Friendship

I was reading the Girl with a Dragon Tattoo and there I found one quote regarding what Friendship is according to Mikael Blomkvist

“Friendship- my definition- is built on two things. Respect and trust. Both elements have to be there. And it has to be mutual. You can have respect for someone, but if you don't have trust, the friendship will crumble.”

So true..Once the trust is broken you cant go back to being again the buddies you were used to be.Even if you have forgiven and forgotten the past its really difficult to put your 100% trust in that person ever again.

I think this quote not just applies to Friends but in any relationship....

It - Stephen King

OK so to set the context of the blog, this is about the Book I read last week. Its Stephen King's 'It'. Now being a Book worm its weird that how I didn't stumble on Stephen King sooner. Sure I have heard about him and sure sometimes I had thought of starting to read him but the push never came, until last week. My friend told me I have to read Stephen King and he suggested 'The Shining' and later once I promptly finished it reading, he suggested I read 'It'

I was not very thrilled with the name of the book.so I stalled a bit. But when I saw the cover of the book something stirred into the Memory and I ran to Wiki to confirm my suspicions and voila, this book rights were taken by United Studios Ltd and they made a series in Hindi called 'Woh' which used to run on Zee TV when I was in school

Book Cover of It (Courtesy Google)

TV Series Woh (Courtesy Google)

Now I loved that series and I couldn't help but to start the book and eat it like worm. The novel didn't disappoint me (at least not till the end) and hats off to King for building the story slowly, painstakingly. Layer by Layer making sure you don't get bored and you get spooked well enough.

I don't remember much of the series i.e. how it ends (they Indianised in the end and it became a typical Horror show somehow).But I do remember that me and my friend used to get freaked out after every episode and whenever the Clown used to come we couldn't help but cover our eyes

This got me thinking..as in why that Clown was so scary than many of the so called 'Horror Shows' that were going on at that time or even today.After thinking and reading the book and encountering 'Pennywise the Dancing Clown' I know why I used to be scared of him or still am

The other Horror shows do have lots of sound effects, gruesome makeup using lots of ketchup, potato peels and may be Multani Mitti ;) but deep down we know that this is not real. These kind of creatures we haven't seen personally and hence say may be don't exist. But the Clown, so normal, so real and so much part of your childhood, grips your heart that much tightly. And this commonness that gives the clown so much deadly power. As a kid clowns are our friends and clowns are considered harmless and even say dumb may be. And hence Seeing/reading about this Clown who terrorises the kids definitely evoke more fear in me.

Back to the book. I believe King has such good insight into Child psychology. He has portrayed the 7 kids with so much details and clarity. He has described their background, their passions, fears and insecurities so powerfully that u cant help but go yourself into the story and be part of their life. He has also bridged the gap between the two time periods when the kids come back again to Derry as grownups to finish It. The book is huge and even if I read whenever I got time like in auto, during calls, office hours, at home while eating breakfast, even while exercising i finished it in 5 days.

I was let down by the end. Not because its bad but because its not as good as the complete build up of the story

Overall I think 'It' now has become one of my most Fev books.

A warning don't read King's books if you are Home alone. The shining also is similar and some day I will write about that book as well.

Now You're Just somebody I used to Know!!!

You are right. I am referring to the Goyte's most recent song which has taken the music world by storm. I was introduced to this song by a dear friend. He told me that he has become addicted to this song and when Goyte won the Grammy's for the same my curiosity was piped.

This song talks about the guy's and girl's version of a break up. The guy originally thought that whatever I say and do the girl will not leave me. Or even if I break up with her I will be fine. On the other hand the girl thinks that he is a manipulator. He takes her for granted and always makes her feel that its her fault. So one fine day she leaves and never looks back. Now the guy is hurt because she treats him as stranger and don't even acknowledges what they have shared.

I feel so connected to this song. I feel that in any broken or unhappy relationship it always happen that one person cares too much and other cares too little. And as my friend put it, guys do have big ego so it becomes difficult for them to say sorry most of the times. The guy in this song too blames everything on the girl and now lament that she has become a stranger.

Whatever it is but I do agree with him regarding the 'closure'. In any relationship there cannot be a clean break. Its not something that u can just throw off. I feel that it needs to have a proper end. It always happens that one party gets more hurt in the process and though the person wont understand it at that time, will always be grateful for the closure in long run.

In any case people drift apart later and move on but if the closure is not there, the hurt and hope always remains which makes difficult for that person to move on is what i feel.

