Wanted

Thought I would write a little about the movie. Well, I think 'Wanted' is arguably the best action movie since Matrix(though I liked Bourne but that was different). Wanted is refreshing and redefines the genre. And it does start in kind of Matrix way, pulling the boy hero from his mundane life into big league 'chosen one' mode and turning him into a man. James McAvoy(British/Scottish(?) with a decent American accent) plays Wesley. Bekmambetov is the director having famous Russian 'Night Watch' series to his credit. Angelina Jolie is Fox, played in a cool way. Morgan Freeman is Sloan (I thought the role was similar to the one played in Gone Baby Gone, in spirit at least).

The story is no great shake. And the plot is not too solid. But the movie makes up with some great chase scenes, splendid train wreckage scene, cheeky fun, lots of blood and racy pace throughout. Its the kind of movie people would hate to love or love to hate...

Watch this high octane, over the top adrenalin rush without thinking too much and wait for Wall-E and The Dark Knight.

Blowin' in the wind

Had to design a CD cover for assignment and I chose Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks. Though his last album(Modern Times- RSM's album of the year) released in 2006, it's shocking and sad that lot of people are not familiar with him. In MHO, the simplicity of his music, honesty and the message in his lyrics is exceptional and different from any other musician... Or maybe I am really old!



Love these lyrics...

How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

How many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea?
Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Weekend 22/6

The weekend was not so bad. Weather was OK on Sat and good on Sun.

On Saturday, spent half the day cleaning up, 1/4th in Kingston hospital and rest in gurudwara. Watched "Gone With The Wind" in the night on TCM. Truly epic. Has everything expected from a classic. And brilliant cinematography which I had not expected. Wished I had some popcorn.

Sunday was the 'wild' day. I had started the book on Friday but I figured I need to read the book more steadily. I again read some on Saturday but on Sunday, I decided that the book needs to be read in the open. So lounged in a park along with my music. It was quite sunny. Came back in evening, camped in the garden chair... And finished it. its just about 200 pages.

Its a tragic, heart breaking, somewhat disturbing but fascinating true story of an idealist young guy who believed that God is in the woods, true meaning of life is hidden somewhere out in the wild. While as a kid, he learns(from his parents stormy relationship) that money, wealth and comfort don't get you happiness. After finishing graduation, he embarks on a journey to search for happiness, God, truth and himself. Obsessed with being independent, shunning material comforts and relationships, eventually he does find the truth in the wild Alaska but loses his battle with life.

Jon makes the story unfold gradually, interlacing it with the stories of other like-minded trampers who are obsessed with mountains and nature. Her own climbing experience in Devil's thumb is specially rich in details and very crafty, being first hand.

There are questions if Chris was a hero or a fool, stupid dreamer choosing to go to the extreme wilderness without basic tools such as compass or a good map. Its clear that he had a lot to live. His willingness to come out of the wild alive is evident in his desperate messages. I don't think that it just did not occur to him to get better equipment, its that he chose not to because he felt that he could survive without them. Had he not died and hung on to come out alive, he would have continued with his life having found the truth in having relationships and sharing happiness. But his vision for the reality was blurred with almost idiotic idealism. But still, his honesty, innocence, warmth, passion and a unrelenting quest for truth has to be understood and appreciated. He lived the way he wanted to and that's all it matters.

After the book, I wanted to watch the movie. I had dumped it on my lappy. But I found that while ripping the dvd, the downloaded avi was not in sync with its soundtrack. codec problem. So I had to see the movie in a movie editing software, splitting the soundtrack, fiddling and syncing it with video. It was not the best experience but i had to see the movie in today's state of mind. Had to see alaska and the journey he took... and the magic bus.

Real cool movie. Its based on the book but its a totally different experience altogether. Liked it a lot except a little over dramatisation of Vince's character and the raw moose skinning scene but probably they were necessary there. Sean Penn's screenplay has a lot of flashbacks and flash forward, true to the back and forth style of the book.

And the music. Amazing. Gives you goosebumps.

I need to get another copy of the DVD. Can't get myself to watch the dump on my hard disk again.

A postcard in motion

The video I compiled from my random clips...


Way to Covent Garden from Mahesh Kumar on Vimeo.

Summer Sports Season

Lot of things happening in sports. Soccer, NBA, Ascot and ofcourse Wimbledon!

I have been following Euro cup off and on. its not big in UK since England is not part of it(sadly and shockingly).

Ballack has been one of my favourite players and I am happy for him to have led Germany by example into Semis. Portugal is a strong team, though I am not a fan of Ronaldo. I think he is arrogant and I have no respect for him. I am sure he will ditch his mentor Ferguson and jump ship for money.

Anyways, the interesting bit is the quarter-final being played between Croatia and Turkey, today. Its specially remarkable for a team like Turkey.

I am not rooting for any particular team. I think the Final will see Italy and Germany playing but ofcourse there is Netherlands and Spain and maybe Turkey or Croatia can spring some surprise.

