"QUIT SMOKING?!"

All of us somewhere and at some point of time tell at least one person to quit smoking. I have also done so not just once but many a times. I had lectured on how and why should one not smoke and how beneficial it will be. There are certain revelations that have come upon me. When I am in a difficult fix, I say, "It is easy for you to say that but you'll not understand me. You are not in my situation." Oh Boy! These words seem so easy to just blurt. It is time to think not just twice but deeper before you speak.

If a smoker has been in the habit for more than 3-4 years, it is a cruel situation for him. It is difficult for others to make him quit. It is a painful time for everyone near and dear. The worst pain, helpless situation and cruelty are the Smoker's. By 'him' I refer to all Smokers regardless of gender and by using the term 'Smokers', I am not being hateful, not kindling disrespect nor am I being indignant. It is as simple a word to understand and relate to. I draw this blog from close observations within my social group.

If I go on to explaining smoking then it may take various forms, smoking tobacco, cocaine, opium etc etc. All I refer here to is the act and many difficult situations arising out of it. When you drag that evil substance and hold it to your neck, letting it burn your throat, you don't realize the aftermath. The first time, you try, second time it is pure fun, third it is “I can do it” and thereafter it is habit. You let the drug take over you and your thoughts. You can’t breathe if your smoke schedule is delayed, you can’t think, your mind gets clogged and you feel all around you is dark.

"Quit Smoking" is a very common phrase we hear from parents, spouse, children and everyone who care about us. Saying this is very easy because you just speak but doing it is tougher than probably going uphill Mt. Everest. The craving for a cigarette is so intense-it is uncontrollable and people who do it are really brave fighters with will to live. A Smoker can't quit overnight but it needs gradual reduction in consumption. It should not be forced upon one to smoke none in a day but to reduce the number first. In that process the need of it lessened. It takes believe me more than a year for a Smoker to willingly say "Sorry I don't smoke." The process of quitting requires the closest family or friend to be with the victim forever without being rude but being loving, understanding and strong enough not to given in to a Smoker's pain. 

Endurance from all, care from all, encouragement and alternatives to smoke are all of utmost importance. You can't afford to yell and shout at the person who feels dead because you don't give him what he wants. The situations can be traumatic but keeping things going with hope and smile and care are all needed. You need to build the victim's self confidence by showing him his talents giving him a challenging hobby where that excess energy of craving can be drawn to a positive outcome.

A Smoker was never born so and he never wants to die so. Smokers need strength and your understanding. An addiction of any kind is injurious but no one wants to hurt another in a conscious state of mind. 

"KITES flew over me!"

At last KITES flew over me! It was a pretty amazing evening. I went with expectations sky soaring yet with a skeptic mind. I wanted to watch the movie given any condition and therefore don't repent going for it. My feel with the movie was not met with.

Kites has done a pretty good job in promoting itself-from the promo trailer to the Acer & Reliance. It has mixed in itself the Hollywood romance and Bollywood feel with great action. That is where it lacked in perfection. The movie was a little too stretched. The first 30 minutes I was spellbound and it was the only time I was on the edge. It has some beautiful moments that will touch your heart and tickle your imagination but the story was not so powerful or rather it could have been made a little more captivating.

Barbara was perfect in her role. She is innocent, and soft. Hrithik also did well from physique to feel. However, more than half the movie I spent time on trying to figure things out and understand where the other Big characters  ' role in the story. Given the circumstances of the release and promotions I believe it will break even in the first week as the fans'/audience curiosity shall pay off. I guess the English version/Hollywood style may be slightly better as it will be made a standard 90 minutes movie. 

Overall, Kites could not meet my expectations. I may sound like a critic but I am just a "great lover of good movies".

"KITES not to fly in Karnataka"

Long awaited movie Kites starring Hrithik and Barbara Mori loses its string in Karnataka when Karnataka Film Chambers boycotted and stopped the screening of Kites. The Chamber said that Kites had sold 46 prints instead of the regulated and agreed upon norm.

Now, does it matter to people? It does to the immense excited number of 'fans' of Hrithik and the effect is multiplied due to the good marketing done. (Thank God I am a Marketing Major.....ha ha ha). Take for instance me, I have my advance bookings done for the weekend and am not sure if it is screening there. I am not able to get through to theater lines nor is the list of cinemas that may screen the movie.

I believe it is in public interest that both, the Chamber and the producers can work things out. Maybe reviews of the premier may not be as expected but it is not always the end. I would implore people to wait and watch. I guess the solution to the problem is to think and chalk out a solution rather than blaming one or the other for certain 'non grave' mistakes.

I do not know about the fans in Bangalore, but I do know about myself....I will go to the theater and find it out myself. I may be lucky! Then I will decide how good the movie is and will keep you posted.

"Beat The Monotony"

The best way to articulate any thought is to write about it. There are certain things in life that can be expressed best in black and white. Today, I would like to pen about the most yearned activity FUN.

In today's world of continuous outstanding performance at work, family and socially, it is very important to have fun and do something different from time to time. Taste and choice of activities differ from person to person. Fun is defined as any excited or violent activity therefore it depends on one's physical and psychological health. I would like to brief about various activities that can be relaxing. I am not an expert nor an organizer of such activities so my briefing is not guaranteed. I expect you readers to enhance it with ideas, experiences and expert knowledge. At the end of the post I will provide you with a few links to various packages organized by tourism companies or firms. I hope they are useful.

Trekking:

Personally, my favorite is trekking. It involves a lot of stamina and strength. In this activity you are required to take up a quiet and preferably hilly region and walk up and down a certain distance. The mountains are the best to explore. I had been on such 'expeditions' and the impact is everlasting. You can stand and stare at the beauty of a quiet morning with no buzzing of engines and honking of horns. You walk and take in the purest oxygen energizing your cells and rejuvenating your vigor. The best times of my trekking were when I discovered raw coffee beans, not less than 10 shades of the 'natural' green color, a long train of black ants and their organized activities and definitely making a small bouquet of multicolored wild flowers.

"The Innocent Simplicity"

The Heart is related to many a good and bad things. It is said that we 'feel' emotions and our heart reacts accordingly. Aren't Hearts simple?

Imagine you are a tempting beauty or a handsome eligible bachelor awaiting for an elevator to take you to the top, the 21st floor at your work. You are the 'professional' manager but you can't stop your eyes from scanning a flawless shape in front of you. What happens to your darling little heart? It races and ping-pongs....alright...if not so much it at least skips a beat. The next day your innocent heart takes you a little ahead by letting you wander in the isle of myriad thoughts-it lets you to expect to behold the same captivating face.

My little theory of a Heart is so much evident in so many varied ways. A small child looking at a king size teddy wishes to own it; a smile from a stranger can also lift your spirit sometimes. We do realize when we couch in pain that we need the softness of hand, the warmth of kind consoling words and that special one on whose lap we could sleep painless for hours, yet how often do we let the words of our Hearts speak themselves? This is when the innocent simplicity of hearts is lost. 

We keep ourselves at a distance from every possible difficulty and mostly ruin the existing safety of our own homes. Once I was told by a very wise person that every friend is a potential enemy. I wish fervently to muster up courage to disagree but I have none. I have seen many relationships break over trivial matters, I have seen innocence and simplicity exploited by the ruthless but educated minds and I have also seen struggle for doing what makes one happy.

Sit by me on a simple bench,

Watch the sparrow pick a twig,

I shall pen my life for you,

Live it but hold yours with you;

Let thy heart sing to glory,

A life full of simple joys,

Come breathe in a life with your simple heart's choice!