Green line, Seven Eleven
You stop in
For a pack of cigarettes
You don't smoke
Don't even want to
And now check you change
Dressed up like a car crash
The wheels are turning
But you're upside down
You say when he hits you
You don't mind
Because when he hurts you
You feel alive
Is that what it is?
Red light, grey morning
You stumble
Out of a hole in the ground
A vampire or a victim
It depends on who's around
You used to stay in
To watch the adverts
You could lip synch
To the talk shows
And if you look
You look through me
And when you talk
It's not to me
And when I touch you
You don't feel a thing
If I could stay
Then the night would give you up
Stay
Then the day would keep its trust
Stay and the night would be enough
Faraway, so close
Up with the static and the radio
With satellite television
You can go anywhere
Miami, New Orleans
London, Belfast and Berlin
And if you listen
I can't call
And if you jump
You just might fall
And if you shout
I'll only hear you
If I could stay
Then the night would give you up
Stay
Then the day would keep its trust
Stay
With the demons you drowned
Stay
With the spirits I found
Stay
And the night would be enough
Three o'clock in the morning
It's quiet and there's no one around
Just the bang and the clatter
As an angel runs to ground
Just the bang and the clatter
As an angel hits to ground
Friday, December 14
Thursday, December 6
You've got mail PMji
Kind attn : This post appeared verbatim in TheTimes Of India's Bangalore edition on 8th Dec 2007 on the edit page as one of the letters to the editor on pg. 22. 'The letter is titled PM has better things to do' although I emailed it with the same title as this blog.
Click here http://epaper.timesofindia.com to read my letter in the e-paper
With Anil Ambani and Mayawati both "dashing out" letters to the Prime Minister at the drop of a hat, one wonders if they feel the PM has nothing else to do all day but read their grievances. Agreed, the PMO's address is public information but such "dashes" from the influential (Anil has written three in 2 weeks) seem more like a show of power that they know people in high places than anything. Do they expect the PM to sit and kill competition or ban a Bollywood flick? If such trivial issues are brought to the PM's notice then we all might as well start writing about the daily commuting troubles we face.
Wednesday, November 28
Yet another blog on Sanjay Dutt's bail (re-worked)
News on Sanjay Dutt being granted bail was oh-so coming. My suspicion is that the SC might have taken public sympathy, pleading from INC president for her party MP's sibling, Sanjay's good behaviour, charity work (probation), possible losses to the film industry into account while letting him go - for the moment.I'm no legal eagle but on the face of it, the bail seems to be undeserving especially given the fact that he didn't even spend 2 years behind bars.
To me, the initial verdict seemed fair as it was an educative one and one that served as a warning to the public that one's status in society is immaterial when one has committed a crime. He was earlier given bail on grounds I don't know why but him having contacts with anti-nationals and that too during 'riot season' was reason enough to me for him to be sweating it out in jail.
His sentence given earlier this year too seemed fair - although it's severity seemed a tad harsh or atleast that was what the media thought. Solidarity shown by fellow actors and the film industry made me sick.
Interesting how the media widely covered his every trip to orphanages, trusts and temples while he awaited his sentence earlier this year. To me, Sanjay was running pillar to post to increase his Karma points in the public eye. Maybe he was attempting an image make-over. Come to think of it, his role as Munnabhai in the blockbuster movie also seemed like a step in that direction.
On this bail though, the CBI, whether under influence or not I don't know, said that it is not going to oppose bail petitions of those who were not a part of the "main conspiracy". With nobody contesting the bail, the possibility beckons that it may extend indefinitely. Basically, it's more or less concievable that it will be the last time Sanjay will ever be behind bars, at least relating to this incident which is disappointing since the case ran for almost 15 years and frustrated many including the city police, the Dutt family and the other co-accused who were sentenced along with Sanjay only for SC to set aside a lower court's sentence.
This anti-climactic sympathy was never coming. The very purpose of setting up ad-hoc courts for speedy trials is defeated and especially that which was deliberated over for almost a decade and a half.
I'd like to know what you guys think about this.
