That was an eyeful

Standing strong, cemented and majestic was my wide armed amphitheater. He seemed to have suddenly grown up. I never realized when my little baby that I wanted all to myself was now officially getting introduced to the world. I guess that's how it is.

Anyway, the more important bit being, he put up a breathtaking show tonight! As the golden sun was being sucked in by the sky, it softened the clouds making them look like cotton candy. The sundown was not particularly beautiful today like the other days, but it was pleasant.

The night was young and the breeze was soft. The theater was warming up for the show but really chilling otherwise. Brown paper bags were lined along the stairs with candles in them which made them appear like Chinese lanterns glowing gold. It was beautiful.

This was just one side of the theater and that too for only the first moment. I turned around and there was the whole city far away, illuminated like probably God's glittering empire (if he were to have one). The breeze only got chilly and strong, allowing my hair to direct my view. I turned again, against the wind.

What did I see? The owl swooping above my head into the darkness on the other side, spreading its cream coloured wings. After a few minutes I heard the world stepping in. There was music and merry making. Now, during such an event, everyone periodically hides into a cocoon where all they want to do is just consciously wonder and worry.

So, following the usual course of events, I distanced myself from the dancing and walked to the edge only to find soft white light emerging from behind the black hill. After wondering what it could be for quite a while, I gave up and continued walking in solitude. Again the breeze ensured I got slapped by my hair and this time while flinging the hair behind my back, I saw something spectacular. The moon rising from behind the black hill. It was surreal.

It almost felt like a dream come true. After having seen so many wonderful things in one night, I thought I would just lie down a bit and soak it all in again. My head touched base and the milky way was talking to me from right above my head. As I rested my head on the edge of the platform in the theater, I saw the sky carpet adorned with diamonds making clear constellations.

My heart fluttered. It felt calming yet thrilling. I wanted to surrender myself to this unimaginable beauty that was spread in front of me. With a wide, contented glee, I get up to see the merry making again, and what do I spot? A shooting star!-The supposedly lucky if spotted, which mind you, I always miss. Even mongooses (which are considered lucky if seen) I miss. When my line of luck has been so bleak, this shooting star almost seemed like a gift from the heavens itself.

You might think all of the above sounds very much like a hallucination one could have, but trust me, it isn't. Just spend a night under the stars in a far off place away from the city lights and see the beauty for yourself. It is magical.

If there is one thing that keeps me alive, it is moments such as these and the occasional travel escapades that answer my quest for happiness!

The adventures of Tintin: A tantalizing time machine

--Parinatha Sampath

Rating: ***

Director: Steven Spielberg

Tintin is a time machine that makes you go back to your childhood fantasies and imaginations

The adventures of Tintin: The secret of the Unicorn

Photo credit: Dave Hornsby

In order to appreciate the true meaning of a movie, the best possible experience is when one watches an animation film. It assures magic enough to mesmerize you with its grandeur, tricks, costumes, sequences and the various sparkles on screen.

To sum up, animation flicks brings out the fantasy aspect of cinema and this is exactly what Tintin brings you. Everything that glitters is definitely gold for a child and tintin conforms this. The opening is a wonderful animation that is sure to leave you spell-bound for the creativity it showcases.

The adventure of Herge’s beloved Belgian reporter Tintin unfurls beautifully with the presence of Hollywood’s two blockbuster giants: Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson. However, it’s not a flawless fantasy altogether.

The adventures of Tintin: the Secret of Unicorn embarks the journey of Tintin’s (Jamie Bell) curiosity to know the secret behind the Unicorn ship- a ship that carried a secret cargo. The story unwraps in a European flea market where he buys a beautiful piece of a Unicorn ship which is offered a huge amount by Sakharine (Daniel Craig) in order to get Tintin to let go of that specimen. However, Tintin refuses the offer and gets more intrigued in knowing the ship and the mystery behind it.

With the help of his faithful, intelligent assistant Snowy and booze afflicted Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis) will Tintin be able to get to the bottom of the matter? Is what this mysterious adventure is all about.

The overall plot of the film looks simple though I feel the comic book is far more appealing to the imagination. However, this simplicity gets a little confusing later not just to the kids but even adults as they find it difficult to keep up with Tintin’s thought process and adventure.

Tintin fans would be slightly disappointed as the film is more inclined towards Haddock and less towards Tintin though he’s pretty much there in every frame. Haddock’s entire hallucination trip was fabulously envisaged and painted on screen by the craftsmanship of the genius Spielberg, which, you will thoroughly enjoy if you manage to keep up with the pace.

Despite all its flaws, The adventures of Tintin: The Secret of Unicorn will definitely take you back to your childhood days because of its magical charm. My only suggestion is just keep your eyes and mind open and take off your 3D glasses at times to get the real feel of the splendid visuals on screen.

