A weekend that starts off with you knowing Monday is also off is the awesomest weekend. And one knowing the whole week after is also off, is amazing :). A regular Saturday and Sunday, but the knowledge of more time ahead, allowed me to chill, shop, relax, knowing I have more time to do the same, so no hurry to relax all in 2 days. Trying to relax can be so stressful :).
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Gravity
Watched the movie today, and someone asked me to write my views on it on my blog :). Surprisingly I don't think I have ever written what I think of something I have seen or read here...
It's amazing that there are still stories that surprise me. With all that the Internet has to offer, I didn't expect I would be as amazed by this movie as I was. Yes yes I have told you I liked the movie. Let me try talking about what I liked - difficult cos I forgot most of it :), and not cos it was a bad movie, but cos I have a sucky memory.
Where was I? Right, Gravity.
The concept - someone doing something in space, and the possibility that something can go so wrong that they can just drift. It's amazingly scary. I was almost claustrophobic during the early part of the movie. Yes I know it's space and big and infinite. But imagine - seeing exactly that same - or same-looking - view for lord knows how long before you die. I feel claustrophobic thinking about it now...
And the camera-angles on that part, the direction, the way that the world looks from her eyes, and then the 3D!!! Amazing!!
A whole lot of it has then been forgotten - I mean I know it was an awesome story, and I really enjoyed the movie. But (exposure to Internet mentioned above) it's great story and great movement, but at the end of the day a bit predictable, and a bit far-fetched in places.
But the other part that stands out - George Clooney. Other than the fact his voice is amazing in the movie at the start, and you finally get to see his face in that scene, the fact that they brought him in, and took him away, was fabulous. Not just that scene, but the whole movie. I repeat - amazing! And did I mention the awesome humor?
And I will pause on Sandra Bullock - if they hadn't focused on her body and done the over-the-top foetal position, I would have probably had a lot more to say about her awesome body. But I loved seeing her after such a long time, and still love her acting. I forget Sandra Bullock during the movie (except for said duh parts), and love her character.
And for anyone expecting a more intellectual review, duh. I'm a woman, watching a movie with George Clooney, and I am on holiday :). But that was a really good movie.
It's amazing that there are still stories that surprise me. With all that the Internet has to offer, I didn't expect I would be as amazed by this movie as I was. Yes yes I have told you I liked the movie. Let me try talking about what I liked - difficult cos I forgot most of it :), and not cos it was a bad movie, but cos I have a sucky memory.
Where was I? Right, Gravity.
The concept - someone doing something in space, and the possibility that something can go so wrong that they can just drift. It's amazingly scary. I was almost claustrophobic during the early part of the movie. Yes I know it's space and big and infinite. But imagine - seeing exactly that same - or same-looking - view for lord knows how long before you die. I feel claustrophobic thinking about it now...
And the camera-angles on that part, the direction, the way that the world looks from her eyes, and then the 3D!!! Amazing!!
A whole lot of it has then been forgotten - I mean I know it was an awesome story, and I really enjoyed the movie. But (exposure to Internet mentioned above) it's great story and great movement, but at the end of the day a bit predictable, and a bit far-fetched in places.
But the other part that stands out - George Clooney. Other than the fact his voice is amazing in the movie at the start, and you finally get to see his face in that scene, the fact that they brought him in, and took him away, was fabulous. Not just that scene, but the whole movie. I repeat - amazing! And did I mention the awesome humor?
And I will pause on Sandra Bullock - if they hadn't focused on her body and done the over-the-top foetal position, I would have probably had a lot more to say about her awesome body. But I loved seeing her after such a long time, and still love her acting. I forget Sandra Bullock during the movie (except for said duh parts), and love her character.
And for anyone expecting a more intellectual review, duh. I'm a woman, watching a movie with George Clooney, and I am on holiday :). But that was a really good movie.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
iPhones and iOS 7
I like new things. Ok scratch that, LOVE new things. Probably spend a lot on them that I forever feel I don't have enough to spend on them :).
And phones. Ohh I love new phones. The magic of them, of unwrapping that sealed box to find the joys hidden inside. Even when I've read everything available on the net about the new phone, I am still excited about how all that feels in my hand.
And I try to be fair in the iOS vs android war. But I love my iPhone. It isn't about a Mercedes vs a Honda or anything like that. An iPhone gives me what I want, and that's what matters. It's easy, intuitive, fast and not glitchy. I have used. Samsung Galaxy Note, and yes that was a first big Android phone and not a good example. But I've also used my cousin's Nexus and played with a a few friends' Samsung Galaxy phones. And yes I miss a big screen sometimes. But I really LOVE my iPhone.
