Two Worlds..

I spent 4 years in Chennai. In a college most popular for its "demonic rules". No.. Life wasn't bad. The rules didn't really manage to hold any of us there down. We were a happy bunch. I had a life. Simple and small and fun. Over there, life revolved around staying out of ridiculous classes of ridiculous teachers. This was an everyday mission. Math fests helped me a load.

Wasting time with a few friends. And all that. I never suffered or anything in the place. I walked away from that place with no major academic scars. Personally, the scars are few. Life altering, but not major. Go figure.

I have fallen in love with Chennai. I was introduced and interacted with people I am very happy I know. I love that city. It was nothing but totally and absolutely good to me. I am today, more comfortable with the roads and areas in Chennai than back home in Hyderabad.

But...

The four years there have, I think kept me away from a zone that I do think i should have been a part of. But being in a place where the Internet was amazing, it tends to isolate you.
My image of a modern world and an India that's moving ahead changed. It became more basic. My new world wasn't the next Parikrama gig. My world wasn't how well Kyunki Saas.. was doing. My world didn't have a TV you see.. My world wasn't even Michael Schumachers winning and loss. My world wasn't anymore what it used to be. My world changed. My world was different.

I don't argue this was how it was for everyone. But it was like this for me.

I moved from Jungle2Jungle... I love that phrase..

My complaint. The things I have missed. I have missed a college culture I could've adapted to and been a part of. I had to force my self through all the small things to be vaguely connected to it as much as I am. I had to rely on the talk of others to pick on the little things that I had missed. Sutta for example. Wouldn't have heard it if it wasn't for a friend in Hyderabad. And no one gave a crap for it in the circle in Chennai. It just isn't what flies.

I have experienced that side of it. And it was insane. At home, I was weird.
And what I thought at the time was that I was actually right up there. Close to the top of the stairway that defines me as a guy who knows his times.

AND.. Ho Ho Fucking Hey.. I was wrong..

I am in MICA now. Its a different world. Its a little closer to the world I originated from. And lightyears away from the world I have come from.

Why I'm using so much 'world', I have no damned clue.

Anyhow.. MICA. Good place. Loud. Fun. Boring. Busy. And a load of BS day in and day out.

But the things here operate differently. I have missed out on some stuff. They just passed me bye bye. Certain aspects I realise seem so elementary and obvious. They just don't form a connect for me. I'm introducing myself to almost everything almost for the first time.
But it is what it is. Its great. Lets have that fun. Learning could have been worse.

Hyderabad designed me. Chennai refined me. Ahmedabad is yet to be seen...

It is my birthday as I type this out. And the 'party' we had last night was great. A special thanks to everyone who was there. An apology to those who couldn't make it. I'm sorry I wasn't good enough to you..

To everyone back home.. Love you all. Life is as good as ever before.
To everyone in Chennai.. Love you all. Life is different here. But Chennai has made me 10 times the man I was..

To...

And a final little something..
From a movie that has shaped me into what I am..

From Harvey (1950)

Elwood P Dowd: I always have a wonderful time, wherever I am, whomever I'm with

Intelligence is Us...

Now isn't it just everyones dream to be intelligent. Or "Intelligenter" than thy neighbour..

Of course, we all think we're intelligent. We all think we can handle the stuff and don't really need advice. I mean, c'mon.. Why do I need advice about Relationships.. Studies.. Career.. Driving.. Banks.. Voting.. Soap.. Wardrobe.. Hairstyle and a shit load of other annoying issues..

I was born with the brains for this. I can handle this. My fucking playground this world is. And you're just an insignificant chattering spawn of a flawed design by the Flying Spaghetti Monster (true concept.. Check out Pastafarianism)..
Well.. That's what most of us think. Short of the monster I'd say. Intelligence isn't really relative. I mean, other than IQ tests, there aren't any other real measures. And by now, we all know that IQ Tests are mostly a farce and Intelligence Testing is a definitely flawed concept.. I mean, (again) C'mon.. It never says I'm as smart as I really am.. :P :P :P
Yes, I was kidding.. I'm not a self centered asshole.. Yet.. In this post.. Yet..

Now here is my opinion. People aren't stupid. They are however mostly stupid in judging how intelligent they themselves are. Mostly. Some people are in fact greatly intelligent. And they are the ones who can easily bump you down on your ass if you try to get too cocky with them. I know a few like that. Unfortunately, I do not find myself on that side of the fence.
Argument : There is of course, a certain group in which I am one of the smartest. And then there's the other group in whose company, I will refrain from opening my mouth to avoid sounding like a total dumbass.. One Half of a dumbass is usually bad enough.

So here.. You find the real smart people. I mean cream of the lot. And they pop in all places. My college even.. And that's saying something. In the family. Friends and acquaintances. They are brilliant in there own worlds. Someone may be a genius at music and another at sports. But they are the kings of their domain. And I have learnt not to challenge a lion in his own den.
Then there are the averagely smart people. People with all the general skills and good at them. These people are smart. They can talk. You'll either like them because they use their smarts for good stuff. Or hate them because, while being good, they think they are better than what they are and thus actually stupid. That's an argument all in its own and a good one. So let me know if you wanna discuss that.
Then there are truly ordinary people. We were born in our own shells and thrive in them. No concept of intelligence and amazing powers of Holmes deduction. Born mostly in obscurity, they rise on hard work and make a life within their worlds and boundaries. You usually.. No.. You definitely, will not find anyone you'd put in this bunch at a fabulous position in any enterprise.. OK.. There's Gordon Brown, but he turned out to be this only after becoming the PM.. Apparently, he was quite the force before..
And there is George Bush.. But for all reasons, I think he deserves a place in my next group..

And then there the stockbrokers (Applause.. Standing Ovation..) .. OK.. Sorry about that. I tried to make a funny.

And then there are the people who can be called for the sake of diplomacy, "Beings of Stunted Intellect". Forgive me. Now, in my honest opinion, BoSI are the way they are because they(we¿) were never given the same options at pursuing a strong sense of self when younger. And that has clearly scarred them for life. This applies to the upper category too..

BUT HERE... I read and understand that the intelligence of a person can also do a lot with physiology.. To be more precise, the mapping of his brain and the active centres.

