Rakaland the blog

New Year's Resolutions: 2012

2012-01-09T02:51:00.002-05:00

That time of the year again.

1. Read one new book a month
2. Run another half marathon, this time under 2:30
3. Pay off student loans and raise liquid cash to $15k (spend less than $20/week on lunch)
4. Get a promotion and look for better opportunities career-wise
5. Focus more at work
6. Blog more often (haha...)
7. Watch 85 of the AFI Top 100 movies
--
8. Improve my Spanish and Bengali
9. Try one new, fairly complex recipe a month
10. Paint/draw more.

Realizing you've grown up (or just moved on)

2010-03-22T03:02:00.002-04:00

This weekend I went to LA to visit an old HS friend--for the remainder of this post I'll refer to her as T. I thought the visit would be a nice way to forget some of the stress of work and just relax but it was a bit mistaken. The person I ended up staying with was someone who I'd fought on and off with in school due to my perceived lack of ambition or intellectual drive in her, something that is highly prized in my family and their social circle. The person in particular was never an academic standout in high school, ended up attending a public school in state and is getting a masters in OT, something I consider a bit of a soft feel.

Many people in 'humanities' type subjects often feel that engineer and scientist look down on them, and it's probably true--few things compare to the rigor of engineering or science studies; there is a reason that throughout media the stereotype of anthropology and sociology are viewed as fall back majors. The truly baffling thing to me is that T is under the delusion that OT majors can earn 6 figures our of a masters program. No doubt there are certain people who might, but it certainly isn't the norm. Computer science/ engineering on the other hand can for the most part guarantee a salary a significant amount higher than the median salary of $67000.00 for OT, and that is with just a BS. There is a reason that so many people featured in Forbes and Times influential lists are technologists.

A secondary condition that T labors under is the idea that 'helping' people as an OT can be just as fulfilling as founding a company and inventing something that revolutionizes the way in which the world works. We have a mutual acquaintance from school who went to college for music and is now a piano teacher. T thinks this is okay since some people want to settle for this sort of a life but I think it's a bit of a waste; why not aspire to be a concert pianist, or at least part of some medium where your art is appreciated? Her argument is that you can impact the lives of your students who may then grown up to be Emanuel Ax, but then why not aspire to that yourself? The only reason to settle is for lack to talent, and in my belief that is a personal failure. In the same vein, T thinks that being an OT is just as fulfilling as founding you own company because you are improving others lives. As an OT, you may be improving the quality of life for a patient, but it is not nearly as much as you would if you had gone into medicine proper. People who chose a profession as an OT do so because they don't have the talent to become a doctor--even one who specializes in sports medicine.

T has time and time again said she thinks I expect too much of people, and it may be true, but I went to a school surrounded by people who all wanted to become CEOs or the like. Likewise in the bay area everyone seems to share the entrepreneurial spirit and the drive to succeed, not settle.

I suppose the main issue is that T has always lived in a comfort zone of people who always have settled, while I've always been surrounded by people who expect more of themselves and the world around them. The sad conclusion is that T's friendship really doesn't add much value to my life anymore. I suppose 'growing up' in part is realizing the friends you went to HS went would not be the people you would seek as your friends in your adult life.

Just food for thought.

iPhail

2010-03-08T17:58:00.002-05:00

Dear readers (haha like there are any of you out there),
Sorry for not writing in a while. Here are some thoughts on why I dislike the iPhone 3G. Maybe it's the 3.1 OS, maybe it's just Apple software but at least twice a day my phone freezes. At least one a week I have to soft reset it. Additionally, there is no 'Export contacts to SIM'. Everyone phone I have owned since about the year 2003 when I was in High School has had this feature. Sure I could use mobileMe, but I have no desire to give Apple my credit card information just so I can sync my contacts. I could also export them to a CSV and then import them to any number of programs like Gmail, Outlook, etc., but why should I have to go through that when switching phones? Apple my have the UI down, but their UX is terrible. With the way Apple's ego is growing, I would not be surprised to see a growing Apple backlash as happened with MSFT in the mid to late 1990's.

That is all.

Golden Globes 2010

2010-01-11T23:51:00.003-05:00

It's my favorite time of year, awards season. Here are my prediction for the Golden Globes. For fun I've listed who I think a) will, and b) who should win.

BEST MOTION PICTURE, DRAMA
a) Up in the Air - It has the most buzz and has a recession appropriate theme.
b) The Hurt Locker - This film spares nothing, and has great acting from all three leads as well as excellent cameos from Guy Pierce, Ralph Fiennes, Christian Camargo.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE, DRAMA
a) Helen Mirren, The Last Station - The HFPA love to award celebrity and lets face it, period films as well.
b) Emily Blunt, The Young Victoria - She truly held the picture together and didn't let the costumes or set pieces overwhelm her. I loved that she was able to show vulnerability without being too weak.
(Note: If Carey Mulligan wins, I will literally tear out my hair; the girl cannot act. She played the same character in An Education as she played in The Seagull which coincidentally starred Peter Saarsgaard in a similar role.)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE, DRAMA
a) George Clooney, Up in the Air - Once again, the lure of a celebrity is too great for those Brits who run the HFPA. To his credit, Clooney did act the best I've ever seen, but sadly his best isn't the same league previous winners.
b) Colin Firth, A Single Man - A beautifully subtle actor, whose acting is sadly too subtle to catch the attention of the HFPA.

BEST MOTION PICTURE, COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a) (500) Days of Summer - The HFPA loves quirky feel good films films (re: Vicky, Christina, Barcelona)
b) Nine - This whole movie is like a Steven Meisel or Patrick Demarchelier editorial. Simple gorgeous and Rob Marshall is able to make even Fergie appear an actress.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE, COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a) Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia - She is even more outrageous than the real Julia Child. Once again the quirk factor.
b) Marion Cotillard, Nine - The is able to show such range of emotion with just her eyes. Her portrayal of Luisa Contini is regal and heartbreaking.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE, COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a) and b) Michael Stuhlbarg, A Serious Man - There is a great scene where Larry has just been told the Rabbi Marshak won't see him though he is clearly unoccupied to which Larry exasperated and almost on the verge or crying or laughing states "But he's not doing anything." Stuhlbarg is able to invoke the image of a child stamping his foot when he doesn't get candy. Truly brilliant. However, Stuhlbarg is a bit full of himself in person.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
a) and b) Up - If possible a film that lived up to WallE. The introduction with the story of Carl and Ellie is just beautiful storytelling. This should actually be in Musical or Comedy category...it's much better than most of the other nominations.

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
a) Broken Embraces (Spain) - Almodovar is a favorite of the critics.
b) The White Ribbon (Germany) - The German's make nice subtle films. Even if they do all have Nazi or Communist undertones.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
• Anna Kendrick, Up in the Air - The scene in which she breaks down after revealing she was dumped via txt is hilarious.
• Penélope Cruz, Nine - She won an Oscar so she won't win for awhile, but her decision to wear no makeup in the scene after her attempted suicide was brave and paid off in spades. Her comic timing is also excellent.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
a) and b) Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds - A favorite of critics and the fans. The Heath Ledger of this year (but not to the same extent).

BEST DIRECTOR
a) James Cameron, Avatar - A worthy successor to Titanic. I give him credit, there were times I forgot I was watching 3D which is a first for me since usually the gimmick of 3D suspends the disbelief.
b) Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker - Not only did Bigelow get ovation worthy performances from the three leads, but she maintained the tension throughout the film without throwaway high octane tricks favored by other war movies directors (that's you Mr. Spielberg).

BEST SCREENPLAY
a) Mark Boal, The Hurt Locker - As mentioned, the film moves along at a pace befitting the content and allows us to see enough of the soldiers' anxiousness and despair without becoming cliched.
b) Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell, District 9 - A parable about the relocation of Distict 6 in Cape Town using aliens could have gone badly awry. This treatment didn't and impressed both critics and audiences.

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
a) James Horner, Avatar - The music is sweeping and grand befitting the movie, but had too many harmonies that sounded like they came from Titanic
b) Karen O and Carter Burwell, Where the Wild Things Are - Bittersweet and enchanting. I almost bought the soundtrack after leaving the theater.

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
a) "I Want to Come Home," Music & Lyrics by Paul McCartney (Everybody's Fine) - Bruce Springsteen won last year. Time to reward fading folk singers.
b) "The Weary Kind," Music & Lyrics by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett (Crazy Heart) - I like songs with strong guitar backing and the HFPA does often as well.

BEST TELEVISION SERIES, DRAMA
a) Mad Men - Mad Men has become the Lost of this year, watercooler talk revolves around Don crying, and Betty cheating. In its own right the acting and styling of this show are superior.
b) Dexter - This show is ridiculously well written and addictive to watch. Showtime has another winner.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES, DRAMA
a) Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife - This year the talk has swung back to network television. The Good Wife in particular was a apt show given the moral health of American politicians this year.
b) Glen Close, Damages - Cruella DeVille for adults. She is delicious as the partner of a top litigation firm.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES, DRAMA
a) Jon Hamm, Mad Men - Men want to be him, and women want to be with him. Jon Hamm does give a layered performance as Don Draper, and these season especially has shown a depth of emotion and angst previously unseen.
b) Michael C. Hall, Dexter - It could be very easy to make Dexter Morgan cartoonish, but Hall's interpretation humanizes him without making you ever entirely too comfortable with him.

BEST TELEVISION SERIES, COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a) Modern Family - The format feeds off the success of The Office. While the show has excellent one-liners, I don't think it has staying power.
b) Glee - This show has single handedly re-energized MT. This is the first show in a long time that doesn't worry about becoming the 'next' big thing but enjoys just being the campy song fest that it is.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES, COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a) Toni Collette, United States of Tara - Toni Collette has an impressive body of work, and while I haven't seen her in this, I imagine it she turns in another knockout performance. Also if nothing else the HFPA will want to honor her for her past credits.
b) Tina Fey, 30 Rock - Truly the wonder woman of television and comedy. Sadly she's been honoured so often the judges will want some new blood.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES, COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a) Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock - The man is hilarious, and like Steve Carrell's Michael Scott make an ass look like a decent guy.
b) David Duchovny, Californication - Some people may say this character isn't a stretch for him, but I think he does a fine job skirting the line from loveable to hateable.

BEST MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
a) & b) Grey Gardens - Haven't seen it, I just have a feeling about this one.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
a) Joan Allen, Georgia O'Keefe - She got rave review on Broadway for "Impressionism" so I'm going to take a guess and say the Jeremy Irons chemistry translates off stage as well.
b) Jessica Lange, Grey Gardens - I like crazy people, what can I say?

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
a) Jeremy Irons, Georgia O'Keefe
b) Brendan Gleeson, Into the Storm

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
a) Rose Byrne, Damages - She's grown up a lot from the ingenue to a shark in her own right this season.
b) Janet McTeer, Into the Storm - I love Janet McTeer. A lot.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
a) John Lithgow, Dexter - As Trinity he was pretty amazing.
b) Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother - Barney single handedly makes this show legend---wait for it---ary!

Happy New Years!

2010-01-11T23:41:00.002-05:00

I'm sorry dear readers that I haven't updated in literally eight odd months and for years now I expect the only people who read this are people who stumble upon it while searching for something interesting on google. No matter. I've come to think of this a sort of time capsule I can look back on in five years to remember what college and the first few years of my forray into the working world was like.

Here are a few resolutions:

Blog more. I can't have an archive if I never add to it.
Finish the quest to watch the AFI 100 list.
Read at least one book a month.
Learn to read and write Bengali
Maintain a weight under 105 lbs.
Get something that passes for abs
Start my website and keep my server stable.
Bring my student loans down to $7,000.00.
Grow my liquid investments to $15,000.00.
Take the GREs.

