Desolate Bliss

Review Of 'Immortals of Meluha'

2010-06-03T11:20:00.000-07:00

Its been a while since I've been waiting to write this review.
To start off with, I'd like to thank Amish for calling in and talking to our reading club members.
Amish .... you're the man!

Back to the book now ...
I saw the book some time back but hesitated to pick it up for whatever reason. I liked the cover a lot. It kind of had a very mystical look to it. You read the back and you know it’s a story of Shiva, but the cover shows a long haired pony tailed guy with neat features and some scars to add on! After a few weeks though, the book eventually landed on my lap.

I started with some apprehension wondering what the book would be about. Being an Indian, I think most of us would be curious to know more about some of the Gods and stories that we've heard so much about. To start off with, I always used to pick up Shiva's reference when people I know would object to me having a beer or even smoking up. So let’s just say that Shiva was kind of my childhood hero! OK .. not in all the right ways!

But after 50 odd pages, it was impossible to keep the book down. It started unravelling some of the mysteries that I'd often heard off. Amish takes us into an imaginary world full of characters that brings the book to life! You're slowly travelling along with Shiva seeing things in his perspective. The mighty Shiva that you know off becomes you and you're caught in the battle between good and evil. Sati as a character is so strong, and so beautiful, I'm in awe of her. The Naga, who in my imagination looks like Darth Vader, gives you the creeps. I was very keen to know what the Naga wanted and looks like I'll have to wait a while for that. There is something to him that makes you want to reach out and pull down the hood and see what lies beneath!
This was something very brief about the book. It is a must read!
But here are some things in the book that got me thinking...
This book is all about actions speak louder than words. It shows the turmoil any person would face if he/she were to take decisions that would affect the lives of other people. It goes on to show that leaders lead by example and they're ready to face the consequences of their decisions.
Amish brings out a new (I've really not researched on this and hence I'm assuming.. ) meaning of 'Har Har Mahadev'. He brings out this concept saying each one of us is a Mahadev. I think that concept is awesome. If each one of us understands that our actions define who we are rather than our words, we would respond to situations as any Mahadev would do. Weigh and see the facts in all perspectives before coming to a decision.

Another thought that applies much closer to home and something that is a major concern is our relationship with our neighbour. For whatever reasons, there are people there who hate us and our country and there are people here who hate them and their country. But while reading this book, I thought, what if it’s the same situation like the chandravanshi's and the suryavanshi's?
Both the sides think that the other one is at fault. Who decides that they are evil or who decides that we are good? From their perspective, it could well be vice versa. Who decides what is good and evil? So is there an answer to this problem? If each one of us starts thinking like the 'Mahadev' or whatever equivalent in whatever religion, maybe there is a solution to this after all. The solution lies within each one of us. The hatred that has been sown will not be erased by some external factor. It has to come from within. Our generation should wipe this hatred/ feeling from the future generations.

To end this I'd like to say on a personal note.... Amish, thanks for the wonderful book.

luv the MIT courseware

2009-12-09T21:35:00.001-08:00

Dreamt of getting bitten by a snake ..

2009-07-27T21:40:00.000-07:00

Had this wierd dream... dreamt of getting bitten by a snake .. check up on the net ... and here one explnation

"Hello. My name is Dr. Robert Hernandez. I'm a psychologist in Miami, Florida, and I'm president and owner of Lafafala Retreat House. Dreaming with snakes is very important. Again, you want to get a perspective of the patient or the client of what snakes mean to them. To some people, they're terrified of snakes, so there's an element of fear, but generally speaking a snake could mean a creative feminine symbol. It also could refer to sexuality, but it is a life force, something that is coming up from the unconscious to compensate for what's happening consciously. Usually, people that dream with snakes is they're trying to get something done, but they don't. There's an element of passivity. Now when you get bit by a snake, that could be that the unconscious is trying to bite you, so that you can react. It might be, again, you're too passive consciously, so the unconscious is sending you a symbol of libido, of life, of sexuality, of something you're trying to repress, and biting you so that you can be awake again, filled with life, filled with energy, and start taking the steps you to take to live your life."

Time to kick some butt..?

