My Singer of the year

Adam Lambert. Definitely.

I knew it the very first time I set eyes on him and heard his voice on 'American Idol', that here wasa a winner that would really manke it big. Every performance was a sheer delight to behold.

According to the trade papers , Adam had people tuning into American Idol in record numbers, and this one performer was regarded as 'a shot in the arm' for a seven year old Reality Show.

The question was whether an 'openly gay' contestant could actually win American Idol. Well, we were all surprised that Kris Allen finally won, but Adam's subsequent career graph has shown us that it's all about talent and not sexuality.

His latest album is definitely going to take the world by storm.

Compliments of the Season

There are twelve days of Christmas.
That's the tradition.
And it's also the time when everyone's told to be nice and not naughty.
But sometimes there's a blend of naughty and nice that's an absolute delight to behold.
And so as we wind down the year, there are a lot of people nearly forty, about forty, over forty absolutely willing to be a little naughty.
And that's okay.
So, here's to those who are gonna act naughty tonite.
A sure fire reason to celebrate.
Absolutely!

Looking back on the first decade

Episode 2

Ten years is a relatively short span of time, but again, it is also a pretty significant amount of time in a human life. A decade makes all the difference between childhood and youth, between youth and maturity, between maturity and middle age.

It has been interesting to see how youngsters in 2000 have made their own mark in society. In 2009, two of the young men featured here have done exceptionally well. One with his own business in the middle-east, and the other first made a name for himself on CNN-IBN's consumer channel, and now heads an ICICI production house.

This young man of fifteen in 2005 is now completing his studies at St Xavier's College, Bombay.. and has recently returned from a student exchange trip in the US. One has hopes for him. Let's see what the next decade reveals.

Looking Back on the first decade

Episode 1

2009 marks the end of the first decade of the 'new millennium' that started in the year 2000.

Life is a journey, they say, but nobody tells you where the devil this journey is headed.

In the words of the legendary Frank Sinatra.. [which he probably borrowed from somewhere] Once in a while, along the way, love's been good to me.

One of the reasons to feel good about being alive is seated by my side. A lively and utterly entertaining young man whom I knew as a naughty little boy in the year 2000. How time flies!

Another reason that makes this journey to God-knows-where seem worth it is the pleasure I have had to witness the growth of another gangly teenager, a rural hick of a boy whom I was fortunate to have met in 1997, and accompanied on a trip that spanned six years . He has blossomed into a well-known name in the social sector, and his continued success working for social justice, human rights, and other issues makes me happy.

Two friends who have made this journey interesting are pictured here during one of those not-so-rare moments in the Department of Communicative English with Media Studies in Patna Women's College.

Sadly, these moments are now enshrined in old photographs, as each one's journey is unique. Let's say we've all stepped off the CEMS train and have continued our own journeys. But without a doubt, I am immensely thankful, enriched, and a better person for being in their company for almost ten tumultous years.

[to be continued]

Year-end musings

The whole year through, one's e-mail inbox is inundated with all sorts of non-essential communication.

Two decades ago, people would have to put pen to paper, bought a postage stamp, and then sent the letter off to get posted. This meant that what we received in the post was usually well written, interesting and brief.
In the instant click-through communication of the email, the receiving of mail , alas, is no longer an experience filled with pleasure.
Apart from the few friends who still have respect for themselves and the language, most people dash of discommected sentences with abbreviations, slang, and spelling mistakes. Worse still, there are those people who seem to have no ideas or thoughts of their own, but insist on flooding your mailbox with second and third-hand 'inspiration'.
Once in a while, though, one has to admit that while sifting through the garbage, one discovers a gem.
One of the images that I found appealing is the one with the old man speaking about 'not forgetting to live'.
I second that thought -- If you haven't started living the way you actually want to -- the time is now.
Peace!

Christmas

Perhaps the most meaningful Christmas has been held in a little village in Sasaram in Bihar, which has just seen violence, oppression, but this was followed by a tense but peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Not many people this season can make merry because of the rising food prices in India, with meat, poultry and vegetables facing 40 to 50 percent increases in price.

My wish is that despite the recession, may goodness, sharing and peace be with one and all.

The reason to celebrate

Christmas is here once again.
It's a time to remember all my friends, my family, and to thank the people who take some time off to read my blog. Christmas is a time for family, and the greatest family is the one that we build up through love, understanding, sympathy and sharing.
I am privileged to belong to the various 'families' that have chosen me: the Ravi Bharati family, the Notre Dame family, the PWC family, the AASRA family, the SIGNIS family,the LGBT family.
Merry Christmas one and all!

Yuletide Wishes

My journalist and upright Christian family -man friend Allen Johanness of Patna sent me the first picture via e-mail in 'fun'. This is the kind of stuff that 'mature' [read verry middle-aged'] men like him send around to other middle-aged men prove that they are [1] heterosexual [2] that they can still get it up and [3] that they are 'broad minded'.

Didn't it cross their mind that they're probably just sending around Lesbian soft porn?

Well, personally, I intend to reply him with the picture number two, the one with the real hunky looking men.

Now watch him howl in an offended manner, act shocked, stutter that kids use his computer, and accuse me of promoting homosexuality. His homophobic reactions are only natural, the same as many 'christian family men' -- symptoms as they are of their own repressed sexuality and fear that they actually maynot be able to hide their attraction, or so the shrinks say.

But the way i see it, they're just fat old men who're jealous that 'gay' guys look far better than straight ones!