Thoughts on Star Trek

2009-05-07T01:10:00.002-04:00

Sorry for the long delay in posting, unacceptable. Instead of writing a review I've just decided to write my top ten thoughts on it (hopefully not too many spoilers):

1. Best quote: "My usual farewell would appear self-serving, so instead, goodluck!" Spock Prime to Spock.
2. I love Simon Pegg as Scotty and his sexual one-liners in referrence to the USS Enterprise.
3. James Cho's character responding that his hand-to-hand combat experience is fencing--also priceless.
4. The 'red matter' reminds me of the Rambaldi sphere from Alias
5. The ice planet that Kirk is marooned on seems a lot like Hoth from Star Wars V.
6. I think it's hillarious that ILM did the SFX.
7. Seeing the Golden Gate Bridge get tanked was awesome, too bad it can't happen in real life so work is cancelled.
8. The green alien Kirk is banging in the beginning looks like Elphaba from the musical Wicked.
9. Kuddos the the script writer. A lot of excellent one-liners.
10. Don't bother waiting till the end of the credits, there is no clip.

Quicky Movie Reviews

2009-03-08T03:01:00.002-04:00

I've seen a few movies lately and here are my comments.

Two Lovers: boring, bad, and sad. If this is Joaquin Phoenix's 'last' film, this truly is not the way to end an otherwise above average film career. The lesson in this movie is that Brooklyn-Jewish-self-preoccupation didn't end with Annie Hall and that Jewish boys should always marry the Jewish girls their mothers pick for them. I don't understand how Gwyneth Paltrow's character continues to do ex or acid or whatever if she knows she's pregnant...confusing. The only standout in this movie was Isabella Rossalini. Though now, the gum chewing on Letterman makes a lot more sense.

Alien Trespass: better than I was expecting and as perfect a spoof as one can find. Eric McCormick's comedic timing is hilarious and Jenni Baird looks very pretty in a period appropriate way. When I asked director R.W. Goodwin (of X-Files fame) what he thought of all the sci-fi remakes, he said that nothing could compare to the originals which is why he choose to make his an original, but shot in the same style of the classics, as opposed to hijacking the plot and re-shooting with modern effects. I agree with Goodwin's idea...much more enjoyable than the painful re-imaginings of the War of the Worlds and Day the Earth Stood Still

I Love You, Man: Genius! Same vein of humor as Knocked Up and Baby Mama (I know, that was a Tina Fey flick), but without the pot jokes, which makes it more mature than just a frat-boy comedy. Paul Rudd's physical comedy is especially good, such as his inability to come up with a proper nickname or farewell/ response/ greetings to Jason Segel. Jamie Pressly and Jon Favreau are hilarious.

Man on Wire: better than average for a documentary, and most likely deserved it's Oscar (I don't consider Best Documentary, Feature a competitive category), but I don't think it deserves a 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. First of all, Phillipe Petit sounds like he is lying during parts of his recount and he also comes across as a pompous French tool (I know, I know, a stereotype, but this time he proves the rule). He is too obsessed with his own fame, and by the account of his then girlfriend at the time, Annie Allix, and primary accomplice, Jean-Louis Blondeau, he turned his back on them all after he finished his walk. Instead of marveling at the event that the film chronicles, my last thought was, 'man, this guy is a douche bag!'

Sir Allen Stanford, the new Bernie Madoff?

2009-02-18T02:38:00.003-05:00

Sort of makes me laugh since the man is so repulsive and reprehensible (the Emily-Prior-sitting-on-the-lap incident notwithstanding). Are we really that surprised that a man who pits some of the world's best cricketers against each other for $1 Million apiece, flirts with their wives, and enters their dressing rooms is able to commit in the words of the SEC, 'fraud of shocking magnitude'? While the economic consequences are regrettable, I am glad to see this oaf of a character go. For all the hopes placed on him by the countries of Antigua and Barbuda, and the ECB that he would revitalize their economies and cricket, the lesson to be learned is that going the way of the NFL or premier league football will only damage the fiber of the sport. Dumping money at cricket will only make a circus; there need to be better ways of expanding the game then sinking into lampoonery as Mr. Stanford and the IPL would have.

In other news, 36 Chowringee Lane is a painful movie and makes me rethink like Aparna Sen as a director, and CMU was mentioned on The Simpsons. The funny part is that Al Gore was also at the pub since he just spoke at CMU's 2008 Commencement Exercises. The episode is on Fox, if you are curious to check it out.

The Oscar Special

2009-01-27T01:18:00.003-05:00

As many of you know (that's a joke, maybe 2 people actually read this with any regularity) will know I love the Oscars. I especially enjoy Oscar parties and am the habit of throwing one every year, however this year due to my new locale and lack of social circle will prob. just sit at home in my sweats with my traditional bottle of champagne. This year is also special since it is the first year I have seen most of (and by the end of this week, all) the picks for Best Movie. Anyway lacking anything better and more productive to do I will give my picks for a) who I think will win, and b) who I want to win. Here goes...

Performance by an actor in a leading role
a) Frank Langella in "Frost/Nixon" - As the critics say, he is more Nixon than Nixon.
b) Sean Penn in "Milk" - No, not just because I'm from SF. He really does embody the role.

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
a) Heath Ledger in "The Dark Knight" - Crowd favorite. Death is great for winning posthumous awards.
b) Josh Brolin in "Milk" - This man is a chameleon. I have enjoyed him immensely in everything I have seen him in: W., Milk, and No Country For Old Men.

Performance by an actress in a leading role
a) and b) Kate Winslet in "The Reader" - Sorry Meryl, Kate's turn.

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
a) Amy Adams in "Doubt" - It's based of a straight play and since they are snubbing Meryl they'll give it to Amy.
b) Taraji P. Henson in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" - She was luminous on screen.

Best animated feature film of the year
a) and b) "WALL-E" - Do I even need to say anything?

Achievement in art direction
a) and b) "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" - I think I already said this, but it's really like a moving picture. Each shot is so well thought out.

Achievement in cinematography
a) "Slumdog Millionaire" - The shots are ingenious and capture the vibrancy and desolation of life in India
b) "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" - No really, this is a BEAUTIFUL movie.

Achievement in costume design
a) and b) "Australia" - Just look at the "Vogue" issue with Nicole Kidman.

Achievement in directing
a) "Slumdog Millionaire" - While I question some of Danny Boyle's work, he does manage to get a stirring performance out of slum kids and debutantes.
b) "Milk" - The entire ensemble is captivating and Gus Van Sant masterfully weaves it all together.

Achievement in film editing (can we first say that I think it's a joke the The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was nominated? This film NEEDS editing)
a) "The Dark Knight" - I think the most powerful moment is when the Joker is riding in the police car with his head out the window like a dog's, swaying back and forth as he surveys the damage he was wreaked with a muted sirens in the background.
b) "Slumdog Millionaire" - I just really love the low shots and quick editing changes in this. It really does physically give you the sense of the chaos of India.

Achievement in makeup
a) and b) "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" - They manage to believably make Cate Blanchett look younger than me and Brad Pitt older than my grandfather.

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
a) "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" - The music is beautifully interwoven with the film.
b) "Slumdog Millionaire" - Okay so I've pretty much wanted to marry A.R. Rahman since the 8th grade.

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
a) "Down to Earth" from "WALL-E" - It's in English.
b) "Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire" - Gulzar and Rahman gave us the soundtrack for Dil Se which incidentally makes them my favorite musical pair of all time. Also the dance at the credits is cute.

Best motion picture of the year
a) "Slumdog Millionaire" - At first I was skeptical but after a strong showing at the SAG Awards, it proved the Golden Globes weren't a fluke.
b) "Milk" - I just wanted the movie to keep going. Also beautifully poignant and relevant.

Achievement in sound editing
a) "The Dark Knight" - Lots of special effects meaning lots of sound editing.
b) "WALL-E" (Walt Disney) - Ehh, I just liked it.

Achievement in sound mixing
a) "The Dark Knight" - Big budget means good sound editing.
b) "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" - The whole movie was just a piece of art.

Achievement in visual effects
a) "The Dark Knight" - Lots of explosions and big shots.
b) "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" - Kuddos to however they aged Cate and Brad, it was seamless and never got in the way of the story telling.

Adapted screenplay
a) "Doubt" - It won a Tony.
b) "Frost/Nixon" (Universal) - It's crazy because you know how it ends, but I was really gripped by how Frost would fare. Also, was nominated for a Tony.

Original screenplay
a) "WALL-E" - Cute, kid-friendly and environmentally conscious message. The fact that the first 30 min. of the movie had no dialogue did nothing to detract from my suspension of disbelief.
b) "Milk" - Just an overall moving picture that made you at times detest Milk's selfishness and sympathize with White's alienation and desperation.

Some thoughts on things Indian

2009-01-26T02:18:00.002-05:00

For those of you who watch Top Chef you will be aware that Radhika is out. Now I know that my like of her was purely based on that fact she was Indian-American and of similar background (raised in the Midwest on a fusion of Indian and American food). She was a good chef but not entirely assertive which was her undoing. It kills me that she was eliminated during the biggest show of the series ("Restaurant Wars") for being in a role she was placed into by winning the elimination challenge. I believe Jaime (the chef from SF who own Absinthe--a fav. of mine) said that she almost didn't want to win the elimination challenge for "Restaurant Wars" because the restaurant owner's head is on the block if their restaurant fails. How true. Radhika actually was the winner, Leah was second, and the judges actually judged the food from her restaurant to be better, yet faulted her 'front of house' experience. She's won several elimination challenges and been in the top 3 numerous times, yet the reason she goes home is because she is nervous and didn't set out spoons for dessert? I thought this was Top Chef not Top Matrie'd.

Mainly I'm just sad such a good chef was eliminated not on the basis of her food, which was strong, but on judgment calls, mainly not sending someone else to front of house and staying in the kitchen. Radhika, you will be missed.

AND secondly, yay Slumdog Millionaire which won the SAG Award showing that it's Golden Globe win wasn't a fluke. I have to admit, I wasn't so worried about The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (which I did enjoy) but about Milk which is a superb movie with a poignant message (and not just because I live near where Harvey Milk was shot and oppose Prop. 8). While Milk is probably a better movie, Slumdog Millionaire is a nice feel-good film foe these depressing times. Likewise, with the Bombay bombings, and the fact that my favs. A.R. Rahman and Irfan Khan are involved helps give it the edge in my affections.

Well here's to waiting for the Oscars...

And my last shoutout, HERE WE GO STILLERS, HERE WE GO, PITTSBURGH'S GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!.

Movie Review: Underworld Rise of the Lycans

2009-01-24T19:34:00.003-05:00

So last Thursday I had the misfortune of watching Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. I've not actually watched the first two Underworld movies so all I know is that it's about Vampires and Werewolves but have no idea what the differences between that and Twilight. It was really weird seeing Bill Nighy and Michael Sheen in such a campy role--of course his role as Davey Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean wasn't exactly serious acting, but this is movie is just ridiculously absurd, more so than a pirate movie. Likewise, when I think Michael Sheen I think Tony Blair from The Queen and David Frost from Frost/ Nixon, you know, two movies that won/ were nominated for a lot of awards and hailed by critics? So how exactly am I supposed to respond to seeing Tony Blair prancing around the screen naked as a werewolf--sorry Lycan?

Being an Aussie cricket fan is hard work

2009-01-03T22:27:00.002-05:00

After a humiliating defeat to Australia's new favorite rivals abroad in the dust bowls of India, they now contend to an even more crushing series defeat at home. Now I admit, an Australian home defeat has been a long time coming, re: India's past two tours, but luckily since Australia always has fielded 13 players against India, such an outcome was always diverted at the 11th hour by a hair (or should I say Darrel Hair?). Now with South Africa's trouncing in the first two tests, especially the Boxing Day defeat by 9 wickets, Australia have only their pride to play for. Yet, even with the series lost and their reputation forever tarnished, the Aussies are refusing to role over. In the third test the tail have added 146 (and counting) to bring their first innings total to 445/9. I can't imagine many Aussies are watching this since there is a limit to how much punishment even a glutton for masochism can take, but I imagine this must be a blindingly bright silver lining.

Along with the end of era that India's batting foursome is experiencing, so too is this an end of an era where Australia sat a head above all other competitors. I'm just sad India couldn't have the glory of being the ones to beat Australia at home...

Can I Talk my Shit Again?

