Back home!

So I left on a jet plane on the 23rd and got in Christmas morning around midnight... In flight movies were a sorry lot- a truly terrible piece 'Cheri' whose only saving grace was the presence of Michelle Pfieffer. Then I watched HP6 twice - the first time because there was nothing else- the second time because I was looking for the Snape teaching Dark Arts scene... only to discover that they had indeed cut that from the movie... and that's another 5 hours of my life wasted. The thing is like an addiction.

I liked '500 days of Summer' a lot though. Zooey Daschanel usually annoys me... and she did annoy me a bit in this movie too... with her almost 1950's type feminity. It was primarily her dresses and hairstyle and whole aesthetic through the movie, I think... don't get me wrong- I loved the old-fashioned gingham and the pretty skirts and tops and what not... and frankly they were very 'me'... but hallo? Who dresses like that on a daily basis any more? What happened to jeans and a T anyway? And don't get me started on the annoyingly perfect hair- half the time she looked like a school girl.

Still, I totallysympathized with her character. And at the same time with the poor guy she dumped (eventually). It was a lovely telling of how a relationship grows, stagnates and breaks down. And sometimes there are no really good reasons why things work out with some people and not with others. So, yeah, for a change- not a love story.

Now in Madras is the music season. Attended an amazing concert of Ranjini-Gayathri today- sort of tottered there half asleep thanks to jet-lag, but was wide awake and spell bound through out. They had a lot of really good accompanists, I must say... will probably see a couple of other concerts before this thing is done...

Sigh... not getting through with Bill Bryson... I think, like my cousin says, the problem with this travel-book type of thing is the lack of plot- much as I enjoy his writing, its not really going anywhere... it just sort of meanders like the author's journey. Gone through Norway, Amsterdam and Germany (more or less). Was much amused by Bryson's comment on how the Danes once ruled all of Scandinavia and now have no monuments to show for it- only a little mermaid...

In other news... Schumi's back ! I have to go to Montreal this year at least...

IF... you need a little inspiration

Not the best time in my life, in all honesty... its something Murphy's laws would have come up with... but if there was a piece of advice I needed at this point... this would be the one:

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream–and not make dreams your master,
If you can think–and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings–nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And–which is more–you’ll be a Man, my son!

–Rudyard Kipling

The Winter of my Discontent

Well... it started off with the car accident. There have been a couple of bright spots on the way, but I have to confess that the last couple of months have been almost unrelentingly depressing. I'm utterly looking forward to going to India and taking a looong holiday (and it looks like my car will certainly take that long to be fixed), and starting afresh after I get back.

Being without a car really reinforces how dependent I've become on that four wheeled mode of transport. Its not that I can't get around without it. Its just that I can't get around as well as I used to. And that still stinks. I take the bus to King od Prussia and back. And the bus to NYC on occasion. But I'm suddenly all the more aware of how isolated Reading is, if I want to go anywhere else. Aiport is a bus, a cab ride/train away- where before it used to be a simple one and a half smooth sailing (in a matter of speaking). And its supposed to snow this Saturday. Guess I better dress warmly.

Wolf Hall- yet another historical

At this rate, I may well become an expert on the history of Britain as written in fiction. Wolf Hall as a novel is somewhat disappointing. As an almost blog like account of the day to day politics of the court of Henry VIII, it is absolutely brilliant. Though, I admit for someone who had litterally nothing to do for over three days but sit and read, the book was still pretty slow going.

While reading the book, I wasn't terribly impressed. It is only now, looking back on it, thinking how much it reads, like say, a newspaper or biographical account, almost as though it was writting with the views of the people of that time in mind- their priorities - their politics. So many names, so many who must have been famous or infamous in their time, who are now all but forgotten.

Cromwell himself, feels terribly modern- his attitude- on the one had he seems terribly ,unbelievably modern (but then so do Shakespeare's plays sometimes- and then you are reminded that people do not really change through the centuries- only the names and the faces do)- his politics-his live and let live attitude- his attitude towards women. And on the other hand there in Thomas More, the man he was set up as a foil to- unflinching, unchanging- the whole story reminds me of Asimov's story "In a Good Cause-" where a man who bends his principles may achieve so much more -towards the same end- than one who sticks to his principles. More comes off pretty sadly in this version of the story- an unhappy man, a bad husband, a torturer, one who could not see that he could be wrong, merciless, and ultimately a failure.

Whereas Cromwell's greatest successes and his failures are yet ahead of him. His loyalty to Wolsey does not prevent him from serving the king who destroyed his master. Names that will gain greater meaning edge through- Jane Seymour, for now merits only a paragraph or two. The book, it has to be said, requires a good deal of prior knowledge of the story of the life and times of Henry VIII. Wolf Hall, that refrain that beats through the book, a repetition of licentiousness and promise of corruption- "Wolf Hall" reads like a prologue- an introduction to a man who's greatest successes and failures are still ahead of him.

In the end though, as a Booker Prize winner, I thought it was overrrated. It was obviously incredibly well researched, but I found the writing occasionally sloppy and confused (and confusing).

Freakiness

I did a marathon through SuperFreakonomics yesterday, and took it to work and showed it off to the interest of my coworkers today. Well, it may not be the ideal coffee table book, but it does provide food for over coffee conversations.

The Freakonomics guys as always, tackle the strangest of ideas and come up with the strangest of conclusions. While I take issue with several of their conclusions, I can't argue that they've made the dryest subject in the world just a little more interesting.

One of their results I object to, is the one that they have proving that among doctor's there's not a whole lot of difference between the best and the worst in a given hospital. The whole story is a long and involved one, and one that I'm definitely going to use in my MBA interviews, as an example of early technology properly applied being a boon to operations management.... but my point is... these conclusions they drew- it works for the sample set they had, but I don't see that you can apply it to every set. It would depend for example, on the principles on which hiring of doctors was based, for example.

