Of-course, decades ago when I saw the movie Up, Close, and Personal and heard the song "because you loved me" not in my wildest dream I thought it would turn out to be a song for Max who wasn't born at that time.
Every time I hear this song, I cry, I smile, my heart fills with gratitude and how god damn lucky I am to have met and shared 13 years of my life on this planet with Max.
That movie increased my respect for journalism to keep and make the world a better place (and Fox News and co ruined it years later)
Redford is one of my all time favorite actors plus one of my favorite human beings (trust me, it’s not a big list).
When I came to the US in the 90's, like a maniac I watched so many old movies - all movies of Jimmy Stewart, Robert Redford etc. They don't make movies like that anymore. These movies teach about values in life, morals and how to live a good life being a good living being,
Every few years, I rewatch the movie Spy Game. I dunno why I love it, maybe it's because Max and I watched it together when Max was a puppy. The last scene when waves goodbye to the CIA security guard and drives off in his Porsche was so stylish.
Sir, thank you for teaching me your subtle style, your generous heart, and just plain how to be a grounded human being even with all the fame and money.
Max and I thank you for our hearts !
You made a little better human being through your life and movies.
US acting legend Redford, best known for roles in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Sting, has died at the age of 89.
In a statement, his publicist Cindi Berger, said: "Robert Redford passed away on September 16 at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah - the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved. He will be missed greatly. The family requests privacy."
Out of the blue, some days when I least expect , an old song which I listened to many times over the years opens a new door with a room filled with memories of Max and I.
I heard such a Hindi song last night and boy, it hit me hard.
I am blessed to have lived and shared this planet with Max. Thank you my love. I miss you.
Unfortunately, I didn't die with you. I will do everything I can to fulfill those promises I made you until my last breath.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead
I was 9 years old when India won the world cup in 1983. Everyone in my house were sleeping; I was watching the match with someone who was visiting us. I think he was my mom's relative. That is one of my oldest memories. I don't remember how jubilant I felt that night but there are glimpses of me walking to the refrigerator and drinking ice cold water (which meant I was happy and needed a drink).
That victory changed confidence of Indian people. It was the seed which lead to the growth of Tendulkar in 1990 who single handedly responsible for boasting confidence of India. Timing was impeccable as the economy opened up around the same time. I am pretty sure, this generation doesn't have any idea what it meant and hence, they have no gratitude for what they have now.
I also met Kapil Dev near my house before I moved to US. These two cricketers are great human beings who have a big hand in changing a fate of nation which was stuck in the past even after 4 decades of independence.
The English game of cricket was the biggest catalyst for India to come out of the shadow of English imperialism.
I don't watch cricket anymore nor any other sports. I think, it was very useful tool for me during my younger days. Sports inspired me and I moved on to other things as I grew older. It's pity that most people use it as a passive entertainment and wasting hours everyday sitting in front of the TV. It's worse in US.
What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism. Orwell feared that the truth would be concealed from us. Huxley feared the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance. Orwell feared we would become a captive culture. Huxley feared we would become a trivial culture, preoccupied with some equivalent of the feelies, the orgy porgy, and the centrifugal bumble puppy.
As Huxley remarked in Brave New World Revisited, the civil libertarians and rationalists who are ever on the alert to oppose tyranny "failed to take into account man's almost infinite appetite for distractions."
In 1984, Huxley added, "people are controlled by inflicting pain. In Brave New World, they are controlled by inflicting pleasure. In short, Orwell feared that what we hate will ruin us. Huxley feared that what we love will ruin us".
This book is about the possibility that Huxley, not Orwell, was right.
Jersey is a heart warming story. It's inspired from the life of the late cricketer Raman Lamba. I don't remember much about his career but the kid in me was thrilled to see him come out to bat and he was the fittest person in the team.
When I read the review of the movie, I thought it was the story of Robin Singh. But this is a story of thousands of talented Indian cricketers and other sportsmen who lost their dreams because of omnipresent bureaucracy. This hasn't changed even today.
Movies like Jersey are a remainder to younger generation to see the reality as it is, stop using cricket to fuel nationalism, be persistent to fight the system and change it. One can dream.
The song Maiyya Mannu is soothing.
After a long long time, I got to watch not one but two soulful Hindi movies.
Those beautiful lines are from the song Life Of Ram from a beautiful Tamil movie named 96.
I never knew an actor like Vijay Sethupathi existed. I am so glad I started watching his movies this year, over a decade after he started acting. I salute and bow to your humility and acting skills. You make art of cinema lovable and alive. Thank you, sir.
To state the obvious, Fluffy and Garph make each moment of my life so rich that the joy of just being with them is enough for me in this life. Max already gave me everything I wanted in life; I have written many times since he passed away - my desires in this life ended on October 4th 2019 when Max came back home surviving the worst phase of his and my life. I cannot ask for more from this life.
All songs from this movie are mesmerizing with Govind Vasantha melancholic violin pieces.
Out of the blue, I listen to this beautiful old Tamil song after decades. It minded me of those four days in October 2019... it had a happy ending. Max is not here anymore but he came home and that beckons everlasting peace in my short life.
