But this movie picks two rare characters from the stream and then percolates into their lives and those things that revolve around them. The movie basically tries to exhibit the fact that even today many people in different hits of the world, irrespective of age or sex is dragged into this world of terror and trauma where the objective of each of these soldiers may differ according to their missions stated by their troops. 

Eventually, what I understand is that this movie makes one introspect about perspectives, about how one can take for granted things that begin or end, in their own sense. The movie employs a slow start as you try to acknowledge the happenings, one by one, logically as it builds on. Released in 2005 on Valentine’s day, this flick was directed by Hany Abu-Assad, a Dutch based Palestinian director who has been acclaimed for movies like The Fourteenth Chick, Nazareth 2000, Rana's Wedding, Ford Transit and so on to name a few. These included short films, documentaries and even movies that triggered controversies, for his films always speak the truth in the most atrocious manner. Truly a director at heights, in the genre of his movies! Oh! Haven’t I yet named the movie?

Well, the details of this movie go, just like this.. Movie in talk: Paradise Now (…would have been something else, in Israel!) Screenplay brains: Bero Beyer, Pierre Hodgson Cast in act: Kais Nashef, Ali Sulaiman, Lubna Afzal and Hiam Abbas Success check points: Won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign language film and received an Oscar nomination in the same category! Also, it won the Golden Calf for best Dutch film.

Also, in many categories, geniuses from behind the camera for this movie were awarded for the renowned piece of work in such sensible cinema. I think the above speaks the story behind the class that this movie spreads strokes of, in volumes. In simple words, the movie is the marathon of moments spend by and between two childhood pals in the narrowed streets of Palestine before they enact their duties as suicide bombers in the town of Tel Aviv. You definitely need to pick this flick for a one time watch. It is worth the time. The movie simply begins in awe of the happy times between two friends, during their childhood and then in adulthood. They have their own families, just like any other normal person. They have friends with whom they hang out and share laughs. They need and give love to those special ones, like all of us do. But what dark secret remains is that, they live for a purpose, a rebellious mission. In the movie, over time, these two pals are instructed that they are going to be the lucky ones who, after a gap of two years, are going to achieve the first step of their mission.

According to them, they are already dead, but their soul awakens to serve a cult of missionaries, missionaries who fight to and for terror against the nation, against settlers.

Said and Khaled, the active protagonists or the awaited suicide bombers, in the movie are told by their leaders that in 36 hours, they will be reaching heaven in the name of Allah and achieving their goal as humans, to serve their purpose of life and their rights to banish the settlers.

The movie unfolds these 36 hours showing the domestic responsibilities of these so-called normal people and then mapping it with their duties as suicide bombers. They act normal, sleep well and bid silent farewell to their loved ones with a heavy heart as they approach the moment of truth. For the mission, Said and Khaled are made to look like Israeli settlers who are attending a wedding, their cover story for the act, across the border.

They both are directed to blow themselves at an interval of fifteen minutes each. Amidst the chaos before the act, Said is doubtful about his decision whereas Khaled is quite excited about it. Khaled flees from the site, as guards approach them next to the border but Said absconds the scene. His lady love, the terrorist group, his best childhood pal and his family lay a network of enquiries to trace him. During an encounter, with his love, Suha, Said reveal his intentions for this terrorising act. His father, a Palestanian used to work for the Israelis and during one such mission, was executed due to his origin. This had made Said weak and vulnerable for such decisions and dimensions. Said initially agrees with Khaled on withdrawing from the mission but instead yields into his own interests of intending to blow up a bus filled with Israeli soldiers. The movie ends without a say! Did Said blow up the bus or did he not defuse the bomb that was clinging onto his torso like a baby? The screen spreads a stroke of white and the credits appear. Amazing!

 

Not many people might inhale the truth in this story the way I was able to accept it. Not many people would even enjoy watching such a movie that is so silent and yet so deep. Even my hubby had his own perceptions and misconceptions about the movie. We even ended up having various verticals of debates over the story and ending of the movie. Not all five fingers are like, as all knows it best!

