Saturday, March 23, 2013

Love

It has no definite definition;
It's of many genres - mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, relatives, friends, relationships;
It's complicated;
It's simple;
It's tough;
It's easy;
It's based more on action - care, a hug, a kiss, a smile, a message, a gesture;
It goes through many tests - tears, smiles, pranks, dates;
It's intensity is immeasurable;
It's crazy;
It's pure;
It's painful;
It's relaxing;
It's overrated;
It's true if you grow old together;
It's not about compromise - or completion;
It's about complementing each other;
It's never planned;
It just happens...


Dil Chata Hai - Jaane Kyon
"The Heart Wants - Wonder Why"
(This video has the option for subtitles)

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Films!

I haven't blogged in a while. And I really don't have an excuse for it either. Busy with work? Nope. No internet? Nope. Nothing. No reason. Well, one reason - been watching way too many movies! I've watched eight movies in the past two weeks. For some of you, that may not be much. But considering I'm not one to sit in front of a laptop and watch movies (I prefer the television or the theater), it's a huge deal for me.

Talking about movies, I've been working on my first coursework on screenwriting (which I handed in yesterday). Hmm. Screenwriting is not as easy as many people would assume. I mean, people think it's just sitting down, gathering ideas then jotting them down like it's an easy flow of water. Sigh. I wish.

Firstly, I had to learn how to use a specific software for screenwriting. Yes. Software. Actually, it's not that bad. The software is called Celtx and is available to anyone really. After learning the software, I had to think of a book (or event or celebrity) which I will base my script on, as the first coursework was based on adaptations. After deciding which book to base my script on, the writing process began. First with a bullet draft then with the actual script. Whew!

So film-making is a process and a half. I know many people find it easy to go and watch a movie and then rate it accordingly. It's easy to say "Oh gosh! This movie sucked!" But before you say that, try to realise or imagine the amount of work that went into making that movie. I know you would argue saying you need to watch a movie to relax yourself or to escape reality. But there's a lot that goes into making a movie. If you didn't like the plot, see if you enjoyed the acting; if you didn't enjoy the acting, see if you enjoyed the music; if you didn't enjoy the music, appreciate the camera angles; there will always be something to appreciate in a piece of art.

I am speaking from a media student's perspective so it may seem biased. But in life, we move on by saying that it's the effort that matters, even if the result is negative. Keep that in mind.

No music, but enjoy this scene:


Barfi! - Bank Robbery Scene

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Parenting and..um...Children-ing?

Aspect: Parenting teenagers.

Sex is such a taboo thing to talk about in India. Or maybe I just assume. But I do know that the western world is more open in talking about sex, dates, etc. with their children. And I do think this is important. In India, parents probably do talk to their children about all this. But it's all portrayed negatively.

When a girl becomes a teenager, the one advice Indian parents give their daughter(s) is "Beti (daughter), don't talk to boys that much okay? Don't be in the same room with him alone...blah blah."

Again, I may be wrong. My writings are purely based on stereotypes (sad, I know) and a few programs on the television (even more sad, I know). My parents are totally cool. They've had all kinds of talks with me and they know that I prefer to have guy friends than girl friends. This doesn't mean I am a slut and that I've had a gazillion affairs and what not. It just means I prefer to talk about music and movies rather than bitch about people behind their backs. (See? Stereotyping again.)

Because my parents have talked to me about a boy's attitude towards a girl, dating, sex, etc., I know my limits. My parents have told me about everything but they've also let me perceive it the way I want to. I have formed my opinions and principles on my own. They didn't plant it in my head. It's kind of like how the media works (according to Russell Peters): "They kind of present things in a way like 'What do you think?'" Plus when they let you think on your own, you tend to have more respect for them. Because you're being treated like an adult.

I think this is highly essential in parenting. Parents and children need to have a more friendly relationship rather than the whole authoritative picture. Advice should be given on basis of care rather than "Oh what will the neighbors think?" kind of an aspect. Parents and children, both, need to be open with each other. I'm open enough to tell my mother who I am dating or who I am not. Of course, fathers, in this aspect, will probably overreact. But that's only because they know what's going on in a guy's mind.

Having said all this, it's not entirely up to the parents. If you (child, you) want your parents to be more open about discussions about sex, dating, boys, girls, crushes, etc. you need to be open about your life to your parents. You need to tell them how you feel. You don't need to tell them immediately. You can tell them later on. But tell them. At the end of the day, if anything goes wrong, they will be the ones to help you.

So, here's a song to start your discussion. Enjoy!


Bruno Mars - Locked Out Of Heaven

Thank you Amma and Appa: You're the world's best parents! Love you!

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Art, Bullshit and Science

Last night, I was discussing the views of Art with a friend. We were discussing various movies and what not. Art is very subjective, yes? But it can also be very stupid at times. For example, apparently the glow light from "Star Wars" represents the male's penis. Wtf?

Furthermore, I could make up shit like that and it would be so appreciated. "Oh that guys hat in the movie represents America. For no reason. It just does." And some group of "well studied" people will appreciate my understanding to be so profound.

