Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
By Karthik | June 9, 2008
I have been asked to write a short review on Indiana Jones by my friend. So here it is.
First and foremost, the reason why I didn’t write a full-length review for Indiana Jones is because I am not a fan of Indiana Jones. I know, being a movie freak, I should have watched the Indiana Jones series. But I just didn’t watch any of the previous, even though Spielberg is my all time favorite director. He is brilliant, and that is no exception.
But it’s shameful that I haven’t watched the Indiana Jones series. Harrison Ford and Spielberg! How can I? But that’s alright, because I know many of you whom are in the same boat as me. So, how significant was the latest Indiana Jones was for me? Surely, very significant as it was the first time I’m watching it.
I liked it.
But that’s about it. Since I was not accustomed to the whole Indiana Jones concept, I kind of felt weird. I mean, I liked it, because it was entertaining. Shea LaBeouf was an absolute charm to the Indiana Jones series because he practically stole the screen with his charm and the comedy. If I could sum up the movie into a single word, it would be: entertaining.
So, I know most of you have watched it by now, but for those who hasn’t got the opportunity to watch it, you should. This is an extremely late review, but I was kind of forced to write one and might as well post it. I don’t even consider this as a proper review :p
Topics: Movie Review | No Comments »
Searching for a Mastermind Group
By Karthik | June 8, 2008
Do you know what a MasterMind group is? It simply is a group of people who hold their expertise towards a niche or a field of interest. Reading Napolean Hill’s books have made me realize the significance of having a Mastermind group. I would want to go in detail with this, but right now, I am still in search of one.
In today’s world, you need a Mastermind group to do a task. Through this group, you not only benefit at most, but you would learn as much as possible from your team members. There should be a healthy competition, but more than the competition itself, a mastermind group is suppose to share ideas, and to guide one another to improve in a specific niche.
I am in search for one. I am in desperate need to learn more about the whole internet scene and blogging scene. Ultimately, to understand even more deeply about the art of making money online. Oh, and I make this blog as my platform to share my experiences, even the tiniest detail of it.
I am also reading a few articles and books on this topic, and as soon as I master how to create your own mastermind group, I would be more than happy to share them with you!
Topics: Politics, Rants and Advices | 1 Comment »
Expectation is the root of all heartache
By Karthik | June 6, 2008
Expectation is the root of all heartache
So says William Shakespeare. But what is life without expectations?
You are in a relationship, and you have certain expectations of how you want your spouse or partner to react when you do something especially special for them. Imagine not being appreciated, and totally ignored, after all the planning that took all your time. I mean, expectations are indeed the root to all heartache, but does that mean we should abandon expectations and live life without any expectations? Let’s be practical.
I’d rather say expect and be hurt than not to expect at all. Because, when expectations are met, they are truly gratifying. Which definitely is fruitful; if I may say so?
Expecting a certain outcome, and being disappointed at the end only makes us want to try harder. Otherwise, we’re a quitter. Are we one? I don’t think so and so we shall never seek to stop having expectations.
I want to focus a little on just relationship for now.
“Love is always bestowed as a gift - freely, willingly and without expectation. We don’t love to be loved; we love to love.” Leo Buscaqlia
Without expectation? It is not as easy as the philosophers have quoted. It’s better to have expectations, and when you are in a relationship, it is always better to have healthy communication between partners. I mean if you have a certain amount of expectation from your spouse, empathetic ones, I am sure healthy communication between the two would definitely make the relationship such a beautiful one. We expect, and we communicate our expectations which are reasonable and empathetic, how can it go wrong as much as avoiding expectation altogether in the fear of getting hurt?
No, it doesn’t make sense that way, at least to me.
“We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aid, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn.” Henry David Thoreau
The definition of Expectation: The prospect of the future; grounds upon which something excellent is expected to happen; prospect of anything good to come, esp. of property or rank. (Isn’t this ultimately what the Law of Attraction is about? In some way or the other…)
“High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation” Charles F. Kettering.
That’s why they say, healthy arguments in a relationship is important to understand each other better. You have expectations of your partner, which is always something positive. As long as there is mutual respect and healthy communication, your expectations when voiced out, will be gratifying!
And it’s for you.
Topics: Personal | Comments Off
OIL HIKE AND FINNEGANS AGAIN
By Karthik | June 5, 2008
Sorry for boring you again. But I have the urge to let it out. No statistics this time…
Well, there are many, if not all, Malaysian bloggers out there who are unhappy with the fuel price hike. I mean, come on, who wouldn’t be? In fact, they’re disappointed, frustrated, and angry. Then, there’s the protests that are lined up in order for the government to get a taste of the Malaysian public’s emotions.