Then, there's the global warming thing which has already generated much contreversy read here , and here.... well ... lets say I've overcome my (natural) aversion to deliberate largescale geo-engineering, but there are so many untested consequences. What is suggested is that Sulphur di-oxide be released into the atmosphere in imitation of vocanic eruptions that create global cooling (to counter global warming obviously)... well what happens to the SO2? Does it then sink down from the stratosphere producing more acid rain? Does it undergo chemical change in the stratosphere over a period of time maybe depleting the ozone layer?

There's a similar quick fix solution to hurricanes in Florida, which deals with preventing the build up of hot water that generates energy for these hurricanes cyclically... but what happens to that hot water? Are there any currents that maybe bear away some of that water to affect the weather somewhere else?

Where it didn't touch on pure science, the results were more convincing. I enjoyed the chapter on altruism and apathy with the experiments of List... the behaviour of terrorists explained and an analysis of seatbelts and booster seats... the effect of television in rural India (though there's not enough cause and consequence there for me... there could be other contributing factors for both...)

Anyway, its a thinking book definitely, not one you can just passively read, and though its conclusions may be incomplete, its methods are definitely interesting.

A few of my favorite things... Dugeons and Dragons....

History and fantasy come together in Naomi Novi's series Temeraire. Set in the time of the Napoleanic wars it reimagines the events- as if there had also been a Dragon contingent. The hero of the series is a Naval officer Laurence, who finds himself unexpectedly responsible for a dragon, Temeraire, who turns out to be one of the last of the rare Chinese celestials- meant only for emperors - and in this case, destined for Napoleon. The Chinese are furious and Napoleon on the verge of invading, and Temeraire, is developing demoratic ideas.


Novik writes the battle scenes amazingly well, which is very important given that war forms the backdrop of the story. What also comes through is the research she has put into it- from the study of military tactics, to geography and culture. It is interesting to watch Laurence's development. From the mistakes he makes when joining the Air Corps, to his slow understanding that dragons may after all be every bit as intelligent and deserving of rights as humans- even in a time when slavery is still acceptable; his struggles with his conscience as he reconciles what is right with his duty and what is asked of him. In the last book especially, it is painful to see him, dealing with the consequences of his perceived treachery.

The last book, Victory of Eagles,  especially makes painfully clear the ugliness of war and the levels people will stoop to in order to win. I love that Novik brings out the military greatness of men like Wellington and Nelson, while not glossing over their dark side- Nelson with his support of slavery and Wellington's ruthlessness.
Through it all it is Temeraire, who remains innocent, or at any rate, relatively clean of the politicking that goes on around him. His goals and motivations are clear - to win equal rights- or at least some rights- for dragons, and fortunately for him, with his size, there aren't many who can dismiss or deny him sat up all of Saturday night reading the first three of the series- then Monday the 5th from the library and today Empire of Ivory- the 4th. I've no idea when the 6th will be out, but I'm looking forward to it. I haven't enjoyed a fantasy so much in ages.

Falls the Shadow

I've just finished "Falls the Shadow" by Sharon Kay Penham. I admit, at the beginning I was more than a little impatient. The characters were all confusing, same names, innumerable titles, shifting alliances.

The tale spans the life of Simon de Montfort, a man I'd never heard of before this book, but now am not likely to forget, and Henry III and the last Prince Llewelyn of Wales.

In the vase of Simon, I can't imagine a man so full of contradictions. On the one side a man of principle, but utterly obstinate, a man of courage and honor, unable to compromise, with no diplomacy, entirely a man of war. And yet this man would have limited his own powers and the power of his king, his loyalty to the crown was absolute, but not to the man who wore it.

And his foil, Henry- wek-willed, easily swayed, surrounded by sycophants. If it had been Henry alone, Simon would probably have won, but he was faced by Edward, Henry's son, who had learnt the art of war from Simon himself, and Richard, Henry's brother and Simon's own temper and pride that cost him valuable allies.

For all Henry's weakness I cannot hate him- he simply was a weak man, who took bad advice. The power hungry Marshall Lords, the Gloucester who abandoned his principles, and Edward who freely broke promises- they invite hatred.

And poor Bran- who was too late- who saw his father's head on a pike, who, by all accounts later participated in a heinous murder of his own. History makes all men heroes and villains in their own time... Simon was all hero- and maybe that's why he didn't win.

(I have to take back what I said about the author drawing him too one dimensionally- the more I read, the more his entire character- warts and all, comes out)

Ayn Rand, altruism and other vague thoughts

I was reading this last week, and it took me back to 10th standard, when I first read Atlas Shrugged and was completely swept away by Ayn Rand's philosophy. I remembered thinking even then, that it was incredibly difficult, if not downright impossible to live by that philosophy, only, at that time, I blamed my own weaknesses and the weakness of the world as a whole rather than her philosophy. Looking back, I realize that the failure was hers, in not accounting for social needs as well as economic ones.

Atlas Shrugged was the book I read first, and it is still the one I love best. It had such an epic feel to it. The Fountainhead, not so much. I particularly disliked the ending, with Roark blowing up the new building. More than anything else, it annoyed me that he saw only his own work in the building, his design, not the work of the engineers, the masons, electricians, plumbers, all those people, who gave, if not their genius, but their sweat, that he so easily destroyed.

What annoyed me even further was- it was not his to destroy. Even if he objected to his design being mutilated thus... consider if I bought a Versace gown (the chances are slim, but lets not go there...) and then decided it would look better as a mini-dress (me in a mini?!!!), and ripped it up. Versace may not approve... but hallo, my dress, my choice. Not like I'm creating a ripoff to sell at Forever 21.... After all, don't people repurpose clothing all the time? Then why not buildings? And they've always done additions and subtractions to buildings.... any reason an architect's vision be held beyond mortal touch?

Though, to be fair, there are cases where buldings are, for example, designated as heritage sites and exempt from improvements (except for the sort that keep the roof from collapsing).

