Trials and Tribulations by Fire

Job cuts, salary cuts, and pink slips are the order of the day. Circa 2009: The year started with a bang, but ugliness has reared its head. Recession is hitting every industry badly. The education sector and the BPOs are making a lot of money and are still recruiting. But others are eyeing the costly employee. Ousted, fired, polite pink slips are a reality this month. January has had a bleak start. Let us wait and watch how the recession wipes out the corporate sector. What with Satyam going down faster that a meteor, things are not going to be rosy for the ID card-toting software types. People have been laid off in most divisions of the eLearning division of Satyam. Managers and Project managers who considered themselves demi gods are looking at cheaper paychecks to atleast survive in the market. An Edutech or an Aptech has become a viable option. An unknown Teledata has become the recruiter of the day. Snobbishness has given way to desperation. Hurrah! The recession has finally made ...

Saw Dostana on Monday. Worth the money you pay for the plush seats. It was a visual treat to watch John saunter around in a itsy bitsy undy. For women who fantacize the hunk, this would have been an orgasmic experience. The camera loves to roam all over John's chiselled body. Abhishek on the other hand chooses to remain clothed, as he plays the "woman" of the gay couple. This John-Abhi-Priyanka starrer is a hit. Surely. I liked the movie for these reasons: Visual treat: Oh! what pristine beaches Songs: Maa kaa laadla rocks John and Priyanka look stunning Story: A completely entertaining, no-brainer Light-hearted take on gay relationships Boman, as the gay Editor-in-chief is worth the money Kirron Kher, she asks John to perform "Karva Chauth" for the longevity of her son after handing over the "Khandani Kangan." Rolled on the chair laughing... Need more reason to watch this one. Check out these... Need more reasons..C'mon, its a Yash Raj production...

Yeah, that's me. In exactly 2 days time, I will become the stereotypical TamBram bride. With Jadai and Madisaar I will strut around and join the premier league of "Kosavam Kattina Iyer Maamis". I shall follow the dictats of the community and swear by my Vadu Maanga Oorugaai. I shall...err. Forget it. :-) Heehee. Atleast till now, I am the single bird who wanted to fly far away and high. I am still (for 11 hours more) the single-ready-to-mingle woman who was high-spirited and high in spirits (sometimes). Though my soul would not have undergone a change, my external persona has certainly undergone a tremendous change. I have become the typical bride-to-be. With a feigned coyness and shyness, I am ready to become a Mrs. Well, it sounded like a very nice prospect till yesterday, but now since the day has dawned I am kinda queasy. I know all the right things and the right words. But the question is will I be able to say all of them at the correct time and in front of the righ...

Have you ever looked at married couples of long-standing and wondered what their secret was? Do you know a couple whose marriage seems to be “almost perfect?” How do they do it, these couples? What are they doing in their marriage that we don’t do and why do we somehow feel second rate to them? What’s WRONG with MY marriage, you may want to scream! Why aren’t WE perfect? Don’t scream and don’t feel that your marriage is inadequate because it doesn’t “measure up” to someone else’s. First of all, there are no perfect, or “almost perfect,” marriages. Anyone who feels there are has bought into the Disney version of love: Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Snow White, and, my personal favorite, Sleeping Beauty. While the “happily ever after” image of true love and marriage is hard to resist, these stories are what they are; fairy tales. They are not real life. So why do some couples seem to live in “happily ever after?” Though we may not want to use the expression, couples who seem to be hap...

I remember the time when Akshay 'Khiladi' Kumar used to be a heart throb for Indian girls. His charisma left none untouched. With his toned muscles and gravity-defying acts, he made inroads into the hearts of the fairer sex easily. Then came the downfall. Too many movies with an eye on the 'Khiladi' magic were churned out that turned out to be complete box-office duds. A decade passed with forgettable films. Akshay Kumar metamorphosed into Rajeev again and became Twinkle's baby sitter. After a period polishing his prowess and skills, he returned with a bang. Literally. In the past few years, Akki gave hits at the drop of a hat. Movies like Namastey London, Aitraaz make the viewers sit up and take note of the hunk. They had forgotten that this muscle man could emote as well. After trying hard to regain his lost sheen, Akki, rose like a phoenix. Now, he is ruling the box-office with Punjabi-toned hits. Sing is King is one such movie that rests solely on Akshay...

I have wondered what makes people do things that they do? I understood it myself a few days back. I have been hit hard by a tidal wave. A wave of ferocious thoughts, fiery emotions, and deep longings. I have moved on.

The weekend was unforgettable. I still have no clue what I have ended up doing! How could I do this to myself? Was I drunk? Oh, why did I do this? I said Yes yet again to some wannabe groom! Oh my god! How can I live in a city like Bombay! Are you crazy? Stupid woman.

Saw Vellithirai , ahem, last evening. With my friend, and two mothers. I found it quite entertaining, as I usually find movies. And I thought the script was quite strong but so much work could have been done to pep up the dialogues. Here is a snapshot of what I loved about 'Silverscreen' and what I didn't. I loved : The cinematography Prakashraj Prithviraj The climax To a certain extent, the story line The way in which Prakashraj makes us believe that he is such a bad actor! I didn't quite like: Gopika's over-mushy behaviour The forgettable songs Non-existent background score The contextual humor Vellithirai is a nicely-made-remake (Ok, Manguda?). Anyday, better than the Billas, Thottas, and Anjaathes. It has something for every person in the audience. Prakashraj takes the accolades, for making every person hate KK, aka Kannaiappan. On the other hand, Prithviraj makes you sit up and notice, the way the calm and composed Saravanan, uses his intelligent maneuvers to d...

I know I have deserted you. I fled. I know. I am sorry. I truly am. Dear blog, Here I am, with some thoughts and a promise that I will write to you regularly. Now now don't be so angry, after all I am your kin. We have been together in all the crests and troughs. Come on, smile now. :-) Today is Saint Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day A day when lovers express their love for each other by sending flowers, cards, and confectionery. This holiday has been named after two Early Christian martyrs, called as Valentines . This holiday became associated wuth 'romantic love' in the High Middle Ages. Read about the period here . The February festivities link A certain Professor alleges that Geoffrey Chaucer, known for his work, The Canterbury Tales, was the reason behind the romanticizing of St. Valentine's Day. Its believed that the Catholic Church had recognized three martyrs as Valentines. They were: Valentine of Rome Valentine of Terni and a Valentine who was martyred ...

A charming face, dimpled smile, and a disarming manner. Saw one of his movies the other day and fell for his charms. This guy has some great acting genes. He has taken off where Bobby Deol or Sunny couldnot reach. Bobby succeeded in swaying the ladies for a short period but then became stereotyped. And vanished. Abhay, on the other hand does not resort to any such gimmicks and depends on plain talent. The talent to make you cry and move you. "Socha Na Tha" is one such story where Abhay plays a super-rich boy in love with a Catholic girl, Karen. But fate has other plans for him. He meets and falls in love with Aditi (Ayesha). He doesnot realize that he does not love Karen but is simply infatuated by her. Whereas he feels deeply bonded to Aditi. The love story is sachharine sweet, enough to up your sugar levels. But its worth a watch. No violence, no baddy. No villain. Just a plain boy-meets-girl story, which can happen to anyone. Abhay Deol certainly has potential to become a ...