This week has been rather interesting. Met a cab driver who wanted to write a book, and a corporate guru who wanted to actually become a cab driver.
Films, my current passion…
Watched two Irfan Khan films in the Indigo film festival--Warrior and Maqbool. Liked the latter better for his good acting and hated the former for the lack of it. Also saw Dream Catchers at home. Alone. I think now I am immune to most alien, supernatural, horror films.
On the job front...
Attended some more interviews. So, there are more hopes. Also waiting for the work permit to come through for my teaching job!
On the personal front…
Viyer and have been wondering if we ever going to have a disciplined life, just like the one our parents had. I mean we really dont know what is it to wake up at 5 am, go for morning walks, plan and make breakfast. I wonder if they will be a time in future, when we will sleep by 10 pm and not talk endlessly on strange topics till the wee hours. I know I am yearning for that structure and order, something that Viyer has been running away from.
Looking Forward to…
Next week. And, my dad's birthday :)
You guys have a nice weekend!
8/28/2004
8/23/2004
To some words, these are my reactions
Television---visual exhaustion, dark circles, and heavier butts
Laptop/PC-- lifeline in a non-social environment
Infidelity----Unhygienic
Beauty--Foreign word, don't know much about it
Films--Expression
Coffee--Catalyst
Brains--Oxygen
Clothes--the lesser the better (at least in Singapore)
Jeans--the dirtier, the better
Karan Johar----maata, pita, pyar, laal dupatta, gayatri mantra, shahrukh khan, and white cotton see-through tops
Laptop/PC-- lifeline in a non-social environment
Infidelity----Unhygienic
Beauty--Foreign word, don't know much about it
Films--Expression
Coffee--Catalyst
Brains--Oxygen
Clothes--the lesser the better (at least in Singapore)
Jeans--the dirtier, the better
Karan Johar----maata, pita, pyar, laal dupatta, gayatri mantra, shahrukh khan, and white cotton see-through tops
8/21/2004
Two days after Blair Witch
Viyer and I watched the above mentioned movie very recently. We had loads of questions hovering between us. After much discussion, we concluded that witchcraft is a congnizable science. Whether we like it not there are men and women who indulge in this craft.
The movie did not scare me. I think I appreciate Heather Donahue's commitment to her documentary film. I remember how I rushed through when I was making my own film. Imagine the commitment!
Meanwhile, when I googled for more info on the film, I found that the cinematographer of Blair Witch died in a plane crash. The independent film maker was killed after being strapped into a single-engine Cessna 206 in order to film aerial shots for his new film "Cross Bones" in the Florida Keys.
Is it just a coincidence that he 'too' died while shooting a doc film? Ever since I read the news I just cant sleep alone.
The movie did not scare me. I think I appreciate Heather Donahue's commitment to her documentary film. I remember how I rushed through when I was making my own film. Imagine the commitment!
Meanwhile, when I googled for more info on the film, I found that the cinematographer of Blair Witch died in a plane crash. The independent film maker was killed after being strapped into a single-engine Cessna 206 in order to film aerial shots for his new film "Cross Bones" in the Florida Keys.
Is it just a coincidence that he 'too' died while shooting a doc film? Ever since I read the news I just cant sleep alone.
8/18/2004
Hype, and its subversive effect on audience
Some times trailers of movies just lead you on. From a 45 second promo, the viewer decides to watch or reject a movie.
The example in this case is Manoj Shyamalan's The Village . Going by the hype, the promotions almost self-declared the movie as a hit of the year, a promising oscar winner, and blah blah...
Fortunately for Shyamalan, his track record came to rescue, and most people (incuding me..) fell for it.
The man who did Sixth Sense, Signs, and Unbreakable has made a movie that probably deserves no attention at all. It is unpardonable and absolutely over-promoted. Behind the hype, great cinematography, and mystery-laden publicity, is a film that irks an average movie goer.
The film lacked dialogue, and it almost seemed as if the entire movie was an anti-climax. So, after sitting through till the end, just in proximity of an earth-shattering climax, one falls really hard on the chair. The climax is a huge let down! If you have seen the movie already, my deepest sympathies are with you. And for those who are planning to watch it in the immediate future, my advice is, don't.
The example in this case is Manoj Shyamalan's The Village . Going by the hype, the promotions almost self-declared the movie as a hit of the year, a promising oscar winner, and blah blah...
Fortunately for Shyamalan, his track record came to rescue, and most people (incuding me..) fell for it.