Lots of things are reminding me of Ayn Rand these days.... for example...Am reading Sharon Kay Penham's "Falls the Shadow" now, about Henry III and Simon de Montfort and Llewellyn of Wales... Considering that the cover flap talks about two men, one weak and one strong etc - referring to Henry and Simon, the book has dwelt mostly on the Welsh. For which I am grateful. While she deals with most characters pretty even-handedly, Simon's all tall, dark, handsome, brave hero, loving husband, and altogether too virtuous for my liking. I hate it when authors fall in love with their characters. Its even worse when the characters are historical - which means that they were real, flawed people in their own time. Anyway, to the point: There's a line there when Gruffyd is taken captive by Henry and remarks that he'd sooner trust Henry's self interest that Daffyd's altruism... which was very Ayn Rand like...

Speaking of altruism... I've been scouring the web all over for the article that said that apparently altruistic actions are not necessarily so... it was totally fascinating... especially the ones that simulated earning money and giving it away....

A deep dark confession of the soul

What intellectually stimulating literary masterpiece have I been so involved in, you may ask, that I haven't blogged in such a long time. At which I must look sheepish and look at the floor and mutter under my breath and hope that you don't quite catch that.

Because an alarming number of my evenings have been spent with... E harlequin.... Yes, free romance novels have become my staple pastime. In my defence, at least they're free.

Sadly, poorly written formulaic romance novels have ruined me for good literature. I read a book of short stories by Evelyn Waugh , and was utterly bored throughout. Though I have to wonder, did he create the stereotype of British boys' boarding schools or merely perpetuate it? Or were boarding schools really like that? Anyway (edited when not half asleep), the reason I didn't like this so much, was that the snark and the witty repartee weren't really going anywhere. It made me smile but not laugh, or feel a faint sadness, but not grief. They were all clever stories- not clever plots, but interesting insights into the characters of people. But in the end it felt vaguely without purpose.

Then I plodded though "The Devil Wears Prada" . Yes, plodded. The movie was breezy and fun. The book was whiny and annoying. At no point, do I get the impression that the main character is not a self absorbed, entitled, sanctimonious, holier-than-thou brat. Oddly (or not so oddly), my sympathies are with the bitchy boss, the alcoholic best friend and the really annoying boyfriend rather than the lead... which is really sad.

Also made my way through "Wicked" which I'd gone and seen on Broadway some months back. The play, with all its song and dance was lovely. But it left things somewhat unresolved. So, I went to the book, hoping for resolution. Alas, it was not to be. In fact, the book is even vaguer, leaves even more unresolved questions, makes even larger jumps in narrative, and to top it off, doesn't even have song and dance sequences. At least the play tied in some of the things together nicely- the origins of the Tin Woodman, scarecrow and lion. The book makes only vague allusions. That's not necessarily a bad thing. I like it when books leave us to figure things out ourselves. But there was no sense to this book without those ironies, so why hide them? I have to wonder how the playwrights saw that this book would make a great musical. If I had not already seen the play, I would have never guessed that any thing Broadway like could be distilled from such a meandering book with so many plotlines and confusing characters.... guess that's why I'm not producing Broadway shows.

Anyway, next on the horizon in Wolf Hall... the Booker prize winner... should make it the year of the Tudors for me. Have also picked up a book on the War of the Roses... make that the year of the historical

Edited on 10/22/2009- a reminder that I should not blog when half asleep and practically unable to find the letters on the keyboard.

Independence Day

Yesterday (August 15th) was Indian Independence Day. Its only the third year I've been in the US on this day, but it is the first, that I've felt so foreign here. Oddly enough, it was because I was in the midst of a huge crowd of Indians at Penns Landing, where there's an annual independence day celebration, complete with musical and dance performances, food, clothing and jewellery stalls, and massive, milling crowds of Indians on a hot summer afternoon, just overlooking the sea, to add to the Elliots Beach like atmosphere.

And yet, I've never felt so little at home. I could talk about the strangeness of being in one country, and celebrating another's independence, of people, who have chosen to live here, change their citizenship, sing (or make their children sing) about another land. Its not hypocrisy... there's no reason you can't call two places home... but its just a little strange. Its a dichotomy that many of us, will have to make our peace with at some point.

As for me, I found comfort, but no answers, when I came home and listened to 'Vaishhav Jan To"

Pride and Prejudice, the BBC version

I got the complete Pride and Prejudice BBC drama version from this cheap discount store that's just opened up in King of Prussia. It stars Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. Now, while I grew quickly accustomed to Colin Firth playing Darcy, it took me a while to get used to Jennifer Ehle playing Elizabeth. Somehow, she wasn't really what I'd had in mind. By the time the movie drew to a finish however, she had completely converted me, to the point where I cannot conceive of anyone else in the role.

A few minor quibbles, that only a major fan of the book would have:
1. Elizabeth looks prettier to me- granted beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but still...
2. Could have done without the gratuitous Darcy dripping wet in the pond scene. It's not there in the book. Believe me, those who watched this drama were not doing so for the sake of Colin Firth's (admittedly attractive) wet appearance.
3. They cut short the Elizabeth and Darcy finally get together scene! Where was the "I am excessively sorry... blah blah"!!??
4. I thought Colin Firth was a little wooden in that scene too...

Anyway, the great parts- I loved, loved(!) the scene where Lady Catherine comes to confront Elizabeth. Loved(!) the portrayal of all 5 of the Bennett girls, their matchmaking mama and their uninvolved father. The character and flaws in each comes out so well!

All in all, it was a pleasant couple of evening spent before my computer...

The Concert and more summer reading....

On a sudden whim I took and (expensive) fancy to go to the Elton John-Billy Joel Concert in Philly on Saturday, the 1st of August. The most exciting part, I have to admit, was selling my spare ticket off, at about the third the price I paid for it, to the scalpers outside the stadium. About half an hour after I went inside, the gentleman who had the misfortune of buying this ticket at about twice the price I paid for it, showed up, and we spent the half an hour or so, commiserating with each other about the concert.

The concert itself, was very good, even if Elton John's accent made him half-un-understandable, half the time; if I hadn't already deciphered the lyrics of his songs on the radio, I would have not understood a word. Billy Joel came out, and did ridiculous things with the mike. He is more of the showman of the two (or maybe just without the British reserve?), and he had some really good accompanists.