Tailpiece: I was amused on reading this line that appeared in Rediff - "The news of Sanjay Dutt's release on bail has come as a relief to producers of 'Mr Fraud', 'Kidnap'.." The titles of the movies made for a good laugh
His sentence given earlier this year too seemed fair - although it's severity seemed a tad harsh or atleast that was what the media thought. Solidarity shown by fellow actors and the film industry made me sick.
Interesting how the media widely covered his every trip to orphanages, trusts and temples while he awaited his sentence earlier this year. To me, Sanjay was running pillar to post to increase his Karma points in the public eye. Maybe he was attempting an image make-over. Come to think of it, his role as Munnabhai in the blockbuster movie also seemed like a step in that direction.
On this bail though, the CBI, whether under influence or not I don't know, said that it is not going to oppose bail petitions of those who were not a part of the "main conspiracy". With nobody contesting the bail, the possibility beckons that it may extend indefinitely. Basically, it's more or less concievable that it will be the last time Sanjay will ever be behind bars, at least relating to this incident which is disappointing since the case ran for almost 15 years and frustrated many including the city police, the Dutt family and the other co-accused who were sentenced along with Sanjay only for SC to set aside a lower court's sentence.
This anti-climactic sympathy was never coming. The very purpose of setting up ad-hoc courts for speedy trials is defeated and especially that which was deliberated over for almost a decade and a half.
I'd like to know what you guys think about this.
Tailpiece: I was amused on reading this line that appeared in Rediff - "The news of Sanjay Dutt's release on bail has come as a relief to producers of 'Mr Fraud', 'Kidnap'.." The titles of the movies made for a good laugh
Friday, November 16
Lo(w) main aagayaaa!
Lo and behold!
The winner of hurts, the ultimate in dim-wit humour, connoisseur of merriment, the (be)little master, the champion of the qwerty keyboard, the maverick writer, the un-shaven always-a-light-bearded dude who’s ongoing mission in life remains to “boldly go where no (wise) man has gone before >>> the barber”, the occasional janitor of his bathroom and the stuff dreams (the clean, dry ones) are made of, and lastly, the undisputed Bad-Shah of over-indulgence when it comes to using commas, quotes and parentheses to form long and reader un-friendly sentences is back to the un-real world of blogging hook line and sinker.
I thought it's high time I got back at.. err.. I mean got back 'to' all my readers who have stood by me through thick, thin and crap. My email has been flooded with requests for a new blog (I've made the above line bold so that you don't miss it.. afterall - IQ 150 hai bhai!!). Some have been really restrained in expressing their longing for new wisdom from yours truly. Readers, loyal and otherwise, are all puzzled by my conspicuous and high-profile absence. After reluctantly giving in to their pitiful pleading, I have decided to reveal the reasons for my long hiatus.
See, I have my plate full of heavy-dooty subjects like ‘Accounting’, ‘Marketing’, ‘Computer Applications’, ‘Economy’… where you’re given a free hand and a sudden divine right to act like you're in jargon-land where people frown at you when you indulge in loose, un-specific Gujju, Dalal street lingo like 'arre apro Mookes Omboni duniyo ne sabse omeer odmi ban gaya hai ne?’ instead of ‘Mukesh Ambani becomes the world’s richest man in terms of Market Capitalization! But if you want to sound atleast a little cool and veteran-ish with capital market terminologies, you should say market ‘cap’. (Hmph! In which other blogs will you get to read such not-so-obvious gyaan, huh? Bolo, bolo!) We are also taught computer application, statistics (which I am too keen on getting under after hearing that evergreen Sidhuism: 'Statistics are like a girls' skirt, they hide more than they reveal') and the last subject being ‘Organised crime’.. (again purposely commits a mistake so that he can use his favourite word >> ‘err’).. I mean ‘Organized Behaviour’ le! ('le' is, bytheway, a Kannada word for 're' in Marathi/Mumbaiyya, whatever. I've begun using it indiscriminately as if I was born in interior Belgavi and have been living in namma Bengaluru since the day I began thinking cool, which, needless to say was a long time ago). And since we have begun talking about Kannada, which I was going to come to sooner or later.. this being nanna blog afterall, I can proudly trumpet that I have working knowledge of it (working as in..it seems to be). Proper, methodical and unwavering guidance by my Kannada-speaking friends has resulted in me shamelessly enlightening simple, ignorant Kannadigas of the sheer magic of the plethora of abuses they are missing out on in their mother-tongue.
