I was one the snobs who used to say "Animation is only for kids" for a very long time. Hubby loves animated movies. It was he who introduced me to that genre. I watched few movies along with him reluctantly. If I can remember correctly those few were Kung Fu Panda, Happy Feet, Ice Age, Finding Nemo, etc. To my surprise I enjoyed them immensely yet not game enough to pick a film on my own.
Then came Disney's "Frozen" and I was bowled over for forever, just like the song "For the first time in forever" if you get the gist. From then onwards I went onto watch many more animated films and now genuinely an ardent fan.
In animated movies sea is the limitation for creation. It is always good versus evil kind of storytelling. There is not much violence or gory, and you can be sure of a happy ending.
Most of the movies will have a gripping screenplay and many a times it is a roller coaster ride of emotions. And who wouldn't love a good story? The visualization will be remarkable. The characterization will be so endearing you couldn't help but falling in love with them. To this date, Po from Kung Fu Panda remains my favourite character. It would be innumerable times that I have chanted "inner peace, inner peace" like Master Shifu. There is an innate goodness in those heroic characters. We all human beings might be different, but one thing common is we would all like to believe in our righteousness.
Like I said earlier the imagination will be boundless. For example take the movie "The secret life of pets". Have we ever thought what our pets will do once we leave them alone at home? That is what they show in there. In this genre anything is possible and everything is beyond reality. So, it is much easy to accept and enjoy how the story unfolds. That is so relaxing for a overly judgmental person like me. The graphic will be electrifying. I'm not an authority on the technical part of work, but they are brilliant enough for me understand how a person behind a computer can create this magical world for you. And mostly it would be a fun riot.
Today I'm totally a different person. Now if I hear somebody saying "Animation is only for kids", I just sympathetically shake my head. Well, most of the time my sarcasm is lost on them. Maybe it will take them a little while to understand what an amazing genre that is.
Almost 12 years ago I was doing interns in Bangalore. Three months into the city and I could travel length and breadth without any glitch or worry. It was the novelty of knowing the place. when I first came here I was wide-eyed, naive and scared like many others. My father was relatively street smart, however, he could not maneuver and get hold of the place. He would have done it if he stayed here for a long period of time. But my parents' visit was never more than a week. During one of those visits he expressed his wish to see Vidhana Soudha, High Court, and Lal bagh. I have taken off on that day and decided to explore as I hadn't seen those places myself. My mother refused the moment we started discussing how do we go about that. She is a kind of person who fails to understand why anybody will leave the comfort of home to roam around in dust on a wintry day.
Father and I left the home around 8 0'clock. I had the monthly bus pass and bought a Day-Pass for him paying around 70 INR. In BMTC buses women sit in front and men at the back. I told my father in clear words not to get down anywhere. If the stop comes I will come to him and we will get down together. He got the window seat and clearly enjoying the view. However, that didn't stop me from turning back and looking at him to make sure he is still there. I'm raised to be a paranoid. One more thing common between my father and I are we both love window seats. During childhood he used to let me have the window seat while traveling. Once I realized his preference about that I let him have. Both of us like watching the world go by. According to me it is a sin to sleep while traveling especially during the day. You don't know what and all you have missed in those moments. I digress.
After getting down in majestic, we took another bus to Vidhana Souda. Once we got there we walked on the pavement side-by-side, he telling me many stories about politics and high profile cases of his time. He bought Bhelpuri for me and tea for himself from the street vendor. We never had camera-phones back then, so there wasn't any photos to capture those moments. Somewhere during that time he announced we will go to Lal Bhag some other day and today we will just sit in a bus and travel in-and-around Bangalore, which we did till early evening. I still don't know whether he had gone to Lal Bhag in later years.
He had this child-like curiosity. Though he was resistant to changes slowly and steadily he accepted them nonetheless. He was all ears when we tell a tale about something or other. The one thing he was not good at was sharing his worries. He kept all his stress, agitation bottled up inside. He never wanted us to stress over anything. And basically he was secretive. I wonder if those concealed emotions and tensions over a lengthy period of time could have killed him. It is sad he never realized his children are grown up enough to shoulder his emotional baggage. How I wish we could really have a hearty conversation now, not just talk.
We got a new puppy when I was in class sixth. The old Tommy just passed a few days before that. As long as I can remember he was old, sluggish, and droopy. It is just that I don't recall many things associated with him. Nonetheless he was a good doggy.