NOTE: Complete retard in biology, so if I am killing the subject, my apologies. Please correct me in the comments and I will post a retraction immediately.

So in the image you see below, it matters a lot depending on your actual brain activity to decide how stupid or smart you are.. Forgive the unsympathetic terms.

verbal comprehension (blue), perceptual organization (red), working memory (green), and processing speed (yellow), represented by the pictograms

So that is your brain to you. Any one of those areas get muddles, and you're an idiot. So basically, while it is possible and psychologists and psychiatrists will argue, intelligence and perception are qualities you imbibe as a growing person, it may not be entirely in your control. I mean, do some dogs learn tricks faster than others? Do circus dogs have an unusual ability to learn, or is it just the way they were raised? I dunno.. Don't look at me.. I'm just typing here..

But here.. Intelligence doesn't of course mean success. Neither does stupidity mean failure. The movie Deewar is a classic example.
Poor Bachchan Saab thought he was a genius. "Vijay" took it all the way with "Ravi" telling him how much more successful he was.. Ravi gave it straight back. Something the film industry is NEVER EVER gonna forget. So we're all on the side of Bachchan Saab. Loving Shashi Kapoor but with a little scathing. Dear Dudley-Do-Right.. Hmph.. He did however, make the smart guy look like an ass. So there's an example of a guy who tried to get cocky with a smarter guy. Isn't it fun watching all these I'm-So-Smarts getting a slap on the face when they get too happy? Hehe.. Not when the guy is Bachchan Saab of course, but it is an example..
And for more fun-viewing of how an idiot thinks he/she is smart and makes s fool out of themselves, tune into Roadies on MTV.. Schedules available in your local mewspaper..

But what blog post of mine is complete without the preachy part.. None..
So here..
You're reading this post. In a random, top-of-my-head assumption, I think you're intelligent. Because I don't think "stupid people" will read this blog. Not because I think the blog is smart.. But whatever.. Screw that..
And the smart ones are getting tired..

But I know a few people. Smart guys and girls. Very intelligent. They can handle an argument very well. And can really give it back to you. But they lack the social sense of how to do it. When I talk to a guy who is lesser read (pronounce->Red) than I am and tell him the difference between a RAM and a Graphics Card (Special Thanks to Rao for teaching me), then I tell him because he doesn't know. And when I teach a friend a simple integration problem for the 6th time in semester 3, it isn't because he's stupid. Some people just have blocks. And as a person who has the ability to deal with a problem his neighbour cannot, its your duty to help them. This goes.. Even with the guy at the ATM standing inside for ten mins already.. Even though, at that point, you wanna KILL KILL KILL..

People don't believe in evolution and don't believe that there are electrons inside an atom. Why? They are just too closed up. This doesn't make them stupid. A little stubborn maybe. But not stupid. Its called difference in opinion. Deal with it.. You're kid is gonna have it with you. And you cant just call him an idiot.. Atleast not always..

I know a few "intelligent" people who are assholes. I mean, real SOBs.. I find it sad. The world had lesser smart people.. And it becomes a responsibility of these people to help the not so lucky. So don't just donate a cookie, do something. Sound advice to your friend who needs it helps. And a friendly shoulder doesn't always help. It has to be a smart one. So you gotta spread the brains. The more people who learn whats right wrong and rubber-ducky, the smoother things will go.
You do have a responsibility to makes other lives as good as you can. But figure out first if you are smart or an idiot. Wouldn't want you to give advice if you're the dumbass..

Not everyone is good at what you do. And you suck at some stuff most others can do. Its true. Its just true. If your the perfect student, you're a lousy sportsman and vice versa. If you're good at both sports and studies, you have a short ass temper.. You get the point.
Personally, I have more flaws than I'd care to share. But I have them. And in some ways, I am aware. In some ways, I'm sure I'm not.. I try to control them. But I don't always succeed.. And that's put me on a bad spot more than once..

I don't try to tell you what to do.. You have all the right to call me an idiot.. In fact, comment and tell me how dumb I am. And any circumstances of stupidity you have been witness to. I will be most honoured. Let the world know where I fall short..

But then again, like I said earlier in this post, I am a king.. I am a god.. I am smarter than you. And if you think otherwise, its just because I choose to hide it.. I mean, I did make you read this all the way down here.. :D :D :D
And please.. Don't even try to say, "HA.. I reached here directly.. Didn't read the dumb post".. You'll be even dumber then..


But I do wanna leave you with a question.
I have made a few stupid mistakes earlier. I have learnt and am correcting those mistakes. On the road.. I have learnt and will never ever go back to the same level of idiocy again. Do I still have to feel bad? I have felt bad and am working on corrective measures. Look back on yourself. You'll find enough excuse when you were a retard about stuff and hated yourself later. Gimme sound advice o intelligent ones. Enlighten the All-Knowing-Smirking-Red-Face..

Thank You..

Slow Death of Chatter

Communication is getting murdered. We don’t live with or within the society. I travel on buses a lot. And the only talking I do is to the bus conductor.
Here, I'm gonna give you my side of how we are dying within our society. Trust me.. I do it.

So public transport, buses. I travel for lunch, dinner and all that on a bus. I travel in trains a lot. I also travel in planes ever so often. And I almost never talk to my fellow passengers. Almost never. I don’t insist that you strike up a conversation, exchange telephone numbers and go on a picnic together with the in-laws included. But if you're from India, you know how it is travelling among janta and someone looking at you and curse the bad buses, the horrid train food or how they lost their luggage last time. In Indian public transport, conversations happen easier than other places. No no... Correct that, they used to happen.

When I travel, I have an iPod my bro gave me.. Awesome little piece of technology. Unlike the abomination that is Windows Vista (yes, I'm just dissing Vista here), it’s perfect. It has everything. Amazing sound.. Amazing interface. And after a while, you even get used to typing in that interface. And all those motion sensitive games..

