Europe performing their most famous song, The Final Countdown live in Stockholm, Sweden.
Month: December 2009
No Longer A Captain, It’s Sir Now
It will not just suffice to call him Captain anymore.
Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart, most famously known as Captain Jean-Luc Picard, said he was “very proud” to be awarded a knighthood for services to drama. The honour follows the return of the X-Men star to the British stage following many years living in Los Angeles. Stewart, 69, said: “I am very proud to receive this honour. The theatre is and has always been my great joy.
The Queen is reported to be a fan of the star, who has enjoyed a 50-year career in movies, TV and the theatre including 16 years with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
The Shakespearean actor shot to fame when he originated the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987. The sci-fi TV series ran for seven years, and Stewart later said the success of the show handicapped him because directors did not want to cast the captain of the Starship Enterprise in their films. On the big screen, Stewart’s biggest role has been as Professor Charles Xavier in all three of the Hollywood superhero X-Men blockbusters, which began life in 2000.
As far as Star Trek captains go – well I guess it’s safe to say that most fans want to be Captain Kirk and want to have a captain like Picard.
2010 Olympics : Team Canada; Ice Hockey
Lots of surprises and omissions. Where’s Mike Green, Jay Bowmeester, Dion Phanuef, Mike Cammalleri?
TEAM CANADA
2010 OLYMPIC ROSTER
GOAL
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils
Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks
Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins
DEFENCEMEN
Dan Boyle, San Jose Sharks
Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings
Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim Ducks (captain)
Chris Pronger, Philadelphia Flyers (assistant captain)
Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks
Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks
Shea Weber, Nashville Predators
FORWARDS
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins (assistant captain)
Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks
Dany Heatley, San Jose Sharks
Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets
Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames (assistant captain)
Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks
Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks
Brenden Morrow, Dallas Stars
Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks
Mike Richards, Philadelphia Flyers
Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes
Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
Arsenal 4 Portsmouth 1
It will be a very good New Year’s eve celebration for Arsenal players, staff & fans alike after the Gunners showcased their Premier League title credentials and increased Portsmouth’s troubles at the bottom with a stunningly comprehensive 4-1 win.
They took the lead when Eduardo’s free-kick deflected in off Younes Kaboul, before Samir Nasri fired in a second. Aaron Ramsey made it 3-0 with a brilliant solo goal, hammering in from 20 yards, before Nadir Belhadj’s close-range strike gave Pompey faint hope. But Alex Song superbly headed in a Nasri cross to wrap it up for Arsenal.
When you look at the stats, except for Eduardo, these are not regular goal scorers for us. Arsene Wenger’s men keep up the pressure at the top, moving to within four points of Chelsea and staying two behind Manchester United with a game in hand on each.
Getting My 2009 Thoughts In
Well we are at the end of another year. 2009 has gone by quite quickly for the most part. To me it seems like months & weeks have flown by, especially the first 6 months. And then it slowed down till about November. I couldn’t keep a track of November & December as the past 8 weeks have flown by faster than the speed of sound.
And it’s the night of the 30th of December. Time to reflect on the past year. Until tomorrow evening – cause then it’s party time. Most of my reflection of the past year will take place on the 1st, I never work on the first day of the year (ever). It’s against everything that I believe in.
Rest up dear readers. Keep up your energy for some partying, dancing, drinking and eating. Be safe.
Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag
Just a couple of months ago, I had bought a new executive bag (one that looks like I carry a laptop in it) for work to replace my earlier one that had seen better days. It’s black and sleek looking and I like it a lot. However a few days back, one of the security guards brought it to my notice that there was a large tear on the side, which I hadn’t noticed.
On closer exception, what we could make out that the tear was too cleanly & neatly done for it to be just a tear. I had a pointed edged umbrella which I kept in the bag and thought that it was the culprit. However, it looks more like someone tried to cut it with a sharp blade – probably a thief in a crowded bus while I was travelling back home from work.
I thought that I’ll wait for a few more days and then get a new one. Well, turns out that I didn’t have to buy one. Today as I got to work I could see that there was a gift wrapped object lying on my desk. On it was written “To our dear Roshango (a nick name I have at the office), happy new year”. My team had got the bag as a gift for me! That was so unexpected and brought a tear to my eye. I can’t thank them enough.
Skyline Apartment In Cochin
To satisfy TechnoDoll‘s request for seeing the inside of an apartment in Cochin, I searched and found a video of a very big 3 bedroom apartment in Edalappy, where an American couple reside! Couldn’t find one by localites.
