"If you want peace, work for justice"

The day was busy since morning. Lot to read and check mails and then meet couple of people of which one of the lunch appointment I had to cancel, just coz I felt like going home and have lunch with parents :)

“The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.” ~Thomas Jefferson

Happen to watch the movie ‘American Gangster’, boy I didn’t know that these two amazing Academy Award Winners Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe both are going to be in it. It was tough for me in the beginning whom to support and I had a slight fear that I might be bias but hey …this is what we say about the best ….you can clearly make out about their talent. You cannot do injustice as their performance will not allow you to do so :)

“Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.” ~ Blaise Pascal

Amazing movie about a true story of Harlem in 70’s, seems like it was the worst period in history with poverty, drugs etc. In the movie I enjoyed very much the end part where Russell is trying hard to find all the evidence against our man Denzel and at the end both walk away together … ;)

Now what happens in between is something worth watching so if you can tolerate a bit of
Abusive language and crime sequences then I guess its worth watching. C’mon now who doesn’t want to see these two hot guys on screen together ;)

“Justice has nothing to do with what goes on in a courtroom; Justice is what comes out of a courtroom” ~ Clarence Darrow

As usual I learnt a lot from the bad guy and the good guy too :)! And as they say at the end it’s the truth that wins, it’s the good that rules over evil.

“All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.” ~ Galileo Galilei

“He has a right to criticize who has a heart to help”

As I love music and my friends all know what I feel without music how life would be :) so am sure you wont be surprised if I say I love to watch American Idol as much as any other music related program.

I watch this program for two reasons – one of course music but I get to hear the new talents and that too so many youngsters which makes you feel proud too about the effort that they put in through. Secondly for Simon Cowell hahaha yes! I am a big fan of him.

I actually like his criticism which is direct without going around the bush he speaks straight. His words might be strong but if you take things in positive criticism and a bit with pinch of humor it goes all well :)

“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.” ~ Winston Churchill

I some how like him so much that my friend teases me – Don’t call me Simon as I am not …lol!
This post is basically to tell Simon Cowell that I like him and his clear cut thoughts on candidates when they come for audition.

I think many times his remarks are similar what we think about while watching the show. Whether it’s the dressing sense, performance or even voice…may be the words are not as what Simon puts in – I would say that’s Simon color coating to the words ;)

“Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man's growth without destroying his roots.” ~ Frank A. Clark

Simon Phillip Cowell (born 7th Oct 1959) is an Emmy-nominated English artist and repertoire ("A&R") executive for Sony BMG in the UK and a television producer, more commonly known as a judge on television programmes such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, American Idol and Britain's Got Talent. He is also the owner of the television production and music publishing house Syco.
Cowell is notorious for his unsparingly blunt and often controversial criticisms, insults, and wisecracks about contestants and their singing abilities, or lack thereof. He is often parodied in pop culture. His judging is usually blunt but honest. He is known for combining activities in the television and music industries, having promoted singles and records for various artists, including television personalities
In 2006, Cowell signed to two more record-breaking deals. In the USA, he agreed to remain as a judge on American Idol, earning £20 million ($40 million) per season for another 5 years. He also has a deal with FOX which allows his production company to broadcast Got Talent and American Inventor on other networks, but he may not appear on them In 2006, Cowell signed to two more record-breaking deals. In the USA, he agreed to remain as a judge on American Idol, earning £20 million ($40 million) per season for another 5 years. He also has a deal with FOX which allows his production company to broadcast Got Talent and American Inventor on other networks, but he may not appear on them.

According to AOL News a reporter for the British newspaper The Mirror conducted an interview with Cowell in mid-August where he claimed that he would complete the three seasons remaining on his contract with American Idol and then "that was it". Cowell explained, "There has to come a point when I will step down from being on camera and remain behind the scenes because you can't keep doing this forever...I think by [the end of my contract] that the public will be sick to death of me anyway and it will be time to go."

But yes the program is interesting because of Simon, that's what I feel :). I am sure many of them love Simon for what he is and I think one should always pay attention to critics as well ;).

He has a good side too which media never brought up. Cowell has been involved in charity work for many years without getting much attention from the media. He supports children from The Association Of Children’s Hospices and invites them backstage to the screenings of The X Factor. When he can, he stops by some of the hospices to visit the children. He also supports animal rights and has appeared in a video for PETA in which he reminds drivers of the cruelty to animals that can occur when their pets are locked in cars in the summer.

