Now isnt that a truism, if there was one! You read rave reviews about a book and you calibrate yourself mentally as you begin to read. If it has some sections that are not enthralling, you come away saying it is over-rated. If you'd picked up the book yourself, I am sure you would have been delighted. It is all about what are the expectations and whether life matches them.
I have seen several movies where this has happened. I went to watch Finding Nemo as I had nothing to do that Saturday night and I felt this was a kids' movie. How pleasantly surprised I was- I have watched it a couple of times more and have even used it in seminars to depict several points about teamwork, about parenting, about growing up in general. When I went to watch Madagascar the other day, I was expecting a classic and was disappointed. Now, the movie on its own is pretty good but my expectations had been skewed by my earlier experience. We bought a used car last year and expected it would give us some trouble along the way. Touchwood, there have been very few repairs and we've been very, very happy with our purchase.
I guess the same could be said of relationships. Friends disappoint us because of some expectations we have of them- if we had none or very low expectations, we'd come away feeling good on most occasions. I guess we could extend the argument to parent-child relationships as well. Parents who have very high expectations of their kids and communicate that to the kid create an unnecessary burden of expectation that the kid is constantly trying to live up to. However, if their standards weren't overtly high, kids would feel more independent, be more creative to follow their own pursuits and achive excellent results by creating their own standards of superior performance.
Is it good then to constantly have low expectations? I don't think so- I think the important thing to manage them well, if you on the service side, always under-promise and over deliver- the guy will be forever grateful for your service and will become your biggest champion.
On my visit to India recently, this is one aspect that was very bothersome to me. Everyone, right from the banker to the person selling me a car over-promised and under-delivered; it is almost as if every interaction is one-transaction based only. The seller is least bothered whether I am actually satisfied or not. This is something that will need to change sooner rather than later.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Underdog
We love an underdog. Especially when the underdog beats somebody very dominant in the field as it happened today. Bangladesh, the cricketing minnows beat the indomitable Aussies at Cardiff, something unthinkable in the annals of cricket.
Australia has been so dominant in the all forms of the cricket over the past seven to eight years that cricket has almost become boring to follow, even for the diehard Aussie fans. When I was in Australia following the Indian team, Aussie fans told they were pleased that India was playing so well and making a match of it as they were sick of one-sided contests even if their own side was on the winning side. I found that to be a fantastic attitude to have. Other teams have constantly tried to beat the Aussies and though some teams have come close, they just cannot match the consistency and the relentless nature of the Australian cricketing juggernaut. Though one defeat doesn't mean much, it comes at the back of two defeats, one to a county and another to England, but this should be one of the most ignominous as Bangladesh have been the favorite whipping boys of every cricket playing nation ever since they were inducted into the big league.
Is this the start of an Aussie decline? I hope not because they are awesome side and I am sure they will bounce back but this has indeed got the interest back into the Ashes series wherein a rejuvenated England will fancy its chances against an Australian side that has started its England tour in the most uncharacteristic manner possible- a string of defeats, and an a surprisingly low morale.
But this is indeed a time for celebration in Bangladesh. And hats off to them for pulling this off. I have great admiration for famous victories, especially when the underdog wins. Always!
Mohit.
Australia has been so dominant in the all forms of the cricket over the past seven to eight years that cricket has almost become boring to follow, even for the diehard Aussie fans. When I was in Australia following the Indian team, Aussie fans told they were pleased that India was playing so well and making a match of it as they were sick of one-sided contests even if their own side was on the winning side. I found that to be a fantastic attitude to have. Other teams have constantly tried to beat the Aussies and though some teams have come close, they just cannot match the consistency and the relentless nature of the Australian cricketing juggernaut. Though one defeat doesn't mean much, it comes at the back of two defeats, one to a county and another to England, but this should be one of the most ignominous as Bangladesh have been the favorite whipping boys of every cricket playing nation ever since they were inducted into the big league.
Is this the start of an Aussie decline? I hope not because they are awesome side and I am sure they will bounce back but this has indeed got the interest back into the Ashes series wherein a rejuvenated England will fancy its chances against an Australian side that has started its England tour in the most uncharacteristic manner possible- a string of defeats, and an a surprisingly low morale.
But this is indeed a time for celebration in Bangladesh. And hats off to them for pulling this off. I have great admiration for famous victories, especially when the underdog wins. Always!
Mohit.
The weather, Red Sox and Indian cricket!
One of the things I cannot get to terms with in Boston is the weather.
We somehow survived the winter- it was brutally cold and it snowed forever. But I do remember that our first reaction to the snow was one of complete joy and delight. I have actually never seen a snowfall in my life and so when it snowed on the 12th of November last year, the day we celebrate Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, I was ecstatic. It was one of the quietest but also the most joyous Diwali I have celebrated. We loved the snow- initially that is. We thought it would end in February- no let up; March- it was worse; by April, our impatience started running high and when we experienced the coldest May in some 50 years, I couldn't believe that we were virtually in summer and still wearing our leather jackets! My wife has packed and unpacked our winter clothing thrice. Now, she doesn't bother to pack anything. For all you know, it may snow in July!
When we lived in Singapore, we often wondered why there was a weather channel at all. I could tell you the forecast for Singapore sitting right here- a high of 32 degrees celsius, a low of 24, with mild showers and thunderstorms between 3 to 5 in the afternoon. Thats the weather for 340 days of the year and for the rest of the 25 days, the time of shower changes, nothing else! After coming to Boston, the weather channel is something we've seen more than CNN or ESPN. It determines not only what we would wear, but also what we would do (its going to snow heavily- no driving out this weekend- lets rent DVDs and be couch potatoes!). It clearly is a major conversation piece in offices, and with friends and between weather and the form of the highly inconsistent but charismatic Red Sox, you could pretty much spend a good night of conversation and we don't have to talk about Bush or Iraq- and I'm so happy to avoid those topics.
Talking about the Red Sox, they remind me of the Indian cricket team in a lot of ways. First of all, they have some very charismatic players who can turn the game on its head single-handedly- Johnny Damon, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Curt Schilling very much like the Indian team- Sachin, Sehwag, Dravid, Laxman etc. Second, they are both highly inconsistent. The Red Sox whipped the Yankees 17-1 at the Yankee Stadium and the very next week, lost to the Baltimore Orioles! The Indian team beats the Aussies one day and loses to Bangladesh the next. Third- both teams have an army of dedicated, almost fanatical fans that span across the globe. They follow the two teams wheever they may be, jump with joy when they win, go crazy when they lose, but inevitably, they can't live without following their teams.
Its an uncanny similarity. I am happy to be part of both camps, and shall surely continue to follow the fortunes of these two teams wherever I may be.
We somehow survived the winter- it was brutally cold and it snowed forever. But I do remember that our first reaction to the snow was one of complete joy and delight. I have actually never seen a snowfall in my life and so when it snowed on the 12th of November last year, the day we celebrate Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, I was ecstatic. It was one of the quietest but also the most joyous Diwali I have celebrated. We loved the snow- initially that is. We thought it would end in February- no let up; March- it was worse; by April, our impatience started running high and when we experienced the coldest May in some 50 years, I couldn't believe that we were virtually in summer and still wearing our leather jackets! My wife has packed and unpacked our winter clothing thrice. Now, she doesn't bother to pack anything. For all you know, it may snow in July!
When we lived in Singapore, we often wondered why there was a weather channel at all. I could tell you the forecast for Singapore sitting right here- a high of 32 degrees celsius, a low of 24, with mild showers and thunderstorms between 3 to 5 in the afternoon. Thats the weather for 340 days of the year and for the rest of the 25 days, the time of shower changes, nothing else! After coming to Boston, the weather channel is something we've seen more than CNN or ESPN. It determines not only what we would wear, but also what we would do (its going to snow heavily- no driving out this weekend- lets rent DVDs and be couch potatoes!). It clearly is a major conversation piece in offices, and with friends and between weather and the form of the highly inconsistent but charismatic Red Sox, you could pretty much spend a good night of conversation and we don't have to talk about Bush or Iraq- and I'm so happy to avoid those topics.
