True Dat..

When God solves your problems, you have faith in his abilities.

When he does not solve your problems, he has faith in your abilities

Nuff Said

"In the closet? Dude, he's so deep in the closet, he's finding Christmas presents".

George Parr: Making sense of it all

The Last Laugh - George Parr - Subprime
by erioluk

Currently Sampling: Yuvvraaj

I'm ensconced. That's all I can say. Some of the tracks are so overwhelming and unique, that it may take a while to digest. The union of Ghai and Rahman has always yielded something unprecedented (there is yet no Bollywood parallel to Ramta Jogi or the Western Version of Taal).

So far, the stand-out track for me is "Manmohini". Rendered by new-name Vijay Prakash, who sounds like a blend of Hariharan and Shankar Mahadevan. The song is mellow yet trippy - very world lounge with a distinct classical base, and an interesting beat pattern. Seems like it would mix really well with No Letting Go by Wayne Wonder - especially the opening Dhoom Tana sample.

Very unlike conventional Rahman, as it has a very nouveau-ambient feel with touches of electronica, but I guess he's forever evolving and how. While I haven't formed a comprehensive opinion on it (and I gladly have nearly a month before I review this one), the sound is revolutionarily fresh - a real trip.

Who the heck is Joe?

Joe Six-Pack? Joe The Plumber?

Pray tell - who is Joe, and why is he so popular amongst the nominees?

Grinds My Gears...

To quote a post by Amardeep (Sepia Mutiny)

"The LA Times has a rather silly piece, where they interview “body language” experts on yesterday’s Presidential debate. The highlight for me was this little bit about pronunciation:

But Glass, who thought the debate was a draw, said Obama seemed unnatural at times. “Somebody coached him and did not do him a favor,” she said. “When he talks about an issue he’s passionate about, his gestures are fluid and real, but other times, he took his index finger and clasped it to his thumb, and it’s phony, it’s not real.”
She also thought his inflection might be a turn-off to some voters. “He’d say, ‘Pahk-ee-stahn,’ or ‘Tolly-bahn.’ You need to say Pakistan and Taliban like everyone else.” (link)

Um, is it possible he pronounces it correctly because… it’s actually the correct pronunciation?

Some bloggers over at the National Review’s “The Corner” have picked up on this as well (thanks for the tip, Sree):

The National Review’s Mark Stein, for example, said that Obama prefers the “exotic pronunciation.” He added, “[O]ne thing I like about Sarah Palin is the way she says ‘Eye-raq’.”
This came after the National Review’s Kathryn Jean Lopez posted an email that argued, “[N]o one in flyover country says Pock-i-stahn. It’s annoying.” (link)

Actually, I know plenty of people in certain “flyover countries” — i.e., in the Indian subcontinent — who pronounce it exactly that way.

Welcome to the United States of Stupidistan, folks. "

Got Digits?

1133 Sixth Avenue, New York City: The national debt clock had to add an extra digit on Wednesday, as the number inched ahead of US$10 Trillion. At least there's ONE economic metric that's growing.

Finding Humor in Havoc

Drift away...

There have been very few "Ae Ajnabi"s in Bollywood. Mellow, slow, long numbers that attain cult status. Caravan from the s/t of "Hello" is potentially one such drifter/nomadic/long drive to nowhere-type track. Voiced by the prolific Shafquat Amanat Ali Khan. Yenjoy.

Eye-Rack

In the well-globalized world that we live in, and with the clear de-centralization of America from centerstage, isn't it about time that candidates start to pronounce foreign countries and world leaders names correctly? American English is no international patois, no more.

Without doubt, Sarah Palin is the new Dan Quayle.

What a kindergarten debate!

Boy, they "dumbed" it down for her, didn't they? Where was the challenge? Why didn't anyone tell Palin that she didn't "answer" several of the questions? Palin was all gimmicks, to say the least. If only this was a debate for picking a host for "Farmer Wants a Wife: The Anchorage Edition". Not at a VP debate, for crying out loud.

In other news, why am I complaining? I can't even vote. Bah.

Go Nucular!

Debate started off pretty sober, but has picked up in its intensity once key questions (foreign policy, war spending, and I wonder why this is still a burning issue in the 21st century - but - gay marriage).

