TwentyTwelve

watched 2012 ... heard a lot of hypes about the movie. Although I don't watch movies for writing reviews about it, but my one liner for this movie will be awesome effects, awful rest. The flick has some cool visual effects, which kept me wondering !!! The earthquake effects and everything are really well done. But, apart from these, the movie don't have anything. Mediocre acting, directions. Another thing which really angered me is that not a single Indians were shown survived after the 2012 catastrophe :-) ... all in all, a time pass movie with nothing to take back home after the 2.5 hrs.

the year that was

Today is the 326th day of 2009 and 39 more days to go. The year passed by just at the blink of the eyes. Till today, 2009 seemed to be a okay, so so year for me. Hopefully, rest of the days will also pass in similar fashion. Apart from a vacation in US and an official trip to a South East Asian nation, the year was nothing different. The best thing of the year will be the new member in our family. My niece. Professionally. the year was just like the previous years. Recession ruled the financial side. No hikes, nothing. But thanks to God that I have a Job till now. I tried a number of expensive joints in the city and wasted a lot of mullahs in the weekends. But, I did nothing special, which is worth remembering, in the whole year. May be another year fully wasted. Lets see what happens in 2010.

So understand
Don't waste your time always searching for Those wasted years
Face up... make your stand, And realize you're living in the golden years

hmmm, that sounds like a nice consolation for a year wasted.

Desi Rock

Desi rock is getting popular among Bollywood. Call it a change in trend (very late though) or may be because of the energy, enthusiasm, style associated with it. Was Magik the 1st Bollywood rock band ? I don't know... may be yes. But the message in the movie Rock On was very much true. Desi rock has not matured, and its a long way to go, to get the level of professionalism needed to be a successful band. Launch Pad by Channel [V], and recently Rock On by MTV are some of the efforts for popularizing Desi Rock. Rock in India is still an UMM (Underground Music Movement), apart from a few successful indigenous bands like Parikrama, Pentagram, Agni, Mother Jane... to name a few. But these bands can't be exactly called Desi Rock Bands, as their lyrics are in English, while Desi Rock should be in Hindi or any Indian native language. Comparatively, Bangla Rock is at a high maturity level and North East is not behind. Still, Desi rock is something, which is just at infancy. However, its a positive sign that rock as a form of music is getting popular among mainstream music and Bollywood will be very helpful popularizing and spreading it to the masses. One thing, which I personally appreciate these days is that a rock version of a number is included in some of the movie OSTs. And, looking into the quality of those numbers, I can proudly say that Desi Rock is not very far behind. Some of the songs, the rock version of which I found very soothing are:

• Mit Jaye (Kidnap - 2008) 
• Emosanal Attyachaar (Dev D - 2009)
• Tum Mile (Tum Mile - 2009)
• Dil Ibaadat (Tum Mile - 2009)
  

A Quiet Friday Evening ...

End of a not so busy day at office. Moreover its a Friday evening. There was a time when I loved Friday evenings. I used to send forwarded emails with messages like Thanks God Its Friday. But I no longer thank God for a Friday, nor I send anyone, any emails with messages like Happy Weekend. Those days I was happy as the weekend has finally come, but then too I was confused what to do and how to spend 2 long paid time offs. May be I was going through quarter life crisis those days, and now I have survived that crisis. I no longer feel confused about how to spend the weekend. I know, either I will be in office on Saturday, and cleaning my not so dirty house on Sunday and cooking my lunch and dinner for both days. Television will be always ON for both the days.
       in your head... in your head... Zombie, zombie, zombie...ee.. eee.....   Aah, that's my mobile ringing and I see "Mom Calling" ... end of a quiet Friday evening dream as I was lying down in the sofa and pretending to watch a crappy Hindi movie in TV.. May be a symptom of Middle Life Crisis ??

November Rain

Never before in my 5.5 years of my stay in this part of the country, I witnessed raining so heavily in the month of November. Meteorological gurus say 90mm of rainfall is usually expected in November, but it has crossed 140mm already. Anyways, good for us as the city was already experiencing 15% water cut because of the deteriorating levels in the dams. But this type of change in climate raise a doubt in my mind. Soon, the educationalist in the country have to think about rewriting the geography books of the curriculum. While the books say, June to September is the rainy months, but downpour is being seen in odd months like November. Need a thought ... what say? Or, is the rain just a tribute to legendary rock band Guns' N Roses ?

Happy Children's Day ...

14th November... or Children's Day... A day I would like to remember more as a day dedicated to all privileged and under-privileged kids of the country rather than the birthday of the 1st prime minister of independent India. Till 12 years ago or so, this day had a great significance in my life. We used to have Children's Day celebration in our school. Whole day you play, the teachers will cook lunch for you. And whatever naughty things you do, you wont be scolded on that day. 14th November used to be in the last days of the academic year, as the annual exam starts a week or so after that. So, being a nerd, I used to have some tension for exam also. Anyways, 14th Nov was a day much awaited those days. Times have really passed faster... Another day which remind me that we are getting older ... But still we can try to find the children within ourselves and try to celebrate the day.

