Millions

I quite liked the way some 'English' movies worked in the last few years. A little bit off beat, but not too English, if you know what I mean (from Smoking Barrels to Young Adams)

One of such filmmakers is Dan Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later). IMO, movies are all about character development, and he does a good job at that. So when I found a Dan Boyle movie with leading character played by a 7 year old, I thought it would be interesting.

Millions is the story about two young brothers who move into a new place after their "mum's dead". The younger one lives in a world of fantasies, talks with saints and spends his time in his playhouse next to a rail track. One day he gets a duffle bag full of money from "god", and the story is about what the two boys do with it and the consequences.

As one critique put it -- "Too cute for adults, and too complex for kids. But nevertheless a gem of a movie". Ditto.

Google it, before you ask

So many times I have got queries about things that can be googled out in less than 2 seconds. Are people becoming lazier, or more moronic?

If "Wear Sunscreen" was the advice for the class of 1997 (which was not a 'real' graduation speech as known to many, but was originally published in the Chicago Tribune as "Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young" by Mary Schmich), my advice for the class of 2005 would be "Google it, before you ask".

Life & Conversations

Life is conversations. Think about it, you know it is true. If you get a chance to design your life, do it around conversations. Well, you may get a chance to design your home, right? Think about conversation areas -- every room, or every corner in the house. Different types of conversations with different light settings, seating spaces, roofs; Just about everything is a conversation.

Chati told me once, "For me quality of life is nothing but a fish fry, whiskey on the rocks and a decent conversation". Well, I am designing a corner in my home just for that. Just that.

Suicide Walkers

Driving on these roads have become quite energy sapping. And now that the rains are back, the damn potholes have disappeared again. Only this time, under water. And since most of the motorists drive like politicians (they both don’t care about the aam junta & splash muddy water on them), people now walk on the roadside of the water filled potholes than the pavement side.

So every time you are behind the wheel, you need to worry about the potholes, the water, the people and of course other vehicles. If earlier you used to check 3 mirrors while looking ahead, now you have to, in addition, look down in front, sideways and wherever else. I have stopped taking the car out to work. I take a rick. Now I am like a senior politician -- I piggy ride on someone who treats people like they don’t exist, if they are not paying for your ride.

Oh, what about suicide walkers? The way some people walk on the road, it looks like their mission's sole purpose is to get killed while doing it. Much like a suicide bomber. Just popped up in my mind today as I was driving to the airport to see a friend off. Suicide walker!! Should be entered into the dictionary, at least the Indian one. What say?