2008-12-28T14:50:00.004-05:00

I've been relistening to a lot of Kanye due to getting 808s & Heartbreak (which is AMAZING, so much better than Graduation and equal to Late Registration) for Xmas, hence the title. In the last few weeks I've been sort of having a violent reaction to the way India and Indians try to sanitize and assimilate parts of western, particularly American culture. Sort of like a post-post-colonialism; post-colonialism being the reaction (re: mostly rejection of their former colonizers) of societies that were former colonies, and post-post-colonialism as my reaction to the way these societies are now again borrowing from former colonizers. The two issues on my mind are hip hip music and dance and Hollywood movies. First with hip hop. An Indian's idea of hip hop and an American's idea of hip hop are generally vastly different with Indian people thinking of night clubs and flashing lights, while many Americans will think of the street and coke. I really don't think many Indians in India who imitate the gangster style even understand what they are imitating. Do they know the significance of rolling up a certain side of your pant's leg or titling your cap to a certain side? Do they know that bboys are a reaction to the violence of street life? Most Indian's who claim they can do 'hip hop' dance really mean they can do 80s pop, a la Michael Jackson, and don't know what clowning for crumping is, which is fine, but just don't say you dance hip hop if you really dance pop. I think this is just part of my passive aggressive reaction to being and Indian nerd and going to an inner city high school.

Now for movies... why can't Indian directors make subtle movies? They have individually amazing elements, such as score, cinematography, acting (occasionally), yet it's very hard to find movies in which all the elements come together. I mean, Chinese Kung Fu flicks are as foreign as Hindi movies, yet they just seem a lot less ridiculous, which is why Chinese movies translate more easily in the global market. Also, why do Hindi movies take amazing Hollywood movies and make such crappy remakes? For example, Chris Nolan's Memento is one of my favorite movies and has been remade into a Bollywood film, Ghajini in which the hero is ridiculously buff and rich. WHY? Why can't movies in India work if you have a skinny hero (Guy Pearce style) or if they aren't always rich business men? Why do all the girls have to look like models and not everyday people? (Okay I know that in most Hollywood movies the same rings true, but in Memento, most of the actors are fairly average looking).

Movie Review: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

2008-12-03T02:52:00.003-05:00

While beautifully picturized, this movie is about an hour too long. During the Q&A screenwriter Eric Roth defended the length saying, there are some stories that require a longer running time to be told, and this was one of those, but I disagree, afterall it began as a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Were this an novel, I would have understood, however I feel this was more an inability of the writer to edit himself most likely feeling clever with himself over little conciets like fate and chance (he did mention Amelie though I don't believe he collaborated on it). The middle part of the movie, the development of the relationship between Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett meanders, likewise the sideplot of Tilda Swinton also could have been tighter. However, as I mentioned, this movie was simply breathtaking. It truly does evoke the phrase 'moving picture'. The use of color and camera angles show a true attention to detail which is surprising considering the brutal length of the movie, and for the most part the entire movie is able to maintain the same sense of artistry. This movie has a good chance to bagging the Oscar for art direction and cinematography, or at least garnering a nomination in those catagories. It will get nominations for writing, direction, special effects, and possibly leading actress as well. I don't know that I'd give Brad a nomination for best actor, however he is rather good...better than I expected. I am sort of in love with Cate Blanchett, but she is simply stunning in this movie (she appears to have lost some weight). Also, I don't know if it was a body double, but she is an excellent dancer and extremly graceful. Also the Tilda Swinton cameo is delightful--I love how aloof she is (leaving him with a simple, polite note slid under the door). Worth seeing, but as I said, brutally long. Might be better waiting until it comes out on DVD, but make sure to get the widescreen edition.

England test uniforms in Taj Hotel

2008-11-29T18:44:00.002-05:00

So apparently although the English players have gone home, their test kit is still stuck in the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.

Jai Hind!

2008-11-29T01:06:00.003-05:00

Sare jahan se aacha! Proud to be an Indian American. A few petulant militants from Pakistan can't keep India down. This is a country in which the biggest star is a Muslim (like him or hate him, Shah Rukh Khan is undeniably BMOC). This doesn't classify as communal violence in my book, and is beyond the issue of Hindu vs. Muslim and is now a direct attack on India. I smell another IndoPak war on the horizon. Hopefully this time the UN will not stop India from closing the deal.

Prop 8 Protest

2008-11-16T22:20:00.005-05:00

It's been awhile, so how about an update? Yesterday morning I was inadvertently pulled into the Join the Impact protest. I had been planning on going anyway but ended up getting a bit more drunk that I thought Friday night. Turns out my friend from HS called me and said she was at the protest roundabouts 11AM and being as I literally live across the street from City Hall I put on some clothes and went over and ended up joining the march for a small stretch of Market. By the looks of it, there was a lot of people who had been marching all the way from Castro which is commendable since it was pretty hot outside (this is why I love, California, I can wear short sleeves in November, NICE!). We got lucky and ended up marching next to this guy who had brought speakers on his bike, so we got a pretty awesome (but very gay) soundtrack as we marched. Anyway marching made me realize just how crazy San Francisco is. There was a mostly naked homo wearing stilts who ran over to a tourist bus which was a pretty hilarious exchange. One of those red double-decker tour buses passed us and one of the tourists sort of joined in, she was passed up a 'No on 8' sign. How many other people do you know who went sight-seeing and protested at the same time?

I'd say the best sign I saw was 'Well dressed but still oppressed'.

Anyway while it's nice to know many fellow Americans are also incensed about the fact basic human rights are threatened, but as a Californian I am kind of irritated by people in other states also protesting Prop 8. I mean why not pick Arizona Prop 102? It doesn't make sense for non-Californians to specifically oppose Prop 8 since they can't/weren't able to vote on it and it sort of undermines the movement, since the opposition is saying that alot of the the camp against Prop 8 is mainly trumped up by out-of-staters, making it look like it's people in place like NY who are against it and not as many Californians. Why not just protest for Gay Rights instead of mentioning Prop 8? Or be fair and mention all the other state movements that banned gay marriage. Mainly, dear rest of America, get your own proposition to protest. It's sort of like Gandhi telling his British friends that this was a fight that they [Indians] needed to win on their own.

Bravo India!

2008-11-10T03:51:00.005-05:00

Watching Ganguly lead the Indian team off after beating Australia almost moved me to tears. First of all, hats of to Dhoni who proved that cricket is still THE gentleman's game. Not many captains have the chance to lead their teams to series wins against Australia, AND he forfeited that right in order to allow Ganguly to leave the field for the last time as the captain of India. How many other times in the history of the game (and in all sports in general) has the current captain briefly stepped down in order to allow a retiring player to be the captain?

In a sense, it was bittersweet, since so much of this current Indian side--this aggressive and competitive team--were built by the work of Saurav Ganguly's captaincy and John Wright's coaching. Dhoni is himself a captain with excellent instincts, and all the players who have come in since Ganguly are good in their own right, but it was Ganguly who 8 years ago today who turned India from a team that focused on the accomplishments of individual performers to a single-minded unit that could actually challenge the best of the best and win.

Like many India fans, I was a bit afraid going into this series since it is the changing of the guard for what will remain for a long time one of the most prolific middle orders in history. But, with the new talent of players like Sharma, Gambhir, and Misra under the genius of Dhoni I think the team is in good hands, though it will be awhile before new idols to the stature of Ganguly and Tendulkar come again.

In closing, how awesome is it that Sachin made his 100th catch in test cricket too? He seems to be all over the stats...

More stats:

Ganguly's test average has never been below 40

He debuted as skipper on this day in 2000

His first score in test cricket was a century (131) and his last innings was a golden duck

Also, does Dhoni remind anyone of Pietersen? Quick rise, awesome batsmen in all forms of the game--but particularly Twenty20, penchant for weird hair decisions, and very young captains? Also they both seem to piss of the Aussies.

Review of 9 to 5: The Musical

2008-10-22T19:41:00.002-04:00

So I recently caught the preview of 9 to 5: The Musical in LA. I thought I'd write down some of my thoughts on it.

Overall, this is highly entertaining and while not of 'Sondheim-caliber' is still a good musical. No, the music is not that complex and in fact rather simplistic (it's by Dolly Parton), it is easy on the ear and the lyrics are funny. None of the songs, aside from the title song really stay with you after the show however the songs are picturized extremely well by director Joe Mantello and choreographer Andy Blankenbaur (yeah it's spelled wrong, but I don't care enough to google it). The most enjoyable is the three song medley near the end of the first act with "Dance O' Death", "Cowgirl's Revenge" and "Potion Notion". The songs stem from a scene in which the three protagonists, Judy (Stephanie J. Block), Doralee (Megan Hilty), and Violet (Allison Janney) get high and fantasize about killing the boss (Marc Kudisch). The first song is good, with SJB acting like a femme-fetale, while Hilty's segmant is a bit weaker relegating her to just acting out Dolly Parton's cowgirl dreams (which is a shame because she has a good set of pipes but doesn't get scope to use them). The best is definitely Janney's song which is like a twisted Disney princess fairytale, the best being the three leads dressed in variations of dresses worn by Belle/ Snow White/ Cinderella/ etc. with a projection of animated singing birds (think Snow White or Bambi style). It is so over the top and ridiculous you can't help but love it (and the leads all seem to enjoy themselves tremendously).

The last song in the first act, "Shine Like the Sun" while having a lot of belting for Hilty and SJB--Janney can't sing on that level (she also doesn't claim to be a musical theater actress like her counterparts)--is a bit like a female lovefest and not as high energetically as the previously mentioned trilogy. In the second act there are two good songs, Janney's "One of the Boys" which is a showbizzy song which really reminds me of "Putting on the Ritz" from Young Frankenstein. The other is SJB's I want song "Get Out and Stay Out". Sadly Hilty doesn't get another solo which really sucks because I prefer her voice over that of the other two leads. Actually I am rather disappointed by the role given to Hilty in the while show, she basically gets to play Dolly, not Doralee. She gets the accent and behavior down perfectly, but doesn't really get a chance to make it her own since she is relegated to playing a living person (who just happens to be the composer). There is funny scene where SJB basically feels up Hilty (when high of course asking, "Are these real" to which Doralee quipsm "As real as the hair").

Overall, this show has high production values, with extensive use of automated sets and the trap doors. Most of the sets are drop-ins as opposed to being on tracks. Likewise, it is dance-heavy with lots of use of the ensemble and quite a few costume changes. The show moves a long at a good pace but I'd change the intermission to happen after the three song medley instead of "Shine Like the Sun" since that song has better energy and would better balance out the 1.5 hr first act to 30 minute second act ratio (however that would break all conventional rules of musical theater). Highlights include Roz (Kathy Fitzgerald's) songs especially "Hart to Heart" with the topless dancer in the back and the black woman singing in the mirror behind her.

Anyway while it won't the Tony for Best Musical ([title of the show] will just because it is small, closed already, and is 'artsy' paying homage to theater-insiders) it is definitely going to be one of the best shows to open this season.

Dear Australia, SUCK ON THAT!

2008-10-21T01:41:00.002-04:00

Okay so I've been kind of irate at Australia ever since last December when they beat India in a questionable series where they got a bit of help from my favorites, Billy Bowden and Steve Bucknor. The first game at Bangalore was fun since Zaheer proved he ought to be thought of as an all-rounder, not just a bowler, but this game was frickin' awesome! Seeing Australia (world champions) beat by a team led by batting from the fab four, whom many said were over, in addition to seeing Sachin over take Lara's record of most test runs was satisfying. The fact that this was the largest margin of victory for India, made it even sweeter. Though I have to say, if I was Dravid, I'd be worried. He has yet to produce in the series while Ganguly made 102, Sachin an 88, and Sehwag a 90. Laxman too...

Anyway I have to say having Ganguly make a century on his last tour, and that too against his arch-rivals takes the sting out of the fact he isn't captain anymore (I don't mind Dhoni, I just detest Kumble and Dravid as captains).

Where did the time go?

2008-10-08T00:45:00.002-04:00

Well I've survived my first weekend on call for release which was all I imagined and more. Not to give out any state secrets, but I learned why it is doctors carry pagers everywhere. The good thing is now I racked up 2 extra vacation days...SWEEEEET!