In December 2003, Cowell published a book, I Don't Mean to Be Rude, But …. In it, he told the whole story of his childhood, his years working in music and experiences on Pop Idol, Pop Stars Rivals, and American Idol, and finally, his tips for being successful as a pop star.

“All bad poetry springs from genuine feeling.” ~ Oscar Wilde

Was that too much for Simon…. Lol!

“Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what you've got to say, and say it hot.” ~ D.H. Lawrence

When love is not madness, it is not love

Valentine’s Day – I was wondering how it was initiated and as the time went ahead how this event became a festival :)

“Truly loving another means letting go of all expectations. It means full acceptance, even celebration of another's personhood.”

Yesterday I was shopping in the evening and I saw this guy who was with his maintenance jacket on top which showed he was working somewhere and just stepped in to the shop and bought hyacinths with a small heart inserted in the pot and yes a tag with ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’.

He paid for these flowers and while doing so he asked the helper guy in the shop did you see a girl with short hair just walking out of the store? She just bought lemonade and the helper guy ran outside to look for and by then this guy took the flower and he forgot the card on the cashier’s table. Suddenly, the cashier said- Sir, you forgot the card that you bought and he said oh!!! Yeah! He was much engrossed in finding his valentine… ! He took the card from the Cahier’s hand and went out. His eyes were searching for her all the way. The boy who went in search of the girl came back and told to the cashier I don’t think so I have seen her…!

“Loving is not just looking at each other, it's looking in the same direction.” ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

I finished paying to the cashier and got into my car and I started my car and lit the headlights on and what I see is…the guy was on his knee on the road in front of my car proposing the short hair girl who was holding lemonade still in her hand :) .

The moment was so special that unknowingly I smiled and the guy looked at me and winked and all I could do was – ‘ThumbsUp’, as if carrying on I will only go when she accepts it.

“Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love.” ~Albert Einstein

The girl was blushing and all red and when she saw me still waiting she ran into the guy’s arms and all I could do was wish good luck and say good bye!!!

Whole night I was thinking ….how sweet and innocent was that love and gesture. No wonder when one falls in love they do crazy things ;)

I think if we are human we should do crazy things no matter what time and day is that.

“Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end. “ ~Author Unknown

We choose a day to wish everyone Valentine’s day and I wish that we could make this everyday …how beautiful it would be that people will be giving roses to their valentine and if anyone is angry they can give any such rose that will express their anger :) yet this world would be a better place to live – a place with full of love and fragrance

“Without love, what are we worth? Eighty-nine cents! Eighty-nine cents worth of chemicals walking around lonely.” ~M*A*S*H, Hawkeye

“I love power. But it is as an artist that I love it. I love it as a musician loves his violin, to draw out its sounds and chords and harmonies.”

I remember adding a post in my early days of blogging about attending concert in a school and I lived that moment as a kid.

“A live concert to me is exciting because of all the electricity that is generated in the crowd and on stage. It's my favorite part of the business, live concerts.” ~ Elvis Presley

I yet again got a chance and that was today and feels so proud to see kids growing up with talents each day with performing better and better.

The best part was that this concert was Musical only ;) – now tell me how exiting it could be when your moment of life has no rhythm without music :D

“Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons. You will find it is to the soul what a water bath is to the body.” ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

Yes, it so a moment of proud to see kids between 8 to 10 years of age with violin on the stage performing that too six songs by heart without any books, now tell me how many of us can do.. ? Tell me honestly … :D yeah! It really needs that dedication I must say and looking at kids I get my inspiration to grow better at least now ;)

“Music's the medicine of the mind.” ~John A. Logan

Yes this is the Winter Musical Concert at Northwood Elementary School and let me tell you about the Music teacher Ms Amador – She plays clarinet and piano but she teaches all kinds of instruments – that’s something I really felt like saluting as how many of them can show that confidence of teaching? This shows not only the talent but the confidence. I was amazed at the teacher; a few drops of tears came out of my eyes with emotion n respect for the lady …!

