Kaal is a dumb movie

Saw Kaal last night. It was such a so-so movie. On the whole, I would grudgingly give it a 2 star. It was a such a 'could-have-been-better' movie. And that says a lot.


At Timmy's After Kaal

Kaal is about a group of people (which include a supposedly wildlife expert couple) who get stuck in the forest with a killer tiger. The conclusion has a supernatural bent.

This movie with tighter editing, a better script, could have been a good thriller. Instead you are never really involved with the story, the plot has too many flaws (why the experts are not following the rules of the forest, why would they not advise the ranger they are coming, and what happens to Vivek's new vehicle), the climax you can predict, and the only good part of the movie are the 5 minutes in the beginning (the 'item' song by SRK-Malaika).

All-in-all, a very disappointing movie.

Indoor BBQ

The BBQ that Rumana organized, which was supposed to be at Whitby park, ended up being inside Rumpa Apu's house, as it was pouring cats and dogs. Everyone had a good time, with some highlights including

• Tauhud vs. Saima Apu - She is now the official head of "I Hate Tauhid" club, membership: 1.
• A decision was taken to never let Ether make tea again. Salt instead of sugar just does not cut it.
• I will never forget my camera again. And if I do, I will never inform Tauhid again.
• Rifat's imitation of Ether, with the mention of the significant other (hint: it's not a guy).
• Nafis's DJ-ing. The guy worked hard with the same cd for six hours.
• Driving the kids (except one) from the basement.
• The 'coming out' of Raj.
• The "fine tuning of the Passat" tips.

BBQ on Foil

Learned some now tricks for BBQ. I am getting quite good at this. If you wrap chicken in foil and put it on grill, you get a different flavor (the chicken cooks in its own juice). However I prefer the normal method. It doesn't work for steaks though.

Canadian Politics Similar To Bangladesh

Almost a couple of years ago, during the Toronto municipal elections, I told this joke to my co-workers:

A US senator is visited by an MP from Bangladesh. Showing him around the ranch, the visitor from Bangladesh is impressed by his more than one car, horses and a summer and winter house. He asked the senator, "I know the US Senate does not pay that much to you so you can mantain this place, how do you do it?" The senator takes him to the window, and points to a hydro dam. "You see that dam?" He asks. The Bangladeshi replies, "Yes." The senator winks, thumps his chest and announces "10%." The Bangladeshi nods in understanding.

A couple of months later the US senator is in Bangladesh, and visits this MP. The senator is completely stunned by what he sees. The MP has three houses in Uttara, two flats in Dhaka, 15 servants, three cars. His wife wears tonnes of jewellery. The senator asks the MP, "I cannot believe a third world country can pay you this much as salary, how do you do it?"

The MP takes him to the window, and points, "See that bridge?"

The senator tries and looks, but does not see a bridge. He turns to the MP, "What bridge?"

The MP smiles, and replies, "100%."

When I said this joke, everyone was laughing, before Pat said, "You know, that's just like Toronto!"

With David Miller (now mayor) running on a promise to not build the airport bridge, I was surprised at how right Pat was. Toronto spent millions in consultation fees on where and how to build this bridge, then they awarded a contractor, then the GTAA spent money on improving the island airport, and now we will spend millions in penalty money not to build this bridge. At the end of all that money wasted, we are back to where we started - no bridge.

Currently the Liberal party is in deep trouble over the sponsorship scandal, with allegations of kickbacks and taxpayers' money changing hands. Since it's a minority government, it may fall any time. Pundits are pointing to a June election. This will just be one year after the last one.

So the party in power for a long time is plagued by corruption, and Opposition is agitated and is taking steps to bring down the government and force themselves into power. The Prime Minister is angry and threatens to punish the guilty. A special committee has been set up to investigate the crimes and report to the government on how to prosecute the criminals. It will submit its report in a year.

Sounds a lot like another country I know.

The Corolla Has Been Sold

I did it. The Corolla has now been sold for $400. Mr Khan of Moon Autos is now the new owner of my first car. After returning from work, early, Dad and I drove to the garage to sign some papers for the ownership.


Dad with the Corolla before the sale.

It was poignant moment for me. This was my first car. This was the car on which I had unleashed my then 'raw' driving skills (at that time, skills may be too strong a word). I remember the first time I had passengers on it. Usman and his brothers, returning from Jummah. I failed to judge the stopping distance properly, and ended up with squealing hard brakes. The car managed to stop millimeters from the car in front.

I also recall the first time I was on the 401. We were returning from Etobicoke and Dad was supposed to drive us back. Instead he told me to get on the 401. Express. Middle lane. I drove all the way back at 90 km/hr. Never have I held one pose for so long. It was one of the longest 20 minutes of my life.

The first time I took a road trip with my friends. It was just Sakheb, Andy and Tahmeed, and only to Niagara Falls, but that marked the point where I became confident of driving on the highway, and confident over all.

This car held a lot of memories for me. The first time this, the first time that.... as they say, this was my first car (and I may add you never forget your first).

So, even though I did not expect you to end like this, engineless and powerless, my 1992 Toyota Corolla GLX, this one is for you.

B'desh has won!

Wow. B'desh has won a cricket match. Finally! Yes, it was against Hong Kong, yes, they are amateurs, and yes, we could only score around 220 for 9. But what the hell, we ... BLOODY... WON!!!
 
Ofcourse the commentators were all praising Hong Kong's pluck, but me thinks sometimes B'desh is underestimated. They are good, just not good enough to knock off the bigger powers, but definitely there ahead of the non-test, and definitely now Zim and Windies are on the same rung. Here's hoping they do tonite to Pak what they way back did in 1999. Ah, one can always dream.

Cricket Has Started

Asia cup of cricket, 2004, has started, and ofcourse Bangladesh are upto their usual tricks. The players look like they haven't eaten in a while, while the Hong Kong (Hong Kong?) opposition is as chubby as J-Lo's bottom. B'desh ofcourse are making the opposition look anything other than a team making their debut. Another bloody wicket down! It's too painful to watch. I am going to shut off the TV and go to bed.
 
On another note, finished helping Gazi with his assignment. I should enjoy Bourne Supremacy. Hell, any movie, free, is definitely enjoyable.

The Supreme Offer

Woke up on Sunday morning with unusually nothing to do. Actually I have stuff to do but too lazy to do it ... yet. Then came the supreme offer.

Neighbour wants help on some computer assignment (he's still a student). In return, he would take me out to the Bourne Supremacy. Hmm, relax my bum on my chair in my room, or in his chair in his room, busting my Java skills early in the morning?

On second thoughts, better get started on waxing my car.