Feed on
Posts
Comments

Cult Fiction

star_trek_movie_image_-_new_logo1

Who knew that a tinpot sci-fi soap with bad actors, lame stories and really bad costumes in the 60s could be such a global phenomenon creating a multi-billion dollar empire of spin-off series, movies, books, countless merchandising opportunities and of course several pop-culture references. Next week sees yet another one hitting cinemas worldwide. This would be the 11th Star Trek film to grace our movie theatres and has a whole media conglomerate pinning its hope on its success. It takes viewers to the origins of the original series and how USS Enterprise came into being (Well that’s what the trailers show).
Its appeal is in its unique political relevance – peacenik “phasers” set to “stun” or “vapourise”, to explore rather than colonise “strange new worlds”, A utopian universe of multispecies crew living peacefully yet for some reason conversing in English & featuring the first ever interracial kiss seen on TV ever - among others. Apparently Nichelle Nichols (who played Uhura in the original 60s series) was urged by Martin Luther King Jr not to leave the show afterwards as she was too big a role model and played one of the most important parts in desegregating America way back then.
Is it just simple escapism washed in the optimism of space travel in the America of the 60s or something even deeper that refuses to reach that final frontier. Its creator Gene Roddenberry couldn’t have timed it better – Foremost among his vision was humanism – a compassion for the ultimate wisdom of humans and its capacity for self reliance. A tolerance for everyone on the planet, opposition to prejudice and a rejection of dogma or divine authority. Star Trek promised a better future, one where humanity could pursue its best intentions – without the lust, pains and struggles of the ‘Rat Race’.
Director JJ Abrams carries the tradition into the 21st century redefining ‘prequels’ and intends to make them even more exciting than the originals ever were.
I personally don’t mind admitting being a trekkie and share this galaxy with fellow trekkies such as Isaac Asimov, Al Gore , Barrack Obama, Stephen Hawking, Whoppi Goldberg , Matt Groening, Seth MacFarlane & Tom Hanks. I love the fact that it is so ingrained in our collective sub consciousness and its speculative science has always fed to reality – from advances in physics, shape of mobile phones and even hairstyles. In a few hundred years from now historians will be writing as to why the first US space shuttle was called Enterprise keeping the memory of star trek alive forever.

  • Share/Save/Bookmark

Pots bad for you

  • Share/Save/Bookmark

Management Course

I hope this short and intense course in management will help you in all your endeavours!!!

Lesson 1

A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings. The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs. When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbour. Before she says a word, Bob says, “I’ll give you 800 to drop that towel.” After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob. After a few seconds, Bob hands her 800 and leaves. The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs. When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, “Who was that?” “It was Bob the next door neighbour,” she replies. “Great!” the husband says, “did he say anything about the 800 he owes me?”

Moral of the story:

If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.

Lesson 2

A priest offered a Nun a lift. She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg. The priest nearly had an accident. After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg. The nun said, “Father, remember Psalm 129?” The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again. The nun once again said, “Father, remember Psalm 129?” The priest apologised “Sorry sister but the flesh is weak.” Arriving at the convent, the nun went on her way. On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, “Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.”

Moral of the story:

If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.

Lesson 3

A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out. The Genie says, “I’ll give each of you just one wish.” Me
first! Me first!” says the admin clerk. “I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.” Puff! She’s gone. Me next! Me next!” says the sales rep. “I want to be in Hawaii, relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life.” Puff! He’s gone. “OK, you’re up,” the Genie says to the manager. The manager says, “I want those two back in the office after lunch.”

Moral of the story:

Always let your boss have the first say

Lesson 4

An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing. A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, “Can I also sit like you and do nothing?” The eagle answered:
“Sure, why not.” So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story:

To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

Lesson 5

A turkey was chatting with a bull. “I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree,” sighed the turkey, “but I haven’t got the energy.” “Well, why don’t you nibble on some of my droppings?” replied the bull. They’re packed with nutrients.” The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree. He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.

Moral of the story:

BullSh!t might get you to the top, but it won’t keep you there.

Lesson 6

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field. While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird d singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.

Morals of the story:

1. Not everyone who sh!ts on you is your enemy
2. Not everyone who gets you out of sh!t is your friend
3. And when you’re in deep sh!t, it’s best to keep your mouth shut!

