" I do "

Marriages just don’t work anymore or so goes the belief.

It’s easier to get a divorce today than get married. And the alarming number of people, young and not so young, who have willingly accepted that theirs’ could also be a marriage that might end in a few years is terribly saddening.

Many might ask what gives me the right to be talking about marriage being only 2 years into it myself, but my humble submission is this: I do not want to accept that marriages today do not work. That a few years down the lane, either me or my husband will cheat or that we will fall out of love with each other.

I want the happily ever after. And I want to make sure I get that damn happily ever after.

It's a pretty simple concept isn’t it— fall in love and spend your life together. Our great grandparents did it, our grandparents followed suit, and for many of us, our parents did it as well.

Why the hell can't we?

Things were very different for our grand parents and parents. I know. Social media was nowhere on the scene. Technology had not yet exploded. No mobile phones. Nothing. Of course things were very different but marriages lasted. And they were good marriages. And if I may – many tell me that financial independence for women has added fuel to the fire. I disagree. My grandmother was financially sorted – her marriage lasted for 40+ years. 

Question is - what went wrong?  

So, my attempt at penning down the reasons I think marriages do not work today: And many people I’m sure can and will come up with many more with all the logical sentiments as an addendum, I’m just thinking these are my top few. Many might even disagree and such. That’s ok.

1.      It’s over even before it has begun: It’s believed that ‘Armageddon’ – the end of the world is a done deal and well we can’t really do much about it, so we resign ourselves to this fact. Marriages are going down that road today, me thinks. Even as couples get married, they have taken a lot of the wrong things for granted.

They assume that divorce is an option. Did our parents think like that? All marriages go through rough patches. That’s not new. But giving up has become so easy. And our reasons are just so blah. Of course, there are couples who actually go through problems – abuse, harassment and bad things. But do we hear of those as often as we know of marriages breaking up because 2 people did not talk things through.

And the worst one – we have assumed that some time or the other one partner will cheat. Why? Yes, the chemistry will wither away.  Yes, both of you won’t look as good as you used to. And the romance will die out. Finances, children and all such matters will take precedence. But we all know these facts and we still get married right. So then why do we make it out to be a problem later? Our eyes are wide fucking open when we get married right.

Taking the easy way out knowing that we can has become an inevitable sad truth. And the problem I also think is that most people today want this. It’s so much easier to have a marriage, be happily in love with your wife and sleep with other women that most people find this to be very 'A ok'. Convenient and pretty fucking saddening. Do we think this is going to go down well with our kids – I mean kids today are way smarter than we used to be, so there’s no way in hell they are not going to know shit at a young age. Have we thought about that?

2.     The ‘Me syndrome’: Our constant obsession with ourselves. My life. My career. My money. My space. Well – if all you are going to be bothered about is yourself, then stay single. Stay happy. Marriage is not about ‘me’. It’s about ‘us’.

So joint accounts matter. Not who earns more. Conversations matter. Not how many FB friends you have.

Yes, we all need our space at times. But how much really? My grand mother once asked me to explain the concept of ‘space’ between couples. She had read about it in an article and no matter how much I tried I couldn’t get her to understand it. Post which I realized that it’s just another word being used to camouflage our obsession with ourselves.   

Our parents had dreams and they chased them together. It was all about their many firsts and each one was a celebration in its own right. Not just a declaration to the world forgotten as soon as it’s done. Haven’t all of us made this mistake atleast once?

Never before in history has there existed an age so geared toward the idea of “me first.” Sadly.

3.     We're connected, but completely disconnected at the same time.

Remember the last time you were having a conversation with your partner without either one of you fiddling with your mobile phone?

You told your wife you made dinner reservations ... through a text message.

Your husband had flowers delivered to your job ... through an app on his phone.

You both searched for furnishings for your new home ... online.

Everything is now linked to some type of technology. Where is the physical connection in anything? We've forgotten how to talk to each other yet expect healthy marriages. How is it possible to grow old together if we barely speak?