However, no matter what others think, coz’ I know that there are many out there like me who would enjoy and accept these kind of movies too. And what I did like about this movie was:

Said and Khaled’s friendship · Suha’s perception about her dad, the rebel leader · Conversations between Suha and Said · Terror, at its peak in mind, hearts and lives · Said’s relation and bonding with his mom and siblings · Said’s hatred towards how Israelis had cheated his dad · Technology and terror mapping each other in awe · Flow of the movie from the day of instructions given to the suicide bombers to the day of the actual attack · Moments of self-realization and introspection · Judgement of the right and the wrong · and so on.

An ending that puts the audience to judge between perspectives · Photography and camera, the angle placement is absolutely perfect in every shot · Khaled’s moment of withdrawing from the terror act · Terrorists logically planning the act, as in real life · Wonderful screenplay which was initially written for a friend in search of a suicide bomber who was his pal to two friends engaging within the activity of bombing cities.

To end with, I request you all to take a pick on this flick at least once when you have time to spare in life. These kind of movies make one think about many incidents that happen in our daily life, including the Mumbai terror and also moments that make us think deep enough. So wouldn’t you wanna catch up with this flick?

Prayers, not yet heard for Marielle

I hope most of you remember about the girl Marielle, about whom I had blogged about a couple of days back. Now to begin with, am sorry about stating her mom’s name incorrectly. It is not Jeannie, it is Lisa. Secondly, this is for all who read and follow my blog regularly, I have an announcement that might make the lives of these people a little simpler. Marielle’s condition is still worsening and Lisa’s pal who offered to do the kidney donation has been ruled out during the final marathon of blood and tissue tests. One moment of appreciation surely goes to her, Lisa's E-Bay pal who offered to help. However, in days, when I had such a condition, there were no networks to inform people and get help. Now, things have changed and so has our chance to change things. If you are a self-less blogger, please visit Lisa’s blog on http://thedomesticdiva.wordpress.com/ and read through her struggles with her kin and the grievances that follow her life. Use your network to get her good advice, blessings and prayers and if God wills, even a good donor. This is not for any sympathy but just to help a life, which is more like my reflection from ten years back. This girl, this angel is one among millions, I agree! But if one life makes a difference, the impact can be that of many. If you ever come across such people in your life, blog about them so that many of us can come forth to offer help for them, in forms maybe which are lesser known to man. So hoping many out there would help this soul, in Lord’s name...

What did I ponder today?

Why did the Great creator make sweethearts: "Love's a special feeling that only can begin when you open up your heart and let somebody in. It's a warm and tender smile that's meant for only you. That adds a special touch of joy to everything you do. It's the look in someone's eyes that says "I understand". The quiet pleasure given by the touch of someone's hand. It's sharing hopes and dreams, it's taking and giving.. Love adds warmth and happiness to everyday of living." ... just a something that I read somewhere today. Something that made me think about love. The love I had for my parents, the love I had for my siblings, the love I thought was the best with my crush, the love I thought filled my gaps with my friends, the love I have as my life, my husband. Wow! Love does, hold a great place in my arena of space, called life. Hmmm... How often, on a day to day basis do we come across someone whom we love so much that life seems small in front of their presence???

Art Musings

Today, I took out some of my old artworks to reminiscence some of the best stress buster moments that I have ever had in my life.. Each of these Oil paintings speak a story from my page of life... They may not be sophisticated or polished, thanks to me being an amateur but I take pride in saying that I did this all by myself...

There was a phase in my life when I was so free that I could just sleep the whole day instead of being awake to be bored.. I had just completed my high school and was looking forward to college.. but there was a long break in between.. Days I spent, reading, surfing, singing to myself and travelling, my very polite neighbour, Rituka aunty (I just hope she and her kids are doing fine, coz' I sincerely don't have any idea as to where are they now..) saw some of my works and recommended me to her Art teacher, Seemita Roy!! Now this was a 'trip' phase.. I decided to kill time the best possible way ever.. So I joined for some classes where my observations, the house dog 'Biscuit', the art class in the kitchen and the wonderful house decors, were expressed through my exhaustive writings those days.. !! At the classes, my art teacher, Anjali Ela Menon's disciple, used to be always busy in doing her own masterpieces of those humongous portraits that conveyed no meanings at all, except for the sole reason they looked 'BIG'.. this work was done by me all alone within the chatter of other art buddies, colours and limited time of an hour.. I took 4 days to do the background, dress, and other stuff in the picture and owing to me being so bad with portraits, I took exactly 2 weeks to simply do the face.. Well that, according to me is the speciality of this work!!