Talking about the Red Sox, they remind me of the Indian cricket team in a lot of ways. First of all, they have some very charismatic players who can turn the game on its head single-handedly- Johnny Damon, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Curt Schilling very much like the Indian team- Sachin, Sehwag, Dravid, Laxman etc. Second, they are both highly inconsistent. The Red Sox whipped the Yankees 17-1 at the Yankee Stadium and the very next week, lost to the Baltimore Orioles! The Indian team beats the Aussies one day and loses to Bangladesh the next. Third- both teams have an army of dedicated, almost fanatical fans that span across the globe. They follow the two teams wheever they may be, jump with joy when they win, go crazy when they lose, but inevitably, they can't live without following their teams.
Its an uncanny similarity. I am happy to be part of both camps, and shall surely continue to follow the fortunes of these two teams wherever I may be.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Jay Leno and Conan- Study in contrasts
I love The Tonight Show, I watch it everyday, sometimes when I am too sleepy, I put an alarm for 11:30pm, get up to watch Jay Leno's monologue, and get back to sleep at around 11:55pm. However, I know I shall stop watching the show in 2009- thats the year the mantle will pass from Jay Leno to Conan O Brien. I admire Jay and detest Conan, the latter's talk show immediately follows Jay's shows and sometimes, I have made the indiscretion of watching Conan's shows. He is so self possesed that it not so much about the guest as it is about him. He comes across to me as condescending and obnoxious, two qualities I cannot tolerate in anyone.
By contrast, Jay is one of the most professional hosts I have ever seen. He makes jokes about everyone and yet, is able to maintain their dignity in a manner that is fascinating. I started watching the show last year and got hooked onto it- he was making as much fun of Kerry as Bush and though evidently, he is a Democrat in his leanings, it was clear he would be taking potshots at Kerry if he won the elections. What I like most about Jay is that he is able to bring out the true personality of the individual he is talking to and whatever celebrity status they may have, he is able to extricate the true human side of them that makes them appear like they are one of us- just luckier and more talented!
I know what I will be doing post 2009- watching old tapes of Jay Leno!
Mohit.
By contrast, Jay is one of the most professional hosts I have ever seen. He makes jokes about everyone and yet, is able to maintain their dignity in a manner that is fascinating. I started watching the show last year and got hooked onto it- he was making as much fun of Kerry as Bush and though evidently, he is a Democrat in his leanings, it was clear he would be taking potshots at Kerry if he won the elections. What I like most about Jay is that he is able to bring out the true personality of the individual he is talking to and whatever celebrity status they may have, he is able to extricate the true human side of them that makes them appear like they are one of us- just luckier and more talented!
I know what I will be doing post 2009- watching old tapes of Jay Leno!
Mohit.
Atul Gawande's "Complications"
I came across this fascinating book last month when I was visiting a friend in Chicago. I loved the lucidity of the the prose and was wanting to write a review when I found two reviews that pretty much sum up my view better than I ever would be able to do myself. The first review is from amazon and the second from Publisher's Weekly.
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Gently dismantling the myth of medical infallibility, Dr. Atul Gawande's Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science is essential reading for anyone involved in medicine--on either end of the stethoscope. Medical professionals make mistakes, learn on the job, and improvise much of their technique and self-confidence. Gawande's tales are humane and passionate reminders that doctors are people, too. His prose is thoughtful and deeply engaging, shifting from sometimes painful stories of suffering patients (including his own child) to intriguing suggestions for improving medicine with the same care he expresses in the surgical theater. Some of his ideas will make health care providers nervous or even angry, but his disarming style, confessional tone, and thoughtful arguments should win over most readers. Complications is a book with heart and an excellent bedside manner, celebrating rather than berating doctors for being merely human. --Rob Lightner--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Publishers Weekly
Medicine reveals itself as a fascinatingly complex and "fundamentally human endeavor" in this distinguished debut essay collection by a surgical resident and staff writer for the New Yorker. Gawande, a former Rhodes scholar and Harvard Medical School graduate, illuminates "the moments in which medicine actually happens," and describes his profession as an "enterprise of constantly changing knowledge, uncertain information, fallible individuals, and at the same time lives on the line." Gawande's background in philosophy and ethics is evident throughout these pieces, which range from edgy accounts of medical traumas to sobering analyses of doctors' anxieties and burnout. With humor, sensitivity and critical intelligence, he explores the pros and cons of new technologies, including a controversial factory model for routine surgeries that delivers superior success rates while dramatically cutting costs. He also describes treatment of such challenging conditions as morbid obesity, chronic pain and necrotizing fasciitis the often-fatal condition caused by dreaded "flesh-eating bacteria" and probes the agonizing process by which physicians balance knowledge and intuition to make seemingly impossible decisions. What draws practitioners to this challenging profession, he concludes, is the promise of "the alterable moment the fragile but crystalline opportunity for one's know-how, ability or just gut instinct to change the course of another's life for the better." These exquisitely crafted essays, in which medical subjects segue into explorations of much larger themes, place Gawande among the best in the field. National author tour.
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Gently dismantling the myth of medical infallibility, Dr. Atul Gawande's Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science is essential reading for anyone involved in medicine--on either end of the stethoscope. Medical professionals make mistakes, learn on the job, and improvise much of their technique and self-confidence. Gawande's tales are humane and passionate reminders that doctors are people, too. His prose is thoughtful and deeply engaging, shifting from sometimes painful stories of suffering patients (including his own child) to intriguing suggestions for improving medicine with the same care he expresses in the surgical theater. Some of his ideas will make health care providers nervous or even angry, but his disarming style, confessional tone, and thoughtful arguments should win over most readers. Complications is a book with heart and an excellent bedside manner, celebrating rather than berating doctors for being merely human. --Rob Lightner--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Publishers Weekly
Medicine reveals itself as a fascinatingly complex and "fundamentally human endeavor" in this distinguished debut essay collection by a surgical resident and staff writer for the New Yorker. Gawande, a former Rhodes scholar and Harvard Medical School graduate, illuminates "the moments in which medicine actually happens," and describes his profession as an "enterprise of constantly changing knowledge, uncertain information, fallible individuals, and at the same time lives on the line." Gawande's background in philosophy and ethics is evident throughout these pieces, which range from edgy accounts of medical traumas to sobering analyses of doctors' anxieties and burnout. With humor, sensitivity and critical intelligence, he explores the pros and cons of new technologies, including a controversial factory model for routine surgeries that delivers superior success rates while dramatically cutting costs. He also describes treatment of such challenging conditions as morbid obesity, chronic pain and necrotizing fasciitis the often-fatal condition caused by dreaded "flesh-eating bacteria" and probes the agonizing process by which physicians balance knowledge and intuition to make seemingly impossible decisions. What draws practitioners to this challenging profession, he concludes, is the promise of "the alterable moment the fragile but crystalline opportunity for one's know-how, ability or just gut instinct to change the course of another's life for the better." These exquisitely crafted essays, in which medical subjects segue into explorations of much larger themes, place Gawande among the best in the field. National author tour.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
My 'essentials'
A few years back, a flat I was living in caught fire. I could take very few things out before the flat was enveloped in flames. I thought I had lost everything. Then, as I continued to live my life, I realized how little I missed all the stuff- so it was indeed a lot of trash I had collected. The incident taught me a valuable lesson. We need very few things, but we are accumulators nevertheless! The more we have, the more we want!
So I was thinking about my most essentials possessions. Heres my list-
a) My music collection- in an ipod!
b) Family photographs
c) Key documents- Passport and Certificates from school, college and university
d) Laptop with internet connection
e) Bank ATM card
I think it was Shakespeare in Merchant of Venice who wrote: "The man that hath no music in him is fit for treasons, strategems and spoils." A sweeping statement that succintly captures my abiding love for music. I love soft rock, Hindi film songs and am even beginning to develop a taste for country music courtesy Carrie Underwood! I cannot imagine a life without music and though I do not have a great singing voice myself, I do and will always have an abiding interest in music- it gives me joy and hope and happiness at all times.