The man who did Sixth Sense, Signs, and Unbreakable has made a movie that probably deserves no attention at all. It is unpardonable and absolutely over-promoted. Behind the hype, great cinematography, and mystery-laden publicity, is a film that irks an average movie goer.
The film lacked dialogue, and it almost seemed as if the entire movie was an anti-climax. So, after sitting through till the end, just in proximity of an earth-shattering climax, one falls really hard on the chair. The climax is a huge let down! If you have seen the movie already, my deepest sympathies are with you. And for those who are planning to watch it in the immediate future, my advice is, don't.
8/17/2004
8/16/2004
an after-thought
Monisha Singh joins Miditech as VP programming
How do 27-year olds manage to get such kind of designations???
Grrrr.....
Is life so easy for kids of bureaucrats??
I am fuming, not with jealousy, but with anger!
How do 27-year olds manage to get such kind of designations???
Grrrr.....
Is life so easy for kids of bureaucrats??
I am fuming, not with jealousy, but with anger!
Setting Me Free
Heard this on TV. "Life is what happens to you when you are planning other things." Not only was this profound, it set me thinking.
I have spent months on planning my education, career; years in delving into my future. And, every hour thinking about potential jobs. Every minute, I ruminated over the present and assesed myself against some self-made tough yardsticks every second of my existence.
I am not unhappy with what I have, but am pining for things that others have.
Marriage happened suddenly, I never planned it. And I have a big reason to believe that somethings come to you when you least expect or worse when you least deserve 'em.
May be the moral of the story is that I should not (and cannot) plan everything.
At a time when I am trying hard to break into the media in a foreign market, academics is beckoning me. I never thought I am good with teaching. Looks like I am going to end up in doing only that for a good part of my life here in Singapore.
I have been a good student, may be I will be a good teacher too. Atleast I know I have never cheated in a economics paper. (Can think of atleast two unmentionables who sucked at college, and are now preaching gyan to ignorables!!)
Do I have complaints? No.
I am setting myself free from my own set standards and expectations.
Phew, I feel a lot lighter now!
I have spent months on planning my education, career; years in delving into my future. And, every hour thinking about potential jobs. Every minute, I ruminated over the present and assesed myself against some self-made tough yardsticks every second of my existence.
I am not unhappy with what I have, but am pining for things that others have.
Marriage happened suddenly, I never planned it. And I have a big reason to believe that somethings come to you when you least expect or worse when you least deserve 'em.
May be the moral of the story is that I should not (and cannot) plan everything.
At a time when I am trying hard to break into the media in a foreign market, academics is beckoning me. I never thought I am good with teaching. Looks like I am going to end up in doing only that for a good part of my life here in Singapore.
I have been a good student, may be I will be a good teacher too. Atleast I know I have never cheated in a economics paper. (Can think of atleast two unmentionables who sucked at college, and are now preaching gyan to ignorables!!)
Do I have complaints? No.
I am setting myself free from my own set standards and expectations.
Phew, I feel a lot lighter now!
8/12/2004
Good I am not a Poet
A friend of mine sent this poem (absolute insult to one though!). Without doubt, this is worst of poems I ever read. Could not bear it alone, so I am sharing it in my blog.
The Uncertainty of the Poet
- by Wendy Cope
I am a poet.
I am very fond of bananas.
I am bananas.
I am very fond of a poet.
I am a poet of bananas.
I am very fond.
A fond poet of 'I am,
I am'-Very bananas.
Fond of 'Am I bananas?
Am I?'-a very poet.
Bananas of a poet!
Am I fond? Am I very?
Poet bananas!
I am.I am fond of a 'very.'
I am of very fond bananas.
Am I a poet?
The Uncertainty of the Poet
- by Wendy Cope
I am a poet.
I am very fond of bananas.
I am bananas.
I am very fond of a poet.
I am a poet of bananas.
I am very fond.
A fond poet of 'I am,
I am'-Very bananas.
Fond of 'Am I bananas?
Am I?'-a very poet.
Bananas of a poet!
Am I fond? Am I very?
Poet bananas!
I am.I am fond of a 'very.'
I am of very fond bananas.
Am I a poet?
8/07/2004
Veebee Senti Mood Mein
There is something about some singers. Their involvement, arrogance in the voice just enhances the rendition. Am listening to Farida Khanum's Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo...
Simply cannot get over the lyrics.. Mean while you guys enjoy the weekend!!
Waqt ki qaid mein zindagi hai magar
Chand ghadiyan yehi hain jo aazad hain
Inko khokar mere jaan-e-jaan
Umr bhar na taraste raho
...Aaj jaane ki zid na karo
Simply cannot get over the lyrics.. Mean while you guys enjoy the weekend!!
