Week 7 and 8

The last couple of weeks have been busy and hence missed out on writing last week

I ran in week 7 and past my 5k mark first time this year. I was proud and elated. Although timing was sloppy but I had great sense of achievement. I also swam once that week but didnt do well. Had couple of runs and a swim and weighed myself 75.6 kgs, 5.6 kgs in 4 months and lose that ugly belly.

Week 8 was a slippery slope. Had a emotional downturn which involved binging on crisps, chocolate and tasty banana loaf from Marks and Spencer. And I failed on exercise front. But weekend involved 5 mile walking and 1 hour of paddle boarding. But weight doesnt seem to lose. Still same numericals 75.6. A long way to go

I hope I can manage it

 

week 2,3,4,5 and 6 of challenge

Hey guys, sorry for taking a short vacation off blogging. I wasnt neglecting. I was just busy in holiday and entertaining family who were down for 4 weeks in one of annual visits. With all the fun stuff going on … Continue reading →

Week 1 of new challenge

Today marks end of week 1 when I started my challenge 2013. A lifestyle change with improvement of fitness, appearance, belief and overall lifestyle. Family arrival from India acted as hurdle. Having time for exercise and also entertaining visiting family is a multitask which I couldn’t manage. Not an excuse, as I did manage with diet and miles of walk, thanks to tourist attractions in England requiring a fair bit of trail.

Run on Tuesday followed by diet all days. I seemed to have lost diet, dont know if its parents arriving or me being conscious of my enormous figure and continuos rejection be gay folk. Weekend included excursions to Isle of Wight and New forest where I am sure must have walked miles and also took few dips in channels. That counts exercise, doesn’t it?

And today the rage of Zimmerman acquittal may have burned few calories too. Overall this week hasnt been too bad generally. Health wise probably average, exercise wise poor but better than week before and isnt that the motto

 

A challenge for a year

Having turned 31 and not had many personal achievements, one begins to think where did it go wrong? Where did time slip away without noticing and not having any goals targeted. Answer was plain and simple, Laziness compounded by low self confidence. Unable to believe in oneself and then easily letting oneself off hook results in 31 years and not been able to have a relation or follow dreams or dare to do things which I thought I would have mastered by now. No point of crying over spilt milk, thus today on 7/7 when Murray might conquer the Wimbledon title and London had fought against terrorism 8 years ago, I am encouraged to take up a challenge for a year. My past mid year resolutions.

I challenge myself to blog a post every week about any topic of my choice: movies, physical challenge, travel, TV, musical or current affair. The physical challenge is lose weight 5 kgs before January 2014. How? By dieting and exercise and pushing my limits. It is alarming when your mother calls you fat or someone you had dated in past and broke up for lack of personality attraction says that I am too fat for them now!!!! It jolts you and makes you think you cant just get excuses everytime. Thus time for challenges have come up watch a movie or 2 week, exercise 5 times a week and write a post about how my week was every week either a Sunday or Saturday.

Week one begins from tomorrow and highlight of week is parents and cousin coming from India to spend a month with me, give me company, travel and enjoy a short holiday together. 

 Lets see where my challenge leads, next post if not before will be on 14th July, watch the space. It is race against oneself to prove oneself can do better.

I am Excited……Movie Review

I AM NOT SO……….EXCITED

Foreign films don’t form part of normal audience viewing, thus many get amiss living in a small city. But no surprise when Harbour Lighthouse in Southampton decided to screen Almodovar’s new instalment. The fact that Spanish filmmaker has already made his marks from his movies of 90s and noughties and generated a fan base all over island make sure the cinema house that it wont be a loss deal to screen, ” I’m so excited”. On a Sunday afternoon with semi packed auditorium, we were ready for a voracious screenplay with multiple sub plots and metaphors. We did get the later half but not the first half. Pedro Almodovar was trying his hands on light romantic situational comedy with  his usual undertones.