Got lost on my way back post-concert (its a given... when have I ever reached anywhere without getting lost first?) and got back home at a horrendous 1 o'clock at night (no, not a party animal).

Next day went to NY which was rainy and horrible (The first time I've said such a thing about that city), this summer has been an absolute wash out.

I bought a book to read at the concert which also proved to be an absolute wash out. Its A Little History of the World" by E.H.Gombrich. I was expecting something like Bill Bryson's "A Short History of Nearly Everything"... but this is decidedly a book for pre-teens only. Anyone know any pre-teens with an interest in History?Yeah, me neither.

Also read Jefferey Archer's "Paths of Glory" and I find, that while his books are still readable, his characterizations annoy me more and more. Why are his heroes flawless paragons of virue, while thier foils are inevitable fatally flawed (or at least not well-born - with Archer the sins are virtually the same) . Besides which, I'm growing tired of his plots- which are increasingly similar. Kane and Abel was amazing the first time I read it, but having found that formula, all his books follow the same path, more or less...

Then, I read "Brokeback Mountain". I'd seen the movie (and wept copiously), and approached the slim volume, that really didn't look like it would make much material for a movie, somewhat dubiously. At first read, I admit, I didn't care for it. But it got me thinking. I realized that the movie was just a love story- replace one guy with a girl and you get same old, same old. That doesn't happen with the book. Its really clear, they're both men, and you can't replace one and get the same story. Also- that size is perfect for a movie- most movies take an enormous book and condense it, whereas what they should be doing is taking a small sized book and just doing it as it is. So much of what's in a movie is visual, a fat book that contains all those scenes which in words just take up a few chapters, can take an hour in a movie.

More "Foundation" other sci-fi

I’m just barely done with Asimov’s foundation series and moving on to the Robot series – strictly speaking they’re one long arc, and its Robots that comes first, but it was always Foundation that excited me.

As far as Foundation goes, though the core foundation series- dealing with the conflicts within the Foundation, between Foundation and its neighbors and the empire that birthed it and later became its enemy, Mule the unforeseen that conquered it, if only briefly and Second Foundation- that itself proved susceptible to corruption. The most interesting lesson was how technological advancement can overcome military might (in terms of sheer numbers) and catapult an underdog to the position of victor. It was seen over and over again, in the way Foundation overcame the four neighbors that sought to conquer it, even though it had no army, in the way Empire fell before it, the way Foundation itself capitulated to the Mule.

The most interesting books though were the first- “Prelude to foundation” and the last- “Foundation and Earth”- which is the one that really ties it up with the Robot novels. “Prelude to Foundation”, in which Hari Seldon first presents his thesis, and tries to apply it practically, is fascinating for its discussion about the interplay between the societies that make the planet of Trantor. Trantor, the capital of the empire, where ironically, the Empire’s strength is weakest. It dare not attack the University, where Hari stays to escape the Empire’s agents, because it depends on the intellectuals who come to the university to maintain its strength. Each of the states on Trantor, have their own hold on the Empire, one which caters to the wealthy, one that produces energy and one that dissipates it, each is required for the stability of the Empire, and they dance delicately to increase their influence while not daring to do anything that would topple the whole structure.

Equally interesting are the inequalities that exist in each society. One that discriminates against women, one with a caste system, even the University which is supposed to be blind to these things is not truly so. Though I was a little disappointed at (1) Each society seems to have only one major inequity. Though I understand that this could be for reasons of clarity, it seemed too much of an oversimplification. (2) IT was all too relatable... same old, same old basically - women, caste, class...And in the middle of it all is the Prime Mover, who has been manipulating things all along.

“Foundation and Earth” was equally interesting- while the first book brought out the rules with which Hari Seldon made his laws of Psychohistory, (which allows the prediction of the future of the human race, and its manipulation, provided the people being manipulated remain unaware of the fact.) the last book talks about the things that make Earth unique- its moon- a quarter the size of the planet itself, utterly unique (to the best of our knowledge)- the planets, like Saturn with its rings- legends that persisted even after earth itself was forgotten.

Equally interesting was the way the colonization of the galaxy was described- first the near worlds, then in another wave, the farther ones (the Robot novels bring out the reasons for this). It makes me interested also, in looking at the colonization of earth itself- whether the colonizing countries followed any such patterns- it would be hard to detect, I imagine, given that almost all of earth was occupied by humans in pre-history, but for example, you could look at the patterns of colonization of the Americas.

Finally, there is the denouement, the choice that must be made- whether the galaxy will be joined with Gaia or not, and the discovery of the hidden assumption that governs psychohistory, and that uneasy ending- that even after everything, there remain unpalatable choices, and perhaps a fifth column that cannot be understood by the laws of psychohistory.

So anyway, after obsessing over “Foundation” for a while, I went back and to re-read Robot. “I, robot” was excellent, as expected- and the final two stories especially, really bring out the choices we face even now, about what it means to be human (am currently also reading ray Kurzweil- which really brings this out). The rest of the Robot novels are to follow…

As part of my science fiction marathon, I also read Ray Bradbury’s "The Illustrated Man "And I realized that these are two very different authors (I know… duh!). Well, you don’t think of there being many types of science-fiction… but Bradbury tends to tread the line lightly between fantasy and science fiction. He stories are a little more supernatural, even when they’re science-fiction.

Wicked!!

So, was at this awesome show in May (yes I know its end of June... what can you do?). The effects absolutely amazing... the witch flying on broomstick scene especially. There was much Gossip-Girliness, with teen rivalries and what not, that mature eventually into not so rivalries. The only disappointment was the so-called twist, which was sadly predictable. -then again, Broadway is more about showmanship, not so much about plot.

I have to admit that I loved Galinda (or Glinda)- she was so Blair Waldorf like- with her queen-bee-ness and ambition, that reluctantly gives way to a desire to do the right thing.