Anyways here are the lyrics of the song

Now and then I think of when we were together
Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
I told myself that you were right for me
But felt so lonely in your company
But that was love and it's an ache I still remember

You can get addicted to a certain kinda sadness
Like resignation to the end, always the end
So when we found that we could not make sense
Well you said that we would still be friends
But I'll admit that I was glad that it was over

But you didn't have to cut me off
Make it like it never happened and that we were nothing
I don't even need your love, but you treat me like a stranger
And that feels so rough

No, you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records
And then change your number
Guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over
But had me believin it was always something that I'd done

But I don't wanna live that way
Reading into every word you say
You said that you could let it go
And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know-oh-oh

But you didn't have cut me off
Make it like it never happened and that we were nothing (oh)
I don't even need your love, but you treat me like a stranger
and that feels so rough

(oh)

No, you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect you records
And then change your number (oh)
Guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

Somebody that I used to know
Somebody (now your just somebody that I used to know)
That I used to know
Somebody that I used to know
Somebody (somebody) (now your just somebody that I used to know)
That I used to know

I used to know
That I used to know
I used to know
Somebody

So they now have just 'Become stragers who share same memories'

10 Things - I hate About You

I know its been a while I have been here to talk to you. (This I am saying to my blog) but the best thing is you never crib about it. Thats why I like you best. Anyways I promise I will try to be more active going forward. It just that its so hard to find motivation to get out of the stupor and do something different than a routine. So here is the plan. I will write something atleast once a week and we call it the '10 Things' Series. Its a deal

So today I wanted to write about the Poem '10 Things I hate about you' Its from the movie with the same name. This movie is a Romantic comedy based on shakespeare's book The Taming of the Shrew and has two of my fev actors. Heath Ladger and Julia stiles

I keep having flashes of this movie at odd times. and since last couple of weeks i keep thinking more and more about it. May be because I was watching Dexter season 5 which has Julia Stiles as guest star and this season is amazing. But later on dexter. That will require a dedicated post

So in the end of this movie Julia recites a poem for heath's character. Its mentioned below. I thought with this peom I will start the second journey on the blog

I hate the way you talk to me,

and the way you cut your hair.

I hate the way you drive my car,

I hate it when you stare.

I hate your big dumb combat boots

and the way you read my mind.

I hate you so much it makes me sick,

it even makes me rhyme.

I hate the way you’re always right,

I hate it when you lie.

I hate it when you make me laugh,

even worse when you make me cry.

I hate it when you’re not around,

and the fact that you didn’t call.

But mostly I hate the way I don’t hate you,

not even close…

not even a little bit…

not even at all.

Where is our sense of responsibility!!!!!!!!!!!

I have stopped being appalled at the way we Indians neglect to follow and respect rules. But in last two days experienced and heard such mundane everyday things which really shook me up.

• Incident 1 : This was an experience of a friend. He was going on a small road or galli in Pune. He comes near a road crossing. Since bus was going the person in front of him stopped, so he stopped and suddenly realised that the bikewala has dashed him from behind. Now this is a very common occurrence in Pune as everybody is in so much hurry to pay attention to road. Anyways when my friend complained to the guy the answer that guy gave was mind blowing. He said 'Cant you see in your Mirror I am coming from Behind!!!!!!" I mean he doesn't want to look ahead while driving or be careful but the person in front of him should be careful to look ahead as well as behind.
• Incident 2 : This happened during our team discussion. Some of the guys were planning to go to a movie yesterday to E-Square.Its a multiplex near our office and the discussion was to decide whether all of them take their individual bikes or come back to office to collect vehicles after movie.One of the teammate, a lady said we should take bikes as nahi to wrong side se wapas office aana padega.All of us got surprised. Some of us immediately doubted our knowledge of the road. Then when we said to her that even if u are going directly home you will have to go ahead in opposite side to take a U-Turn (There is no immediate road to go back to Aundh/Baner. U need to go half a kilo meter ahead and then take a U turn) So she calmly mentioned that hum hamesha wrong side se hi jaate hai..usame kya hai.
• Incident 3 : This happened today when i came to office. In our basement lift we 2-3 people got in press the floor number and stood behind. The fourth person got in and after pressing floor immediately hit the button to close the lift door. There were 2 people still standing out trying to come in. No its not like the lift was full or something. He just hit it with reflex.

All these incidents show me that we have totally lost our sense of responsibility. These are very minor examples and i don't even want to go into to corruption, crimes etc. That's too big a thing. But these above examples show that we don't care about any other person (if not in immediate circle), We don't care about our own safety and are least bothered or even contemptuous of others. We don't even realise we are not following a proper decorum or rule. I mean where we get lost in the proper of Indian evolution. How can we become so thick skinned, so irresponsible.

Previously to justify this people used to say that since not many people are educated this is happening but above all three examples show the people who are educated and working professional behaving this way. So now the excuse of not being educated is also gone from our hands. How will we justify this behaviour?

I feel helpless. I feel I am leaving in a jungle where I am become endangered species.

Sholay.....Bus Naam Hi Kaafi Hai

Today When I was surfing the channels in morning when I caught a flash on Zee Cinema that Sholay will come at 9 PM today. From that time onward it was constantly at the back of my mind and I suffered even 20 mins of "Aan Men at work" so as not to miss  it

This Movie has always been special. The first I heard about this movie was its dialogues  By the time I saw this movie (I was around 8 years old) all the dialogues with background music were much jubani yaad. But with all these dialogues and my love for them, the hype around this movie was too much and when I saw it I was disappointed. I don't know why I didn't like it. But then when I grew up and saw it again I was hooked.