Why do you think our parents actually get to a point when they can celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary? Because they weren't scrolling through Instagram wanting to know what holiday a friend just went for. They weren't on Facebook counting likes. They weren't on vacation posting pictures on Whatsapp to their friends.

No.

They were only bothered about loving and respecting one another. They were talking to each other at dinner, walking with each other holding hands instead of their phones. They weren't distracted by everything around them.

4.    Singledom is no longer a curse. And most people seem to be using it as their escape plan. So if a woman is single and has the hots for a married man, the entire onus of saying no is on him. Like seriously – will that ever fucking happen.! Why can’t we as women actually stick by the moral code that makes us the stronger gender.

And men – well men – it has been proven scientifically over and over again that men can compartmentalize their emotions very beautifully. But when did this become second nature to women?

‘As long as I do not know, it’s ok’. ‘As long as he /she comes home every night and is a good parent, it’s fine’. I’m beginning to hate these statements. They are in fact a true testimonial of the fact that somewhere people today, just don’t want marriages to work. No matter how you disguise it, we are making sure that marriage as an institution will collapse in under 10 years. As a result of which, none of us can any point of time, ever ask our children to think about getting married. I mean, if most marriages today are to be considered as examples, well then! 

As I said, there could be many other reasons that are actually worthwhile. But can we please take a moment to think this through. Once we make a commitment, can we at least try our best to make it work, purely because we want it to work.

I’m scared to think of what the next generation will make of marriage. I do not want this fate for my child for sure. I want people to believe in marriage and make it work. It takes a lot – hell yeah it does. But it’s not even close to impossible.

20 years to this day!

2 decades and nothing has changed. Well not much..

20 years to this day the pain is as strong as ever. Time does not heal, at least not in my case. This is a void I have lived with and will continue to live with till my end arrives.

My only saving grace comes from the fact that I still have a few memories – very few. 20 years seem like a goddamn lifetime and more. While the 5 maybe 7 years before that just reduced to 5 maybe 7 memories. Life is an absolute bitch and today is one of those days.

I can still see him – getting ready for work. Wearing clothes laid out by mom. Jeans and a shirt sometimes paired with mismatched socks. But he would wear it without a care in the world. After all, mom had chosen them. And I can see her too – taking 3 hours to get ready. Anuja and me sitting in a corner, watching this miracle. She would walk out looking like a fucking million dollars. Well dad definitely thought so. The look on his face said it all. Every time.

Every morning when Dad left for work, the whole building would know that Bharat uncle has just walked out – his perfume would make his presence known. And every time the car was brought right up to the entrance, it was known that Kalpana aunty is all dressed up and going somewhere. Both of them attracted crowds.

Anuja hated it. She would go running out of the house screaming at the top of her voice ‘Mere Appa hain’ if any of the other children tried to even talk to dad, push them away and cling to him like a monkey.  I loved it when Mom would walk out looking as lovely as she was, always wondering if when I could look like her. Dress like her. Be like her.

Anuja and mom dancing to Govinda songs. Gyrating away. Dad never knew how to react to it. He loved it and hated it. But always sat through it.

That time I sang ‘Like a virgin’ on stage with Dad proudly standing right in front of me – I’ll never forget his smile. I’ll never be able to be to hear the song and not remember him.

Mom running the parents race on our annual sports day in a baby pink sari and heels. Imagine. And she won. I still have a picture of her on the dais.

Dad and mom dancing to ‘More than a woman’. Sunday mornings having breakfast at Radha Krishna with dad. Paper dosa special. Sunday afternoon lunch being served at 4 pm coz mom got up only at 1 pm. But the best chicken curry ever. Sunday evenings at Juhu beach – candy floss galore.

May be a few more memories and that’s it. That’s where it all ends. Wonder why the pain never goes away. It’s just so little to survive by.

There is but one silver lining in my black cloud. Anuja found Appa and Amma 5 years. And i found Aai and Baba 2 years ago. Took it's own sweet fucking time. But we got there. 