Anyways, it’s by Kerala based builders Skyline and it’s nice and spacious. My sister’s apartment is kinda similar except that their hall is about half the size of the one shown here.
Hancock
I know that I’m quite late in watching this movie – bite me! I’ve had a copy of this movie since June but somehow never got round to watching it. And today – they were showing it on HBO when I just happened to switch the tv on in the morning! So I watched it.
Anyways, I just have a few comments on this movie. One is that true to form Will Smith proves that he is the most bankable movie star around. And I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
Not that this is a great movie – I would rate it a 5/10 but most people would remember Smith as a cynical superhero who initially no one likes. That and Charlize Theron make this movie watchable. But don’t expect me to be popping this dvd into the drive to watch it again, anytime soon.
The story isn’t fleshed out enough, explanations aren’t enough to convince me or most people I guess. The special effects are cool and some of the stunts are awesome but that’s about it. No ultra-smart or super-villains to make it more exciting. The public’s rediscovered love for Hancock is too quick to be believable. But it’s a fun movie and should be taken in that vein.
The Long Way Back Home
What a day! Because President Patil is in town today there was a road block in the morning due to buses being rerouted. And so some buses did not ply their normal route in the morning, choosing to sit it out till the afternoon rather than be inconvenienced. Certain areas were affected more than others.
By evening it was raining a whole lot in Kalamassery where I work. We wanted to leave the office at 8 pm but waited for 30 more minutes to see if the rain would let up a little bit. It was pouring for some time. And then to top it all off there was a huge traffic jam at HMT junction. Cars, bikes, trucks, buses, lorries, mini-vans – all honking their horns and trying to get by. It was maddening. Another 30 minute wait over there and finally we got into a bus.
And then we moved like a drunk snail! On crutches!! It was slower than going nowhere and I was bored outta my skull waiting for the bus to reach my stop. Finally I reached and came home to sulk in my bed.
Arsenal 3 Aston Villa 0
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas came off the bench to inspire his side to a victory over Aston Villa. Fabregas picked himself up after being fouled by Richard Dunne and curled in a 25-yard free-kick with aplomb. The goal came after Villa keeper Brad Friedel had denied William Gallas from point-blank range and kept out an Andrey Arshavin shot. A first-time finish from Fabregas after a Theo Walcott pass and an Abou Diaby strike wrapped up the win for Arsenal.
Fabregas had started as a substitute because of a hamstring problem and was brought on after 57 minutes to give his side extra impetus in beating a stubborn Villa side. The move paid off for manager Arsene Wenger but he will be concerned that his skipper aggravated his injury in sprinting on to Walcott’s ideally weighted pass and had to be replaced on 84 minutes. However, the victory moved the Gunners to within four points of Premier League leaders Chelsea with a game in hand over their London rivals.
Good, Bad & Pretty Things – Jessie Farrell
Spurned on by the acceptance of her previous album, Nothing Fancy, Jessie Farrell released her 3rd album overall and second as a country singer. Titled Good, Bad & Pretty Things, it’s a little deceiving – I fail to see the ‘bad’ things in the album while seeing plenty of the other two!
Released in October, we start off with the first song on the cd and the first single. You Make Me Feel is about the energy and the way new love makes you feel. It’s all about the promise of romance and the enthusiasm of youthfullness. Burn So Bright is about going for your dreams and taking chances and letting your passions loose. It should ideally have been the second single but maybe it might get a later release in the new year.
Sober is a ballad in which Jessie compares the obsession of being in a disastrous relationship as being an alcoholic. And the feeling of being liberated as compared to sobriety. It’s one of her best songs till date. A surprising bad-cowgirl-blues number comes next – Nobody Says No is a bar song sung in an in your face manner. Lyrically it’s about living your life by your own rules and not taking stick from anyone. Cha Ching is a fun song about being fond of money & riches & spending on expensive things but admitting that good love is better than that.
Your Fantasy is about just that – being the fantasy of the one you love and willing to do almost anything to play that part. Heart Of Gold is another fun song about finding a good person. Jessie than compares a cheating & bad lover to the Worst Roadside Sandwich in a hilarious manner. The funny music and kids’ chorus also adds to the fun lyrics which are well written. Fried is a bar stomping hill billy romp. Not In Kansas is a love ballad that Jessie sings extremely well, comparing the change in direction of life to the old line.
Lavender Tea is a playful song. The album ends with a love ballad titled New Ways To Love, a show of appreciation for being there for the protagonist. Great album. Sorry but the official video for the first single was removed from Youtube (not sure why) so enjoy a live rendition.