Old Spice

2009-07-17T01:43:00.001-07:00

Remember the "old" old spice ad ....
I finally got to the music ..
Here it is
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmina_Burana_(Orff)

Now I thought the music was pretty captivating .. but check out the lyrics!!
O Fortuna
velut luna
statu variabilis,
semper crescis
aut decrescis;
vita detestabilis
nunc obdurat
et tunc curat
ludo mentis aciem,
egestatem,
potestatem
dissolvit ut glaciem.
Sors immanis
et inanis,
rota tu volubilis,
status malus,
vana salus
semper dissolubilis,
obumbrata
et velata
michi quoque niteris;
nunc per ludum
dorsum nudum
fero tui sceleris.
Sors salutis
et virtutis
michi nunc contraria,
est affectus
et defectus
semper in angaria.
Hac in hora
sine mora
corde pulsum tangite;
quod per sortem
sternit fortem,
mecum omnes plangite!

Which Translates to

O Fortune,
like the moon
you are changeable,
ever waxing
and waning;
hateful life
first oppresses
and then soothes
as fancy takes it;
poverty
and power
it melts them like ice.
Fate - monstrous
and empty,
you whirling wheel,
you are malevolent,
well-being is vain
and always fades to nothing,
shadowed
and veiled
you plague me too;
now through the game
I bring my bare back
to your villainy.
Fate is against me
in health
and virtue,
driven on
and weighted down,
always enslaved.
So at this hour
without delay
pluck the vibrating strings;
since Fate
strikes down the strong man,
everyone weep with me!

Just Awesome!

The Writer's Lounge

2008-12-05T00:32:00.001-08:00

Came through this site and found a lot of interesting stuff to read.
But I liked this the best.

When I miss you

Who wants to read a Chic Flick?

2008-12-04T02:02:00.000-08:00

Honestly, this is not my first time. I did read Sophie's Kinsella's "Undomestic Goddess" and it was hilarious and worth the read. But that was way back. So after dabbling with other writers and leaving some of the books in between, i asked tainu what she was reading. Turned out she had just finished reading a chic flick called "Kkrishna's Konfessions" (pardon me if I've got my k's mixed up!).
I thought I'll get it a try and i've been glued to it!
It is really hilarious especially since I've had the misfortune to see bits and pieces of the so called "soaps"!
All the characters are amazingly crafted. More on this soon.

Nightmares

2008-11-26T00:07:00.000-08:00

Off late I have been having nightmares. Some I dont seem to remember but some of them are kind of hazy in my memory. The cause for it I can only guess. But it has resulted in me waking up at some wierd times and then not being able to sleep for a while again.
The one I had last night was wierd. It had all the ingredients of a horror movie. I was at home in Bangalore and I see this little girl coming out of a pit that been dug up. My dream then takes me to different places. On the way I meet a wierd family. A sardar married to a foreigner and they have a kid. I then realise that the kid/ghost that I had seen had something to do with SRK!!!
I then get in touch with him somehow at his gym and then I bring him to my place. So this girl sees us and she advances towards us.
I wake up with my pillows wet. I look around and see Tuffy snoring. I rest my head and wonder what that was all about. I dont have the patience to read the interpretation of dreams to understand this. But I need to get rid of these nightmares.
I wonder what is there hidden in my subconscience. I wonder what it is that I'm thinking about. I wonder what it is that is bugging me. Maybe an Angel has the answer.

The Hunting Party - An Extended Eulogy

2008-11-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

After a long time, a movie worth blogging about (The joker deserves a full page obituary).
Richard Gere and Terrence Horward(he has a very cool set of eyes!) star in this edge of the seat thriller. Supported by Jesse Eisenberg, the three of them set out to catch a most wanted war criminal. The plot is really good, the director manages to keep the audience glued to their seats.
But I would like to write about something else here rather than the movie.
It will sound like the same old "Whatz so Civil about War anyways.." but yes... it did show how petty our lives actually are.
How can one human being live in a world so secure when there are millions of others being hunted, raped, killed, butchered! Is 'secure' an illusion? All it takes for a riot in India is a rumour. Forget being attacked by outsiders, its these attacks that are more scary. Why did John Lenon sing "Imagine"? Did John and Yoko actually find true love? Can the truth can set you free? Are we equipped to handle the truth?
I hate watching News channels, I detest reading news papers. So, my GK is a little poor. But probably the only thing my GK would improve upon would be "Who is the latest official to get involved in a scandal".

But movies like these make you think. Sometimes for the better, or sometimes for the worse.

Tainu - All Gods in One

2008-11-24T22:46:00.001-08:00

According to Hindu Mythology, Bhrama is the creator, Vishnu is the saviour and Shiva is the destroyer. Now dont quote me nor sue me if I'm wrong here.
I have seen all these features in my wife. She is the creator, the saviour and the destroyer. I'm sure that many would agree with me but are not willing to accept it!
I think the Gods were biased when they created man and woman. How could they bestow so much power in a woman and also let we men live in the illusion that we are in control!

