Month: February 2017

Captive’s Choice

- Roshan

You’ve been kidnapped and given a choice: would you rather be stranded on an island, dropped into an unknown forest, or locked in a strange building?

I dunno what kinda of scenario is this; how can I have this kind of a choice after being kidnapped, an aggressive act against my will? And that too what kind of strange choices? Stranded on an island, dropped into an unknown forest or locked in a strange building!

Well off hand I guess the forest is the most dangerous one. There could be bugs, creepy insects and reptiles and predatory animals out to get my ass. I would make a delicious large meal so maybe that should be out. Although in a forest I would be able to find water (if there’s a river near by) and fruits from trees and small animals I could kill and eat for survival! Hmmm!

Now the island part – isn’t that the baseline for a lot of stories throughout history? Being stranded on an island with no way off as you have no plane or boat and are surrounded by ocean or sea on all sides. The thought of being cutoff from society is appealing at times provided I have enough supplies to last me for as long as I could live there. And ofcourse the necessities like running water, a home, beer, vodka, pizza (on a deserved island?), internet and cable tv. That does not seem likely but yeah if I could I would pick that.

In a strange building? Is it rotting and dilapidated? Are there strange creatures in it? Is it haunted? Werewolves or zombies piled up? Why would my captures put me in a building? This one seems strange.

Prompt from The Daily Post at WordPress.com

Bayern Munich 5 Arsenal 1

- Roshan

Arsenal’s Champions League hopes lie in tatters at the last-16 stage yet again following a first-leg battering at Bayern Munich. The Gunners, who have been eliminated in the first knockout round of the competition in each of the last six seasons, twice by Bayern, not only conceded five goals but over 75% possession in Germany. Their challenge lasted until the break thanks to Alexis Sanchez, who followed up his own missed penalty to equalise after Arjen Robben’s superbly-struck 25-yard opener. But after Arsenal lost Laurent Koscielny to injury early in the second half, Bayern ran riot during a 10-minute period in which Robert Lewandowski headed home before Thiago Alcantara scored twice. Substitute Thomas Muller rubbed salt in the wounds with a late fifth.

It leaves Arsenal with a near impossible task in the second leg and heaps more pressure on manager Arsene Wenger, who now only has the FA Cup as a realistic source of silverware in what will go down as another failed season. There must have been a feeling of deflated dread for Arsenal when they were drawn to face Bayern in the first knockout round of this season’s Champions League. For the first time in five seasons, the Gunners claimed top spot in their group (ahead of PSG, who made this achievement even more impressive with their demolition of Barcelona on Tuesday) but nonetheless they were drawn against the Germans – their last-16 conquerors in both 2012-13 and 2013-14. Their fears were fully realised on a chastening night in Munich, which further highlighted just how far behind Europe’s leading lights they have fallen and how little progress has been made since their visit here last season, which also ended in a 5-1 hammering.

The optimism Arsenal had accrued from their encouraging pre-break efforts were dashed in a 15-minute period early in the second half, that began with Koscielny – their best defender – limping from the field and ended with Thiago putting the tie beyond them. Four minutes after Gabriel had replaced his captain at the back, Bayern reclaimed the lead as Lewandowski rose high above compatriot Shkodran Mustafi to meet Philipp Lahm’s excellent cross and head home his 31st goal in 34 games for club and country this season. The Pole then turned provider for Thiago, backheeling the ball into his path for a simple finish before the Spaniard quickly added his second courtesy of a shot that deflected in off Xhaka’s boot. Only some lax finishing, the woodwork (from a deflected Lewandowski shot) and a superb David Ospina save to tip over Javi Martinez’s header from a corner prevented further goals before late substitute Muller scored with essentially his first contribution, collecting from Thiago before sidefooting home. Muller’s late goal surely represented the final nail in the Gunners’ coffin and leaves Wenger now facing an uncomfortable, undesirable truth – that his side’s season boils down to an FA Cup game on a plastic pitch in Sutton.

The Extra Room

- Roshan

An extra room has magically been added to your home overnight. The catch: if you add more than three items to it, it disappears. How do you use it?

Hmm I guess I would make it a kind of media room and I will decorate it with just three items in order for it to remain here.

First I will get a really big and comfy sofa that comes with soft leather ottomans. In front of that I would have a 60 inch flat screen led smartv so I can watch cable or my movies/tv shows in style. That would be a great way to relax and get entertained. So now, what about the third?