The movie starts on airport runway, with revelation by airport porter Penelope Cruz to a plane technician Antonio Banderas, and revelation leads to an accidental swallowing of a part in the engine. Thereby leading to failure of landing gear of a flight destined to Mexico, triggering a storyline of confessions, building friendships, experimental relationships, class warfare and what not. Almodovar uses comedy as medium to deliver these metaphors. The economy class including their stewardesses are somehow being sedated to avoid confrontation of unfortunate circumstances, an undertone of class prejudice. Some one mentioned supposed to be metaphor of current Spain trapped in EU, no idea.   The business class, served by 3 camp gay stewards, is form of characters to give more metaphors and sub plots to save plane (movie) from crash landing. We have a semi retired actor flying to revive his career by fetching roles in Mexican Television industry. On learning on fate of his aircraft, calls his girlfriend suffering from mental health problems and on verge of suicide literally, but gets connected to his ex whom he shared true love apparently. Hence fate directs him towards confession of being a bad boyfriend and paranoia of being ageing actor and slipping career. Then there is another ageing B grade actress, Norma, a diva who earned her name and now money by her élite fans of her sexuality and now blackmailing them for their xrated videos. She thinks it’s a conspiracy to kill her and confesses everything only to fall in love with henchman who is on board to kill her.  We have psychic virgin who senses the plane’s discrepancy and outs to people and out of frustration consummate with a sedated bloke of economy class. There is a father searching his daughter who has runaway from her orthodox background to be model only turns out aX rated actress, employee of  Norma. It is also revealed later on that he has committed several financial frauds, latest one being an airport which has no use. The crew also give us some stories, the head steward having a relationship with his pilot, a bisexual in a committed marriage. The co-pilot stuck in a meaningless relationship with girl wants to know why he isn’t bisexual and experiments with men around him often. The large steward , practicing celibacy, but has ravaging sexual urge underneath. Throw in few puns, some banter and a pointer sister song of movie title performed by stewards to calm passenger down and we have the climax.

The movie is travelling in a linear direction unlike the plane circling the Spain, and like aircraft fails to reach its destination. The characters are well picked and so are actors chose to do them. But it’s not the play acting that lets down, it’s the script which fails to take off. The plot can be very claustrophobic as after all is only in the business class of a Spanish flight. The metaphors are good but not potent enough to give the horsepower to engine. The Almodovar fans like me feel let down at his attempt to make a light movie. He might be forgiven as people unknown to his genre might like his movie, but it’s not a masterpiece nor a movie of good direction. It is more like jigsaw puzzle with pieces of scenes falling in to place to create a scenic poster. The movie doesn’t present much with excitement, few giggles and some undertones.

Verdict : A flat coke  **1/2

Rocky Horror Show: Review

After managing our way through frills, stilettos and loud and eager audience, the woman seated next to me said “This isn’t for faint hearted.” Even in current decade of zombies, vampires and Tory government, this 40 something old sci fci musical parody of 30s hollywood is more thrilling!!!! Hence, no surprise when now country touring Christopher Luscombe production of Richard O”Brien’s path defining musical opened in Mayflower theatre, fellow Hampshireans packed the auditorium, after all men seldom get chance to rummage through their Ann Summer collection to don their fish net stocking, padded lingerie and open the wig collection. Thus among the most cross dressed straight men  of country in room and loudest make up wearing women, we were waiting in antici………..Pation!!!!

The plot, although etched well in people’s mind, is about a very virgin undersexed engaged couple who make a journey that makes them halt at a castle owned by oversexed transvestite with a zombie looking butler and hooker make up wearing maids. The night spend in the mansion changes their life and makes them lose their innocence along with virginity. Doesnt sound very appeasing, does it? And among all this there is dark humour, some sci-fi stuff and a major homage to B grade movies that packed 30s-50s theatre as part of double feature, usually horror in genre. Isnt that too much to pack in mere 100 minute musical.  And sci-fi isn’t subject to  sing about nor is horror ever funny. But barely out of his puberty Ozzie O’Brien took advantage of sexual revolution of 60s-70s, and rock roll craze and whipped into this ever exciting production. The songs now at everyone’s lips are a quiet collection for Ipod generation,

Luscombe does all the justice to this legend in his production. Narrated very wittily by Richard Sparks, who encompasses the current “Embarrassing Bodies” and “Tourette” generation, very well in his witty monologue. He even manages to respond to a loud and clever group audience who throw ” Jimmy Saville“, “C*ck, ” and W*nk” humour at him. Not only he responds affordably and quickly but also manages to include in flow of script, hence receives  an ovation by the already adrenaline soaked audience and some alcohol soaked too. Sam  Attwater and Dani Harmer play their part as all American naïve couple well, apart from Sam’s singing, which he clearly tries hard but fails flat. But he is forgiven and forgotten soon as when Oliver Thornton steps on stage in his stilettos and corset, all is well. Even after dancing to “Time Warp”, we have  stamina to laugh at wonderful campness of  Thornton, and his acrobatic choreography not to mention all delicious rounded but which he flaunts. Kristain as Riff raff and Ceris as Columbia rock the floor, poor Abigail as Magenta with her limited script does well and so does Joel Montague as Dr Scott and Eddie. The band by Tony Castro does justice to the orignal music.