So maybe in school, they ought to teach the wife's prayer! That would be fun. It may go something like this ..
Oh Wifey,
Please ignore the wet towel on the bed
Please forgive me for wearing the shoes inside the house,
Please maintain calm when you catch me drooling at that hollywood actress,
... and so on and so forth.
Amen.

Attachments

2008-11-24T05:11:00.000-08:00

Off late while going through a patch of self discovery, I started listening to a tantric meditation tape. The tape started off by saying that we all crave to be attached to something. it could be Love, Money, toys.. anything. So trying to get attached is not wrong but with what you want to get attached is what matters.
What I learnt is my heart has become very stone hearted. Stone hearted because it is stopping itself from getting hurt. It has now built a rock solid wall around itself. The downside of that is I am now devoid of any emotion. I dont feel happiness, I dont feel sadness, I dont feel anything at all. This has taken the laughter away from my eyes. I now have only a dot, and inside the dot are Tonik and Tuffy. Tuffy has been a world of strength to me. He has never left me alone for a single minute. He is always by my side with his unconditional love. Thank you tuffy.. who ever you are.
So as I was saying, I think its better this way. the more you're emotionally attached, the more chances of you getting hurt. I dont want to hurt anyone, but neither do I want to be at the receiving end. Is that too much to ask??

Expectations Reduces Joy .. The Rude Awakening

2008-06-28T19:23:00.000-07:00

I'm such a crib pot!! was cribbing about how this girl didnt tell me she bought a new GUESS watch lol lol...

Euro 2008 ....

2008-06-28T19:15:00.000-07:00

After three weeks of some awesome football and some amazing goals, the Euro 08 will finally be coming to a conclusion. Thankfully among all my favourite teams, one team managed to get into the finals and I'm only hoping that they go on and win the cup. Portugal was all talent and no show when it mattered. Holland who have been my favourites since the days of Cruyff, Van basten... has always disappointed me. I'm sure there a few other billion who feels the same! But thankfully Spain has so far been awesome. They have an amazing midfield and its like watching a ballet.. reminds of Real Madrid during their better days. I was very impressed with Turkey and Russia too. Its sad that the there can only be one. So heres to wishing Spain and hopefully i'll wake up a happy man tomorrow :)

Where have all the good guys gone

2008-05-22T23:11:00.000-07:00

I remember there was a song with this title... or was it where have all the cowboys gone ..
I kinda get the feeling now.. Been searching on all the matrimony sites for just one guy .. there are thousands of them .. but u have to see the profiles to believe it .. this is what most of them have to say .. "very outgoing, modern... looking for a simple homely girl with family values and who will respect my family"!! Dude.. get a life ... you can go out and have all the fun while you want the girl to be homely ...
pretty disappointed with my search so far ..

How wide is an Inch

2008-05-22T02:58:00.000-07:00

4-4, John Terry walks up to the spot kick of his life. If this goes in, Chelsea become the European champions. Terry walks up, kicks and misses the far post by an inch. Manchester United go on to win the Champions League :( My bigger disappointment was that Terry missed the penalty. Not because he missed it, but it couldve been anyone else other than Lampard and him. These guys have carved a niche for them in the history of Chelsea Football Club. My heart goes out to you Terry. I know how it is to miss a spot kick. But I know, that you'll be back next year and you will hold the trophy.

Blogging ...

2008-04-15T06:53:00.000-07:00

Pretty much nothing to do today at work. Infact I wound up my work some time after lunch. To kill time, I googled for some best blogs and came across some really interesting ones.. But as i was going through them, I noticed that a majority of them were from the girls.. Now is there something in this.. I wonder.. maybe some day i'll read in the paper about why girls' blogs are more interesting to read!! But seriously .. think about it .. some of them are hilarious .... and as long as i get a good read..
Blogs also actually give you some kind of ... i dunno .. a thought that you know this person .. hmmm i swear I've tried weed only a few times :) but yes.. its gives this ajeeb aur gareeb feeling ..

Update:-
I still go with this woman being better bloggers .. but for a brahmin medico ..? he had me in splits ... i farrgot waat itt issss to be in the wonderfull city called bangalore .. where "yen maga" . .was the way to go :)

All in the name of Religion

2008-04-13T22:06:00.000-07:00

Today apparently is the birthday of Sri Ram.
Well that's a nice occasion. But we people have this habbit of anything goes in the name of God. There is just one road which gets out of my house and these guys had blocked the road for a free lunch for the poor. While its a good thing to do, but they should realize that there are people who would want to get to work on a Monday morning. So while you are doing some social work, this is coming at a cost of other's incovenience. To top it all, the nice concrete road which was recently done, was dug up to hoist the poles!!.