While I carry on with my mission, thou shall satiate thyself by intensely reading this blog over and over again till thou heart's content.
Till next timeth, I wish thee farewell.
The winner of hurts, the ultimate in dim-wit humour, connoisseur of merriment, the (be)little master, the champion of the qwerty keyboard, the maverick writer, the un-shaven always-a-light-bearded dude who’s ongoing mission in life remains to “boldly go where no (wise) man has gone before >>> the barber”, the occasional janitor of his bathroom and the stuff dreams (the clean, dry ones) are made of, and lastly, the undisputed Bad-Shah of over-indulgence when it comes to using commas, quotes and parentheses to form long and reader un-friendly sentences is back to the un-real world of blogging hook line and sinker.
I thought it's high time I got back at.. err.. I mean got back 'to' all my readers who have stood by me through thick, thin and crap. My email has been flooded with requests for a new blog (I've made the above line bold so that you don't miss it.. afterall - IQ 150 hai bhai!!). Some have been really restrained in expressing their longing for new wisdom from yours truly. Readers, loyal and otherwise, are all puzzled by my conspicuous and high-profile absence. After reluctantly giving in to their pitiful pleading, I have decided to reveal the reasons for my long hiatus.
See, I have my plate full of heavy-dooty subjects like ‘Accounting’, ‘Marketing’, ‘Computer Applications’, ‘Economy’… where you’re given a free hand and a sudden divine right to act like you're in jargon-land where people frown at you when you indulge in loose, un-specific Gujju, Dalal street lingo like 'arre apro Mookes Omboni duniyo ne sabse omeer odmi ban gaya hai ne?’ instead of ‘Mukesh Ambani becomes the world’s richest man in terms of Market Capitalization! But if you want to sound atleast a little cool and veteran-ish with capital market terminologies, you should say market ‘cap’. (Hmph! In which other blogs will you get to read such not-so-obvious gyaan, huh? Bolo, bolo!) We are also taught computer application, statistics (which I am too keen on getting under after hearing that evergreen Sidhuism: 'Statistics are like a girls' skirt, they hide more than they reveal') and the last subject being ‘Organised crime’.. (again purposely commits a mistake so that he can use his favourite word >> ‘err’).. I mean ‘Organized Behaviour’ le! ('le' is, bytheway, a Kannada word for 're' in Marathi/Mumbaiyya, whatever. I've begun using it indiscriminately as if I was born in interior Belgavi and have been living in namma Bengaluru since the day I began thinking cool, which, needless to say was a long time ago). And since we have begun talking about Kannada, which I was going to come to sooner or later.. this being nanna blog afterall, I can proudly trumpet that I have working knowledge of it (working as in..it seems to be). Proper, methodical and unwavering guidance by my Kannada-speaking friends has resulted in me shamelessly enlightening simple, ignorant Kannadigas of the sheer magic of the plethora of abuses they are missing out on in their mother-tongue.
While I carry on with my mission, thou shall satiate thyself by intensely reading this blog over and over again till thou heart's content.
Till next timeth, I wish thee farewell.
Friday, July 20
Girls outshine boys !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thaaaats rrrrriighhtt! Lay-dees and Genital-men, the much awaited nerve racking, nail biting and dandruff inhibiting results of 'bloodyimportantexam' are out and once again the XX chromosomes have come out trumps in the battle of the sexes which the helpless boys weren't aware had begun. Banners in almost every one penny, two penny newspaper read 'Girls outshine Boys!' some even had sub-titles which read 'this is really good for boys' self esteem' or 'serves you beasts right, ha!'. Technically speaking, they are spot on. Being the fairer sex, girls have the natural advantage of reflecting white light off their skin better than boys. Therefore no objection to the act of "outshining" that girls have managed to perform. The "outshined" boys, especially those who aspired to enter the field of journalism, have now learned their lessons and have come to understand that true gender equality lies in coming up with headlines that demean their own kind and create a gender war. hmph..kids these days, I tell you..so naive!Friday, June 8
TING TONG!