“Music when healthy, is the teacher of perfect order, and when depraved, the teacher of perfect disorder.” ~ John Ruskin

Why I say this is because I saw the movie – “Music of the Heart” where Meryl Streep A well-meaning teacher tries to introduce Harlem kids to the joys of classical music.
I would say if you like music you would enjoy this one.

“Music is the literature of the heart; it commences where speech ends.” ~Alphonse de Lamartine

Finally, a day ended with music in ears and lots of cheerfulness.

“Happiness is a thing to be practiced, like the violin.” ~ John Lubbock

The bonds of matrimony are like any other bonds - they mature slowly

I would like to wish my parents a very happy, peaceful, joyful and healthy wedding anniversary today and in the future for many more to come :)

"All weddings are similar, but every marriage is different"

Yes, that's how I feel about my parents wedding!
For my dad, it was love at first sight :) and then what happened is history now though we celebrate that moment even today ;)

"An anniversary is a time to celebrate the joys of today, the memories of yesterday, and the hopes of tomorrow." ~Author Unknown

“My deepest impulses are optimistic; an attitude that seems to me as spiritually necessary and proper as it is intellectually suspect”

“What is not started today is never finished tomorrow.”

As there is a saying, when one door closes another one opens. Yes, that’s how life is and this book of mine is just like that as I make progress on its release.

Me and my friend we are working very hard to put together this book of mine.
It’s like a baby who is growing each day and making progress towards that day when the baby will walk…yes that’s how I feel about this book of mine.

“My deepest impulses are optimistic; an attitude that seems to me as spiritually necessary and proper as it is intellectually suspect” ~ Ellen Willis

This is the cover page of my book and I want to see what do my friends see when they see the cover of this book :). This could be one of your eye test ;) …lol!

Well the title of this book is ‘Khawabon Ki Zamiin’ meaning ‘Land of dreams’; as I feel this is the land where we dream and we also make our dreams come true.

This book consists of all my poetries belonging to my childhood, my teenage mind and heart and the youth where I feel others pain and injustice and wants to voice that to all…!

“Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true” ~ Lyman Frank Baum

As I said this is my first effort and with my friends encouragement I could give this baby a birth :).

I do want to mention about the cover page painting yes, its one of my dear relative and friend who is witty and yet naughty but then his imagination on the canvas made me to choose this painting of his ;) and his name is Jagadish Bhaskar Pakravoor.

“Dreams are like the paints of a great artist. Your dreams are your paints, the world is your canvas. Believing, is the brush that converts your dreams into a masterpiece of reality.”

I thank all my friends for their blessings and prayers and also to my friends who are helping me in releasing this book :).

“One can pay back the loan of gold, but one dies forever in debt to those who are kind.” ~Malayan Proverb

The draft of my book is almost done and is in the preparation of releasing it.
The due date is yet to come ….wait for it ;)

“Life is all about timing... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable... attainable. Have the patience, wait it out It's all about timing.” ~ Stacy Charter

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine

This tag is called the blessing tag. Even though I was not tagged to this one but I liked the thought behind this and hence sharing with all of you who read my blog :) as I want you all to be blessed. Thanks dear Priya for tagging me and blessing me too :)

The idea… it’s a game of tag with a difference, rather than looking inwardly, we look outside ourselves and bless, praise and pray for one blog friend. By participating in this endeavour we not only make the recipient of the blessing feel valued and appreciated, but we are having some fun too. We’re going to see how far the blogging’ blessings can travel around the world and how many people can be blessed! Recipients of a blogging’ blessing may upload the above image to their sidebar if they choose to.

“A true friend is the greatest of all blessings, and that which we take the least care of all to acquire” ~ Francois de la Rochefoucauld

Hence I guess it explains why I have uploaded this picture ;) but I was really tagged on this one below:

There are 10 points, and you are supposed to elaborate on each point. Here goes my interpretation.

1) It is important to be liked by others: I don’t think so!!! as it’s not necessary to be liked by others all the time.

My belief is that one should like themselves first. If you are right and your heart agrees with what you are doing or thinking then rest falls in place. Its like the fragrance which spreads and those who like it will come to you! Doing something on the basis that people should like you; I don’t know how far that goes but not for me!