Elphaba was naturally the heroine (duh!)... and even behind the green paint, every emotion was starkly visible on her face, her pain as all those she tried to help turned away from her, in fact came back to hurt her. And so very ironic, the way the Scarecrow, the Tin-man and the cowardly lion were created, and Dorothy brought to Oz.

I read the book a little later, and was (mostly) unsurprised to see that the plot was more subtle and a little gorier (not suitable for a young audience types). I must say, seeing the play made the book much more palatable (the first time I read it I couldn't get beyond four pages)...

Already looking forward to my next Broadway show....

Pixar all the way UP!

It was a really awesome movie- an incredibly simple story, that was nevertheless absolutely universal. With two utterly unlikely characters- proving that it is never either too early or too late to start having your life's adventure.

Unlike most animation movies this didn't depend on a funny cast (thought there were funny moments), but was unabashadly sentimental. Yet, the sentimentality wasn't cloying, maybe because the emotions were things that everyone had experienced- of having a hero, and feeling let down, making a choice- between what you want to do (nothing- you just want it to be none of your business), and making it your business and taking a stand.

I loved the depiction of Carl as an old man. His resistance to change around him, his ties to his possessions, the last remainders of this life with Ellie, his determination to fulfill her dream. I loved the way every expression was etched on his face. How many faces the animators must have studied to get every nuance of every emotion right? There's no best actor that comes close.

It was the small moments - though this is one movie that is all about the small moments- not the climax, which seems almost incidental- that made the movie so brilliant. There was the scene of Carl and Russell walking with the house, Russell whining in a manner that would be familiar to anyone who has ever travelled with kids "Are we almost there..."

There was the scene with dogs playing poker... the frog 'alarm clock'... There were moments of pathos so deftly done- when Carl and Ellie realise they can't have a child, the moments of Ellie's death, Russell's conversation about his father -so natural and unforced, there's no attempt to pretend that this is a fairytale, in a fairytale world- its so set in our world, it become utterly believable that ordinary people can do ectraordinary things

Rereading "Foundation"

Asimov's incredible series- the science of prophecy, which actually comes a full circle from Robot, through Empire, then Foundation.

The story is about the prediction of the fall of the Empire, by a psychoistorian- Hari Seldon, who then sets up two Foundations "at opposite ends of the galaxy" to prevent thirty thousand years of chaos that would follow- and instead establish a benign empire within a thousand years.

I've always thought of "Foundation" as the first in the series, though "Prelude to foundation" is chronologically before, it was written after. "Foundation" details the way the Foundation was set up, its first conflicts, the first battles it one, and its establishment as one of the powers of the galaxy.

Then comes "Foundation and Empire" where the young Foundation and the dying Empire meet, but then Foundation is thrown off course by the arrival of the Mule, a mutant, with powers not predicted by psychohistory, which can predict only the actions of humans.

Thanks to the secret "Second Foundation" though, once the Mule dies, Seldon's Foundation continues to grow.

The premise of the story is really interesting- that even if the actions of one person is unpredictable, the action of a group of people -0r the result of their actions is more so, and the larger the group of people, the more predictable it becomes.

Thus, Seldon could chart a course for galactic history, not accounting for the actions of individuals, but for the actions of the group.

The science isn't perfect though, it fails, once the people become aware of psychohistory- aware that their actions as a group are predictable. You could argue therefore, that the "Second Foundation" even as it uses psychohistory to direct the path of the galaxy, by its very existence causes the failure of the plan. And on this paradox my head spins.

Speed dating Indian Style

So, yeserday I was at the 'Kismet Konnection' event organized by barath matrimony at the behest of the dear parental units. It was an interesting experience to say the least.

Drawing into the hotel, the first thing that caught my eye was a horse and carriage. For a moment, I wondered if I hadn't blundered into an acual wedding as opposed to the finding a match sort of event.

Then I realised that this was a showcase for all kinds of wedding realted things. Basically a big sales event. Inside there were stalls of jewellery, mehndi, clothes, event planners, florists, I even got a card from the horse and carriage people. Also deserts. (I stole a couple of chocolate cupcakes. I felt that I deserved the reward.)

I hadn't pre-registered for the match-up event. To my delight I found they were short of girls at a ratio of about 1:5, so they just let me in for free. The very first person I met was a girl who was staying at the same apartment complex I used to stay in. I got her e-mail id, whether or not I got any guy's. I wish people would arrange events like this to make friends... business idea anyone?

Then we were all seated around tables where there were about 2 girls and a dozen guys. I turned on my limited charm (and so did they). Everyone was all prepared to be their absolute best. For some people, maybe something clicked... who knows?

Then there were some "get to know people" type games, where several names, occupations, hobbies flitted past, and everything became a thorough avial in my head. Frequently, the guys had to make do talking among themselves, and with the worry about the economy and all, it became more about making connections to help with the job-hunt than anything else (no one, at least n my hearing, asked, if anyone had a marriagable sister).

This sort of thing might work out for someone whose requirement is only someone they like... though even this setting is pretty artificial. But with my requirements? Horoscope and what not from my family. Not going to happen.

There was a fashion show at the end. At the idea of which several guys perked up, but I suspect wedding dresses are more my kind of thing than theirs. I made my escape though. No point is looking at wedding dresses before there's even a groom

All alone now... and wishing I was elsewhere

Since Mum went back to India it's been quiet here. No more dashing off to some mall or the other every evening. I swear, between Mummy and me we ended the recession. That improvement in the stock market you see? That's us!

Anyway, since she left, I've not had a whole lot to do (which isn't to say no shopping was done- I just got a new while top today- you can never have too many white tops).

So, back to the library it was. And I got Bill Bryson's "Notes from a small Island", his hilarious account of his farewell journey arouss Britain. OK, while I do disagree with him on some things - the monarchy, the lords and ladies- come on, can you imagine Britain without them! In a democracy I was born, and I may live in one now, but as far as Britain goes, I remain a royalist at heart. Observe that countries that do not have monarchies do their best to make them up. India has the Gandhi's and the US has its Kennedy's... why go into all that effort to create a monarchy when you've got one ready made?