Remembering Jonky...

a tribute to a loving friend :-(

Every step we take, every move we make
Every single day, every time we pray
We'll be missing you
Thinking of the day, when you went away
What a life to take, what a bond to break
We'll be missing you...

We Will Miss You

Sep 1999 - Nov 2009

Dear Jonky,
We all will miss you
May Your Soul Rest In Peace

You Will Always Be Remembered In Our Thoughts & Hearts

Welcome Back CREED

"One Last Breath", "My Sacrifice", "Arms Wide Open", "Whats This Life For" ... are still loved and widely played song of Creed, the American Rock Band. Now the great news is that the band has formally and officially reunited after 5 years since their split in 2004. And Creed is coming up with their new album called Full Circle towards the end of this month. Fabulous news for all Creed fans, including me. Quoting the Rolling Stone magazine,

The reconciliation began last December when Stapp reached out to Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti. They agreed to meet up at the Hard Rock Hotel in Florida before Stapp sang the “National Anthem” at the Champs Sports Bowl. “I was nervous, but also excited because I knew Mark would bring nothing but positivity,” says Stapp. “We exchanged family pictures and within 20 minutes we were jamming on acoustic guitars and talking about new songs.” They soon met up with drummer Scott Phillips and bassist Brian Marshall, who left Creed in 2000 but is returning for the new album and tour. “At that meeting we were collectively saying, ‘Hey man, I’m sorry if I hurt you or my choices did anything to cause you any pain. I have nothing but love and forgiveness for you and I hope you can forgive me. It’s all part of the process of reflection and not looking back at the six months out of 10 years that were trying.”

Now after the reunion of Creed, only time will tell the fate of band Alter Bridge, which was formed after the split of Creed by three members of Creed excluding lead vocalist Scott Stapp. Awaiting some great numbers by Creed as they offered in their previous three albums. Hail to Thee !!!

Rat Vs. Squirrel

Inglorious Basterds - the new offering from Quentin Tarantino. Loved the movie so much that ended up watching it twice in theater. Awesome script and direction. Brad Pit was good, but I liked the acting of Colonel Hans Landa most. Among all, the analogy between rats and squirrel with reference to Jews and Germans were the best.

“Unless some fool is stupid enough to try and handle a live one, rats don’t make it a practice of biting human beings. Rats were the cause of the bubonic plague, but that was some time ago…I propose to you any disease a rat could spread, a squirrel could equally carry. Yet I assume you don’t share the same animosity with squirrels that you do with rats…yet, they are both rodents, are they not? And except for the fact that one has a bit bushy tail, while the other has a long repugnant tail of rodent skin, they even look rather alike.”

As it can be implied from this analogy that it was the hatred for Jews which united Germans (Nazis) most rather than the feeling of belonging to the same nation. The same still applies even 65 years after the reign of Hitler, and the evils the world is facing.

No Fire Crackers Please

being a non-vegetarian and raising voice for the fellow animals
may be a case of being hypocrite, but I denounced fire crackers 4 years ago
!!! Please Say NO to Fire Crackers !!!

Happy Diwali

Wishing All Readers A Happy and Prosperous Diwali

Best Wishes,

saurav / jitu / haloi

To send this eCard & more, visit http://www.123greetings.com/

Say NO to Fire Crackers

Goa via Ganapatipule

No plan... no discussion. Me & my friend decided to have a break from our f**ked up routine life and started for Goa. We would have a halt in Ganapatipule, a beautiful beach in Konkan Maharashtra and then head for Goa. So, packed up a few pairs of clothes, filled up gas to the brim and started on the early morning of 30th Sep. We started through NH4, then a part through state highways and some parts through NH17. After 340km of awesome scenic drive, reached Ganapatipule. The beach is too good, without much crowd, but with a rough sea. Stayed for a night in the MTDC resort there and started for Goa on the morning of 1st Oct. Panjim is almost 260 km from Ganapatipule through NH17. I should say NH17 and Rainy season... a beautiful combination. The whole drive was so calm and peaceful along the green shades. I realized that heaven is a place on earth. Reached Goa by late afternoon. Checked into a resort. Visited the nearby beaches. Beach was mostly occupied by desi and almost no firangs. Next day, went for churches in Old Goa. It was raining cats and dogs the whole day and spoiled almost the whole day. Never experienced such rains in my life time. Wet & Dry can never co-exist. But when rain and dry-day coalesce, it makes a devastating combination. Enjoyed Goa trance and house in one of the beach side pub till late night. Visited Arambol Beach, a beach around 60km from Panjim next day and finally headed for home. The drive back to Pune via Aamboli Ghat was a memorable one. With fogs and rains making visibility ~ zero, it was an amazing drive. All in all it was a good vacation, a nice break from the daily routine and some amazing experiences. 4 days nicely qualified for a memorable vacation.

It Is Time

Of the 24 hours in a day, if I am not working... if I am not sleeping... then either I am watching TV or listening to Music. And, I love watching the TV advertisements. These days, I am a fan of the Hindustan Times ads. Hilarious, but with a message in all the flicks. Most of these sequences of ads truly reflect today's India.