I caught some NBA action on Dave particularly Celtic beating Lakers in the final. I am not much into Basketball, but it was a good one and the Boston team deserved to win.

Ascot racecourse has also seen a lot of action. I used to walk through the Waterloo station and see various shapes and types of weird and eclectic hats worn by ladies and gentlemen who were on their way to Ascot.

Ascot Racecourse is in the village of Ascot, Berkshire and is famous for its horseracing event. It's founded and patronised by the British Royal family.

Main event is the Royal Ascot Gold Cup which is currently going on. It's a five day event. Ofcourse there is lot of betting that goes on and a dress code which is strictly policed. I heard Yeats has won the Gold Cup and made history.

Then ofcourse there is good old Wimbledon coming up. Glad I will be so close to the action. Maybe, just maybe I will watch couple of matches too. Will be fun to watch Federer or Nadel or Novak or Sania Mirza :)

Nike ads

While doing some research for my assignment, came across couple of Nike ads. It's part of a campaign for Nike womenwear. These are about 3 years old but still look so fresh! Liked the colored grunge background juxtaposed with B&W images. Found them very interesting and creative, so here they go... Click on ads to read copy.

Oh God!

Spirituality is not religion. Religion divides people. Belief in something unites them.

I was watching 'Flight of phoenix' and these lines are spoken by Rady, one of the characters in the movie and it set me thinking.

When you think of it, spirituality and relgion are actually different. I see Sprituality as believing in the existance of a power that controls us(and sets us free at the same time) and guides our existence. Religion is the idea of spirituality narrowed down by phyicalities and unnecessary detailings. In my view, Religion is Sprituality in cage. When you let yourself free from religion or start thinking beyond religion, you find spirtuality. Religion is like a window which gives you a limited view of what lies outside. Spirituality is looking beyond that rectangular piece of view.

So am I spritual? Do I believe in God?

Well, I am not knowledgeable enough to talk about spirituality or even think about God. I am no philosopher and have no intentions to even try to become one. In fact I am just one of the layman who can not (under)stand more than a few minutes of pure philosophy. It flies high above my level.

When I was kid and was told about God, like any other young and curious child, I used to have tons of questions- If God created the universe, then who created the God. If someone created God, then why is he not God as he is more powerful than God... If God was not created by anyone, then where did He come from??

It is said that the God has no face, no name, no voice and no physical form. I remember reading about concept of substance. Every substance is defined by its properties. If you remove the properties of a thing, that thing no longer exists. I read about this philosophical 'thought experiment'- imagine a red ball. You do? Now imagine that red ball without its color being red nor it being round. So its not red and its not a ball. Now what are you imagining? nothing! So if God does not have a physical form, then what is it? Nothing?

Those who believe in God say that God does not need any properties. He does not need a face, a name or a voice. it is said that God is causa sui, a cause of his own existence. Instead of focussing on the physical attributes of the God, one should focus on the idea, concept and the positive energy that can be gained from believing in the idea of God. So God is an idea that can transpire people to turn positive and do good things(atleast theoritically). But then there is also the energy which is bad or negative.

God is also seen sometimes as a source of negative energy. Sufferings. People ask that if God is powerful, then why do cyclones happen? Why do Earthquakes happen? Some people say that there is a constant war between God and Devil or Positive and Negative energy. Sometimes Evil wins and mostly God wins. But if God can't win all the time, then He is not all that powerful. is he? And then it can cause lot of negative energy. But nobody would call that negative energy as God.. that would be the Devil or Evil. So are God and Satan two alter-egos of just one force??

Imagine, there is a fire in a building and your house does not suffer too much damage, but your neighbour's house is gutted. You would console him that its not God's fault but at the same time, you would thank God that your house did not go down. Same place, same time but two forces in action?? Is this where Karmas come into the picture?

I personally believe in a supreme Power, which is nature. Almighty nature! It can create and it can destroy. It can create circumstances where anything can happen. It can change your life or ruin it. It gives so much and it can take so much back.

I can always feel the God around me. When I walk out in the open, I feel connected with that Power. When I see a mountain, I feel I have seen God. When I feel raindrops on my palm, I feel touched by God. When I see a leaf or a flower, I see God smiling. When I see thunderstorm or lightening, I imagine Him in a violent mood. Maybe I am crazy, but i get spiritual when I walk through a narrow lane among mountains and trees. When I breath, I smell God. Then there are also other things. Music. Is it not a part of nature? Sound travelling through air. Good music can really make you spiritual. A classical raga, a ghazal, a haunting floating tune from a distant, a shabad, a piano note, the sound of the laughter of my kids. Oh, thats God!

Lot of people believe in an anonymous supreme power. Lot of people call that power The God. Then lot of people give The God different names. Then lot of people assign different faces to the different names of the God. Then lot of people believe their God has a better face and is better than others. And then lot of people kill those who do not believe in their God. I think it gets complicated when God is assigned names and given faces. So why not believe in the most basic form of God? Why not believe in nature?