I've been to the UK all of once, but thanks to Enid Blyton, Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer I'm a total Angophile. And while much of what he talked about- the charms of Britain, the wild moors, the little tea rooms, tea itself! (how can you not love a place that loves tea so much, come on!)- was very familiar. Lots of it- run down old towns gone to seed in a post-indistrial age- was not.

The best part of it is also unfortunately the part that I will most likely not remember. The little pieces of trivia, about trains to nowhere running on tracks of unimaginable cost, eccentric people from long ago- only the feeling that I had when I read about these remains with me, not the actual pieces of fact themselves.

In the end I'm left with a desire to trace Bryson's steps through Britain, to get to know the country as he did, but I suspect all I will ever do is spend a few days in London and its environs, for the rest I will have to return to the book

Marley and Me-

"Marley and Me" by Josh Grogan is an absolute delight for dog lovers. And if you don't love dogs, by the time you're done with it, you will be. Like James Herriot, he sees the humor in both animals and people. Anyone who's ever had a dog will be able to recognize their own pet in Marley- the dog who's always doing the wrong thing at the wrong time- the one who steals food off the kid's plates, who 'does his business' in the wrong places, who chews up everything in sight, and hates being left at home alone.

So much of what Grogan wrote on was incredibly real to me. I was reminded on my own dog, who wants to be with his family all the time, who insists on taking his humans for walks and not the other way round, and always knows when we're going off and leaving him behind.

And as Grogan describes how Marley grows from a yappy pup to a old dogs with aches and pains, but still young inside, I recognize painfully, the changes my own dog is also going through, and the lesson in mortality that all pet owners learn.

Tenant Commandments

'Tenant Commandments'- a play by Crazy Mohan, performed by the Stage Friends group. Definitely worth a watch. It does run a bit long, but is incredibly funny. All those Tamil jokes are perfectly placed, and some hit the nail on the head perfectly. I loved the comment ' If it is an Iyer wedding, it must be in Madrac Chembur, or Bridgewater' ... so true!

The various arcs of people knit in together very well at the end. If you get a chance, this is one play definitely worth watching. http://cities.sulekha.com/united-states/new-jersey/events/Play/2009/02/tenant-commandments-tamil-comedy-play.htm

Starbucks city (Also known as Seattle)

Where it all began!

From on top of the Space needle

Museum of rock and roll...

The guitar sculpture

The second most famous company in Seattle...

The Pike place marketplace

Inuyasha at the Sakura Con!

Confession time...

Ok, I have a confession to make. I love Star Wars. (Hides). So, no, its not just nerdy guys who dress up and talk about droids and shpaceships, its also girls who look normal and talk normal and hide their inner geek really, really well... but no secret is forever.

It started when I was 11 and my friend told me about this really amazing movie with these cute bear creatures (Ewoks in the Return of the Jedi), and this amazingly epic story. I found the 'Return of the Jedi' novel in my aunt's book case and read the whole thing to the soundtrack of Rehman's Kadhalan (again a second rate track over all... but that's a recurring theme here).

I don't remember exactly when or where I watched the movies. I remember avidly watching the trailers on Star Movies when they were re-released sometime in the 90's.

I remember reading the other novels at Landmark and Odyssey. Sneaking behind the science-fiction bookshelves and sneaking peaks at the storyline.

I think I finally saw the movies only afterwards when they turned up on Star Movies every Friday night. I remember being in college and watching lightsaber fights when I should have been doing my Engineering Drawing (no wonder ED turned out so badly).

I never got sucked into the whole prequel thing(for which I thank a merciful god). I watched them, and they were ok, but I could happily set them aside as just another impossible action movie.

But there was a whole world of Star Wars books about the kids! I tell you the lead characters had kids! And a whole lot of extra characters (most of them terrible- but the whole thing is not about the plot- or characterization for that matter... ). The literary value of these books is so low as to be negligible. Why then can I not stop reading them? The latest I read was Outcast by Aaron Allston. *sigh* It was easier (And less shameful) when I was 12 and just obsessed with The Sweet Valley twins.

Short stories

It takes real skill to compress into a few pages a story that could stretch for a mile. very few authors actually write decent short stories.

I recently read a bunch that were like a side-dish to the amazing "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell" by Susanna Clarke called "The Ladies of Grace Adieu". A little creepy and quite amusing, t really gives depth to the world that she created.

Another set I read was Richard Adams' "Tales for Watership Down". When I picked it up I actually thought it was "Watership Down" itself, but it was instead a very readable set of short stories.

The best part of these stories is that, even not knowing the entire context, the stories make sense as stand-alones. They could easily be part of Aesop's fables, or an general anthology that doesn' belong to a particular fiction universe. The tales they tell are universal, they make as much sense in their world as they do is ours. (The same cannot be said of Beedle the Bard which is so unorigial its painful - but I won't go into that here).

I also read Robin McKinley's "Beauty" . I usually enjoy her work. Her characters are usually original as are her takes on the fairy tales. This one though, felt like it was simply a longer and slightly more boring version of Disney. She had a few interesting 'extras' on the set- but hey so did Disney!

100!

My 100th blog! Its time to celebrate! Champagne pops!

Anyway, here I am sipping champagne (or rather coke zero) and blogging about The Autobiography of Henry the Eighth by Margaret George .

Its an excellently researched historical piece. While it seems to varnish over Henry's cruelties, its important to remember that this is written as an autobiography by a man in the 15th and 16th centuries. I think Margaret George does a very good job of not judging him by our comtemporary standards, instead leaving him to be judged by the stadards of a time when the king's word was law.

One of the places where this disconnect between our times and Henry's stands out absolutely clear is in his belief that Anne Boelyn was a witch. Of course, we modern people know that there is no magic and no witches, but to Henry, in a world of superstition and unreason, it may not have been that obvious. And, if he was eager to get rid of her, how easy for him to see what he wanted to see!

The book brings out also the strange coincidences that guided Henry's life- that he brought up as a priest, never expected to marry, broke with the Catholic Church and married six times.