But I use it a lot. On buses. Trains. Planes. So much. I sometimes don’t take it off while asking the conductor for a ticket because I know exactly how much the tickets cost.
And the same holds for other people. I see them engrossed in their earphones, it’s like they're on a trip... I don’t talk to anyone. When I'm waiting at the airport terminal, and there’s a match on, people react. They go "AAWW..." for a wicket and all shift in their seats when we get a boundary... Our side of course. But people ignore the others. Again, I don’t want people to look at each other and shake hands and hug on victory or anything. But I like it when I can turn to someone, say, "Wow... Nice catch...” or "What a shot...!" or "What the hell is he talking about..??!! That was going to the off stump EASY...!! “.. Which leads to a collective, "*&%&#*#("...
I tried it... And not everyone responds. You can actually very easily tell who will respond and who will look at you like you need the paramedics...

And believe me, I have tried. And the responses of them non-repsonding types are greatly funnier than the responding types.
So I implore you. Please... Talk to the strangers. It’s fun.

When I began to realise that I wasn’t talking to people and was a road zombie, I began to stop using my iPod as much. I still used it. And I love it. Only I don’t use it as much. I like to go onto the bus with it just around my neck and not use it while I spend some time smiling at the kids. I even randomly ask people directions to places I don’t want to go. And you wouldn’t imagine how much they like telling you how the buses can’t go some places or can go some places. Some guys argue with themselves wondering what the best route would be... Two buses? An auto and a bus? Vice versa..? Ha... And it’s always fun watching them do it...
Either way... Public chatter is fun. It can get annoying with a few people. But I can enjoy it more often than not...

Chatting and Text messaging. Now I have a few friends with whom I am in touch and communicate with entirely on the phone or through text chatting... And the problem is that text has no emotion. I mean, can you type to a friend that you wanna kick his ass or a girl/guy... Well, whatever it is that you want you...

To be able to dictate emotion on text, I think you should have a very special understanding with the person you are talking to... I have friends I have been chatting with for years. Almost 6 years. And I have friends I have been chatting with for 2 years. And for some weird reason, I can chat with the others better. They understand me and I get them a lot better.
However, at the end of the day, there is still some form of ignorance there. You don’t know how to talk to people. All the "Online Help" where there are people who chat with you and clear doubts is amazingly convenient. I've used. I'm not gonna say it shouldn’t be done. I'm saying it takes away something from you.

People love being the centre of attention. It doesn’t necessarily need to be in a grand party. But even if you are the prime attention of a single person, it’s a greatly satisfying position to be in. That’s people. You too. Its great being called out to... So with the lack of actually being the centre of attention because I can simultaneously chat with or talk to 10 people at a time takes out a lot of magic in life. The telephone and calling them is just a relative improvement.

I am actually running out of ways to go on... But here. I am not criticizing technology. I love technology. But it has made changes to our lives. Technology hit us very fast. So fast, I don’t think we all realised what happened. Basic human actions and habits have been affected.

So keep an eye out... be aware of what you're doing. Be aware of your choices and take responsibility for your actions... Things are changing Very fast...

I haven’t addressed a lot of topics... But I hope I got the essential point across..

Big and Round

Here you go.. A feeler to all you underweight and perfect weight people. A call out. A shout.. This is the story... NAY.. The life of a man who has lived all his conscious life in the shadow of weight.. Of himself.. :P

To start and make you all aware that this isn't idle rant and is very much the real thing, check out the photo below..

Yes.. That's me. That is my 18th birthday.. 127 kilos. My greatest days. Its the heaviest I have ever been. I was probably 6'2" back then.. In college, I got to 94. Possibly the lightest I have ever been. As an adult.
Now, as I write this, I have hit 111 kilos now.. Gained all of it back.

Now, I am also tall. I have met and have taller friends. Bro is an inch and a half taller than I am.
Life isn't easy for a fat man. Its even less easy for a tall man. And when you're a hybrid, you've taken the cake. Truly.. Chocolate. With a cherry on top. And I don't even like cherries..
Forgive the metaphor.

So then.. The attempt-at-losing-weight days..
Grandad was the first to figure that I was getting fat. I was probably in class 6 or something. He looks and tells me that I gotta get into shape. Now my grandad. When he said, I did. I never asked questions. I didn't even know what questions. He commanded that kinda scary respect. From everyone.
So he made me run. He made me wake up early. He took these walks. And made me run. Jog. It was a 500mtrs stretch.. Bro will tell me it was less. He'll enjoy saying it. And grandad made me run up and down this stretch 6 times.. Thats 3 kilometres Not back and forth. Watch the language.. It was UP and DOWN. And for a class 6 kid, at least me, I was a wreck. However, it didn't work. Unfortunately, I knew how to open the 'snacks cupboard'. Not gonna explain what that is. To get an idea, look at the picture above again. So Grandad tried.. I never quite understood how important it was to lose weight..

Then there were the running trips Dad took me to on. I ran.. Again, snacks cupboard.
You see, the snacks cupboard thing, no one knew that I knew. And I had a superpower breaking into it...

So I spent my schooling years HUGE.. Height helped. I could take all the rebounds and stuff. But was never any good at basketball. I fit in the seats back then. I went back to school 3 years after graduating. Couldn't possibly believe it. I was stunned. How Did I Do It?

Food back then. A 3 case carry lunch box. Always, for 8 years in school and 2 years in junior college. 2 parathas, a veggie and a dal. Everyday. It was good food.
And then there was all the InBetweenMeals snacks.. Oh, they were many. they still are.. :P ;) Which made me mega fat.

I used to go for cricket coaching. In some way, it was supposed to make me lose weight. But it didn't work. I still always was, "Bhains" . . :P

I went to college in my prime. I was big, huge and an illusion mostly. There were times when people stopped talking because they thought I was a teacher. I shit you not. I dont understand. I was larger than the teachers too. People would start laughing once they realised it wasn't a teacher. These things never bothered me. But I think it eventually immunized me to the fact that I am a little out of the circle in general.. :)

In college though, the food, the walking and all together, it helped me LOSE weight. I slimmed like a crazy person. In a year, with no active attempt at doing so. I dunno. Happened to everyone. So I could finally wear jeans and ready made clothes again. :D :D
Really, I didn't fit in clothes. I had Everything stitched.

And tall. Tall is good. Its nice.. BUT.. I don't fit. ANYWHERE.. I don't fit in buses. I don't fit in Planes. I don't fit in the berths on trains. I don't fit in the backseats of cars. I don't get shoes. I don't get clothes(but that also has to do with my alien waistline)..
Being tall is great. But trust me, the world Inst all rosy up here..

