Life

First up, this post is not a "Philosophical" one, where i talk about "Life". It just so happens that one of the better shows i came across on american television is called "LIFE". Even google search results are weird :)



Life is a cop show, but is old school. No high-tech gadgetry to help solve cases. Considering those CSI-type of shows use Agilent equipment (That's the company i work for), I should automatically be drawn to them but this show had me in the first 10 min. The shows tend to start with what seems to be news footage of interviews with people surrounding Charlie Crews... It does help in creating a sense of curiosity.... You learn something new everytime..... Charlie Crews here is played by Damian Lewis. I have seen him before but can't recall where. He's British, that i know but pulls off the neutral accent well. There are times when he reminds me of David Caruso from CSI-Miami. He throws out these nice one liners which is but a layer of this detective who was convicted wrongly for a murder and who was later released when dna evidence proved he wasn't.

He's back on the force now and is paired up with an ex-junkie partner Dani Resse played superbly by Sarah Shahi. Fiercely independent, she doesn't really trust Charlie in the beginning, but with time he gains the trust. Their chemistry is quite good. Charlie is trying to find out on his own who was behind the murders he was accused of. He is a changed man obviously, he's was a cop sent to prison for a crime he dint commit. The crime involved a triple homicide of his friends and their kid.

I recommend this drama for a coupla reasons. One the acting is good, screenplay is well written. You tend to connect with the characters on a very basic level. Damian Lewis for one has done a fabulous job potraying a man who wishes to appear normal when all he wants to do is find out who murdered his friends. Fun moments of the show are what he does with his settlement money (given to him upon his release as compensation) Earlier in the year, the show was kinda cut short because of the writer's strike. Its back now and while i am yet to get started on the second season, i have heard its as good as ever. In any case the first season ended on a note which left us beggin for more!


Again, you know where the first season is available.

Cheers

Edit: Minor typos fixed as pointed out by "cow-herd" :P Also read comments to find out where you have seen damian lewis before. Dude, thanks... It was eating me up inside as i had decided to remember without googling it! :)

'Til Death

This is a first of a series of posts which i have planned. These talk about TV shows which i have watched and loved! Shows which i think we should all watch. I will cover most Genre's except for Reality Shows!

'Til Death is filmed in front of a Studio audience! are the words after the opening credits! Like most shows, there is a small scene prior to the credits that lays premise to the episode. With an average running time of 21mins, its perfect for a quick laugh!

The show stars Brad Garrett from "Everybody Loves Raymond". He's the brother. An extremely tall fellow with a deep voice. He is perfect for comedy! He stars in this comedy as Eddie Stark,a History Teacher who has been married for umpteen number of years. His wife, Joy, is played superbly by Joely Fisher (Zoey Busiek:Wild Card). They play this bickering husband and wife, each trying to outwit the other in different situations. They live in suburban Philadelphia and the show starts with the moving in of their new neighbours who are newlyweds. The newlyweds are played by Eddie Kaye Thomas (American Pie) and Kat Foster (Super hot, Not a show) ;) As usual a funny name had to be thrown in, so the newly weds are Jeff and Steph Woodcock! :)

The thing I love about the show is that there is always a new situation and while not all episodes draw laughter, the least it does is bring a smile to my face. Eddie is constantly trying to prove he is right and joy is wrong. He is so sure of himself that when he goofs up its hilarious. He shares all his marital advice with Jeff which is sometimes fruitful but mostly a laugh riot in the making! Jeff who is the assistant headmaster at Eddie's school is quirky and funny in most scenes. He and eddie share great chemistry on screen. Heck pretty much everyone works well with the other. The arguments, the physical comedy, its all tastefully done and leaves you feeling good.

In the first season, I was extremely pleased with one particular episode. I would love to kill the suspense for you but choose not to for the pure joy of it. I was so happy when i saw that episode. It's the small things that matter and that's quite clear. The surprise of that episode just reminded me of good times! :)

I, am in the course of watching the second season ever so slowly and would be more than happy to share this joy if so requested. You know what i mean! ;P

'Til next time

Laugh away!

Zinc.... Live in Concert

Ola!
People are bound to think that I am obsessed with promotion of my house and what not, but frankly, some of the stuff that goes down at 59PC is seen only in movies! Last weekend, Madhav Aka Bodo, whom I had been pestering for the longest time, finally managed to get Zinc to perform at 59PC. Nothing fancy just an "In house concert". I sent out invites to people i know through facebook/email/sms. If you did not receieve an invite, i am truly very sorry.