Family photographs and key documents are obvious choices. You can't replace them and they remind of where you came from and who you exactly are.
As for the laptop and the internet, I was a late convert to computers. In fact, I hadn't used one till I went to Business School and even then, used it only sparingly to do the key assignments. As I worked in consulting, I realized how powerful the internet can be. I have been able to stay in touch with friends, pen down my thoughts from time to time (like I am doing right now), research about everything and anything I've ever wanted to know- its just made life so much more comfortable.
The last choice shows a practical side of myself. I may not need to the riches of the world but I do need an ATM card that has some money in the Bank to back it up!
As I read over this list, I realized there is really no book there and considering I think I am reasonably voracious reader, that is a surprise. But I also realized that books are not that to carry around everywhere you go. One, they are difficult to carry. Second, if you've read the book, you should remember the key things in your head, otherwise its pointless. Third- if you want to get back or refer to the book, you could always borrow it from the nearest library or order it from amazon. So, theres no need to carry any books around. They're heavy!!
I would like to revisit this list from time to time and hopefully, it wouldn't change too much, but who knows!
So I was thinking about my most essentials possessions. Heres my list-
a) My music collection- in an ipod!
b) Family photographs
c) Key documents- Passport and Certificates from school, college and university
d) Laptop with internet connection
e) Bank ATM card
I think it was Shakespeare in Merchant of Venice who wrote: "The man that hath no music in him is fit for treasons, strategems and spoils." A sweeping statement that succintly captures my abiding love for music. I love soft rock, Hindi film songs and am even beginning to develop a taste for country music courtesy Carrie Underwood! I cannot imagine a life without music and though I do not have a great singing voice myself, I do and will always have an abiding interest in music- it gives me joy and hope and happiness at all times.
Family photographs and key documents are obvious choices. You can't replace them and they remind of where you came from and who you exactly are.
As for the laptop and the internet, I was a late convert to computers. In fact, I hadn't used one till I went to Business School and even then, used it only sparingly to do the key assignments. As I worked in consulting, I realized how powerful the internet can be. I have been able to stay in touch with friends, pen down my thoughts from time to time (like I am doing right now), research about everything and anything I've ever wanted to know- its just made life so much more comfortable.
The last choice shows a practical side of myself. I may not need to the riches of the world but I do need an ATM card that has some money in the Bank to back it up!
As I read over this list, I realized there is really no book there and considering I think I am reasonably voracious reader, that is a surprise. But I also realized that books are not that to carry around everywhere you go. One, they are difficult to carry. Second, if you've read the book, you should remember the key things in your head, otherwise its pointless. Third- if you want to get back or refer to the book, you could always borrow it from the nearest library or order it from amazon. So, theres no need to carry any books around. They're heavy!!
I would like to revisit this list from time to time and hopefully, it wouldn't change too much, but who knows!
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Favorites list- Top 5 actors
Let me start of my Favorists list for the top 5 movie actors and I think this is easy list for me. Also, I don't think anybody is likely to disagree with this list at all, especially as I am going to point out that this list is no particular order.
My top 5 actors are-
1) Russell Crowe
2) Jack Nicholson
3) Anthony Hopkins
4) Shah Rukh Khan
5) Amitabh Bachchhan
Even as I was writing this list down, I realized that we have one North American, one European, one Australian and two Indians in this list- very global and completely unintentional I may add. I just wanted to write down the five actors whose movies I would go and watch, five actors who excel in their craft, five who have given me enormous joy through their performances over the years, five who have played a diverse range of roles and excelled at each of them.
Lets start off with Russell Crowe who wears his temper on his sleeve and his latest throwing of the telephone incident notwithstanding, he remains one of the my favorite actors in Hollywood. You really need to watch three movies to come to that conclusion- A Beautiful Mind (one of the finest performances you are ever going to watch), Gladiator and now, Cinderella Man. In A Beautiful Mind, he plays a young John Nash battling with mathematical puzzles and schizophrenia with as much intensity as he plays the older John Nash slowly coming to grips with a fractured existence that makes him hurt people even when he doesnt intend to. It is a very moving performance. His performance as Jim Brodock, a resilient boxer literally fighting against bankruptcy at the time of The Great Depression is another outstanding portrayal that does deserve but will not get him an Oscar. Ironically, the movie for which he actually got an Oscar, Galdiator, is the least favorite of my three performances. He is more unidimensional in that movie than in the roles of John Nash and Jim Braddock wherein he brings together an amazing range of emotions to the forefront with a genuineness and authenticity that is truly remarkable. Unfortunately, his off-screen temper will continue to tarnish his image, but as far as acting ability goes, this guy is as good as anyone I've seen.
Jack Nicholson- the first movie I watched of his was A Few Good Men, where he had a very small role but his presense was remarkable and his imprint on the movie indelible. It was supposed to be a Tom Cruise, Demi Moore movie to begin with, but the performance you are likely to remember is that of Nicholson- cool, assured, full of confidence and very commanding. I was so taken in I have seen A Few Good Men several times since and am always amazed at the power he packed into a small, but very important role. Then, I watched As Good as It Gets. Here, he shows a sensitive side to himself- his sense of timing, his humor, his incredible sense of getting under the skin of the character he is playing again comes through. I do think this was Helen Hunt's best movie and Greg Kinnear was phenomenal but it was Jack's show at the end of the day. I have since tried to see his earlier movies too and was very impressed with One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest. You really can't go wrong with him in a movie.
Anthony Hopkins- I know he is most famous for his role as Hannibal Lector in different movies and I have enjoyed him immensely in that role, but my favorite remains his role of Charles Morse in The Edge. Here, he plays a billionaire, whose plane crashes, he is stranded in the middle of a forest with two of his friends- how they survive, what the entire experience teaches him about who his actual friends are- is a remarkable story and he plays it with a sensitivity and intensity as only he can. Also, enjoyed him The Mask of Zorro. Watch these movies if you haven't. You will not be disappointed.
My choice of Shah Rukh Khan may appear odd to some people. He is brash, and of late, has been increasingly obnoxious about his status as India's No. 1 star over the past decade. But what he represents is something more than just his acting ability. He grew up in a middle class family in Delhi, lost his parents very early in life, was a very good student- both at St. Columba's- one of Delhi's finest schools where he got the school's highest award, the Sword of Honor and at Hansraj where he studied Economics, married his sweetheart from school though she came from a different religion than he himself, came to Bombay to act with nothing but plenty of talent and confidence in himself and then made it big. For me, there is a lot to admire about his story. Remember this- in the early nineties, it was still very difficult to break into the Hindi film industry if you did not come from one of the big families. He was the quintessential middle class educated Indian- hardworking, committed, great self belief and ability to carve a niche for himself- and that is why I greatly admire him and from his anti-hero role in Baazigar to the more traditional ones in Kuchh Kuchh Hota Hai to more meaningful ones like in Swades, he has proven that he is one of the most dependable names on the Box Office over the last decade. I just hope he continues to stay close to his 'roots' and does not lose his bearings. I watched him at a concert in Singapore, and found some of his comments condescending. If he continues in that vein, I may need to re-evaluate my assessment but till then, I shall continue to maintain he truly represents the very best that our country has to offer in terms of talent, grit, confidence, perseverence and self belief.
Amitabh Bachchhan- He has an unmatched, almost God-like status in the Bombay film industry- suffice it to say that in college, I once made a casual remark that Shah Rukh was a better actor than Bachchhan and I almost got lynched! Some people have believed ever since that my brain is not in the right place- hopefully I'm making some amends now and that is happening for a few reasons. First, I do think the Bachchhan that we are seeing right now, in older roles where he plays almost a stateman like figure is so much better to see than his earlier avatar in the seventies and eighties when he was pretty much typecast as an angry young man. For me, his finest performance has been in Black. He needs to do an English movie as Western audiences do need to see a better version of Sean Connery- I mean that a hundred percent! He is classy, suave, sophisticated, cultured, handsome and talented at the same time. From what he has shown to us recently, I do get the feeling that his best years may still be ahead of him and he is well into his sixties!
