tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69077502024-03-07T11:28:57.917+05:30A little bubble in the maelstromDiviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.comBlogger652125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-41068504968005683732014-04-18T06:35:00.001+05:302014-04-18T06:35:56.824+05:30RIP- Gabriel Garcia MarquezDiviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-24513875447808362652013-07-24T07:59:00.001+05:302013-07-24T08:04:31.769+05:30Pacific Rim made feel 10 again!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Absolute rush of a movie. Formulaic, with gaping plot holes, but likeable characters and badass action made it a lot of fun! Hopefully will find time for a review.</div>
Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-6608953138729250512013-03-11T11:51:00.000+05:302013-03-11T11:51:04.581+05:30Some fun<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I dislike Creed - With Arms Wide Open is one of my least favourite songs. Sets my teeth on edge everytime. But this parody version by Dave Grohl is hilarious! Miss the Foo Fighters.<br />
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hVv3Y5lP8ng" width="420"></iframe></div>
Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-46747912824605235592012-06-12T06:22:00.002+05:302012-06-12T06:22:44.542+05:30Rain<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'd forgotten just how good it feels to get soaking wet in the rain. Incredible!</div>
</div>Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-20144071960205857202012-02-04T08:59:00.002+05:302012-02-04T09:03:53.963+05:30How cute are the Obamas?!<div style="text-align: justify;"><iframe width="400" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KJuYr5-8ES0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-11818559346008733302012-02-02T06:32:00.002+05:302012-02-02T06:35:44.233+05:30Controversy can be good...<div style="text-align: justify;">... at times! If this whole Jaipur issue prompts a few people to actually pick up a Rushdie and read, it would be well worth the newsprint. I'd recommend Midnight's Children, and Haroun and the Sea of Stories.</div>Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-35386737551787341742012-01-16T20:09:00.000+05:302012-01-16T20:10:38.033+05:30Spa!<iframe width="400" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/q1mAGQAw3Oc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-54704650728174787752012-01-06T06:40:00.001+05:302012-01-06T06:42:01.657+05:30This is awesome<iframe width="375" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nHrrS_hOnZw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-542376023627794232011-12-11T17:35:00.003+05:302011-12-11T18:16:41.705+05:30Video!<div style="text-align: justify;">I really like the video for this song, so anti-Bollywood.</div><br /><iframe width="400" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EmxaK0R1YUM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-73446107167295346562011-12-02T17:04:00.003+05:302011-12-02T17:06:37.539+05:30I want to see this!<div style="text-align: justify;">A Dinsey adaptation, so its likely to be watered down, but the trailer looks pretty good.</div><br /><br /><iframe width="400" height="350" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/l8I9eZGzNhM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-19321661418818367422011-11-29T19:30:00.002+05:302011-11-29T19:38:38.680+05:30In twos<div style="text-align: justify;">Music. After a looooong time. Feels so good!<br /></div><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/T3Ygc2b1zcY" allowfullscreen="" width="400" frameborder="0" height="315"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WxfcqpCMTk8" allowfullscreen="" width="400" frameborder="0" height="315"></iframe>Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-53549241763754068282011-11-25T20:52:00.004+05:302012-01-25T19:37:12.022+05:30Muderous rage - couldn't resist posting this!<div style="text-align: justify;">A bit embarrassing, but mindless fun nonetheless!</div><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YR12Z8f1Dh8" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="400"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">PS: Chances are that the protagonist is a 'soup boy' in the movie and the rich, convent educated heroine inevitably falls for him, which would explain the song! In real life, such a scenario would indeed inspire kolaveri!! Tamil movies haven't changed at all.<br /><br />UPDATE - My brother says 'soup boy' is Chennai slang for a jilted lover.<br /></div>Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-90492282754765196712011-11-13T19:32:00.003+05:302011-11-13T19:45:52.776+05:30About time!