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….Winning!
Yes, undoubtedly … there’s nothing more fulfilling than doing something and getting rewarded for it. We can all kid ourselves with the idea that its only the pleasure of ‘doing what we like’ that really matters. but nope. The bottom line is winning!!
Clearly , Winning also has its side effects. Like dementia for starters. And that’s why I feel a little crazy with joy right now. Coz between yesterday and today I got not one but TWO WINS,
one , fuelled by obsession with starting something of my own – my entry for an internal business idea contest made to the final shortlist. If I make it further , who know I might strike gold and get motivated to actually realise my dream of being my own boss. more soon,when the time is right.
and second, on my way to ‘writing my own book’ , just when I thought I should write some more to develop as ‘ a writer ‘some one might actually pay to read’ , I sent in my entry for Chillibreeze Travel Writing Contest . Apart from some very kind comments , I also WON.
Check out the happy news here on this link.
Watch out for my very first interview of the site very soon..can I sound more delirious?
:)
Update : The Interview is right here .. Check this link and express yourself!
Entered this travel writing contest on chillibreeze more coz I needed one more excuse to re-visit all those amazing travel destinations , I ve been dreaming about lately.
Travel writing is truly the sweetest torture.
Agree /Disagree? Tell me here
Movies are the next best thing to dreaming.
Nope, that’s not a famous quote by some one consequential. Well, it could turn out to be one soon enough when my charm reaches its much deserved peak of fame.
Till then, I guess we’ll just live with quoting these words of acquired wisdom in the trusted anonymity of conversations on these pages.
And speaking of more ‘wisdom under the pretext of an indulgent one sided monologue’, how ever bad the latest spate of blockbusters must be doing at the box office, One never needs to pay up huge monies for one’s taste of fantasy. Simply cozy up with cushions, dim the lights a bit, get yourself a warm cup of coffee with something to nibble and catch one of these movies to spend the most amazing weekend, home alone!
Priceless(2006)
This is one Priceless movie watching experience!
Aptly, name this gem is a French film and whoever said French movies are all about deep reflection and layered meanings, too tedious and too dry, well watch this!
Irene meets Jean; they fall in love and live happily ever after. Not quite, I must say.
The pretty lady in question is actually a manipulative escort, who lives off at the expense of rich older men and uses mercilessly the poor head over heels in love bartender to get what she wants. Only of course to eventually realize, that what she wants is to be loved and that’s when they drive off into the horizon on a scooterette! Shot at exotic locale (which refreshed memories of Monaco and Monte Carlo) this movie is as delightful as a French puff pastry – a truly priceless 2 hours of heartfelt smiles and sighs!
Watch the effervescent Audrey Tautou, trample over hearts and teach the tricks of the trade to the shy Gad Elmaleh only to run to him when she’s just about to lose it all & catch the most amazing on screen adventure of a kiss (I am told won the best kiss award that year at a lot of international fests – catch it here).
Tip of the day: A regular on World Movies!
Before Sunrise( 1995)
Soulmates for a night - Before Sunrise
One of those very rare movies , which keep you wondering what happened after the titles began to role? Jesse and Celine meet up on the Euro-rail. He is an american tourist dealing with a recent heart break travelling to Vienna on his last day in Europe , and is flying out the next morning.She is a young student , on her way to Paris where she studies. They hit it off and on an impulse he persuades her to get off at Vienna for a night that turns out to be the most romantic journey of their lives. They talk and explore the city and connect in a way that they never did with any one before . Fighting the urge to not commit to a long distance relationship that both of them feel would kill what they shared and an attraction that they just cant deny , they eventually part ways with a promise to meet exactly 6 months from the day they met , this time at Paris.
Watch this and you’ll know what it means when you ‘really connect’ with a person. You talk with out inhibitions , share ideas and dreams and open up in the most endearing ways. No mush , no melodrama , pure conversations – This is definitely my idea of romance.
Tip : Watch Before Sunset (2005) that was made exactly 9 yrs after the first movie that captures their meeting again. nope , they dont meet after 6 months(aww…) but they do meet .. after 9 yrs. Heart wrenching , isnt it? Catch my favourite scene when they have a ‘fake phone conversation with friends’ here
Clueless(1995)
When you have everything , what really are you looking for?
Who says classics are boring? You can take an Emma and spin it on its head and here you have the most contemporary adaptation placed right here in your high school. Cher , is rich , pretty and popular. There’s nothing really she can’t talk herself out of . Other than staying at the top of the social ‘high-school’ who’s who list , her immediate worries in life are playing matchmaker , indulging in the retail therapy and rescuing the down-trodden in terms of trends!
Josh , her step brother calls her selfish & superficial. She tries to prove otherwise by evangelising the social life of Tai , the new kid on the block in a purely unselfish act. But soon all hell breaks loose , she flunks her driving test , is losing out on popularity charts to her latest ‘project’ and is confused about her feeling for her Mr Right , Josh! All ends well , when she gains back her popularity , friends and love and giving us the cutest poor little rich girl of the screen ever. Lots of fizz and attitude , this movie’s like soda pop – lifts up your spirit and leaves a sweet after taste. Watch it for Alicia Silverstone , and you ‘ll know where the movie gets its sparkle from.
