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Want to Witness True Happiness? Go to an Airport
I am a huge fan of the movie Love Actually. It’s my Christmas season staple. I watch it at least once a year, and subconsciously, my screening criteria for the inner circle of close friends is them having the same level, if not more, admiration for the movie. So naturally, I carry it everywhere with me… Read more
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Why My Gym and I Don’t Like Each Other
“When the waitress asked if I wanted my pizza cut into four or eight slices, I said, ‘Four. I don’t think I can eat eight.” – Yogi Berra Pizza, they rightly say, is a slice of heaven. And I have been known to indulge when it comes to that. And I think I have figured… Read more
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What Happens When You Say that “Gray” is Your Favorite Color?
“What’s your favorite color?” This is probably one of the most commonly-asked questions on the planet. Thanks to its simplicity and sophistication, it finds a way to get into the lives of toddlers, teens, and adults alike. I distinctly remember being asked this question in my school admission test for Grade 1. So the examiner picks… Read more
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Miss Temptation by Kurt Vonnegut: Summary and Review
Kurt Vonnegut’s short story Miss Temptation was first published in the 1950s by Saturday Evening Post. It also appeared later in an anthology called Welcome to the Monkey House. Miss Temptation by Vonnegut: Summary and Plot Analysis Miss Temptation, if the name doesn’t give it away, revolves around a temptress, a young actress named Susanna, who lives in a… Read more
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After Visiting 20+ Countries, What’s the One Thing You Remember the Most?
I was watching The Graham Norton Show the other day. It seemed one of the older ones. That little episode featured Jack Whitehall, Jennifer Lawrence, and James McAvoy. One clip from that episode became somewhat famous, where Mr. Whitehall had a funny anecdote about poop. Jennifer Lawrence burst out laughing when he was done. So did I, all… Read more
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Mammon and the Archer by O.Henry: Summary, Analysis and Review
Mammon and the Archer is one of the more popular short stories by O. Henry. Published more than a century ago, the story is about wealth, love, and time and how one of those enables the others. It is centered around a wealthy businessman who, by means of his wealth, creates circumstances for his son to… Read more
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Do or DO NOT; There is No Try: Yoda
This character from Star Wars can be seen on T-shirts, Legos, games, soft toys, and miniature figurines, just to name a few. Now, I know a bunch of characters will come to mind, given the popularity of this movie series. But what if I told you, you had to pick the Ancient Wise one? Who will you… Read more
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Is This Dream As Weird As It Gets?
You walk into a restaurant you like, not having eaten for the last 18 hours. The girl at the counter looks pretty, but you have no time to stop n’ chat. You are on a mission—a mission to get a table. Immediately. Right this second. The restaurant seems like a stock market, with loud people… Read more
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The Last Leaf by O.Henry: Summary, Analysis and Review
The Last Leaf is one of the most popular short stories penned by O.Henry. First published in the early 1900s, this was part of his short story collection, The Trimmed Lamp. The Last Leaf by O Henry: Summary and Plot Analysis The story, set in Greenwich village, revolves around the lives of two young female artists –… Read more
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How Often Should You Play the “I’m New Here” Card to get Out of Tough Situations
I have heard and read that our body regenerates almost completely every ten years while vital body organs regenerate faster. Thanks to the influence Three Men in a Boat has on me, I never had enough initiative to research it to vet the accuracy of this statement. Like a fool, who errs in favor of more speaking… Read more
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Why the Hell am I So Bad at Ice Breakers?
