Defining Moment...

Let me start by saying, I wish I could vote in this election.



Barack Obama in the above video starts with, "At this defining moment in our history, the question is not that if you are better off than four years ago, we all know the answer to that, the real question is will our country be better off in four years from now.....".

And the video ends with subtitle, "Barack Obama - President". Cocky or Confident? We will know answer to that very soon.

Yes, definitely it is a defining moment in not just American history but world history and hopefully they - Americans - don't make a stupid mistake third time in a row by choosing McCain.

BTW, I believe, as most of you do as well, world would have been a better place without Mr. Bush as a president and I am "sticking...".

Do dreams ever come true? – II

....Continued...

11-10-2008 Sat: Got a call and was called for a quick audition. Wasn’t happy with it and thought would fail the audition miserably. While driving back home, got an idea, did a video shoot at home, posted on a youtube and sent the link to the producer.

12-10-2008 Sun: Got a call from the producer, he said the youtube video did the trick and got me the role. I was elated.

13-10-2008 Mon: Got the full script. Had to search and take a note of scenes where I’m supposed to appear.

14-10-2008 Tue: The main cast, director arrived from Indonesia. Went for rehearsals, gave around 20-30 takes, and failed terribly, I was disgusted with myself. Came home midnight dejected, slept couple of hours, got up at around 3 am, re-wrote some of the dialogs, went back to bed bit more relaxed.

15-10-2008 Wed: D-Day arrives.
Went early - 8:00am - for the shoot, waited for couple of hours for everything to be in place and was ready for the 1st scene.

• Scene 1: As I didn’t have any dialogs and just had to dance carefree, it went well.

• Scene 2: had a monologue and was the one which I had failed in rehearsals and hence was bit worried. But I am not sure if it was the costume, or location or my dialoges, I gave my best shot and came out triumphant in about 4th or 5th take. I was the happiest and most relieved person on the set...or may be it was the director.

• Scene 3: I was not aware of this scene unti th last moment. The script I got did ave this. But anyways, shooting for this scene was physically hard. I had to crash into the main character of the movie, some how had to make my turban come off with the whole wig of long hair still sticking on my head and also had to utter a one liner in Indonesian language. I would have given at least 3-4 takes in 3 diff angle and by the end of it I was literally dead. So was the make up lady as every take she had to do the turban again.

• Scene 4-6: These were very easy compared to above ones. Just had to stare at the camera or the protagonist and utter a word QUALITY. My nuclear family joined me at the shoot by then. I could see how proud they were of me. I could see it in their eyes; especially my 7yr old was speechless.

By the time I finished shooting it was 11 pm. It was hard work but was very satisfying. THANK YOU ‘Kambing Jantan’ team for the unforgettable experience.

Now, waiting for my pay ;-)

Yes, dreams do come true sometimes. Keep dreaming...

Do dreams ever come true?

Lazy Saturday morning, I’m lying on my bed and I’m thinking, “Don’t have to rush and take my kiddo to Ice Skating classes, no parties to attend except in the evening. Wow! It’s gonna be a relaxing day today. And then, out of nowhere, comes a life changing call – tring tring.

[ ]- This is when I am thinking to myself.

Me: Hello
So and So: Hello Praveen, this is ‘so and so’, how are you?

{Snipping all the obligatory ‘small talks’}
And then, out of the blue, came the question.

S’n’S: I was wondering if you are interested in acting in a movie?
[What? Me? Why me? Is it some kinda joke? 1000 questions running through my mind but trying to be calm]
Me: hmm…sure, what is it?

S’n’S: It’s a small role in a movie for which they need Indian origin actor.
[ What, a movie? You mean “A Real Movie”? You must be kidding]
Me: What, movie? You know, I haven’t done any acting in my life before, right? But I’m interested for sure and I can give it a try…and I will for sure give it my 110%.

S’n’S: I know. But I got this email asking me about any Indian actors I personally know and I was not sure who to contact and first person I could think of was you.
[But…But…Why me? I never told you I’m aspiring to be an actor. Yes, sure we had some discussion around similar topic, but…calm down Praveen, take a deep breath]
Me: No worries. I really appreciate it. So what is this role and movie is all about?

S’n’S: I don’t have much details right now….only thing I know is it’s a Indonesian English movie being shot in Adelaide and for a small role they want an actor whose looks are Indian. The actor would have to wear a turban and act as a convenient store owner and stuff. It’s a small role.
[What the heck...c’mon, give it a try...worst come to worst, you will fail terribly in audition, will be laughed at and cruelly rejected. But, who gives it a damn. None of my friends or family (apart from my better half) will ever know about my humiliation.]
ME: hmm…ok. I am game. I don’t mind wearing turban…Actually, I don’t mind any role as long as it doesn’t involve removing clothes.

{Laughs on both sides}

S’n’S: So, if you are ok, can I give them your number and they can get in touch with you?
[Suspicious of passing on my mobile no. to complete strangers]
ME: Sure, give them my home number.

S’n’S: [hesitantly] Can I give them your mobile number instead?
ME: [reluctantly but not showing it] yeah sure here it is….blah blah

S’n’S: Thanks. I will pass it on to them and they might contact you ASAP.
ME: No worries. Thanks again for considering me [a worthless non-actor].

S’n’S: No problem. I was not sure who to contact and your name popped up in my head first…thanks for agreeing.
ME: Hey, No worries. Let’s see how it goes. [Not believing if this will ever go any further anyways]

{Exchanging some more obligatory pleasantries}

S’n’S: Bye
Me: Ba Bye

Me, Myslef to I: [What really just happened? Was I dreaming? Somebody pinch me.]

Me Wife: Praveeeeeen, can you pls get up now…we got to vacuum clean our house today.

…and the reality hits.

If it comes to fruition or not...I'm sticking to my dreams.

Are you a responsible parent?

Some recent ads in australian tele which forces you to question yourself, "Am I a responsible parent?".

1. After seeing this ad, you would think twice before answering your kids questions.



2. You should be careful with your language when kids are around. Watch this ad...



3. Kids absorb your drinking...so, drink wise.

Boot Camp

On a eventful 2008 labour day long weekend
We went camping - with Shahs - at our wits end.

WoodHouse it is called where we set up our tent
Along came friends and for orienteering we went.

Maps in our hand, we ran like wild goose
Across acres of land to find hidden clues.

Youngsters won it, second came we old
Day went easy but night was bloody cold.

Camp site was like a Hobit's shire
Even better when we lit camp fire.

Our face lit up when the fire was on
In went wood, potatoes and lot of corn.

Next day we tackled Challenge Hill at noon
Would know what we are made of...very soon.

Ribs were almost broken
But spirit was never shaken.

We hit our head & landed on our bun
But we never stopped & had a lotta fun.

In summary, we had a ball & a big blast
For sure, our visit here won't be the last.

Thanks Shahs for organizing the camp
What if it was more like a boot-camp.

Body is still paining but regrets are none
As you know, I like sticking to my gun. ;-)