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

Love will find a way...

Dont know why I am posting this here... Probably wanted you to see what I have been doing!
Tried my hand at getting something done with the camera (a motion picture is still on my mind!)


(Am too conscious at times... its difficult when you trying to do the shooting all alone at places where people are walking around and watching you!)

My first recording Broadcast!

To Mom, Dad and Sis:

Be Thankful

"Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings."

I do not have everything I desire & I am fighting to get it...
There are so many things I dont know & I am striving to know more about them...
The times which I am going through is a very difficult time. Still I am getting stronger by the day and feeling more and more postive...
I sometimes get irritated because of my limitations. But that drives me hard to do it better and better...
I have made many mistakes. Some due to lack of awareness while some ignorantly! But I have learnt my lessons and am getting better every moment...
There are days when I am dead tired after giving in a lot. And few days after that I get the appreciation for the work I have done! Fulfillment... indeed.

I am thankful to HIM to have taught me these things through life and always being there for me! I am sure in this difficult time you will help me as always...

I wonder, though, what GOD must be doing all the time since all the above clauses are already true for HIM!

~a

Relation - ships!

Dilutions of the feelings... confusions of mind... realization of missing something... and....

Have been thinking about this stuff in and out... believe me, no one knows it. Its very dynamic and it has a time component (atleast thats what it seems to be!)

People catch a boat and start riding together. Storms, wild water... they have to battle it all. Somehow I feel, very few people stay on... Do people get the life boats, one each and abandon the ship!? I hope they dont.

One thing I can assure you... I am not a seaman or a person who's gonna ride the life boat with just me in it... I'll take everyone, yes, everyone. Cause I believe...

Am I wrong?

~a

Gandhigiri... Bapu ki jai!

There are some things on which there will be hoards of postings by millions of people. But then these things deserve it! I might be a bit late in posting about Gandhigiri but then I had to! (considering the way I get pumped up after seeing the movie!)

"I am going to do it... Change India... make a revolution... in my own way and make it the best country in the world!"... (I know people say we are the best, even I do to sometimes. But c'mon, be practical. Lets accept it that there are lot of things which still need improvement and strive towards making it the heaven it deserves to become!)

I feel like shouting aloud. Havent in my whole life have admired the power of GANDHIJI! Suddenly I have a lot of respect, I understand the power that he had, relate to the suffering he has gone through to make INDIA free! (Yes, we have fought for it - a lot in a non violent way!)

I am sure everyone has followed some of his principles, atleast some time in Life. I definitely have... The strength which it has is immense.. Most of us have not really thought about this. The movie made me realize that!

"Bande mein tha dum... Vande Mataram!" - Completely agree to it... Have been hearing and listening to incidents which have been inspired by Gandhigiri and its working... We can see it. Maybe it takes a bit more time. But then the result is the best.. Why do we want to settle for something less! Lets not... Lets be the best, do the best...

Bapu ko apun solid respect karne laga hai... Kya aadmi tha. Whole nation on his back. Solid power tha baap! Apun ko abhi tak kuch realise nahi hua. Aaj se apun bhi vinamrata se Gandhigiri karega!

Long live Gandhigiri... And personal thanks to the Munnabhai Gang!

Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia

Well, no its not the random typing of the keys but a word! Yea, you read it right... Its a word! Well, Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia is a fear found in the Western Christian world which indicates that the number 666 is linked to Satan.

Want to add more to this information?
Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia

Dont ask why I put this word here! It was just due to the sheer length of the word. So since there's nothing I want to write in this, lets end this... catch ya soon with something more interesting.