For the 3rd item I am torn between a minifridge or bar area and a large DVD / BluRay shelf. I am not sure which one I would go for. Probably the latter since I only do some drinking at home. But it would be nice to have your own little bar area.

Prompt from The Daily Post at WordPress.com

Once More On The Same Road

- Roshan

Valentine’s day is hard for the single and lonely. It’s harder when you are single and lonely and you do have feelings for someone who does not share it. Over the years I have fallen in love, been loved and been heart broken. I have had unrequited love and affection and I have had my crushes. But I have always been the one at the losing end.

At times I have come to feel and even accept the fact that I will forever be alone. I am not good enough or lucky enough to find that one woman who will love me and be with me for the rest of her life. I have had incredible bad luck in this department which led me to understand that it will never work out for me. I have been searching….well not really searching more like waiting for the right one. But I always fall for the wrong one. I found myself at the age of 40 falling for a much young woman. She is everything I could have ever hoped for. But for several reasons, ofcourse the age being the biggest thing, I know it was not possible even from the very first day that I started feeling something for her.

It has made me feel guilty as well for having these feelings. I was ok for a while, having settles into bachelor life and my loneliness and suddenly it all turned tospy-turvy. I shouldn’t have to go through this yet again. But it did happen. Someday this will pass. But until that day that I can move on, I carry on. Once again.

And Modest Too!

- Roshan

Some writers’ names have becomes adjectives: Kafkaesque, marxist, Orwellian, sadistic. If your name (or nickname, or blog name) were to become an adjective, what would it mean?

It would be called “Roshanism” or “Count Roshcullaism”. I dunno pick one. The adjective would be for honestly, integrity, writing from the heart, being open, unafraid, unapologetic about what one is writing (unless it’s actually an apology), understanding, passionate, picking topics for him and not for others, humourous, self-deprecating even and with a gaze towards the stars.

And there will be an award each year for the writer who showcases such fine displays of Roshanism once I am dead and gone. And the award will be the most prestigious in the world of literature.

Prompt from The Daily Post at WordPress.com

The Anti-Bucket List

- Roshan

What are the top items on your anti-bucket list — those things you never, ever want to do, places you never want to visit, books you never want to read, etc.?

This is interesting. Usually I have heard of bucket lists that people prepare and I have been asked my own bucket list. Though I have never ever sorted out an official bucket list for myself – I know what I want and I have a few things that I feel that I must do before the end but never written it down anywhere – we all have things that we know what we just would want to do before we die.

So here goes a few things on my anti-bucket list

  • never want to be arrested
  • never want to watch Twilight (all the movies)
  • and Transformers
  • no interest in Dr. Who either
  • never want to go to Saudi Arabia
  • never want to be a brown-noser
  • never want to be a hypocrite
  • never want to go to overly religious sites

I guess this list will get bigger as time passes by. For now this is it.

Prompt from The Daily Post at WordPress.com

Unforgettable Trips

- Roshan

What is your very favorite holiday? Recount the specific memory or memories that have made that holiday special to you.

I haven’t been on a holiday in many many years. I just don’t do them. But if you ask me what my favourite holidays were, its the two trips my extended family took back in 1988 and 1989. During the summer everyone pooled and got a couple of 14 seater vans and a couple of cars and went on extended trips to a few cities in India. Mostly in the south. Bangalore, Mysore, Madurai, Coimbatore and a couple of others.

It was days of fun and enjoyment. It was rip-roaring laughter, laughter so hard that tears would stream down our cheeks and yet we learned so much as well. I have a bunch of photos from those days some where in my boxes of stuff. I have to dig them out someday and get the pics scanned and keep them safe online somewhere. They were some of the best moments of my life.

Stuff like that just never seems to happen anymore.

Prompt from The Daily Post at WordPress.com

Arsenal 2 Hull City 0

- Roshan

Alexis Sanchez scored twice as title-chasing Arsenal beat relegation-threatened Hull in controversial circumstances in the Premier League. The hosts had been on top when the ball came off forward Sanchez’s hand and ended up in the net on 34 minutes. He added a penalty in injury-time which was awarded after Sam Clucas was sent off for handball from Lucas Perez’s header. In between, Hector Bellerin and Sanchez both failed to hit the target and Mesut Ozil volleyed over the crossbar for Arsenal. Striker Oumar Niasse had Hull’s best chances – his header and low strike forced Petr Cech into sharp saves – while Adama Diomande nodded over late on.