In case you forgot, let me joggle your memory about something relevant.
Our government is involved in a peace process (an irreversible one..remember?) with an arch enemy - Pakistan. Yes, we're still "at it". A visit by our PM to Pakistan for talks is due and has long been so. Reports suggest he might not do so this year given the situation over there.
Representatives of both sides have held four rounds of talks/discussions so far. The last one was held in January in Islamabad. At the end of each round the same hackneyed statement emerges "Talks were held in a friendly atmosphere..both sides have agreed in principle to continue discussing..the dates for the next round of talk will be finalised soon"
In case you forgot, since the peace process began in January 2004 leave alone that of the proprietorship of the valley, even comparatively smaller bones of contention don't appear close to resolution.
Siachen where hundreds of our Jawans and theirs brave the sub zero climate to guard their parts of a lifeless barren piece of frozen water! Sustaining such numbers in these altitudes costs a fortune; substantial amounts of public money is needlessly spent and continues to be spent as defence allocation keeps increasing with each passing year (a 11% increase compared to last year).
Sir Creek - one where both sides can't seem to agree to a common map even. Both countries tussle like all the gas reserves of the world are hidden beneath the creek. Even the joint survey which was recently concluded could not produce a breakthrough during last month's talks.
Transfer of prisoners - some who have unknowingly strayed across the border or who are mistaken for spies still languish in jails. Every round of talks raises expectations of the relatives of those prisoners and at the end of it disappoints them.
The sole exception being the Baglihar dam which wasn't really mutually solved, mind you. Both sides agreed to the UN appointed arbitrator's verdict.
Our Jawans of the army,upwards of 5 lakh in the valley alone,and paramilitary still patrol the LOC day in and day out and continue combing the streets of Kashmier to flush out insurgents/freedom fighters/whatever you call them. Life hasn't gotten any easier for them since the 6th of Januray 2004 has it? The always-in-the-news,never ending army excesses and human rights abuses are a direct fallout of the prolonged and forced stay of our Jawans in the valley coupled with the sweeping powers it is provided with by the dreaded AFSPA.
As for the valley, President Musharraf's four point formula - which experts see as a climb down or softening of Pakistan's stand on Kashmier, has faded from public memory. My prediction is that the UPA will drag its feet as long as it can so long as the 2009 Lok Sabha elections are some time away and when the elections start nearing, it (UPA)will speed up the negotiations with the other side and also wax about how it has succeeded in the peace process with Pak in its election campaigns. Acting on expected lines, some sections of our media too are helping the govt. find reasons to be unhappy with Pakistan. An exercise in brain washing is proceeding and has been for a while now, not just in demonising Pakistan but also China. It is not for no reason that the Pakistanis (government officials as well as media) view Indian press as biased and pro-establishment. It seems to be in our govt's interests to buy time and do as little as it can do stall the stagnating peace process. Urgency will only kick in once the summer of 2009 approaches.
Till then though, we shall continue to "do the rounds"
Our government is involved in a peace process (an irreversible one..remember?) with an arch enemy - Pakistan. Yes, we're still "at it". A visit by our PM to Pakistan for talks is due and has long been so. Reports suggest he might not do so this year given the situation over there.
Representatives of both sides have held four rounds of talks/discussions so far. The last one was held in January in Islamabad. At the end of each round the same hackneyed statement emerges "Talks were held in a friendly atmosphere..both sides have agreed in principle to continue discussing..the dates for the next round of talk will be finalised soon"
In case you forgot, since the peace process began in January 2004 leave alone that of the proprietorship of the valley, even comparatively smaller bones of contention don't appear close to resolution.
Siachen where hundreds of our Jawans and theirs brave the sub zero climate to guard their parts of a lifeless barren piece of frozen water! Sustaining such numbers in these altitudes costs a fortune; substantial amounts of public money is needlessly spent and continues to be spent as defence allocation keeps increasing with each passing year (a 11% increase compared to last year).
Sir Creek - one where both sides can't seem to agree to a common map even. Both countries tussle like all the gas reserves of the world are hidden beneath the creek. Even the joint survey which was recently concluded could not produce a breakthrough during last month's talks.
