Sporadic

No specific subject just passing thoughts, questions, my views and my way of seeing things. Its been quite a long absence from my blog and reasons for it have been several. My laziness tops them all followed by my inability to concentrate and think of a subject on which I wanna write. Many topics flash but just that none make it to the ms word. And so I thought why not pen a kaleidoscope of various things that I had been wanting to write but couldn’t make one single blog.

Like a new trend of movies where they show multiple stories and weave them like beads in one thread, I tried to give the same a shot. Need to see how’s the response from my couple of readers gonna be????

Piracy

This is my most recent topic of interest when I heard one of the newly released movie’s producer jailing someone for piracy. And then my brain started taking its course on this not so relevant topic, and I asked for myself why Piracy? Yes I watch movies online that surely are not the legal copies, and enjoy them no matter how bad the print is. Let it be blurred, let it have visions of people buying popcorns, seeing someone enter the theater late in the movie, see numerous shadows, added soundtracks of whistles, claps, hootings, children crying, seeing people get up and move around, and also see the constantly shaking camera never focused on the screen. I do because I feel that it’s not worth paying Rs.100 – 350 for a movie and watch it in a theater. I am a ordinary person and it pinches me to spend so much for movie tickets and an extra Rs.70 – 100 on extra fillings like popcorn and drinks. This was my situation in Bangalore, where there are either multiplexes or tents. There is nothing for an ordinary middle class – upper middle class, and yes I feel its expensive and ridiculous. Why will the aam janata in Bangalore want to spend so much for a 3 hrs of entertainment when he can possibly take his family out for a lunch with the same amount that he pays for a ticket?

In contrast to this city like Hyderabad has awesome theaters with AC and dolby digital sound system for just Rs.40 per ticket for balcony. This is the highest in a theater and the lowest price can go upto Rs 10 for benches. This means that anyone from a auto rickshaw driver to a beggar to middle class and upper middle class families can enjoy movies in a theater with their entire family and still feel good about it.  I haven’t been to any other city and so cant comments or compare it to Bangalore. Bangalore has become a hub only for multiplexes and seems like it caters only to IT Professional who earns a bomb every month. So I feel that the lack of infrastructure is a reason for people like me to opt for Pirated version of movies. I too am an IT professional and it surely hurts my pocket when I have to shell close to 400 Rs for a ticket.  We go to shows that start at 10 to get tickets on discounted prices. By the way some theaters which screen only one show and are in the center of the city charge no less that in the Multiplex. Basically the trend I see is that single theaters have washed away giving way to the new age Multiplexes.

My view – Multiplex owners make the prices low and u will earn more profits.

The determination guilt

The other day I was in the gym panting and puffing my heart on the treadmill, gasping for some oxygen and profusely sweating, and just on the other treadmill was an old man, about 60 – 65 yrs of age speeding on the machine at the same speed as me and being completely normal. Not a sign of tiredness did I spot and he just went on and on with complete focus unlike me who kept taking regular long breaks. I timed him and saw that he ran for about 30 min non-stop at close to 5.5 mph and stopped only after the 30 min session was completed. I was wonder stuck and wanted to know what energy drink he was having so that I could try out the same. And then we spoke, he said – “Hi”, in reply I said a “Hi” with my voice hardly audible in between of the sooper loud panting. I said – “You have a great stamina”. He said quite slowly, wiping his sweat – “Thanks, it comes with practice”. Now I got curious and that time my tongue hardly stays in my mouth – I bounced back asking – how do u do that? What’s the mantra? He gave a smile – which I interpreted as you Indians are so so curious about knowing things and trying to see how you could copy it… He said – “I have a goal, and treat myself everytime I reach it.” Now it got me even more excited and curious to know what was the goal and more than that what was the treat.. . He said – “If I go to the gym and do a 30 min exercise for 3 days continuously, I treat myself on the end of the 3^rd day with a glass of wine, or a pastry, or even an awesome dinner. This way I keep myself motivated and on the goal. I then take a day off and start my next 3 day regime. This goes on and I have been doing it for sometime.”  I was totally impressed and seemed like a simple plan of execution that was achievable. The treat was always a bonus and you could measure your progress in ur goal that way. The key was self-motivation along with determination, which was completely absent in my case. He was nice enough to also add – “Start slow and then make it vigorous when you feel comfortable”. I was all boosted up and decided to do the same, but till day my regime has never gone on 3 days continuous. I treat myself once the 2^nd day is done and 3^rd day I bunk, and then get totally irregular. But now I am back again, to follow, cos I feel that we all have our days of laziness, but we should stretch it too much, it then becomes a lifestyle .

I am working on it now and I am sure I will succeed. What I really learned that day was most Americans have determination for achieving somethings, following some practices which they follow no matter what the consequence may be, and sense of strong will power. I am not idolizing them but I appreciate a few things about them.

I now feel I think different, more positive than before and more focused. It was a day I might hardly forget.

Strangers and Voyages

During my numerous visits to various parts of America, I have met several strangers – people with whom I have talked out of the blue, shared contact details and become friends, and with others, got to hear the various agonies and experiences of their lives without even knowing their names. When I am reminded of those moments it just feels beautiful to listen to someone for hours not asking them their names and bidding good byes with pleasant smiles.

But the people I have met and talked to on these instances have been elderly people, who I assume just want someone to hear to them, and probably their children are no longer interested in their talks. I met a Vietnam war veteran in Seven Falls Colorado, a beautiful couple on the return train journey  from Niagra, girls from Russia in Aspen and so many more. Friendly and absolutely not hesitant of sharing their thoughts.  Such people leave a mark in your life and make your journey more memorable as its not only the places you have seen you recollect but the people you met during these adventures that make it more eventful and interesting.

Looking ahead for many more such journeys and many more beautiful people to meet up.

Advertisement

~ by Anjali on September 29, 2011.