“Ice-breaker” I don’t know why, but when I think of this term, the first image that comes to my mind is a completely flushed face, extremely cold hands, and a racing heart—all mine. For those of you who aren’t aware of what these are, I envy you and then offer you a little bit of… Read more
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Better to Trip With the Feet Than With the Tongue – Zeno
Tripping. If only they handed out degrees for that thing, I am sure I would now be prefixing my name with a Dr. I tried to take the easy way out and pin it to a genetic fault – one that made me prone to tripping, but after weeks of ogling away at my parents’ movements,… Read more
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A Dollar’s Worth by O.Henry: Summary and Analysis
This short story by O.Henry, published in the early 1900s, explores the theme of justice, compassion, and love. A Dollar’s Worth: Summary and Plot Analysis The story opens with a letter. The letter is a threat from one of the convicts to the judge Mr. Derwent, who had presided over the case leading to his… Read more
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For The Folks Who Take TOO LONG to Order Food
I was rewatching the standup bit by John Pinette the other day – the one in which he expresses resentment against people that can’t decide what to get from the menu. He just wants them to get out of the line and let the others get served. I love the bit, mostly because I love John Pinette… Read more
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A Retrieved Reformation by O Henry: Summary and Analysis
Originally called Retrieved Reform, this short story was first published more than a century ago in Cosmopolitan magazine. A Retrieved Reformation: Summary and Plot Analysis The story opens in prison, where an inmate, Jimmy Valentine, is diligently working in the prison shoe shop. The man is serving a four-year sentence but is freed much earlier, apparently owing to his… Read more
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The Ransom of the Red Chief by O Henry: Summary and Review
In 10 minutes, I shall cross the central, southern, and middle western states and be legging it trippingly for the Canadian border. What comes to mind when you read this? Hot air balloons? Spaceships? Science fiction? The answer will come to you in the form of Ransom of the Red Chief, a short story by celebrated… Read more
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Would You Keep Your Promise to Meet Someone Years Later?
Every now and then, I feel drawn to a particular genre of movies. Movies, where the lead characters of the same or the opposite sex make a pact to meet at a mutually agreed location sometime in the future. Sometimes in a month, some years, and sometimes in a decade or more. The most recent… Read more
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Where Would You Hang This Picture in Your Apartment?
If you are a creature known to browse the internet in your spare time, identifying (web)surfing as a hobby, there is a good chance that you have come across this picture- ”Lunch atop a skyscraper.” For those who haven’t, fret not; I used to be the same as you until a year ago. Why that does/doesn’t… Read more
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The Dead by James Joyce: Review and Analysis
The Dead is a part of James Joyce’s short story collection called The Dubliners, first published in 1914. The Dead is one of the most celebrated short stories of James Joyce, frequently adapted into plays and movies. It had a broad appeal – in and outside Ireland. The Dead by James Joyce: Summary and Plot Analysis The story opens in… Read more
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Are You a Beach-Person or a Mountain-Person?
I have learned to understand that clickbaits are all around us. My daily visits to streaming platforms have taught me more than what I need to know to steer clear of those. Or that’s what I would like to think. But I fall for them at least a couple of times a week. After all,… Read more
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Thank God It’s Friday!
Friday is the second-best day of the week. The feeling as the day comes to a close is a euphoric boost that I think I live for. Not to say that I don’t like what I do on weekdays; I very much do, but not as much as I love the weekends. And I pride… Read more
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I already know where you are going, my dear!
There is a look about tourists, is there not? There is something in their manner that gives them away. It also helps that they are usually found in ‘the spots’ of the city; which makes the art of spotting them seem effortless. All that to say, I got a good taste of being spotted as… Read more
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A Painful Case by James Joyce: Summary and Review
Friendship between man and woman is impossible because there must be sexual intercourse. If you thought this was straight from the Meg Ryan-movie When Harry met Sally, you are as wrong as I was. This is a quote from a short story A Painful Case by famed Irish author James Joyce. This was featured in his short story… Read more
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Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome: Summary and Review
Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog) is a humorous account by the renowned British author Jerome K Jerome, detailing a boating holiday spanning a couple of weeks. Funnily enough, the book was initially meant to be written as a serious travel guide, but the comic element in the presentation ended up… Read more
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It’s not personal, it’s just business… but is it, really?