The new pup was very shy. As he was black I officially named him Blacky. I thought it was hep and trendy name for a pet. Within few days we have noticed he walks little differently. when We took him to the vet for examination, he told it is probably because he was weaned off his mother's milk too early and it could be a calcium deficiency affecting his bones. His advise was to give him an egg everyday and regular food. In those days Pedigree Petfood was unheard of. We are vegetarian family and mere mention of egg was frowned upon. Now Ammamma is a kind of person who believes what needs to be done should be done at any cost. So that responsibility was relegated to me and I was more than happy to oblige. Within six months' period Blacky's strength improved to a great extent. Back then there was no concept of keeping dogs as pets. They had to serve their purpose like barking at strangers, well that and that is it. He developed that skill early on, snarling at all and sundry but for the family members. Even though puny he looked ferocious and fierce, and neighbors started asking whether he is chained before entering the gate. Ammamma who is greatly paranoid is very smug and proud of Jackie.
Like all puppies he started following me all around. He was fast learner of basic commands like sit, stay, come, go. I even trained him to bring the newspaper, whoever saw it oohed and aahed, and I was proud as a peacock. When I am off to school he will come till gate to see me off and again at the gate wagging his tail to welcome me back home. The excitement he showed to see me is nothing but pure love. When I'm doing my homework, scattering books all over the floor, he always made sure to nestle in my lap. Even if I push him playfully, he made sure to snuggle back right then and there. The furry manipulator knew just how to melt my heart with his classic puppy dog eyes. He was a good fetch-the-ball player too.
I kiss him and he will be all over me slurping my face. It used to annoy my granny so much. She never approved of this unhygienic behavior, but blacky and I were a team. He has his own bed in a corner as he is restricted of entering bedrooms and kitchen. Every Sunday, it was my chore to give him a bath. He is not very great fan of bathing, just like me. He had his own soap and towel. The Lifebuoy soap that I use on him is worse than his furry stink. However, no amount of coaxing would make my granny to grant him other brands of soap. She even told me to exchange my soap with him if I'm that particular. I did not do that, what I did was using a dollop of shampoo in last round of bathing to give him a nice, fresh, and clean shower. And before bath I will go in search of tics and fleas from his body and kill them.
He was my childhood companion and he made me the better person I'm today with his unflinching devotion, loyalty, and love. I gave my little attention, care, time, and love of my whirlwind childhood, wherein what I got in return from him is multitude. I was in college when Ammamma called to tell me about his demise. I was in tears and none of my friends would understand the attachment or bonding I had with him as they never had any pet for themselves. He was able to live 10 years and I'm glad he had a happy and overprotective family.
My pet name for Jackie was Sundru (Handsome) that he was and he will be my handsome forever.
Being a non-parent one advice I would give to my parent-friends is gift your kids a puppy and books, and you don't have to worry about them being good human beings because that is by default they will be.
Title: Crazy Rich Asians
Author: Kevin Kwan
Genre: Young Adult
Publication: 2013
Blurb: When New Yorker Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home and quality time with the man she hopes to marry. But Nick has failed to give his girlfriend a few key details. One, that his childhood home looks like a palace; two, that he grew up riding in more private planes than cars; and three, that he just happens to be the country’s most eligible bachelor.
On Nick’s arm, Rachel may as well have a target on her back the second she steps off the plane, and soon, her relaxed vacation turns into an obstacle course of old money, new money, nosy relatives, and scheming social climbers.
Two Cents: I picked this book very well knowing it is the first in the trilogy to be followed by "China Rich Girlfriend" and "Rich People problems". Presently I'm reading the last one. This series is ridiculously addictive. It takes a little while to know and understand Nick's family tree, the companies his family is associated with, what shitload of money they have. It talks a lot about designer clothes, bags, shoes, cars, private jets, extravagant resorts, exotic foods, all opulent things. At a point in time I was curious to go and confirm whether the writer is a designer himself or a gay. I know it is so stereotypical and I'm trying hard not to be one. I even started wondering has he done so much research on designer stuffs and couture culture or is it a sponsored writing on brands? After sometime I have realized it is an futile excise to convert millions and billions dollars to my humble Indian rupees.
There are two things I agree with the writer on some level. One, older generation of the families are money-minded, pompous, and very specific about who they are friends with or who they get their children married to. On the other hand, the young guns of the family thinks otherwise and focus more what they really want. The second is how parents try to control their children, which is spot on in Asian culture. I can vouch for it being an Asian, yet I'm neither crazy nor rich.
