Today

Bored. Bummed. Spaced out. Vacant. Tired. Restless. Weary. Jaded. Irked. BORED.

Nice read

Bob Dylan thinks that all modern music is trash. Maybe true of most modern music. But methinks he lost the post of music god when he actually appeared in a Victoria's Secret commercial. Interesting read, though. Btw, don't you think that Bob looks like he could be Ian McKellen's brother in this pic?

The haze lifts

Today is the greatest
Day I've ever known
Can't live for tomorrow,
Tomorrow's much too long
I'll burn my eyes out
Before I get out

I wanted more
Than life could ever grant me
Bored by the chore
Of saving face

Today is the greatest
Day I've ever known
Can't wait for tomorrow
I might not have that long
I'll tear my heart out
Before I get out

Pink ribbon scars
That never forget
I tried so hard
To cleanse these regrets
My angel wings
Were bruised and restrained
My belly stings

Today is
The greatest day
I want to turn you on
I want to turn you

Today is the greatest
Today is the greatest day
Today is the greatest day
That I have ever really known...
- Today, The Smashing Pumpkins.

The joy of discovery

Its a great feeling when you start reading a book and realize that you are reading something really amazing. In the recent past, its been very tough to get excited about writers. Not that there haven't been any - Kazuo Ishiguro, Neil Gaiman, Orhan Pahmuk, and now... Neal Stephenson.

Haiku, physics, math, computers, great wit - Cryptonomicon is a real treat. I'm so excited!!

The weekend

Spent the better part of the weekend sick before caving in and starting my third course of antibiotics in 2 months (2nd this month!). Did I mention that I blew some money shopping? Watched 'Click' - not bad. But not good enough to merit a review either. Back to work and still woozy. Meds not helping as much as they should. Song in my head:

Don't you think you oughtta rest?
Don't you think you oughtta lay you head down?
Don't you think you want to sleep?
Don't you think you oughtta lay your head down tonight?

Don't you think you've done enough?
Oh, don't you think you've got enough, well maybe..
You don't think there's time to stop
There's time enough for you to lay your head down, tonight...
- All those yesterdays, Pearl Jam. Will someone send me the song please?

Wish list

I wish that ...
I had won a million dollars in a lottery I didn't buy
I was a caped crusader fighting crime with Wolverine at my side
I was Bertram Wooster sipping one of Jeeves' restoratives
I was a brilliant flash of blinding light
I was in Brazil, studying anacondas in the Amazon
I could fly to space and find the man on the moon
The pounding in my head would stop and my nose would clear up
I were anywhere but here and now.

Song in my head

In with the early dawn
Moving right along
I couldn'’t buy an eye full of sleep
And in the aching night
Under satellite
I was not received
Built with the stolen parts
A telephone in my heart
Someone get me a priest
To put my mind to bed
This ringing in my head
Is this a cure or is this a disease...

- Audioslave, Show me how to live

Surprisingly bold

Went to watch Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (KANK) thinking that I was in for a boring, 3-hour movie. I was pleasantly surprised when I came out of the theatre and realized that I actually liked it. I hated Karan Johar's Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, missed K3G, didn't like Kal Ho Na Ho much. But with KANK, Karan Johar looks like he's trying to break out of the mould - extra marital affairs, strong women who are not ashamed of putting career over family, and a sex scene - he is definitely growing up.

Early in the movie, the married protagonist Dev (Shah Rukh Khan) tells Maya, the confused bride-to-be (Rani Mukherji) that she could either keep waiting for the right guy to come along or she could be happy. (Ouch, that hit a little too close to home!) She takes his advice, only to be trapped in a loveless marriage with a seemingly perfect guy, Rishi. (Abhishek Bachchan, yummy as ever!). She runs into an embittered Dev years later, who is also having trouble accepting that his wife Rhea (Preity Zinta) is far more successful than he is. Inevitably, they are drawn to each other even as they give each other tips to sort out their respective marital issues.

Johar manages to capture the guilt and agony of a couple in an illicit relationship - they realize that they are going to hurt people they love, but cant stay away from each other. Nobody is portrayed as the bad guy here - Zinta's character starts off with a negative vibe, but Johar quickly demolishes the concept of a career-woman-who-cares-a-damn-about-family. Johar also gets the basics right - 3 years after a divorce, Rishi gets married again, but Rhea prefers to wait and take care of her career and son instead.

That doesn't mean that the movie isn't saccharine sweet, or that performances are subtle. Rani is good, as usual. Shah Rukh is well, Shah Rukh - he doesn't do justice to the character. Preity and Abhishek are adequate. Kiron Kher and Amitabh Bachchan are over the top. Imagine a 60+ lecher giving you relationship advice! The Big B is getting way too irritating these days.

Verdict: Not bad. A bold attempt.

Stagnant

Have you ever had those phases when life seems to slow down, and you feel like you aren't going anywhere? A friend who just started a new job with hopes of an exciting work life asked me, " Are all jobs going to be this boring?". I am stuck in a groove...

A dear friend changed his nick on MSN to 'The Fly'. Been listening to U2's 'The Fly' ever since. Addictive.

Look, I gotta go, yeah I'm running outta change
There's a lot of things, if I could I'd rearrange...

Bright spot on a dull day

Lunch with Nandan

I thought that the 2 hour high energy performance by KK on Sunday night would be the high point of the Infosys Analyst meet held at Mysore on Sunday and Monday. I am so glad that I was wrong. I was just beginning lunch the next day, when I heard a voice say " Could I join you?". I looked up and had to try my best not to act like an excited school girl. It was the man himself - Nandan Nilekani, President, MD and CEO of Infosys. I mean, it wasn't the first time that I was talking to him. But having lunch with your favourite CEO (who you have a huge crush on) is something else. Made. my. day. Boy, I love this job!

Under pressure