It does seem that the author romanticezes the king, but remember that this is written as his autobiography. As powerful and certain as he was of his own rightness in all things, it is hardly likely that he would have portrayed himself as a violent and intolerant monarch.

And the book really does bring Henry's court to life, with all of its supporting characters, his six wives, his friends, his children, the impact they each had on Henry's life. The characters all seem very realistic (except strangely, Elizabeth who seems precocious far beyond her age- I realise that she's now more legend than fact, but it would be nice if one person could write her normally, without all this foreshadowing.)

Anyway, the book runs into almost 1000 pages, and took me about 8 weeks to get through! It was gripping though, for all the time that it took.

After Henry the Eighth, I took up "Wyrd Sisters" by Terry Pratchet for some light reading. A spoof on Shakespeare's Tragedy's Hamlet and Macbeth, it was increadibly funny (as all his books are).

I went and picked up "Watership Down " and "Pillars of the Earth" from the library yesterday, so looking forward to a long week reading them

Hairspray!

I continue to be absolutely addicted to Broadway shows, and when Hairspray came to Reading I absolutely had to go.

So many causes close to my heart. While the biggest theme may have been desegregation, I was completely charmed by "the fat women can win too" storyline! Especially in this day and age of holding people up to an entirely impossible standard of beauty.

The songs were sweet, but not particularly memorable. Musicals are so Hindi movie-like. The end is obvious almost from the start, and the music is only the path to get to that happy sappy ending.

I really liked the characters of Tracy's mother (Edna Turnblad- the 'drag' role) and Motormouth Maybelle, both sharp, witty and wise. Why is it always the supporting cast that steals the show?

And of course, I loved the whole age of 'big hair' (I wish it would come back- no more taming my mane to some semblance of order).

I'm going to get movie next I think, its supposed to be just as funny, considerably shorter(which is alwys a plus) and less expensive than the ive show (two pluses for that), and more contemporary.

All eyes on CATS!

Reading is turning out to be quite the center of culture. Last night CATS! came to the Sovereign Performance Arts center, as part of the whole Broadway on 6th street program.

It was an awesome performance. Lots of singing and dancing, lots of cheeky lines (what did ou expect from T.S Eliot's poetry), some gorgeous songs (Memory for example, and I just can't get the CATS theme out of my head).

The props were amazing, resembling a junkyard, with a giant boot of a broken down car, and lots of nooks and crannies for the cats to sneak in and out of. From the cats themselves there were some truly unforgettable performances. Rum Tum Tugger for example, as a cat-like Elvis (or is it and Elvis like cat?), wise old Deuteronomy, Grizabella the glamorous cat her coat now worn, unhappy and alone, who at last finds the meaning of happiness.

Gus, the actor, his glory days gone, but still able to reprise his most magnificent role as a pirate. And the most famous of all... whose name was whispered like an ill-omen over and over. Macavity the Mystery Cat. But even the most villainous cat of all was no match for Mr Mestopheles the Magician and his slink assistant.

Anyway, it was thoroughly enjoyable, so much so I could not even find it in myself to regret being out in the cold night... though I do wish spring would return soon

Speaking in Tongues

... Or tungs or tongs or any number of different spellings through the years as detailed by Bill Bryson's incredibly funny book 'The Mother tongue' - a history of the Engish Language. It had me nearly in splits with commentary about the change and growth of the language and the people who used it; comments such as "It was an age when sensibilities grep so delicate that one lady was reported to have dressed her goldfish in miniature suits for the sake of propriety and a certain Madame de la Bresse left her fortune to provide clothing for the snowmen of Paris.", when talking about the prudery of the Victorian Age- when words such as 'legs' and 'stomach' were dismissed from polite company.

Besides being amusing the book provides a really interesting insight into how a language once spoken in one small village in Europe was carried over to the island of Britain from where it proceeded to take over the world (cue maniacal laughter).

First the Anglo-Saxons (who conquered the Celts in Britain) after whom the language was named, then the Normans from whose language English gets much of its vocabulary- though Bryson mentions that, curiously, a lot of the most basic words - in, on, at, the etc, in fact, most of the commonly used words remain Anglo-Saxon in origin.

All through, what becomes clear is that it is the openness of English to change, that has allowed it to spread so far. That in allowing people to adapt the language to their local needs(and sometimes adding words from their native tongues that are now used globally), it has become a global language.

There is something to be thankful for then, in that all those who tried to standardize the language- and there are some famous names here- such as Samuel Johnson (who was not successful) and some not so famous ones Robert Lowth (who, sadly for us was successful- it seems some of the more ridiculous laws of grammar that we follow can me attributed to him).

I most enjoyed though the chapters that dealt with the differences in American, British and occasionally, Australian English, as well as the regional dialects in each. Also very amusing were the chapters on British (and American) names, and on Swearing.

While people have criticized the book for its inaccuracies- such as perpetuating the myth that there are fifty different words for snow in Eskimo- I think its sort of like criticizinf Wikipedia for not being an accurate source of information. It isn't to be used as a primary source (which I think would be fairly obvious), but is meant as a starting point for interested people, and it certainly provides enough references for those who wish to dig deeper into the subject.

All Abount Movies- Go Rehman!

This post is a bit delayed- in the sense that it refers to events a couple of weeks ago... but better late than never right?

I celebrated New Years’ by watching two movies (and I hope this will not set the tone for the rest of my year- time wasted at looong movies). Not that either of them were terrible- but neither of them were great. For all the raving about Benjamin Button, the length of the movie leaves a lot( or a lot less) to be desired, though the concept is good.

The story, as everyone knows by now, is of a man born looking like an 80 year old, aging backwards. There were parts of the plot I really enjoyed, like Benjamin being brought up in an old age home, fitting in perfectly, save that he was growing younger, while everyone around him grew older. Except as his body grew younger and younger, he is no longer able to stay with his family, his mind ages and gives in, proving at last, that perhaps youth is not, after all, wasted on the young.