Anyway I've begun training for a 5k (by myself, no trainer...can't afford that). So far I am up to running 2 miles every other day and will work myself up to 3 miles until raceday in November for the full 5k. To help myself out I bought some runners socks, which I used to think were a gimmick when I saw them in sports shops, but man, do these socks feel good. I have a really bad arch problem caused by the fact that I underpronate and 12 odd years of Bharata Natyam, a.k.a. slamming my foot down on a wood or concrete floor, didn't help it. These socks are AH-MAHZING! They have elastic in the arch to give extra support and have padding in the balls and heels which makes them ridiculously comfortable. Also, being I have a new iTouch I decided to buy the Nike Plus thing that you put in your shoe that keeps track of your workouts. Did you know this stuff tracks distance run and approximates calories? (Pretty actively too, I compared it to the treadmill counter).

Movie Review: The Lucky Ones

2008-09-23T02:32:00.003-04:00

A decent movie, with some superb acting by Rachel McAdams. The film kind of meanders, and really needs some editing (like the semi, but not completely flushed out love story between McAdams and Michael Pena). But back to Rachel McAdams, who I love, not only because she is Regina George from Mean Girls and looks like Jennifer Garner, a.k.a. Sydney Bristow, my personal hero, but because she can, *gasp* act. She plays Colee, a typical rural white girl who enlists and hasn't really seen much of the world and still has a kind of childlike innocence, such as believing her dead friend's parents will offer to take her in (which they do offer to do). Tim Robbins is a bit dull, as his character's story...c'mon, the wife leaving the absent soilder husband? Something new please! Michael Pena is good as a wise-talking rogue, and in my opinion, under used. A fun movie, but not worth the ticket price or the nearly 2 hour runtime. Two stars out of five.

What's the deal Cricinfo?

2008-09-18T18:49:00.002-04:00

Ever since ESPN took over Cricinfo I've noticed a rise in the number of connection problems I experience. Currently I can get to the main page but none of the links which is irritating since I read the headline and get curious, and am left staring desparately at a white screen while hitting F5. Anyway, I gave up and went to BBC to read about the banning of practically the only decent Bangladeshi players, but being the pompous Pommies they are, find that the entire Cricket main page is made up of county cricket. I even get get links to stories about Marcus Trescothick's battle with depression, but nothing about a major event such as half the Bangladeshi team being banned from international cricket for 10 years. A bit of biased media coverage...

Moving on, I do think it its a bit drastic to say they are banned for 10 years. Come on, these days your lucky if your international career lasts 10 years. I could understand refusing to select the players, or not offering contracts for the upcoming year (plenty of players face consequences like these when they disagree with the ruling bodies or misbehave, like Andy Symmonds...) but a ban like that doesn't even occur when you are grossly cheating with steroids (cough Warne and Shoaib). A 2, 3 year-max ban would suffice. All these guys want to do is play more cricket. The whole 'conflict of interest' explanation is ridiculous, since no player in their right mind would miss and international match to play in a domestic league match. In my opinion since BCCI couldn't shut down the ICL by throwing its weight around in India or with the ICC, it is using its muscles (i.e. money) to pressure other, weaker cricket boards into complying with its wishes.

In principle this is a bad idea since it further reinforces the precedent of the BCCI being invincible with its demands due to its cash reserves, and is bad for international cricket as a whole. If existing cricket fixtures become stale, why not let new ideas in? Even if they fail, they will revitalize interest in the game, and honestly its not that the paying public will completely shun the BCCI's IPL for the ICL--they will just watch both. The BCCI is raising a lot of fuss over nothing.

Movie Review: Ghost Town

2008-09-17T00:59:00.004-04:00

I feel bad, I've seen like five movies in advance screenings and reviewed none of them, so here's to changing bad habits.

The movie is probably the funniest movie I have seen in awhile (better than Burn After Reading and Hamlet 2). Ricky Gervais is absolutely hilarious and knows what American audiences expect from a British comedian, a pompus disconnected misanthrop, and delivers. Tea Leoni looks fantastic throughout the film, but I have to say the best is Kristen Wiig, who plays the doctor reusing a lot of her "Penelope" mannerisms (funny since today I watched a new SNL Penelope video). Aasif Mandvi is also a nice and a bit underused comically-speaking and has a rather nauseating scene where he essentially tells Gervais' character to 'buck up'. Anyway go watch it. Oh and a cool little cameo, Brian D'Arcy James plays one of the dead people that Gervais sees and Julia Murney is one of the people who sneezes when Kinnear dies in the beginning.

McCain = Genius

2008-09-04T23:19:00.003-04:00

McCain may be really old and suffering from akward puffy-left-cheek syndrome, but the man is pretty smart. By naming Sarah Palin he took all the 'specialness' away from the Obama campaign. Sure you can help elect the first black president, OR you could help elect the first female veep. And what better a veep, she's hot (sadly, while Hilary is still my candidate of choice, she has kind of a stern look about her which is why so many people called her a bitch), her son is in the army, and her daughter is pregnant. So now she essentially gets the soccer moms, army moms, and blue collar-my-daughter-got knocked-up mom vote. And Obama choose Biden, probably the safest (and most boring) Democratic choice possible.

I would like to point out that while Clinton was the playa-president, John McCain isn't doing so bad; his first wife was a swimsuit model, Cindy McCain dresses really well and is the heiress to a beer company, and his veep looks better than anyone on the presidential ticket in the last 8 years (can't say 12 b/c Clinton still edges her).

Why me? (slash America)

2008-08-19T02:13:00.003-04:00

It's been a not so good year for me as far as possessions go. As some people know, on my way back from India this year I lost my phone (either in the business class section or in the Heathrow airport) and the guy who stole/ found my phone, David, started calling people on my address book telling them their numbers were in his 'phone'. I was sad because it had an SD card with some important (read sentimental) photos/ videos on it and I really loved that phone. It was a maroon razr v3i which was my first clam-shell phone. Anyway, I made do with my old Sony-Ericsson phone until my contract expired and got another razr (v2) again in maroon (what can I say I liked the color).

Anyway this last Saturday as I was eating in the Westfield Mall food court, someone stole my purse, right from next to me as I was eating dinner. It's kind of shocking since the Westfield mall food court is pretty nice; there are no fast food franchises and most of the vendors used those restaurant reservation buzzers since you usually have to wait a few minutes before getting your food. Anyway I was really angry because I was supposed to (and did) go out of town Sunday morning. Anyway after I started to call the credit card companies to cancel, I found out that literally 10 minutes of so after I noticed it was gone, there was an attempt to charge $45.45 at a Walgreens, luckily the idiot failed and gave the wrong zip code so it was denied (three times).

I can understand people loosing things once in awhile, but it seems like I get all the assholes who like to try to take advantage of my things the moment they get them. 'David' called people less that 5hrs. after I noticed the missing cellphone and even referred to it as his own, and douche bag number 2 wasn't content with the $80 cash in my wallet, but tried to charge the AmEx too.

Anyway it seems to be a trend since in watching the Olympics, you just can't help but feel bad for the Americans. Alicia Sacramone getting 4th behind someone who fell on their vault, Nastia Liukin getting a silver despite having the same score than the 1st place Chinese girl, and Shaun Johnson having to go first on floor exercise and looking the gold to the girl who goes last (everyone knows that scores always go up as anything progresses, a rule I applied very closely when volunteering to present during class). Oh well, as Lord Teneyson said, "It's only going to get worse..."

Olympics

2008-08-14T02:07:00.002-04:00

Sorry for the lack of update, been doing a lot of training at work meaning I've been going to San Mateo all day and having to take the shuttle back. Also the Olympics are eating up all my freetime from 8:00PM-12:30AM everyday. Like everyone else in the world with a television set, I too have become a huge arm-chair fan of gymnastics and swimming.

The Olympics have led me to one epiphany however: I'd hate to be Alicia Sacramone right now; not because I think she cost the USA women's gymnastics team the gold, (the Chinese just had crazy hard routines), but because you know she will be blaming herself for the rest of her life. Poor girl, having that kind of regret never leaves. Apparently she's smart...she goes to Brown (or maybe she just knows how to smoke up?).

Anyway I found out a cool little fact, Nastia Liukin's dad was on the same Soviet team which won gold in 1988 as Alexander Artemev's dad. That must suck for their dad's since their kids only managed to win silver and bronzes (so far). Artemev's dad also won gold in the individual all-around while he got 12th...sadface. Well hopefully Nastia can win something...

And as a leaving note, yay to Raj Bhavsar for being an Indian person doing gymnatics. Proof that Indian people can be mildly atheletic in sports outside of cricket.

Mamma Mia and A Chorus Line

2008-07-29T00:25:00.003-04:00

Well here I am in my third week solo in San Fran and I haven't done much of real interest so here are a couple of reviews of movies/ shows.

Mamma Mia
Well, I haven't seen the musical so here goes. The movie is entertaining, mainly because only recently did I figure out that Amanda Seyfried is Karen Smith from Mean Girls and can sing rather decently. Likewise, Dominic Copper, a.k.a. Daikan from History Boys is pretty stacked and a passable singer as well. But back to the main topic, the movie is fun to watch, but mainly because the whole theater begins to laugh whenever Colin Firth or Pierce Brosnan begin to sing. Ironically, while it is painful to watch James Bond try to sing, Meryl Streep seems to be a natural and I found myself actually wanting to see more of her. Christine Baranski is amazing and I want to be her in 30 years (minus the whole daughter who goes to Princeton thing). Anyway, it's a good 'summer' movie but I don't know I'd watch it again. Thank god for Rob Lowe proving you can make successful movie-musicals like Chicago.

on to...

A Chorus Line
Okay so the ad says "greatest musical ever". I beg to differ. Long, meandering, and structured like a second-grader's run on sentence. I did see Nikki Snelson however.

I'm back!

2008-07-18T22:46:00.002-04:00

First of all thanks to Raymond who has motivated me to update.

At the end of my first real world, full-time job I had imagined I'd be in a bar sloppy by now, really partaking in happy hour instead of just taking advantage of the specials as a cheap college student. Instead I'm coming down with a cold and am coked up on Tylenol and benadryl and watching t.v. Oh well maybe next week.

Anyway, going to see The Dark Knight was also in my plans for today, but alas that didn't happen. Since I can't see it I decided to go ahead and compile a list of movies to see this summer instead:

To See List
1. The Dark Knight
2. Mamma Mia!
3. Brick Lane
4. Brideshead Revisited
5. Get Smart
6. The X-Files movie
7. A Chorus Line (okay not a movie, but it's on tour here in SF)

And on one last note, go see WALL-E, it's AWESOME! But it is kind of sad there are no more 'old-school' style animated movies coming out. I am a fan of computer animation (you know, being a CS major and all), but it just feels like you lose some of the artistry because the high level of automation in CG.

More about my new life in SF later...

Random Cricket News

2008-01-30T13:08:00.000-05:00

Well it appears Shah Rukh has bought the Kolkata team in the fledgling ICL for a non so insignificant sum of USD 75.09 million along with former Dreams Unlimited owner Juhi Chawla. Apparently King Khan wants the Prince of Cal to lead the team. While I love SRK and Saruav Ganguly, the idea of them coming together to make a Kolkata teams makes me a bit wary. Both Shah Rukh and Saurav have huge egos and then there's the fact that SRK-Juhi ventures historically don't tend to do well. I suppose we'll all have to wait and see.

In other news, UK PM Gordon Brown has suggested Sachin be knighted, and Zaheer was the Test Bowler of the Year according to the first Cricinfo Awards ceremony. Too bad there was no Hottest Cricketer award or he would have bagged that as well...

The Little Master's Australian Farewell

2008-01-24T00:18:00.000-05:00

I love stats (as do most sports fans) and here is a summary of Sachin's latest (and last tour) or Australia:

Melbourne: 62 & 15

Sydney: 154* & 12

Perth: 71 & 13

Adelaide: 55*

The trend would seem to suggest that having made a half century Sachin will get out cheaply (around 14 or so) in the second innings, but nonetheless it has been (is) a pleasure watching is current half century. Very wristy shots without much effort which for the time seems to be showing no trouble from the Aussie bowlers.