It is definitely another very good reason why you should not have extended support for them during General Election. But as much as I talk on politics, which is very minimal at the least, I hate politics. That’s why I posted previously about why I didn’t want to bore you much with information regarding the politics too much. No, this is not a political blog. And it will never be, because this is a place where I dump my rants and whatnot.
So welcome to my paradise.
The latest news was “Organisers Coalition Against Inflation (Protes) hopes to gather 100,000 people to call on the government to reduce fuel prices to its original levels before the hike today.”Source. But that is perhaps only the beginning. There may be more extreme feedback of the public, and I bet the government expected this. The government has raised the fuel prices previously and got somewhat similar response from the public. Sooner or later, the public became helpless and they gave in. Apathy is the word. APATHY.
Topics: Events, Personal, Politics, Rants and Advices | No Comments »
Yet Another Rally. Fuel..Fuel..Price..Price!
By Karthik | June 5, 2008
Yes. Another.
Thousands of people would be mobilised for a mass protest against the shocking increase in fuel prices at the iconic KLCC Twin Towers on July 12.
Source
Yes. Another rally for protest against the increase of fuel prices. It makes me wonder if at all the ruling party learned anything from the recent General Election. Oh..fuck…I’m not even thinking about it. I just know it. They have learned nothing…and nothing at all.
Topics: Politics, Rants and Advices | 2 Comments »
Malaysian Fuel Hike. 78 sen more!
By Karthik | June 4, 2008
Yes. Malaysian Fuel Hikes!
Fuck. Isn’t that what all of us are saying this very moment? It’s all over the news, and it’s all over the blogosphere. Malaysian blogosphere.
Fucking hell, don’t give us a shock like this. This is extremely stupid for the government to hike the prices like this. This is a clear illustration of poor planning. But I don’t give a fuck for all that. Previously I was paying around RM100 for my car, and now it’s going to be around hundred-fucking-forty-fucking-ringgit. and that is all i fucking care about!
The current premier, Abdullah, started hiking prices ever since he came into rulling. Since 2004 that is. Have a look at the below chart:
That is not all. This whopping increase of fuel prices is only the beginning.
He said the power tariff rate would remain the same for households which use below 200 kilowatt of electricity, which amount to RM43.60.
However, those using more than 200 kilowatt will have to pay around 20 percent more.
In other words, we’re to expect more increases…
Abdullah Badawi:
“The cost of petrol and commodities has risen drastically and so subsidies have to be restructured,” he lamented.
“God willing I hope Malaysians will not demonstrate over this,” he said, referring to fury over earlier hikes in a country where public transport is poor and most people are reliant on their cars.
Well, guess what. At least he has been right about this.
And this is Malaysian Government!
The government has announced that petrol price will go up by 78 sen at midnight - a 40.6 percent jump from RM1.92 per litre to RM2.70.
(Source)
Jam at the Petrol Station: Bangsar.
and so my darling sweetheart is going to learn how to sit at home and not whine to go out because, well, she already is someone who sucks alot of my money out of me and she is stubborn. she needs it to survive. she needs it to move. it is afterall, her food. FUEL is HER FOOD.
Topics: Rants and Advices | 2 Comments »
Napolean Hill’s
By Karthik | June 2, 2008
If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don’t
If you like to win, but you think you can’t,
It is almost certain you won’t.
If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost
For out of the world we find,
Success begins with a person’s will-
it’s all in the state of mind.
If you think you are outclassed, you are,
You’ve got to think high to rise,
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man
But soon or late the one who wins
Is the one WHO THINKS HE CAN!
P.S. Just thought its worth sharing…
Topics: Rants and Advices, books | No Comments »
KL Book fest 2008 and James Patterson
By Karthik | June 1, 2008
He is definitely one of the best thriller writers available on the face of the earth at the moment. He is the creator of the character, Alex Cross. Of course his other books are equally thrilling and interesting; I have developed a special liking for the Alex Cross’s series, if I may call it so.
He is James Patterson.
Recently they had BookFest in Kuala Lumpur Convention Center, Malaysia organized by Popular Bookstore. I didn’t have any clue that it was being held, until a day before the last day (1st June 2008 – Sunday). They had it for a week, and since I am on holidays right now, I really needed to catch up with some reading. Thanks to my best friend who called me up and told me about it. Without hesitation, I agreed to go for it and got myself books for almost RM500. Yes, that’s pretty much like 10 books and I finally got hold of the Patterson’s books that I have not yet read; for the best price possible (I really hope there isn’t a better price than the one in BookFest because I would envy those who could obtain it elsewhere for the price of what I got it for because I practically spent almost 5 hours just walking and standing.)