This ends the 3-minute management course. *

  • Share/Save/Bookmark

THE SUCCESS OF MARRIAGE

Once upon a time a married couple celebrated their 25th marriage anniversary. They had become famous in the city for not having a single conflict in their period of 25 years. Local newspaper editors had gathered at the occasion to find out the secret of their well known ‘happy going marriage’.

Editor: “Sir. It’s amazingly unbelievable. How did you make this possible?”

Husband recalling his old honeymoon days said: “We had been to Simla for honeymoon after marriage. Having selected the horse riding finally, we both started the ride on different horses. My horse was pretty okay but the horse on which my wife was riding seemed to be a crazy one.
On the way ahead, that horse jumped suddenly, making my wife topple over..
Recovering her position from the ground, she patted the horse’s back and said “This is your first time”. She again climbed the horse and continued with the ride. After a while, it happened again. This time she again kept calm and said “This is your second time” and continued. When the horse dropped her third time, she silently took out the revolver from the purse and shot the horse dead!!
I shouted at my wife: “What did you do you psycho. You killed the poor animal. Are you crazy?”
She gave a silent look and said: “This is your first time!!!”

Husband: “That’s it. We’ve been living happily since then.”

  • Share/Save/Bookmark

Don’t forget your “Out of office” message…when you are out!

1. I am currently out at a job interview and will reply to you if I fail to get the position. Be prepared for my mood.

2. You are receiving this automatic notification because I am out of the office. If I was in, chances are you wouldn’t have received anything at all.

3. I will be unable to delete all the unread, worthless emails you send me until I return from holiday on 4 April. Please be patient and your mail will be deleted in the order it was received.

4. Thank you for your email. Your credit card has been charged ?5.99 for the first ten words and ?1.99 for each additional word in your message.

5. The e-mail server is unable to verify your server connection and is unable to deliver this message. Please restart your computer and try sending again.’(The beauty of this is that when you return, you can see how many in-duh-viduals did this over and over).

6. Thank you for your message, which has been added to a queuing system…

You are currently in 352nd place, and can expect to receive a reply in approximately 19 weeks.

7. I’ve run away to join a different circus.

AND, FINALLY, THIS ONE TAKES THE CAKE:

8. I will be out of the office for the next 2 weeks for medical reasons…

When I return, please refer to me as ‘ Margaret ‘ instead of ‘Steve’.

  • Share/Save/Bookmark

Worst Album Covers ever !

Bad photography ! Bad effects ! = Really bad taste

388953353.jpg
388953513.jpg
388953522.jpg
388953542.jpg
388953552.jpg
388953672.jpg
388953682.jpg
388953712.jpg
388953742.jpg
388953762.jpg
388953782.jpg
388953802.jpg
388953832.jpg
388953842.jpg
388953862.jpg
388953892.jpg
388954482.jpg
388954862.jpg
388955012.jpg
388959572.jpg
388959612.jpg
388959632.jpg
388959642.jpg
388959662.jpg
388959692.jpg
388960332.jpg
388960542.jpg
388960572.jpg
388960792.jpg
388960852.jpg
388960892.jpg
388960902.jpg
388960921.jpg
388960931.jpg
388960951.jpg
38896096.jpg
38896097.jpg
38896100.jpg
38896101.jpg
38896103.jpg
38896613.jpg
38896614.jpg
38896616.jpg
38896617.jpg

38896620.jpg
38896622.jpg
38896623.jpg

[Source : Chicago Tribune]

  • Share/Save/Bookmark

404px-benjamin-button-poster.jpg

The movie gives plenty for us to think and is a strange ambitious fantasy. It is just weird at places and as long as you don’t have a huge problem with dis-attaching (is that even a word?) yourself from reality and visit fairy tale land - It is enjoyable. The movie also Captures the sadness and exhilaration of life and puts both side by side in a way that is slightly moving . It gets a 4.15 out of 5 - A lot of it for movie-making.

  • Share/Save/Bookmark

Valkyrie (2008)

valkyrie-poster.jpg

I feel the subject demands to be made as a documentary rather than linear narrative. Cruise does a good job but this movie could have been handled by a more serious , less gung-ho and mature actor better.The technique is admirable but misses the mark emotionally. There are also too many small characters all over the place and fails to focus on the main ones entirely. I give it a 3.65 out of 5.

  • Share/Save/Bookmark

Older Posts »