The Insider

It was a movie I came across while browsing for the latest news on the satellite channels. It was based on a true story with addition for dramatic effect. It is basically a story of a Head of Research unit of a Big Corporation in the US who was sacked for standing up. He did not want to compromise his belief and principle which he thought was crucial to human health and life. He went through hell! Even his wife left him for not being able to cope and support him.

Of course he found a person who also shared the same principle on life. The principle on integrity, accountability and responsibility. These people were prepared to go against the tide and gave away everything. Indeed they finally triumphed in their life although it was not easy. I am sure they were satisfied with the outcome of their battle for the cause that they believed in in spite of the sacrifices they had to make.

It was almost a prophetic coincidence for the show to be aired today, in the light of the most recent events in this country. The extent of challenges and tribulations people who hold onto noble principles are being unravelled for all to see. To most people it may be hard to swallow but to these selected few, it is their destiny to serve the humanity no matter the price they have to pay. I wonder what is in their heart and soul that sets them apart from the ordinary and mere mortal.

BTW, I thought Russell Crowe and Al Pacino did very well in the film version of the real Insider!

Good Bye, My Friend!

It was a normal day until I received a shocking news about my friend R who has passed on to meet with his Creator. I was stunned and shocked. I have not seen him for a while since he came a calling months back. However, just a few days ago I just thought about him. Wondering what he was doing, remembering those days when we could meet up with a phone call. However since he became immobile, these moments were no longer there. I ended up the thot with a prayer that he gets well and telling myself that I would see him soon. Alas! It was not to be. Apparently he left for a minor priligrimage a week ago and would be back next week. It was a journey he was thinking for quite a while and he was very determined to go on that journey. It seemed to be his final journey on this earth. A journey that would leave only memories behind. He was well liked by everbody I know for he was kind hearted who never failed a friend. I knew for a fact that he put his friends even before his family at times. But the main thing is he was also loved by his creator for his kindness. I guess it was this kindness that brought him to his Creator in the Holy Land. He could not be closer to the good before he was called on. My friend, you will be remembered in more ways than one. May your soul be blessed and showered with the best as what you showered those around you. May you rest in the company of the best people. Amen!

Boston Legal

If you are keen on legal drama but on the lighter side, this tv series is a good one to consider. It has all the ingredients of American Way of life. I mean we all know how litigatious the Americans are. They just find anything to start a litigation or civil suits. So a legal firm becomes the focus, in this case, it is Crane, Poole and Smitch. The pratagonist is Denny Crane, one of the partners. Poole is rather quite while Shirley Smitch is the moderator bringing the feminine influence. Denny's close friend is Alan Shore, a real character. In most of the series Alan Shore is considered the brain behind the cases especially those in the court room drama. The original supporting cast included Brad who ended up marrying Denise, Clarence who becomes Clarice after hours, Jimmy the eccentric and a few others from time to time.

Then you have a group of judges who can be unique in each own way. Throw in a few baddies to be defended by the team from CPS together with a few arrogant DAs then you really have some entertaining shows.

What I like most about the show is that issues raised in each episode are very relevant to day to day life of an ordinary american citizen. As a result the legal arguments put forth by each side are almost surreal. For me it is almost like a revision of chapters from legal text. It is always inspiring and a good way to motivate and get refreshed especially when you see how these lawyers work in a professional way most of the time but struggle to escape from emotional attachment when the subject matter is closed to their hearts. Of course there were a few episodes which were rather memorable made possible by the good acting overall.

The chemistry between Denny Crane an Alan Shore could not have been better. For good measure each episodes ends with these two main characters sitting on Denny Crane's office balcony with a glass of champagne in one hand while a good cigar in another reflecting on the day gone by! It is indeed a very good series which has run for four seasosns. One really has to keep track to follow the case since it is not readily available on local channels....

