Yeah, she is victimized by Chronic Renal failure.
November 29, 2008
Angels = Friends, for health, wealth and life…
Yeah, she is victimized by Chronic Renal failure.
November 28, 2008
Hours of Terror
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?
November 26, 2008
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.
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
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
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.
- 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.
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.’
November 23, 2008
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
- A girl was gazing at the idol of Lord Shiva with a Coke bottle in her hand.(How far has globalization reached, man?)
- A guy kept staring at his mobile while praying. (Can’t do without technology even at the altar huh?)
- A guy was wooing his GF while receiving the offering from the priest. (Being religious doesn’t help buddy!)
- 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.)
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.
November 22, 2008
Creativity
When a set of ideas, wacky and wise are detoured to reality, the word 'creativity' falls into place.
Think, then produce is what the great say! If you have ideas, then implement them, else it is mere imagination which would have already pierced somebody else's head and will no longer be a unique innovation from your end.
So if you have ideas, then act upon it, show the world that you have stuff that, you can bring about a change, a change in their lives, in their world, in their work. Allow them to re-think, re-act, re-work and finally relax. Let this change, let your imagination run wild..
Create an innovative creative idea, concept or solution. Let people imbibe from what you say and inspire from what you do.
You will see how this brings a difference in the way you think, we think!!
By the way, some other people believe being creative is a totally different genre.. like who?.. read this one! http://www.creativityatwork.com/articlesContent/whatis.htm
Strangers, All the way..
Has it ever occurred to any that these lines, not in the literary sense, but play a part from day to day in front of our eyes? Maybe they are not known as ‘reigning knights’ or aren’t ‘shining in white’, but thanks to some selfless souls out there who still act that way, many of us reach our dens for the end of the day safely. My shifts, 10 out of 20, are late shifts. Thanks to the diminishing pay power and increasing cost of living, it is not certain how long can we survive on fuel and two-four wheels. So to escape this terrorizing thought, most of the days, I pick an auto, the Indian, three-wheel yellow regime, for my commutation to and fro for work.
Just two days back I realized that, unlike the ways these fellows, I meant the auto drivers, are portrayed in Indian commercial movies, they are actually friendlier in say and proactive in thought. Like every battalion has a set of its own black sheep, even among these fellows, there are some selfish, evil eyes lingering and so the bad name. But later, or never, I apprehended the fact that these men behind three wheels in their pride bind khakis are actually the chauffeurs or the charioteers who safeguard our lives as darkness falls. They acknowledge the stress and pain that we go through, especially if we belong to the IT clan, and cooperate with us in terms of a less tiresome en-route to our hubs at a pocket friendly price, at least at times. I don’t know why am I writing about the auto fellows all of a sudden! But I believe we ought to give a little more respect to these guys as the saying goes, ‘Give respect and then take respect!’. So my post comes to an end.. A small one with a big message! LOL :) So for all those knights in khaki, here’s a toast for being alive around the clock for passengers like me and many others… Just keep up your name guys!
November 17, 2008
Those dreaded days...
Something that I wrote when I was a free resource in my previous organization...Just reminiscing those dreaded days... "I have been a free resource at my work place for the past few weeks with the most least amount of work allocated to me...it feels terrible to be at ease...seriously!.. working hard for a phase and then being free for days.. sounds so sober...! But then I realised, why not utilize this time for something more productive... And thereby I started writing.. I wrote poems, phrases, captions, stories and so on...finally got the prime chance of creating my blog.. yes! I did it what I wanted to do long back... I always thought why people wanted to create blogs...? could have been for the simple reason of expressing their world in terms of words or to just be creative enough to let others know they are capable enough of creating wonders..
November 15, 2008
Creativity - no more in the ‘WANTED’ list of users
Being an Instructional Designer myself, I have been experiencing this dearth in the plains of varied thinking and high engagement for learners – the siblings of creativity, in the courses that I have been developing over the past few months. All thanks to the vicious cycles of project management and client requirements.
After a few curves up and down, the clients were impressed with what we had proposed and done and the way it had been put together, as their needs were being served for the sophisticated, toughest genre of audiences like the CEOs, established entrepreneurs, MDs, founders and so on.
But after a long gap of silence from their end, we understood what held them back before they yielded in to being our eventual clients. COST…EFFORT…TIME - the C.E.T paradigm! So what would they have done to demolish this hurdle? Well, let’s compromise on creativity, that anyway had no value for money, it was simply value addition! So be it, we get back the project but the deal is just KEEP it Linear guys, as we don’t have much money to shed for what was that ‘out of the box’ stuff??? Oh Yeah! ‘Creativity’…
I know am creative enough and the people around me know that too, but my creativity has been getting rusted and ripped off over the past few months. Even the freelancers loathe projects that have too much of interactive signs and prefer the much old traditional approach of Linear learning. The only way I try to keep it alive is by writing poems.
Times have changed! And I still look for those heart-warming, creativity yearning projects that come our way once a while, as I know that creative minds are still on a rage to do something new, something fresh and something totally out of the blue. Any one who has an anti-opinion on this perspective is free to voice theirs and guess what? I would love to hear it too! Because I always feel it is much brighter on the other side, but who really knows unless someone doesn’t say so?
November 1, 2008
Day 1 ends in the faded lights of the city that never sleeps..
On our way through the city roads, we managed to barge into many governmental buildings, sky-scraper facing roads, and the enormously stretching flyover from the city till the airport, each prolonging a length of 200-300 kms. And not to forget to mention, everywhere around in Thailand, am sure the census would be surprised to find that the human population is much lesser than the canine population. Man, I sure was bugged by that. From the temples to the stalls, from the hotel to the markets! They were all there filling the picture with pride. Anyways, after a long drive and my small siesta (in between I did eavesdrop to listen to my hubby voicing some opinions about the country, to the driver), we finally reached the base of the golden mountain or the Golden Mount or Phu Kao Thong.
While I was amazed at the beauty all these idols, the city view and the story that the young guide within the temple was entertaining me with, my hubby absconded to the next floor of the temple (which was equally challenging as the stairs to this floor was steep and dangerous) to capture some breath-taking pictures.
Down below, I was still with the guide who was taking me through the history of the main idol and the temple. He first instructed me to place the camphor (that was covered in the gold paper!) in front of the idol. The paper was then to be placed on the idol. Surprisingly, it got glued onto the idol as soon as I pasted it. This idol is placed in between a hollow circular hall with a narrowed cone-shaped ceiling, which opens up to the sky. It is believed that during some auspicious nights, this opening showcases the full moon so clearly that its reflection hits the peak of the idol and gives away a feel that mirrors an expression of rays radiating from the idol itself. The guide exclaimed that it is truly a breath-taking sight and if ever I got a chance to view it, there can be no other sight to match it. Quite reluctant to leave this scene, I stayed back a while to pray and register this experience for a lifetime. He even guided me to see a picture of Buddha’s tooth, which was brought all the way from India.