Well, the story behind this one goes quite simple.. I wanted to do something different, something on my own and something which none has done.. This was not done in my class, though.. Had my easel and paints, that is all! But the story is that I never got the face right.. Am always good with landscapes and still art, but never with portraits.. So I called this to be the portrait of the most ugliest princess of all times.. Yeah, yeah.. I know it isn't so good.. but after all, it is mine!

Just an Oil painting of an old man with not so appropriate proportions but with a lot of meaning.. This was majorly worked upon by my fingers.. Natural art!!

Very simple story! I had an oval canvas and wanted to make use of it and voila.. This is what I did with it! However, now when I look at it, the flowers below could have been avoided and so could have been the case for the base of the tree.. Anyways, it is mine!

Oh! This one is my favorite coz' it is done from a photograph. On my way, I saw this Persian, historic villa. I just wanted to capture it in my paints. That is all! The painting is actually nice but I haven't been able to photograph it properly. These have been chosen from the attic front. I basically enjoy doing black and white sketches than Oil paintings. So soon I will be posting some of my work from the world of black and white.

Plight of those on the road, all thanks to their load!!

Time: 10 a.m Place: My house Scene: Leaving for work

 
Me: Hon, make it soon! We need to reach there in time. 
Hon: Just looking for the car keys. Oh! Here it is. (Back in the car) 
Me: I just hope I reach there in time for the meeting. 
Hon: Chill baby! I will take you there in no time.

And suddenly at the signal, near the sub-way, as my eyes constantly kept peaking onto the two ballet dancers dancing around the ballroom on my recently gifted fictitious fantasy based watch, my eyes, as usual, as everyday, also peaks to see those red uniforms torturing themselves while employing their strength in every breath to pull up a fish-cart of Gas (LPG) cylinders, just like Jack who went up the hill, so steep.

 

Centuries have moved along, times have changed, so long, but the destiny for many still remain the same, no matter how technology changes our lives and how we change ourselves. This scene, that I see everyday, triggers a conversation with my hubby where we discuss the way India has changed. India still has apartments that run from four to five floors where these guys have to shove the cylinders over their back for some dweller to feast on their food peacefully.

We all keep cribbing moment to moment, stating ‘Why does this happen to me?’ and yet most of us live in apartments with the latest technologies and gizmos serving as our elixir of today’s life, we have everything at our ease including the delivery of groceries to food, medicines to tailors, carpenters to the DVD fellow.  Something that I noticed a couple of days back when the rains had engulfed our vicinity in vain, I and my hubby kept calling the DVD fellow to come by and lent us some movies so that the days that we are stuck at home, we can kill time by watching some crap. But least did me or my hubby think was that even he had a family of his own and thanks to his job; the kind of place where he stays might be one of those water-logged areas.

For a second, I had become selfish and I agree and admit it. But you know what? Most of them out there are selfish, and yet do not barge to the front to accept their denial of this fact.  This fact, this truth goes out to those people too who, in everyday life, go up and down, to and fro to get things done and delivered for us so that our lives swing on without a hitch. I just thought for a while amidst all that noise of hard rock in the car, the dreams of these people who bring Gas cylinders to our door step or swim by flood waters to reach out to solve our plight, in some sense. Won’t they be cursing and cribbing about their life and the way they have to fight survival itself to life? That scene stayed and lingered for sometime within my thoughts, which drifted away as soon as I reached work.

 

But I guess why I brought out this point to light is that we must all try to talk out things to the bosses who rule these poor labor and drive them to do the most exercising exhaustive job through the day, (Thank God! They are spared during the night hours) about how facilities, perks, privileges must be offered for these people. Who knows, maybe these latest human elixir bearing lives are those educated, unfortunate ones who could not make it to the floors of an IT park but had to stay at the shop level to stabilize sustenance. It is not just them. There are million other daily jobs that suck and people, educated ones abide by these jobs.

 

The sight of them struggling, just like how I had to struggle some years back posing as a Marketing Executive for school books, makes me worry about the future our country has laid ahead of us. And yeah! A lot more thanks to the current economic crisis, terror invitations and of course, not to miss, here comes the end of the world! Things that can make their life easier is, usage of external elevator like trolleys which can bear the cylinder’s weight and can be simply elevated to the respective house floors (as most of the kitchens do have balconies), providing them with better commuting facilities, laying for them more perks and hikes, and so much more for these guys that stay to be behind, loyal and liberal.

