I have to admit it. Along with my sister, I was one of those many people who bought books 5 and 6 on day 1. For the first time since the series came out, my sister and I were in different cities, so could not buy 1 book on 1st day. The solution was therefore obvious....2 books for two people!
Well, I managed to start the book only on early sunday morning, but had managed to finish it off before noon! And I have to say, I felt handily vindicated by the book. It is no longer children's fantasy, now definitely in the young adult category; but that in no way means that it was bad. Sure, it was a VERY standard fantasy ending...but heck, i like standard endings.
While it would have been very poetic for Harry and Voldemort to die together, I much prefer it this way, where the hero gets to live!
All in all, nice book...though there were no Quidditch descriptions. Ah well, you can't have everything.
Well, now that the saga is ended, it looks like Bloomsburry is going to have some serious worrying about future cash flows to do!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Die Hard 5.0 -- Bruce Willis is dead. Long live Rajnikanth
Yesterday, I watched Die Hard 4.0. And while I loved the movie, with all its explosions and stunts, I just realized something.
Hollywood needs Rajnikanth. And Bruce Willis is doing his best to satisfy them. What with using cars as a sort of hyper large bullet with which to blow up helicopters, and various other such physics defying stunts, even Rajni would have his eyebrows as high as they could go.
And another thing....why is it that good looking computer hackers who also moonlight as kung fu master mercenaries are found only in movies? Well, my companion at the movie was more interested in the good looking computer hacker guy who can moonlight as a gun toting mercenary as well as getaway car driver, but in my humble opinion...no way...the girl was waaaaay cooler.
So, all in all, it was an amazing experience. And with Rajni's latest film having him sport the hairless look, its no surprise that by the end of the movie, I was not sure who was playing who.
Bruce...If Hollywood does not let you do Die Hard 5.0, join the Tamil film industry. I guarantee that you will find success, and bullet dodging roles galore.
Hollywood needs Rajnikanth. And Bruce Willis is doing his best to satisfy them. What with using cars as a sort of hyper large bullet with which to blow up helicopters, and various other such physics defying stunts, even Rajni would have his eyebrows as high as they could go.
And another thing....why is it that good looking computer hackers who also moonlight as kung fu master mercenaries are found only in movies? Well, my companion at the movie was more interested in the good looking computer hacker guy who can moonlight as a gun toting mercenary as well as getaway car driver, but in my humble opinion...no way...the girl was waaaaay cooler.
So, all in all, it was an amazing experience. And with Rajni's latest film having him sport the hairless look, its no surprise that by the end of the movie, I was not sure who was playing who.
Bruce...If Hollywood does not let you do Die Hard 5.0, join the Tamil film industry. I guarantee that you will find success, and bullet dodging roles galore.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Mumbhai!
I was in Mumbai on Friday and Saturday for NIMITT 2007, SP Jain's management fest. First off, a compliment...a brilliantly organized event, with some wonderful hospitality displayed by the gentlemen and ladies of SP Jain. They did a spectacular job indeed, and deserve every accolade that they are going to get.
But the city itself! I have to admit, I was not a big fan of the place. But like a skin disease, the city grows on you! Now, I have to say, I really love the city. Sure, it has lots of warts, and the lousy traffic is nothing to write home about, unless you want to write a horror story; but the life in the city, and not last, Marine Drive itself makes for a place that is simply awesome.
It helps that I met friends whom I had not met for some time, and spent a couple of very enjoyable days as well. All in all, a wonderful weekend.
So, anyone who wants to hire me....remember, a job in Mumbai would be good. Of course, I would also appreciate a pay package that lets me live the life I want in Mumbai! :D
But the city itself! I have to admit, I was not a big fan of the place. But like a skin disease, the city grows on you! Now, I have to say, I really love the city. Sure, it has lots of warts, and the lousy traffic is nothing to write home about, unless you want to write a horror story; but the life in the city, and not last, Marine Drive itself makes for a place that is simply awesome.