So thats my top 5. Who are some people who have narrowly missed this list? Denzel Washington and Leonardo di Caprio. Sometimes, I feel bad for Leonardo. His acting talent is obliterated by his good looks. Watch both The Aviator and The Man in the Iron Mask to really see what I am talking about. He was outstanding in both and didn't quite get the recognition he deserved. But he is young and I am sure he will recognized by the Award juries sooner rather than later.
Thats my first favorite list. Food for thought, huh?
My top 5 actors are-
1) Russell Crowe
2) Jack Nicholson
3) Anthony Hopkins
4) Shah Rukh Khan
5) Amitabh Bachchhan
Even as I was writing this list down, I realized that we have one North American, one European, one Australian and two Indians in this list- very global and completely unintentional I may add. I just wanted to write down the five actors whose movies I would go and watch, five actors who excel in their craft, five who have given me enormous joy through their performances over the years, five who have played a diverse range of roles and excelled at each of them.
Lets start off with Russell Crowe who wears his temper on his sleeve and his latest throwing of the telephone incident notwithstanding, he remains one of the my favorite actors in Hollywood. You really need to watch three movies to come to that conclusion- A Beautiful Mind (one of the finest performances you are ever going to watch), Gladiator and now, Cinderella Man. In A Beautiful Mind, he plays a young John Nash battling with mathematical puzzles and schizophrenia with as much intensity as he plays the older John Nash slowly coming to grips with a fractured existence that makes him hurt people even when he doesnt intend to. It is a very moving performance. His performance as Jim Brodock, a resilient boxer literally fighting against bankruptcy at the time of The Great Depression is another outstanding portrayal that does deserve but will not get him an Oscar. Ironically, the movie for which he actually got an Oscar, Galdiator, is the least favorite of my three performances. He is more unidimensional in that movie than in the roles of John Nash and Jim Braddock wherein he brings together an amazing range of emotions to the forefront with a genuineness and authenticity that is truly remarkable. Unfortunately, his off-screen temper will continue to tarnish his image, but as far as acting ability goes, this guy is as good as anyone I've seen.
Jack Nicholson- the first movie I watched of his was A Few Good Men, where he had a very small role but his presense was remarkable and his imprint on the movie indelible. It was supposed to be a Tom Cruise, Demi Moore movie to begin with, but the performance you are likely to remember is that of Nicholson- cool, assured, full of confidence and very commanding. I was so taken in I have seen A Few Good Men several times since and am always amazed at the power he packed into a small, but very important role. Then, I watched As Good as It Gets. Here, he shows a sensitive side to himself- his sense of timing, his humor, his incredible sense of getting under the skin of the character he is playing again comes through. I do think this was Helen Hunt's best movie and Greg Kinnear was phenomenal but it was Jack's show at the end of the day. I have since tried to see his earlier movies too and was very impressed with One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest. You really can't go wrong with him in a movie.
Anthony Hopkins- I know he is most famous for his role as Hannibal Lector in different movies and I have enjoyed him immensely in that role, but my favorite remains his role of Charles Morse in The Edge. Here, he plays a billionaire, whose plane crashes, he is stranded in the middle of a forest with two of his friends- how they survive, what the entire experience teaches him about who his actual friends are- is a remarkable story and he plays it with a sensitivity and intensity as only he can. Also, enjoyed him The Mask of Zorro. Watch these movies if you haven't. You will not be disappointed.
My choice of Shah Rukh Khan may appear odd to some people. He is brash, and of late, has been increasingly obnoxious about his status as India's No. 1 star over the past decade. But what he represents is something more than just his acting ability. He grew up in a middle class family in Delhi, lost his parents very early in life, was a very good student- both at St. Columba's- one of Delhi's finest schools where he got the school's highest award, the Sword of Honor and at Hansraj where he studied Economics, married his sweetheart from school though she came from a different religion than he himself, came to Bombay to act with nothing but plenty of talent and confidence in himself and then made it big. For me, there is a lot to admire about his story. Remember this- in the early nineties, it was still very difficult to break into the Hindi film industry if you did not come from one of the big families. He was the quintessential middle class educated Indian- hardworking, committed, great self belief and ability to carve a niche for himself- and that is why I greatly admire him and from his anti-hero role in Baazigar to the more traditional ones in Kuchh Kuchh Hota Hai to more meaningful ones like in Swades, he has proven that he is one of the most dependable names on the Box Office over the last decade. I just hope he continues to stay close to his 'roots' and does not lose his bearings. I watched him at a concert in Singapore, and found some of his comments condescending. If he continues in that vein, I may need to re-evaluate my assessment but till then, I shall continue to maintain he truly represents the very best that our country has to offer in terms of talent, grit, confidence, perseverence and self belief.
Amitabh Bachchhan- He has an unmatched, almost God-like status in the Bombay film industry- suffice it to say that in college, I once made a casual remark that Shah Rukh was a better actor than Bachchhan and I almost got lynched! Some people have believed ever since that my brain is not in the right place- hopefully I'm making some amends now and that is happening for a few reasons. First, I do think the Bachchhan that we are seeing right now, in older roles where he plays almost a stateman like figure is so much better to see than his earlier avatar in the seventies and eighties when he was pretty much typecast as an angry young man. For me, his finest performance has been in Black. He needs to do an English movie as Western audiences do need to see a better version of Sean Connery- I mean that a hundred percent! He is classy, suave, sophisticated, cultured, handsome and talented at the same time. From what he has shown to us recently, I do get the feeling that his best years may still be ahead of him and he is well into his sixties!
So thats my top 5. Who are some people who have narrowly missed this list? Denzel Washington and Leonardo di Caprio. Sometimes, I feel bad for Leonardo. His acting talent is obliterated by his good looks. Watch both The Aviator and The Man in the Iron Mask to really see what I am talking about. He was outstanding in both and didn't quite get the recognition he deserved. But he is young and I am sure he will recognized by the Award juries sooner rather than later.
Thats my first favorite list. Food for thought, huh?
Coming posts- Favorite lists!
I have been seeing the CNN 25 events that shaped our lives, over the past few weeks and have been fascinated by the program. They cover events as diverse as the Oklahama bombings, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the fight for free speech and democracy in Tianenman, the San Francisco earthquake, the Waco massacre, the events of September 11, the fall of communism- all seminal events that very much changed the course of history- but it also set me thinking about why the top five or top ten or top 25 list is something we find exciting.
What makes any kind of list exciting? In my view, three things-
First, it makes you think really hard about what you value and feel strongly about. If there are 100 movies you've seen, and there are only 10 who make it to your favorites, what is it about them that resonates with you, what is unique to those movies that struck an emotional chord with you.
Second, it begs the question of criterion. What parameters do you personally choose, how universal are those criterion and how much do you really care about your own views even if they end up being contrarian.
Thirdly, and this follows from the first two, it evitably leads to a difference of opinion and conflicts in terms of the choices you make and that is so unbelieavably interesting. Any list generates some kind of discussion, and sometimes, even controversy and as long as it is healthy, it only makes us think harder about our choices, our criteria and our values and anything that makes for a robust dicsussion around that should be encouraged. This is what makes the Time Man of the Year thing so very enduring and successful.
So what am I going to be doing in the coming weeks? I am thinking of a list of my favorites- in terms of movies, actors, actresses, books- both fiction and non-fiction, sporting events, concepts, TV anchors, places I've visited- that have left some mark on me. Hopefully, the exercise will help me see for myself what I like and what that tells me about the things I value and the person I represent. Of course, its not entirely a serious endeavor. I should have fun as I create my 'favorites' list over the next few weeks. Some of this might be an ongoing endeavor as I will be travelling over the next few weeks and may not have either access to a computer or time to reflect on some of the things but I promise to make a start this week itself.
Hope it'll be fun!
What makes any kind of list exciting? In my view, three things-
First, it makes you think really hard about what you value and feel strongly about. If there are 100 movies you've seen, and there are only 10 who make it to your favorites, what is it about them that resonates with you, what is unique to those movies that struck an emotional chord with you.
