Halloween has its origins 2500 years ago with the Celtics (basic Ireland), who believed that on this day, the last day of the year, dead spirits would rise and walk the Earth. To ward off these spirits, they would decorate their houses with bones and other scary items.
Ofcourse now it is celebrated differently, with horror movies being one of the main features.
So today of all days, I watched a horror movie on Halloween. How original right?
The one I saw was Paranormal Activity. It's been making waves in the US, primarily because it was a low budget film shot for $15000 and the director Oren Peli is a novice who has made a really great film.
It is a good film. The camera movements give you a headache though sometimes. I noticed this about me in Rachel Getting Married as well, where I vomitted after the film got over.
The ending in the DVD version is the one I saw, not the Spielberg ending. I liked it. It leaves you a little scared. The way she just keeps rocking is very eerie.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Lax security norms at Goa Airport
I read the most horrifying news story today about how Goan authorities are letting people enter India before getting a visa prior to arrival. The procedure is that you are supposed to get a visa from the Indian Embassy in the country of origin before you proceed for travel to India. There are some exceptional cases where visa can be issued on arrival in India - like family emergency etc.
Now I can only guess why they did this, as can us all. Most of the tourists who availed this facility - almost 2000 in all - were from Russia it seems. I don't know about most things, but I do know that Russia is a BIG country, and it may not always be possible to apply before hand for a visa. In some cases, the country requires you to come in person, and the process can take upto two weeks. E.g., in a recent case that I know of who wants to go to Copenhagen for the UN Conference on Climate Change, she has to fly to New York to get the visa and apply in person to the authorities in Denmark. This is, as you can imagine, costing at least $300 more. You can't simply send your passport and get it back by courier.
I know that in most places you can have tough laws and you can have easy laws. India is often criticized for its many digresses, lack of procedure etc. But what happens to the person who was deboarded at Czech Republic because he did not have a transit visa for London? And this poor guy was flying in from Poland. Do you make out that there is a security threat because he didn't know that to stay at Heathrow Airport you needed a visa? What of the time, money and anguish that was spent?
That's when I wish we were more harsh at Indian airports. But not indiscriminate harsh; just firm.
Now I can only guess why they did this, as can us all. Most of the tourists who availed this facility - almost 2000 in all - were from Russia it seems. I don't know about most things, but I do know that Russia is a BIG country, and it may not always be possible to apply before hand for a visa. In some cases, the country requires you to come in person, and the process can take upto two weeks. E.g., in a recent case that I know of who wants to go to Copenhagen for the UN Conference on Climate Change, she has to fly to New York to get the visa and apply in person to the authorities in Denmark. This is, as you can imagine, costing at least $300 more. You can't simply send your passport and get it back by courier.
I know that in most places you can have tough laws and you can have easy laws. India is often criticized for its many digresses, lack of procedure etc. But what happens to the person who was deboarded at Czech Republic because he did not have a transit visa for London? And this poor guy was flying in from Poland. Do you make out that there is a security threat because he didn't know that to stay at Heathrow Airport you needed a visa? What of the time, money and anguish that was spent?
That's when I wish we were more harsh at Indian airports. But not indiscriminate harsh; just firm.
Ice Age 3: Rise of the Dinosaurs
So I got to see this really cute animation film called Ice Age 3. I've seen Ice Age 1 and Ice Age 2 before - they were cute. I liked Ice Age 1 because the story was just so adorable. You put a cute little baby, a giant mammoth, a lazy sloth and a sabre tooth together and youv'e got a great plot.
I marvel at the imagination that goes into making these kinds of films. Ray Romano is excellent as the lead and so is the sloth, whose voice is actually of John Leguizamo's - you may remember him from The Happening and Moulin Rouge.
But what really really really gets to you in this 3rd installment - not Buck - the cavalier dinosaur chaser - but the cute little T Rexes who Sid tries to raise as his children. They were just so adorable. I don't know how you can make carnivorous fangs look cute but Blue Skies Studios certainly did!!