 

Maybe, one or many among us can bring a change to lives that are so different and delayed from our lives and life styles. Ponder for a minute and maybe you will know….

Spirit of Celebrations in the Air!

Today at work, as I entered the arena of stress, deadlines, meetings and projects, I encountered a presence of positive vibe, smiles, decorations, confetti all around and a lot of faces that were at ease. Yeah! That time of the year has arrived.. “It’s the most wonderful time of the year..” I simply wish I was back in New York or Dubai where the spirit is a little high when it comes to fun towards the end of the year. Miss those times, the snow, the fun, the surprises and the celebrations! Every year at our work place, we play a game called Chris-Ma/Pa and Chris-Child. It’s a great game. We are given names of our colleagues at secrecy which has to be served till Christmas Eve. It is not just fun but the suspense is tremendous, of trying to know who is our Chris-Ma/Pa who is bathing us with gifts and it is humorous to keep our Chris-Child guessing about us too. I opened up my heart and sent all an invite for this game today. Check it out!

 

I can’t wait till the last day. At home, it is no different. I have taken out the little Christmas tree decorations which I am going to use to decorate my work station as well my home den. I just love those little things. They bring so much of happiness to me, though tiny in nature. I bought a heap of cards to be sent to family and friends who are scattered around the globe. This is the season you ought to remember and respect them.

 

Christmas is just around the corner and New Year is right behind, so end up being the crooner… I have even set forth my list of resolutions which I wish to accomplish next year..
1. Complete my driving classes
2. Keep in regular touch with my old and new pals
3. Holiday with my hubby every six months
4. Blog regularly
5. Rejuvenate my artwork and my passion for art
6. Lose a couple of pounds
7. Have indigenous investments
8. Take off stress from work
9. Buy an attire every month
10. Indulge into gardening
11. Read more books
12. Spend more time with my niece and nephew
13. Try out more cocktails
14. Restyle my hair
15. Collect more key chains and photo frames
16. Write more and share knowledge even more

Ok, the list just goes on….. Let me first complete the first ten in sequence. Then I guess I would be ready for the next set. Whatever it is, I am enjoying these days and I always have loved these times. A season for loving and caring, giving and taking, sharing and compromising and enjoying and celebrating! A season for all, a reason to ball…. So aren’t you waiting for these days to come soon???

Angels = Friends, for health, wealth and life…

Hi Folks! Today I am a let depressed... :( Take a look at this photo! Yesterday, I came across this blog, ‘The Domestic Diva’. This blog belongs to a concerned mother; a mother who sews amazingly, has a beautiful daughter with a great set of friends, all dwelling in a small town, at some corner of Philadelphia in the US.

The girl, Marielle whom you see in the above snap goes to school, is brilliant, talented and loves her mom a lot. She has two kidneys like the most of us but the depressing fact is that her kidneys are not functioning normally as it is supposed to.

Yeah, she is victimized by Chronic Renal failure.

Now why am I so concerned?? If I look back 13-14 years in my life biography, (Yeah, have come a long way!), I see myself in Marielle. That is right! I too was once in a condition of Chronic Renal failure.

As a word of faith, I posted a comment on her mom's blog for her daughter. She mailed me today morning, voicing her happiness over what she read. A tear or two slipped by my cheek as the reminiscence of my past flashed in front of my eyes. I know exactly how she would have felt. My mom is what I saw in her, Jeannie.

10 years up the line, as I look back, I remember my doc letting me know that such cases for young girls happen once, one in a million. Today I look around and I see the number just being swapped. It is more like a thousand in a million, regardless of age or sex, life style or education even if you are rich or poor. And not just Marielle, but there are so many out there who need help. Just that only some of these people and their conditions come to our knowledge, at times.

Two days back she was rushed to emergency as her condition was deteriorating. She happily flips through the pages of a favorite book not aware of the darkness laid in front of her. Days back, her mom had blogged to let the world know, that an easy pal has volunteered to donate her kidney and so far so good, the tests have been matching. Amen!! Marielle looks forward for a heavy feast during Thanksgiving and Christmas, as her surgery is scheduled the next day of Christmas, the transplant operation. Her blood pressure is rising and her blood counts are dropping, day by day. My heart goes out for her completely because I lost on my best years of teenage and childhood, thanks to this disease.