I am a different person than I was 20 years ago. Hell yeah. But what remains unchanged is that I still miss the before, and Afterwards is still so hard. 

The usual suspects

I’ve had no co-operation from myself in the writing department for some time now. And that’s been irritating me. So, today when all of a sudden ‘tube light jali’, I was very excited. Not wanting to lose the momentum, I thought let me write about whatever comes to my mind. And, the result is this.

Just observations.

From all the time well spent recently at bars/pubs. Think there is merit after all in having a drink or two by yourself. You get to observe people around you and it’s quite an enriching experience. You learn who stay away from when in such places. :-)

We all have those days when we need to celebrate or be alone or drown in our sorrows or just de-stress and more often than not, at such times we end up at the nearest bar/pub. Where we either get pissed drunk or end up on the bar top dancing away to glory. Or so I would like to believe, coz’ if regular people genrally don’t end up at a bar and I’m on the only one who does, then I might just have to consider declaring myself a social misfit.

Anyway, to carry on with my observations. I have figured that there are a few usual suspects who you will always encounter at bars. Now, you may not have the fortune of meeting all of them together at one single place, but by and large you will be exposed to some of these creatures at all times. One of the reasons, me thinks, people drink more at bars!

So, such is my list of the usual suspects:

PDA affected: You know, like famine affected! Just 5 words - get yourselves a room, puhleease! I mean, I have nothing against PDA but unless your aged 21 and below, seriously, this is the wrong place for you to be all over each other like monkeys.

The “Woo Hoo” Girls:  If I’m not mistakes this comes to us from “How I Met Your Mother.” I have not watched this, I have to admit but read reviews. Nevertheless, this group is still annoying as hell and they just haven’t grown up. These girls just love to scream. When their exotic looking cocktail arrives, they scream. When Bieber/Rihanna comes on, they scream. When their other Woo Hoo girl arrives, they scream. When one of the Woo Hoo girls comes back from the bathroom with her lipstick smudged, they scream. And with each successive drink, the screams get louder and shriller.

The Guy Wearing Sunglasses Inside: Why? Because he’s a dumb fuck. It’s clearly not sunny inside; he just likes to give this vibe which in his mind is equal to being cool, without realizing that all it’s actually doing is labeling him a douche bag.

The Bro: Our “bro” goes around giving everyone in the room “bro” hand-shakes or hugs so that every bro knows he knows lots of BROS. I’ve never really understood this one – how is it helping him? He still has to pay for his own drinks, right?

The Rich Daddy’s Boy: This boy acts as if he owns the fucking place. Like he can buy the place a hundred times over at the snap of his fingers. That, all he has at his disposal, has been earned by him and not his Dad. He makes it sound like he actually has done something in life, and is incredibly smart even though the only thing he fucking does is smile at his trust fund aka daddy dearest!

The Rich Daddy’s Girl: This girl has an agenda from the start. She has a one point agenda - to find a guy willing to marry her lifestyle, support her so called social responsibilities of shopping trips, holidays, spa routines and so on. And take over her daddy’s business. Daddy’s girl is typically the slut who will even buy the guys shots. She’s getting it in for the night and Daddy is sponsoring it.

Pappu can’t dance saala: You will always find this guy, one who can’t dance for nuts. He has to be the one to have the worst dance moves ever. You cringe every time you look his way, want him to pass out or something to save him from the embarrassment, until you realise that he’s just downed a few shots of his poison, he knows how bad he is, but he’s he doesn’t give a damn and is loving it. Maybe, you are the one with the problem?

Outta place couple trying to be romantic:
Of all the quiet, romantic places you could go, to have a nice night, you chose this loud, crowded bar? Never mind the fact that you can’t hear one another over the Bieber songs blaring away, but there is nothing romantic about a bunch of really drunk, really sweaty people grinding against the walls or Woo Hoo girls shrieking and all.

Bathroom Gang of Girls: I was introduced to this gang by my best friend. Her impersonation of these chicks is howlarious and so bang on. They talk nonstop most often in the loo - “I’m like he asked for my number and I was like who the fuck does he think he is” “He was like so totally coming onto me and I was like this is so not happening”. They come to a bar/pub only to make their way to the loo for conversation. They might as well also pee while they at it.  