Second, it begs the question of criterion. What parameters do you personally choose, how universal are those criterion and how much do you really care about your own views even if they end up being contrarian.
Thirdly, and this follows from the first two, it evitably leads to a difference of opinion and conflicts in terms of the choices you make and that is so unbelieavably interesting. Any list generates some kind of discussion, and sometimes, even controversy and as long as it is healthy, it only makes us think harder about our choices, our criteria and our values and anything that makes for a robust dicsussion around that should be encouraged. This is what makes the Time Man of the Year thing so very enduring and successful.
So what am I going to be doing in the coming weeks? I am thinking of a list of my favorites- in terms of movies, actors, actresses, books- both fiction and non-fiction, sporting events, concepts, TV anchors, places I've visited- that have left some mark on me. Hopefully, the exercise will help me see for myself what I like and what that tells me about the things I value and the person I represent. Of course, its not entirely a serious endeavor. I should have fun as I create my 'favorites' list over the next few weeks. Some of this might be an ongoing endeavor as I will be travelling over the next few weeks and may not have either access to a computer or time to reflect on some of the things but I promise to make a start this week itself.
Hope it'll be fun!
Michael Jackson
This the big news here and with good reason. Michael Jackson is a star and has lived his life in the public eye ever since he was 5 years old. I have greatly enjoyed his music and think that he is one of the geniuses of our age. Some of his lyrics- about healing the world, spreading the message of peace and harmony and overcoming our stereotypes to create a more wonderful world resonate with me as they do with several million people around the world.
This musical genius also has a naive, almost weird side to him. His constantly changing physical appearance, his life at Neverland, his relationships with Debbie Rowe and Lisa Marie Presle are matters that have piqued public interest in the past years beyond the music he produces. This trial has taken an emotional, physical and some say, financial toll on him and I would hate to see him fade away.
Having said this, let us put this trial in perspective. I have been personally surprised by what the jurors are saying about how they reached this verdict- they seem to have not found the mother's testimony credible and indicated that she was not in right mind to have left the alleged victim to sleep in Michael's Neverland ranch. Now- is bad parenting an excuse for allowing paedophilia to happen? Second- why should the sins of the mother be passed onto the boy? Third- does bad parenting on the part of the accuser's mother exonerate Michael from what is clearly very odd behavior for a 46 year old man? Again, I have not really followed the trial religiously and do believe that Michael is a naive man who may be committing certain acts without necessarily realizing that he may be harming someone. Honorable intentions with unintended acts could be exonerated but thats not what this jury said. In fact, one juror even pointed out that he had reason to believe that Michael slept with boys in the past, but in this particular case, the prosecution could not establish this case beyond reasonable doubt. Hence, they had to let Michael go- on all 10 counts!
Jay Leno pointed out something interesting. He said that the one person who must be really pissed with this verdict is Martha Stewart- OJ kills his wife, goes scot free; Robert Blake shoots his wife, goes scot free; Michael Jackson sleeps with kids, goes scot free, Martha makes one indiscreet phone call and guess what- she spends seven months in jail!! Such are the ways of the world!
I hope we can all put our energies to better use now and none more so than Michael. I do believe he is capable of reviving his musical career and his financial health. But I suppose his immediate concerns must be around two very basic things that he needs stability around- physical and emotional well being! I will be interested to see how his personal and professional plays out from now on.
This musical genius also has a naive, almost weird side to him. His constantly changing physical appearance, his life at Neverland, his relationships with Debbie Rowe and Lisa Marie Presle are matters that have piqued public interest in the past years beyond the music he produces. This trial has taken an emotional, physical and some say, financial toll on him and I would hate to see him fade away.
Having said this, let us put this trial in perspective. I have been personally surprised by what the jurors are saying about how they reached this verdict- they seem to have not found the mother's testimony credible and indicated that she was not in right mind to have left the alleged victim to sleep in Michael's Neverland ranch. Now- is bad parenting an excuse for allowing paedophilia to happen? Second- why should the sins of the mother be passed onto the boy? Third- does bad parenting on the part of the accuser's mother exonerate Michael from what is clearly very odd behavior for a 46 year old man? Again, I have not really followed the trial religiously and do believe that Michael is a naive man who may be committing certain acts without necessarily realizing that he may be harming someone. Honorable intentions with unintended acts could be exonerated but thats not what this jury said. In fact, one juror even pointed out that he had reason to believe that Michael slept with boys in the past, but in this particular case, the prosecution could not establish this case beyond reasonable doubt. Hence, they had to let Michael go- on all 10 counts!
Jay Leno pointed out something interesting. He said that the one person who must be really pissed with this verdict is Martha Stewart- OJ kills his wife, goes scot free; Robert Blake shoots his wife, goes scot free; Michael Jackson sleeps with kids, goes scot free, Martha makes one indiscreet phone call and guess what- she spends seven months in jail!! Such are the ways of the world!
I hope we can all put our energies to better use now and none more so than Michael. I do believe he is capable of reviving his musical career and his financial health. But I suppose his immediate concerns must be around two very basic things that he needs stability around- physical and emotional well being! I will be interested to see how his personal and professional plays out from now on.
Cricket musings
Its amazing that I have written nothing about cricket so far. Considering I inevitably start my day with a look at 'cricinfo', convinced my wife to spend our first wedding anniversary watching an India- Sri Lanka game, took a two week vacation to follow the Indian team in Australia in January last year and continued to umpire cricket matches in Singapore with some zeal, I do think I am very fond of the game. I clearly enjoyed playing it as a kid first and then, in adult life, have continued to follow it with great enthusiasm.
Though I really enjoyed playing the game in my teens, I really began taking a liking for the game when I was teaching at Doon. The Masters team used to be pretty good at that time, and I would either open or come at No. 4. The square cut remains my favorite shot and I had no shot on the leg side whatsoever. I did provide some solidity at the top of the order and I remember students would often get frustrated bowling to me as I had a solid defence, seldom took chances, and ran quick singles to rotate the strike. Playing in Dehradun used to be fun- I used to roll my arm a little bit too and the heavy cloudcover on most occasions made me a bit of a swing bowler and nothing gave me more pleasure than having someone clean bowled! Thats quite a feeling.
Once I left the country, I started following the game even more. It just seemed to be a 'connection' back with the country and it just seems to me that reporting also has got much better in the last 7 to 8 years. I have particularly enjoyed the commentaries on rediff and cricinfo and now follow Prem Panicker's blog almost everyday. I do miss watching it either alive or even on television and I will try the most of my vacation in India when I can watch some old games. I am also reader of the cricket books. Bradman's Farewell to Cricket is an all time favorite for me- it is not only a treatise on cricket but also contains great wisdom about leading a fulfilling life in general.
The latest cricketing book I have read is Rahul Bhattacharya's Pundits from Pakistan which is about the historic Indian tour of Pakistan in 2004. The beauty of the book is the seamless integration of the the sociological and cricketing narrative. The book is fact based but written with feeling and takes an objective, yet touching look at the lives of common people in Pakistan and the similarities between the two countries and cultures is exemplified without at any point becoming either preachy or didactic. I continue to follow his writings for Wisden Asia as he seems to be a journalist far more mature than his young years suggest.
I was thinking of catching the Ashes series in England next month but it just doesn't quite fit into my schedule. Hopefully, I would be able to watch the games on television.
Eventually, cricket is as much a game of tactic, strategy, preparation, patience and skill, as it is a game of chance- something very akin to life itself, isn't it!
Though I really enjoyed playing the game in my teens, I really began taking a liking for the game when I was teaching at Doon. The Masters team used to be pretty good at that time, and I would either open or come at No. 4. The square cut remains my favorite shot and I had no shot on the leg side whatsoever. I did provide some solidity at the top of the order and I remember students would often get frustrated bowling to me as I had a solid defence, seldom took chances, and ran quick singles to rotate the strike. Playing in Dehradun used to be fun- I used to roll my arm a little bit too and the heavy cloudcover on most occasions made me a bit of a swing bowler and nothing gave me more pleasure than having someone clean bowled! Thats quite a feeling.
