danc-o-singistic!

Lately, I have been getting back to normal (when was I not!!!)... Have been feeling like dancing & singing all the time (yes, that really is me as 'normal'). Don't know why. But I guess whatever the reason, its good to be getting back to 'Life'...
My medicines have stopped and more than me, my friends are happy that I can now start drinking at parties... Well, it surely is getting funnier.
On a serious note, have a few things on my list to take care of and I have not been able to give them as much time. So need to do some serious thinking and planning there...
Yes, have been able to give time to photography and I am absolutely loving it. Discussed with a friend the other day and we have already planned for a project!!! You can check out the photostream at my flickr link. Make sure you leave your comments...

Ok, ok, listen... let me just dance a bit more and come back...

...can we too learn a thing from this?

Being out of India means missing the 24-hour FM radio (yes 24-hour; its on even when i am sleepin). Thanks to City 101.6 Dubai for streaming online, people like me feel like still being in India.
I was listening to the station and heard this true story from Japan -
A Japanese man had to make amemdments to his living room and had to bring one of the house walls down. While doing so, he saw that in the hollow of the wall lied a lizard, alive and stuck there due to a nail between its leg and the wall. This man then realised that he had nailed the wall around 10 years back! The man was shocked and could not understand how on the damn earth did the lizard manage to stay alive without moving an inch through the 10 years. He kept watching the moves of the lizard and thats when he saw something which 'kinda' enlightened him... There was this another lizard which came to this 'stuck' lizard and fed her! And this had been happening for all the while that the lizard was stuck!

Well, they said that this is a true story... But even if it is a fable, there is something which we can learn from it. Isn't it?

Jaaneman

A serene Saturday evening - After a quick 15-min afternoon nap and a cup of ginger tea, I switched on the TV. And there it was playing...
I love that movie... Great picturization. Love the songs as well. The movie's really a nice & light-hearted one.
This post for the movie ending with this lovely song -

...life's a bit stirred up

It was quite calm (and rather boring) since the past few days. Thankfully, a light breeze came causing a bit of a stir in the calm water. Yes, life's a little bit spiced up with quite a few things happening over the past few days.
I am trying to setup showing of 2 Hindi plays in Leicester. These are 'Lose Control' and 'Sudaama ke Chaawal'. There's not much time to do the planning as peacefully as one would have liked taking into consideration that the show is scheduled for next week Friday (25th of April). I watched the marathi version of this play in London last weekend and liked it so much that I thought it would be a great idea if people in Leicester have a chance to watch it. I am positively hopeful that things will all work out! (Samanvay Arts)
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Got my Nikon D80 (with the 18-200 lens) a couple of weeks back. Havent really been out on shoot trips but got a few snaps which you can have a look at and comment on. Check them out at - conceptionatwork
I am planning to go out clicking tomorrow in Leicester. Do keep checking my flickr page regularly and I would love to hear back from you... Do not also forget to comment on Flickr.
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The IPL's started and has certainly boosted India's strength as a BiG Market! I was speaking to a friend yesterday in office and told him about my idea of a business around the IPL. He's suggested that I speak to some influential people and if it clicks then I should be looking to be a Billionaire soon!!! (Ouch! No, it wasn't a dream...)

After a long time there's something different and new happening in life... Its lovely to end the post on this very positive mood.

~a

A bit spiced up

Life's been a bit kind lately. There were some things I was waiting to happen. They have now happened and made the picture a bit clear. I am, however, still waiting to know some things with regards to workplace. Lets see how things move in that front.
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Weather's been AWESOME! Don't even remember when was the last time that I kept the windows open. Spring and Summer last year were horrible... It was just rain and rain and more rain. But yesterday not only were my windows open, but my tshirt was off as well (well, didn't go further!!!). Am loving it. Also praying that the it stays that good...
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Did another show at a place called Hull. Nice place. And the place of the performance was top!
Check out the photos at: http://picasaweb.google.com/amu.khandekar/SingingAtTheHullCityHall.
Unfortunately, I haven't got anything recorded. But hope to get something recorded the next time.

Thats it for now. I will post some updates really soon... There are many things on my mind about which I would like to write. But you need to wait and watch for that...

~a

Going on...