From 94, I'm back to a cool 111... :P
I think that busted some things for me. So I'm back to apples and phulkas and all that stuff.

I am a gourmet. I need food. I like food.. I cannot diet. It Inst in me. Oh, you will have to gimme a lot of reason to..

I'm not gonna tell you that being fat sucks.
Being fat doesn't matter. I asked the people who matter. And they don't care. I don't care..

Don't have to comment this time. :)
Good Bye.. Good Night.. Good Luck..
Be Fat.. Its IN.. :P :P :P

A 'Queer' issue..

Homosexuality. Its the best way today, modern society, to have a debate and freak out a bunch of predominantly straight or heterosexual friends.. Ya.. I know, Way out..

Now this post is about homosexuality, liberalism and sexual orientation freedom. So if any of these bother you, just comment on what a good post this is, and then leave. But to those close to me, if this hurts your sentiments, I apologize. But this still gets posted.

Anyway.. It is a hot button topic. People get very easily uncomfortable in our country talking about it and then arguing about it. And I'm in Chennai. And I am from Hyderabad. Hyderabad, by the way has one of the largest gay communities in India. Including Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. And the issue is very new in India.
Here is a bit of detail.
The actual public movement of Gay Liberation in India itself is about 6 years old. Compared to the rest of the world, the Indian movement is very young. Gay Liberation around the world, in Europe and the Americas started in the 1860s and became increasingly active after the II World War. And the most popular during the 1960s and the 1970s and has not since seen a slow down. The flagship countries to gay rights are Poland (decriminalization in 1932), France, Germany, Holland and Scandinavian countries and the USA.. Though in France and the following mentioned, there wasn't and still isn't legalisation or decriminalization, they are the nations which saw the most active movements.
Of course, the above examples are of the big countries. There are all these other countries which have their own set of laws..
Some which allow homosexuality but not marriages. There are even some countries which only allow lesbians but not male homosexuality.
Either way, the essential point is that the world in general hasn't opened up to liberalism. And
Here is a good idea of the world...

India has its own issues.
Lets talk India though..
The law in India doesn't specifically mention homosexuality as a crime. The word is never used. What is mentioned is this

Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
- Section 377, IPC

So there.. Nothing specific. But it is implied. The movement to liberation in India has picked up. Like I said, in Mumbai Delhi and Hyderabad, there are plenty of gay bars and the like. Also, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata and Puducherry held gay pride parades on June 29, 2008. In Mumbai, it was held on August 16, 2008. So, as it so appears, gay rights is opening up in India more than I'm sure your aware.
But then, legalisation isn't an option till the politics take over. So a look. The possibly first step towards gay tolerance in Indian politics happened when Politburo member, from the CPI(M) member Brinda Karat wrote an open letter to the then Minister of Law and Justice, Arun Jaitley about repealing Section 377 of the IPC. In 2003, the Delhi High Court refused to consider a petition of the law by a sexual health organisation, the Naz Foundation.
The Naz Foundation is an NGO which tries to spread awareness against HIV/AIDS. Its petition again, has been under consideration by the High Court since October 2006.
So whats a small timeline of gay tolerance in India been like...
On September 2006, Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen and acclaimed writer Vikram Seth came together with scores of other prominent Indians in public life to publicly demand this change in the legal regime. The open letter demands that 'In the name of humanity and of our Constitution, this cruel and discriminatory law should be struck down.'
On June 29, 2008, Delhi held its first ever gay pride march, along with similar gatherings in Bangalore and Calcutta.
On June 30, 2008, Indian labour minister Oscar Fernandes backed calls for decriminalization of consensual gay sex, and the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called for greater tolerance towards homosexuals.
On July 4, 2008, gay activists fighting for decriminalization of consensual homosexuality at the Delhi High Court got a shot in the arm when the court opined that there is nothing unusual in holding a gay rally, something which is common outside India.
On July 23, 2008, Bombay High Court Judge Bilal Nazki said that India's unnatural sex law should be reviewed.
On November 7, 2008, the seven-year-old petition to disallow the law that makes “unnatural” sex a criminal offence finished hearings. The Indian Health Ministry supported this petition, while the Indian Home Ministry opposed such a move.

Then there is Anbumani Ramadoss. Under the hilarious words of Cyrus Broacha, "... he's trying to tell us that one type of fag is OK, but not the other.. " :D :D :D
The first 'fag' refers to the gays and the second to smoking...

So that's been a general and simple description of the political scenario.

Homosexuality has been declared taboo by the society primarily citing religious reasons. Abrahamic religions, like Christianity and Islam clearly ban any homosexual acts. Reasons being that they are all unnatural and against the law of nature and God.. Understandable. Typically, homosexuality has never struck most of us as the most normal thing. But I'd like to see you run that past an intelligent gay person. See if you get anywhere.
Hinduism doesn't ban homosexuality. Though in India, its all about culture and tradition which makes it wrong and 'disgusting'... There are plenty of arguments thrown around about more than one group of scholars which makes you wonder whats true. Check this out.. Arguable.

I have to argue. Homosexuals aren't freaks. They have rights. Homosexuality has been around as long as Leonardo DaVinci and all those famous people. It has to be understood that homosexuality, even though it doesn't seem that way, is as natural to a gay person as heterosexuality is to straight people. That's their argument. And you have never tried it, don't shove it down as an oddity because if your straight, then we obviously wouldn't know how it is. If "they", tens of thousands of gays say its that way, you and I have no option but to listen and agree. Its neither our right nor our place to argue.
As far as religion is concerned, with all due respect, they are wrong. God cannot discriminate against people he has designed in a specific way. Those he has made gay. And if human judgement was prejudiced by the minds of the writers of the scriptures, it obviously hasn't made any bounds in improvement today.
You have the right to do what you want as long as it doesn't hurt the people around you. You can go bungee jumping and convert you religion if it makes you happy and is really what you wanted to do. But for some reason, we are even more prejudiced against the gays.
Gay people HAVE to born of heterosexual parents. Any people for that matter of course. They can grow up in largely heterosexual environments and have straight friends and teachers and role models. But still are gay. You cannot TURN gay. You can REALISE that you are gay. Its a force of nature that rules what happens.
The only reason that anyone can argue and ask for control of the gay society is the spread of STDs. Which by the way, can spread as much in straight people as they do in the gay community. But for your information, check out the 8th point in THIS LINK. Hopefully dispel a few doubts.
And also, AIDS did not originate from gay men. Proven it is, that AIDS originated from chimpanzees in West Africa. READ THIS. In all fairness however, it is said that a gay person is the cause of bringing the disease into the Western world, though there is no solid proof to support the theory.