<div style="text-align: justify;">I was quite pleased to hear Ministry of External Affairs suggest that a repeat of the Kalam incident will invite retaliatory actions from India. I just hope that India actually does that and its not just posturing. Is an <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/US-apologises-to-APJ-Abdul-Kalam-for-frisking-incident/articleshow/10715988.cms">apology</a> enough, though? Apparently, this happened over a month ago, but lets ignore why this is happening with such a time lag, and just be happy that the Indian foreign affairs machine for once grew a spine!<br /></div>Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-25386019414875176852011-10-30T16:56:00.001+05:302011-10-30T16:58:15.097+05:30Maybe I need to shut this blog down<div style="text-align: justify;">Opened blogger today thinking I'd review the first Tamil movie I've seen in ages - 7am arivu. But the words just wont come. I just dont seem to have it in me anymore.</div>Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-63668830257282187802011-10-09T10:47:00.003+05:302011-10-09T10:51:38.851+05:30Awesome kids - The Mini Band<object style="height: 290px; width: 400px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6CPHnZV0K-k?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6CPHnZV0K-k?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="400" height="260"></object>Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-82331290501806587822011-04-30T22:11:00.002+05:302011-04-30T22:16:57.431+05:30Lament<div style="text-align: justify;">Over the last 2-3 years, life has become more and more mechanical - wake up, plan the day's food, go to work, work, come back, exercise/<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">TV</span>, sleep and up the next day. Weekends are mysteries that zip by before you can unravel them, and holidays zip by so fast. No time to do the things you love, and that includes blogging! Can't wait to retire!!<br /></div>Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-58071418689730841882011-01-23T18:19:00.005+05:302011-01-23T18:49:57.242+05:30Yawn!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBW420twgol2ZLg4EziuGERGjBzOj5cs3jU2kNjyrfu7EiZqMHuwugzn2K1OMsVQyimTzKNxupV_dBEMRwvsk-zQdjqg9GZM88akQ2wPF28DNpN-EyFe4vIktSoRu4xXKOHEo/s1600/dhobi-ghat-wallpapers-5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBW420twgol2ZLg4EziuGERGjBzOj5cs3jU2kNjyrfu7EiZqMHuwugzn2K1OMsVQyimTzKNxupV_dBEMRwvsk-zQdjqg9GZM88akQ2wPF28DNpN-EyFe4vIktSoRu4xXKOHEo/s400/dhobi-ghat-wallpapers-5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565368418430509138" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">To be frank, I went into the screening of Dhobi Ghat mentally prepared to dislike the film given my growing discontent with Aamir's brand of cinema and his aggressive publicity seeking ways. Debutant director Kiran Rao did not give me any reason to feel otherwise. For a movie that is merely 90 minutes long, it sure felt like a never-ending tale. Sadly, Dhobi Ghat is everything I thought it would be - pretentious, over glossy and totally fake! At no point in time do you feel that anyone in this film (except Munna) is even close to being real. Characters never progress beyond their cliches - Aamir's moody artist is an example- and the director's self professed love for Mumbai is never palpable. I agree, Mumbai can be a tough city to like, but its just lazy to show the audience a series of picture perfect shots and assume that it is a glimpse of the city's pounding heart.<br /><br />Prateik's Munna is the only good thing about the movie. Munna is at some level too urbane and classy, not to mention well-dressed, to be a rat-killing dhobi. But Prateik brings out Munna's desperation and vulnerability so well that it doesn't matter. Maybe acting can be passed on through DNA after all!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Verdict - give it a miss!</span><br /></div>Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-26843631300807746052010-08-29T12:42:00.001+05:302010-08-29T12:44:25.784+05:30Feeling helplessSlightly inconvenienced, with restricted mobility. Hate it, and bored out of my skull - its only been 2 days!Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-72715487279794049372010-07-26T21:12:00.001+05:302010-07-26T21:17:05.371+05:30Song for the day<object height="285" width="540"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zw_v9E2D6Ag&hl=en_GB&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zw_v9E2D6Ag&hl=en_GB&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="325" width="540"></embed></object>Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-73708529656735306552010-05-15T09:08:00.010+05:302010-05-22T17:58:31.567+05:30Roadtripper review<div style="text-align: justify;">The hubbysaurus and I went on a road trip to the Himalayan country of Bhutan on a trip organised by Roadtripper, a start up. Bhutan is a lovely place, but this review is about the organisers, not the country. To begin with, Roadtripper is a friends and family trip - those of the organisers. So if you are expecting road trip enthusiasts or like-minded people, you need to rethink the idea.