Life's a bit dull, thanks to the weather as well!!! Have not been keeping all that well since 2-3 days and I hate to miss my gym... But then can't help it.
Yes, the camera deal is still on and hopefully by this weekend I will be getting my camera. I really want the camera for the Easter holidays which will give me some time to play with it!
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Music is still on and I just had an impromptu recording (check out the studio). I love the song so much. Have been really out of stage performances since a long time now. Need to get back to it. Will post more about it as it happens.
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Things are quite in a mess as far as 'career' is concerned. So many variables currently and that makes a situation a bit messy! But anyway am sure like always I will get out of it unscathed (yea, that is the right word, don't argue :D)
Chalo then, I need to get back to my homework (its Sunday night and I need to do the regular ironing stuff... not really something exciting!)... Catch you soon.

~a

Life, currently

Not many things happening at my end. Life's been cool, work's been quiet (which helps me get back home before 6 PM!!!). I am trying to keep myself busy some way or the other.
> launched my 'Studio'
> edited, complied and uploaded a video on youtube
> thinking about buying a Digi SLR (Nikon D80 - Do send me any comments you have regarding that)
> have started watching movies quite religiously
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Getting into movies:
Yes, lately I have been watching movies almost every other day and have watched some really really nice ones... Well, I will be posting my comments as well as my personal rating for the movies I see. I am also planning to put up a column listing the movies I have watched. So am currently in the process of thinking the layout for that...

Guess that will be all for now... Will keep updating the blog quite regularly from now...

~a

Studio #82.06.09

I have finally unveiled my studio - Studio #82.06.09. Would love if you could visit and give your feedback.

Also, its been really long since I have really posted on this blog. Hope to be regular from now on...

~a

Just brilliant!

Thursday, 7:30 PM - Taare Zameen Par
Thursday, 10:30 PM - "Just Brilliant"

Aamir Khan - Genius!
Amole Gupte - Brilliant script!

'Taare Zameen Par' is something more than just a movie, something more than just a story about a boy and his teacher. It's about children who have a slow learning, it's for parents who can help their children rather than increasing their problem, it's about the thoughts a child has when the world around doesn't understand him... leave the world, but not even his parents understand him!

Althought the first half is significantly slow, the movie cruises in the second half. Not that the first half is any bad; it has captured the details rather well! I guess I was waiting for Aamir Khan to show up in the movie... The child actor has done a mindblowing job. Kudos to him. Even the character of the mother is nicely etched. But the most important thing - the story. A really nice effort which will help lot of people to acknowledge the thoughts, emotions and likings of a child.

I loved the song 'Maa' - lyrics which blew me away. All within few hours of watching the movie, I recorded it and just now sent it off to my mom as well. Now, I am making it available to you. Listen online to the song here.

To download the song, right click here and select 'Save Target As...'

~a
P.S.: Comments about the song will be really appreciated...

Pehla Nasha

Yesterday was the shortest day of the year and that would give you an idea that there are no afternoons anymore here in UK... Its morning, evening and night!

It was 3:30 PM and dark outside. I was working on some personal stuff, having the radio on (the Dubai radiocity channel available on the internet) and then I heard it... 'Pehla Nasha'... That song so much makes me feel like falling in love! It surely is a romantic anthem...

I wasted my next hour just getting back to life and back to the work I was doing...



~a

Zonked!

Last few days have been crazy... Going out for parties, calling people home for dinner and attending office early morning all while being on medication - not the best of routines! I was completely zonked yesterday and today's been much better although I dont feel completely alright.

After the Christmas party, the next day called N for dinner. Unfortunately, he was told at the start of this week that his contract is not being renewed which is quite sad considering he's been one of the best guys on the project. I guess he enjoyed the time at my place. The next day again went out for a leaving due night-out! P, N, R and A all leaving this week... Am I the only one remaining now?! Thankfully there are a few still there - Me, J, T, J, M, H and well a few more. Enjoyed a lot that night and some personal things were discussed (which I dont really like to blurt out but thanks to J, I did!). Hope J does not speak them out.

I needed to rest and I did today. There's a lot of work left to do and I hope to get it done over the few holidays I am getting next week. The Christmas is going to be quite hectic this year, but it'll be worth it if my plans work out!

Merry Christmas to all,
~a

50 first dates

... and I watched it again. I am sure if I haven't already, I will soon reach the 50 times mark of watching this movie. But I love this movie. Whenever I am down, low, bored or actually in any mood, this movie surely gets me into the funny, romantic and happy moods...