In my opinion, homosexuality is a very unfairly treated topic of debate. Most opinions spring more as a result of being influenced into an opinion than actually having one of your own.
I encourage you, to do your own research and perhaps think outside the box of religion and family influence and make your decisions. Informed ones. I have provided several links throughout the article to pertinent topics. But read some more.
Almost everything above also applies to bisexuals and transgenders by the way..

And to pacify the argument about 'natural' and 'hormonal' instincts in man, it has been observed in many animals as well. Homosexual behaviour. Now, if you don't believe in the Theory Of Evolution, this wont really make a difference.. But if you do, then check out THIS LINK.. It has the info about penguins who showed gay behaviour and a bloody list of all other animals which do as well.. And if man is also just a smarter animal, then it kinda speaks for itself..

After you do your study, if you decide that homosexuality is still a forbidden sin, then so be it. But if you believe that all gay people must be ousted from society, then go think again. The strongest base of argument to gay rights is that all man is created equal. And even in the mind of god, we have been created with the same amount of love. Life is tough on the poor, the oppressed and the weak. And if you're gonna say that that's the way God wanted it, then DAMN!! Gay is how god wanted them.

It takes an event for me to start up a post. Some form of inspiration. The source of this one is the movie Milk. Watch it. Milk, Philadelphia to get a spin on Gay Rights. The Band Played On for a look into the vague and somehow murky origins of AIDS.

Freedom of speech, press and thought are elementary. But if people let go of our freedom and allow ourselves to be haunted and controlled by the conservatives, we lose out on more than just freedom. It'll all be just a life of lies and people pleasing charade. You shouldn't fall for it. Or allow anyone else to either...

Major thanks to WIKIPEDIA for content help... Plagiarized the timeline...

Of all the blogs in all the sites in all the world, you read mine

Casablanca Title...(1942) :) I hope you got it... :)

This is gonna a loooong post. Browse down. Take your time. Read the titles you're actually curious about if not all...

For all the crap I write, there are a hundred movies, ATLEAST that deserve their own post. The list is quite endless...
Let me try making a list. A small one...

Metropolis(1926)
Schindler's List (1994)
The Godfather Trilogy(1972,1974 and 1990)
The Lion King(1994)
Its a Wonderful Life(1946)
ROCKY "Hex"ology?? (1976 to 2006)
Fight Club(1999)
Dr. Strangelove(1964)
A Clockwork Orange(1974)
Casablanca(1942)
Scarface(both 1932 and 1983)
The Green Mile(1999)
Judgement At Nuremberg(1961)
The Grapes of Wrath(1940)
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance(1975)
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington()
Dog Day Afternoon(1975)
..And Justice For All(1979)
Network(1976)
Scent Of A Woman(1992)

Now I have a lot on my list. This was from the Top250 of the IMDb list. Makes it easier...
By the way, for the critics of IMDb and the list, I don't think its a perfect list. Definitely flawed on several accounts. But it is one of the more reliable lists. IMDb is unfortunately unfair to comedies. The top list has Monty Python( Life of Brian, Holy Grail ) and Charlie Chaplin( The Great Dictator, City Lights ). But the more modern slapstick is horribly rated. I mean, movies like "Baby's Day Out", "Ace Ventura" and "Father of the Bride" are rated at 5's and 6's. Even parodies, good ones, like "Robin Hood:Men In Tights" are rated low. And I laugh like a clowns business when I watch them. Anyway.. This post is more of a rant of a handful of the greats.

Metropolis(1926)

Fritz Lang was a visionary in his field. Metropolis is considered one of the very first greats. A silent movie. For its time, the score was fantastic. And I'm getting warmed up. The sets and the screenplay were light years ahead of the time. It never got slow. The movie was classic. Character descriptions were perfect. You can understand the minds and the ideas of the silent characters if they just gave you a look and a wave of the hand. The sets. Huge... It was amazing. I couldn't believe it. I remember thinking, "Was this actually made in 1926?"... The robot poster is a great. It wants to make you watch the movie ASAP... :) I had a hard time getting the movie. But when I did, it was so totally worth it... I could go on. But I wont. Watch the movie.. And be amazed...
Amazing Scenes: When our young protagonist realises how different the world below is...
When he tries to save the minions..

The Godfather Trilogy(1972,1974 and 1990)

Technically, the Godfather Trilogy needs no introduction. Everyone has heard of them and you, reading this post have most likely seen them as well. One of the very few adaptations that did the book any defined justice at all. Screenplay, Cinematography, Characters, Acting, Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Score, Direction, Art Direction, Sets... Yes.. I'll stop. The first movie is a classic. The second isn't even a sequel. It stands so strong on its own. Robert De Niro barely even spoke English. And you could've sworn it was a younger Marlon Brando acting instead. Now.. Part 3. I don't think it got all it deserved. It was more complex. Unless you catch every dialogue and meaning, its unlikely you'll get the story. It spent so much time on Michael's relationships as well. And not just on him being the Godfather. Joe Mantegna was amazing. And Andy Garcia was very James Caan... Part 3 had stellar performances and a very good story. It actually helped the series come to powerful pack up. Michael can do whatever he wants. He spent his whole life protecting the family he eventually lost. You will see the movies one day. And you will nod and say, "Yep, these movies are cult for a reason"..

Amazing Scenes:
Part 1: James Caans monologue when he chides Michael for wanting to shoot Sollozzo...
Every time Marlon Brando speaks...
When Michael tells Carlo not to lie to him... And another 2 hours worth of film time...
Part 2: Michael Corleone on screen... Every expression and look...
"You broke my heart Fredo... You broke my heart"
Fredos death... and the rest...
Part 3: "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in"
When Vincent Mancini becomes Don Vincenzo Corleone
When Michael screams at the end...

