It ain't over...till it's over!

Someone should tell this to the Indian crickrt team. I didn't expect India to loose the match especially after doing such a great job of restricting the Aussies to 250. But the Indian team made heavy weather of the target and gave away an easy win. Sachin's wicket was the turning point for me. He wanted to slow down and lost his wicket in this process and bad umpiring didn't help either. (Looking at Sachin it was very obvious that his focus was 17,000 and not 251) Sehwag is back to his old self, smashing the ball to all the parts of the ground and then suddenly giving away his wicket (Hey Viru...quick fire 30s and 40s don't win matches for your country! Do you understand this?) and Yuvi's wicket was due to Punter's brilliance. The only positive thing was Bhajji and Praveen Kumar's batting...they are really playing gem of an innings these days. But I feel by loosing this match India has given a chance to Aussies to win the series and I won't be surprised in Aussies grab at it in style.

Lamhe chura lo na...

Yeah...i feel like singing the Limca ad jingle. The daily schedule is getting more and more hectic and 24 hrs. seem so less. There are so many things that I want to do other than the daily routine but there seems to be no time at my hand to do those things.

So what will I do if I do steal some precious moments?
> Call up my buddies! There was a time when we used to call each other at least twice a week. Now we only speak once in a while.
> Read the books that I have bought couple of months ago but haven't touch them yet!
> Blog more frequently! There are many topics on which I can put up a post.
and much more...

?

While googling for forecasting methods i came across this website. The name "John Galt" rang bells in my mind but couldn't recall anything apart from a vague memory of reading some question about John Galt on some blog. So i googled for John Galt and then I found this.

Isn't this quite similar to Waiting for Godot?

Wanted:Consistency!

It's been more than five months that I've penned down my thoughts here on this space and a lot of water has gone under the bridge since my last post here. My last post also was an attempt to keep the place alive with something. It's not that I had forgotten about this blog or there was nothing to write. This blog is dear to me and there was lot of stuff to write about, I just didn't write. That's it! (yeah...as simple as that).

When I was going through some of my old posts about weekends, cricket and life incidences I realized, however trivial may be the subject or content of the post they are all very wonderful and dear to me and that made me write this post. I feel I have lots of stuff to write about and I also want to write more consistently. But when I start writing the thoughts whither away and I can't write more than couple of sentences. Then I end up saving it as a draft which ultimately goes into the recycle bin (sigh...).

So let's see. How I can manage this and get into a habit of writing.

Movies and Books

Movies & Books! This would be my answer if someone asks me what do I do in my leisure time. I like to watch movies. Genre, language, cast, crew and film setting is no bar for me. The only criteria is that it should interest me. As far as books are concerned language is a barrier as I can read only three languages Marathi, Hindi and English and generally don't like reading translations. I tried doing that once and read Gulzar's poems in English and I did not enjoy it at all. But I feel these two media of story telling have a strange connection between them. Sometimes a movie prompts you to read a book and sometimes a book prompts you to see the movie.

A lot of books have been made into movies and many of them have been successful also. "The Namesake" being the only one which I have read and watched. I found the book more interesting than the movie because I felt more close to Gogol and his world while reading the book than seeing it in the movie. The movie is kind of bits and pieces of story put together from the book.

The latest sensation "Slumdog Millionaire" has already received it's share of bouquets and brickbats. I never quite felt like watching the movie in spite of it's popularity. But I decided to read the novel "Q and A" by Vikas Swarup on which the movie is based, and I must say the novel is very interesting and now I am curious to watch the movie.

I recently saw the movie "Capote" which is based on author Truman Capote and his research behind his book "In cold blood". A brilliant movie, the way Capote gets involved in the case and then uses the culprit to his own advantage is quite shocking to watch. And now I am eager to lay my hand on "In cold blood".

So here's the my list of books/movies to read/watch:
1. The Kite Runner (Movie)
2. In cold blood (Book)
3. Slumdog Millionaire (Movie)
4. Hello (Movie)

Additions to the list are welcome :)

P.S: "Da Vinci Code" is another one which I have read and watched.

Jai Hind!

Tomorrow India celebrates her 62nd Independence Day. Like the Valentine's Day post here are my favourite 3 patriotic movies.


1. Border

Cast: Sunny Deol, Sunil Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Akshaye Khanna.

A J.P. Dutta classic based on a true story from 1971 Indo-Pak War. The movie has a powerpacked performance by Sunny Deol who plays a major in the movie. His dialogue delivery is very impresive in this movie and gives you goosebumps at times while watching the movie. The was scenes are brilliantly shot and though it's a war film music is also great. "Sandese aate hain..." was chart topper for months.



2. Sarfarosh

Cast: Aamir Khan, Nasseruddin Shah, Sonali Bendre.

This was John Matthew Mathan's directorial debut and what a debut it turned out to be. This movie is a good watch because of two things, a neat, strong script and polished performances by Aamir khan and the veteran Naseeruddin Shah. I liked the way in which the story unfolds in this movie. Aamir khan looks good as an ACP in Sarfarosh (He tried doing a cop in Baazi too but failed miserably). Nasseruddin Shah gracefully performs the dual role of a ghazal singer from across the border and the bad guy. Songs also are decent ones.



3. Prahaar

Cast: Nana Patekar, Dimple Kapadia, Madhuri Dixit, Gautam Joglekar.

Actor, Writer, Director Nana Patekar is at his best in this movie. Nana Patekar plays the role of major Chauhan, who trains cadets in the triainng academy. In one such batch he meets Peter D'souza who loses his legs in a rescue operation. When Major Chauhan visits Peter D'souza's house he finds that Peter died fighting with Gangsters because he refused to pay money. So Major decides to stay there and take revenge. A great storyline and a great actor take this movie to a next level. One of my all time favourites.

Yes, I know..there are many more like..Roja Bombay but these 3 are my all time favourites.

Wish you all a Happy Independence Day in advance!

31

"The Life Express" is running fast and I am enjoying the joy ride. It's a new phase of life with new experiences. I, me, mine has given way to we, us, ours. 9 July 2008 marked the beginning of our journey together and every moment since then has been of joy, of happiness, of excitement, of love.

Thank you A for making my life so beautiful.