Shawshank Redemption

I’m in jail. (So what if it’s ACed and I get biryani?!).

My son’s on the other side of a screen… a weekly visit.

Pop pops a question - searching for hope (for myself i.e., he has plenty) .

“Son, what do you miss most about me?”

He’s 8, a kinesthetic learner. He fiddles, ticks, shifts.

Suddenly, he stops looks me straight in the eye and says: “Everything.”

His hands begin moving again all over the place, as he tries to show what he means.

Then, he stops again, and says: “I miss all of you.”

And he’s gone.

Serendipity, Epiphany, Take 5, Brubeck, Jazz Junkie

Like an over-arching bow in the hands of a linguistic warrior ‘Serendipity’ and ‘Epiphany’ drop in the same sentence.

That is exactly the twaddle I often blubber, on an overly-whiskied night, to justify my existence.

Then, Dave Brubeck died and the ‘Epiphany’ about the ‘Serendipity’ hit home.

I discovered jazz bunking school going to a buddy’s house.

At 13, I heard Take 5.

Serendipity: Bunking school to watch porn, but ending up listening to Brubeck and being converted to jazz forever

Epiphany: Brubeck dies, damn, Take 5. I have forgotten who I really am. I’m a jazz junkie.

At my wedding toast I said: This is the only time im going to probably have so many people listening to me, unless I win the grammys or an Oscar or at the very least a Booker.
That was when I was 26. Or 27. Or fuck… too long ago… I didn’t win any, but if I did, this is what it would sound like… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aft4RE6psV0&feature=related
For what its worth. I still love the woman I married, as Oscar Wilde said, each man kills the thing he loves,
Unless your’e a woman… then you kill the man you love.

Have you seen me?

If you’ve ever seen Mel Gibson smile, blue-eyed and free (Brave Heart)
Then you’ve seen me.
If you’ve ever seen Daniel Day Lewis run wild and jump for what he believed (Last of the Mohicans)
Then you’ve seen me.
If you’ve ever seen Russel Crowe draw his sword and die for his wife and child, then you’ve seen me (Gladiator)

If you have ever seen me…

Watch the Wrestler

And seen the emptiness
Like a vessel waiting to be filled,

Then you should know, you’ve seen me.

Big and broken and loving you till the end

Like a one trick pony…

You’ve seen me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-6DM6iWKKo

A ditty for kids

Sometimes it’s rough,
Sometimes it’s tough.
Often, it’s long and boring and not,
Like a walk in the park.
But, exams they say
Will help me one day
And my mum, she says that a lot.

So I’m trying hard to think
To remember and drink, in,
All that I’m studying right now.
My exams are here
Oh Golly, Oh Dear,
I would rather they were not,
But they are.

So, I drown in my books,
All sums, words and hooks
And believe I’m smart as they say.
But, (sigh), my exams are here
And I’m not of good cheer
So, God, at least help me
write a good essay.

Hollywood, you and the US Presidential election

This is what you’re favourite Hollywood stars can tell you about who you would have voted for if you lived in the US.

I prefer Jenna Jameson, Clint Eastwood and Russell Crowe to, let’s say, Will Smith, Julia Roberts and George Clooney.

Before you read further, read this post:
http://www.ninety9words.blogspot.com/2011/07/if-i-was-american_03.html

I heard Ann Romney’s speech today.

If it’s worth being a US citizen, election time is surely one of the great draws.
Where else would a candidate’s wife address a national convention and start a speech with: Love.

I love it.

If it’s Julia, you’re Obama.

Me? Go Mitt.

It really is not about the bike

I know someone, with some serious access to the US coaches/trainers fraternity who I asked:

‘What’s the word in the business?’

‘Did he use drugs?’

His answer: ‘Is that even a question…’

I read the book, edited the sports pages, wrote the headlines.

I played scrabble with a nana from Austin who became an email buddy based on where to get good chilli and how to Livestrong.

And that Austin would beat Pune for best city in the world.

There is only one thing a pedestal guarantees you. The chance to fall.

It really is not about the bike.