Seriously recommending with a 5/5 star recommendation. Go see it if you haven't. If you have kids, get the DVD for them!!
I marvel at the imagination that goes into making these kinds of films. Ray Romano is excellent as the lead and so is the sloth, whose voice is actually of John Leguizamo's - you may remember him from The Happening and Moulin Rouge.
But what really really really gets to you in this 3rd installment - not Buck - the cavalier dinosaur chaser - but the cute little T Rexes who Sid tries to raise as his children. They were just so adorable. I don't know how you can make carnivorous fangs look cute but Blue Skies Studios certainly did!!
Seriously recommending with a 5/5 star recommendation. Go see it if you haven't. If you have kids, get the DVD for them!!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Babies, Brown and Badams
So I've moved into a place of my own. Earlier I was living alone as well, in Ludhiana - but now am part of a set of two, so there's more accountability one can say. It's not easy getting up at 6:30 am though. One great thing is that my husband has set up the Internet on wifi so I can pretty much write this blog from anywhere in the apartment.
We have a set of loud neighbours. I think it's the architecture of the apartments above that is more to blame than anything else. Plus that they are loud doesn't help much. Before we moved in we were told that a single lady lives there - now that we've moved in it's more like a family of three.
C'est la vie. A case of the lemons I guess. What to do? We've signed the lease and in Delhi it's not that easy to find a great place to stay.
Two of my close friends are expecting their first borns soon and it's so cute to hear about it!! Babies are great stress busters - 100% is the case if they're not yours - cuz you can play with them and forget all your problems. Mom tells me that one should always visualise strong healthy kids and that's what you'll get.
Dan Brown's Lost Symbol is what I'm reading these days. It's a good book - I'm 60% through it right now and I like it. In fact one can now see Robert Langdon solely as Tom Hanks, which is maybe not so much of a good thing. Imagination goes out of the window. But since there has been A Da Vinci Code and an Angels and Demons, it's too much to expect that your brain won't automatically revert to a picture image of Robert Langdon.
As part of the schedule for the day, I soak 10 badams every night for me and my husband. They actually taste really great at breakfast time and are very very healthy.
We have a set of loud neighbours. I think it's the architecture of the apartments above that is more to blame than anything else. Plus that they are loud doesn't help much. Before we moved in we were told that a single lady lives there - now that we've moved in it's more like a family of three.
C'est la vie. A case of the lemons I guess. What to do? We've signed the lease and in Delhi it's not that easy to find a great place to stay.
Two of my close friends are expecting their first borns soon and it's so cute to hear about it!! Babies are great stress busters - 100% is the case if they're not yours - cuz you can play with them and forget all your problems. Mom tells me that one should always visualise strong healthy kids and that's what you'll get.
Dan Brown's Lost Symbol is what I'm reading these days. It's a good book - I'm 60% through it right now and I like it. In fact one can now see Robert Langdon solely as Tom Hanks, which is maybe not so much of a good thing. Imagination goes out of the window. But since there has been A Da Vinci Code and an Angels and Demons, it's too much to expect that your brain won't automatically revert to a picture image of Robert Langdon.
As part of the schedule for the day, I soak 10 badams every night for me and my husband. They actually taste really great at breakfast time and are very very healthy.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Update
I wanted to let you know the status of my July 11 post.
I still have to finish the following novels:
The Hummingbird's Daughter by Alberto Urrea
Hot Flat and Crowded by Thomas Friedman
Everest Hotel by Allan Seally
In the meantime, I've started another one called The Bronte Project by Jennifer Vandever. Now, I hate to admit this, considering that I read so much, but I've never read a Bronte novel. I really should read one. This book is okay... a little too "Bridget Jones type". In this she does have a bf though, who has just shirked away from his marriage commitment by going off to France for a year.
I'd love to go off somewhere in Europe too!! But I'd like to have my husband with me though!!
I've also started reading a book on Yoga Nidra. It's quite interesting.
