"Damn it, Chloe"

Yesterday I just finished watching the whole of 24. For those who know of it will instantly yell how awesome a show it really is. For those who don't , ignore it at your own peril.

Launched in November , 2001 when America was reeling under terrorism after WTC attacks , 24 was a pathbreaking series in its own right. Each season assumes the form of one single day and each episode plays out as one hour in screen time. And hence 24 episodes in each season.

The main protagonist is Jack Bauer played excellently by Kiefer Sutherland is a federal law enforcement officer working for the Counter Terrorism Unit who would go to any extent to sve innocents and civilians. Even if it means torture. By the end of the show , Jack has had lost everything his family , his mental peace , his identity everything.

A typical day consists of elements of terrorist threat , nuclear attacks , biological attacks , presidential assassinations. Bauer races against the clock and in the while takes on many tragedies and situations. There are always multiple twists and turns in the stories. The American President has a major role in the happenings of each day. The plot unfolds much like a political thriller , one at a time and together at once. Once you begin , there will be questions you would die to be answered for and get hooked on instantly.

24 is like no other TV show. Some may say it gets formulaic with the same kinds of depiction but believe me each episode is by itself a feature. But it isn't really for the weak hearted. Depictions and at times glamorization of torture by Bauer give it a negative shade but in the context of the plot they become essential and more than once you'd feel that it was justified.

Gut wrenching drama , political overtones, excellent action , terrific scripting , screenplay and acting. What else can one wish for. The story throws up surprises and some very hard moments.

At the end of it , 24 is just another show. It is one enriching and exciting experience. With the vacations approaching , you would enjoy this show with all might.

P.S. - Remember if you're in crucial times and can't spare time , then defer watching it for now. Because it becomes an addiction too soon and you'll find yourself at times watching it for very long hours and yet yearning for more. :D

To Dravid, with respect

The news cycle was abound with a defeated Rahul. Then it switched to a Rahul who deserved it.
At the outset , I would confess you were my second favourite cricketer after Dada. The early years where everyone was worshipping Sachin, I fought for you and forced everyone to admit you were definitely the best Indian batsman.
After the departure of Sehwag or the other ever-changing opener you came out at a position which you described as 'benchmark of batsmanship' and set out a steely resolve. In a world of extinguishing time , you taught me patience. The focussed eyes , the long innings, the long strided defence.
Its unfortunate that you always remained in some sort of shadow. Your debut 95 which still remains one of my favourite knocks of yours was overshadowed by Dada's century. The masterclass 180 is less spoken of than Laxman's heroics. But then you still stood up and delivered for yourself , the team and nation. Even Sidhu's exaggeration did not seem much when he said that you would walk on broken glass if the team needed. Only a person like you could take the strain of keeping wickets and batting at No 3.
Adelaide. Rawalpindi. Lords. Headingley. Kolkata. Georgetown. Port Elizabeth. Each memory is afresh. The trademark square cut which found no comparison, the pull in front of square, the famed defence. Only your technique helped you become only cricketer to score a century in all test-playing nations. And then the assured hands at slips.

Dravid's autograph still with me.

Cutting through Sachin's swagger , Ganguly's gorgeousness, Sehwag's show your tenacity became your infallible strength. People complained you wasted too many balls. They didn't understand how deeply the opposition was hurt. No less than McGrath said that you would have been the best Australian batsman after the Don.
The way you would craft each century , raise your bat with an expressionless face and then again take guard spoke volumes. You exemplified dignity , solidity and humility ,virtues which are hard to find today. How you would never lose cool. How you walked down to congratulate the opposition. Perhaps the punch and cry in England was the most one could see from you.
At your Bradman oration , you spoke about inheriting the game and leaving the game better than you found it. Yes , you did it completely. The game will remember you for the dignity you showed. Reebok chose to call you 'The Wall'. Thence walls don't retire , they become monuments.
Your tales and history will be told with absolute pride and wonder. You showed the capability of human will and resolve over everything else. Its a sad thing that no one else is half as able to carry your jewelled legacy.
There will be only one Rahul Dravid. And thank you for it.

