In Flight Entertainment

I wrote this in my flight from Charlotte to San Francisco. (Because of no internet, I saved this as draft :D).

OUT OF BOREDOM

I hate long distance travel especially by air. I love hanging at the airports. But I absolutely hate flights. Have travelled a lot in the past two and a half years and now I am used to moving and changing places. But the thing I don’t like about moving is flights. I feel so restless sitting at a place for hours. Nothing much to do except the in-flight entertainment and if you can read (which I don’t like either (during travel)). And unfortunately this flight from Charlotte to San Francisco does not have any in-flight entertainment and I do not have any book (even if I want to read). It’s a 5 hour flight and as it was delayed at the time of taxi so now we would be on plane for about 6 hours. All I have is my laptop with 33% battery remaining, no internet and Ritesh made me clean the system (got rid of every single downloaded song and video) because of random scanning of systems at the airports for piracy and other stuff. So practically, this laptop isn’t of much use either. So I thought I will write something now and post it on my blog.

So after about 3 months of stay in Fayetteville, North Carolina, we are moving to Livermore, California. It is a small town near San Francisco (SFO). More like a sub-urban area of SFO. I always wanted to go to SFO. Golden Gate Bridge always fascinated me. And after watching Full House, it came in my top list (“Wake up San Francisco”). (Also I would be able to make a trip to Alcatraz prison (The Rock)). So, now, like people say, we would feel more close to India, as bay area is highly populated by Indians. That means a lot of Indian food and also a temple in our city. Weather here would be better than the two places (FDL and Fayetteville), we have stayed at, in USA.

My wish list – really long – The Rock, Hawaii, Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park, Los Angles (seems most feasible, as my cousin stays there and is not very close from where we would be), Las Vegas (its more of Ritesh’s destination, but I don’t mind tagging along :D) and any other place I could visit. Well, let’s see how much I would be able to cover in 8-9 months.

What else! Hmm..

So we started at 11:30 am today for the airport. Our flight was at 2:30 pm EST to Charlotte. We reached Charlotte at around 3:30 pm. Our next flight to SFO was at 4:30pm. So in that 1 hour we had to have lunch (no meal in that 5 hr flight... US Airways sucks!!) and board another flight at another Gate. Funny thing: in that rush, we decided that when we will travel with kids, we would always keep at least 2 hours time between connecting flights. :D So we made it in time but then because of heavy traffic our flight was delayed in taxi. We only took off after 5:00 pm. And now when we would reach there, because of 3 hrs time zone difference it would be around 8:30pm (actual flight time being a little more than 5 hours). Three hours from now. And I am really bored. I took a nap and now don’t wanna sleep more as that would spoil my night. I made some sketches of people sitting around. Came out to be good. Looks like I am only out of practice.

And now, with only 20 mins of battery remaining in my laptop, I just now realized that if I am so bored in a 6 hours flight, what I would do in a 15 hour flight from New York to Mumbai. Well, I finally got the chance to visit my parents and in-laws in India. Though the sad part is Ritesh won’t be coming with me. But anyway. Ok, I guess the battery is out and I gotta close.

It was fun writing this (killed some of the time), thinking that some of you who follow my blog, would read and get bored themselves. (It is really fun sometimes to bore people, isn’t it?? :D) Cya then.. Ciao!

Saga Continues..

After landing 3 Golden Globes, Slumdog Millionaire has now been nominated in 10 categories for Academy Awards (Oscar), out of which A R Rahman bagged 3 including, Best Original Score and Original Song (Jai Ho). It is a matter of great pride for India. Lets hope he gets all three and movie can win what it deserve. (13 Nominations to Brad's movie, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, made me happy too ;) )

Are you going to finish Strong?

I saw this in Anoop's blog and could not find any reason to ignore it and not post here. Thanks Anoop for sharing this with us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqantZJ6WwM

Barack Hussien Obama - New Hopes, New Promises

I have been in US for 17 months now and could connect to the day to day life and politics here. At the time of Presidential election, scene was like, in India (at the time of elections) but better. The Presidential debates were more genuine and to the point. Candidates talked about real issues instead of beating around the bush; they did publicity with some actual public issues; and Obama being first and only African American candidate and Hillary Clinton being the first woman candidate, there was a different kind of atmosphere. More tensed and divided. But as expected Obama won the primaries and finally the Presidential elections, making a HISTORY. The day, results were announced, we were in an African American majority area and the whole atmosphere was so cheerful and enthusiastic. It was something I had witnessed in India too, but for a better cause and in a better way.

Barack Hussein Obama is a new hope for the world. Accepting the fact that America rules the world, it is just to say that the Presidential term of Obama would affect directly to the peace and economy of the globe. He is expected to bring THE CHANGE.
I was watching the Presidential Inauguration ceremony this morning and I could almost feel the greatness of the event. Obama has been compared to Lincoln and Roosevelt. He would be facing the biggest challenges in his term : Depression and Terrorism. There are great expectations and hopes attached to him. If he could pull this off, he would be among the most successful Presidents in the history of America.
Inauguration Ceremony was mesmerizing. He did fluster at the time of Oath but other than that he seemed very calm. And his inaugural speech showed his determination and strength. He mentioned peace in Afghanistan, poor countries of the world, Muslim world(to take a new way forward, based on mutual respect), leaders blaming west for the ills in their country, the terrorism and the economy.
Performances (that emphasized the multi-culture of the country) by Elizabeth Alexander (poet), Aretha Franklin (singer), a quartet that includes violinists Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perkman, and Anthony McGill (flute) who performed an original piece of music by John Williams, children's choruses and US Navy and Marine Band, were truly beautiful.
Now that Obama has been sworn to be the 44th President of USA, America and the whole world wait for a new era. Era of Peace and Harmony.

