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