"... really!? That's it? After all that flirting, you are not even gonna ask me for my phone no.!?" - Well, I think I am the one who would fit into this sorta guy completely.
"Aloha!" - Well, that how I greet people the day I see this movie!
"You are the best" - (silence)
"... I love you, very much. Probably more than anybody could love another person" - (extreme silence)
"There's nothing like the first kiss" - ...
"No! Thats what 'you' want to believe... but its never gonna happen" - sad, very sad
"How is that going to work?" - heard this one before?
"I am gonna do it whether you want me or not!" - (no silly thoughts!)
"Could I have one last first kiss?" - nothing to say
"You made a mistake... Being with you is the only way I could ever fallen happy in life" - (bliss)

~a

back

yes... I am back. Actually, had planned to be away atleast till mid-Jan 2008. But then couldn't resist for that long.
Sorry for taking leave for such a long time. I am Back!

~a

Au revoir

Yes, I am not going to be around; atleast for some time. I need to give time to myself.
Till then - be good, do good.
God Bless.

~a

a note of thanks

Life's like that - Ups and downs, downs, downs... And having some kind of support when you are in the 'downs' phase, prevents you from going 'down' too much!
I surely have one such support.
Dedicating this post to 'V'. Thanks for always saying those nice, confidence-building words... This is the best, I thought, I can give you!

thanks - दिल से!

Expect-e-Shun

Is that what will make me happy? I am human and I expect.

(Flashback)
"I expect that my junior will do the work I give him, that my boss will appreciate my hard work, that my mom will have food ready whenever I am hungry, that my friend will always be free whenever I want to meet him, that the signal will never be red when I am late, that the trains will always be on time, that she will understand me even though I say nothing, that the watchman will always open the building gate for my car, that the cell phone will never be out of range, that I will always get the ticket for the movie I want to see, that HE will give me whatever I want... that life will be best to me.
Why?
Because I am me!"

... and then HE blessed me - 'Expect-e-Shun'!

Tips?! Or are they?

Found something, for a woman to look out for in a man, for her to know if he loves her. Dont know why I am posting it... sometimes you just feel like posting some thing without any apparent reason and this is one such instance.


How can you tell if he’s in love?
• When he seems to be overjoyed when he meets you and when he spends time with you. The man is in love
• He will take care of himself financially, physically and spiritually to make her feel secure and happy
• He will wake up before you and make sure that you’re is okay, wonders if you are hungry, checks to see if you’re warm enough or if you would need anything else
• A man in love is when he makes long term plan about sharing his activities with you. He will make sure that his girlfriend can participate in his social activities as well
• The unexpected gift shows that he cares

Post your comments on what you feel.
Also, I am sure there are atleast a few more... Will post them as soon as I get to know them....

~a

Memoirs of the dinner with Baz...

Overcoming the unusual reluctance to get the photos uploaded did take quite a while. After pondering over how I should be presenting the photos, I have decided to have them on my Blog! (and why not, besides being a dinner with the 'High profile' guys, it was for something which would make all of us proud of our efforts)...

Being a bit creatively inclined, I was looking for a new way to display the photos and my discovery was - A slideshow which could be embeded right in my blog...!

Anyway, without wasting much of your time, I wish you enjoy the slideshow and yes, if you could spare a moment, do post in your comment as well!

~a
(alternately, you can view the album directly at http://picasaweb.google.com/amu.khandekar/DinnerWithBaz or by clicking on the link below the slideshow)

View Album

Get your own

Alvida

Even though it was chilly, I decided to take a walk. I felt the need to go out, walk alone and think about things. So there I was, walking on ice covered street, in a below 0 temperature and all alone after midnight. I had my iPod with me and there was only one song playing ‘Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna’…

Had just watched the movie on TV. Although there were a few proponents of the idea of the movie from my work group, I was not one of them. But I admire the power of that movie which had made me think, give time to myself and walk alone on the street when even the stupidest of people would go and remain inside a house…

How can people just get out of marriage, start liking other people!? ‘Haalaat’ – Is this the only reason that people come together or people go apart; even the closest of people? Can’t things be controlled? I would never let my relationships be hampered, at least my closest relationships…

long time...

... riding on the cycle towards my home, I think of what I am going to make for dinner. "I dont like to be repetitive but whats that I can make in half hour and eat!"... and suddenly that jolt feeling of not having written anything since a long time on this world book on mine, strikes me...

window... this is the window where in one can peep into some of my thoughts and I can get an insight on my life. I love my audience. They help build me...

"Enough!" - let me hold myself here now that my mind has reproached me...

Just wanted to let you guys know - "Hang on... something's cooking!"


Cheerio~
a