There is a good chance you know what I am talking about. Great chance if you are a movie buff or an avid reader. The Godfather. Now I must admit, I never read the book myself, but the movies were so good that I thought the book wouldn’t be able to beat the charm –… Read more
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Sorry, what did Betty buy again?
For some reason, someone decided that the best way for a person to perfect English pronunciation was to hone their skill in tongue twisters. After all, what other way to royally mark your rite of passage to the world of fluent native speakers than: Being able to give a perfect account of a lady selling… Read more
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How in the world do movie-people kick doors open so easily?!
I have been watching a lot of crime/investigation shows lately, and it has been messing with me. No, it’s not the rampant gore that gets to me, thanks to my palms-to-eye coordination. Those babies are always on standby, deployed efficiently, at the slightest cue from the suspenseful background score. It’s the doors. Yes, you read… Read more
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“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in” – The Godfather
I keep watching and re-watching the Godfather trilogy; I must admit that the third one isn’t as regular of a re-run for me as the other two. There are plenty of timeless Marlon Brando dialogues – delivered with immaculate precision in the movie. But the post is not about him. The post is about Al… Read more
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Satiety or Sobriety: What would you choose?
Time and again, I find myself returning to the age-old humor classic Jerome K Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat. I have sometimes wondered why that might be but have not pursued that train of thought for long in a desperate attempt to avoid paying any cognitive taxes. I must admit that it has been life-transforming.… Read more
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“When 900 years old, you reach… Look as good, you will not.” – Yoda, Return of the Jedi
I was (re)watching The Return of the Jedi the other day, and this exchange between Yoda and Skywalker made me gasp for breath. As usual, I exaggerate. Surprisingly, it was not the image of my looks at 900 that disturbed me the most, and I think that had to do with the world average mortality rate of… Read more
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The Vintage Man – How Well Do You Know Your Cars?
Now and then, I would have an urge to figure out my IQ, driven mainly by ubiquitous android or iOS Logo quiz apps on every website I am on. They claim to tell you your IQ based on your performance on their quizzes. Guess the company names by looking at their logos- what better way… Read more
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What’s with your accent?
It happens to be dinner time, and I am eating AND watching this TV series. In one of the scenes, this guy is going about telling people that he is a cop/a Fed/a spy, whichever is convenient in the situation. At best, people throw a confused look, and at worst, they exclaim, “Oh yeah? What’s… Read more
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Do You “Speak Easy”?
I love the sitcom Seinfeld very much, at least the first few seasons. A lot of wisdom in my life comes straight from the TV show. The Contest aside (the most famous episode of Seinfeld), there are lots of things worth remembering from that show, but one that hit home was the one from Seinfeld’s comic… Read more
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Have You Ever Had Yourself a Bazinga! Moment?
There is a good chance that you would have heard about Big Bang Theory, and I don’t mean the scientific phenomenon that formed our universe, but the famous American TV series. You probably would have seen it too. And if you have, you either loved it or hated it immensely. For some reason, there are… Read more
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Why Take a Chance?
There is a good chance you have come across either of the following cliches : No gain without pain Success comes with sacrifice I think the idea behind these thoughts being so commonplace is that we all tend to see at least some value in them. After all, who wouldn’t describe practicing WWE moves at… Read more
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The Lottery by Maria Edgeworth: Summary and Review
Did you know they had lotteries back in the 1800s? I didn’t. So I was intrigued when I laid my eyes on The Lottery, written by Maria Edgeworth. And thus began my 48-page journey into the exploration of lottery and its perception amongst the masses – then and now. The Lottery by Maria Edgeworth: Summary and… Read more
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Do you take a break from doing ‘Nothing’? I do!
Every now and then, I indulge my mind’s whims. Let it run wild. Not that you don’t know it already if you are a working individual, but Monday blues are the worst! Unless you are one of the unicorns that love the work they do, in which case, I hate you. But this is about… Read more
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Shit , Shit, Shittttt!!!!!