And you feel like yelling out – can you stop crying about the boy that totally blew you off and let someone else use the toilet? And the rest of the girls in the world who just happen to take a long time to do their business, HURRY THE FUCK UP!

The Angry young man

This guy is always angry. He has an issue with everything in life. He has “I am angry and mind fucked” written on his face. We don’t know why and we may never know, but he’s angry. This particular type is deceptive. Much like the chameleon, he may blend-in with the crowd, appearing somber or even friendly, before launching into a fitful and loud rage. He picks fights, hassles the waiters, doesn’t tip and has opinions about everything. And for sure, while on his way back to his apartment (that smells like bourbon and cigarettes) ends up punching a few people for no reason.

Annoyingly Hot Girl – I’ve read about this from time to time and I think there is merit here:

Not all will agree that a hot woman can be ‘annoyingly hot’ but it’s there all the same. The AHG is usually dressed to kill and very sure of herself. AHG’s sometimes move in packs and smoke expensive cigarette, carry cute clutches while trying to balance themselves on very pointed stilettos. I don’t know why they come to a bar – they don’t mingle or drink or even enjoy themselves. If they ever get hit on my guy, then he is dead meat. Note the complete disemboweling of this guy’s confidence as he’s simultaneously given the ‘cold-shoulder’, the ‘if looks could castrate stare" and a complete dismissal. The only saving grace of the AHG is that they are pleasant from a distance and they won’t bother you if you don’t even think of bothering them.

Nerdy awkward lurker

Lurker – always just around. He may or may not know anyone at the bar. Chances are you’ve seen him before and that’s it. He just wanders around to admire the wall art, woodwork or plants, just lurking around the shadows trying to build a soggy dam of self-confidence. He wants desperately to be liked and involved but lacks the balls to take charge of the situation. The resulting social impotence is displayed by nervously shifting, fake-laughing, and occasionally glancing at women. While generally harmless, he sometimes oversteps himself and makes extremely tasteless jokes or kills the mood with fake sincerity.

There are some more suspects in my list, but I think the tube light just died on me, again. So, im stuck!

Why am I single at 31?

I’m just about a month from my from my 31^st Bday and I am single.

Too often in the recent past, have I been asked this very question “Why am I single at 30+” and not by eligible charming men. Sadly. This one keeps hitting me in my face like a fucking accusation from losers who basically don’t a life.

So, I understand when the family wants to know, really. That’s ok. Coz’ I know however clichéd it might sound, the point is they have my best interests in mind and want me to settle down. I get it. And not that I don’t want the same. Damn –of course I do. I’d be kidding myself big time if I didn’t.

What has me completely pissed off, is when random fuckers pop this question and all I want to tell them is to take a hike. But I have realized that’s not going to stop them.

Don’t they get it - there's a huge world out there of interesting people who shouldn't have to condemn themselves to a two-person death sentence digging trenches so people don't wonder what's wrong with them.

Of course, the tragedy of the situation is that MEN do not have to deal with this bloody problem. I mean seriously, I know enough men who point blank are a fucking huge mess, but their friends and family regard their single status as proof of intelligence, patience and independence. He’s a man who doesn’t have elephantiasis or a bald patch, so clearly he’s single by choice. But for us women, suddenly the world is bloody ending and our life is useless or some vague shit like that.

So I can definitely count on being perceived as being too picky, too difficult, and too proud. I can count on people asking if I’ve considered some matrimonial site and if not, why not? And even worse, I can count on the news of my single status being met with the shock that usually follows when a Lord Ganesha idol is found to be drinking milk. Two things here: There is no such thing as an India deity drinking milk – its alcohol all the way, and I shouldn't have to take the time to explain myself to disbelieving mouth-breathers who refuse to live in a world where a reasonably attractive woman isn’t rolling her eyes at some fucking fat bloke aka husband, all coz’ she’s over 30. ideally!