A round up

2008-01-23T16:16:00.000-05:00

Well the Adelaide Test is getting ready to start tonight (I will of course be watching) and promises to be exciting since India are winning on the trot (I count Sydney as an Indian victory) and the conditions will be more to India's liking. I also have an irrational love of Adelaide because it is, in my humble opinion, the most beautiful sporting venue in the world (even including non-cricketing venues).

Also, apparently there was some sort of celebrity Twenty20 match called the G'Day USA Hollywood Ashes. The English side comprised of Daniel Radcliffe, Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, Robert Key, Robbie Williams, Jude Law, Kevin Pietersen, Simon Jones and Robert Key with the Aussie crew of Russel Crowe, Mel Gibson, and Mike Whitney captained by Steve Waugh. Happily England won (maybe the real Ashes sqaud, of which Jones ought to be in, can take heart.

Why India Won in Perth

2008-01-19T18:37:00.000-05:00

Looking at the numbers going into this game, it did not look like India would stand a chance, and the possibility of dominating the world's "best" side looked as likely as Monty Panesar making a fifty. The series score of Australia leading 2-0 however didn't reflect the truth. India do have the disadvantage of being a team that needs a longer time than most teams in adjusting to a new country-- particularly if the countries are England or Australia for the simple fact they are the complete opposite of what subcontinent pitches are. The loss in Melbourne was unfortunate, but in reality the first actual warm up game afforded to the Indians. Sydney was... well we all know that words cannot sum up the events that happened there are will probably have changed the game forever. But to anyone who saw how inspired the Indian batting attack was at Sydney and how incensed the team was to be cheated of a victory at one of the only venues they were expected to win at gave the Indians something that the Aussies did not. A reason to win--to prove that even amongst a hostile crowd with questionable 'neutral' bodies overseeing the affair on the scariest track in the world, the men in blue could deny Australia the coveted record of 17 straight test wins.

It seems inevitable that Laxman be involved--having been in and out of the team for years, his skill questioned, and this touted to be his last tour of Australia, it is only fitting the man who rallied the Indian second innings in Eden Gardens lead the Indian batting in the second innings again (though in this case India dominated the whole time instead of coming from behind). There will of course be a lot of speculation of what could have happened had India won at Sydney; would the score read India 2-1? If so, India would have finally done that deed all of world cricket--Oz excepting--dreams of, to beat the bullies at home. At this point all India can hope for is a draw (which I don't believe will happen--another Indian win is too much to hope for). For now, while a team actually beating Australia in Australia seems not to be in the cards, all of cricket will know that dominating Australia consistently in their own turf is possible, even if you top five batsmen have a average closer to 35 than 25 and your bowling attack is second string.

America's Most Literate Cities

2008-01-17T12:11:00.000-05:00

According to a study done at Central Connecticut State University the most literate cities are:

1. Minneapolis, MN
2. Seattle, WA
3. St. Paul, MN
4. Denver, CO
5. Washington, DC
6. St. Louis, MO
7. San Francisco, CA
8. Atlanta, GA
9. Pittsburgh, PA
10. Boston, MA

Gives me pause for thought having lived in (for the purposes of this post we will assume DC means the greater DC-metro area including Vienna, VA) the number 2, 5, and 9 cities and getting ready to move out to number seven.

India in Australia

2008-01-17T00:08:00.000-05:00

Much has happened in the last few weeks. I had the unique experience of being in India while the events of the Sydney Test unfolded and therefore experiencing first hand the outrage and protest the media in India brokered, however that is a very delicate subject which I will brooch at a later time. Instead I am here to talk about what this tour means for India.

I, and many and Indian and cricket fan in general, will bemoan the loss of Zaheer Khan to the Indian attack. He is the only true fast bowler of international calibre that India has. A few years ago Irfan Khan too would have been deserving of that description, but nowadays he is unfocused as a bowler and in the team as an all-rounder and less as a genuine seamer. The stint at Worcester served Zaheer well and he was lethal against England last summer and very controlled against Pakistan. In the lone game he played in Australia he bowled a good line and length getting genuine swing. The situation is rather familar for Zaheer--last tour of Australia in 2003 Zaheer was injured early and had to sit out the rest of the series, but was in much worse form. Now, one can truly argue the case that India is at a huge disadvantage not having it's senior paceman and strike bowler at the helm. Ishant Sharma, RP Singh, and RV Singh all have shown promise at one time or another, which have warranted their selection, but they all lack the experience needed to take Australia on in their own backyard. Australia too have lost their main paceman--Glenn McGrath--but due to McGrath's extended absences cultured viable alternates in the form of Shaun Tait and Brett Lee. India need to deepen their bench pace-wise.

Now on to batting. It may be that Sachin no longer has anything to prove; he is Bradman's heir and the world record holder for centuries, and quite near his own retierment. This tour is a final hurrah in front of a crowd of true connesiuers against the best side in the world. Instead of worrying about carrying India he is finally just playing for himself, which ironically has been the best thing for India. India have had several internal issues as well as the new external racism and umpiring rows, but at least they can take joy in the fact that long after this tour, and Australia's pursuit of the record for test wins is forgotten, Sachin's return to dominance will be remembered. Gone is the man who had forgotten how to drive through the covers and free up his arms against the short ball or wait on the back foot. While India will very well loose their tour (through no fault of their own) Sachin's return to form will have made all of the ugliness of this tour worth it.

Anyway for additional reading, there is a good article on Sachin here...

And here is a picture which I found quite striking:

Yennamma Rascala!

2007-11-26T01:25:00.000-05:00

Is there a more beautiful sight? I think not. Oh yeah, Pakistan lost...

In other news, Om Shanti Om is probably the funniest movie I have seen in a while. Shah Rukh really toned up, and pretty much every actress in Bollywood over the age of 25 has slimmed down (Kajol, Rani, Urmilla, Shipa, Tabu, Malika to name a few). The movie, like previous SRK/ Farah feature Main Hoon Na uses the meta-text to parody itself. The object of amusement include but are not limited to 1970s Bollywood and Telegu movies, filmfare awards, Manoj Kumar, Mother India-esque movies, Sholay-esque movies, Amar Akbar Anthony-esque movies, and various stars in general. I did learn however that Manoj "Mr. Bharat" Kumar was upset by the picturization of him (hand covering face) and tried to sue. Shabana and Govinda were more obliging--Shabana parodying her political activism and Govinda his name.

Anyway the most interesting thing to note was the joke about SRK being bi, which was very cheeky (even in this most cheeky of cheeky movies).

There she blows

2007-08-01T00:18:00.000-04:00

Many of my friends (okay well not friends--familiars) make fun of me for investing in the markets--I have a CD and some mutual funds. Most of them either buy something pretty or put it into a savings account.

I should have done that...

This is a look at a stock my mutual fund hedged on (won't give any names, but think big purple dinosaur). I like the sharp plumet from Jun 07 to Jul 07.

Enough already TOL a.k.a. everyone cries

2007-07-31T14:20:00.000-04:00

Okay I am getting seriously peeved by TimesOnline's one-sided commentary. I went to TOL to see if I could find any background on the 'jelly bean fiasco' that Cricinfo decided was too childish to give a full article to and was disappointed to see the reporter defend England's childish actions of throwing jelly beans on the pitch saying Zaheer overreacted (an no the indignation is not just because he IS my husband, I would feel the same if it was Ponting or Kallis complaining). Jelly beans on the pitch is dangerous, for God's sake, people run on that and it could be dangerous not to mention disruptive if the ball hit one. Sledging is fine, but bringing foreign things on the field is outside of the Laws of Cricket. If India had done the same, you know they would have been docked full match fee for bringing the game into disrepute.

At least the picture on the sports main page looks like Vaughan is about to cry (the same picture was picked up by BBC and Cricinfo--guess everyone likes to see a Pom cry, even other Poms).

Aside: Don't cry Munna, Circuit is on the way
Also of note is the fact that when I went to TOL, I was greeted with a picture of Sanjay Dutt crying after being sentenced to 6 years in Sing-sing.

15 Park Avenue: Review

2007-07-31T10:16:00.000-04:00

Okay I really wanted to like this movie because it

a) was directed by Aparna Sen (who directed Mr. & Mrs. Iyer and was in 19th April a.k.a. Unishe April)

b) starred Shabana Azmi (and yes she does know my name!) and Konkona (who turned down a role in The Namesake to do this)

and

c) has Waheeda Rehman, who is amazing (C'mon who doesn't love her in "Piya To Se Naina"?)

Anyway, I had a lot of reasons to want to like this film (with the exception of Rahul Bose who can bloody just get over himself) but really didn't. It wasn't that it made me uncomfortable to watch (don't get me wrong, it is hard to watch--schizophrenia is unnerving) but that the characters are all caricatures... Shabana is too mean, Waheeda is too weepy, and Konkona is too crazy. Also I was disappointed they had them speak Hindi instead of Bengali (why bother setting the film in Kolkata? Why not Bombay then?).

Oh well, I guess I can't like all of Aparna Sen's movies... Suppose I'll just go watch Mr. & Mrs. Iyer again.

Update: Oh I found it, here is a link to A. R. Rahman performing the Bombay flute theme.

Oi, c'mon now

2007-07-30T15:19:00.000-04:00

No doubt, Vaughan played beautifully, BUT there is no denying the only man who should be on the front page is Zaheer. Both Cricinfo and BBC put him on their main pages, but Times Online put Vaughan on. Okay I understand the desire to be patriotic and all, but that's just not good cricket...

Dear England, BITE ME

2007-07-30T13:12:00.000-04:00

Suck it Pommy bastards.

Just kidding, I love England. (Well not as much as I love Zaheer Khan).

Test 2 - Day 3

2007-07-29T11:25:00.001-04:00

Well everyone had said the Indian middle order needed to fire and that perhaps the middle order needed to be broken up. Well at current writing the Fab Four have piled up 327 runs, and Laxman is still at bat. Both Sachin and Sourav fell to very dodgy decisions: Collingwood's delivery to Sachin was well outside off when he padded it away and replays indicated that Sourav had not made contact with the one that went down legside that Prior had bagged. Oh well, I suppose I shall spare England these blushes since we lucked out at Lord's.

Update: Well the innings are wrapping up, India are 9 down and the tail hasn't been wagging too much. KP and Zaheer had a bit of a chat so hopefully that bloody traitor Bok-turned-pom KP will get his match fee docked. Anyway Shastri and his partner were talking about how angry Ganguly looked upon dismissal and proceeded to discuss the reactions of other famous batsmen when they'd been given out, and mentioned that Nassar was pretty fiery and tended to take out his anger on the fridge in the dressing room. Something his teammates may have not been too fond of being it was one of the more important appliances.

Test 2 (Trentbridge) - Day 2

2007-07-28T11:44:00.000-04:00

Ind v. Eng Trentbridge - Day 2 Report (So far)

It's a Saturday and the crowds turned out at Nottingham to see if India would continue it's plow through the England batsman (at close England had been 169/7). I can't help being impartial, but Zaheer was in excellent form swinging the ball both ways. Dravid smartly used the pace of Zaheer on one end and looping spin of Kumble on the other, a combination which certainly helped ensure the England players didn't settle too well.

Anyway Karthik and Jaffar piled on 147 before falling quickly together, putting Sachin and Dravid in together (a partnership with is the most profitable in history as noted by Holding--they have the highest average partnership while Langer/ Hayden have the most, but being as they are openers, they are always paired together while Sachin and Dravid have many large individual partnerships, but are partnered together less often). Sachin and Dravid were looking pretty comfortable until a bouncer from Andersen in the 53rd over smashed into Tendulkar's grille, bending it. At current writing India are 175/2.

An Aside: Michael Holding and Atherton (I think, can't tell all the English commentators yet) were talking about how Tremlett is noticeably trying to bowl fuller (he was quite short at Lord's) and Holding mentioned he never had to try. He later added it's not that he was a better bowler (something Atherton scoffed at) and added he never tried to be too mechanical or concerned about length and let it all flow…

Sure, whatever, I am not going to be the one to contradict 'Black Death' Holding and tell him he was a better bowler.