Of writings and handwritings

I still remember those classes in early years of my life where we had copies of 'handwriting' and books with printed italics which I believed a painter painted. We were supposed to write exactly in the same way. Never mind , the topic of my handwriting is still a hotly contested debate by my friends, parents and teachers alike !

It all began with a queer manner of holding the pencil in my early days. I didn't know that we had to hold our instrument in a designated manner. I just held it in the way my hand felt less pain. Years passed on and the pen came. One could be dead sure that even in a crowd of a 1000 my handwriting will certainly stand out (pun intended). I never believed that cursive or anything close to it was really needed. What is handwriting if not a mere path of expression of thoughts.

The distinctive style of the alphabet 'a' , the seemingly different initials and the mockery that followed. It never mattered. I can emphasize that I have seen people with far worse handwriting but acceptable being 'cursive'. And I was the only one to think cursive was a curse. My handwriting without a doubt is perfectly legible for the second time reader except when I scrawl or write while dozing off.

One hidden secret is my Dad's writing was sort of model for me. He used to write in small initials and to me it looked great. I have had always a liking for compact and precise things in life. He never used cursive but still it was pretty clear and spaced out.

One of the misgivings of cursive is that it makes it too crammy and inconsistent to me. Different people use different styles for a 'l' , a 'r' and such. People have strange slants while writing and surprisingly some personal research revealed that slants are indeed a hallmark of great writing.

Still the look of people reading my handwriting for first time ( Ashish Nehra would be shamed by the frown that people have ) is unbelievable. But second time around it becomes simpler. But when I have to copy things from friends who supposedly have 'great' handwriting I find it a mammoth task decoding and encoding into mine.

I would end by saying that no matter what the importance of writing can never become redundant even though iPads and Intels want us to. I don't intend to change my handwriting like Gandhi did when he was in Africa. I don't feel that it is in any way inferior or stupid as people have wished me to believe.

P.S : The secret behind the idiosyncratic 'a' is definitely the computer generated 'a'. :)

Review : The Descendants

There's a scene where George Clooney learns that his wife(who is in a state of permanent coma) has cheated on him. Clooney struggles to put on his sneakers and runs off to a friend's house to enquire. That one scene can tell you what the movie is about. It is about how we tend to take our relations for granted. The movie poses a pertinent question over how sometimes we only react to our close ones when they are not with us.

The Descendants directed by Alexander Payne is a movie that will pin you to your seats and pinch your hearts. It pores into you and makes you ask , how would you respond to situations when a daughter of age 10 curses you and a daughter of 17 behaves with a eerie sense of responsibility. George Clooney as Matt King forces yours sympathies to him. All the great actor we know him , he produces scenes of magnificence .

In the story, Matt King is a trustee of a huge tract of land in Hawaii which his cousins want to encash on for a multi-million deal. And then the indifferent husband and awkward father has to deal with the state of his wife. Life is a big riddle and director Payne relishes it. Painting the screen with subtle emotions and superb performances by leads , The Descendants draws you into its potrayal of messy morals.

Shailene Woodly as Alex is terrific in the way she has to deal with the scorn in her heart and the forced calm. Amara Millier as Scottie with an ugly mouth and a strong character makes you laugh , cry and be angry all at the same time. Using irony and emotions , Descendants classifies itself as a tragic - comedy , yes irony and complete irony.

The Descendants is a terrific watch. Watch it and you'll know how you can manage to smile and have a lump in the throat all at the same time and for the right reasons.

A new start !

This blog is a small way to satiate my desire of expressing and writing well. The posts will be kaleidoscopic peek into this huge realm of colours and beauty which we love to call as life. I hope my readers find my posts interesting and I shall put my best into responding to them whenever possible.