The English translation (which losses much of the essence) goes like this:
Relationships are everlasting stories
Feelings are like short stories
One story can conclude
While its end might lead to another
Only happiness beckons hereafter
Only happiness beckons hereafter
[---]
Your heart feels heavy
I am here from you
I will bear the burden
The corner of your eyes
Why are they wet?
I will soothe those tears
Your sorrows would end
The mist would clear
Oh milky cloud
I will blend in your renewed beauty
[---]
Life is like a song
And the melody is growing
Every day will be filled with happiness
So far you have only seen sorrow
From now on there will be only happiness
A new melody of happiness is starting now
A fresh flow of water in the river,
And it's merging with the ocean
Similarly, our bond has joined again today
And happiness is born
[---]
Relationships are everlasting stories
Feelings are like short stories
One story can conclude
While its end might lead to another
Only happiness beckons hereafter
Only happiness beckons hereafter
Max's first day, first photograph 05/21/2006
This relationship of ours was a short story but yet, it is a small part of the least understood and everlasting human-animal bond.
These simple bonds will not only outlive self-centered humans but someday might save and protect this beautiful planet.
Thank you Max for giving me a glimpse of life before I fall.
Man desires for soil and soil desires for man. Soil succeeds at last, But the mind refuses to accept it!
SPB has given has so many memories via his mesmerizing voice... he will be missed but I listen to his songs almost every day... and will do so until I kick the bucket. Thank you, sir.
He sang parts of this song aptly titled "Is it possible to live on this earth, without love?" without taking a breath
Paani Foundation is a not-for-profit company set up by Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao in early 2016 in order to work towards creating a drought-free Maharashtra. The Foundation’s team comprises of the core team members of the Satyamev Jayate show. The CEO is Satyajit Bhatkal (director of Satyamev Jayate) and the COO is Reena Datta.
Alaa Wardi is my name, making music is my trade, bringing happiness is my desire, uplifting souls is my aim, all people are my brothers and sisters, all countries are my home, love and equality are my beliefs, hatred and prejudice depress me, originally from Iran I am, currently reside in Saudi.
Few months ago, The Moral Sayings Of Publius Syrus was listed as one of the five books you should read before you turn 30. My friend gave me that book and he added that he was almost 40 and feel bad for not having read this book all these years. My reply to him was there are many generations who have lived and died without even having heard about Publius Syrus, so don't feel bad.
The curse of common man is that he never has a means or will to read books. At first glance, teaching stoicism and moral philosophies to them seem to be a Sisyphean task but stories and movies make that task an easy one. I don't know what kind of a man Rajnikath is in real life but his unwritten legacy would be he taught moral philosophies in an entertaining way to generation of Tamilians.
The song Maatram Ondruthaan Maarathathu (Change is the only constant) from his upcoming animated movie has some inspiring and brilliant lyrics plus A.R Rahman's music makes it even better (The essence of the original Tamil lyrics might get lost in the English translation).
There are many ways to destroy an enemy The first way: Forgiveness Change... Change is the only constant All that changes, lives All that doesn't, perishes
Be patient... You can even gather water in a sieve, if you wait until it becomes ice Money can help you rent happiness, but it cannot be bought The enmity of your friend is more dangerous than the enmity of your enemies Rise before the sun, and you can even conquer the sun
Does "YOU" refer to a body? a life? or a name? None of these, it is Action Are you a body, a life or name? None of these, 'YOU' are action
The one who says "you can go" is the master, The one who says "come. let's go" is the leader Are you a master or a leader?
If you take to running, sorrow will come chasing Face it bravely, the chasing sorrow will run away
Fate determines one's parent's But it is intelligence that determines one's friends
Control your anger, One who rises with anger, falls down with failure
Cannot be a better day to join Tyler and Alex's MR University - the first course is on Development Economics. They have brilliantly distilled and made info-packed 10 minute videos (it took me months if not years reading those pillow sized books to get the exact same information). Join today and take that small step towards a much better world.
If it be your will That I speak no more And my voice be still As it was before I will speak no more I shall abide until I am spoken for If it be your will If it be your will That a voice be true From this broken hill I will sing to you From this broken hill All your praises they shall ring If it be your will To let me sing From this broken hill All your praises they shall ring If it be your will To let me sing
If it be your will If there is a choice Let the rivers fill Let the hills rejoice Let your mercy spill On all these burning hearts in hell If it be your will To make us well
And draw us near And bind us tight All your children here In their rags of light In our rags of light All dressed to kill And end this night If it be your will
If it be your will.
This result isn’t surprising or controversial, but it’s nice to have somebody rigorously confirm an impression many of us have formed. In an upcoming essay for the journal, Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts, Nathan DeWall and others studied pop music lyrics between 1980 and 2007. They found that over these years lyrics that refer to self-focus and antisocial behavior have increased whereas words related to other-focus, social interactions and positive emotions have decreased. We’ve gone from “Love, Love, Love” to “F.U.”