But the main stars of show are audience, however gin soaked or red lipstick stained, they are spirit of show that hum along the songs, make quirky remarks, jump to left on Time warp and never stoop applauding the cast for taking them to a memorable journey of sexual revolution in back drop of sci-fi and humour. The sex is more seductive than Christain in 50 shades of grey and the ripples of sexual tone are felt in audience. The groping, erection of simulated penis, massaging of breasts and thrusts and grinds don’t feel perverse or an abomination, on contrary the homoerotic is beguiling to a most hetro audience. The Luscombe as succeeded to gain the core of musical:audience involvement and hasn’t given Richard O’Brien a chance or reason to frown or sulk.

Never does a hairy chest in corset or hairy leg in high-heeled Prada feel right, but only in Rocky Horror show. The pink hair, glittery coat and a tiger print speedo do fit right in the viewers. It is unknown when-have heterosexual men loved to cross dress and parade around city to enjoy a very sensual dark musical. But that was the magic knowingly or unknowingly created by O’Brien. He made Transylvania look a better settlement than earth, and made alternate lifestyle a norm. Rocky Horror show supposed to be representative of  a revolution, of cult fashion, little did Richard knew he created a cult with its followers age from 70 to 15. Prozac, laughing gas or viagra isn’t needed to raise the roof in the musical, the concept just does it for people. Hence even though smiling makes the face hurt and clapping makes palm sore one doesn’t stop doing either. A must watch if it opens in your town or town near you, as among best musicals seen on stage

 

How did Maggie’s death affect me!!!!!

How did Maggie’s death affect me!
Ding dong witch is dead, may haven’t been a number one this chart, but did show the bitterness that people keep inside them.  Lady Baroness Thatcher passing away wasn’t a surprise , shock or even dismay, she was frail in past few years and her condition has got worse. Although doesn’t mean the family will be less sad and don’t have right to mourn about her. But her death has seemed to cause more controversy in my life than her active political life.
Not a conservative or Thatcherite but as mere Thatcher sympathiser I found myself in muddy waters with the proclaimed socialist of nation. I had outrage against me on twitter, my friends shouted at me and few ppl didn’t shy their anger when I merely expressed Thatcher did what she was going to do, hence why vote her thrice and then have this anti Thatcher propaganda. And all this people supposed to be left Wing secular part of society. I till today assumed swinging to left meant being liberal and not narrowing your outlook, hence proud of my left roots. But the “socialist ” idealist” of that calibre have ashamed me for being on their side of the semicircle.
Not going more in details of political or economic aspect of Thatcher, I merely stated she came in power when the nation could not afford the perks of welfare it was used to. After the Great Depression , Cold War and most importantly loss of empire the treasure chest was running low on resources. And like any wise housekeeper she budgeted and made her income run for her household (Britain). But that created uproar as unearned privileges were being cut, privileges which suddenly became necessities. And she also wanted to increase her income hence the free market and encouragement to business who might help to pay for those privileges what socialists go banging about. Ask any middle class mother, how she manages her household with the household income, and I know country is different from household. But so were the times, from being a rich empire the nation had lost colonies, one of big chunk of income.
People also mentioned her being homophobic of passing section 28, but same ppl forget she had supported decriminalization of homosexuality. And section 28 although a discriminatory act has no direct result. Mine closures of Harold Wilson are conveniently forgotten although were definitely more in number than the same period than of Thatcher. Left wingers opposing the privatisation never raised a finger to protest against the private British empire exploiting the colonies as long as they were paying the welfare. And same idealist were happy to have all these perks that came from a private company.
What strikes me most about this is the “Hypocrisy” of these “Guardian readers”. You didn’t like her but you praised her when she initiated indirectly war in island 1000s miles away and won for the nation. She became the hero, the mum, the leader. But minute she took harder decision she was witch reincarnated from hell of Oz. I also fail to understand why did nation kept her in office for three terms when she supposed to have an iron heart” not just an iron exterior to be strong to stand on her ideals. Their argument also came to me as ” you didn’t grew up in this country in 80s”, my reply was you didn’t grew up in any colonies but were more than happy to made comments and sometime decide their policies.
Glenda Jackson‘s bitterness or Owen jones negativity or Ken Loach‘s social opportunism had struck me hard. Especially these were my heroes of liberal aspect of society. But they are as staunch as the traditional Tories. Idealism has completely lost on me especially when it doesn’t flip the coin to see what’s on other side   Never a Tory nor a Thatcherite, I am saddened by her death but mortified by the “progressive nation’s” regressive approach to a leader they disagree with. Witch might be dead but her magical prowess lives on people who celebrate her death!!!