Arsenal had been pressing for the opener before Sanchez’s intervention. The visitors failed to clear Kieran Gibbs’ low shot and as the ball ricocheted off goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic on the ground it bounced off the Chilean’s hand and into the net. On this occasion, Sanchez did not look like he purposefully pushed the ball into the net and he had little time to move out of the way after the ball came off Jakupovic. After consultation with his assistant, referee Mark Clattenburg awarded the goal, but prior to that in the first half, Theo Walcott had a shot blocked by the hand of Clucas inside the area, for which no penalty was given. After the game, Hull defender Andrew Robertson told Sky Sports that Clattenburg had apologised to the Hull players after half-time. Robertson added: “The ref told us he didn’t give it because he wasn’t 100% sure. Not many referees can admit they’re wrong, so it’s good when he does, though it doesn’t make things better.”

Chasing the game in the second half, Hull’s Lazar Markovic was running onto a long punt forward deep in the Arsenal half. The Serb was barged down by Gibbs, who was the last defender, and had the on-loan Liverpool man not been infringed, he would have had a clear run through on goal from 30 yards. Clattenburg spotted the incident and presented a yellow card. Gibbs said after the game: “I took a chance with the challenge on Markovic. The ref said the ball was going away from goal.” When asked if Gibbs should have been sent off, Hull boss Marco Silva said: “Yes. It is true. Markovic go to the goal.” With Hull pushing for an equaliser, they were hit on the counter by the home side. Jakupovic came sprinting off his line as Sanchez went round him and picked out Perez at the back post, but the Spaniard’s goal-bound header was kept out by Clucas’ arm on the line. Clucas was given a red card for the incident. Sanchez stepped up to take the penalty, drilling a low finish into the net, which was his seventh goal against Hull in just four games. It was also his 17th top-flight strike this season, making him the league’s leading marksman.

Arsenal had lost back-to-back league games against Watford and Chelsea to leave their title challenge in disarray. But the win moves them up to third in the table, nine points behind leaders Chelsea. For Hull, it was an unlucky defeat, having come close to scoring in both halves, but they have now failed to find the net in 12 of their 25 games – more than any other side. Despite the defeat, Tigers supporters will be buoyed by the impact made by new manager Silva as his side look well-equipped for a battle to stay in the top-flight, yet they remain in the relegation zone by a single point. Arsenal travel to Bayern Munich for the Champions League last-16 first leg fixture on Wednesday (kick-off 19:45 GMT), while Hull host Burnley in the Premier League next Saturday.

Goodbye Apollo

- Roshan

It’s difficult to put in words the sorrow I feel on learning about Richard Hatch’s death due to cancer. Hatch played Captain Apollo in the original Battlestar Galactica, a show that aired on Kuwaiti television during my childhood. I was about 4 or so back in 1980 when I first watched the show and it’s spinoff Galactica 1980 for the first time and would watch the show on many reruns. It was the first show I can remember getting into and all excited about as a kid and it was certainly the first scifi show (my fav genre of tv/movie) that I can ever remember watching. Since 2008 I have rewatched BSG a few more times and I just love the show and the characters. Richard Hatch was a big part of that and I will also be grateful for what he means to us fans. He returned to the 2003 reboot as Tom Zarek. Plus he was also a formidable Kharn in Prelude to Axanar.

Naked with Black Socks

- Roshan

Are you comfortable in front of people, or does the idea of public speaking make you want to hide in the bathroom? Why?

I found the title to this prompt a bit odd. Naked in public? Ok very embarrassing and scary too. Naked with black socks on? Is it on the feet? Or one black sock placed on the…..manland area?

I guess it depends on the situation and the place. At times I am and I feel right in my element doing so. At times I am not. If my confidence level is up because I have control over the content and I have rehearsed everything then usually I am good to go. Otherwise I would sweat a lot and mumble and stray off topic and generally want the whole damn thing to get over as soon as possible and then make a hasty exit from there.

Hide in the bathroom? I’d build a spaceship and hide on a distant planet.

Prompt from The Daily Post at WordPress.com

Procrastination Destination

- Roshan

We all procrastinate. Website, magazine, knitting project, TV show, something else — what’s your favorite procrastination destination?

The internet ofcourse! It’s obvious that we all are online a little too much and I spend more than my fair share online. Especially Facebook and Youtube. I am addicted to them both. I know I shouldn’t spend as much time as I do on them but I just can’t stop.

Youtube is the big one for me. I subscribe to a lot of channels and I make my own videos as well and there are so many videos that I watch over and over again. It’s a lot of fun and I do not plan on stopping anytime soon. I can spend hours going through Youtube videos and on my days off when I stay at home that’s what I do. In between I will watch a movie or two or some tv show episodes :) But yeah that’s what I do.

