The day of the Avatar

I committed a cardinal sin today. Of the highest ranks, in my list.

I watched a movie, in a theatre, ALONE. Yes, all by myself. Includes the commute to and fro and sitting in the theatre for the entire length. Well, I do have my list of silly principles. Never to watch a movie alone, in a theatre was one of them. It is creepy, in a way loser-ish, and (I know now I am going to sound super neurotic) people give you oh-poor-girl-look-she-is-alone glances!

But I watched a movie ALONE! Yeah baby ;)

Anyways, so the story isnt as rosy as it sounds except for the weather which was perfect, in mid 70s and windy. 

So, I already had had a long morning, with some OPT paperwork, lunch preparations for a friends birthday, followed by lunch. After the extremely sumptuous lunch, I left for the theatre in an almost drowsy state. I missed the bus and then when I was contemplating taking a cab, owing to my desperation to get there in time, another bus came by. My transit card did not work and the driver was sweet enough to give me a free ride. So yeah, I was destined to at least reach the theatre! And did I tell you I had not been to this neighbourhood that often, so keeping my bearings correct (which I am particularly bad at) was another issue. After some doubtful turns and crossing my fingers, I somehow managed to spot a sign which said, 'Theatre ->' (it was an under construction mall, with shops still to be leased out). Huffing and puffing and almost running, I approached the ticket counter. And here goes one of the most awkward and kinda hilarious conversation I have had recently :

Me: One ticket for Avatar 3D

Lady: next show is at 6.15.

Me: What about the one at 2.50 ?

Lady: Oh, we stop selling tickets 7 minutes after the show starts (You guessed it right, I was LATE)

Me: Well, I am not watching the movie for the first time. I am here for a re-run (FLAT LIE)

Lady: Oh, (suddenly all understanding) Is someone waiting for you inside ? (wink, wink)

Me: (thought bubble over my head with ERMMMM written all over it and one more thought bubble inside it which said 'Time to lie more') Kinda yes! Can you make an exception, just this time ?

Lady: Oh, well I wont do it the next time (with a sweet smile). Here you go. Can you tell me where do you want to sit ?

Me: (Imaginary boyfriend where are you sitting ?) Actually I dont know, I can call and confirm if you want..

Lady: Well, it must be this one (pointing to a single seat in 2nd row which was occupied in her screening hall simulation).

Me: If you say so..

Lady: Here are your glasses and enjoy the show!

Me: Yupp (Now that you have hooked me up with someone, I will enjoy it even more :P)

I entered to a pretty empty hall. Directly sprinted for the last row and made myself at home. (What were you thinking ? I would go and search for my imaginary boyfriend ? Now thats creepy :P).

Jack Sully (Sam Worthington) had just reached Pandora, meaning I hadn't missed much. Rest that followed was the most fantastic visual and emotional journey of my life. Only James Cameron can visualize things to such details, make them seem real and weave a story (though predictable and stale) through it. The most moving scenes for me were 

1. when bloody humans destroy the hometree of the Navis. I cried through the 3D glasses to the extent of having to remove them to wipe my eyes. James Cameron is a mastermind. Only he could make us relate with imaginary beings (me too, at least in this blog ;)) and make us feel so strongly about them!

2. When Jake learns to ride/fly the mountain banshee. I like the idea of flying and it was simply superb to experience Jakes ride!

3. When Dr. Grace dies. The Navi and their bonding with their environment. Simply touching!

And I seriously can not talk more about the movie. Because it is one of those rare movies, which you have to have to watch multiple times to soak in the details (Dark Knight types). Btw the scientific side of me, was awed by the effects. I have seen many a making of videos of Avatar and when I saw what was in there for real, I was stunned. This is unbelievable stuff. And now before I run short of adjectives to try to describe the movie or the experience any further I will stop. Thank god!

As Roger Ebert said in his review, this movie is an event of our times. Something which you can not miss. So if you are a dumbnut like me, better go and watch it. Even if you have to go alone. It is worth breaking all your personal inhibitions and silly principles ;)

And as for me, I am glad that I watched this movie alone. Exploring Pandora on my own was one hell of an adventure. And I am ready to do it again :)

~nightflier

P.S. special thanks to a friend who kept on insisting that I was a fool to be calling myself a movie buff and not watched Avatar. Seriously I would have lived with a more serious cardinal sin for the rest of my life, by not watching it (in 3D) !

Assumptions

We all live in some.


We all need some or the other.


Everyday, they help us in filtering various experiences of life.


Some of us who are evolved enough, understand their importance and take them into account.


I think like hope, assumptions are necessary to make existence bearable (the trying to add point to the pointlessness bit).


But how often should we question/not question them ?


~nightflier


P.S. I have realized, I am asking more questions than trying to find answers..now how good that is ? ;)

Irresistibly fashionable !

Roomie was listening to this, when we started talking about him and thus my mind went back to the time when I had these.


