Indy & the insipid crystal skull story

I used to love the Indiana Jones series back in my school days (that era when VCRs were used & we used to rent cassettes of Hollywood movies on family-weekends), & I associated the movies with good old adventure-hero machoism, bit of comedy or romance, and an implausible but entertaining plot.

Which is why I was so disappointed that Speilberg decided to make the new Indiana Jones movie all about special effects (did he conceptualise the movie in front of the computer?).

It did make me wonder though -- was the movie poorly made; or is it just me getting older? I'm renting "Raiders of the Lost Ark" this weekend & watching it again just to be sure.

Chinese Buddhist Art

Saw this huge painting on the tiled front wall of a Chinese monastery here & it caught my attention.

I don't know much about Buddhist philosophy, but this painting seems to depict some sort of a struggle for survival -- with the monks helping from one side; and demons attacking from the other; while men & women struggle in a sea-storm (of life, perhaps?)

Would love to know more about it --maybe it's a scene from an ancient mythological story; or from the religious texts, perhaps?

Click on image to enlarge

Consumer Psych

Have you noticed how television commercials always use a male voice-over? There's always a man's voice asking us to go buy a brand of detergent or cooking oil (although they're products more likely to be used by women).

It seems consumers (including women) associate a male voice more strongly with reliability & knowledge, rather than a woman's voice -- so says some consumer research.

I find it completely bizzare though...none of the men I know would be able to make a knowledgeable recommendation on a brand of detergent. They would rather check with their wives or moms on what to buy.

Home

My folks are visiting me this week & its a big occassion. They dont travel much because of dad's health; so its rare for them to visit me. Next week is going to have some quality home-cooked food, healthy dose of nostalgia, lots of hugging & long jogs down memory-lanes :)

I left home one day,
Meaning to go away.
A long distance later
I realised I’d never really been away.

Tagore

I had seen these words engraved on one of the walking trails in the MacRitchie Nature Reserve. Thought they were beautiful.

Whats happening in my life lately...

I have less than a year before I turn 30; and to tell you the truth, the thought is quite unnerving. So I decided to make a list of things to do before 30. I don't want to do any of those dare-devil things like bungee-jump or sky-dive (that sort of adrenalin rush is quite over-rated, I think). Neither have I ever wanted to kiss a French guy or get married to a stranger in Vegas (I'm simply not that spontaneous a person). Does anyone have any suggestions?

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The other day someone at work said to me "I am flying to Mumbai next week. Do you know how far it is from Bombay?". haha!

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I watched a show on "The History Channel" the other day which spoke about Nostardamus' prediction that the world will come to an end in 2012. If it is true, doesn't that change everything? All that we work for or worry about -- health, savings, career, kids, global warming, market crashes, oil prices-- they wouldn't matter anymore. Maybe I won't need to clean my desk after all.

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Have you tried salted popcorn & ice-cream as a combo? It's quite a good dessert!

Tagged

Got tagged by J...

Last movie you saw in a theater - Michael Clayton

What book are you reading - "A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers"

Favorite board game -Scrabble

Favorite smells - Herbal Essence hair products

Favorite sound - My nephew's babbling

Worst feeling in the world - Hatred

What is the first thing you think of when you wake up - Check my blackberry (I'm pathetic, I know)

Favorite fast food place - A dimsum place near work (yes, that counts as fast food in this part of the world). "Subway" is also a favourite.

Future child's name - Need to discuss with H first!

Finish this statement. "If I had a lot of money, i'd...." -Make a movie with Johnny Depp. And buy a holiday home in the Alps.

Do you drive fast - Not really. I'm a bad driver.

Do you sleep with a stuffed animal - No. Although H does have a tendency of stuffing himself (especially when he gets Indian food)

Storms- Cool or scary -Scary.

What was your first car - Ford Ikon.

Favorite drink - Coconut water.

Finish this statement. "If I had the time, I would..." - Travel around the world. Write my autobiography.

Do you eat the stems on broccoli? -Yes

If you could dye your hair any color, what would be your choice? - brown streaks.

Name all the different cities/towns you have lived in - Mumbai, Pune, Dubai, Singapore

Favorite sports to watch - Cricket, Tennis.

One nice thing about the person who sent this to you -His music

What's under your bed? - The floor.

Would you like to be born as yourself again? - Absolutely. Wouldn't mind being born as the Sultan of Brunei though.

Morning person or night owl - Morning person.

Over easy or sunny side up -Sunny side up.

Favorite place to relax -By the ocean.

Favorite pie - Apple pie

Favorite icecream flavor -Cookies & cream.

Of all the people you tagged this to, who is most likely to respond first? - ??? They're all pretty lazy :)

Who gets tagged next - Lalunadiosa, Jas, 666