Schindlers List(1994)

Very long. Very engaging. Very disturbing. Steven Spielberg is a great director. No denying. This movie was stunning. I wouldn't sleep for 2 days. I needed 3 romantic comedies to counter the affect this movie had on me. It was so well done. I cannot possibly tell you how. And why... Everything. Everything. It had to be as long as it was. Again, technically, it was a masterpiece. Liam Neeson has since become one of my favourite actors. He has played some great characters.. Oskar Schindler here... Michael Collins(Michael Collins, 1996), Qui-Gon Jinn(Star Wars Episode 1, 1999), Ra's Al Ghul/Henri Ducard (Batman Begins,2005) and Brian Mills(Taken,2008).. Schindlers List was only the beginning. Schindlers List defeated great movies of the year to the Oscars. They included, Philadelphia(Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington) and In The Name Of The Father(Daniel Day Lewis.. The only fault was that it released along with Schindlers List. Any other year, it would have probably been destructive at the Oscars)...
Schindlers List takes a patient mind to watch. And it takes a strong one to finish. And believe me when I say, if you don't shed a tear at the end, you need to see a shrink...
The little girl in red.. Never a word said. But so much communicated with so little.

Amazing Scenes: "One more man"...
Ralph Fiennes tries to be the man with power...
Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley...(anytime on screen)
The train station
The body burnings

The Lion King(1994)

Where do I even start? Do you watch cartoons? Have you seen this one? The Lion King is quite simply the greatest animated movie ever made. This movie was a cricket match. Isme action hain, emotion hain, drama hain... It also had a great score, fantastic music, destructive storyline, killer characters, solid animation, great screenplay... So much was put into just 85 minutes. It was so good, you have to wonder how...
Let me go long here.

Mufasa: A true king. I would follow this lion to end if he was ever my king. So powerful. Looks and voice. James Earl Jones was also Darth Vader...
Rafiki: When he finds out Simba is still alive, the happiness is so sincere, I feel like celebrating with him. Fun loving and the philosophy of the gods. He preached with a manner that made us all listen. Rafiki is a man you all wish you had in your lives. A guide and a friend whom you respect and can love to be with.
Timon and Pumbaa: Heh... Hehe... For all the inappropriateness... :D
Scar: Jeremy Irons makes you get chills up your spine with every line. He slithers like a snake and still makes sure you know that he has the brains of a Machiavellian conspirator. No physical strength. But scary as hell.. Be Prepared...
Ed, Shenzi and Banzai: You gotta love them.. For all they try to do.. You cant deny it..
And please, Hans Zimmer, Elton John,Tim Rice... Take a bow...
Amazing Scenes: Am I actually gonna try narrowing this down...

Its a Wonderful Life(1946)
This movie was a commercial disaster when it released. It has since become one of the most popular Christmas movies of all time. And no matter when, this movie a lovely movie. The timeless story of hope, love, family and friendship. George Bailey is every small mans hero. He is everything that symbolises honesty and loyalty. George Bailey never thought he could do with his life what he really wanted. Things just never went his way. But he did what was right. He did what was important. But of course, we never know what we have till its gone. Neither did George. At a point when he finally questioned his existence, he learns a lesson that makes him understand that no matter how life goes, whether a person succeeds or not, whether he follows his dreams or not, life is still beautiful. Its hard sometimes, but its never as bad as you believe it is... Frank Capra directed the movie. He is a king among directors. A man who truly made movies which gave happiness and hope when he was done. Even though Its a Wonderful Life failed commercially, it has made many lives richer... I am one of them. I shed tears everytime I watch the ending.. EVERY TIME...
James Stewart of course, deserves a special mention. A fantastic actor. Harvey(1950), Mr. Smith Goes To Washington(1939) are movies which I ought to write about. But I have reached the end of my strength. My fingers beg me to stop.
But of course,
Amazing Scenes: Auld Lang Syne
The alternate reality
When George tries to keep his customers at the Housing and Loan
So much more... Amazing movie..

I don't expect you to have reached this point... But if you have, Wow... :)
I have not mentioned many. And have not done justice to all the movies I have mentioned...
Maybe you ask me, and I'll talk a lot more.. :)
I'll fill in more movie reviews and discussions soon...
Tell me if these helped. Tell me if these made you want to watch the movies. If they did, then there are so many more... :)

Movies are art. Not just that, they are also a platform for learning. You don't learn lessons like the ones in Lion King and Its a Wonderful Life walking along the street. I have learnt a few things. And I believe I have changed for the better. Not just the movies... Another thing helped as well... Gr8.. :)
I love the arts. I can appreciate painting and music. But movies are something much more personal...
I don't expect you to understand... Just read.. :)
Comment...
And yes.. again..

"...You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk?"
Inspector "Dirty" Harry Calahan
(Clint Eastwood, Dirty Harry, 1971)

The Zone

I'm not discussing the damn show.. The Twilight Zone..
I'm not discussing the famous diet programme... The Zone Diet..
I'm not discussing the sports term.. "Being in the zone"..

This is mine. Its mine. Its all mine. So whether you understand it or not, is your prerogative. I don't really care, do I... You can fiddle wit it. You can alter it. You can revise it, rework it, whatever.. for yourself. But THE ZONE is mine. This one is mine.

You already put an idea in your head when you saw the title. It could mean a thousand things for a thousand people. When I talk about the zone, i mean a gap. A big ass gaping hole. It contains everything I had and have. Its endless. So I can fill it with whatever. So when I say I'm feeling tired, that's the zone. When I'm happy, I'm in my zone... The monkey can make it all clear.

The zone illustrates the damned reason you got pissed the day. You didn't think within the zone. You left the zone. So get back. Think about it. Its not that easy. You obviously don't even have your own zone. You're gonna be thinking for a long time to develop your own. So don think like an idiot. Think like you want to think. Go make something. Up or bloody down, I don't really give a rats brown hairy butt.
My zone is my religion. It preaches the right for me to tell you to bugger off (pardon the mild language) if I so pleased. And you may not listen to me in the real plane. But in the great Argand plane (to the math knowing people, you should know this. So don't smile if you got the point.. you're supposed to), its done. You have left me and left me to my own senses and environment. You do not exist. Why?.. Because that's my zone.
It also preaches the right to be drunk on well water. And sober on the taste of a leaf in paper. The smoke will clear even if the wind doesn't stop blowing. When you are in my zone, if you're a guy, you have to have a top hat. If you're a girl, it has to be... Yes.. You *u*king perverts will call it kinky. Jump in a well. But anyhow.. girls must wear slippers... Rubber. Why? Go to hell. All my rules.