The Reluctant Fundamentalist - Epilogue

I am not sure how the critics considered this book as 'more exciting than any thriller' (Philip Pullman) or 'admirably spare and amazingly exciting' (Rachel Cooke, New Statesman). I may be bias but the story was rather ordinary except for the way it was presented, in a flashback technic. Just like when one's mother would relate a family story, except in this case it was related to a stranger - with no name. The experience Changez went through was not dissimilar than many who took the same journey. A journey undertaken at a relatively young age when one is bound to discover many new things in life. In this case, it was a discovery of Princeton, Underwood Samson & Company and Erica. The disenchantment experienced by Changez with Erica and Americain general was nothing new regardless of 9/11. A person who grew up in one culture then moved to another culture would definitely feel the conflict. It is the challenge in managing this conflict will make one becomes either a steel or a plasticine!

Indeed, to me the true reason for the meeting between Changez and that American did not become abundantly clear at all............

Friendship

Every now and then one may ask what friendship is all about. Some may see this as being once companion in time of need. Companion in the sense of a shoulder to cry, an ear to listen and probably a source for a piece of advice. More often than not one may face a situation when many friends will be there when the weather is fair. When the times are rough, not many people will stand the test of friendship. This is quite common in terms of political interest. A powerful politician will have so many friends that he or she can float in the air from the firends aura. The moment he or she loses the political power then most of the friends will disappear if not all. Worst still nobody want to be associated with him or her regardless of the good deeds they had benefited from him or her.

So, the point is one has to be careful in having a friend. A person will be very lucky to have friends who can and will be there when they are needed. Alternatively it will be a nightmare to have friends who can backstab like 'trusting the fence, the fence eats rice'. A wise man says that a good friend is the one who will defend you in your absence!

The Reluctant Fundamentalist - Part 1

Having read The Kite Runner, I just could not resist picking up this book by MOHSIN HAMID while browsing the shelves at my regular bookstore the other day. Perhaps the caption 'Shortlisted for the Man Brooker Prize 2007' was the real eye catcher for me.

' Excuse me, sir, but may I be of assistance? Ah, I see I have alarmed you. Do not be frightened by my beard. I am a lover of America...'

So speaks the mysterious stranger at Lahore cafe' as dusk settles. Invited to join him for tea, you learn his name and what led this immaculate speaker of English to seek you out. For he is more wworldly than you might expect; better travelled and better educated. He knows the West better than you do. And as he tells you his story, of how he embraced the Western dream - and a Western woman - and how both betrayed him. so the night darkens. Then the true reason for your meeting becomes abundantly clear.....

Love (2)

Time is Gold, Diamond is forever; Forever also refers to time. So, Time is also Diamond? Anyway, it just goes to show how precious time is. It is indeed undescribable. I mean if one loses a piece of gold the person can always get another piece as a replacement so long as he or she can afford it. Ofcourse the sentimental value is not the same. But can one do the same thing with regards to time? No way, Jose! Even the richest man in the world or even universe could not possibly buy time to replace the lost one, not even a second. This is because time is equivalent to one's age. One cannot replace childhood time with any other time. Time, being one's age is part of one's life, like it or not. Its very precious.

So, it seems, the manifestation of love really is to give one's most precious valuable to the one who feels in love with. What is more valuable other than time? Indeed, a person could shower a loved one with gifts and everything but it is less significant if one never spend own time as part of it. I mean those gifts can be ordered through a third party and arranged for the delivery. Of course it could make one's happy but it is far from being a manifestation of love.

Take an example, a rich father may give almost everything his son wants except time. Studies have shown how this would influence the child later in his life. It is even worst if the father is never there when he is needed, be it for a birthday party, a school activity or even a game on the field. Similarly, a rich mother in her twilight years may not need any material thing from her kids but a few minutes to spare; to talk, to reminisce, to feel the presence and most of all to be loved. One can always profess how much he or she loves a person but without giving the most precious part of his or her life i.e. time, the love will almost mean nothing. Indeed themanifestation of love is really by giving time to the loved ones when it is needed most!

Love is many splendid things but the main reason for a person who believes in a particular faith and practices his or her belief is called a devotee is because of his or her devotion in giving away his or her time through the various deeds and even sacrifices! That would be d ultimate manifestation................