It has delicious drama and satire that kept me hooked to the book. While into it I found it is ridiculous and less credible, however, couldn't stop myself from picking up two more books in the series just to know how it ends. I skipped the denotation of both Mandarin and Malay as it was tedious and killjoy. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing and appreciate the writer for giving insight into the Crazy Rich Asians, which might be all fictional or true. I could connect with the few places in Singapore having been there, though I have to say it is my least favorite city in the world. This book is addictive and super-fun read. If one is expecting life lessons or literary gratification just stay away from it.
PS: Film adaptation is in the making and likely to be released in August this year.
The weather in the city is much pleasant with on-and-off showers. I'm happy to say that summer is behind us. Everyone says how time flies it sure does. We have already completed 5 months of the new year. May was both good and stressful in many ways. Like always work kept me relatively busy. Oh! I don't love my job. It just pays my bill and I'm a self-respecting woman who can't be dependent on others.
The little achievement is I have voted this time for the first time. Yes, I know it is late for 30+ woman. The thing is I was always away from home, first for education and then for work. On one or two occasions when I was eager to do the deed they missed my name in the voter list. In few years the vanity of casting vote disappeared. And it never made sense to travel 1000 odd kilometers just to cast vote for a day. Better late than never they say. Amen to that.
The pre-election, election, and post-election political drama was high-strung. It entertained me completely for a whole week. I was glued to the television whenever I had the free time. It is unfortunate and sad what happened in Karnataka, but that is how political games are played, so it is better to accept and embrace it. I had a lot of disagreement with different people on Whatsapp groups. I know very well this futile squabble won't lead us anywhere and total waste of time, but what the heck! It is fun to just piss off some stuck-up people. They might say the same thing about me, but I have the advantage of dishing out my opinions on the blog and they don't. Evil grin!!!!
Mother-in-law was here for her holidays. She and I have sorted out many issues over the years. Our relationship wasn't started on a good note. I being his son's choice was a bitter pill for her to swallow. I think that can be said to any Indian mothers. To add to her agony I was not the ideal daughter-in-law either. It was very stressful for her to tackle the individualist and strong-headed girl like me. She is used to obedient and docile girls, which mostly are her students. Yes, she is a teacher in a very prestigious school. She is genuinely a true and upright person. A very highly qualified lady with impeccable professional records. The problem with her is she is too perfect and expects the others to toe the line. Hubby and I believe in individuality and go by the principal "let him/her be". It was difficult in the beginning; however, over the years both of us have mellowed down a little bit. So, now both of us can safely say we like each other. While leaving her to the native she said she really enjoyed her stay and look forward to it. Isn't that sweet.
The highlight is a family function, my younger sister-in-law's baby shower. Yes, in a few months I'm going to be an aunt again. As I have a nephew (elder brother's) it would be really nice to have a little niece, yet I have an inkling this baby is going to be a boy. Don't ask me why, I just do. Let us wait and see whether my hunch is right or wrong in a few days. Most of the family was here for the celebration and it was great bonding with aunts and cousins. My father's absence was felt by everyone and saddened us. He would have been thrilled to have another grand kid. Also I'm sad for the upcoming baby (is there really a word like that?) as he/she won't know what a wonderful grandfather he/she was. At least nephew "V" had few years of memories with his grandfather. He is a kid but I know for a fact that he misses granddad who adored this little brat to pieces.
The reading was good as I was able to read five novels; Crazy Rich Asians-Kevin Kwan, China Rich Girlfriend-Kevin Kwan, Rich People Problems-Kevin Kwan, To All The Boys I've Loved Before-Jenny Han and What Alice Forgot-Liane Moriarty. I need a daily dose of few pages of reading to keep me sane and going.
The movie list is long as well; Baaghi 2, Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomil, Kuttram 23, Aiyaary, Pichaikkaran, Gentleman, Bhaagamathie, Black Panther, Shuddhi, 102 Not Out, Raazi, Asoka, Hichki, 10000 B.C., Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru, Pari, 8 Thottakal, and Mugulu Nage.
As we had mother-in-law and brother-in-law at home we had to forgo a lot of routine lifestyle, so "How To Get Away With Murder" season is where we left at the beginning of the month. The song of the month I would say "Dilbaro" from the movie Raazi. I know everyone liked "Ae Watan" and it is trending. I loved that song too, especially Arijit Singh's version, still "Dilbaro" captures the beautiful bond between a father and a daughter. While watching the song in the movie I was welled up a bit.
So, that was May updates. How about you folks?