Full text of the Inaugural address:
http://www.pic2009.org/blog/entry/president_obamas_inaugural_address/

There's always something good..

The day did not start as I expected. Was very mad and furious at someone. Well, that dint change. But spoke to a very old and close friend from college after almost 2 years. I was a little scared to contact him after so long; was wondering if he would reply or not, as things were not that good when we broke contact but it turned out that he missed our friendship as much as I did. And not only he replied to my message but he also gave me his number. And when I called, I could here the same joy in his voice as I felt.

Then in the evening, I was watching a teen-series on abc family (What I like about you) and today's episode revolved around relationships. What I liked was the zest of it. "There is no such thing as 'Perfect Relationship'. What makes it perfect is how we handle it. Love, commitment, honesty, faith, trust - these are some feelings and qualities that make a relation work. Instead of running away/ fighting/hiding, from ourselves or the other person in relation, every time when things aren't perfect, if we stick to them and try to make things work, that would be closest to Perfect Relation."

So I guess, that is how it goes. And it is not the first time I(we) heard this, but somehow we always mess up relations because of stupid and pointless, ego and superbia.

A R Rahman Rocks..!!

Celebrities, entertainment, fashion, humor, laughs, tears, hopes, happiness, disappointments, expectation and celebrations - integral parts of any Award function. But what makes Golden Globe Awards 2009 special to me and all Indians is a semi-Indian flavor in it. "Slumdog Millionaire".
A movie based on Indian background, with Indian cast and crew, has won 4 Golden Globe awards including the Best Motion picture and Original music score by A R Rahman. Raham was so elegant and modest when he was presented the award for Best Original Score for his song "Jai Ho". Charisma of SRK (who introduced the movie at the awards) and Rahman made India proud in international movie fraternity. Leaving behind the movies like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Revolutionary Road, Slumdog Millionaire proved that we do have potential. Though movie is directed and produced by British director, Danny Boyle (who also won the Best Director award for the same), the cast and crew and story made it a reason for Indians to be glad. Movie is a must see. Though I was a little disappointed with Brad Pitt not winning and his movie not getting any award (despite of being his best till date) ;) ... Slumdog did deserve it.
With her 5 Oscar and 5 previous Golden Globe nominations Kate Winslet finally got (not one, but) two Golden Globes for best actress and best supporting role in the movies 'Revolutionary Road' and 'The Reader' respectively. Her emotional acceptance speech was so touching.

This year, I would say, was good over all for all in movie business and audiences too. With movies like A Wednesday and Dasvidinya, Bollywood too won some approval and got a much needed positive change.

Hope to see more movies made on Indian subjects and in India (by an Indian) getting accolades.

Florida Keys.. Soar..Soak..Splash..!!!

An aquatic field of dreams, the watery expanse, beautiful beaches, majestic sunsets, celebrations and joy. A very happy, hopeful start to a promising New Year.

I spent the new year morning in a very memorable way. This would be my best New year start till date. And the place, The Keys, is just another paradise. Palm trees, unforgettable sunsets, tropical environment and crystal clear water, magnificent vegetation, friendly people, cheerful celebrations, lights and decorations and the spirit. It all made me so ecstatic. It felt like floating on the cloud of joy. Bright and intense sun kept burning the body but who cared when the light breeze was there to lift and glide you in the air. Just as fascinating as the flora and fauna are the people who inhabit these islands.

From the largest island, Key Largo, to the tip of Key West, the Keys are linked by 42 bridges scattered along 126 miles, historic U.S. 1 highway and the spectacular 7 mile bridge. Jimmy Buffett's rendition of "Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude" captures the essence of the Florida keys perfectly.

Key west, the southernmost city of USA was the richest city of America in 1889. It has inspired many acclaimed writers as Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, and Robert Frost. It has, the affectionately called longest main street in the world, Duval Street, because it goes from coast to coast- from Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. The Sunset celebrations we experienced in Key West were - not to be missed kind. It was so brilliant and majestic and serene watching the sun slip below the horizon.

And I did one of the things I am really scared of even now (after having it done). KAYAKING. It was so thrilling and adventurous to go among the twisting water trails through the overhanging mangroves. Starting from the Atlantic Ocean coast, into thick Mangrove jungle, with the fear of flipping the Kayak at every point. I must admit it was scary but fun.

And Dolphins.. God!! they are the sweetest and cutest and most amazing creatures. They are so much fun. Dolphin Research Center was so wonderful. It is home to about 15 dolphins. And is a great experience.

Ending the day with sunsets and then homely pubs with live music and dance. It was more than I could ask for, in a vacation.

This vacation proved out to be among the best ones. Relaxing and rejuvenating. It gave me hopes for the coming year and helped me getting over the disappointments and losses of the gone year. New Hopes, New Promises and New Wishes..!!!