Oh btw, James Patterson, the last I checked, is quite fond of blogging. Since there has been a huge number of Celebrity bloggers and VIP bloggers these days, you may never know who might start blogging. We have ex-premier of Malaysia who blogs, and that to me, is a great credit to the blogosphere (though there have been rumors about the whole scene which I am not interested to go into better details). And I also know that’s an old news, but that’s about the point I’m trying to make. The blogosphere is shifting purposes or I’d rather say, there’s an addition of genre’s to blogging that just keeps growing as the creative human mind keeps contributing to the blogosphere.
Too much about blogosphere now. Let’s forget about that and move back to James Patterson.
He definitely isn’t my top author, but I just felt the need to read some thriller books and James Patterson have wrote some decent ones which I’m liking… hence, one of the best thriller writer on the face of earth, for now :p
Topics: Events, books | No Comments »
Righteous Kill
By Karthik | June 1, 2008
“You don’t become a cop because you want to serve and protect. You join the force because they let you carry a gun and a badge. You do it because you get respect.
Most people respect the badge. Everyone respects the gun.”
I am aware that there are some of you who haven’t had the opportunity to watch Heat. Well, if you haven’t, then I suggest that you get to a nearby DVD store and you know what to do. After watching Heat, you’ll be convinced that Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino make a good team together. Imagine having them back again on screen?
Well, I loved DeNiro from the start. I loved Al Pacino ever since I watched Scent of a Woman. Only after that movie did I go hunting for all Al Pacino’s movies which of course includes The Godfather, Scarface, Carlito’s Way… just to name a few.
And what about DeNiro? He has got me with Goodfellas. Thought Casino and Taxi Driver were one of his best performances. I even loved seeing him as a psycho in Hide and Seek. Didn’t I say I liked him from the start?
But this post is not entirely dedicated to two of the best actors Hollywood has ever seen. Oh well, in a way it is, but it is more on a product or an outcome of having them both sharing the screen again. In Godfather II, they were both in it. But they didn’t share the screen together, as DeNiro played the role of Michael Corleone’s (Al Pacino) dad, Vito Corleone of the past (younger Vito Corleone). It was brilliant and I liked it whenever DeNiro says, “Do me this favor. I won’t forget it. Ask your friends in the neighborhood about me. They’ll tell you I know how to return a favor.”
How could you not appreciate such fine line said by DeNiro? His voice is that special touch.
And yes, both DeNiro and Al Pacino are my top actors, with Al Pacino being the Number 1. And so, they shared the same screen once, in Heat. As I have previously quoted, DeNiro and Al Pacino make a good team together and there will never be a moment of doubt about that. However, since then, they never appeared on any movies together, till recently.
Righteous Kill is their upcoming movie. Set to be released on September 2008, and I’ll let the trailers do the talking for a while now.
I hope it would be as good as I think it will be. But with Al Pacino and DeNiro, they raise expectations about the movie. The movie might as well be somewhat ordinarily predictable, but nevertheless, the performance which would be carried out by both of them are going to be worth every penny you spent watching them in the cinemas.
“Nothing wrong with a little shooting, as long as the right people get shot.”
Righteous Kill… and for those who watched the trailer, well, this isn’t a spoiler but I’m just guessing Al Pacino is the killer :p Haha..Adios!
Topics: Movie Review | 2 Comments »
Dying 47-Year-Old Professor Gives Exuberant ‘Last Lecture’
By Karthik | May 28, 2008
“Randy Pausch: Almost all of us have childhood dreams: for example, being an astronaut, or making movies or video games for a living. Sadly, most people don’t achieve theirs, and I think that’s a shame. I had several specific childhood dreams, and I’ve actually achieved most of them. More importantly, I have found ways, in particular the creation (with Don Marinelli), of CMU’s Entertainment Technology Center (etc.cmu.edu), of helping many young people actually *achieve* their childhood dreams. This talk will discuss how I achieved my childhood dreams (being in zero gravity, designing theme park rides for Disney, and a few others), and will contain realistic advice on how *you* can live your life so that you can make your childhood dreams come true, too.”
The below words do not belong to me, but they speak the best about the video and I’m crediting it to the original owner here.This is a video that everyone should see. For those of you who aren’t familiar with who Dr. Randy Pausch is, the short story goes like this:
He is a happily married man with three very young children. He spent years working for Disney as an Imagineer who helped them develop some of their theme park attractions. He then went on to teach at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pennsylvania where he still is to this day.
Abruptly, his life took a turn for the worse when he got cancer and fought it off after years of treatment. The cancer has since returned and has near-totally corupted several vital organs leaving him with mere months to live.
This video is his shortened speech on how not even death can bring this man down and how the dreams he sought to come true can inspire us all.
This video has changed my life and I will NEVER forget it. Will it do the same for you?
Please pass this video on to anyone you feel takes life for granted or just pass it to someone who loves to live.
Topics: Inspirational | 2 Comments »