A few home truths:

-          I do want to settle down

-          I am quite a romantic at heart, it’s true

-          I do get sad and lonely at times, quite often honestly

-          I do want to find Mr. Right and et all

It’s just that I’m so not going to settle for Mr. Good enough – I bloody well want and deserve Mr. Perfect / Right - well whatever he’s called nowadays. I am not willing to air kiss my way through life with a genuinely not-my-type guy simply because it’s time! Hell no.

I’m not being choosy or picky. And I’m not Scarlett Johansson either. I know. But then again, Deborra-Lee Furness got Hugh Jackman didn’t she! I’m just saying.

Anyway, coming back to the point – I am single at 30 - well almost 31. And that’s ok. It’s not the end of the world. So for all those schmucks who keep asking me this horrendous question, listen up coz’ I’m gonna say this only once and I bloody well hope you get the fucking point: some facts:

-          I am not single by choice. Although I am kinda enjoying singledom. It has its moments. Some that I will cherish for long. But I am not single coz’ I want to be so.

-          I am not the typical girl next door waiting for her Prince charming to arrive. This long wait forever where you go from being a girl to a woman and ultimately turn into an old fucking hag is depressing. I can’t be wasting my time when there are better things to do

-          I have been in love and in a beautiful relationship.  A 6+ year long relationship which goes to say much about me – not wanting to sound conceited. Just being honest. And it was a bloody good relationship all the while it lasted. Actually, till date the Ex and me share a damn good rapport

-          I am an independent and strong woman. Ok, so maybe a little on the aggressive side but that’s the way I am and I’m unapologetic about it.

So why am I single- I’ll tell you why?

-          I'm single because sometimes, things just don’t happen at the so called ‘right time”. They happen when the time is right for you. And when my time comes, I will stand on the top of my building and announce it to the world, i promise. Till then, stop asking why.

-          I am single most importantly because I have yet to find that one person who will willingly take me on for life with all my kinks and my baggage just as I will do so for him-thought I had found him but alas, some things are not meant to be

-          I’m single, because in this city called Mumbai where everything is possible, finding a guy who is not too full of himself or one who doesn’t begin a conversation with ‘commitment phobic’ is becoming impossible

-          I’m single also because I am the way I am - my bad. I say it as it is, no pussy footing. My independence gives men the impression that ‘Its fine to tell her that all we want is a fling coz’ she can handle it’.  I can handle it but there is a limit to it all

-          I am single and I quote ‘because I’m not simple’. Meaning – I have a voice, an opinion, men friends, whiskey and a past – all of which makes me complicated. ?

-          I’m single because if I drink and smoke, voila! I’m a bad girl. If a guy does the same, he’s cool and a good catch nonetheless. If I show cleavage, I want sex. But when a guy’s  jeans show more than we want to see, he’s’ just dressed comfortably

-          I’m single because I don’t need a man to take care of me in the traditional sense. But rather we be there for each other and make bloody sure that we don’t head for divorce in a few years due to irreconcilable differences  like old GFs on Face book chats, BBing in bed and no together time

-          I’m single because it’s tough to find a man who smells good, carries a white shirt and blue jeans well, does not have a paunch even before he’s 35, who can speak good English, has more to hobbies than play station etc. And, just to add a footnote – all these apply to me too. It’s not just me being a bitch

And I hope to have answered well. Coz’ the next time someone asks me why I’m single, I’m gonna say, "Because I haven't been lobotomized yet, you miserable moron”

I’ll drink to that!

'Some people go to priests. Others to poetry. I go to my girlfriends' – so said Virginia Woolf and I second that. If not for my girlfriends, life would have been quite depressing!

I can’t do without my gal pals – just calling them my friends would be a huge understatement.

First things first – we are not Facebook or gchat or BB friends. No dear sir – that’s not it. It’s so much more and thank bloody god for that. Not much I thank him for, anyway.