It helps that I met friends whom I had not met for some time, and spent a couple of very enjoyable days as well. All in all, a wonderful weekend.
So, anyone who wants to hire me....remember, a job in Mumbai would be good. Of course, I would also appreciate a pay package that lets me live the life I want in Mumbai! :D
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Why are Chennai Buses the way they are?
Up to now, I have been (mostly) laudatory about Chennai. But now its time for a crib session. I have been travelling by the buses of Chennai for enough time now to start criticizing them. While the buses routes are extremely well covered, and you can travel from one place to another by bus, the downside is the crowds.
The buses are ALWAYS crowded. This is distinct from any other city, where there is a rush hour, and then the pressure falls. Primarily, this seems to be because there just are not that many buses. I visited the website of the organization, which claims they have 2000 buses. 2000 buses for 7 million people in a city where the distances are huge! That is just ridiculous. Even Bangalore has more buses than that...and the routes don't take two hours to cover. Which also brings me to my next point. Buses wander all over town! The average bus seems to take the LONGEST possible route to get to the destination, taking twice as long as any other method.
And the ridiculous pricing....the prices are cheap...and so are the services. The buses themselves are in terrible condition, barring the odd exception. Truly, when you pay peanuts, you get quality even monkeys will question!
Ah well...enough of this diatribe. The main reason that it was brought on is because my knees have been beaten up sitting in a space that even a midget would have trouble fitting into!
The buses are ALWAYS crowded. This is distinct from any other city, where there is a rush hour, and then the pressure falls. Primarily, this seems to be because there just are not that many buses. I visited the website of the organization, which claims they have 2000 buses. 2000 buses for 7 million people in a city where the distances are huge! That is just ridiculous. Even Bangalore has more buses than that...and the routes don't take two hours to cover. Which also brings me to my next point. Buses wander all over town! The average bus seems to take the LONGEST possible route to get to the destination, taking twice as long as any other method.
And the ridiculous pricing....the prices are cheap...and so are the services. The buses themselves are in terrible condition, barring the odd exception. Truly, when you pay peanuts, you get quality even monkeys will question!
Ah well...enough of this diatribe. The main reason that it was brought on is because my knees have been beaten up sitting in a space that even a midget would have trouble fitting into!
Monday, July 9, 2007
Haircuts!
Those who have seen me over the last few months have noticed that my latest attempt at disguise involved hiding my face behind an unruly mop of uncut hair.
Chennai's heat finally persuaded me to finally go for a haircut. And I was treated to a display of family tradition at the barbershop, with 3 generations, from a patriarch to the grandson, learning his trade.
End result is me, with far less hair, and almost unrecognizable (according to my boss).
Chennai's heat finally persuaded me to finally go for a haircut. And I was treated to a display of family tradition at the barbershop, with 3 generations, from a patriarch to the grandson, learning his trade.
End result is me, with far less hair, and almost unrecognizable (according to my boss).
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Why Not?
I am known as a somewhat odd chap sometimes. It seems to me that it is because I don't tend to ask why, but why not!
After all, there is no really good reason why we should ask why? Whenever we do something, we go with "why should I do this?" So why not use "why not do this?"
It gives you very many choices. And lets you do things you might never have done if you had asked "why?"
Of course, howling at 1:00 in the morning at the local stray dogs at kharagpur might not seem quite so attractive, especially when the howler has a sore throat!
After all, there is no really good reason why we should ask why? Whenever we do something, we go with "why should I do this?" So why not use "why not do this?"
It gives you very many choices. And lets you do things you might never have done if you had asked "why?"
Of course, howling at 1:00 in the morning at the local stray dogs at kharagpur might not seem quite so attractive, especially when the howler has a sore throat!
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Sivaji---Da Bass
Last weekend, I managed to catch the latest Tamil Hit, Sivaji--The Boss. The who's who of Tamil Cinema is involved, from Rajnikanth as the star, AR Rehman as the music composer, and Shankar (a big dude in directing apparently) as director. The producers were AVM productions, who are also another huge production house.