Being the only child for my parent, I was always pampered and loved by all. Even an injury of petite importance would take them by shock, if it happened to me. That is when I encountered a breathing difficulty while preparing for my 8th standard exams which shocked my parents completely. I was never a healthy child, always anemic, but my folks never realized that their daughter was sinking into something from where she could never opt out. I thought I was going to stop breathing eventually as the pressure rose and I couldn’t take it anymore. Hospital to hospital, bed to bed, finally the doctors addressed my folks and let them know that their daughter has kidneys that have shrunk completely and are dysfunctional. Heart broken, for the first time, I saw my dad shed a tear and burst into complete sorrow. The doctors put me onto peritoneal dialysis, unlike Marielle who is on haemo-dialysis, and so my next 4 years passed in having a tube from the inside of my tummy swung around my hip, all for the dialysis purpose. This tube had become a part of my life. I studied like the normal, played and even won accolades in various domains. Finally after my high school, we found the perfect donor (with whom I have no connections as of now, and that makes me feel low and guilty!) who like an angel bowed down and placed his blessings on my life. After a lot of struggle and another couple of surgeries, I have now arrived here.

Well, may my stories lie behind and let us focus on Marielle. Quite contradicting to what you saw above, below shown is a snap of Marielle in the hospital now. All in smiles, as she lay on this white bed of daisies, I pray that strength and courage bind her and be happy for life, may she. The story of Marielle has really disturbed me as it brings back my memories. Most of my friends and family never knew about my condition and so I assume that blessings for me were scarce. Prayers really help and we all need it. Marielle at this point needs it a lot.

Numerous lives were taken in and out of terror dens in Mumbai and now we have left no chance to save them or even pray for them apart from the fact that we can wish that their souls rest in peace. Marielle still has a chance! I request all of you to go through her mom’s blog and give wisdom of advices, blessings of thoughts and a bouquet of prayers.

I wish to hear from Jeannie, her mom soon that Marielle has finally succeeded in fighting her destiny and is staying happy in smiles with her friends and well wishers. Let us pray that this day comes to us in news, soon!

Hours of Terror

40 Hours back, as I switched on the TV to watch my daily marathon of reality shows; a marquee began flashing beneath the TV channel logo. To my shock and surprise, and thanks to my instincts, I swapped to some News channel that would spill clarity on the BREAKING NEWS that I just saw, ‘MUMBAI ATTACKED’.

And there was the horror that I dreaded of! Away from the strategies and tactics that the IB, Police force and the Government was trying to implement, my heart immediately sank for those people who would have never woken up that day, imagining the end they would see.

Two luxury hotel sieges by unknown terrorists – the TAJ and TRIDENT! Well, how many times have I stayed in these hotels.. What would have been of me, if today I was there in one of those rooms as a hostage, fighting terror?

Young boys, by whatever name you call them, the Lashkars or the Mujahedeens or whomsoever, donning uniform black attires and clinching onto the professional, freshly imported AK-47s, had stormed into the simple lives of these innocent people to conceal the consequences and reveal the facts of their destiny. How the heck did they even enter this land amidst all that tight security? (Oh! Who am I kidding?) We all are known for the ‘being hit’ syndrome. 

Only when terror strikes in some part of the country, the states wake up and secure themselves, just in case they get hit. But this goes on for a short while, until all cools and calms down. Else, how could have these wrath filled individuals entered our land crossing the eagle eyes of our forces and guards?

Be it the Europeans who were just in town to attend a conference, or the local Cyprus origin chef who had to encounter death with his family, to the people who simply had to fall a prey to the attacks, as a result of just being in that spot, that day. What was their fault? If the attackers had a grudge towards those of foreign origin, then why did they attack those innocent Indians?

And what is their problem with people of British or American origin visiting our country for their personal or official purposes? Should India always be termed as a third world country? What was their ultimate motive? What was their success plan? If it was simply to keep us alerted on what they can do, whenever they wanted to, then why did they play fate with those innocents? They could have simply made a point through some emotionless announcement.