"I've been in better fielding sides, but not catching"

2007-07-24T10:59:00.000-04:00

According to an interveiw with the BBC Dravid said he had played in a better fielding side, but not a better catching side. I was wondering how exactly that works out, since one imagines if a team is good at catching, they would be good at spotting the ball to stop it, and thereby good at fielding. India found some hope in the inclement weather and the fact that Dhoni showed restraint befitting a much more experienced test batsman. Zaheer found form in the second innings taking 4-for and RP Singh also seemed to settle into the conditions after the first day. Regardless, the Indian attack could do nothing to stem the flow from KP (who has a really high voice surprisingly--heard it for the first time on the BBC podcast).

Anyway, apparently for his 18th birthday Dan Radcliffe of HP fame went to the test (it appears he was there on Day 4 as well-- Prince Philip showed up for Day 1). Radcliffe made a very pointed note that "Monty only needs to block a ball and the crowd cheers as though it's his hundredth 100". Click the thumbnail for more pictures.

Deathly Hallows Review

2007-07-21T15:11:00.000-04:00

What the hell JK Rowling? What was that? That was not Harry Potter, that was tripe and cat vomit. This was by far the least engaging and stylisitic of the entire series. Maybe it was because I just reread book six, which was SO well written, and then comparing it to that? Well I was right, Harry was a horcrux dies (but comes back to life), Snape was good, and the tiara was the Ravenclaw artifact, even if I didn't think it was a horcrux. I feel like Rowling was pandering by keeping all of the golden trio alive. Draco was sort of lame, but it was interesting that Crabbe actually destroyed the horcrux. The Kreacher side plot was nice, as was the redemptive chapter for Snape. If you haven't read it, here is a hint, DON'T and if you must, start at page 400.

The Anguish of Expectation

2007-07-18T14:08:00.001-04:00

It's been a long while before I have been this excited (and no it's not just becuase Deathly Hallows comes out Friday). The India England contest will no doubt be closely contested, both teams needing this win--England will hope to prove the 3-0 whitewash of the Windies was not mere school yard bullying and India will just want win to prove they are the side that challenged Australia in it's own backyard three years ago and almost won.

Tomorrow India face England at Lord's a contest both teams are no doubt worried about. England will for the first time since Collingwood's appointment as ODI skipper go in facing orders from Vaughan, who will be desperately eager to prove he is not yet too old for this form of the game. For the first time in six years, of the trio of Hoggard, Flintoff, and Harmison no will be present, and a rather green attack of inconsistent bowlers (minus Magical Monty) will be present. Even for Monty it will be a test, with the pitch at Lord's expected to be batsmen friendly, and against a team who are more comfortable against spin than speed. The rainy weather continues in London and will provide England with the conditions necessary for swing, but will hope that Zaheer Khan and RP Singh won't be ablilee to capitalize also.

Like England, India will no doubt have a lot of questions, such as the decision to play a batsman heavy lineup. While the England bowling attack is very new, the Indian's are playing veteren's such as Zaheer and Anil, both of who will take this oppurtunity to remind selectors why they should be considered over the plethora of new bowler's cropping up. Sachin and Ganguly will both be looking to cement their inclusion as will Wassim Jaffer and Dhoni who will be all to aware that VVS Laxman and Yuvraj Singh will be eagarly eyeing their spots. Personally I'd play Karthik as a wicket keeper and have replaced Dhoni with Yuvraj. While Laxman is a joy to watch when in form, he is not ideal in the cool and wet climate of England and Dhoni has the problem of attacking for attacks sake. Dravid ought to make use of the fact that including himself he has 3 possible options for behinds the stumps and perhaps bring Harbajhan back to give Anil company, on what will no doubt be a sticky wicket.

One true love

2007-07-17T10:40:00.000-04:00

"HE is one of the most rhythmical bowlers on the world stage, with brilliant variations of pace, and the rare ability to swing the ball both ways.

But Zaheer Khan, who leads India's bowling attack in the Test series against England, may have been on the international scrapheap by now but for a brilliant season with Worcestershire in 2006."

by Oliver Brett, BBC Sports

The Wizards of Oz

2007-07-05T13:55:00.000-04:00

Simply depressing. Here is Ponting with all the major trophies he won in 2007. Left to right they include the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup trophy, the 2007 ICC Champions Trophy, The Ashes Trophy, the ICC One Day International Championship Trophy, the ICC Test Championship Trophy and the Border Gavaskar Trophy (held).

Bloody dwarf. Will someone, anyone just please wipe that stupid grin off his face?

Did Hitler win?

2007-07-03T15:51:00.000-04:00

I recently read Identity and Violence by Amaryta Sen, which provoked a bit of reflection, particularly on the creation of a Jewish state. Israel prides itself on being the Jewish homeland—but at what cost? I personally find it ridiculous that people can claim to own a geographic region because ‘God’ promised it to them, but that is beside the point.

Is Israel Hitler’s most enduring legacy? Millions of Jews have been reduced into classifying themselves as ‘Jewish’ and thus self-segregating themselves into a state that pays for non-citizens to move to it and allows citizenship solely based on faith. A silly notion when considered at length. Many nations in the Middle East are also ‘religious states’ but at least they are ethnic based, and thus tied to the land historically.

While Hitler may have failed at creating an Aryan nation, he did, in abstraction, create a Jewish nation.

Note: Sorry to my Jewish homeys, I love you…I just think your claim for homeland is a bit absurd.

Why are Bangladesh wearing Lashings colors?

2007-06-19T21:36:00.000-04:00

Movie Reviews: The Painted Veil, Bobby, Volver, and Last King of Scotland

2007-06-19T18:56:00.000-04:00

Can't write too much due to the heer volume so I will give some brief thoughts...

The Painted Veil
Pretty Good.
Well, I love period dramas, so no big surprise. I detest the fact that in every movie Ed Norton plays this fake, fancy accent. He used it in the illusionist, and again here. Naomi Watts at least tries (or I assume she is) but it comes out a bit more Australian. The plot is solid and gripping (Somerset Maughan's work afterall) and the cinematography is amazing. The editing is sharp and doesn't let the film lag.

Bobby
Excellent.
Just go watch it. Who knew that that Lilo could act (Mean Girls apart). One of the best biopicish/ homage/ tribute type films made. Also very relavant considering the elections are coming up. Maybe the Clintons can be the new Kennedys.

Volver
Pretty Good.
Spanish film has always been a weird genre for me. Usually I don't like it at first, but upon reflection open up to it. This one was more straightforward, still the odd obsession with sex and pedophilia (hey, it's Almadovar) and Penelope is fantastic.

Last King of Scotland
Pretty Good.
I feel like I should have liked this more. Forest Whitaker is simply blood chilling. I feel like James McAvoy was the weakness of the movie, which is a shame since he is the protagonist. The story telling is mesmerizing and the images will give you nightmares.

Ash and Abbie

2007-06-03T17:28:00.000-04:00

Okay so the timesonline.co.uk website makes it difficult to send links out, so I just barrowed the pictures instead:

Wedding Ceremony: oh she looks so demure.

Wow that's a lot of mehndi...

Bhangra, bhangra, BHANGRAAAAA!

Hi-ho Silver

2007-05-30T19:04:00.001-04:00

वोव। ई कैन टाईप इन हिंदी।

(Wow! I can type in Hindi).

How cool is that? I guess all the Desis online made blogger/ google decide to allow people to blog in Hindi.

Okay enough posting for today...

Oh wait one more, they are making a Bollywood movie about Bob Woolmer's death...

3 Movie Review for 3 Trilogies

2007-05-30T18:09:00.000-04:00

Shrek the Third

The last of the Shrek movies. I loved the first two and was a bit apprehensive of this one since the review have been mixed, but found it entertaining. True not as funny as the first two, it again parodied other movies, i.e. the Lord of the Rings shoot when Fiona and the princesses are underground, but the addition of JT as Arthur was forcing the plot a bit much. I did like the inclusion of the baddies and the whole 'teen movie' plot. I didn't like how Donkey and Puss got switched, Puss was my favorite character but he's not the same without the boots and sword. With the boat scenes I was surprised Shrek didn't take any stabs at Pirates of the Caribbean.

Spiderman 3

The last installment of the Spiderman franchise. James Franco is odd with all his childish earnestness and Kiki takes the brooding actress thing a bit far. I like Thomas Hayden Church as Flint Marko but as in the other movies, Tobey is a bit annoying. There are a few good scenes such as in the French restaurant, and on a whole Topher Grace is entertaining. This one got all the critical acclaim of the 3 but I liked the first one better. This one felt really choppy trying to push the plot along therefore juxtaposing a lot of scenes together without giving the viewer time to process the action. The end is good though since it leaves it open as to if MJ and Spidey get together or not and leaves Flint Marko out there. Shame that Franco had to die though...

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

Ahh yes. This movie had a lot of hype. Almost 3 hours in length, opening on Memorial Day weekend and the union of Geoffrey Rush, Chow Yun Fat, and the imitable Johny Depp. Apparently it broke all sorts of box office record on release... Overall, it was engaging and didn't use the old jokes as much as the other movies. The plot was a bit overly complicated, but thoroughly engaging. The end is a bit of a twist though it begs the question, if Will Turner is now eternal captain of the Flying Dutchmen, will he a) turn into a creepy sea-man (haha, so clever), b) age, and c) why would Keira Knightly wait for him to have one day of bow-chicka-bow-wow every ten years? Also how did Barbosa not know where the fountain of youth was? Presumably he would have figured it out before Sparrow cut that portion out of the chart. Ahh if only I had worked at MSN Video still... I probably would have gotten to see the pre-release (and with free food while skipping work too).

Carnival 07

2007-04-24T13:03:00.000-04:00

Notes on Carnival:
1) I hate Pika
2) I hate funnel cake
3) Sanctuary was better than Alter
4) I am awesome

Okay so notes on buggy:
Women's A Day 1: Horrific start. My first roll since the crash of infamy and first Lauren had a false start because the gun missfired. Next when they were running to spin me around they dropped me on my side. Anyways I was first up and over but got passed in the back hills (hill 4/5).

Men's B Day 1: Two passes bitches. Last up and over and first up. It was actually quite funny in the words of Kami since the announcers were like '...and SigNu B is last to push off of Hill 2...'
'oh and first up Hill 3 is SigNu B'. They were prob not expecting me to pass both. Beta A tried claiming contact but apparently there was like a foot between the buggies. I bet she just was mad at the pass....

Women's A Day 2: Okay let's not even start. I had the fastest women's downhill time (Liz had tied for second fastest men's downhill, woot Zoo rolls) but the dumbass commentators said it looked like Pika A was having a bit more efficiency out of Wyvern on the downhill. FALSE. I caught up in the chute. Anyway's dumb Pika bitch had a clear intereference on me which was turned down since 'there was no video footage'. I went home and turned on CMU TV and lo and behold there is clear footage.

Anyways here are the 'final women's standings'

1. Psychosis/SDC, 2:31.00
2. Wyvern/PiKA, 2:35.44
3. Bantam/Fringe, 2:42.40
4. Zulu Shaka/Spirit, 2:42.54
5. Skua/SigNu, 2:43.25

Note, I had to brake and even then was only 0:00.45 behind Fringe. With no braking I would have made up at least a second and with Pika DQed I would have been second.

World Cup Shennanigans

2007-03-18T17:19:00.000-04:00

WTF India? Oh who cares, as a Bengali I don't consider it that bad Bangladesh won (especially since Dravid was skipper).

ANYWAY....

PAKISTAN IS DEAD! Literally. They were knocked out by the loss to Ireland and Bob Woolmer had a heart attack or something in his hotel room. There is a God...

OMG Yes!

2007-03-07T01:23:00.000-05:00

I am in a good mood for several reasons:

a) Award season is winding down and I am completely and utterly in love with Dame Helen Mirren
b) The world cup is starting and India is in good form while NZ and Pakistan are not so much
c) I leave for Cancun in 3 days (I should pack)

Anyway, India predictably beat the Dutch with a large margin. To my surprise however the Cannucks held their own against the land of jihadis and madrassas. For awhile the scorecard read something like CAN RR: 7.00, Req. RR: 5.## (I forgot the numbers, but the point is CAN was winning!)