I cannot still believe how there are some people who haven't scene this movie. One of my roommates (this was back in 2006) hadn't seen this movie So when it was coming up she and me sat to watch it. Suddenly after half n hour she just stormed out of the room. I was perplexed and didn't know what just happened. When I went after her and asked her whats wrong, she said that she didn't wanted to watch the movie with me prompting. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry co I never had realized that I was saying each and every dialogue before. Finally I convinced her to come back out again and see the movie. After that I had a hard time to stop muttering even a single line :D

The dialogues are just too good.'Tumhara Naam kya hai Basanti', 'Loha garam hai maar do hathoda', 'Kitane aadami the', 'Holy Kab Hai' and so on..If I start putting down all of them I think I will ran out of space.

So you must have got the gist. I think when you say Bollywood, Sholay, Gabbar, Amitabh are the few things that quickly flashes in my mind.

I still don't know what was the main reason of the success of this film. Its story, Dialogues  Star cast. Everything was at its perfect place. Even the supporting cast was spot on. Surama Bhopali, Angrezon ke jamane ke jailour, Immam sahib, mausiji, ramlaal, samba have been immortalized along with Gabbar, Jai, Veeru, Thakur Saab, Radha, Basanti. Even Dhanno was famous.

All in all an amazing film. I still cant get enough of it and I think I should get back to watching it.

Courtesy - Google

P.S. I love the mouth organ tune which Amitabh Plays. The effect of night, with mountains in distance and Jaya Bacchan putting the lights off one by one in big haveli is just too good. Its such a haunting melody. Its so sad and peaceful at the same time. I had this tune for a long time as my ringtone. Sadly when I lost my phone its gone. Trying real hard to get it back. Currently making do with the title sound track :P

My Homage to Andy Roddick

Before I imprinted (this term the Twihards will know the most) on Roger Federer, I was madly in love with Andy Roddick. I was bowled over by his boyish charms and his witty answers to each and everyone.

I was distraught for Roddick when he lost the first Semi final in Wimbledon (first of the many matches that came later) to his nemesis Roger in 2003. I was heartbroken for him. I even though who is this Federer guy. How dare he beat Andy (Can u believe it?). But the final of 2003 turned it totally around. I am digressing here. Though I still cant think about anyone who can rule my heart from tennis fraternity the way Federer does, I still cant forget my first love. They say that first love is always the most cherished memory and I agree.

Why I was drawn to Andy Roddick is a mystery to me. His original game was centred mostly around his Booming Serve and intimidating opponents. His initial play was centred on being stayed at Baseline and sometimes serve and volleying to get quick points. This is not my type of play honestly. But something about Roddick always lingered on in mind even after the game. Over the period of the decade, he has continuously improved his game to suite the new emerging style of play. Along with Federer, he is the only player to have stayed in top 10 for 9 consecutive years. That's a big big achievement.

A-Rod as he is affectionately called many times, is known for his On-Court tantrums as well. He has  to his name some famous melt downs and verbal abuses to the umpires. This is the only thing that's like a dark mark on his tennis career. Sometimes his body language is so childlike when he is losing a match as if he gives a Da*mn about the outcome. because of this he can come across as giving up on the matches. But that's one of the big misconception about him. Of the court he is always witty, sometimes taking the press off guard with outrageous answers. He is famous for doing imitations of Djokovic, Hewitt, Sharapova and Serena Williams.

They say he is unlucky as he is born in the era where Federer is playing and they have an ounce of truth in it. Except the 2003 US Open final which he won(Not Against Roger), all the other 4 GS finals he played 2004,2005,2009 Wimbledon and 2006 US Open, his path was blocked by Roger. I wont even go to the 2009 Wimbledon final. I think that was the only final I would have been OK with If Roger would have lost.

You would have imagined that this would turn him into Roger's biggest hater in the world but on the other hand these two share a rare camaraderie. Roddick defended Roger vehemently in 2008 which was the most disappointing season for Roger according to many people. He said "You guys are brutal. Absolutely brutal. The guy has only made two Grand Slam finals this year. I would love his bad year. I would love it."

I had a privilege to take see him twice in 2009. Once when we were roaming around in Paris, he came across the road walking. Unfortunately we were resting that time and by the time I got up and ran he was already gone. I tried to shout  "Andy" but I was too speechless to make any sound.

This is the most I could Capture Andy In Paris

Second time I was more lucky. In 2009 Barclay's ATP Masters in London, Roddick had to withdrew due to the knee injury but he came to watch a match in the O2 Arena. When people recognised him in the stands many of us queued up for his autograph. and I got it :)

Finally Got an Autograph

So you must have got the point from all my blabbering that Andy Roddick holds a special place in my heart. When he declared he will be retiring after this year's US open, I was sad and teary eyed like him and his numerous fans. He has carried the burden of being America's top Tennis Men's player for too long. He is the most under appreciated player in tennis I believe.

Andy Wishing you all the best for your future and I am going to really miss you..Though I did not love you as you deserved nonetheless you have always been part of my love for Tennis. After you are gone, that part will remain unoccupied and that void will always remain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!