After the whole assault drama that has been continuing for hours now, sans the food, sleep and peace, Mumbai now remains dead in its daylight too. Nothing seems alive in the city that once never used to sleep. From films to fun, schools to sensex, everything mourns in the darkness of this incident, this horror. After fate sacrificing the life of hundreds in places, from the railway station to luxury hotels to those brave Indian officers who stood in front to lead and leave and on the other hand destiny forgiving the life of another hundreds who gets to live a traumatic future after this day, thanks to the NSG forces who have thrown light to our hopes in terms of the survival of hostages and the capturing of those mask blinded, selfless inhumanly beings.

So where does all this zero down to? Wake up politicians, Wake up the government! Yeah, Yeah, you all are doing a lot for us. But not where you have to. Stop fighting for power and prejudice within yourselves and instead get on to the streets to peek into the lives, that pay you votes. You want to bring India to the front? Well, use the brains and brawns in the right way for the right thing. Strengthen our forces, get them the best equipment, give them the best training so that any time anywhere for situations like this, we know we have a battalion that cares and have the guts to go up front and fight for those in panic and pain. We have all learned a lot. First it all began with Kashmir and now all the way till Bangalore. Blasts, murders, assassinations.. We, Indians are tired. It is time we want to be on the streets, free and fearless. Over every blast, the authorities meet up to take a decision. Two days, we all mourn a minute and then carry on with our lives and so does the authorities. But in a month or so, another set of terror incidents strike and once again we are all in panic and shock. This is what has been happening. Now, is this, what will go on, in India? Will people from all around fear to enter the boundaries of this once, sacred land? We all are economically hit and now we will be hit, in terms of everything, from tourism to education. Maybe even ‘Chandrayan’ may not help. Hope this rings a bell????

The drama still continues. Some of the masked teenagers dead and some still lingering. Hostages, some saved and the rest not. And something even more humorous that occurred to me, even during such a stressed situation was the non-availability of a copter, as part of the air unit, quite similar to the S.W.A.T team in US. Yeah, I know, that is US, and this is India man! But as my hubby rightly stated, the scarcity of such systems within our defense forces is what lacks the credibility of the nation, in terms of fighting terror worldwide. Now finally where does all this bring us to? Are we less capable of fighting terror in our very own nation or is there a blocker that is ceasing our ability to fight terror? If you had to answer this, do you have one?

Lashing cats and dogs

This is the scene that has been going on in my town for the past couple of days.. I had to literally skip work today coz' the roads were totally flooded.. For us guys here, rains are actually a blessing in disguise as if we do not get enough rains, then the summers would welcome the water shortage crisis much advance in time.. But thanks to the poor storm drain water systems in the city we, the people have to sacrifice and suffer a lot of hiccups during these times.. especially when it comes to our commutation, even to the nearest destination...
All these talks and just no action by the authorities, makes me think and blink, eventually what are their priorities??? Anyways, I blogged a little, watched TV, had some good food, spoke to some of my old pals (who were also stuck up at their dens, not being able to do anything during these heavy rains, apart from eating and sleeping..), read a book, jogged a little on the treadmill, mended some pending work and finally made myself some great sandwiches (Oh! By the way, I do really make good sandwiches, innovative and tasty ones; Those are one of the dishes that I really am good at, both cooking and eating!) and hot tea and sat by the window to enjoy the drops fall in a rush to kiss the sands of time.... Well, it is secondary that I got some time today to ponder about many things like reminiscing one of my old poems like this one, where I connect the nature of the rain to my decision of looking ahead amidst and apart all that pain....

   

I hope tomorrow is a pretty bright sunny day out there! So that I can get back to work or else, I might have to collect and reinforce some other weird stuff from my diary of thoughts...

Philadelphia to Phir Milenge

Yesterday, after a pretty long time, much after a hectic week at the office, I managed to pick a favorite movie to watch on Sony Pix, ‘Philadelphia’. This is definitely my choice of flick when it comes to sensible cinema.

A movie that was out in times when filmmakers were dreading to find a good meaningful story, no offence to other such films, but ‘Philadelphia’ released in early 90s, seriously seeped the hearts of millions to empathize with those who were living a life similar to that of ‘Andrew Beckett’, a character flawlessly portrayed by Hanks.

A myth follows that if a movie is inspired from a true life story, then the movie would gain weightage based on the depth of screenplay and showcasing of characters. This movie too proved a point.

For those who did not know, ‘Philadelphia’ was directly taken from a page of Geoffrey Bowers’ biography who was an established attorney in the late 80s and had rose to fame when he sued the law firm with whom he was associated for a concrete period. Bowers was affected by HIV and in spite of being an intellectual attorney in those days; his associates fired him on the basis of unfair discrimination.