Really now? I know "bullshitting" helps in exams and what not. But like there's an extent for everything, "bullshitting" also has its extent! You can't bullshit your way through a conversation. It will just make you sound ridiculous and slightly stupid. You need some form of knowledge on which you can base your words on.

Many people take advantage of art. They think it's the easiest form of studies and has no structure. It's all subjective and opinion based. Yes, to an extent, that is true. But that doesn't mean it's easy. I'll tell you something, Science, to an extent, is way easier than art. Why? Because Science has a definite answer. Art doesn't. There are so many answers, opinions, discussions, it's endless! You have so many theories and artists to refer to, that you are forced to find someone unique, that no one has ever heard of. You want to be different. In Science, if you're different, you're wrong. In Art, if you're different, you're unique.


Pink Floyd - We Don't Need No Education


Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Distance

With family, it could be the worst.
With friends, it could be bad.
With lovers, it could be heartbreaking.
With acquaintances, it could be a new beginning.

With family, it's a bonding factor.
With friends, it's a travel opportunity.
With lovers, it's a test.
With acquaintances, it's a new friendship.

In the past, there were letters.
In the present, there's Skype.
In the future, who knows?

One thing is for sure,
Distance formulates value.
Formulates strength.
Formulates responsibility.

It strengthens emotions.
Intensifies feelings.
Creates realizations.
Builds up personality.


Vanessa Carlton - A Thousand Miles

Monday, March 4, 2013

"Where Are We?"

You know, when you're in a relationship, you usually tend to have that "Where are we?" conversation. I mean, are we having fun? Or are we in love? Are we moving in together? So many questions.

Point is, why can't this question be applied to someone you're friends with? Close to, as a friend? I mean, I have a friend. We're really close. But she treats people who she hardly talks to way more special than she treats me. She wished a friend she hardly talks to on Facebook, dedicating a birthday status to her. All I got was a text message. I mean I'm not jealous or anything, but after all we've been through, I expect some sort of priority treatment.

So that takes us back to the last post, Priority or Option? It breaks my heart when things like this happen. I know I shouldn't feel bad about such a petty thing. Such things are probably not worth questioning a friendship. But such vague behavior can hurt a person. I am only human, no?

It was a good day; but a bad one too.
This is more a venting out session than an actual moral type blogpost so I apologise.
Good thing is, you've a song to listen to. So enjoy that!
Peace.


Daniel Powter - Bad Day

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Priority or Option?

This post is dedicated to my family, Amma, Appa, Akka and Jiju, two of my close friends (read sisters) that I've always been thankful to have met, Betty and Seni; and lastly, my friends.

Two posts in a day. Very unlike me. But as regular readers will know, blogging is a way of letting it all out for me. Of course a journal would be ideal. I did start, but it made no sense to me. Why blog and maintain a journal? Plus, a journal is more personal. This isn't.

So, ever been in that situation in life where you do not know whether you are a priority or an option? If you haven't, then you must be one hell of a perfect person. There's always phases in life where you felt used. Maybe a "friend" who has "not spoken to you in a long time" suddenly wants to "compare" (copy) homework. Maybe your friends call you only if they need favours. It's normal.

In life, there's always those bunch of people who will keep you as an option rather than a priority. Why? Because these people are friends. It's very rare for friends to (excuse me for saying this) "tag" you as priority. If there's anyone in the world who prioritizes you rather than look at you as an option, it's your family. If you do have friends who prioritize you, hold on to them. Because they are amazingly rare.

It's always a "Use and Throw" option with people. If they need you, they will use you. Once you're not needed, you're thrown. It's not always the case, but life does take you through a similar situation. Having said all this, I'm not saying everyone is like that. As I said earlier, there are some rare cases.

I've also made it a point to try and incorporate songs that relate to my blogposts. So here goes to my family and friends:


The Remembrandts - I'll Be There For You

Of Love and Other Things

I'm only 20. I don't know what love is. Or maybe I do. But it's a very...um...subjective thing I guess. I mean I have crushes and what not. That's normal. But love is very deep and meaningful, no? It's something that is inexplicable.

I did have this notion that you can fall in love only once thanks to Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. But recently, I've been watching this vlogger called iiSuperwomanii. She brought in a whole new perspective: The intensity of your feelings may change according to your maturity. I mean, I could be 16 but love at that age was probably just infatuation.

At my age, I could probably understand what love is. But even if I do, there's no one for me to share that experience with because I am single. But then again, there's something called "unrequited love" (Thanks Shakespeare). Soooo, point being? Nothing really. There's no point. Maybe that's the point of love. There's no point. It's spontaneous, cryptic, mysterious, confusing...everything you can possibly think about. So if you're in love, please feel free to let me know what it's like.

Having said all this, I really do not know why I am writing this post. I'm not in love. I don't think I've ever experienced that kind of love before. I guess it's just because I'm listening to these cheesy romantic songs that make most girls melt. That happy yet empty place. And I'll end with a song that's been playing all morning. Enjoy!

Andrew Allen - Loving You Tonight