Transfer of prisoners - some who have unknowingly strayed across the border or who are mistaken for spies still languish in jails. Every round of talks raises expectations of the relatives of those prisoners and at the end of it disappoints them.
The sole exception being the Baglihar dam which wasn't really mutually solved, mind you. Both sides agreed to the UN appointed arbitrator's verdict.
Our Jawans of the army,upwards of 5 lakh in the valley alone,and paramilitary still patrol the LOC day in and day out and continue combing the streets of Kashmier to flush out insurgents/freedom fighters/whatever you call them. Life hasn't gotten any easier for them since the 6th of Januray 2004 has it? The always-in-the-news,never ending army excesses and human rights abuses are a direct fallout of the prolonged and forced stay of our Jawans in the valley coupled with the sweeping powers it is provided with by the dreaded AFSPA.
As for the valley, President Musharraf's four point formula - which experts see as a climb down or softening of Pakistan's stand on Kashmier, has faded from public memory. My prediction is that the UPA will drag its feet as long as it can so long as the 2009 Lok Sabha elections are some time away and when the elections start nearing, it (UPA)will speed up the negotiations with the other side and also wax about how it has succeeded in the peace process with Pak in its election campaigns. Acting on expected lines, some sections of our media too are helping the govt. find reasons to be unhappy with Pakistan. An exercise in brain washing is proceeding and has been for a while now, not just in demonising Pakistan but also China. It is not for no reason that the Pakistanis (government officials as well as media) view Indian press as biased and pro-establishment. It seems to be in our govt's interests to buy time and do as little as it can do stall the stagnating peace process. Urgency will only kick in once the summer of 2009 approaches.
Till then though, we shall continue to "do the rounds"
Wednesday, May 2
hmph 2
Dave Matthews Band - Satellite
Click the first video on the right
Satellite in my eyes
Like a diamond in the sky
How I wonder.
Satellite strung from the moon
And the world your balloon
Peeping tom for the mother station
Winters cold spring erases
And the calm away by the storm is chasing
Everything good needs replacing
Look up, look down all around, hey satellite
Satellite, headlines read
Someones secrets youve seen
Eyes and ears have been
Satellite dish in my yard
Tell me more, tell me more
Whos the king of your satellite castle?
Winters cold spring erases
And the calm away by the storm is chasing
Everything good needs replacing
Look up, look down all around, hey satellite
Rest high above the clouds no resrictions
Television we bounce round the world
And while I spend these hours
Five senses reeling,
I laugh about the weathermans satellite eyes.
Satellite in my eyes
Like a diamond in the sky
How I wonder.
Satellite strung from the moon
And the world your balloon
Peeping tom for the mother station
Winters cold spring erases
And the calm away by the storm is chasing
Everything good needs replacing
Look up, look down all around, hey satellite
Rest high above the clouds no restrictions
Television you bounce from the world
And while I spend these hours
Five senses reeling
I laugh about this world in my satellite eyes.
Click the first video on the right
Satellite in my eyes
Like a diamond in the sky
How I wonder.
Satellite strung from the moon
And the world your balloon
Peeping tom for the mother station
Winters cold spring erases
And the calm away by the storm is chasing
Everything good needs replacing
Look up, look down all around, hey satellite
Satellite, headlines read
Someones secrets youve seen
Eyes and ears have been
Satellite dish in my yard
Tell me more, tell me more
Whos the king of your satellite castle?
Winters cold spring erases
And the calm away by the storm is chasing
Everything good needs replacing
Look up, look down all around, hey satellite
Rest high above the clouds no resrictions
Television we bounce round the world
And while I spend these hours
Five senses reeling,
I laugh about the weathermans satellite eyes.
Satellite in my eyes
Like a diamond in the sky
How I wonder.
Satellite strung from the moon
And the world your balloon
Peeping tom for the mother station
Winters cold spring erases
And the calm away by the storm is chasing
Everything good needs replacing
Look up, look down all around, hey satellite
Rest high above the clouds no restrictions
Television you bounce from the world
And while I spend these hours
Five senses reeling
I laugh about this world in my satellite eyes.
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