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The next important thing is the trip itself - this is supposed to be a driving trip, where you get to drive luxury cars and what not. On our trip, there were 7 cars, including the spare car with all the drivers. Of the other 6, one was driven by the local guide, while another 2 were driven, at all times, by one of the organizers who should have ideally stayed away from the wheel unless there weren't enough people who wanted to drive! The other 2 cars went to two families, of four each, so the rest of us had to take turns at driving the 1 remaining car. Whats more, the organisers kept the newer and better cars to themselves, while we drove the older, more battered cars.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>The organisers had little or no clue about the place itself - we were told that the temperature would be warm ("shorts and sleeveless, light jacket if necessary"), and trust me Bhutan is COLD in most places! They also had no clue about the paper work and formalities - we climbed a few hundred feet to the famous Taktsang monastery, only to be refused entry because we didn't have a permit. Needless to say, the organisers didn't bother with the climb! At one point we camped in a dung filled field, and were told that the original plan of camping in scenic spot by the riverside had to be dropped because some construction work had started. They actually pointed out the spot when we drove by later, and this was a power project which looked liked it had been there for at least 6 months. So much for the 'research trip' that the organisers claimed to have undertaken a few months ago!<br /><br />In short, plan a trip with Roadtripper only if you want to subsidize the organisers' vacations. Or if you are a family member, in which case some poor moron will subsidize yours! Thumbs down!<br /></div>Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-9281725120589479012010-01-18T18:20:00.004+05:302010-01-18T18:31:11.183+05:3021k<div style="text-align: justify;">I did it! I completed the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Mumbai</span> half marathon this Sunday. A whopping 21 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">kms</span>, and I've never run before. Expected to run about 10km, but surprised myself running close to 13. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">hubbysaur</span> and his cousin did the full marathon - 42 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">kms</span>!!! The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Bandra</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Worli</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">sea link</span> nearly derailed everyone though - there was no water along the 5.5km stretch and nearly half a km before and after - left a lot of runners dehydrated. In fact, most of the water and refreshments on the way were provided by well meaning <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Mumbaikars</span> who thronged the street shouting out words of encouragement. Would be nice if some of them didn't stand in the middle of the route to do so, though. All in all, proud of myself, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">hubbysaur</span> and near & dear ones who ran yesterday. Cant wait to do it again!<br /></div>Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-59804342907675018972009-10-10T12:45:00.004+05:302009-10-10T12:56:21.513+05:30This must be a joke!<div style="text-align: justify;">Obama awarded Nobel for Peace! I guess the might of the US is all encompassing. Read <a href="http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/story.html?id=732624ae-c33e-46a0-9368-431255fe5bf9">this</a>:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What's the authority of a prize that has been awarded to terrorists like Yasser Arafat or Marxist mythologists like Rigoberta Menchu Tum?</span></div>Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-36244057368269711742009-09-26T16:44:00.002+05:302009-09-26T16:50:48.317+05:30Again<div style="text-align: justify;">A new job, and along with it come new expectations, pressures, people, practices, timings. It is always tough to move out of a comfort zone, but its never good to get too comfortable. Hopefully, things should work out well. As we all know, the world can be a different place in a few months.