Sadly I will be in the land of futbol for the first week, but Karim ordered the game so I will try to keep an up to date account of my musings leading up to the elite eights/ quarters, semis and finals.

My Husband is Back

2006-12-16T13:21:00.000-05:00

And looking better than ever.

Bring me bow of burning gold

2006-11-30T21:54:00.000-05:00

I am thinking of trading mine (and Ria's) grades away for England Ashes victories. I don't know if God is in the trading mood.

First Test (Melbourne): Aus. wins by 277 runs.
Second Test (Adelaide): 58/2 at Lunch on Day One.

My faith cannot take this any longer. We don't even get to keep the Ashes for a full two years thanks to the blasted reversed seasons phenomena. One year and a half. Some Christmas present... Guess I won't get to see Freddie toasted riding a double decker. Perhaps he's had one (or five) too many pints and thats why he has a grand total of 16 runs in two sessions (though the wicket count of 4 in as many sessions is something I will laud).

Also, the Steelers are probabaly not going to make the playoffs.

At least no. 7 UNC beat no. 3 Ohio.

Hell-Heaven

2006-10-27T13:52:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite authors is Jhumpa Lahiri, becuase of all the Indian American authors, she writes about real situations that the reader (or at least any first generation Indian-American) can identify with. If you haven't already read the namesake, I suggest you go pick up a copy, and in the mean while whet you appetite on this little piece: Hell-Heaven.

Review: The Queen and Marie Antoinette

2006-10-25T13:12:00.000-04:00

Two movies I saw over the weekend, both about queens--one living, one dead.

The Queen starring Helen Mirren is Stephen Frears latest release. It's British in all senses of the word. The movie follows the response of the royal family to the death of Diana, particularly between Blair and the Queen. The movie is not quite biographical in that it takes certain liberties with the characters, at times resorting to sterotyping for Prince Philip and Charles, and having the Queen Mother seen drinking a gin and tonic whilst the Queen gives her speech. Regardless, it was a good waste of two hours. Not deep, not illuminating, but subtle. Plus an abundance of one liners.

Now to the second movie of the weekend: Sophia Coppola's long awaited Marie Antoinette. Oddly enough this was supposed to be released before Lost in Translation--thank God it was not. The movie is in essence just an over the top look at the extravagance of the French Court. For three whole hours. They don't even show the beheading. Don't watch this.

My face hurts

2006-09-24T19:54:00.000-04:00

So here is the score:
Raka vs. Ground: 0-2
Raka vs. Toilet: 0-1

or in general

Raka vs. Gravity: 0-3.

And I thought I was in pain after falling of the toilet...

People I blame:
K. Duncan: I hate tequilla.
My period: It's like the white party part 2, except instead of ending at PhiKap, we started there.

There's a reason for the Employees Only sign

2006-09-20T20:33:00.000-04:00

The reason we have a bell and a sign saying "please ring bell for assistence" is so that if I am not at the desk I can come. Likewise, if there is a sign saying "EMPLOYEES ONLY behind the counter" it's probably becuase you are not supposed to come here. I understand being a design student means you did not achieve the 3rd grade reading level, but these words aren't even hard. Not like 'incompetant' or 'infuriating'.

Movie Review: Dead Man's Chest

2006-07-06T01:17:00.000-04:00

Well here it is... the 'most anticipated movie of the summer' as the radio says. Due to the kindness of MS, I got to go to and advance screening. Here is the result:

I missed the beginning of the movie since the first theater was full, but eh, these things happen. Also I saw a large group of teenagers who did not look like they were part of the Windows Live Advance Screening, but whatever. Basically the gist of the movie is that Davey Jones wants Jack's soul becuase he raised the Black Pearl. Well Jack gimps out and tries to offer Will's and 99 other people. A few bottles of rum being burnt, pirate jokes, an apparence by Mr. Collin's from the Kiera Knightly version of Pride and Prejudice (har har another movie together), some nice shots of Dominca, and a scary black witch lady later we have the man formerly known as Admiral Norrinton stealing Davey Jones heart, Kiera Knightly making out with Jack, only to chain him to the mast whilst the Kraken swallows him whole. In return Mr. Collins, who is not the head of the East India Co. has Davey Jones heart, Norrington has letters of mark (and no longer smells like pigs), Will thinks Elizabeth is cheating on him, and they all agree to be lead around by Geoffery Rush (aka Barbossa from movie the first) who has that wretched monkey and and an apple dripping down his beard.

All in all, entertaining, but not as good as the first.

Sachin's back! (again)

2006-06-22T00:29:00.000-04:00

Sachin made 155 for Lashings against Cambridge CC in some charity match. Nothing much remarkable except the fact it's his first match back after a VERY long injury. Fancy that, return from injury and he makes a century and a half. I'd say the little master still has something left to give. Brian Lara won't be the only bugger to make this World Cup his swansong, I imagine.
Cricinfo Report

Movie Review: The Constant Gardner

2006-06-22T00:11:00.000-04:00

Well summer has come so I will start with the review again, this time Ralph Fienne and Rachel Weiss' The Constant Gardner.

What can I say? This movie is excellent, and a must see. Another Africa bleeding heart movie, but it doesn't play into the weepy liberalistic cliche. It doesn't forget that the best way of causing change is not to force morality down the audience's throat but to give the audience a glimpse whilst convincing them they really want to watch the movie. The film is a political thriller and love story which helps with the story telling, a long with some of the best dialogue and camera work I have ever seen.

SCORE

2006-06-20T00:58:00.000-04:00

For note, Raka live(s/ed) 10 min. from the RBC center. Carolina Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup.

Raka goes to school in Pittsburgh, PA. The Steelers are from Pittsburgh. The Steelers win the Super Bowl 40.

Raka's mom teaches at Carolina. Carolina wins the NCAA Basketball tourney.

Also for note, Carolina made it to the Superbowl two years ago and the Huricanes made it to Stanley Cup three years ago.

:( For note, we closed out house today so it means I am technically no longer a resident of NC. Angels are crying.

Hmm

2006-03-15T00:10:00.000-05:00

There is a facebook group under Princeton called "Sri Lankans Are Way Cool". It had 144 members? WHY? And more importantly, why was I looking at this? They also have a sweet ass group called "Sick Days are for Safety Schools".

Life

2006-02-02T21:56:00.000-05:00

Life has been sad in Rakaland, but I won't let it get me down.

Funny stuff from bhangra:
Bagmi: You're my favorite Zeta.
Raka: You'e my favorite Kappa.
Bagmi: You're the only Zeta I know.

From Work:
Andy (my manager--the 'hot in a punk way' one): Yeah, there're not much to do. Get paid for doing your homework.

It happens...

2006-01-27T02:35:00.000-05:00

So I tried to make a friend detail for Ria on facebook saying I didn't know her, but appearently if you try to click this it deletes the person. So I refriended her. This was the result:

Bloody Fools!

2006-01-25T23:06:00.000-05:00

Pakistan has somehow managed to find to most incompetant pitch curators and hired them all for this series. I would just like to mention that Zaheer took 3-135 and 4-61 while RP Singh took 4-89 and 1-75. Zaheer also made 20* from 32 balls while Singh was out for 6 of 29 deliveries. Can you guess who got the Man of the Match award? Here is a hint, not the one who had the better statistics. Just becuase it was Rudra Pratap Singh's debut does not mean he should win the award of Zaheer who bowled and batted better. HELLO, he reinvented the bloody yorker!

Bitches

2006-01-15T23:06:00.000-05:00

Panthers beat the Bears and Stillers beat the Colts. Word. Saddly Dook is still undefeated, but so is Pitt.

Last post of the day, I promise

2006-01-13T16:39:00.000-05:00

I went to Enloe yesterday which was and odd feeling since it was the first time I went back during acutal school. Talked with Ms. Mac a lot and with Anna Kalberzyc's (sp?) mom, also known as the IB coordinator for about 40 min. about college and the world in general. Saw Mr. Cryer, Mr. Gates, Doc. Lyerly (who ragged on me on not taking Furthur Math), Mrs. Wollard, Doc. Wollen, and of course Capt. Tizzy who decided to not be moody and talked to me for actual. I was watching Jay Leno last night and then I realized, to my utter shock, that Tisdale (is that even her last name anymore?), reminds me of Emma Thompson, which is really scary. One is a phenomenal actor, and the other is...well...a philandering teacher of U.S. History whom 60% of the male population in her classes is in love with.

Ohh one more thing, I am not a Conservative, I am a Libertarian, but for godsake, stop going on about the stupid CAP thing (the Conservative Alumni group Alito was in). The whole issue is that Alito supported not making eating clubs allow women, and guess what, most people in Princeton (including oddly Ria) still support, so start asking real questions Ted Kennedy! It's an eating club! Who gives a fuck (well except my sister, bicker is around the corner. Ironic, she is looking for an Eating Club and we are looking for a new sorority. HA!

Back to packing and eating my Bojangles fries.

Munich: Movie Review

2006-01-13T16:32:00.000-05:00

Not all it's cracked up to be. Drawn out, biased, and looses it's integrity trying to become another action movie. Eric Bana is alright and the cineamatography is standard. After reading the review in TIME I really was hoping for more. Eric Bana is the archetypal prodigal hero with a heart of gold who becomes paranoid. It looses the plot somewhere along the line and becomes a gore fest of watching the Israeli hit team slowly knock off Palestinans blamed for planning Munich. See it if you want, but I was not impressed.

Syriana: Movie Review

2006-01-13T16:20:00.000-05:00

I saw this one awhile but never reviewed it. What can I say, one of the best political movies of the past decade. It's like Crash in that it has seperate story lines which all weave together. You really do feel for all the characters, which is something that movies have stopped doing in the present. While George Clooney got the GG nod for this I personally think Matt Damon gave a better performance and the oldest son of the Emir likewise gave a strong performance making that thread the most heart wrenching. The film was fast paced and confusing at times, but didn't insult the audiences intelligence. The only thing that really bothered me was that in the bits where they spoke Urdu, the accent of the actor got in the way, hell I have less of an accent when I speak Hindi. It was cool however since my Hindi came in useful since I could understand the Urdu dialogue. And last of all, there was a little cricket scene (where the son says good bye to his Paki father before going to blow himself up--oh also a little flub the person he goes on the mission with is Sikh so I didn't get that part...usually Muslims and Sikhs fight...whatev) which leads me to remark that there is a lot of cricket in the movies these days. Chronicles of Narnia had a cricket scene, i.e. how they all discover Naria, Master and Commander on the Galapagos Islands, Finding Neverland the scene with Arthur Conan Doyle. Yay!

Cats

2006-01-11T15:38:00.000-05:00

I'm watching this cat program on AE and it said cats spend about 30% of their waking hours grooming. I think Silk spend maybe 70% of her time grooming. The other 30% is divided between neurosis and wheezing.

AHHH

2006-01-08T22:53:00.000-05:00

Mmmm much to write about.

Jen's bday today which was stressful, I will explain later. Basically they guy took like 40 min. to get our checks and Teddy and I wanted to see Desperate Housewives so in like 5 min flat we drove to his dorm to watch.

Duke beat Wake Forrest so I cry, but Pittsburgh killed the Bengals 31-17, so we are hot and on the road to the playoffs.

College Hoops

2006-01-07T14:55:00.000-05:00

Well while I only follow ACC bball, I am waiting for the UNC/ State came to start so I am watching Iowa/ Illinois, which is great cause the Hawkeyes are leading the Illini 23-19 which is hillarious! For those who don't know, Hawkeyes and Heels are my favs being I was born in Cedar Rapids and my mommy taught at U of Iowa and now she teaches at UNC (Quentin Thomas was in her class last sem).

Crazy. UNC is behind by 3 at the half and I just saw Rohit on t.v.

Haha ohh game over, UNC pwnd State 82-69 (poor Vaishi on back), and Iowa beat the Illini 63-48 (laughts in Claire's

Also, saw Sneha on t.v. with the Wilmington dance team, cute.

Oh yes...

2006-01-06T22:51:00.000-05:00

Somethings I forgot, Happy Early Bday Jen Sun, can't wait till white and pink partaaaaaay!

