Kung Fu Panda

The release of the weekend in India. Po (voice Jack Black), the panda, is extremely funny. The film has borrowed a lot for classic kung fu movies (the dragon scroll, valley of peace, jade temple on top of the mountain etc) and kept in a more western comic with an overweight Po getting to be a real hero in the end. The side characters Monkey, Snake, tiger, mantis and crane are based on the classic kung fu styles.



The movie brings about memories of Kung Fu Hustle (2004) and if you have enjoyed that Stephan Chow flick, you will definately have some fun in this movie. A clumsy hero coming good in the end, though predictable, is still worth watching for all the goof ups.

Women!!

Had a decent break after a long time as Big Boss is off on a vacation to Mauritius. Shorter days, easier deadlines, this is the life man. I am just hoping to Coast through to the weekend without nay major incident.

One observation that has really pissed me off the last couple of weeks. Women adjusting their clothes in my presence or rather trying to cover up in my presence. I never thought i looked lecherous and consciously try to avoid trying to look at cleavage. But no, women still have to adjust the neckline upwards in my presence. Damm it, women!! it is distracting.

A brief encounter with a confidence denter(ist)

I never understood how evolution did not eliminate the wisdom teeth. Could they just not drop in after 10 years instead of making a come back like that one drunk college night which your friends never forget to bring up each and every time.

Last saturaday, I turned up at the dentist to get the wisdom tooth on my left jaw removed. It appears to have been pushing in to the adjacent tooth causing decay. Serious advice, stay away from dentist. This creature managed to do in 5 minutes what I had not done since i watched "Bas itna sa kahab hai" in August, 2001. Cry out in pain!!! It involved incessant shoving, pushing, pulling and jerking my tooth with a instrument that i vaguely remember seeing in the saw series. Tooth doctor my fart!! pain doctor would be more appropriate. Gave a nice swell on the left side of my face which made even the changed the behavior of mumbai chicks. Previously they used to just look away, now they positively vomit at the very first look. Moreover, the gr8 sadist also handed me 5 poison pills to be had thrice a day. On top of it, i get to hear this "you were pretty brave. Come back next month. will pull out the right one". @#$!

Post after a long time

Its been more than an year and though i know not many read this blog, I would post one soon just to satisfy myself of having done something today.

The Kite runner and Shogun

Shogun happens to be the book I read almost 10 years ago. This is probably the first book which has some incisive observations about the Japanese culture. I do not know what is written is the book is true or more likely, a flight of imagination by the author, James Clavell. But I loved the Japanese as seen in 16th century Japan and I have been a fan of friction based in South East Asia.

So when I came across Sishir with a copy of Shogun, I was plesantly suprised. Further enquires revealed that it is part of series of 5 books. The next book in this series, Tai-pan, runs through a frictional account of the European traders involved in trade with China. James Clavell view about the integration between the west and the east with the political sub-text. Though the book was not as interesting as the Shogun, it was still a good read.

The kite runner is written by Khaled Hosseini, an American afghan. The story actually heart rending tale of a boy, Amir, in Afghanistan in the mid 70’s. Amir wants the approval of his father, who feels that his son spends too much time in his books and does not stand up for himself. Amir sees his opportunity in the kite flying competition to gain the love of his father. The last kite to be cut is seen as a trophy and he asks his childhood friend and ‘servant’ to get it for him. And then begins the tragedy. The story is also covers aspects as to how the Taliban had changed the Afgan society with emphasis on their cruel methods.

The Bartimaeus trilogy

An entertaining fantasy book at last. The last two harry potters were frankly dissapointing. As I said in my last post, the dijinni is really a great character. And fortunately, this book has none of the loose ends that have vexed me in Lord of the Rings. Most charcters have a complete ending though the ending actually is not as interesting as the journey itself. The tongue Bartimaeus has!!!!

Moreover, though the book carries parallels to current political move towards more obtrusive and spooking governments, it is not overwhelmed by it. The book thankfully never launches into a debate or a diatribe. Thats actually a reason why I hate Ayn rand books. You do not want to read 55 pages of some god forsaken speech(trust me, its very boring. In spite of claims by its fans of great philosophical insights, I stongly urge you to never touch a Ayn Rand).

Anyways, the second and thrid part, the Golem's eye and Ptolemy gate were worth the money. The gamble has actually paid off. A depressing day before the birthday might just have rewarded me with a great experience.

The Amulet of Samarkand

Djinnes(genies)!!!!!!!!!. The first genie book I have read and man, it just bowled me away. I brought the Amlut of Samarkand half afraid that it would be some kiddish book. Couldn't have been more wrong. The characterization of the genie is too good. Though it does mean that the magician though necessary is not a very interesting character. And the foot notes are full of sarcastic comments though it is pretty much kept in check. I have it when authors overload the books with sarcasm.


Now this is one book I can recommend to one and all. Unlike fooled by randomness which would be passing interest to a non-fin guy. And the book pushed into reading the second part of the trilogy, the Golems eye. Due to this book, i spend half the time in office dreaming when I could just run away home.

By the way, planning to start the driving classes soon. They are not as expensive as I thought it would be. That would take care of at least one of the targets before year end.