Sometimes I get late to go somewhere or get ready because I am in the middle of some Youtube video watching. Sleep comes second as well. And I love my procrastination destination.

Prompt from The Daily Post at WordPress.com

RIP Richard Hatch

- Roshan

Richard Hatch, American actor, writer, and producer best known for his role as Captain Apollo in the original Battlestar Galactica television series, and also as Tom Zarek in the 2003 remake of Battlestar Galactica died Tuesday. He was 71. The actor had been in hospice care after a battle with pancreatic cancer, his rep told the Daily News. His son, Paul,was by his side in his Santa Clarita home.

Hatch began working in television in 1970 when he starred as Philip Brent in the daytime soap opera All My Children, a role he played for two years. For some years, he then made guest appearances in primetime series such as Cannon, Nakia, Barnaby Jones, Hawaii Five-O, and The Waltons, as well as appearing in several made-for-TV movies such as The Hatfields and McCoys with Jack Palance, Addie and the King of Hearts with Jason Robards, Last of the Belles with Susan Sarandon, and the 1978 TV movie Deadman’s Curve in which he portrayed Jan Berry of the musical duo Jan and Dean. In 1976, Hatch gained his first major television role as Inspector Dan Robbins on the detective series The Streets of San Francisco, a replacement for Michael Douglas (who played Insp. Steve Keller) who had left the series that year. Though the role was only for one season, Hatch won Germany’s Bravo Youth Magazine Award for the role.

Following this, he had a recurring role on the series Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, also for one season. By this time, Hatch had become something of a pin-up and regularly appeared in teen-oriented magazines such as Teen Beat, 16 Magazine, and Tiger Beat. Hatch then gained a starring role in Glen A. Larson’s sci-fi series, Battlestar Galactica (1978), which aired for a single season before cancellation. Hatch was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for the role. Throughout the 1980s, Hatch made guest appearances on such series as Hotel; Murder, She Wrote; The Love Boat; and Fantasy Island. In 1984, he appeared in several episodes of Dynasty, which was at the top of the ratings at the time. In 1990, Hatch returned to daytime soap operas and appeared on Santa Barbara, originating the character Steven Slade. He continued to make guest appearances on prime time series such as Jake and the Fatman and Baywatch, but roles were becoming few and far between. His next prominent role would be as Tom Zarek in the reimagined version of Battlestar Galactica, in which he made semi-regular appearances from 2004-09.

Hatch has made several low-key theatrical film releases, including Best Friends (1975), Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen (1981), and Prisoners of the Lost Universe (1983). An abridged version of the pilot episode of Battlestar Galactica was released in cinemas, initially overseas and then for a limited run in the U.S., as was a sequel film, Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack, which was also made from episodes of the series. He starred with Leif Garrett in Party Line (1988). Hatch also appeared in InAlienable, a 2008 science fiction film written and produced by Walter Koenig. In 2014, he played the Klingon Commander Kharn in the Star Trek fan film Prelude To Axanar and was to appear in the subsequent fan production Star Trek: Axanar in 2015.

Richard Lawrence Hatch (May 21, 1945 – February 7, 2017)

The Young(??) And The Rested

- Roshan

When was the last time you felt truly rejuvenated and energized? What made you feel that way?

To be honest the last time I felt like that was last year towards the middle of February. 2016 almost a year ago to this day. That is a long time to ever have to feel like that. After 2 months of really long, long hours at work and barely getting much time to myself except for the weekends I got a 6 day off period from work. In this industry we rarely get holidays and since I usually fall sick and have to take 2 sick days a month (I celebrate when I don’t have to take a sick leave in a month or keep it to just one a month) and hence I usually have just a few days off in my leave count anyways.

But that time, I had quite a few days in my kitty and I wanted a few days off. I wanted 9 including two weekends so basically I just wanted a 5 day week off. But I only got 4 since my boss wanted me back in the office on the Friday. Still getting 6 days off was a good thing. I didn’t do much on those 6 days but slept and enjoyed myself. I went shopping on two days and the other 4 days I was lazy as hell. Watched a bunch of stuff on tv and a few movies and I was so rejuvenated. I wish I could get a few days off like that again.

Last December I took 2 days off just before the weekend and in total the 4 days gave me some much needed rest. But I rarely can stay away from work related and things that bother me. So my mind is always occupied. I need a big recharge. This coffee just isn’t doing it.

Prompt from The Daily Post at WordPress.com