Waqt ki qaid mein zindagi hai magar
Chand ghadiyan yehi hain jo aazad hain
Inko khokar mere jaan-e-jaan
Umr bhar na taraste raho
...Aaj jaane ki zid na karo
majulah singapura
The National Day celebrations are going on a full frenzy. Constructions and upgradations (in singapore all the old buildings are getting an extreme makeover!) are happening with double zeal. There is celebration in the air. Surely this country has everything to celebrate, an enviable economy, a stable government, a 0.01% corruption rate, booming exports, efficient public transport systems, and a beautiful sky view.
I am less than surprised to not find so many happy faces here.
An average SG woman is worried about the expanding pores on her face, or her sagging breasts. So the frown has replaced the smile, as she fights gravity, nature, and age.
Then I thought, the younger belles must be happy atleast! Wo, no! Just today, I overheard a smart thingie sulk about not having a camera phone.
Young boys in Sg are a sight (read fright) to look at. With an overdose of hairgel, their locks sure look poky enough to puncture a baloon. The dude got ear embellishments so heavy, his jaws are almost touching the ground. Oh, he is sad because the iPOD ain't working properly.
Now come the men, humm they cannot smile ever. Reason--not one but two-- SEX and LOTTO. The problem is they leave too much for chance! They are always tense, and are discussing their fortunes over Durian (a fruit whose stink can give you nightmares).
And the rest of the people, the ones in the crowd on Orchard Road on in Raffles place are just too stiff worried about missing a meeting, an MRT, or worse even the green traffic signal!
Phew!! Here's to "onward singapore", may there be more smiles!!
I am less than surprised to not find so many happy faces here.
An average SG woman is worried about the expanding pores on her face, or her sagging breasts. So the frown has replaced the smile, as she fights gravity, nature, and age.
Then I thought, the younger belles must be happy atleast! Wo, no! Just today, I overheard a smart thingie sulk about not having a camera phone.
Young boys in Sg are a sight (read fright) to look at. With an overdose of hairgel, their locks sure look poky enough to puncture a baloon. The dude got ear embellishments so heavy, his jaws are almost touching the ground. Oh, he is sad because the iPOD ain't working properly.
Now come the men, humm they cannot smile ever. Reason--not one but two-- SEX and LOTTO. The problem is they leave too much for chance! They are always tense, and are discussing their fortunes over Durian (a fruit whose stink can give you nightmares).
And the rest of the people, the ones in the crowd on Orchard Road on in Raffles place are just too stiff worried about missing a meeting, an MRT, or worse even the green traffic signal!
Phew!! Here's to "onward singapore", may there be more smiles!!
8/04/2004
Fun at substation
Films can be extremely therapeutic, and watching them with a discerning audience is a different experience altogether. The experience took me back to my studio in the university where we would watch movies endlessly.
The Substation in Singapore is a platform for new filmmakers and anyone who is interested in filmmaking to meet, exchange ideas and show their work. I happpened to go for their screening of short film series screening today. Saw a brilliant ensemble of stories.
Portrait of a Young Man explores the different routes that a young man can take in his search for deliverance and success, and the consequences of taking that route. A dramatic re-enactment of the life of Lawrence Leow, now executive chairman of the Crescendas Group of Companies, the film heralds the redemptive power of education.
The Assassin is a mockumentary-satire on the gangster genre about a professional killer on his last job.
The Funeral Photo is a film about a retired couple who decides to have their funeral photo taken. They just want to look good with the garland on their glam photo. An accident happens during the photography session that sparks off a discussion about the subject of untimely deaths between the couple and the photographer.
The Substation in Singapore is a platform for new filmmakers and anyone who is interested in filmmaking to meet, exchange ideas and show their work. I happpened to go for their screening of short film series screening today. Saw a brilliant ensemble of stories.
Portrait of a Young Man explores the different routes that a young man can take in his search for deliverance and success, and the consequences of taking that route. A dramatic re-enactment of the life of Lawrence Leow, now executive chairman of the Crescendas Group of Companies, the film heralds the redemptive power of education.
The Assassin is a mockumentary-satire on the gangster genre about a professional killer on his last job.
The Funeral Photo is a film about a retired couple who decides to have their funeral photo taken. They just want to look good with the garland on their glam photo. An accident happens during the photography session that sparks off a discussion about the subject of untimely deaths between the couple and the photographer.
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