With all this talent, they have succeeded in making a true classic. This is a movie that has to be watched purely for how they manage to break the laws of every science there is. From physics, to medicine; Economics to law; nothing remains safe from the depredations of this films writers.
But I digress. The plot first. It has this rich NRI dude, (a software systems architect) who returns from America to do social work in Chennai with Rs. 250 crore. To cut a long story short, he does not exactly make it...the money he has is just about enough for the bribes, and soon he is left penniless, and ruined.
Now is when things get interesting. He decides to singlehandedly liberate all the black money floating around (or hidden in rice bins) in India. Managing to do this, he fulfils his dreams, gets the girl, and beats up the villain. And he manages to do product plugs for HLL, Mercedes, BA, and god alone knows how many other companies in the meantime.
Of course, I still recommend one and all to watch it. The movie's plot may be dumb, but its all about ishtyle. And the movie has tonnes of that!
Well...so there you have it, Sivaji--The Baaaass. Running at a theater near you.
With all this talent, they have succeeded in making a true classic. This is a movie that has to be watched purely for how they manage to break the laws of every science there is. From physics, to medicine; Economics to law; nothing remains safe from the depredations of this films writers.
But I digress. The plot first. It has this rich NRI dude, (a software systems architect) who returns from America to do social work in Chennai with Rs. 250 crore. To cut a long story short, he does not exactly make it...the money he has is just about enough for the bribes, and soon he is left penniless, and ruined.
Now is when things get interesting. He decides to singlehandedly liberate all the black money floating around (or hidden in rice bins) in India. Managing to do this, he fulfils his dreams, gets the girl, and beats up the villain. And he manages to do product plugs for HLL, Mercedes, BA, and god alone knows how many other companies in the meantime.
Of course, I still recommend one and all to watch it. The movie's plot may be dumb, but its all about ishtyle. And the movie has tonnes of that!
Well...so there you have it, Sivaji--The Baaaass. Running at a theater near you.
A Portrait
I have been harangued many times before, and therefore know well how to escape when people demand me to do stuff.
The experience of being wheedled however, was new to me though, and I feel prey almost immediately.
So...on to my current job, A portrait of a friend.
Naimisha is not a typical child. Well for one thing, she is not a child! People who work in glass houses should never throw stones. So I shall not make nasty comments of how people in software companies never do any work. I might just be hit with a rebounding retort.
If I ever needed good advice and a wise head on shoulders, I would go to my sister. But for a different view on most things, and a guaranteed entertaining conversation, I would also call Naimisha (yup..my sister is pretty entertaining too). And I frequently have...though I will heartily admit that because I call whenever my balance is ridiculously low, she is forced to call far more often...if only to complete entertaining conversations.
A play watcher by choice, and a pacifist by inclination, its hard to categorize her. Lets just leave it at individualistic then!
All in all, a fine and entertaining person to while away any given number of hours with. And intelligent too...which is not something that you can say about most of humanity.
But people also say nobody is perfect...but this was never meant to be completely accurate. Merely truthful!
The experience of being wheedled however, was new to me though, and I feel prey almost immediately.
So...on to my current job, A portrait of a friend.
Naimisha is not a typical child. Well for one thing, she is not a child! People who work in glass houses should never throw stones. So I shall not make nasty comments of how people in software companies never do any work. I might just be hit with a rebounding retort.
If I ever needed good advice and a wise head on shoulders, I would go to my sister. But for a different view on most things, and a guaranteed entertaining conversation, I would also call Naimisha (yup..my sister is pretty entertaining too). And I frequently have...though I will heartily admit that because I call whenever my balance is ridiculously low, she is forced to call far more often...if only to complete entertaining conversations.
A play watcher by choice, and a pacifist by inclination, its hard to categorize her. Lets just leave it at individualistic then!
All in all, a fine and entertaining person to while away any given number of hours with. And intelligent too...which is not something that you can say about most of humanity.
But people also say nobody is perfect...but this was never meant to be completely accurate. Merely truthful!
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