Once I left the country, I started following the game even more. It just seemed to be a 'connection' back with the country and it just seems to me that reporting also has got much better in the last 7 to 8 years. I have particularly enjoyed the commentaries on rediff and cricinfo and now follow Prem Panicker's blog almost everyday. I do miss watching it either alive or even on television and I will try the most of my vacation in India when I can watch some old games. I am also reader of the cricket books. Bradman's Farewell to Cricket is an all time favorite for me- it is not only a treatise on cricket but also contains great wisdom about leading a fulfilling life in general.
The latest cricketing book I have read is Rahul Bhattacharya's Pundits from Pakistan which is about the historic Indian tour of Pakistan in 2004. The beauty of the book is the seamless integration of the the sociological and cricketing narrative. The book is fact based but written with feeling and takes an objective, yet touching look at the lives of common people in Pakistan and the similarities between the two countries and cultures is exemplified without at any point becoming either preachy or didactic. I continue to follow his writings for Wisden Asia as he seems to be a journalist far more mature than his young years suggest.
I was thinking of catching the Ashes series in England next month but it just doesn't quite fit into my schedule. Hopefully, I would be able to watch the games on television.
Eventually, cricket is as much a game of tactic, strategy, preparation, patience and skill, as it is a game of chance- something very akin to life itself, isn't it!
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Driving
I learnt driving a car about six months back in Boston. I love it. We bought a second hand Honda Accord and it has given us no trouble- I love the highways and sometimes go for long drives along I 93 just on my own, thinking about different things, then get off at a Dunkin Donuts, get a Diet Coke and drive back!
Americans here tell me that Boston is one of the craziest city to drive in. They say- If you can drive in Boston, you can drive anywhere! You know what- I have heard that of every city I have ever lived in. If you can drive in Delhi, you can drive anywhere; if you can drive in Manila, you can drive anywhere; if you can drive in KL, you can drive anywhere- I could go on and on. The point is simple- there is good and bad driving in every city- you just think you are in the worst city just because people don't follow lanes and honk when you don't move fast enough.
I love driving for three reasons:
a) It gives me time to reflect, to think about various things that are happening in my life
b) I really enjoy the speed, especially at the highways
c) I like seeing the changing landscape, the greenery along the highways and discovering newer, undiscovered places that have so many secrets hidden.
I am going to India next week and I shall not be driving there. I would rather rely on autos in the cities and trains in between them. I love the Shatabdis and the Rajdhanis- they are efficient and very comfortable and give you a good flavor of the landscape from a distance. I am looking forward to my holiday. I shall also be going to Singapore and Philippines and that promises to be loads of fun. I will miss driving but what the heck- there is so much to do in Asia besides driving, I don't think I am going to miss it.
Mohit.
Americans here tell me that Boston is one of the craziest city to drive in. They say- If you can drive in Boston, you can drive anywhere! You know what- I have heard that of every city I have ever lived in. If you can drive in Delhi, you can drive anywhere; if you can drive in Manila, you can drive anywhere; if you can drive in KL, you can drive anywhere- I could go on and on. The point is simple- there is good and bad driving in every city- you just think you are in the worst city just because people don't follow lanes and honk when you don't move fast enough.
I love driving for three reasons:
a) It gives me time to reflect, to think about various things that are happening in my life
b) I really enjoy the speed, especially at the highways
c) I like seeing the changing landscape, the greenery along the highways and discovering newer, undiscovered places that have so many secrets hidden.
I am going to India next week and I shall not be driving there. I would rather rely on autos in the cities and trains in between them. I love the Shatabdis and the Rajdhanis- they are efficient and very comfortable and give you a good flavor of the landscape from a distance. I am looking forward to my holiday. I shall also be going to Singapore and Philippines and that promises to be loads of fun. I will miss driving but what the heck- there is so much to do in Asia besides driving, I don't think I am going to miss it.
Mohit.
Monday, June 13, 2005
Brad and Angelina- Mr. and Mrs. Smith
This movie comes with much hype at the back of which is an alleged real romance that rocked the marriage of one of the hottest couples in Hollywood. So you are told to watch the movie not just for the thrilling action but also the chemistry between the stars.
So what did I make of it?
As for the movie itself, it gets a 2 on a 5 point scale. As for chemistry, it is 4! The movie for me is all over the place- the action is sometimes meaningless, the storyline isnt gripping enough and the 'secret' between a married couple for 5-6 years is too unrealistic for my taste. But theres something to be said about seeing Angelina and Brad together- they obviously like each others company and it shows! Somehow, I have read and seen more of these two outside of the movies in which they have acted- Brad Pitt always shows up in magazines in some top 50 handsome list or in another article where they comment on how he wanted kids and Jennifer didnt and thats what led to their failed marriage. Angelina Jolie is an ambassador for underprivileged kids and she has time and again expressed an intent to adopt from either Africa or Cambodia or Laos as she feels that kids everywhere around the world need a chance to grow, educate themselves and flourish. It is a noble endeavor, and if not for anything else, I would like her career to flourish so that she can do more on that front!
How many people do we have who actively give back to society or even think about it? For me, whether Angelina ends up with Brad is hardly of any significance- whether she does more to help underprivileged kids is far more important!
Mohit.
So what did I make of it?
As for the movie itself, it gets a 2 on a 5 point scale. As for chemistry, it is 4! The movie for me is all over the place- the action is sometimes meaningless, the storyline isnt gripping enough and the 'secret' between a married couple for 5-6 years is too unrealistic for my taste. But theres something to be said about seeing Angelina and Brad together- they obviously like each others company and it shows! Somehow, I have read and seen more of these two outside of the movies in which they have acted- Brad Pitt always shows up in magazines in some top 50 handsome list or in another article where they comment on how he wanted kids and Jennifer didnt and thats what led to their failed marriage. Angelina Jolie is an ambassador for underprivileged kids and she has time and again expressed an intent to adopt from either Africa or Cambodia or Laos as she feels that kids everywhere around the world need a chance to grow, educate themselves and flourish. It is a noble endeavor, and if not for anything else, I would like her career to flourish so that she can do more on that front!
How many people do we have who actively give back to society or even think about it? For me, whether Angelina ends up with Brad is hardly of any significance- whether she does more to help underprivileged kids is far more important!
Mohit.
Friday, June 10, 2005
Commencement
Today was special. I graduated from Harvard. And the commencement celebrations were breathtaking.
For one- the weather held out, the heavy downpour last night ensured that the day was cool which was absolutely wonderful. Secondly, the mix of tradition with modernity is something that Harvard manages with surprising ease. A speech in Latin that celebrated life in Harvard over the last four years, including the sporting triumphs of last year in Boston, namely the Red Sox win and the Patriots win, juxtaposed the expression of recent sporting victories in a language that is quintessentially archaic and almost extinct. The pomp of the regalia, the grandeur of the Yard, the great observance of tradition in that the Sheriff of the County of Middlesex both opens finally adjourns the meeting- are all indications about the institution's continuous desire to stay abreast and ahead of times but keep the hallowed traditions alive. Third- I was amazed by the efficiency of the entire process- considering that there were about 6000 of us who graduated, the ceremonies at the Yard took a little over two hours and were executed with clockwork precision. The mood itself was always festive and at no point did anyone feel that there was a draconian hand working to keep things moving along, but things did move at a surprisingly easy and efficient pace.
There were lots and lots of pictures that were clicked and it will probably take some time to sink in. But today, is a day of joy and celebration- of being able to complete studies at finest institutions in the world and also committing oneself once again to a life of continuous learning and quest for excellence for that is what the spirit of Harvard is all about- isnt it!
For one- the weather held out, the heavy downpour last night ensured that the day was cool which was absolutely wonderful. Secondly, the mix of tradition with modernity is something that Harvard manages with surprising ease. A speech in Latin that celebrated life in Harvard over the last four years, including the sporting triumphs of last year in Boston, namely the Red Sox win and the Patriots win, juxtaposed the expression of recent sporting victories in a language that is quintessentially archaic and almost extinct. The pomp of the regalia, the grandeur of the Yard, the great observance of tradition in that the Sheriff of the County of Middlesex both opens finally adjourns the meeting- are all indications about the institution's continuous desire to stay abreast and ahead of times but keep the hallowed traditions alive. Third- I was amazed by the efficiency of the entire process- considering that there were about 6000 of us who graduated, the ceremonies at the Yard took a little over two hours and were executed with clockwork precision. The mood itself was always festive and at no point did anyone feel that there was a draconian hand working to keep things moving along, but things did move at a surprisingly easy and efficient pace.