If you were born in the same timeline as me, and if you have grown up watching all the mush, that we were exposed to as kids, I know you must not be laughing at me.


Fashion in the end is comfort :P


And I was quite comfortable carrying them on my shoulder. (Mind you I had 3-4 matching ones! And we used to get them for Rs. 40 /each in Archies Gallery!)


~nightflier


P.S. Of course fake ones laah, not the real ones ;)

Mean Machine

There are some people in the world, who always manage to say the meanest possible thing to you. No matter what!

And I wonder, what happens to me, when the time comes to get even with them ? No, No, no ""Holier than thou" syndrome here! It's just that I somehow cant remember (what the mean thing they said to me in the past) or in worst cases articulate myself at the given moment. And when the moment is lost, I come up with all sorts of witty, sometimes subtle but mean repartees. Of course inside the privacy of my very own slow head!

Is there some Mean pensive, which you can keep handy ? So that as soon as, said person in question, starts chatting with you, it cross-references all its memories and churns up the precise, exact ones, so that you dont end up feeling like a loser ?

~nightflier

the art of Fun ;)

Yeah! I met the most fun people, after eons.


Here!



I loved the lil jig at the beginning! It sets the right mood. Oh and dont even get me started on the music!
And man who had ever thought that brides' maids and best men could be so hip and cool ?
No, I am not analysing the video :P
Just that I am overwhelmed by its coolness quotient ;)


And the bestest part of the video (of course according to me) starts at 3.36.
Fantasy world eh ? 


Whoever the couple is, I am glad I met them.
Some dream wedding you guys had :)


Thanks u-tube :D


~nightflier

notes to random people

Was out whole day for St. Patrick's day celebrations! Chicago river colouring, the downtown Irish parade, warm and friendly people from neighbouring states and some personal take-a-ways!


1. Never keep anyone waiting. You might be a girl who wants to look her best for an Irish event (not me yaa) on a particularly chilly and windy day. But do value others time. Not everyone is fond of becoming a kulfi!


2. Group dynamics are difficult. Its difficult to keep everyone together, in sync, on the same plane during an outing. Specially in an international community where conversing in your mother tongue (which no one else understands) can be quite awkward, discomforting, annoying and sometimes offensive. And this one applies to me too, as sometimes to soothe people from my country in case of a debate/dispute, I use Hindi. Sigh..


3. Planning without communication is as good as not planning at all. Anyways things are going to be random. Then why even bother ? So dear friend, next time you want people to follow an agenda to maximize fun, participation etc, communicate!


4. Don't judge others because they did not laugh at your jokes :P May be they are really dumb or may be you are. God knows. So lets stop trying!


5. And cross cultural sensitivity is something about which I can go on and on. Sometimes even I dont realize, any harmless comment can be taken quite literally and personally. Its advisable to keep things simple. After all being a global citizen is in itself quite tough!


Moral of the story: I can be quite a mean person when instigated ;)

Hmmm

I have always thought about this.


How difficult/easy it is to be truly, genuinely happy for someone ?


~nightflier

For moms who stitch :)

As roomies we often talk about our parents. And specially mothers and their quirks. This time me and roomie found out a real dear and common connection with our moms.


My mom loves to stitch. A lot.
And her Singer fashion maker (the one at home looks a bit different) sits on top of the gadget/machine lists she is too fond of. That might be the only one actually, if the grinder/mixer/food processor in the kitchen is not considered. Also the TV remote, control over which she would very generously never claim! I guess after me and bro not being there at home for almost 5-6 years now, has she gotten used to the notion of having the control over the remote control. Well I attribute it to her sweetness and slightly more intellectual, other pursuits like reading. And if we are talking about computers, after much poking from our end, she now writes me really sweet e-mails, and skypes with me once in a while.


Though I digressed, it was important to give an idea about her inclinations. And that is why I find it really amusing, when she gets sentimental about her sewing machine. It is like her 3rd child. Or may be the best friend ? Who has helped her produce cute bags, curtains, table cloths, pretty tops and what not. And now sadly I realize I don't have anything hand (or machine in this case)  stitched by her. I do have a scarf, but that too got torn cos of my mis-handling :-/


As for me, I know I will never be that creative on the stitching front, except for some life saving, really sloppy stitching tricks. But what I am sure is, my kids will talk about my internet presence when they grow up ;)


This one is for the moms who stitch :)


~nightflier

Spring in my step

The seasons and their connotations changed for me after coming to the US. What was summer, rains and winter became autumn, winter, spring and summer.


And I really like Spring. Not only for its jumpy name, but for the sheer positivity it brings. 
May be its the sunshine, may be the blossoms, may be the blooming trees or the fact that we celebrate colours (holi) during spring.
Or may be the transitions it brings in my life. This spring is bringing one such transition. Of relocation. 
They say not all those who wander are lost.


To one more of such innumerable wanderlust experiences!


~nightflier