aJCfreak - Dan's Blog

“Jallikattu protests  - All roads lead to Marina” screamed a headline. Truly, on Saturday evening, as we made our way to the famous Marina beach, we could see almost every third vehicle on the road was headed there. There were men and women dressed in black. There were bikers stopping by the roadside to hold up placards and signs. Some even held up phones displaying pro-Jallikattu messages. When we reached the signal on Mount Road just before the Chepauk stadium, we made a quick decision – we decided to head straight. We had heard that vehicles weren’t allowed till the Marina, so I figured that we could start much higher North and ride down the road adjacent to the beach. There was nary a vehicle on Flag Staff road, and my wife and I wondered at the completely deserted road. When we turned the last curve of the road to join the ‘beach road’, there she stood. The Indian flag. Waving boldly in the breeze. As if to say that Indian-ity reigned supreme – come what may.
 My...

Business photograph designed by Onlyyouqj - Freepik.com This is something I wrote when I was nearly 30. I just got up one night in July/August 2014, and typed this out on my then-new MacBook Air. Many of these I'd already either started or been involved in some way or the other. Some of these I'm sure, I can't ever do. But here's the thing - I finally know what I want to do/be in life. Apart from the job that I do. Or maybe, even  at the job that I do. My life's mission statement for the next thirty years or so. Here goes... (The purpose of me putting this out there is two things: Firstly, if this can help inspire and 'sort' the thoughts of others, it should. Secondly, if anyone wants to discuss any of these aspects of 'doing' stuff with me, please feel free to get in touch) ______________________________________________________________________________ I want to write. That includes fiction - romantic short stories, thriller novels, m...

Designed by Freepik ​ Written on 9th Nov, 2016 - 10 pm. For my lover - my wife. When all the trials of yesterday Keep me far away from you When all the joys of our tomorrow Are further than you are What have I got to do In time What have we got to lose Right now Is the world far away From us Are we drifting out from shore Go on... Hold me Like the world is falling Every moment that we're Keeping apart Love me Like we're always running To the place we're wanting To be our home That's all we got to do

Designed by Freepik When the freshness of the chase is still alive When the dew of the morning is not yet dry When the heat of the sun has not yet risen Stay in that moment Stay for a lifetime Where the memories you've made refuse to leave you Where the mistakes of yesterday no longer define you Where the worries of the world melt in your hopes Stay in that place Stay for a lifetime When the love you hold becomes warmer to decide When the colours of nature fill you with joy When the tranquility you seek, is found in life Make that your state Every day, for a lifetime When the light of your life fades from within When the child that you reared, cleaves from your self When the joys that you seek, are found less and less Flee from that burden Don't stay for even a day Till the shore that you yearn, is reached in full Till the curves in your path, are just happy challenges Till the ones you hold dear, hold enough of you dearly Find such a place Stay...

Star Wars: The Force Awakens  (Episode VII) poster from  StarWars.com Since  Star Wars: The Force Awakens  (Episode VII in the Star Wars filmogy) is releasing only on the 25th December (instead of the 18th December, like the rest of the world), I'm trying to keep everyone's Star Wars 'fixes' up, in the countdown to the India launch with the  7 Days without The Force Awakens  series. We're on Day 7 now - which means The Force Awakens tomorrow! Yeah, baby!!! 1. We're almost there! Just 24 hours for the Force to Awaken in India! Yipppeeeeeeeee!!!! See and LOL at this meme from a week ago... 2. Read this spoiler-free review of The Force Awakens from The Verge . Trust me, there are ZERO plot-spoilers:  http://www.theverge.com/2015/12/16/10243884/star-wars-the-force-awakens-review  This should help prep your anticipation for the film's release tomorrow. 3. Watch the full set of trailers and spots for The Force Awakens below (have you...

Star Wars: The Force Awakens  (Episode VII) poster from  StarWars.com Since  Star Wars: The Force Awakens  (Episode VII in the Star Wars filmogy) is releasing only on the 25th December (instead of the 18th December, like the rest of the world), I'm trying to keep everyone's Star Wars 'fixes' up, in the countdown to the India launch with the  7 Days without The Force Awakens  series. We're on Day 6 now. 1. Watch this fun-tastic video of the cast of The Force Awakens, along with Jimmy Fallon and The Roots, singing the Star Wars theme, A Capella style! 2. Read this thorough, well-written article from The Verge on what happens across the Star Wars universe (outside of the 6 films as well) in the events leading up to The Force Awakens :  http://www.theverge.com/2015/12/16/10215194/star-wars-the-force-awakens-guide-canon 3. Watch the Cinema Sins video for Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (it's only Part 1; you can click through to Part 2...

Star Wars: The Force Awakens  (Episode VII) poster from  StarWars.com Since  Star Wars: The Force Awakens  (Episode VII in the Star Wars filmogy) is releasing only on the 25th December (instead of the 18th December, like the rest of the world), I'm trying to keep everyone's Star Wars 'fixes' up, in the countdown to the India launch with the  7 Days without The Force Awakens  series. We're on Day 5 now. 1. First things first - today's probably the day you can book advance  tickets to The Force Awakens premiere in India. So, mark the date - be prepared with all your login/payment details, and watch out for tickets to run out really quickly after booking opens. For people in Madras, www.spicinemas.in and  www.jazzcinemas.com should be the best options to watch the film (the latter providing IMAX shows; unsure if SPI has opened the IMAX theatre at the new Palazzo outlet) For people outside Madras, I guess in.bookmyshow.com , www.inoxmovie...