Matru ki Biljee Ka Mandola:Movie Review

Man Dola Re!!!!

Scene is set, warning titles of harmful effects of addictions and minute later, white limousine in Haryanvi village runs into an alcohol vending shed closed on dry day!!! Reason, an alcohol can’t get his fix and few scenes later the drunk leads marching revolution against his own capitalist agenda only to realize in his sober state of repercussions that he has fallen into.  The movie has set the pace; key is in the ignition and engine jump-started. The latest installment from Vishal Bhardwaj is no adaptation unlike his earlier masterpieces, but a moral questioning rhetoric presentation. He wants to use witty humor to highlight the lefties movement that gave light to activists like Medha Patkar, Anuradhati Roy and Mamta Bannerjee a way to break 30-year rule of CPM on West Bengal.

Set in a rural Haryana village Mandola, movie wants to highlight capitalist agenda in form of Mandola’s (Pankaj Kapur); a merchant  named after village; dreams of building factories and malls. He has a moral side that comes out after alcohol intoxication, which not only self revolts but also files planes and jumps out of parachutes. Thus to restrict his self-conscience he hires a law graduate Matru (Imran Khan) to stop him from alcohol indulgence. Soon revealed Matru has hidden agenda, and it isn’t courting Bijlee (Anushka Sharma); Mandola’s daughter. Also to define a clear villain, Bharadwaj creates MLA chaudary Devi (Shabana Azmi) and her wannabe shrewd son Badaal (Arya Babbar). The characters chosen, plot set now he plays with script to get farmers, Matru, even Bijlee after second half , alcoholic Mandola and mystery Mao the agricultural land off the claws of Chaudri Devi, Badaal, sober Mandola and his goons namely bank chief, inspector. Thus the line  drawn ;it’s the socialist movement against the capitalist dreams of progress and humor  used well but can get lost in the screen. The movie travels through the Matru’s socialist movement to protect the weaker class from getting exploited, Mandola’s self discovery awakening journey, Chaudary Devi’s ambitions of self progress for herself and Baadal and the raw romantic undercurrents between Matru and Bijlee. As there is usual pattern and the proper defining characters, the climax also follows the routine of good guys win against bad guys

Bhardwaj from his past presentation has set our expectation on fire; hence it is no surprise when many of us don’t feel the appetite  attended to. Although a good movie with loads of bearing issues it lacked the underbelly. It did ignite the engine but spark wasn’t enough to last the journey, needed refueling. Movie is like a good foreplay with an unsatisfying intercourse and non-orgasmic climax. The reason being over indulgence of part of director, the screenplay got him carried away. The darkness of script is lost, so is humor. The acerbic tone has replaced by slapstick and in some cases accidental funny. The script bears weight of social, political, moral and ethical issues; but screenplay doesn’t singe them well making it a sectional movie and not a continuous presentation.

Even with all this flaws, one can forgive them for certain beautiful parts and well written dialogues. There were masterpieces in parts like Chaudary Devi explaining her agenda of progress to her son, the drunkard Mandola asking why has a law graduate Matru come back to village only to serve as chauffeur. Then there is scene where drunkard Kapur wants to protest against himself; also Matru and Bijlee moments with their sexual undercurrents were powerful.  Another USP for movie is characterization of Mandola, and which Pankaj Kapur exploits it powerfully. Weakness comes from poor characterizations, like Matru; played brilliantly by Imraan Khan; is too idealist and lacks personality unlike Bhardwaj’s previous protagonists.  Then there is Bijlee, manic-depressive complex personality who has fire but lights the wrong matches and in my opinion would have been a good Mao again whose identity was very predictable and clichéd, revealed far too early in movie. Chaudary Devi, another powerhouse performance  by Azmi, is the same old power-hungry, corrupt single mother, female political figure that visits frequently these days in Bollywood, Badaal a silly son of powerful mother another species which noted commonly these days in media. One cannot question music by Bhardwaj and lyrics of Gulzar but some songs are very badly placed and lengthens script especially post intermission when the climax although predictable doesn’t come too quickly enough,

All in all, MKBKM has good tone for a good stage presentation but lacks in screenplay writing and editorial display. Acting has been good for limited characters given to actors but dialogue and humor uplifts the script. But some humor is lost and some is clichéd, sarcasm would do just to a script like this. The light comedy misses the dark nature of script which might have had come handy. Kapur’s dual personality portrayal is definite star of the show. The movie hits the spot but fails to quench the thirst. As said in the start of movie, too much texting causes pain in fingers, too much ghee causes heart attack, Bhardwaj’s too much indulgence made this movie likeable not loveable.