We have known each for a good few years – almost a decade now and from the looks of it we shall continue with our madness for as long as each one can down a good few glasses of wine – psst –we are bloody good at that too. -J

There’s a certain method to our madness and it’s all fallen into place so beautifully over the last few years that sometimes me thinks it’s just destiny. We’ve all been through our share of fuck ups but the beauty lies in how we have stood by each other through all the good & bad times.

And the surprising part is that if you ask me to pin point how and when or why we became such close friends, I don’t think I’ll be able to give you a definite answer. Neither have I ever tried to figure this one out. It’s a blessing according to me.

What I do know for sure is that I got a great bunch of gals as my pals and I’m grateful for that.

So, today I take this opportunity to thank my girls for everything. A tribute to them. Coz’ they deserve it. Totally and completely.

Here it goes: To each one of my gals who have made sure in one way or the other that I keep smiling: THANK YOU.

-       For all the lovely evenings and nights we have spent together laughing, chatting, drinking, dancing, bitching and what not. Definitely will make for good stories for your children.

-       For just being yourself. No facades, no ‘let’s meet up’ texts that don’t go nowhere but to the drafts folder. No sugar coating and saying things as they are. For being much much more than just BFFs. (I don’t think that word works for us anyway- like too new age and unreal)

-       For being beautiful, strong and lovely women who make me want to make mad mad plans for many many more years.  

-       For all the cockamamie but completely endearing games we have played and all the times at least one of us has been the butt of all jokes and at least one of has been drunk out of our minds.

-       For all our hair brained schemes on holidays, weekends, girly nights and much more, a lot of which have been possible.

-       For teaching me a lot about life & giving me gyaan – much of it has been very helpful – I’ll only say this once.

Sang – For being a pillar of sense and sensibility and patience when all seems lost,  at least to me. And that has happened quite often.

Also, for my darling pappaddum – I’m indebted to you, for every time that he smiles at me, calls out my name and shows his love I want to live some more.

Rubiks – For the beautiful person that you are, on the inside and on the outside. For showing me that true love can happen at any point of time which makes me believe that all is not lost.

For having a great husband who makes sure to give me honest advice and thinks I’m sexy.

Vino – For being the pillar of strength, determination and courage that you are. You are proof that it is possible not only to survive but also live a good happy life inspite of the universe conspiring against it. And, for living life to the fullest without any of my kind of negativity. I'm still trying to learn that from you.

For loving your sister and being her support system without holding anything back and being her pillar. Hats’ off to you girl.

Kali – For dealing with my maaaddd behavior and rantings and ravings for a whole year – a year which was the worst phase of my life. All given the fact that you met me just that year - what an introduction and scare I must have been! But you have stood by me through all that time. 

For being the beautiful person that you are, for calming me down, for showing me a different way of life and lots more.

Savvy – For making me smile, for giving me a reason to drink wine, for teaching me how to flirt (not that I’m a good student), for being my partner in crime on many an occasion, for some lovely holidays and drunken afternoons in the pool.

For believing that I have a sense of humor coz' I so don’t. For playing cupid all the time and doing everything you can to help me fall in love. For believing in me at a time when even I didn’t have faith in myself.  

Girls - most importantly though, for putting up with me: It’s not easy I know.  What with my screeching car chases, colorful expletives and madness.

·         For being there for me in my most trying times

·         For believing in me and giving me the strength to bounce back – they do say ‘To fall down and get back up is Human. To bounce back is Rocky’. -J

·         For accepting me in spite of my angry, OCD, control freaking self

·         For asking for my advice – risk it is, knowing how impulsive and scatter brained I can be.

Girls – there is so much to say and so much I will never be able to put into words.  

Uninhibited and naughty, being with you all is such an enjoyable, funny, honest and real experience that I never want it to end.

And, I’ll drink to that today and forever!!

Rock-n-rolla with Mr. Holmes

So, 2 nights ago I was reminded of when and how I fell in love with Robert Downey Junior all over again. And do not assume that the Iron man had made his mark.

Nope. Not true. It was Sherlock Holmes who did me in. Hook line and stinker.