You can have a thousand reasons, conditions and borders in your own zone. If you do not understand the point, you may ignore having one.
My zone is where I need to go when something kicks my ass. Where I can celebrate in solitude and enjoy the pleasure of my own company. The existence of a foreign entity is a highly complex issue. The company of another is an event which marks something very special. It means that someone else has been altering the effects of the winds and typhoons at my end. And I at theirs.
My zone is very clear to me. It isn't a matter of explanation. Its about understanding.

This isn't spiritual. It isn't the deal of finding myself or the matter of self-discovery or of coming of age. That's been done.
My zone works as a strength of its own. And I make a move to it and withdraw whenever I wish...

My zone is represented by the Screaming Chimp...

The picture is a bad Paintbrush job. I would probably use Photoshop. But I don't have it...
The Screaming Chimp is what every single person is after he reads the newspaper or watches the TV. So no matter how different you are in principle and looks, this is a symbol or a face everyone has.
The Zone is the future. We all live independent of everyone else. Even though our pasts are all different, the future is all the same. And the Zone defines the future of me. Of me with you and of you with the third guy.

Develop your zone. Its all the specifics...

If you're reading this, leave a comment. And don't leave asking, "What the hell was that?"...

I never think of the future. It comes soon enough
- Albert Einstein

I wonder if Einstein ever had a Zone...

BREAKing News

News is about reporting an issue. Its about telling the people through words and pictures and nowadays videos whats happening and how. What the issues are, and who is responsible. This post is a me being pissed at the modern press and journalism.
The news media in India either doesn't quite understand their influence on public opinion in India, Or understands it all too well. In India, where the newspaper circulation is only quite about 30.7 million in 2002. I wont be able to give any better stats for 2009. But back then, the number of newspapers circulated for the number of people hit about 50 per 1000. The 50 is assuming that circulation has increased. Assuming that each paper caters to one person, that's 3%(THREE PERCENT, just to amplify the point) of the population that reads the paper. In whatever language. This clearly showing that newspapers aren't exactly the most popular news delivery system. There is TV, which is obviously significantly more attractive. And that's about the topic of the post.
EVERY channel loves breaking news. But the entire concept of breaking news is a significant piece of news about an event that is important enough to warrant an interruption of regular broadcasts is order to report the news to the population. Now I am not going to argue the use of the term itself. That's a different argument entirely and not relevant to the current post.
you watch Indian news channels these days, and we have breaking news ALL THE EFFING TIME. Everything. Honestly, its annoying. After 26/11 (after the 5 days), we had breaking news on the television for a week atleast. RGV going to the Taj was breaking news. ?¿?¿?¿?¿ Prioritize. Of course, it isn't half as much fun watching news that is "just about stuff"... When its breaking, its so much cooler... Um.. Again ¿. Of course, it a lot about ratings and viewership. So its all business. But new broadcasting is an important service. It needs to be shown some respect. Check the comments on this article.
And everyone has an opinion. The number of talk shows with speakers on it just because they are available. Shows like "We the People" and "The Big Fight" and whatever-its-called on channels like StarNews and HeadlinesToday are more of a screaming and shouting fest of little appreciable content. The talk shows on NDTV, I used to hold in high esteem. But the speakers nowadays think laughing and huffing and puffing makes them put across their points better. And what points. Stupid points some are. I won't go so far as to say that they aren't good st the topic they were called in to discuss. The channels are hopefully, not THAT bad. But they make silly points.
A good debate also means respect between the speakers. Leave the hall and call your opponents whatever you want in private, but when the debates begin, you need to be responsible and respectful. Everyone is getting heard.

The Mangalore issue. It has to be about the most talked about topic on television nowadays. There was a show with a BJP Leader, some top person from the BJP Mahila group with Raghu form Roadies and a Restaurateur. The "leaders" were all against the corruption of Indian culture and "sanskriti"(which is something else). The restaurateur spoke minimally. Only once as I saw it and apparently only one other time. both times, with a little disappointment about the situation as a whole. Now, Raghu, who has a reputation of being a straight talker with lots of "attitude" and the king of sarcastic kickbacks, was probably the worst. I'm not trying to stand separate from a crowd here. He was screaming. Disrespectful. And had nothing of substance to say. He interrupted the other speakers. Whether or not their points made any sense themselves. That was low and wrong. He kept on arguing about his right as a person to do whatever he wanted. And the sarcasm was a serious step down from his regular style we see on Roadies.

Now,I am no judge here. I'm not asking to become the editor of national newspapers or the marketeer. I don't ask to become adviser to any news channel. And though I am neither a viewer nor a fan of Roadies, I will likely be first in line to agree that there are very few people who could do what Raghu does.
But I find some faults. I mention them. Like I said, not a judge. So if any of you are thinking, "Kunal thinks he knows a lot... But ... ", then please... PLEASE, comment. And tell me the "". Bhai will probably be first in line... :P I'd be right behind, come to think of it... :P

Chaar aane ki murgi, baarah aane ka masala - Sarkeshwar 'Circuit'