My best example - my dad is a doc. And really stubborn to change. And has fat fingers. When touch screens came out, he refused to consider them. And absolutely wouldn't consider getting rid of any of the 3-4 really old phones he had that I had given up. Nokia N73, Nokia E 71.
And I bought an iPhone 4 and gave him my iPhone 3GS. This adamant, won't change a thing, I won't use any other phone man was using the iPhone in 20 hours. I mean really using it. Playing around with all features. Using the browser to google all about Apple and Steve Jobs. And calling me and telling me things I didn't know. Including Ben 10s full name (Benjamin Tennyson).
And today he loves the phone so much he's been hinting at wanting the new iPhone 5 for the whole off at year (and I'm sure I'll hear about 5S this weekend).
Even so many years and almost-nothing-changed later, it still is an awesome phone. And Apple managed to do what Nokia couldn't with me. See I was a hard core Nokia fan for the same reasons - absolutely intuitive interface, simple clicks (I hate clicking twice if I can do it in 1). But the same thing I loved about Nokia was the reason I left it finally - it didn't change. At all. Within 20 mins of having a new phone, I couldn't tell what was different about the phone, and I'd be bored. And want something new.
And what Apple has done was perfect - I have a new iOS that makes me FEEL like I have a new phone. Without paying a single paisa. I MAY last this year without a new phone, cos I have a new phone :). The icons are cute, the font sizes fun to find bugs in, the parallax way cool, INFINITE ITEMS IN ONE FOLDER - this is my winner. And as all apps change with iOS 7, something new in my pocket (fine, purse) everyday!!!
I am so happy. Apple, waiting for iPhone 6. And maybe it'll be the iPad this year - hubby took my iPad away for his music, and I need one for my work (yes need, bugger off). Maybe I'll even try the mini, just cos.
And phones. Ohh I love new phones. The magic of them, of unwrapping that sealed box to find the joys hidden inside. Even when I've read everything available on the net about the new phone, I am still excited about how all that feels in my hand.
And I try to be fair in the iOS vs android war. But I love my iPhone. It isn't about a Mercedes vs a Honda or anything like that. An iPhone gives me what I want, and that's what matters. It's easy, intuitive, fast and not glitchy. I have used. Samsung Galaxy Note, and yes that was a first big Android phone and not a good example. But I've also used my cousin's Nexus and played with a a few friends' Samsung Galaxy phones. And yes I miss a big screen sometimes. But I really LOVE my iPhone.
My best example - my dad is a doc. And really stubborn to change. And has fat fingers. When touch screens came out, he refused to consider them. And absolutely wouldn't consider getting rid of any of the 3-4 really old phones he had that I had given up. Nokia N73, Nokia E 71.
And I bought an iPhone 4 and gave him my iPhone 3GS. This adamant, won't change a thing, I won't use any other phone man was using the iPhone in 20 hours. I mean really using it. Playing around with all features. Using the browser to google all about Apple and Steve Jobs. And calling me and telling me things I didn't know. Including Ben 10s full name (Benjamin Tennyson).
And today he loves the phone so much he's been hinting at wanting the new iPhone 5 for the whole off at year (and I'm sure I'll hear about 5S this weekend).
Even so many years and almost-nothing-changed later, it still is an awesome phone. And Apple managed to do what Nokia couldn't with me. See I was a hard core Nokia fan for the same reasons - absolutely intuitive interface, simple clicks (I hate clicking twice if I can do it in 1). But the same thing I loved about Nokia was the reason I left it finally - it didn't change. At all. Within 20 mins of having a new phone, I couldn't tell what was different about the phone, and I'd be bored. And want something new.
And what Apple has done was perfect - I have a new iOS that makes me FEEL like I have a new phone. Without paying a single paisa. I MAY last this year without a new phone, cos I have a new phone :). The icons are cute, the font sizes fun to find bugs in, the parallax way cool, INFINITE ITEMS IN ONE FOLDER - this is my winner. And as all apps change with iOS 7, something new in my pocket (fine, purse) everyday!!!
I am so happy. Apple, waiting for iPhone 6. And maybe it'll be the iPad this year - hubby took my iPad away for his music, and I need one for my work (yes need, bugger off). Maybe I'll even try the mini, just cos.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Letting it out.
Writing is a need for me. Some thoughts stay in my head till I put them down. Some are deeply personal (or just plain scary :)), and I put them down in my diary. Some are more loud and need visibility, I put them here because this is public, but still less known. And some need acknowledgement and those go on FB. But if I don't write them down anywhere, they swirl in my head and go round and round with options, possibilities, questions. The instant they're written, they seem to leave me in peace. As if their purpose is done - those string of words in that sequence needed to be noted down somewhere and are happy to be strung together and don't need to reside in my head anymore.