So many things that worked for me when I saw ‘Sherlock Holmes’ for the 1^st time and was just reminded of all that more this time round. Of course, we must also credit our Director Guy Richie for this awesome movie.

That's why, I’ll begin with Ritchie and his penchant for making cool movies. Know of “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch”. Always about cool men, cool moves, the camera movements, massive crane shots, extreme special effects and of course a maddening pace and sequence of events that comes together so brilliantly at the end that there is no way you cannot feel his mind at work.

In his very own unique style, Ritchie has turned Holmes into a rock-n-rolla detective who not only plays mind games but also goes bare chested for fist fights. And what a sight that is – lord help me. But any way. Back to the point.

Ritchie keeps his usual stylistic flourishes in check for most of the film but lets them loose for a couple fight scenes when he slows the film down to show Holmes mentally visualizing his attack then replays it at normal speed as it actually happens. And including some incredibly tight shots and fast editing that leave you disoriented at times. The effect turns out to be brilliant, well at least I think so. Most of the fight scenes are text book Ritchie which is what I just love.

The pace of the movie rarely slackens, the sets are explosive, the backgrounds and setups are a treat, the Victorian London visually cracked to the T and the background score persistently booming.

The surprise package here is Jude Law, playing Dr. Watson. The moustache quite suits him. And while his character here is quite not as stuffy and prim as Conan Doyle created, he deserves much credit. To make his presence felt alongside RDJ who has the audience eating out of his hand pretty much from the start indicates pure talent.

The relationship between Holmes & Watson hints at being homosexual but they nail the chemistry so perfectly that it is one the most endearing parts of the movie. They squabble like a married couple at times and yet it is quite evident that they are inseparable. Which is evident when Holmes keeps trying to dissuade Watson from getting married.

And now, ladies and Gentlemen – Let’s talk about RDJ. I am as good as singing the song ‘Let's talk about..”.

This most quintessential of English characters being played by an American but so flawlessly that you can’t but love him. Loads of panache & spirit and add to that a spot on accent.

An seasoned drug abuser who lives in squalor and yet a master of martial arts & disguise, a brilliant detective who shows off his six pack with so much nonchalance that it makes you want to be him. The fight scene in the boxing ring just goes to show this complete insouciance that he brings on screen.

A constant hangover that presides over Holmes, yet never dulls his senses or skills.

Downey and Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes is just too smart, too capable. He brings order to seemingly random events, he beats up guys twice his size, and he does it all just very easily. He's a man who hears, sees and remembers everything. So here he is in an over crowded restaurant, where he's almost overcome by the sounds of clinking silverware and conversation. You can practically feel his senses at work.

In the same scene, his verbal assault on Watson’s love interest goes from being charming to crass in a matter of seconds delivered so beautifully that one does not even register his insensitivity until the lady upturns her drink on Holmes.

Holmes here is like a chess genius, thinking 3-4 moves ahead and put together with the fabulous CGI, we have for ourselves a big winner.

Some argued with me post the release of the movie that RDJ was a tad too old for this role but he made it more than evident that he has enough boyish charm and tricks up his sleeve to pull it through successfully. And what a score.

I can go on and on but the bottom line is, I’m quite sure RDJ has earned himself a successful franchise with this block buster and if all goes well we shall be seeing him in action quite soon, once again.  

Of course, me thinks he’s earned himself 2 big franchises – Sherlock Holmes and Iron Man. I dig that suit ya. So bloody cool. But then again I dig the man so everything and anything about him works for me.

P.S. -  there is this old movie with Mel Gibson and RDJ called Air America. Must watch.

A thought..

I keep thinking I should write poetry             
But don’t really get going beyond that
I want to – should I say, dream a lot
That I figured, im not really good at.

I tell myself I should find me love
But love runs away, it’s scared of me
Walking ‘round with memories for too long
Sadly, beyond this I can’t really see

I have my days and then some nights
I was the happiest when at their side
But not everything that is, is meant to be
Something lived, but a lot of it died