The house was not packed or anything (thank god) but people kept coming and going and coming and going. A few of us were there throughout though and got to see/hear the music.

The Band played a mix of own compositions and Covers. Akshay Kaushik on Lead Guitar is in my opinion Jimi Hendrix reincarnated because when he plays, it looks so easy. He's got a super awesome guitar with which he does some super cool stuff. In true Jimi style, playing with his teeth while performing Voodoo Child. On the Keyboards we had Soumyajit Roy, who has amazing throw in his voice and belts out Bandeh by Indian Ocean like he was born for it! (I sang with him ;-) Plays the keyboard with his eyes closed, literally. On the rythm guitars we have Bodo, who also sings. He's pretty good in both aspects. Also written some of their own compositions which totally rocks! Last but definitely not the least we have Gautam Menon on the drums. An amazing talent with an eye for detail. His drums need to be perfectly placed for him to give an awesome show. Very very tight drumming. Piply tells me that he photographs well too! :) Good on ya mate! The Lead Singer of the band Soumya Jha (She's a chick) was unable to make it. She has an absolutely heavenly voice. Deep and melodious, it was a pity she couldnt make it!

Being a fauji house, sound-proofing was out of the question. We closed the doors and all and tried to keep it down, but its a rock band, low volume is something which is unacceptable. I had anticipated neigbours showing up to complain and had in my mind set a target of midnight when they would likely show up and we would have to think of something else. To my surprise, the 1 neighbour from another building altogether showed up at 0120hrs. Way past my deadline. The band was also quite tired considering they had been playing, with short breaks in between, since 2000hrs.

The biggest surprise showed up soon after this. I was sitting inside talking to Tanya and Piply when Bodo comes in saying, "Dude, Dude, You wont believe what happened!" I was like "what did you do?" Feeling my damage control instincts kicking in. What he told me next left me with mouth wide open! It turns out, 2 very pretty looking ladies had walked up and asked why the music had stopped? Upon being told the reason, they sided with us. Add to that, Bodo and Khurana asked them to come over as we would be carrying on and they said ok. I dint really believe bodo but nonetheless moved out into the balcony and lo and behold 2 ladies and a dude popped in a few minutes later!

The boys continued acoustic, playing some super covers and original compositions. Akshay Kaushik, the band's lead guitarist played some exquisite solos in songs like Layla and Stairway to Heaven.

All in all it was a heavenly night! Next morning after getting all the gear back to bodo's place, he was kind enough to feed us breakfast. We hadn't eaten all nite! The Scrambled eggs, toast and bacon was the cherry on the cake.

Photo's from the evening are below. Hope to see you next time!

Cheers

Sample the Genius!

While on the topic of 59PC, i think everyone should sample some of the genius ideas that Mr. Nair came up with. I will take credit for egging him on and irritating him till the edge only to see him come up with some kick-a$$ stuff!! Here are the invites and posters prepared over the past few years by Mr. Nair.



During one of our 8pm conversations we decided to throw a beer and biryani party for the people. Of course, once he came up with this, it turned out to be so much more! Cheers man!






The infamous "Bar-Mitzvah Blowout"! Infamous mainly because both hosts were out of commission before most guests left. Of course the party continued! Still a very very cool invite and an even better poster that people signed at the party.



This was a Good Luck Bodo Party we decided to throw with the hope that all the 8pm we showered upon the boy did not go to waste! :) It didn't, not only did he pass his exams but he outdid us, the rat Ba$tard. Well Done Bodo! You did us proud.



I can't recall if we sent this out out but i found it in the archive. Created from scratch so i think it is quite awesome! 8pm was a nice touch! :) Damn, bodo u lucky kid... we have thrown you a lot of parties!



This was actually the first of the invites. Very cool was what came to mind the first time i opened this! This is what it all began with! :)



This came out of the blue a few days before the Bar-Mitzvah. "A commemorative Poster" is what Mr. Nair called it. It shows off our "obsession" for Jack. Thanks for introducing him to me man! I owe ya.

Well, i guess that's the lot. You can check out full size invites/posters at http://picasaweb.google.com/neomenon/SampleTheGenius#