Bollywood Movies

My mind has been regurgitating this topic in endless wonder. Every time I watch one, it leaves me with a sense of senselessness. I have reached following conclusions after years of being "The Public" as only a bollywood director would describe it:

1. Never watch movies as soon as they are released - Wait for Reviews from like minded folks.
2. Never judge a movie by it's impressive beginning - Wait to comprehend the plot (chances are there's none)
3. I am yet to see one without a heroine.
4. Never pause the movie for a break - Wait for opportunities presented by song sequences when our protagonist and his leading lady (who, by divine intervention) suddenly acquire melodious voices and start cooing around shrubs, trees, mountains, valleys, on grass and off late in streets of Switzerland, London, Paris or LA. Bollywood Director's clearly understand people and they carefully plan song sequences based on average bollywood bladder retention rate.
   
5. Never assume the movie will be over in 180 minutes, it may stretch - Wait for the sign which says "This is just the beginning" (Imagine reading that after watching it for 3.5 hrs) before getting up for good.
6. Never be surprised by a sense of De ja vu on watching scenes that remind you of having seen something similar. I assure you, It can't be from your past (if it is - it's time to wake up), so it must be from a hollywood movie. Bollywood Directors call this - "being inspired".

(PS: This one is a working progress or rather a snaopshot in time. I'll keep updating this space based on new discoveries from experiencing Bollywood movies or suggestions from fellow experience rs out there)

Winter: Just when you think ...

"Just when you think you are out, they pull you right back in ..." reminds you of summer which appears to disappear ever so often. I write this, watching icy sleet striking the window next to my cubicle, Its Mid-March, for god's sake ... enough already.
"Winter" has been predictably, unpredictable this year. Temperatures swung from low - lows to high - highs, and that affects people in unpredictable ways especially, someone from the tropics.
"When does it end? "
I remember saying that towards the end of summer last year. Bottomline, I have a low threshold for same old unlike some who flourish no matter what the season.
Hey! But I still love seasons when they begin i.e, its just the continuity that gets me.

Every day Wind Up

Every day around 4:00 or 4:01PM the mind gives up on RAM and with a whirring sound not unlike the ubiquitous windows based PC, its starts to sputter and slowly stops at blankness or in short continuing to work becomes impossible. Hunger strikes and it's time to reboot.

Humans have it made when it comes to rebooting, you can engage in activities ranging from talk, walk to mindless phone calls or blogging. I think Offices should shut up by 4:00PM to allow employees a safe drive; while there exists a bit of hand-eye and mind coordination for another 1/2 hr until 4:30PM. Employers may disagree in the mornings but come around 4:01PM it should be quite easy to make them see daylight while darkness unfolds.

Now that I have partially rebooted owing to this mindless blabber, let me walk around and check on everyone else.

Religion

I have realized, albeit a while back that I am an Agnostic bordering on Atheist.

But lately, after listening to a bunch of Zen-Cast episodes, I have started appreciating the Buddhist point of view. It comes across as an extremely logical way of life.

Since this is a serious topic and demands a great deal of maturity from the writer, I will leave this tough task of teaching to Zen Masters. (check out the Zen podcasts on their website)

AIA Convention, LA

Part II

I wanted to take seminars covering some of the CEC's (Continuing Education Credits) for 2006, so it was more of a necessity that I attend these. In the back of my mind, I was praying for a dark room, with an illuminated stage, seats available 10 rows back, far enough that the speaker wouldn't hear you snore and yet walk away with credits :).

Turns out first one had a different setting - uniformly illuminated room, the orator could easily see you blink, worse they were discussing stuff with the audience -asking questions, people who know me will vouch that I do not like being asked intelligent questions in front of more than 1 people. With a heart full of dread and a mind full of emptiness, I managed to escape the questions. The strategy employed has served me well in the past, namely - Spaces behind Big Guy make good hiding spots.

All of this exhausted me so much that I hit the snack lounge, which fortunately was right outside. After a hearty sandwich & fries, I pulled myself into another one of these seminars, this time it was a dark room with a brightly illuminated stage with lots (>2) of speakers talking about sustainable architecture. I found many like minded audience sitting far away from the stage. This time - Sleep came like a charm.

Read 2 paragraphs above 3 times in sequence and that should sum up the order of events for next couple of days.

1st most exciting thing - was the walk back through some of the downtown neighborhoods. First day walk back was a bit scary what with all the hooplaa I had heard from some of my software engineer friends living large doing software engineering :), south of LA. I know it is premature to assume, but I'll do it anyway - 3 days of walking back convinced me of the Urban Myths that's been generated by this "prosperous South".

2nd Most exciting thing - Google hosted a party to launch Sketch up and free loaders like us were especially attracted to free booze and Chinese food. Past experience has taught me one important rule while indulging in free booze, NEVER EVER mix drinks and stop talking as soon you start feeling good about yourself and so it was, I had a blast. Drinks were especially intoxicating seeing all those neon lights (did I forget to mention that this was hosted at the Museum of Neon Lights). Got into a meaningless conversation with some dude who had no clue what to make of life and using his architect friend's pass to gulp wine and food. The walk back was truly enjoyable, everything felt perfect, even the smelly, damp hotel room wouldn't dampen my spirits.

The flight back including Airport shuttle trip turned out to be uneventful and probably not even worth discussing here.

In retrospect, I ask myself, would I attend the convention again next year - Check back next year same time.