I Am A Knuckana-head!!
One of my embarrassing childhood memories is recorded in a cassette tape and the first time I remember listening to it was when I was around 20 or so. I still remember it very clearly.
I must have been 4 years old or so and my sister Sherine was around 10. My sister had this tape recorder and she was recording us playing around, making me recite stuff and I think there was some singing as well. And then I also remember slurping sounds – we were both having choco-stick ice creams and that got recorded too.
But the embarrassing part was a conversation, which I can’t remember, during which my sister calls me a “knucklehead”, for something silly that I said. I couldn’t pronounce “knucklehead” so I repeated “knuckana-head”! And I kept saying that “I am a kncuckana-head” loudly and you can hear my sister laughing at that.
I wish I could find that tape…..so I can destroy it once and for all!!
Sunday Morning Coffee Photos: Espresso Shots
Equals: Espresso with Thick Golden Crema originally uploaded in Flickr by Todd A Moon
Boxing Day Outing
It’s been a while since I went out to enjoy an afternoon in town so today, Boxing Day, seemed as good as any other day to remedy that. Nothing much planned except for the usual coffee and drinks+lunch. And an inquiry at computer+peripherals+mobile store if they had Blackberry Curve 8320 models available.
So I took a long leisurely shower and dressed to go out around noon. I headed over to Barista Cafe at Bay Pride Mall. On the way I also had to get into a con call regarding work which put me in a slightly pissed off mood. Not to worry, a nice Swiss Mocha cold coffee and a smoked chicken sandwich can easily fix that. Barista was crowded (I usually go there on Sundays and it’s ok) and I had to sit at a corner table, cramped cause there were a couple of huge guys sitting right behind me and their elbows kept banging into my chair. I took a copy of Robert Ludlum’s The Ambler Warning for reading.
About an hour there, I went window shopping and checked out the latest flat screen monitors for pcs (I would like to change my home system sometime in the next quarter), external hard drives (running out of space to store my tv series & movies) and also asked the store if they had the 8320. A long wait later, they informed me that they didn’t have any on stock. They tried pushing the Gemini onto me…nice try buddy!
On my way out & talking on the phone, someone poked me! As I turned around, I saw this familiar face – much older, with some gray showing on the side burns, coloured long hair tied in a pony tail and certainly much wider frame. A blast from the past – it was my former school senior George Peter. George, as some music buffs in the state will know, used to sing with rock band 13 AD and is now a music director. It was nice to see him after such a long time – 10 years I think.
Well, after that I went to Velocity to sit near the big screen tv and downed 4 vodkas with Sprite. I had some pork and some fried chicken with porottas for a late lunch. I stayed at the bar for about 2.5 hours and then came back home. I had an early evening snooz and woke up all refreshed and ready to watch some football.
Kerala Wide Harthal On 29th Dec, 09
Just what we need – a harthal. Alright it’s been a while so why the fuck not?
The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sanghom (BMS) has given a call to observe hartal on December 29 in protest against the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities. BMS district president M.M. Ramesh alleged that some middlemen and a section of the traders were deciding the prices of essential food items. The Central and State governments looked on helplessly, even as the common man suffered. Poorer sections would have to wait for hours in long queues in front of public distribution outlets to purchase food items, he said.
Ok, so their thinking is, people are struggling so why not make a point by ensuring that they suffer for a day by restricting their activities and making it impossible for normal work to function for a day?
ROSHAN’S ELEVEN : Clint Eastwood Movies
It doesn’t matter that he is 79 years old – Clint Eastwood is the ultimate tough guy actor the world has ever known. He was the one who made anti-heroes popular as a concept in movies. He was the one who made millions want to be a cowboy and ride horses and wear a poncho and a cowboy hat and pretend to shoot guns.
And oh yes, he started the craze across the world for the .44 Magnum “the most powerful handgun in the world” after he wielded and praised it in the immortal lines in his hit film Dirty Harry. Here are my top 11 favourite movies of the acclaimed veteran actor/director/producer.
- The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
- Sudden Impact
- Any Which Way You Can
- The Bridges Of Madison County
- Space Cowboys
- Where Eagles Dare
- Escape From Alcatrazz
- For A Few Dollars More
- Dirty Harry
- Unforgiven
- Firefox
It Was The Night Before Christmas…
If You Only Knew, How Easy…
A slightly different version of Extreme’s More Than Words arranged and performed by Michael Chapdelaine. I especially love the ending part.