<br /><br />Listening to Wake Up Sid!'s soundtrack - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Shankar</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ehsaan</span> and Loy have created a breezy, flirty soundtrack. Easy listening, but not in the league of say, <a href="http://diviya.blogspot.com/2008/01/cute-little-fella-is-movie.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Taare</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Zameen</span> Par</a> or <a href="http://diviya.blogspot.com/2007/10/finally-interesting-hindi-movie.html">Johnny <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Gaddar</span></a>. Besides, it has this very 'inspired' feel to it that makes me go '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">hmmm</span>'.<br /></div>Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-91158448280187161652009-08-25T12:47:00.008+05:302009-08-25T14:22:19.171+05:30Finally!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesd8LULfSS8pPjXwMhgeoB1wx2MBdzUl4iFRMYFKHqV04JQZh-0UiWPJHEbIwH_ckSW2EyTnje_bf4tyWO_ahUAFwTYDcaeVzWwNkhGRsoYU0BeT2fYSQS5C41sCS640u3HBU/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesd8LULfSS8pPjXwMhgeoB1wx2MBdzUl4iFRMYFKHqV04JQZh-0UiWPJHEbIwH_ckSW2EyTnje_bf4tyWO_ahUAFwTYDcaeVzWwNkhGRsoYU0BeT2fYSQS5C41sCS640u3HBU/s400/untitled.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373818918442081778" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://kaminey.utvnet.com/">Picture courtesy the official website.</a><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am thinking about work, even though I am off all responsibilities for this week. If I persist in this vein, its going to lead to nowhere good.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">On that note, let me talk about a movie that the hubbysaur and I thoroughly enjoyed watching - Kaminey. I can't remember the last movie I saw where my favourite (and possibly the best) scene in the movie had none of the lead actors in it. Two crazy guys encircle each other with guns in their hands, enacting an eerie mock shootout, but only one of them is truly crazy, the other is merely pretending to be- I was literally at the edge of my seat with my heart thudding!<br /><br />The movie boasts several non-regulars - the hero (Shahid Kapoor as Guddu) is dressed up as a giant condom in his introductory sequence, the heroine is a manipulative woman (Priyanka Chopra as Sweety) who cons her boyfriend into marriage, and the other hero (Kapoor again as Charlie) is in a borderline-homoerotic relationship with his best friend!<br /><br />The plot is fairly mainstream - politicos, drug kingpins, police, and other irregulars with the main leads caught in the crossfire. Vishal Bharadwaj (Maqbool, Omkara) dips liberally into Guy Ritchie and Quentin Tarantino but adds a completely Bollywood flavour and sensibility to the plot. Shahid could have been better, but shows promise. Priyanka is great - as if she knows she's landed the role of a lifetime and has really sunk her teeth into it.<br /><br />But what really makes this movie tick is the sheer brilliance of most of the supporting cast. Special mention goes to Mikhail (Chandan Roy Sanyal) , a guy so off his rocker that he's mesmerizing. Others, such as the hilarious Bengali brothers (Mikhail's actually) and Bhope Bhau (Sweety's brother) are wonderful as well. Everybody else (Bhope's goons, Tashi the drug trafficker, the crooked cops, the wily child) also adds on to make this movie a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Bharadwaj could have done away with the songs, though. Much as I like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IF3q0Xxxlo">Dhan Te Nan</a>, it does break the momentum of the movie!<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Verdict - Finally, a movie that lives up to the reviews!</span><br /></div>Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6907750.post-28034157724415796352009-08-19T09:37:00.002+05:302009-08-19T09:57:17.119+05:30Hilarious<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWeSHOcR-aMiBaoWDaRshcz3RTGHGgUur9B72h3Rxf6mKEnOqe-Z68chz0wtAFVwrw9lCCsbVS7lsfBw4zoJpXLFvAxDYl_PVCGqdNjvTgCOd5nHzDD_hmJTDQ22-CWLc4ls3/s1600-h/QuickGunFront.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 281px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWeSHOcR-aMiBaoWDaRshcz3RTGHGgUur9B72h3Rxf6mKEnOqe-Z68chz0wtAFVwrw9lCCsbVS7lsfBw4zoJpXLFvAxDYl_PVCGqdNjvTgCOd5nHzDD_hmJTDQ22-CWLc4ls3/s400/QuickGunFront.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371526606407086866" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;">The Quick Gun <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Murugan</span> soundtrack is <a href="http://www.bollywoodstop.com/songs/Quick-Gun-Murugun/Dialogue+Mix.mp3.php"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">hilarious</span></a>!</div>Diviyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08838049411959253969noreply@blogger.com1