You probably imagine something went (horribly) wrong when I say this. It’s only natural to use expletives to let the frustration out. Isn’t it? And you would be right in drawing that conclusion. 99% of the time. Just not this once. Fast forward, or rewind if you please, to the scene in the movie Aviator, where… Read more
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Are you watching closely?
I call myself a Nolan fan, mostly of his earlier works (to be clear, I fully comprehend what went down in Interstellar and Tenet. wink, wink). The Prestige happens to be my favorite Christopher Nolan movie of all time. I must have seen it more than five times. And given how obsessed I am with it, that number… Read more
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Ladies by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Review
Let’s consider the following two statements: I’m surprised I didn’t think of it sooner! Listen, here’s what I can offer you.. Next week the clerk at our orphanage is going to retire.If you like, you can take his post! There you are! I have no post for you! None, none! Leave me alone! Don’t torment… Read more
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Before the Wedding by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Review
Unmarried girls are crazy to get married, but they are the only ones, because it is no good at all. I’m married, I should know. Give it time; you’ll see for yourself. If you are interested in reading plenty of (good) advice like the one above, you should pick up Anton Chekhov’s short story called Before… Read more
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A Little Joke by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Analysis
This is the time of the year when love is everywhere, absolutely everywhere! You just can’t miss the red roses, the greeting cards lining up the aisles everywhere you go. You might also be getting those subtle hints from your partner, your love interest, in anticipation of the gifts they are expecting, come the 14th… Read more
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Grisha by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Review
Chekhov’s short story Grisha explores the innocent and colorful world of a toddler. The heartwarming story is one of his earlier works, published in 1886. It is also available as part of a short story collection called Fifty Two stories published by Alfred A Knopf, translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky. Grisha: Summary and Plot Analysis The story… Read more
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Reading by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Review
Reading means a lot! A whole lot! Read, and you’ll see at once how sharply your horizons change. And you can get hold of books anywhere. This excerpt from Chekhov’s short story Reading is a hilarious take on reading and people’s perception about this habit. The story is one of his earlier works, published in 1884. It… Read more
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Spring by Anton Chekhov: Review and Analysis
Gustav Mahler, the famous Austro-Bohemian romantic composer, once said: “Spring won’t let me stay in the house any longer. I must get out and breathe the air deeply again.” I see myself nodding at this; I bet you do, too, in all likelihood. But not Chekhov’s protagonist from his short story called the Spring. This excerpt… Read more
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Anguish by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Review
My son’s dead, but I’m alive…It’s a wonder, death mixed up the doors, instead of coming to me, she went to my son… This excerpt from Chekhov’s short story Anguish explores the themes of grief, loneliness, and poverty in an indifferent society. The story is one of his earlier works published in 1886. It is also available… Read more
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“And How Do You Make That?”
Do you happen to have a friend that defies all logic, all natural laws of human sustenance, and dare I add, all sanity? The bond between their couches (or beds) and their bodies are so strong that nothing other than an immediate threat to their life will cause them to break it. Unless you are… Read more
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A Slip-Up by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Analysis
Be happy, my dears! Oh! You are taking from me my only treasure! Love my daughter, be good to her! Something you would expect to be said in a marriage ceremony. And it almost was. Welcome to another Chekhov short story with a twist. This excerpt from Chekhov’s short story A Slip Up is a hilarious take… Read more
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An Educated Blockhead by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Analysis
I don’t know about you, but I have had the privilege of seeing many of these creatures over the years—more than I would like. Having said that, I think I have the full potential to be one, too; I have proven to myself on occasions that I might be worthy of the crown. Hopefully, that… Read more
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The Exclamation Mark by Anton Chekhov: Summary and Analysis
In the closed eyes of a dozing Perekladin, a fiery comma flew like a meteor. The golden commas spun around and raced off to one side. They were replaced by fiery periods. This excerpt is from Chekhov’s short story Exclamation Point and is one of his earlier works, published way back in 1885. It is also available… Read more
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