The Whole Wide World

I have a dream... A wish actually. To be precise, it wouldn't count as one... Its a collection. But first... I was born in 1987. And for those who don't know, the Halley's Comet was visible, that is, it crossed the Earth in 1910. Again in 1986. 76 years later. When I read about it for the first time, I was probably in class 3 or 4. Around 8 or 9 years old. I read that it appears every 76 years. I was excited and looked u when it passed the last time. When I read it came around in 1986, I was pissed. I felt vaguely cheated that I missed it by one year. YES... I KNOW. Even if it came in 1989 or something, I wouldn't really know. I KNOW THAT I WOULDN'T KNOW... You can stop shaking your head like a Chinese doll. But either way, its how I felt. And its what I thought. Ever since, I've decided that I wanna see it again. I wanna see it before I die. That means I'll have to be 75. In the year 2062. Blood far off eh...? I know. I don't know if I'll get hit by a bus or something else before then. But its just a dream. If I die before then, then I'm gonna go upto God and pull his long white beard. He will, of course be able to show it to me immediately.. But the wait itself is much cooler than the prospect of seeing it. Just in case, for a few of you who are thinking it, NO. Its not a different way of wishing I live till 75.
Continue reading.
I wanna see the world. Nothing amazing about that. I wanna live in New York and stand at Times Square. I wanna go see the Berlin Wall. I wanna pray at the Wailing Wall. I wanna see Mecca. I wanna LIVE in Africa. I wanna see Sierra Leone. I wanna drift on the Nile and swim in the Amazon. I wanna get caught in a rain in South America and sail through the Suez canal. All these and more. I wanna experience the world. I wanna live the world in my 75 years till the Halley's Comet. I'm 21 now. I have 54 years. FIFTY FOUR years. Its a long long time. 54 years, not given to me. 54 years that I have allotted to myself, hoping that I'll have it.
I have read about people who have moved country and place to settle down in They live in another place and have a family there.
I think its lucky that they did. Experiencing a new lifestyle is something quite amazing. I imagine. I want to. I'm not saying I will.
For a person who would want to do something like everything I described, they need a longer life than 75 years. Let me be clear here. I don't want to visit these places. And those I mentioned above are not even a tenth of the actual list. I don't only want to see these places. I wanna live there. I wanna make friends with the people there and I want to visit the grocer. I want to live in all these beautiful places for the experience they will give me.
But I was standing at the railway station yesterday when this thought struck me. Being able to do all of this would make me happier beyond my means. But I don't think it is necessary. We haven't been designed to survive the world. We can travel as far as our means will allow us. But we cannot hope to cover the globe in a lifetime. I'm not calling sour grapes. I'm just saying that it is how I feel. I have lived in the UAE. It is a different lifestyle. I have lived in Hyderabad and Chennai. Even the differences between cities within India took some getting used to. I cannot imagine what 5 cities in different countries would do to me. ha...
I like pani puri and chola batura. And I'm happy in Hyderabad and I actually have come to love Chennai. I don't like tea, Irani or otherwise and love sambar on my Vadai...
I'm a hybrid of a Hyderabadi and a Chennaite and am a little bit of a citizen of the world. I honestly say I could watch an Italian movie wearing Bermudas and a baniyan, sipping coffee and eating a lasagna while living in Moscow. A little bit of everything...
And I kinda hate this post. But I have effing typed the whole effing thing and if you have started and come to the end, you have suffered the equal agony of me typing it.
Joy to the world...

Sleepily I say...

I wanna sleep. I totally lack direction and topic and find nothing better to pick up a book and read myself into a good nights sleep. Whats the last book I read? Harry Potter... Book 7. Light reading. And I enjoyed it. I read 3 chapters a day and finished it slow. Second time. I already knew what happens.
Before that. 'Tis by Frank McCourt. Nothing fancy. An autobiography of the author(i know... i know.. duh...). A good book. Enjoyable. Not too many fundae. But he does manage to turn gears at certain points. He doesn't seem to intend to do so. But he does. Then again, the dude is a teacher. And he won the Pulitzer. So I'm guessing that's what good teachers do. They make you think. There's this nice part. He teaches this bunch of women. Night school. Illiterates trying to get a little education. Read and write. They discuss issues. So they come around to racism. Hot button topic all over the world. And its like the number two way of getting movies to become blockbusters. Number 1 way is Steven Spielberg. Anyway... getting back. So they discuss racism and MalcolmX and Martin Luther King and stuff. Its based in the US... So they talk about how people are bad and how the world is unfair to blacks... All this time, they are also learning to read and write.
Then one day Martin Luther King gets killed. They all get worked up. They discuss the actions of the white man and how he's wrong and bad and all that. Then 2 months later, JFK gets shot. The incidents are unrelated. I think. But it affected them far differently. For the 36 black ladies who want to be able to write a letter to their kids. They sit and now they have no argument. They sit and are confused. They don't know who to blame and how to think. The best thing to do is to continue and to just keep reading.I may have the exact facts wrong. But the premise is the same. 36 ladies put their heads down and go on reading. They have nothing to say. We have no understanding and no idea why the things that happen, happen.
Its a small part of the book. It does its part. I spent time reading it again. It had no powerful meaning jumping out. But you have to figure it out.

The same happened with the autobiography of MalcolmX. It begins and continues quite unremarkably. You begin the book and read all that he writes. I was quite stunned reading it. MalcolmX is one of those people. The kind you hear about and read a few paragraphs about. Pretty much everything is appreciative. Pretty much everything tells us how MalcolmX was a great man who changed lives and brought about the change that the world needed. But he doesn't say that. He lived his younger days among junkies and gangs. He was part and participated in them. And was pretty damn good at it too. It wasn't till later that he reformed. He was caught and sent to prison. He read there. He learnt there. He became a follower of the "Honourable Elijah Mohammed" and became a Muslim. He then became a preacher. He "recruited" for Islam. The error with it all was that MalcolmX was bent on colour. He was a racist too. I was disappointed and sad when I read that. He used to preach that the white man was evil. I was upset intellectually. I didn't like what I was reading.
But the greatest signs of a good movie and a good book is transformation(eg The Godfather)... In an autobiography and true story, it is magnified. On his pilgrimage to holy Mecca, he saw white man and black man pray together. He understood the error of his ways and amended. He never claimed to be enlightened overnight. But it happened. MalcolmX was the most arrogant and at the same time humble person I have read about.
What turned here was morality and past. Everyone runs from the past. I do. A little. And the present too actually. He did too. A great man. He was haunted by his actions all his life. I realise that I am not perfect. But I have an inkling of MalcolmX, Bhagat Singh and Mahatma Gandhi inside me. At the same time, I have Ivan The Terrible, Adolf Hitler and Aurangzeb thumping within me as well.
I hope I will one day choose correctly between the good and bad sides of me. Jekyll lost. I hope I will not. My Hyde is what you see. I am all the right and wrong. I am the example of the purest and vilest of sentient being.

But right now, I am sleepy. And this post is an example of that. Good Night everyone. Sleep happy... Dream that you fell naked on a pile of cow-crap and pig-droppings. Waking up will never be better.
Forgive the tangents of this post. I enjoyed typing it though...:)