ShaUrya

2008-04-10T23:42:00.001-07:00

An amazing movie and a must watch...
The characters are more real than reel.. Kay Kay and Bose are outstanding...
the guy who acted as Javed Khan has also done a great job .. the director Samar Khan has handled this topic well... does not nag us too much .. goes on with the story .. and the sights are breathtaking .. Kashmir is shown in its natural self.. what a shame that being in the same country, we hestitate to go and see this paradise on earth!

WorkOuts

2008-04-10T04:34:00.000-07:00

So.. Its been a more than a month since I started working out. Had taken a few weeks break.. Its been fun so far except for the aching pains at the end of every session :) And Tainu also started working out. She's having a lot of fun too. She is supposed to burn 700 Cal per day!! and I'm supposed to burn around 300. This is a huge task considering by eating some peanuts while having a drink, I consume more than 300 cal in about 5 mins :) And after running for around 30 mins I only managed to burn about 200 Cal :)
So heres what my session consists off..
Day 1 - Chest, Biceps, Lats (3 sets each, 15 ,12 and 10)
Day 2 - Legs, Shoulder, Triceps
Day 3- Abs, Sides and Forearms

Update on 14 April

Here are some links to some training

http://tlepperson.blogspot.com/2008/04/workout-for-april-7-8.html

http://tlepperson.blogspot.com/2008/03/exercises-for-my-raw-fit-challenge.html

How long does it take to build a relationship?

2008-04-09T06:21:00.001-07:00

This question has many answers ... starting from a minute .. to years ... but a recent visit from a lil one has given me some insight ..
I saw Shiibs when she was probably in the 6th std at my wedding .. and she was a brat even then .. she hid my slippers as the custom goes ... but i managed to get away with it ..
And then ... Shiibs came down last week during her summer break .. and wat a time we had ..
We managed to do all the things under the sun ... we went karting .. bungee trampoline .. rock climbing .. partying .. visits to the scary house ... gaming .. u name it .. we did it ...
Generally we would think twice before we would do any of these .. thinking .. ok .. we're a lil old to do this .. but she brought out the an old brat in me which was sleeping all this while.. and that i think is very important .. important because .. i saw that we need to have the child in us alive .. or else we'll just start becoming middle aged .. pot bellied .. maybe even a pointy haired boss !!
We sat and downloaded a whole lot of music .. R&B and hip hop which i'm kinda not a big fan off .. but they were kind of ok i guess at the end of the day .. the night we tried to write those CD's and it was not working .. her eyes almost filled with tears!... we went for bike rides ... ohhh and one crazy evening of hunting for a shrug all over the town! The dissappointment when we didnt get it after going to so many stores.. the almost wet eyes .. again :) .. the lil keedi which we had to coax and tell it to stay put for a while .. the way her nose starts slowly pointing in anger!! and finally the joy when we found it .. :) these still being back smiles :) I never realised how attached i would get to her ... i kinda felt like her godfather .. kinda italiano :) so i told her .. next time any body troubles her .. all she has to say is . "ayee.. i'll call my jiju and he'll take care of u!!" :)
so a part of me went away with her .. a part that had so much fun .. reminded me of my school days :)
so finally .. how long does it take to build a relationship..? I think its the chemistry and the energy that the two people share .. take tainu and me for instance .. that is one helluva ride .. tainology was born coz of her .. take tinks and me .. no one can call me choti pa like the way she does :) and take shiibs .. the way she calls me jiju .. is sweet music ... each one has a very special place in my heart .. and will always remain ..
guess i'm pretty lucky to have these guys around ..
i feel like i'm the king of the world ..
choking ... yeah .. a pretty emotional post :)

Start your Engines...

2008-04-09T05:49:00.000-07:00

After having 2 blogs .. and both are sparingly ussed .. i thought i'll go ahead with another one .. the point is this .. one is the adventures with tainu .. which i think would've been filled if i had taken the time out .. and the other is a lil technical one .. so y go for another when u cant manage 2 ..? well what i felt is that i needed to have one more place where in i can unwrap the mysteries of the mind ..
ya .. this is what i thought when i started the other 2 :) anyways .. this blog may vary in subjects .. i'll try to be funny .. i'll try to be satrical .. this is not a place to vent my anger .. i do that in a closed room :) and i'll try to see where i want to head to ..
so in short .. i hope that this will give way to some interesting reads ...