Biden's definitely coming across more "presidential". I love the questionable smile when Sarah Palin makes a directed remark.

Palin seems more like she's calming an argument at a sorority sister's reunion. Her rhetoric is so "he-said-she-said". Usage of words like "soccer moms" and "joe-six-pack" do not make you a people person, lady. She reminds me of Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde, but at least Reese came across smart at the end.

Tina Fey for Vice President!

A Wednesday

A well-paced and well-timed thriller. Its about time that Bollywood came up with a crisp, real-time edge-of-your-seater (a la Speed or Phone Booth).

The gripping aura of terrorism has become a universal and widespread "movie thriller premise " now. Quite like "serial killers" back in the 90s.

If this is an original story, it is undoubtedly a great concept. In terms of handling, the run-up to the climax could have been more effective and subtle, post revelation of the twist. The dialogue between Anupam Kher and Naseeruddin Shah could have been more impactful. But that's just nitpicking, as the effort is more than laudable.

Naseeruddin Shah is world class in a subdued and effective performance. More short and well-scripted thrillers, Bollywood!

New Age-Hindi

Shantanu Moitra has really hit the nail on the head, with this subtle, beautiful ballad, unassumingly found on the soundtrack of Welcome to Sajjanpur (haan, babua! kaa samjhe?). The omnipresent Mohit Chauhan who has apparently vowed to be on every Hindi soundtrack ever made, accompanies Madhushree on "Ek Meetha Marz Dene", which really grows on you after a few listens.

 

I don't think I would be exaggerating, if I would call this one of the sweetest composed/rendered ballads of '08.

In other news, the bailout bill is out. If you can't access it, try again later - the government financial services site may have crashed due to unprecedented usage - a sign of things to come, I guess ;-)

Be careful what you wish for...

... 'cuz you just might get it all. Did I call it, or did I call it? :-)

 

Thanks for the tip there, nbanad!

In other news, just got back from Burn After Reading. The Coens rule!

Je vous en prie

Commercial cinema is overrated. Switch to lndies! Well, with the exception of curious spectacles like Burn After Reading, which I can't wait to watch btw, Indies are where its at. Foreign indies, especially.

Back in 2006, this gorgeous, gorgeous French/English (Finglish?) movie called "Paris, Je T'aime" came by, featuring a smorgasbord of cast members ranging from amateurs to legends (Steve Buscemi, Juliette Binoche, Natalie Portman, Nick Nolte, Maggie Gyllenhaal). The movies format was Dus Kahaaniyaan-ish, with 18 separate "arrondissements". Thematically, the movie explores the emotions of love, but all of them set in the legendary city of Paris. With some shorts directed by established directors (The Coens, Gus Van Sant, Gerard Depardieu, Gurinder Chadha), this movie is highly recommended for those who love this format of film-making - i.e. a collection of short, touching tales that make you think.

Absolutely heartwarming.

In other news, would love to see someone make this kinda movie in NYC.

Looking Good

Really liking this new track from Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion (Salim-Suleiman's music). Reminds me a lot of Zara Zara. Brilliant arrangement, and the low register female vocals with classical touches are nicely done! Enjoy!

In other news, also check out "Kuch Khaas" (Mohit Chauhan and Neha "Viva" Bhasin) from the same album.

For a movie...

... that truly speaks of the power of human spirit.

Highly, highly recommended viewing.

 

Telling it like it is....

A couple of classic Warren-isms, from the greatest investor out there.

• "[Gold] gets dug out of the ground in Africa, or someplace. Then we melt it down, dig another hole, bury it again and pay people to stand around guarding it. It has no utility. Anyone watching from Mars would be scratching their head."
  • Warren Buffet, Harvard, 1998

 

• "After all, you only find out who was swimming naked, once the tide goes out"
• Warren Buffet, Charman's Letter, 2001

 

• Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.
• As quoted in The Real Warren Buffett : Managing Capital, Leading People (2002) by James O'Loughlin

"I'm a PC ... and a human being..."

"Not a human doing. Not a human thinking .... a human being".

Oh Dr. Deepak Chopra. If I could only learn your art of making millions out of the verbal cattle dung that you spew to this gullible world. You are truly a visionary. Ka-ching!