Choices?

The Vogue video, quite stylishly made with Deepika Padukone talking about choices seems to have stirred up a lot of emotions. Such a video with dubious motives, can still be leveraged to have further conversations about women’s rights or lack thereof, can it not?

In a society where some of the said choices can lead to fatal results, perhaps an exuberant assertion or declaration however illusory, that these choices are ours to make is much needed.  

Of course every choice has a consequence. Especially the life choices talked about in the video go beyond 5 minute sound bites, so needs to be made with utmost responsibility. If not, it is just a masquerade.

In any context it is never useful to talk about choices and freedom without talking about consequences and responsibility. 

Heavenly weather

Kind of... Surprise showers have left the roads glistening with red slushy borders. It has been a monsoon like feeling last two days here. Only difference I noticed, with a startling realization is there wont be these pods of seeds on the pavements later half of the year. And the trees would be full of flowers.

There is so little opportunity in an urban setting such as this to feel close to nature. And when it comes, it is to be cherished.

Oscar

Watched the Oscar show in half hour flat - thank god for the remote! I liked the opening musical number, have always been a sucker for it since the Billy Crystal days.  Quite a few teary eyes after the Selma number. Fully expected Chris Pine to wipe away his tears for Lady Gaga as well.

Wasnt sure how to interpret the pitch for equal wage what with all the mother sentiment, but totally loved Merryl Streep's reaction.The top speech is that of Moore, writer of Imitation Game. I especially liked that he didn't feel compelled to explain on stage he was not gay. Reminded me of Edmund Hillary who didn't disclose who between him and Tenzing Norgay really ascended the peak first.  [Particularly because I read somewhere that Tenzing later said it was Hillary]. 

Fifty Shades

Last weekend saw the movie debut of the mother of all best sellers - Fifty Shades of Grey. As if there isn't enough publicity as it is, there were all kinds of take on the movie - the importance of consent in BDSM lifestyle, whether it should be welcomed by feminists or not, if the book is ultimately just a sweet romance, whether it is bigger than Jesus or not [in case you are wondering, that was a Fortune article on the relative box office numbers of Passion of the Christ and Fifty Shades].

I haven't read the book. No, not because of any moral or even literary objections, I simply haven't gotten around to it. When it comes to the movie though I am pretty sure I am not going to go to watch it. No, again not because of any moral objections. I would have if it had been Matt Bomer.

Bye Jon

Oh no! Jon Stewart is leaving the daily show.  But why? To direct a movie? To campaign for 2016?

What'll I do on sleepless late nights now? How will I know whats going on in American politics? How will I get introduced to talented folks like John Oliver, Jessica Williams, Asif Mandvi or Jason Jones [And learn about India]?

I'll simply have to cry myself to sleep from here on.