‘Rab ne bana di jodi’ is decidedly happier. Of course lots of it is completely unbelievable- especially for a movie based on 'ordinary people'. But I loved how perfectly realistic Surindar’s office, his nosy coworkers, the crowded streets, the cinema, even the dance practices were. Again, it was a bit too long, and none of the acting was terribly remarkable, but it was funny, and that mostly made the length bearable.

And Slumdog Millionaire won bigtime at the Golden Globes! I'm especially thrilled for Rehman. whose winning everything from It's a little disappointing though- this is not one of his greatest soundtracks- I mean compared to 'Roja' , 'Bombay', or'Lagaan' ? 'Puhleeze'! Still, its getting him the recognition he deserves... Golden Globes, Bafta, Critics choice.... what's next? Dare we hope the big O?

Baby, its cold outside.... 100 hours and a 100 years

Two months left, and I swear if the groundhog declares another six weeks of winter, there won't be a groundhog next year to make any unfortunate predictions!

Temperatures went down to single digits last week, and it snowed all of yesterday, jamming up (it seemed) every single road I took (and only in the direction I was going in). It took me 2 hours to travel 10 miles, and at the end of it I was just about ready to muder the next person I saw- at the very least I figured, the cop cars would move a bit faster than the snail's pace I was going in.

It was completely stunning. The world covered in powdered sugar, like a giant cake, trees hung in Swarovski crystals too delicate for mortal hands, that sparkled in the headlights. Even the smallest gardens turned into lovely, dark deep woods to inspire Robert Frost. I was completely unispired though. The only thing inspiring me was the red light turning green- that was the stuff that poetry ought to be made of!

I did finally finish "100 years of solitude" - for a while there, I thought the title referred to the amount of time it would take for an average person to finish the book. But the cold is good for something after all, and when I'm cooped up indoor,s there's not much I can do but read.

It's not that its a bad book (hallo! its a Nobel prize winner), but it just didn't appeal to me in the personal way that 'Love in the Time of Cholera' did. It's a sweeping epic, which at the same time, revels in the tiniest quirks of the characters, the small twists of their lives. But while obviously, its not a story written purely for the sake of told, neither is the meaning of it- the hidden lesson- easy to glean.

I'm not sure what the lesson was. Was it the futility of fighting fate? The revelation, in the end, that it was all written, 'everything is known' long before it happened... would it have helped if they had understood before? Would it have changed anything? Could it have changed anything? If they had read the book befreo... would the book itself have read differently? (but of course says me... but who knows for sure?)

The mix of science and magic, again, the idea that technology sufficiently advanced, may be like magic, when magic itself becomes more believable than science... the loss of magic slowly from the world, like the loss of innocence, in the bitterness of war, the even greater bitterness of politics, the last battle against chains imposed by narrow-mindedness, tradition. Ursula's painful realization, of not simply recognizing patterns, but watching living in a time warp, forgetting history and being doomed to reapeat it over and over again.

Solitude, the word that threads the book together, a village separated by space and time from the rest of the world, an anachronism that was brough reluctantly to modern age, only to be washed back into the darkness (or is it into the harsh light of the rainless days). Solitude, as in the Aureliano's doomed to live alone, each one, alone. The companionship they sought, in the end, became each of their destruction- the first in war, then in love, in friendship and in brotherhood.

Fabulous Footloose!

"Footloose", the musical played at the Sovereign Performance Center last Thursday, on its 10th anniversary tour. It's something I've been looking forward to for a long time, ever since I missed "The Producers" in December, especially because it has such great music, with the title song of course, and 'Holding out of a Hero', and so many others!

The play was very good, lots of snarky one-liners... lots of song and dance (a bit like a Hindi movie), and of course, a happy ending.

It is about a s boy Ren who moves into a small town where dancing was banned after a tragedy that happened 5 years earlier. Ren leads the 'rebellion' against the town council, led by the priest, and wins the girl - who happens to be the priest's daughter. It's a story about getting over loss, and finding happiness wherever you are.

While all the actors were pretty good, I think its the supporting roles that have the most fun. I LOVED Willard and Rusty (yes, even more than the main role characters), the mismatched pair - once taciturn and the other unable to shut up!

Anyway, Broadway on 6th street is a great idea... there's a whole line up of plays ahead- 'CATS' later this month followed by 'Annie', 'Oliver!' , '42nd Street' and 'Hairspray'. I'm hoping to see at least another couple of these. And 'Movin' Out' as well, when that play comes to Philadelphia in May. So, Go Broadway!

Here's to the New Year!

And to reply to eyeball's question- The answer to life the universe and everything is.... (drumroll) 42! Or so says Google (and Douglas Adams ) - and if Google says so, it must be true!

And in asnwer to his other question - yes the Christmas shopping is done- it took until after New Year because its not just pre-Christmas shopping, but the Post-Christmas sales, returns and exchanges as well... and now 'm all shopped out(or my bank account is anyway).

Speaking of shopping, I was very appropriately reading Sophie Kisella's 'Shopaholic' . I first read this about 4 years ago, when I didn't have a credit card, and was unlikely to be tempted by any sale but a book-sale; and I found it hugely funny then. This time though, I could relate. It was almost alarming, as I giggled my way through Becky's adventures from the Shopper's Hell to Heaven (shopaholic gets multimillionaire boyfriend), I was thinking, "This happened to me!' (not including the multimillionaire boyfriend).

I also got done with 'Ink Exchange' by Melissa Marr. Its the sequel to 'Wicked Lovely , which was a bit edgy and dark, without totally tipping over, and that I had enjoyed a lot.

'Ink Exchange' isn't as good though. For one thing it's written from the point of view of a set of different characters, with a decidedly different set of agendas, and the old heroes come off looking 1)incompetent 2)manipulative, neither of which are very heroic qualities. None of this would be a problem, if I was able to feel very sympathetic to the protagonists of this book, but well, I didn't really. The plot's just getting further complicated, and its all set up for yet another sequel, so obviously, that it's annoying. Why can't a book just be complete in itself?