For those who have not picked up this flick for a watch and want to get a synopsis on the same, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_(film). It is basically a movie that deals with issues such as AIDS, homosexuality, and common mindsets of people with regard to gays and even homophobia, a fear of homosexuality.

Written by Ron Nyswaner and directed by Jonathan Demme, ‘Philadelphia’ captured my attention absolutely with its many aspects of touching screenplay and strong portrayal of characters and the relationships between them.

Some of my favorite pointers from the movie:
1. The relationship between the two most handsome gays in ‘Philadelphia’ – Andrew and Miguel

2. How Andrew takes the news of him getting fired from the law firm
3. The tiff between Miller and Andrew in the beginning of the movie, as lawyers

4. Miller’s homophobic reaction when Andrew states that he has AIDS
5. Andrew’s fight against AIDS and homosexual discrimination

6. Hidden affection of the law associates for Andrew
7. The revelation of the fact that homosexuality does not always lead to transmitted diseases
8. Andrew taking up of off-color homophobic jokes when he is silently being hurt
9. Andrew’s dedication as an attorney
10. The documentary of Andrew as a child being watched by loved ones during his funeral
11. The support that Andrew gets from his pals and folks during such touch times
…. the list just moves on, to name many!

What I like, a lot more about this movie is that when the film ends, for a minute you actually introspect the happenings in this story. You take Andrew to be your friend who had to struggle his walk over stumbling rocks in a dark tunnel. You wonder what if the same happened to you or to your dear ones.



So many questions remain unanswered when you actually think about all that but ‘Philadelphia’ till date remains as one of my favorite flicks. Everything connected to this movie was awe-inspiring including Tom Hanks’s speech at the Oscars where he clinched the beautiful lady in his arms with tears in his eyes, love for all associated with the film and not, the tribute to Denzel Washington and parting the credit with his pal, his attorney from the movie and finally the end that he gave to his speech. No words, but just speechless.

Road trip to Phir Milenge “Life is all about timing... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable... attainable. Have the patience, wait it out. It's all about timing” -- Stacey Charter

Ron was inspired by Geoffery and Revathy was flabbergasted by Ron’s masterpiece. A perfect timing is what I would say, for Revathy who milestones away from us had once captured the filmmaker’s glory in South and North Indian movies. Already known to be a great actress proved her maturity with the lens too.

Exactly 11 years down the line, she bagged a script with so much of depth, gave it the right shades with indigenous styles, chose characters that touched our hearts and finally contributed a gem to Indian cinema. Not within the clan of commercial Indian masalas, but a favored one rightly by critics who thought the movie spilled the beans of a social message in the most humanitarian pattern.

The movie was, in double words, copied? Yeah, it was an Indian sequel to ‘Philadelphia’. But the director beautifully strikes out the comparisons so that the latter is more original in its way and how??

• From an attorney of a law firm to a creative director of an AD agency.
• A gay living along with his partner to a spinster enjoying her times with her little sister, an RJ.
• The attorney gets his best case and the CD gets her third best AD award, a hat trick in a row.
• From having an anonymous relationship at a pornographic theatre to having a physical relation with the old college crush during a re-union.
• Lesions to donating blood during the sister’s car accident.

And not to end the entertaining tidbits, in the Indian version there were many twists too!

The protagonist gets her job back but declines the offer and decides to begin her own AD firm. She does not die in the end to leave us with a heavy heart unlike Hanks’ heart warming dialogue in the end when he admits he wants to finally die and not the take the pain anymore. She, her sister and her friendly relation with her attorney and his wife continues. The unheard hero of the movie, her boyfriend who had already been a prey to the virus but had not informed her, returns during a court scene and dies eventually in her arms.

If the Hollywood director took a step, our masters leaped a bit.



Anyway movies are to entertain and for us to be entertained. I write short stories too and while I was writing this post, was keenly wondering if there would be any takers for my kind of stories too. If Ron and Revathy can do it, why can’t I? And as always the saying goes, ‘There is do or do not, but nothing to try.’

