Is it just not possible to be a superstar and have a happily married life? Are Hollywood, happy and marriage all mutually exclusive? I’m a big Mel Gibson fan. The fact that he is devoutly Catholic and until now, was married to the same woman for 28 years and had seven children, had a lot to do with it. Mad Max with a life. That’s something worth emulating. Then, Robyn his wife, files for divorce today.
So who’s left happily married (first wife) in Hollywood? John Travolta, Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks, Sting (not strictly Hollywood).
Who’s next?
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Me, poll pundit
Three tips on voting this election in India.
* Vote for a party that has a strong regional platform and a genuine regional progressive manifesto. Do not buy the ‘stability at the Centre’ argument. Strong regions make a strong nation.
* Vote for the candidate, not for the party. In India, candidates need parties because of the nature of politics. One cannot go it alone. However, a good candidate will put constituency above party and play the necessary politics to keep both happy. Vote for this person.
* Finally, vote. It’s one of the few populists agendas that’s kosher.
* Vote for a party that has a strong regional platform and a genuine regional progressive manifesto. Do not buy the ‘stability at the Centre’ argument. Strong regions make a strong nation.
* Vote for the candidate, not for the party. In India, candidates need parties because of the nature of politics. One cannot go it alone. However, a good candidate will put constituency above party and play the necessary politics to keep both happy. Vote for this person.
* Finally, vote. It’s one of the few populists agendas that’s kosher.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Whaddap nigga!
This blog generally sets the agenda. Impervious to prevalent sentiment, here nuggets of the future are distilled from chaos of the present.
But, you don’t have to take my word for it. There are veritable experts that unknowingly vindicate and irrefutable facts that underline why we should all be saying together: ‘You read it first on 99!’
* Look for a previous post on Oh!Bummer, then see M J Akbar’s piece in epaper.timesofindia.com, April 12.
* Look for a previous post on Indian hockey and join me in celebrating our first Azlan Shah Cup for 13 years, I believe.
But, you don’t have to take my word for it. There are veritable experts that unknowingly vindicate and irrefutable facts that underline why we should all be saying together: ‘You read it first on 99!’
* Look for a previous post on Oh!Bummer, then see M J Akbar’s piece in epaper.timesofindia.com, April 12.
* Look for a previous post on Indian hockey and join me in celebrating our first Azlan Shah Cup for 13 years, I believe.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
A good question
Popular wisdom allows us to become intellectually lazy. A classic case of pop-wiz is the use of the phrase ‘That’s a very good question.’
Delivered in Q&A session, generally after the speaker has finished his/her speech, the phrase is blatant use of linguistic bribery to keep the audience in check.
It usually describes the dumbest question or, rather, the question the speaker most expects or is most ready answer.
A good question will leave the speaker confounded and expose hypocrisy or factual error, or ideally criminal intent. Remember, if they cut to a commercial, the question was good.
Delivered in Q&A session, generally after the speaker has finished his/her speech, the phrase is blatant use of linguistic bribery to keep the audience in check.
It usually describes the dumbest question or, rather, the question the speaker most expects or is most ready answer.
A good question will leave the speaker confounded and expose hypocrisy or factual error, or ideally criminal intent. Remember, if they cut to a commercial, the question was good.
Monday, April 6, 2009
What if it's all free?
I tread carefully when talking about religion because as the great Bishop Fulton Sheen cautioned – no matter where you go, God has been there first.
Religions where the emphasis is on you performing deeds to earn your salvation are among the fastest growing in the world. This is because humans like that idea. The fact that I can do what I want and then do something else to negate it takes away the need for organic change from within. A religion which is based on free will, free love and free forgiveness is much harder to deal with.
Religions where the emphasis is on you performing deeds to earn your salvation are among the fastest growing in the world. This is because humans like that idea. The fact that I can do what I want and then do something else to negate it takes away the need for organic change from within. A religion which is based on free will, free love and free forgiveness is much harder to deal with.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Engage the Taliban? You gotta be kiddin’ me
Barewreck Oh!Bummer needs to understand the difference between engaging in peaceful negotiation and being taken for a ride.
Sure he’s suave and charming and speaks in a manner that makes Dubya seem like a bumbling idiot. But, when you deal with the Taliban, Iran and North Korea, none of the above matter. They are not NDTV viewers.
I don’t quite get ‘engaging the Taliban’. Unless it’s ok to have people ruled by the letter of a religious law interpreted in the same manner as it was over 400 years ago. Be careful Oh!Bummer who you engage and why.
Sure he’s suave and charming and speaks in a manner that makes Dubya seem like a bumbling idiot. But, when you deal with the Taliban, Iran and North Korea, none of the above matter. They are not NDTV viewers.
I don’t quite get ‘engaging the Taliban’. Unless it’s ok to have people ruled by the letter of a religious law interpreted in the same manner as it was over 400 years ago. Be careful Oh!Bummer who you engage and why.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Q1 ends
It will be Easter and a new liturgical year will begin.
Schools will begin a final push for the report-busting exam season. A pall of gloom will descend on students’ houses.
Companies will have closed books on the worst quarter in their history and have finalized a list of staff to be fired. There will be a sense of burning bridges and moving forward.
Leaders of the twenty most powerful nations will return home to save their economies.
India will elect a new government.
Manchester United will attempt to win five club titles.
And me,? I’ll still be here.
Schools will begin a final push for the report-busting exam season. A pall of gloom will descend on students’ houses.
Companies will have closed books on the worst quarter in their history and have finalized a list of staff to be fired. There will be a sense of burning bridges and moving forward.
Leaders of the twenty most powerful nations will return home to save their economies.
India will elect a new government.
Manchester United will attempt to win five club titles.
And me,? I’ll still be here.
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