Final farewell
It's funny what we think of as a final farewell to the people who pass away. When someone passes away far from us, we know they're gone, but till we see the body it's almost as if this isn't real and will change. Even then they look like they're sleeping, maybe they'll wake up.
And when they take the body away - in India the women can't go to the funeral so the walk away from home is the final look - it hits you. You can never see that face again in real life, never touch it. You can see photos, hear videos. But those arms are gone. Those eyes are closed. And though they stopped being 'them' the instant the soul left, this is the final goodbye. For you, not for them.
And it's a kind of ritual that's a bit silly and yet gives comfort - the prayers they sing as they take the person away. The words make you cry more because there is a finality - that prayer, that 'ram naam satya hai', so unrelated it feels, yet that's it, that's the final toll of the bell that means goodbye. And yet I found it peaceful, because it makes you acknowledge something, gives you closure. You have no choice but to accept the death. And that allows you to move on. And I can understand why family want to wait for people from far away to come, to give them a chance for that closure.
It makes sense. But man it hurts.
And when they take the body away - in India the women can't go to the funeral so the walk away from home is the final look - it hits you. You can never see that face again in real life, never touch it. You can see photos, hear videos. But those arms are gone. Those eyes are closed. And though they stopped being 'them' the instant the soul left, this is the final goodbye. For you, not for them.
And it's a kind of ritual that's a bit silly and yet gives comfort - the prayers they sing as they take the person away. The words make you cry more because there is a finality - that prayer, that 'ram naam satya hai', so unrelated it feels, yet that's it, that's the final toll of the bell that means goodbye. And yet I found it peaceful, because it makes you acknowledge something, gives you closure. You have no choice but to accept the death. And that allows you to move on. And I can understand why family want to wait for people from far away to come, to give them a chance for that closure.
It makes sense. But man it hurts.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Days when you...
Wake up feeling different. Some days there is a lot of energy and joy. Some days are quieter. It's one of those days today. Missing my mom, my family who aren't close anymore... I always say I'm mush since my son's birthday - a tap waiting to leak :). Today is one of those days, were it feels like I have feelings up to my neck waiting to spill out.
I think it's all the holidays, all the birthdays. August is filled with these for me and in India. And as you wish everyone that's far away or no longer around, you think more and more of them....
Ah well, good morning...
I think it's all the holidays, all the birthdays. August is filled with these for me and in India. And as you wish everyone that's far away or no longer around, you think more and more of them....
Ah well, good morning...
Saturday, August 10, 2013
What happened to safety?
As a woman, I used to be quite the new age girl - ricks are good, taxis are safe. I can travel anywhere, at any time, as long as I am sensible about the time and the place. But the Delhi incident (Nirbhaya) and that lawyer who was attacked by the delivery guy have left me shaken. If I am alone in the house, I lock up twice, and am doubly sensitive to sounds. I wonder how the rick wala is looking at me, or the delivery guy. I have installed Life 360 app on my phone, and always keep in touch with some family member when I travel later in the night. Keep my pepper spray more accessible even within my purse, when I am alone or travelling late with my son.
Took my son to the garden today. A garden I have played in as a child a thousand times. But today, I was a lone woman with my son. And I was wary of any man that was close to me, to my son. Out of the 4 men I saw, 2 were some sort of dancers, just practicing, probably having no place to practice at home. One was just running around, had his headphones on. And one just hovered. And he worried me. And I wanted to let my son have his time. But I wanted to run. Between the fear of someone kidnapping my son, and something happening to me, most of these outings are sometimes not worth it. This is why I prefer malls.
I miss the Mumbai I used to be brave in. As an accomplished woman, successful in her career, happy to have a balanced role where I don't have to overly prove myself, yet have certain privileges as a working mother, I have found life extremely suitable to a woman. But no amount of success, of achievements, of capability, take away the vulnerability and fear of being a woman in a world of men that can and do take advantage.
When does Kalyug end again?
Took my son to the garden today. A garden I have played in as a child a thousand times. But today, I was a lone woman with my son. And I was wary of any man that was close to me, to my son. Out of the 4 men I saw, 2 were some sort of dancers, just practicing, probably having no place to practice at home. One was just running around, had his headphones on. And one just hovered. And he worried me. And I wanted to let my son have his time. But I wanted to run. Between the fear of someone kidnapping my son, and something happening to me, most of these outings are sometimes not worth it. This is why I prefer malls.
I miss the Mumbai I used to be brave in. As an accomplished woman, successful in her career, happy to have a balanced role where I don't have to overly prove myself, yet have certain privileges as a working mother, I have found life extremely suitable to a woman. But no amount of success, of achievements, of capability, take away the vulnerability and fear of being a woman in a world of men that can and do take advantage.
When does Kalyug end again?
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