There were lots and lots of pictures that were clicked and it will probably take some time to sink in. But today, is a day of joy and celebration- of being able to complete studies at finest institutions in the world and also committing oneself once again to a life of continuous learning and quest for excellence for that is what the spirit of Harvard is all about- isnt it!
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Cycling through Malaysia on 3 dollars a day!
I was having lunch with a couple of friends in Harvard Square when they invited me to attend a talk about a fellow student who had done a cycling trip from Singapore up to Malaysia on a budget of 3 dollars a day for 30 days last year. With nothing but graduation parties to attend, I decided to go, quietly murmuring to myself that I will be out in 10 minutes and how wrong I was!
This was fascinating stuff. Sudhir Vadaketh, a Singaporean currently studying at Kennedy School, intrigued by the divide between Malaysia and Singapore and worried about the apathy of Malaysians and Singaporeans towards an active participation in the political process, decided to take a bike ride through Malaysia on a shoestring budget- to interview people along the way, get their perspective on relations between the two countries, try and understand the world from their lens and see whether it made sense. Clearly what he learnt was important-
a) Political boundaries accentuate and exaggerate stereotypes. Politicians cultivate these stereotypes for their own gain.
b) The policy of affirmative action has only served to create more racial divides in Malaysia. Singapore, following a more secular meritocratic approach to economic development, has been able to create a social fabric where race may be an issue but never one to take centerstage in either business dealings or social interactions.
c) We are sometimes not very grateful for the kind of 'creature' comforts that we enjoy 24 hrs of the day.
Having lived in Singapore for five years (and worked in Malaysia on consulting projects), I do agree with some of his observations. The medium and the market through which he plans to create wider awareness of his road trip need more refinement in my view. He is planning to write book that is meant for distribution in Singapore and Malaysia. For one, he should market it to a wider audience beyond these two countries. India and Pakistan face very similar issues for instance. I can see a lot of Indians getting quite buzzed by this idea. Secondly, instead of going for a book that some people may find too expensive to purchase, he could divide his journey into 10 newspaper columns covering three days each or something similar. This could then be translated into the vernacular newspapers as well so that it reaches a wider audience.
Having said that, I greatly admire someone who is able to not only conceptualize and talk, but do something of this nature. It is physically and emotionally demanding. More importantly, the goal of building a human connection that transcends our stereotypes of caste, class, religion and nationality is something which is an incredibly noble endeavor and needs to be applauded by everyone who cares about our survival and development.
I really am glad I went for this talk. It was an hour well spent!
This was fascinating stuff. Sudhir Vadaketh, a Singaporean currently studying at Kennedy School, intrigued by the divide between Malaysia and Singapore and worried about the apathy of Malaysians and Singaporeans towards an active participation in the political process, decided to take a bike ride through Malaysia on a shoestring budget- to interview people along the way, get their perspective on relations between the two countries, try and understand the world from their lens and see whether it made sense. Clearly what he learnt was important-
a) Political boundaries accentuate and exaggerate stereotypes. Politicians cultivate these stereotypes for their own gain.
b) The policy of affirmative action has only served to create more racial divides in Malaysia. Singapore, following a more secular meritocratic approach to economic development, has been able to create a social fabric where race may be an issue but never one to take centerstage in either business dealings or social interactions.
c) We are sometimes not very grateful for the kind of 'creature' comforts that we enjoy 24 hrs of the day.
Having lived in Singapore for five years (and worked in Malaysia on consulting projects), I do agree with some of his observations. The medium and the market through which he plans to create wider awareness of his road trip need more refinement in my view. He is planning to write book that is meant for distribution in Singapore and Malaysia. For one, he should market it to a wider audience beyond these two countries. India and Pakistan face very similar issues for instance. I can see a lot of Indians getting quite buzzed by this idea. Secondly, instead of going for a book that some people may find too expensive to purchase, he could divide his journey into 10 newspaper columns covering three days each or something similar. This could then be translated into the vernacular newspapers as well so that it reaches a wider audience.
Having said that, I greatly admire someone who is able to not only conceptualize and talk, but do something of this nature. It is physically and emotionally demanding. More importantly, the goal of building a human connection that transcends our stereotypes of caste, class, religion and nationality is something which is an incredibly noble endeavor and needs to be applauded by everyone who cares about our survival and development.
I really am glad I went for this talk. It was an hour well spent!
Sunday, June 05, 2005
French Open
It has taken me a while to like the French Open. I used to find the long rallies at Roland Garros boring, the power-play monotonous and the groundstrokes uninspiring. I much preferred the serve and volley games at Wimbledon, where a great serve was followed by a rush to the net and a sweet volley to finish things off. I must confess things have changed for me a little bit this year.
And the match that did it for me was the quarterfinals between Puerta and Canas. It was gripping stuff with neither willing to give in and some unbelievable groundstrokes from phenomenal angles. It was as much a game of attrition as tactic, talent and skill. In fact, it seemed more 'holistic' tennis than what we often see at Wimbledon where a person with just a great serve can do very well ( eg. Ivanesevic) . In French, a big serve can be a good weopon but hardly the one that will get you the title. You have to be a great player all round to survive- good serve, great top spin groundstrokes, good passing shots, the occasional volley- and of course, tons of stamina and patience. The match between Puerta and Canas eventually boiled down to who could play at highest level more consistently and Canas couldnt last out. Sean Connery in the crowd was as enthralled as I was in front of my television set.
What do I make of Nadal? This guy is in the John McEnroe mould, except that he seems tougher and hungrier to do well at the top. Playing Nadal is like fighting a tireless bull that keeps coming back at you with incredible force every time you force him back! (just ask Grosjean who had a whiff of a chance against him only to be blown away in 4 sets or Federrer for that matter). I like the energy he brings to the court, his amazing range of shots and his never say die attitude. Brad Gilber says he could end up with 7 to 10 Grand Slam titles if not more. Now that is a very big statement to make. Will be interesting to see how he adapts to surfaces apart from clay.
In the women's section, I felt for Mary Pierce who had no chance against Justine. At 30, this was realistically her last chance at the title and clearly, she was found wanting. I am glad to see Justine back if only to see her incredible backhand that is as much a pleasure to watch as Steffi's awesome forehand used to be in the early nineties! It is great to see major competition in women's tennis rather than the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds inevitably meeting in the finals all the time. The competition is more fierce now (thank God for the Russians) and the game is the winner at the end of it.
Interesting to see how Wimbledon pans out but Im sure there will be lot less Spaniards and Argentinians in there!
And the match that did it for me was the quarterfinals between Puerta and Canas. It was gripping stuff with neither willing to give in and some unbelievable groundstrokes from phenomenal angles. It was as much a game of attrition as tactic, talent and skill. In fact, it seemed more 'holistic' tennis than what we often see at Wimbledon where a person with just a great serve can do very well ( eg. Ivanesevic) . In French, a big serve can be a good weopon but hardly the one that will get you the title. You have to be a great player all round to survive- good serve, great top spin groundstrokes, good passing shots, the occasional volley- and of course, tons of stamina and patience. The match between Puerta and Canas eventually boiled down to who could play at highest level more consistently and Canas couldnt last out. Sean Connery in the crowd was as enthralled as I was in front of my television set.
What do I make of Nadal? This guy is in the John McEnroe mould, except that he seems tougher and hungrier to do well at the top. Playing Nadal is like fighting a tireless bull that keeps coming back at you with incredible force every time you force him back! (just ask Grosjean who had a whiff of a chance against him only to be blown away in 4 sets or Federrer for that matter). I like the energy he brings to the court, his amazing range of shots and his never say die attitude. Brad Gilber says he could end up with 7 to 10 Grand Slam titles if not more. Now that is a very big statement to make. Will be interesting to see how he adapts to surfaces apart from clay.