“A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.” ~Herm Albright

2) Obedience is a virtue:
For me it depends, as where it is coming from. We all have in our culture to respect elders and many times I have seen (not me though as that’s why I am always the black sheep of the family .. lol) people obey as otherwise it will be disrespecting them. For me, ask, find out why’s? and then one can decide whether to be obedient or not!!! As nothing can be fully obedience if its not from your heart.

“True obedience is true freedom.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher

3) People are not malicious but they become so because of bad experiences or circumstances:

I think like all fingers are not same, the same goes for people no matter what gender, country, race or religion. The only one thing matters is how you control your inside evilness over the goodness and that decides the explanation for you to be malicious. Anger is something which can make one do things which even a powerful person will think twice to do as when one is in anger is not thinking from head; he or she is just responding to the trigger that occurred to loose his/her temperament. So the more control we have on ourselves the less animal we become ;)

“The pre-human creature from which man evolved was unlike any other living thing in its malicious viciousness toward its own kind. Humanization was not a leap forward but a groping toward survival.” ~ Eric Hoffer

4) Education broadens our view and makes people more humane:

I disagree with the later part of the statement. Education is good and always brings awareness but its seldom that people take that into consideration for themselves. I have heard people talking nth time about not to discriminate in the name of race, gender or religion but the same person if it comes on him/herself the notion changes all of a sudden. I have heard educated people talking about all religion teaches same values and good faith and good deeds but the moment you speak about Muslims, they will start discriminating with the talks of all the fatwas and terrorism etc.
Also, I would like to bring this here that I have come across people who are not educated but they have their views with real life experience which has taught them some values and I see them more like humane than any other educated class.

“Education: a debt due from present to future generations”. ~ George Peabody

5) People who have no money troubles are happier:

I think the trouble starts when people’s need increases more than what people need at that time :). I remember when I came to Canada and was on my own with my struggling phase I was much happier with making friends and not thinking much but in that time frame itself I bought a house and then you start all the trouble of maintaining it and looking after other aspect of investment and what not??? More trouble and more headache :D!!! But yes, need is need and one can’t deny that as we all tend to strive to be in a better future if not present :D!!! So, no money is not good but enough is better!

“Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

6) As people get older they get wiser:

I admire the statement. When I look at my Dad, I still feel I can learn a lot from him and his grandkids could do more even ;) but I think how much we younger generation makes use of it from that will make the real sense. As I have always learnt to take lesson from others experience rather than your own ;) and getting older means becoming wiser and being expert I would say :)

“Follow then the shining ones, the wise, the awakened, the loving, for they know how to work and forbear.” ~ Buddha

7) You can live on love and fresh air:

I think its more or less like a blessing. To live in this practical world just love and fresh air isn’t sufficient :); I guess my friends will agree with me! Besides the basic necessity to live and survive if you have your loved ones who loves you and cares for you; then that’s a true blessing and we all need that if not from anyone at least from God!! It’s a support, faith that keeps you running in thick n thin stages.

“Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver”. ~ Barbara De Angelis

8) There is a celestial guardian angel looking after each one of us:

This is true if you have that faith :), if you are a believer and I am one and I say this with my own experience.

“Every blade of grass has its angel that bends over it and whispers, 'Grow, grow.'” ~ The Talmud saying

9) All living beings reincarnate:

I am sorry but I don’t believe in this. I remember as a kid, when I asked lot of questions to my Library Teacher, he started giving me big –big books on reincarnation and each time I complete the book to return I used to go through a session with him where I am still not convinced and he issues me with another one … lol! I don’t believe unless I see some real proof which I don’t think is possible!

“Reincarnation: People coming back to life at quitting time.”

10) Heaven and Hell are places you go to after death:

I believe heaven or hell, it’s we who make it and so its here right when we are alive. Death is that fear which we all have to face one day or the other and yet we won’t be there to tell about it as what it was to be dead!!! So, I don’t look forward for heaven or hell after my death as for me that’s the dead end.

“I have never seen the slightest scientific proof of the religious theories of heaven and hell, of future life for individuals, or of a personal God” ~ Thomas Alva Edison

It was an interesting journey to start with liking, blessing and then death. Let’s make someone part of this …hmm who could it be… Keshi, Art, Shiva and all others who want to voice their opinion :)

“Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with shades of deeper meaning.” ~ Maya Angelou