• A Man trying to cross a railway crossing even when the stop signal is active. A common sight in most of the railway crossings. It is time to use your head... it is time.
• A roadside tea vendor rebuking a young child who works in his tea stall... It is time to stop child labour... it is time.
• A political party worker trying to touch the feet of the leader of his party, another common thing in India. People touching the feet of Amma .. Jayalalitha. Holy Shit... It is time to stop stooping so low... it is time.
• A man trying to peep into another person's newspaper while traveling in bus. It is time to get your own copy... it is time.
• Four friends looking at the Bandra-Worli sea link, and one of them comments that similar structure but double in size was made in China in just 3 years. It is time to stop being cynical... it is time
• A TV news channel reporter asking the wife of a man, how is she feeling on the death of her husband who died of spurious medicine. A reflection of the sorry state of Indian media. It is time for better journalism... it is time.
• Three man inside a lift. One of them felt like sneezing, and seeing that another among them wore a mask immediately. I was myself witness to such non sense some weeks back when swine flu was very active. It is time to stop panicking... it is time.
• Two friends in a restaurant. One of them kept on staring at a couple infront of them, who were romantically enjoying their conversation over food. Now, I felt ashamed at this, because I myself sometimes stare at couples doing PDA (Public Display of Affection), or at gorgeous females in malls, multiplexes, pubs. So I will say, It is time to open my mind... it is time.

Videos can be watched at the following link:
http://www.facebook.com/hindustantimes?v=app_2392950137

iRock - XXIV

Went for the Independence Rock - XXIV, Pune finals. It was a real kick ass gig. 4 bands performed in the finals... Khiladi, Workshop, Abraxas and Pitch Black Symphony. Abraxas swayed away the crowd with their melodic heavy metal. Khiladi was good, Workshop was okay type. I personally supported Pitch Black Symphony, but Abraxas was the winner. After a long time, got to see such a nice gig. The chicks around added to the mood of the evening. It was a very soothing feeling to see the rock and metal scene of Pune.

A Winy Indian Curry ...

Chicken or Mutton... I try this recipe quite often and so thought I'll share it in my blog for any readers to try it. I call it Winy Indian Curry...

Ingredients:

• 500 Gms. Chicken or Mutton.
• 2 Tablespoon Red Wine
• 1 Teaspoon of yogurt or curd.
  
• 2 Tomatoes
• 2 medium size onions.
• 4-5 green chillies
  
• 10-12 pieces of peeled garlic
• Fresh Coriander Leaves
• Bay leaves, Indian Garam Masala, Indian chicken/mutton masala

Procedure:

1. Mix 1 onion, half of a tomato, 2-3 green chillies, 5-6 peeled garlic and coriander leaves in a grinder and grid it till it forms a fine paste.
2. Take 500 Gms of properly cleaned chicken or mutton, put it in the pressure cooker with one or two cups of water (depends how much curry you want). Add a teaspoon oil, little salt, little turmeric powder to the water. Cook it till the meat is almost tender. Don't over cook.
3. Once the meat is cooked, extract the pieces in a flat plate and preserve the water in a bowl.
4. Now add 2 table spoons of red wine to the meat, marinate well with chicken/mutton masala. Put the wine marinated meat in the freezer for 30 minutes.
5. Take one tablespoon oil in a kadai or a deep frying pan; fry a few bay leaves, mustard seeds. Put finely cut onion, chillies, and the peeled garlics and fry till it turns brown.
   
6. Add the mix from step 1 till the mixture forms a fine paste.
   
7. Now put the marinated meat into the kadai/frying pan and mix well. Add one teaspoon yogurt/curd and fry till the meat turns brownish. Add garam masala
   
8. Add the water (from step 3), and cook for 10 mins in low flame.
   
9. Check if the meat is tender else continue with step 8.
10. Yummy, winy chicken/mutton curry is ready with a little tangy taste. Serve with rice.

A Brand New Himesh

I remember someone telling that, our own Himesh, the Nasal or Oooooo Khajoor singer has done some surgical modification to his vocal cord. Now, his latest song ... Man Ka Radio has actually made me believe it. Got to hear it in TV and actually I found the song different from his earlier offerings. There is almost zero nasal part in this song. See it here ...

@ Jakarta

I came to Jakarta (Indonesia) for an official task. Except for the hectic work schedules, I loved the place, and the overall feeling of being here. Two things which made me kept wondering are Indonesia's currency and the sky-scrappers. Here everything you pay in terms of thousands. 6,000 as the minimum taxi fare... 35,000 for a juice and so on. Downtown Jakarta is full of high rises and are in the shape of 50 - 60 floors. Jakarta is clean, but traffic is as congested as back home. Food is too yummy. I tried English, Chinese, Maxican and even Indian food here and liked the food too much. Roads are ruled by Toyota. Many cars of Indian roads like swift, estilo, innova are also seen here. Local people are very polite and hospitable. Cute pretty ladies are an extra charm of the places. Even though Indonesia is an Islamic nation, but frequency of working girls at restaurant, offices and hotels will be far more than India. It was nice to be in here for my overseas assignment. I experienced Mercedes Benz for the 1st time in life and also got the experience of getting evacuated from a high rise for earthquake.