Fashion unleashed

One of my favorite bags, a Mr. Handbag product!! I am sure not many would know about this brand as it is from a local mall in Bangkok... Things I like about this bag: -- Handy and spacious -- Creates a fashion statement - Attention grabber -- Two-In-One 1. Can carry Stuff 2. Also read the magazine cover -- Inspires me to feature on a famous fashion magazine.. -- It is my bag, folks! -- Absolutely a Haute 'Couture' product.. Have you ever liked a bag of your possession that you carry every place you go, even to the vegetable vendor????

Dedications from my buddies...;)

My buddies @ work are all good poetess and writers.. there was a phase when each of us got into this groove of dedicating verses to our dear buddies... that's when two of my close buddies dedicated these for me...! ;) luv ya gurlz..!!

This one was from my writing inspiration Deepti a.k.a 'Kotapi'...
Simi a.k.a Cotton Candy!

Softness in her smile, warm and cute,
Sweetness defined, of high repute,
Stroke of imagination, a gifted mind,
She is simply creative, one of a kind,
A bundle of mischief, a bouncing ball,
She is a dainty delight, a joy to all!

This one was from my another buddy, the bubbly gal @ work...'Sari'!

She is small and she is petite,
With fun and frolic she’s replete,
She’s full of oomph and zest for life,
She wouldn’t know the meaning of strife.
She loves to wear stylish trinkets,
Chic dresses and trendy jackets,
She comes up with some sound advice,
Never feels the need to be concise.
Her SBs are of unearthly combination,
She’s gifted with a flighty imagination,
She always manages to make a saga,
Makes everyone feel totally gaga.
She walks with an impish smile,
Delicate like the lily of the Nile,
In her fiber, there’s a single kink,
Her obsession with the color pink .

I really miss you guys!!! :(

Spiritual and Clueless

Saturday blues have just arrived! I am basically not a party animal though I don’t hate attending some of them. To be frank, though I like to drink and mix cocktails in a while or have a say with a pal or two, I would rather prefer the company of solitude to that entire hoop. Wonder how many out there are like me? Today evening, however things changed. Things came by me that put me to wonder. I saw what my imagination carried off to a second world. I don’t know whether any of you have come across such thoughts, but anyways, let me hit it. 

After a lot of forced persuasion from my mom today, I planned to visit one of the oldest, well-known temples (at least in Chennai) built in the name of Lord Maheshwara, The Destroyer, the Kaapaleshwara temple. This temple was known to be engulfed by the waters, way centuries back. There is a lot of awe in terms of this temple, the place where it is located, the gala crowd hugging the area, the basic pit stop for religious stuff, the holy stories that keep the legend of the temple high and many more. 

If you are not from India or from Chennai basically, I would purely recommend you to visit Chennai and this temple especially to know a lot about Indian mythology. I really enjoy going there, especially with my parents as it keeps the old times alive. But like we all do, during the last week of the month, so low, so broke, I was just sitting back and pondering on this week’s happenings, today. That is when, though I initially hesitated but then yielded into the thought of going to the temple. I am religious within, for those who didn’t know. But I pretend not to be superstitious at times when within, I actually would be. (This is for those who know me! LOL!) Anyways, at the temple, after the offerings ceremony, there were a lot of scenes that made me think about the person whom I just saw and about how his or her existence was making a difference to my thoughts!

 

1. A girl was gazing at the idol of Lord Shiva with a Coke bottle in her hand.(How far has globalization reached, man?)
2. A guy kept staring at his mobile while praying. (Can’t do without technology even at the altar huh?)
3. A guy was wooing his GF while receiving the offering from the priest. (Being religious doesn’t help buddy!)
4. A minister and his buddies were doing a donation of thousands for the temple. (Here we have job-cuts. I think the government has still not got the point.)

To my surprise, I don’t remember the rest. But there were many such scenes that made me think about what was happening around me. For a second, I thought being religious or spiritual doesn’t change the way we live or the way we think. I just felt peaceful today. But I realized that we were going too fast in times and life, without a perfect destination. So where are we all leading too? Amidst all the problems in the world like the ones we all are currently facing; the recession is killing employment and economics all around the globe and we turn our minds for religious backup. Spirituality is no longer an issue of staying alive in minds and for good fate to solve problems but a necessity or a luxury.



I don’t know how far this thought has percolated people’s minds but it has dissolved within my decisions, though. In the coming days, I am going to take my decisions, well about everything with regard to how is it going to change the lives of people around me and that of mine too.