Amelie (2001)
Meet your neighbourhood Robin Hood - Amelie !
If you feel romantic movies are sweet, this one’s a French Patisserie. Amelie’s been a lonely girl since childhood and as a young woman she’s shy and introvert. After a sudden realisation one fine day that she’s perhaps wasting her life , she takes upon herself the task of bringing joy and happiness to everyone around her. As she goes about on her secret mission of fulfilling dreams of her father , neighbours , co-workers at the cafe where she works and this lonesome stranger she comes across – she makes the biggest mistake which blows off her cover- She falls in love. Watch this fairytale that give every spy movie a run for its money as you watch the impossibly pretty Audrey Tautou plan the most amazing set ups playing match maker ,wish fulfiller and revenge seeker for all those around her. As reality meets fantasy , you cant help thinking to your self , if only we could come across some one like her . Sigh!
Vicky Cristina Barcelona(2008)
Alrite , this one’s quite a twisted affair. But what makes this movie , so damn neat is its non adherence to norms. Vicky and Cristina are as different as chalk and cheese. Vicky is practical and traditionalist , knows what she wants and has planned her entire life around . Christina , on the other hand is free spirited and bohemian , and perhaps knows what she doesnt want , and is okay with trying to finding the answer to this question all her life.
On their trip to Barcelona , they chance upon Juan a painter with quite an eccentric view of love. What starts off as a casual meeting becomes a complex tale of unfulfilled love & deep passion that both of them share with not only Juan but also his ex wife Maria Elena with whom he has an off and on relationship. At the end of it all , both the women , end up where they started . Each more assured than ever of their belief in life – their view of love and the way they wish to live.
Tip : Watch this one , for the most amazing views of barcelona , rediscover the beauty of the spanish language and a fresh take on love , if you’ve ever been confused , this one makes you feel – its all right!
A lot of us have dreams and aspirations. But for most of us , they remain more of an indulgence as we eventually in our struggle with the mundane complexities of life give up or postpone them to the distant future.
I am no exception either. I have had a dream of seeing every possible beautiful sight that the world has to offer . Hear every possible tale of romance and adventure that some one has to tell and write about it. Start something on my own . Something that breaks my constant attempt of fitting the waking life into small timebound capsules.
The idea of the world trip or the book or even finding my own calling has always been overtaken by my lethargy to carry on the more convenient , predictable ways of life.
Almost like a sign , I ve seen three real life heroes , who’ve gone ahead and broken the moulds and set out free .
A couple of years back when some one I know headed to France for a PhD , I was stung with envy. Her FB updates as a narrative of her life’s adventures backed by vibrant photographic evidences of her @ all the places i ve dreamt about , pinch me and poke me in the strangest of ways which i ve learnt to ignore now.
More recently , another acquaintance went on from a corporate seemingly ideal job for some one with our education and experience and started off with an initiative JourneyMyWay (check it our here) that fuses three of passions – Food , Travel and Writing . My congratulations to her was heartfelt , and i am one of the most regular visitors to her blog The Thought Express ( find it here)
But the one story of ‘finding one’s calling’ that tugged my heart and made me sit back and take stock of how I’ve spent the last 3 decades and what would I rather do for the next couple of more to come was of Tithiya and her dream ‘The 100 heroes project’
Tithya Sharma has taken up the 100heroesproject and she’ll be spending an yr backpacking across the world to meet 100 people with inspiring stories and write them in HT & on her blog www.100heroesproject.com . Eventually she plans to write a book.
Stumbled upon her story here
I think its an amazing tale of courage and the most awesome example of ‘ living up one’s dream’!
Am sure I ve found my hero in her.
Our memorable trip to paris started off with the check in at the Royal Elysses . ummm well actually started off when we landed at the airport and went on to build up when it actually sunk in when along the way on our cab ride we crossed the pretty as a picture locales of the city. but then lets not get carried away with that. Hmm.. so here’s how day 1 @ Paris looked and felt like!
Royal Elysses : This is where our Royal stay happened @ Paris
Over looking the very high end street – Victor Hugo , this hotel promises a royal stay that fits the pocket well.Cozy and plush , over looking the glossy windows of some very well known labels in the fashion scene , it runs parallel to Champ Elyss – the heart line of the city that runs from Arc De Triumph circle at one end to the Napoleon Square at the other.
As one walks done Champ Elyss , gaping at the brand names leaping out on the street thats glittering with the christmas lights and dressings on to the napoleon square to see the Eiffel tower at a distance , one cant help but thank one’s star for the perfect place to stay at Paris.other than Ritz ofcourse :Dwhat’s truly impressive about this place and almost every place one visits in Europe , the way the reception staff makes you feel welcome and guides you on the places to see and how to find your way around them in the city!this hotel serves some quick fix breakfast , but in terms of places to eat there are many pizzerias on the champ elyss street that runs parallel. It also has the victor hugo subway terminal that ‘s well connected with the metro line , at a walking distance. Plus , what more- the Lido show happens just aroundn the block here!
Thumb’s Up to the place for : Super friendly and very cordial staff , some very very yummilicious muffins and bakes on the menu @ the breakfast , very well connected with the must – see places in the city , awesome location and Great Views!