Also its more logicial and scientific to believe in nature. Elements can be explained, denoted chemically and biologically proven. H2O is water. there is O2, there is the earth, atmosphere, space. And When all of these combine, life is born. Everything has a life. Life evolves over time. Things die when their life is over.

Ultimately, there is no way to prove that there is a God and also there is no way to prove that there is no God; so believe in what you may. But do believe in something, for Gods sake! :-)

Thru my window

Trying to draw

Trying to keep myself busy. Going back to doodling and drawing. Using a nice charcoal pencil...

Dinner

I made this thing for dinner and called it Paneer ki Bhurji. Goes well with brown bread and Coke. Trying to find the hidden cook inside me. No luck so far!! :)

Museum of Brands

On Wednesday, during the packaging class, we visited Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising. It is located just behind our college. We all took a walk from college and reached there. Its a small place but exhibits real cool and nostalgic collection of brands, packaging and advertising from 19th century onwards.

The Museum was started in 1963 by Robert Opie, at the age of sixteen with a packet of Munchies. Earlier located in Gloucester it shifted to its current premises in 2005.

What does the Museum has? Here are some pictures that I took. Due to the inside lighting and glass casing, pictures are not very good though. But still good to remind me about the museum...


Johnsons Baby Powder's early packaging

Cute Pepsi Cola logo and poster

Newspaper headlines announcing the death of Hitler

Look at the Cadbury's and Nestle Kit Kat logos

Hmmmm... Indian Curry has a place in history too

Cadbury's drinking chocolate

These are not so old but look at the left most Pepsi can

Aah, the Royal Wedding in 1981. It inspired an entire industry of souvenirs.

This is my favourite. Real quill pens. So they did exist!!

Persepolis review

Watched Persepolis last night and I had to write about it!



It is an animated movie in French, based on autobiographical graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi (the graphic novel was adjudged the Best Comix of 2003 by Time magazine).

Without giving away too much story, the movie chronicles Marjane's growing up as a young girl in Tehran against the backdrop of the Iranian Revolution. She is a playful and outspoken daughter of an educated couple who hope for a better life in Iran. Marjane is sent to Vienna to study but she comes back disillusioned in a few years. But there is a lot more to the story and it unfolds in many layers.

The style of the movie is very subtle yet very artful. Right from the beautifully animated credit sequence, to the wonderfully ornamented black & white 2D animation, it grabs you with its earthy charm. The simplicity and honesty of the animation, moves you, makes you feel a part of Marjane's cosmos as you smile, laugh and cry with her.

The story is told in a very poignant and soulful tone. The little girl's getting familiar with the political surroundings, her interaction with God, her turning away from God(and going back to God), her relationship with her grandmother, her romantic escapades, her pro-western outlook in a turbulent orthodox political climate- everything unfolds in an intelligent, witty and fun way.

I have to say, its totally different to what I have seen so far and brilliantly original. And its a piece of art. A yummy watch!

Guaranteed... listening for the nth time

Superb lyrics...guaranteed

On bended knee is no way to be free
Lifting up an empty cup, I ask silently
All my destinations will accept the one that's me
So I can breathe...

Circles they grow and they swallow people whole
Half their lives they say goodnight to wives they'll never know
A mind full of questions, and a teacher in my soul
And so it goes...

Don't come closer or I'll have to go
Holding me like gravity are places that pull
If ever there was someone to keep me at home
It would be you...

Everyone I come across, in cages they bought
They think of me and my wandering, but I'm never what they thought
I've got my indignation, but I'm pure in all my thoughts
I'm alive...

Wind in my hair, I feel part of everywhere
Underneath my being is a road that disappeared
Late at night I hear the trees, they're singing with the dead
Overhead...

Leave it to me as I find a way to be
Consider me a satellite, forever orbiting
I knew all the rules, but the rules did not know me
Guaranteed

I'll Sail This Ship Alone

Its a different day. Battle begins! With self.

Woke up. Raining. Its wet outside. empty inside. Nobody but me. Its tough. I know its going to be tough. Not materially, not physically but mentally. I have college, I have office, I have (real)books to read, tons of music to soak myself in. I have this whole city to explore. I have work planned to be done. But doing it all alone?

The friends and acquaintances that I have so far in this city are not enough to provide the kind of psychological comfort level that I am used to. So there is a lot of getting used to that needs to be done. Which will happen, eventually. But I am seriously challenged to start building new sense of belonging here. Now!

Thankfully, there is August, which is not very far. The college will break in July. I have to hold on till July atleast. But then, maybe July will be toughest!

Anyways, today is just the first day. It was. Many, many more to go.

Rained the whole day. College whole day. Did not do anything when came back home in the evening. Watched Persepolis. Ate yesterday's food. Thought about Anoushka. Slept. Dreamt about Anoushka.