Rating-*** (Good)/5

Revolutionising the Change

In 90s, one of common question that appeared on beauty pageant,” Would you opt for change with the war or stagnant world with peace?”. I always used to wonder why one or the other, why not change happening peacefully. Though never pondered much on it then, too young to care and worry. But as the third decade dawned on me, I began the philosophical journey to become intellectual and in that become attractive to single guys. Hence the apprehension why does change need to come with a revolution why can’t be a quiet turn of time. And why the sudden desire of change? Why make any resolution to amend yourself at dawn of every new year only to see them go down the drain next day?? Why re-adapt after all that pain of initial adaptation, and to prove whom? Always been told be happy with oneself and be happy with what you get, is the change because you aren’t happy with yourself or your collectives? Than why form an individuality with some experiences only to change it again because it isn’t what you wanted?

Like every single guy who is on dating scene has come across the dilemma, why aren’t I suitable for some guys, what’s wrong with me blah blah. And the answer was “I need to change” But change to what, for what, at whose will, and will there be further need of change? I was taught by my mother that each relationship needs working on, needs some compromise, some amendments. But does it need a complete change of a person, time or life? Like every new year eve I make a statement that this year will be different, it will be m year and my time. Shouldn’t every year in one’s life be his/hers, why want to it different when you have sailed your life to this year safely, even though with some hindrance, but you are still there. I realised I don’t have any answers to any question i pose. Hence I decide to jump on bandwagon of renaissance.

Lets see what my changes of this year lead to, although I promise myself I will change each year I want to do this year because current spell of loneliness and finding out if change is answer to be accepted on gay dating scene. And these changes aren’t only for the surge of relationship, but for finding elasticity of my boundaries. Also because of boredom of laziness and excuses for not been able to many things I dreamt of. 2012 came and went, Obama got elected, Saville got exposed, Indian girl showed me that they aren’t just self-sacrificing, onion chopping, regressive soaps watching sex when an atrocious crime is committed against their gender.I wanted to do so much, yell out my rage, act my wishes. But like always I got my cold feet and let my laziness take better of me. This 2013, I wouldn’t want to say its my rebirth or is going to be different, as it will just be pure utter daftness. But I would like to see what change is, what are perks of change and doest it really happen and if does is it rewarding conclusion or just a transit stop before another revolutionary change awaits to happen.

As, Barack Obama quoted “Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” I would like to see if all the resolutions I made this year need a revolt or mere trial from my part and I really am capable of change.But am sure being peacefully lazy wont bring change or will it?? Watch for space………

Farewell 2011

2nd day in 2012, an eve before the work for 2012 presumes thoughts of 2011 flash through brain. As a new chapter begins, anxiety grips, eagerness arises and memories flood the brain. Not knowing what lies ahead, one tends to reflect what went by. So here is 2011 in few words in my post.

  At this time last year, I was praying 2011 needn’t be as eventful as 2010 and God does have ears for my voice. Although a rather uneventful quite one it has been a been a strong year in laying the base for future. The Arab youth fought for their future, world dictators diminished and reached their destiny, Osama got killed, we voted a hung parliament in Britain. Throughout the world, there were life changing events happening and in my small world it was all about improving. A general self improvement of personality and grooming appearance. 

My highlights for 2011 were:-

1. Meeting new people from twitter and made and met best of people 

2. Learning that I could run and doing my first ever lifetime 10k run as Pride Run and also a later 5k in a respectable time

3. Gaining more trust and faith of my existing friends and learning I wanna be more close to them distance wise

4. Acknowledging certain facts about me which I have been ignoring for while and learning to reduce self expectations and being self realistic about dreams

5. And being more sure that I am absolutely passionate about movies and travel.

 This came a more positive approach to 2012 and thereby hoping to keep this up and making 2012 a breakthrough year of my life.