I still have to finish the following novels:
The Hummingbird's Daughter by Alberto Urrea
Hot Flat and Crowded by Thomas Friedman
Everest Hotel by Allan Seally
In the meantime, I've started another one called The Bronte Project by Jennifer Vandever. Now, I hate to admit this, considering that I read so much, but I've never read a Bronte novel. I really should read one. This book is okay... a little too "Bridget Jones type". In this she does have a bf though, who has just shirked away from his marriage commitment by going off to France for a year.
I'd love to go off somewhere in Europe too!! But I'd like to have my husband with me though!!
I've also started reading a book on Yoga Nidra. It's quite interesting.
The Alchemist and Diwali
I was reading about The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown on amazon.com recently. It's on the New York Times Best Seller list and has just been released in hardback. It's doing very well apparently in terms of sales.
On the side of the New York Times list I noticed an article on a book I read a while back called The Alchemist. I had actually not read this book for a long time, and I'd only heard about it. Then one day in Ludhiana I found a copy lying around so I picked it up. It only took me a day to finish the book. But I was mesmerised. Now I know, some of you may think - what is it about this book? After all, did you know that since its publication, it has sold 65 million copies? It was first published in Brazil in 1988.
The theme of the book is sort of like Byrne's The Secret. You are what you will yourself to be. If you work hard enough, you will get it. And the Universe will conspire to get it for you. If you think positively, positive things will happen.
Diwali is around the corner here in India and I think that one should pick up books just like The Alchemist around this time. It'll rejuvenate you for the rest of the year.
“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” - Paolo Coelho
"When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.”
- Paolo Coelho
On the side of the New York Times list I noticed an article on a book I read a while back called The Alchemist. I had actually not read this book for a long time, and I'd only heard about it. Then one day in Ludhiana I found a copy lying around so I picked it up. It only took me a day to finish the book. But I was mesmerised. Now I know, some of you may think - what is it about this book? After all, did you know that since its publication, it has sold 65 million copies? It was first published in Brazil in 1988.
The theme of the book is sort of like Byrne's The Secret. You are what you will yourself to be. If you work hard enough, you will get it. And the Universe will conspire to get it for you. If you think positively, positive things will happen.
Diwali is around the corner here in India and I think that one should pick up books just like The Alchemist around this time. It'll rejuvenate you for the rest of the year.
“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” - Paolo Coelho
"When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.”
- Paolo Coelho
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Angels and Demons (2009)
I just watched the film.
It's slick and fast paced. It definitely helps if you've read the book - cuz it'll be easier to pick up the story.
There are a lot of deviations from the book though. The Pope in the book is also the father of one of the characters - although the child is a miracle of science more than anything else, which is one reason why the Pope was a believer of the good of science. That was one of the major things that happens in the book, one of the most controversial points because of the divergent views on modern medicine and artificial means of reproduction.
All that is cut though. I remember I had read that the movie could not be shot in Vatican City because the Church was not happy with The Da Vinci Code. So I was surprised at how well reconstructed the sets were and how real the whole thing looked. Even the insides of the church, some of Bernini's statues - all quite well done.
Italy is a beautiful country to visit, steeped in a rich cultural heritage that has been well preserved over time. The deep seated religious beliefs of the country are comparable to those we find in India.
My verdict: Read the book, then watch the film.
"Only Angels and Demons can raise the dead".
It's slick and fast paced. It definitely helps if you've read the book - cuz it'll be easier to pick up the story.
There are a lot of deviations from the book though. The Pope in the book is also the father of one of the characters - although the child is a miracle of science more than anything else, which is one reason why the Pope was a believer of the good of science. That was one of the major things that happens in the book, one of the most controversial points because of the divergent views on modern medicine and artificial means of reproduction.
All that is cut though. I remember I had read that the movie could not be shot in Vatican City because the Church was not happy with The Da Vinci Code. So I was surprised at how well reconstructed the sets were and how real the whole thing looked. Even the insides of the church, some of Bernini's statues - all quite well done.
Italy is a beautiful country to visit, steeped in a rich cultural heritage that has been well preserved over time. The deep seated religious beliefs of the country are comparable to those we find in India.
My verdict: Read the book, then watch the film.