Also Read

http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/89602/the-adventures-of-tintin-the-secret-of-the-unicorn.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/27/automobiles/tintin-film-casts-cars-among-star-performers.html

http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/11/22/tintin-a-beginners-guide/

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-14/news-interviews/30397179_1_tintin-animated-film-release

http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/in-contention/posts/steven-spielbergs-war-horse-gallops-into-the-oscar-season

My Mr.Wobbly Man

Strong and determined I stood,

but when your big brown button eyes met mine,

my heart shattered into a million pieces,

piercing me sharply from within

My stomach churned,

my heart pounded,

and all I could feel was

the two salty streams that met under my chin

I hugged you tight

pressing my cheek against yours,

absorbing every little breath

that made me feel I am yours

I touched your palm

a million times,

looked at you forever,

and all I could think of was

the days we spent together

This was the only time I hoped and prayed

the ground beneath would split wide open and swallow me deep

for I could not think of a single day without listening to your giggle

or just watching you sleep

How funny can destiny be?

a little baby can topple my world

without knowing much about me.

My gunda, I wish your little footsteps filled my room

and I wish you could be mine :) I love you my little wobbly parrot :)

The tales told by the moon

The beating of the drums foretold horror.

I paid no heed and walked by. Brushing away every beat the animal skin on the drum-head bore to be silly sounds of madness and fury, I raced forward. My heart was thumping as I listened to the drums that were growing wild somewhere despite being buried deep in the woods. The old owl hooted and boy was the hooting frightening tonight.

I came here every night to hide from the tentacles of pretense that entangled my urban existence. I came here to unleash myself and let my soul desire. Desire for anything without the fear of being judged.

Tonight the course of the wind seemed different. The owl that hooted in approval of my arrival, today seemed to forget my footsteps. I walked along wondering why the sudden refusal to welcome me. The barks that stood strong supportive of my wishes and desires tonight were swaying wildly as though to indicate a wrath I was to face.

My steps were weaker than ever. I continued to walk. Walk towards my goal. The not so sweet water that called out to me on the other side of the forest seemed so comforting. I could see the moon bright and shining from between the trees which made every step towards my goal difficult but I did not give up.

I finally made it. Made it to the other side where there was no one judging every move I made, every breath I took. No one to ask or answer. I broke out. I finally unleashed myself from the wrath of society. The very word society pained me, angered me and almost tore me into a million personalities I did not want to be.

As I sat on the soft white sand running my palm through the grains which I tried to hold but couldn't, tears rolled down my cheeks looking at that wonderful glowing crystal in the deep blue sky. I wanted it. I desired.

I desired to run into the sea. Letting go of everything, everyone who controlled me. I enjoyed the thought of holding the sand but couldn't. I enjoyed the thought of owning the moon but couldn't.

Little did I realize that I cannot desire to control when I do not want to be controlled. The owl that I looked at with affection every night probably saw my desire to own it today. The woods I previously danced with probably saw my want to stay with them forever and did not like the idea of me controlling their lives either.

All of it made meaning to me now. I felt a difference in myself. The society I lived in had started to corrupt me. It seemed like society decided the time was ripe to inject me with the deadly venom of desire to control, overpower, compete and own.

I suddenly felt a jolt through my veins. I did not want to return to that world. I wanted to live by my terms which was just harmless love. Love that could not sustain in the world of competition and negativity.

I had to return but the key to come back and have those few moments of peace every night like before was to balance my desires. I would have to live with that venom in society but the minute I began my journey to the sea, I would have to start letting go of that venom and tell myself everything is mine and hence there is no need for the desire to own.

Nature trek

Optimism at its best

The biting cold climbs up my toes telling me I'm all alone. Its funny how temperature can make you feel so weak and cornered. After a while I hear the fireplace calling out to me saying, "I'm here to keep you warm". C'est la vie.

A simple answer to all our worries is nature. The minute we observe the ways of nature we realize it is the only definition of life.If you ever feel lonely, feel lucky that you are getting time to yourself because before you know it, there will be a hand you can hold and go forward.

The fact that every minute of the day has a different atmosphere says that no two moments for us can ever be the same. They can only be similar but never the same. If we crib about how discipline is imposed on us, we should also turn to the rows of crops in the fields and understand that without discipline, there will never be growth or harvest.

For many, losing money and home is a great cause of worry and depression even, but just look at the bird rebuilding its nest which got washed away by the storm and rain and tell yourself you can fly higher and farther to build yourself a better life.

I know its all a little fancy to say but unless we look around us and especially so into nature, we will never realize that the law of nature is universal and nothing can go wrong for anyone.And, if things do go awfully wrong for just us someday, that shall be the day when nature will cease to exist.

Goodbyes

The time I held your palm tight

not wanting to part,

the moment I let your tears mingle with mine

fearing we'd lose each other,

was an attempt to say the three simple words

I love you

The time when I frowned at you

not wanting to talk,

the day I pecked you on the cheek

and looked into your eyes

was to tell you that your eyes keep me alive

for I can see myself happy only in them

The day I rested my head on your lap

holding on to you

the evening I spent hugging you

without uttering a word

was to say that you make me feel like

nothing in the world can harm me

I might seem dependent

I might seem insecure

but this need is what makes me want to return to you

it is only this need that keeps us all going

for without hope and someone to go back to

you and me wouldn't be friends