In the women's section, I felt for Mary Pierce who had no chance against Justine. At 30, this was realistically her last chance at the title and clearly, she was found wanting. I am glad to see Justine back if only to see her incredible backhand that is as much a pleasure to watch as Steffi's awesome forehand used to be in the early nineties! It is great to see major competition in women's tennis rather than the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds inevitably meeting in the finals all the time. The competition is more fierce now (thank God for the Russians) and the game is the winner at the end of it.
Interesting to see how Wimbledon pans out but Im sure there will be lot less Spaniards and Argentinians in there!
Saturday, June 04, 2005
'Black' is uplifting!
I just watched 'Black'- yes I have been a bit behind in movies- and I'm glad I did. This is an outstanding movie- direction, acting and production and reminded me a little bit of 'I am Sam' for some strange reason.
For me, Rani was revelation in this movie. She played it with verve, enthusiasm and a genuineness that surprised me. And this has to be one of Bachchhan's best roles. Too often, he has been boxed into stereotypes- as an angry young man early in his career and as a disciplining father in his new avtaar. This role is different and shows his range like nothing I have ever seen. I was also pleasantly surprised to see Shernaz Patel. Haven't seen her since Mahesh Bhatt's Janam and that was a while back. Here, she plays the protagonist's mother with a sensitivity that is rare in Bollywood movies- too often, mothers are either overtly doting or unduly strict- they are never portrayed as real women with real emotions- the shades of grey always seem missing.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali has produced a classic. I'm not sure how the movie did at the Box Office but it would count amongst the top ten Bollywood movies of all time for me!
For me, Rani was revelation in this movie. She played it with verve, enthusiasm and a genuineness that surprised me. And this has to be one of Bachchhan's best roles. Too often, he has been boxed into stereotypes- as an angry young man early in his career and as a disciplining father in his new avtaar. This role is different and shows his range like nothing I have ever seen. I was also pleasantly surprised to see Shernaz Patel. Haven't seen her since Mahesh Bhatt's Janam and that was a while back. Here, she plays the protagonist's mother with a sensitivity that is rare in Bollywood movies- too often, mothers are either overtly doting or unduly strict- they are never portrayed as real women with real emotions- the shades of grey always seem missing.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali has produced a classic. I'm not sure how the movie did at the Box Office but it would count amongst the top ten Bollywood movies of all time for me!
What I hope to write about?
What are some of the things I hope to write about. It seems that they will pretty revolve around my interests and what I seem most passionate about-
Personally that would mean-
a) Comment on some movies that I have watched recently
b) Comment on recent/interesting happenings- in sports, politics, business or whatever!
c) The game of cricket- its changing forms, patterns and evolution
d) The books I've read- from fiction of Dan Brown to management tomes to more reflective pieces
Professionally, the areas of interest would be-
a) Management Consulting in general and organizational development consulting in particular
b) The confluence between professional and personal success.
Lets hope we can achieve a noble endeavor here.
Personally that would mean-
a) Comment on some movies that I have watched recently
b) Comment on recent/interesting happenings- in sports, politics, business or whatever!
c) The game of cricket- its changing forms, patterns and evolution
d) The books I've read- from fiction of Dan Brown to management tomes to more reflective pieces
Professionally, the areas of interest would be-
a) Management Consulting in general and organizational development consulting in particular
b) The confluence between professional and personal success.
Lets hope we can achieve a noble endeavor here.
Cinderella Man
I watched this movie for three reasons-
a) Acting talent of Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger
b) Direction of Ron Howard
c) The compelling story of a man who tasted success, then lost everything in the Depression and then, came fighting back- literally!
I wasnt disappointed but there were a few surprises.
First- Paul Giamatti was absolutely superb. He was great in Sideways, but here, he has outdone himself and clearly become a front-runner for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor!
Second- the fight scenes were too gruesome for me. Its a balance- trying to show exactly what happened and still keeping in mind you don't over-do. Straight after the movie, an old lady told me she loved the movie barring the very detailed (and sometimes gory) fight scenes!
Third- the explanation of why he was called Cinderella Man was made almost in passing. Should have been a little more forthright about it especially since thats the title of the movie.
I loved the movie though and would rank it amongst these actors, and Ron Howard, have been associated with. Also, if Renee doesnt win Best Actress for this one, I'd be surprised!
a) Acting talent of Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger
b) Direction of Ron Howard
c) The compelling story of a man who tasted success, then lost everything in the Depression and then, came fighting back- literally!
I wasnt disappointed but there were a few surprises.
First- Paul Giamatti was absolutely superb. He was great in Sideways, but here, he has outdone himself and clearly become a front-runner for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor!
Second- the fight scenes were too gruesome for me. Its a balance- trying to show exactly what happened and still keeping in mind you don't over-do. Straight after the movie, an old lady told me she loved the movie barring the very detailed (and sometimes gory) fight scenes!
Third- the explanation of why he was called Cinderella Man was made almost in passing. Should have been a little more forthright about it especially since thats the title of the movie.
I loved the movie though and would rank it amongst these actors, and Ron Howard, have been associated with. Also, if Renee doesnt win Best Actress for this one, I'd be surprised!
A good read- Just Enough
There is an interesting book I came across a few weeks back that puts things in perspective about what it means to be an 'enduring success' in life- its called Just Enough written by Laura Nash and Howard Stevenson from Harvard. I wrote a review for the book at amazon and am reproducing it here for anyone who'd care to read-
Even as we are constantly being pulled in several directions due to competing responsibilities, we all struggle to achieve balance in our lives. Some people seek quiet time to keep things in perspective- they read spiritual books, some meditate while others engage in an enduring hobby- there is a sense that we need to do something more than just our daily jobs in the best possible way or earning the highest possible bonus!
This book acknowledges the challenges of everyday life- about conventional notions of success in terms of achievement and money and seeks to suggest a way- a lens to help us navigate through our struggles at different stages of our lives. The kaleidescope is a very realistic metaphor to look at different responsibilities we have at different times not as competing but in some way complementing each other to add to the richness of our experience. The authors contend that enduring success is all about keeping four levers in balance- happiness, achievement, significance and legacy. Too often, we concentrate only on the first two and find our success having a 'hollow' ring to it!
After a long time, I have come across a book that is not overtly 'preachy' but addresses the challenges of everyday life in a pragmatic manner. Good work!
Even as we are constantly being pulled in several directions due to competing responsibilities, we all struggle to achieve balance in our lives. Some people seek quiet time to keep things in perspective- they read spiritual books, some meditate while others engage in an enduring hobby- there is a sense that we need to do something more than just our daily jobs in the best possible way or earning the highest possible bonus!
This book acknowledges the challenges of everyday life- about conventional notions of success in terms of achievement and money and seeks to suggest a way- a lens to help us navigate through our struggles at different stages of our lives. The kaleidescope is a very realistic metaphor to look at different responsibilities we have at different times not as competing but in some way complementing each other to add to the richness of our experience. The authors contend that enduring success is all about keeping four levers in balance- happiness, achievement, significance and legacy. Too often, we concentrate only on the first two and find our success having a 'hollow' ring to it!
After a long time, I have come across a book that is not overtly 'preachy' but addresses the challenges of everyday life in a pragmatic manner. Good work!
The first post
It is about 4 in the morning on the 4th of June and this is an exciting thing that I've discovered- the blogger! Too often, we are so caught up in our own lives that we dont quite step back and think about what we are doing and we are going. This is a good way to 'objectively' think about issues and have others read about them too.
I graduate from Harvard next week and the last one year has been wonderful- especially living in Boston with the Red Sox win and the Patriots victory- its been awesome.
I look forward to writing more on this blog and seeing others too.
Cheers
I graduate from Harvard next week and the last one year has been wonderful- especially living in Boston with the Red Sox win and the Patriots victory- its been awesome.
I look forward to writing more on this blog and seeing others too.
Cheers
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