Pray for the Heels who are hosting State tomorrow.

Pray for the Stillers who are playing the Bengals on wildcard Sunday (I may be Bengali, but everyone loves a little Black and Gold. The guy behind me in line just bought a Bettis 36 jersey).

Fu(k to the stupid spam comments.

Movie Review: Memoirs of a Geisha

2006-01-06T22:32:00.000-05:00

Okay so a lot of people have read the book and will watch the movie, no doubt. I read the book while on the cruise and saw the movies after I got back and here is my humble assesment: The movie is spectacular. While some elitist-minded cineastes may say the movie fails to take off and suspend the disbelief, I disagree.

I will admit the things I love for most in a movie are cinematography and art direction, two areas in which this film excels. The sets were well done in the sense that one did not get feeling that they were sets as often happens in period pieces. Some of the shots such as the transfermation scene and the one between Sayuri leaving Kyoto and going to the country shot, with the dye in the river were rather clever and have shown the Rob Marshall truly views film-making as an art, not an occupation. Oh yes, and the music, scored by John Williams with solos by Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman were mindblowing. While the film does leave out somethings which I think should not have been cut, this is only becuase I have the book to reference to, were this a stand alone movie, not an adaptation I think people would be up in arms. Likewise some people may say that Gong Li acted better than Zhang Ziyi, but I view their performances as being parallel in that Gong Li definately had a presenance, and the Hollywood Foreign Press is in idiot for failing to give her a nomination. Zhang Ziyi's performance was much more subtle, but definately worth the nomination, though I would not rate it was Golden Globe winning. I have to say I am surprised Marshall didn't get a Best Director nod, but what do I know...

Anyways, go and see this, just becuase even if it doesn't make your top ten, it's worth seeing.

P.S. Team Hatsumomo.

Happy New Years!

2006-01-03T21:49:00.000-05:00

Merry Hannukah, Happy Christmas, Joyous Kwanza... whatever.

I went on a cruise, and here are the pictures. Good stuff.

Higglety Pigglety Pop: Part 3, the Saga Continues

2005-12-14T23:29:00.000-05:00

And we finally learn what a story about a dog who runs away from home in order to eat free food offered by pigs and take care of crying babies is really all about:

evilndntwin: higglety pigglety is actually a story about death
Yorking it Up: ohh okay
evilndntwin: jennie doesnt return to her master b/c castler yonder is death
Yorking it Up: silly me i though it was about a dog with theatrical tendencies
evilndntwin: it is a serious story
Yorking it Up: right, cuase when i think maurice sendek, i think height of sobreity
evilndntwin: he was gay so his dog was his child...he wrote the story when jennie was diagnosed with cancer and was dying
Yorking it Up: how thoughtful

Higgley Pigglety Pop: Part 2

2005-12-06T14:04:00.000-05:00

Yorking it Up: but i guess ur going to pretned like u are studying
Yorking it Up: what is the essay topic today? 3 little pigs? something more challenging? drummer hoff shot it off?

Security Levels

2005-12-03T14:28:00.000-05:00

A something something from my mom:

The British are feeling the pinch in relation to the recent bombings and
have raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved'. Soon though,
security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit
Cross". Londoners have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when
tea supplies all but ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorised from
"Tiresome" to a "Bloody Nuisance". The last time the British issued a
"Bloody Nuisance" warning level was during the great fire of London in 1666.
Also, the French government announced yesterday that it has raised its
terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide". The only two higher levels in
France are "Surrender" and "Collaborate". The rise was precipitated by a
recent fire in Toulouse caused by rioters that destroyed France's white flag
factory, effectively paralysing the country's military capability.
It's not only the English and French that are on a heightened level of
alert. Italy has increased the alert level from "shout loudly and excitedly"
to "elaborate military posturing". Two more levels remain, "ineffective
combat operations" and "change sides".
The Germans also increased their alert state from "disdainful arrogance" to
"dress in uniform and sing marching songs". They have two higher levels:
"invade a neighbour" and "lose".

2005-12-01T21:30:00.000-05:00

I so totally want this poster.

Vignettes from Thanksgiving

2005-11-27T12:50:00.000-05:00

This morning:
[Raka pulling book out of sister's suitcase]
Raka: What is this? Higglety Pigglety Pop?
Ria: It's my reading for class, I have to write an essay about it.
[Mother appears at door with laundry]
Mother: [whimpers] $40,000.

Naveen Andrews

2005-11-19T15:27:00.000-05:00

Yay we all hear Naveen Andrews, aka Balraj for B&P.

henna

2005-11-07T22:39:00.000-05:00

Work is for lame people. I did the pattern myself (I made it up).

Eat THAT

2005-10-25T01:55:00.000-04:00

Ugh I cannot bear to talk about eating. Wing-A-Thon was today meaning it will be 6 monthes before I can bear to look at or smell, let alone taste a chicken wing. Anyway team SSVRC2 or what not placed second losing to team Hardcore (TriDelt). I was one the other Zeta team, team Huge but we didn't place, poop.

Sachin has finally made his return to international cricket spanking a whopping 93 or 96 deliveries before once again edging on to the keeper. Well least the master blaste is back, too bad so is his habit of getting out right before a century.

Dance Drama

2005-10-24T00:25:00.000-04:00

evilndntwin: FUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHO
FUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHO
FUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHO
FUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHO
FUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHO
FUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHO
FUCKNAACHOFUCKNAACHO

Kanye my baby daddy

2005-10-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

I'll post more later (more specifically my review of Proof) but for the time being here are crappy pics taken with my keychain camera (my phone ones will follow later).

This was me failing at aim. Fantasia opened for Kanye. For those who don't know Fantasia, she is a fat chick from High Point who won American Idol. For those who don't know about High Point it is the home of some massive outlet malls and the home of the world's largest piece of furniture; it also is that really hickish area aways past Durham on I40. Ahh feel the NC love.

Kanye be the little black smudge in the middle of the spot light.

A little better, still titled though. Kanye is the thing in the white suit (this was during "Jesus Walks"). The band was in the little white screen boxes in the background. Ali Decker was in the third box from the left, leftmost person in said box.

Pause for Thought

2005-10-17T21:09:00.000-04:00

Today in robotics I made my robot follow a wall. Only catch being mine was like a yard out. I will have to change this before next week when we do the maze challenge. Wing-a-thon is in a week, too bad no one wants to be on team Huge (fucking a's).

God is clearly trying to do me in. I spent about 8 hours on the lab report of doom which was only worth 25 points (the same amount as a lab notebook). In good news I got a B on my midterms for econ and 211, and I am waiting to get the stat one back. Before tomorrow I must do my ECE, Spanish Test, and work on the Spanish project of redunancy.

Forgive me

2005-10-13T23:51:00.000-04:00

I have been very bad with keeping this updated, mostly because CMU has a bad habit of swallowing the lives of its students. I choose to preface this entry with a brief (less than 250 word) rant on noise pollution, as produced by foreign populations.

It has been my experience that the most inconsiderate and most ruckous socio-ethnic groups are those of the FOBs, mainly those of the Indian and Korean variety. These specimens tend to be nocturnal and are usually found amidst discarded Vocelli's boxes and spent "O" fry containers. Perhaps being that they are on student visas, they feel that have "made" it, or maybe they just are not used to the suburban culture which some of use are raised (I know when I go to India I am constantly surprise by the level of noise at night). Regardless the most annoying trait of these groups is that when you ask them to tone down their volume they proceed to heckle you and often continue to make even more noise. Why does this bother me you ask? Working at the library at 11:30 when 15 Koreans have assembled to burp and tell jokes is not conducive to my being productive. In a similar vein I get very little sleep, thus at 3:00 on Thursday night when I do finally go to bed I would like to have some minimal level of tranquility and not hear drunken (sorry most of the Indian FOBs don’t drink/ cannot hold their alcohol) renditions of the Bunty aur Buabli songs. Likewise it reflects badly on those of us who are courteous and are of American decent but have the misfortune to be lumped with loud somewhat smelly foreigner based on our appearances. In conclusion, Americans may be viewed as tight asses, but if your going to come to my country to study, learn the cultural norms. Also don’t feel so smug when you cuss people out in you native tongue it only angers those of use who can understand it.

Sorry that was longer than 250 words.

Much News

2005-10-02T13:42:00.000-04:00

Sorry I haven't written in far too long, school is taking over my life.

In new news I am a buggy driver for Sig Nu so my weekend morning have effectively disappeared. For those who don't know what buggy is it is a small tube on wheels not unlike a luge except your are headfirt, somewhat like in the skeleton. It's all good, I get up at 5:00 in the morning and crawl into a coffin on wheels. Kind of exilharating.

I was at work the other day and discovered the best site ever (or in mine and Claire's opinion anyway) Go Fug Yourself.

In the cricketing world Damien Martyn was shafted undually, the Aussies are having hissy fits, while Gangs and Chappelly are turning their noses up at each other. Inzy is feeling smug after acting impetuous with the ICC and Sachin is trying to retire while the entirety of the cricketing world is expediting his return.

And now I must back to reading Lazarillo de Tormes which I failed to read senior year of high school but am attempting to right as a college sophomore.

WE WON!

2005-09-12T21:19:00.000-04:00

The Ashes have officially taken over the BBC main page.

It was all in all a day that broke many hearts but many more finally had their dreams realized. After 16 years and 29 days England once again hold that little brown urn. What a day for KP to make his first test century. It brings tears to my eyes (me, who never cries) to know the end is near for Warne and McGrath who have bowled their last against England, and even I will occasionally miss Benaud's commentry. While I was class when the final result was announced (my last viewing occured at about 11:20 AM) I almost weeped with joy when I found out that Koertzen and Bowden had ceremoniously removed the bails and pulled the stumps out of the grounds.

It's ironic that the cigarrettes I am giving up are imported from London. Well while England have regained their Ashes, I will be giving up mine, as they say Ashes to Ashes...

The Dramatic Conclusion

2005-09-12T08:36:00.000-04:00

Wow! KP is really going at it. England are 166 ahead with 5 in hand, but they cannot afford to get out before tea since Australia when needed can easily produce +200 in 50-70 overs. Brett Lee who is bowling quite quick had one delivery at about 93.0mph which accelerated so much after Pietersen's shot it hit the fence at around 100.9mph. That Brett Lee over went for 16 in the end.

I'm sitting here in agony about to gnaw my nails off. This has been the most nervous I have been during a final day on a Test.

Saw the most disturbing thing ever. A bunch of 20 year old or so girls were holding signs saying "We [heart] Richie Benaud". They were actually quite pretty, why on Earth would you ever do something like that?!?

Maybe I'm seeing things but I just saw Hugh Grant in the stands at the Oval...

2005-09-10T10:37:00.000-04:00

Watching the game. Australia cannot win this. England will I do believe be able to eat up enough time to keep a result and thereby blocking Australia from the series levelling win so desperately needed.

Some girl is watching from her flat balcony drinking a martini. I want one.

Gnawing me Nails

2005-09-09T08:20:00.000-04:00

Been watching the game and the sense of euphoria is simply extrodinary. On rooftops throughout Surrey (some of which have been rented out for +20.000 sterling pounds for the week) there are people on their terreces and hanging out windows. The most breathtaking fact is the demographics of such spectators. They are women and blacks, not two demographic groups known for watching Cricket. Likewise today they showed a shot of a secondary school where I suppose during lunch (maybe even class) the pupils were by the window watching the match. Michael Slater reckons the new stand helps such people by improving their view, as well as helping actual ticket holders since the quality and services provided have improved.

GAHHHHH

2005-09-07T23:19:00.000-04:00

I cannot wait any longer! England lost 0-1 to Northern Ireland in the World Cup qualifer, but who is watching footie anyways? If England win, I will burn all my cigarettes (which conveniently are London imported) and not smoke socially for the rest of the year (can you tell who I want to win?).

Please if there is a God, let England regain the Ashes, 18 years is too long...

Warne Smokes

2005-09-06T19:36:00.000-04:00

Apparently Shane likes a cigarette once in awhile.

It would appear he fancies briefs as well.