"Only Angels and Demons can raise the dead".
Friday, October 9, 2009
Karva Chauth in Nagpur
Yups, am now married and observed Karva Chauth on the 7th of October. Due to work I was in Nagpur that week.
There was an article in Times of India that day on how Karva Chauth was a festival that "trapped women". That's my reading from the article anyway. Apart from the article being badly structured and having no point, what I couldn't understand is how a festival, which celebrates the deep union between a husband and a wife, is actually sweet in its own way and has a completely peaceful agenda can be subverted to be a tool of patriarchal repression.
If you ask me, they're reading too much into it.
It was tough fasting without water. But more than anything it was an endurance exercise. Hell, I've done worse and felt worse while I was trekking upto 15000 feet in the Himalayas. My body was acclimatizing and at the same time I was trying to get as much oxygen in my body as I could.
I had a typically traditional karva chauth. I woke up at 4 o'clock, bathed, ate some fruit and the sayweeya. Then I fell back off to sleep because I had a long day of work ahead of me.
The day went keeping away from food and all forms of strenuous exercise. Needless to say I did not rush out and go jogging. I took the day easy and then after work came back, changed into the lovely saree I'd gotten from my Mom and got all ready for the pooja ceremony in the evening.
The pooja ceremony consists of worship of the karva (the earthen jar) which represents Lord Ganesha. You have a simple prayer in your head and wish for the good and long life of your husband and all your near and dear ones. A thali is arranged with all sorts of items (16 in my case) which are regularly used by you, which will be donated later. Since it was my first karva chauth, I also had in the pooja items that I was going to give my Mom, which I did the pooja with.
Around 8:00 the moon was sighted (thank god!!) and we broke the fast around 8:30. My sweet husband waited for me to have dinner first before he did, so that even though we were in different cities at least we could eat dinner at the same time.
Did I feel that I was being suppressed? In fact, the four of us married ladies who did the pooja together shared a common bond that day. They also took special care of me since it was my first karva chauth, and I'm glad that I had them around.
If anything, I felt it made you stronger as a woman and united us all together.
There was an article in Times of India that day on how Karva Chauth was a festival that "trapped women". That's my reading from the article anyway. Apart from the article being badly structured and having no point, what I couldn't understand is how a festival, which celebrates the deep union between a husband and a wife, is actually sweet in its own way and has a completely peaceful agenda can be subverted to be a tool of patriarchal repression.
If you ask me, they're reading too much into it.
It was tough fasting without water. But more than anything it was an endurance exercise. Hell, I've done worse and felt worse while I was trekking upto 15000 feet in the Himalayas. My body was acclimatizing and at the same time I was trying to get as much oxygen in my body as I could.
I had a typically traditional karva chauth. I woke up at 4 o'clock, bathed, ate some fruit and the sayweeya. Then I fell back off to sleep because I had a long day of work ahead of me.
The day went keeping away from food and all forms of strenuous exercise. Needless to say I did not rush out and go jogging. I took the day easy and then after work came back, changed into the lovely saree I'd gotten from my Mom and got all ready for the pooja ceremony in the evening.
The pooja ceremony consists of worship of the karva (the earthen jar) which represents Lord Ganesha. You have a simple prayer in your head and wish for the good and long life of your husband and all your near and dear ones. A thali is arranged with all sorts of items (16 in my case) which are regularly used by you, which will be donated later. Since it was my first karva chauth, I also had in the pooja items that I was going to give my Mom, which I did the pooja with.
Around 8:00 the moon was sighted (thank god!!) and we broke the fast around 8:30. My sweet husband waited for me to have dinner first before he did, so that even though we were in different cities at least we could eat dinner at the same time.
Did I feel that I was being suppressed? In fact, the four of us married ladies who did the pooja together shared a common bond that day. They also took special care of me since it was my first karva chauth, and I'm glad that I had them around.
If anything, I felt it made you stronger as a woman and united us all together.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
100 most inspirational movies of all time
The American Film Institute's List of the 100 most inspirational movies of all time:
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