Taylor Lautner

Robert Pattinson

Kristen Stewart

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart

Ashley Greene

Nikki Reed

Kellan Lutz

Rex – We’ve come to the conclusion that the Twilight films have one of the hottest casts in cinema history – Kellan Lutz looked every bit the Hollywood hunk at the premiere. CREATED BY: MSN UK Movies

WireImage – Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart attends the Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson And Taylor Lautner Hand And Footprint Ceremony at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on November 3, 2011 in Hollywood, California.

As soon you settle down in your seats, the first scene, the larger than life entry of a care a dime artist is what you want to see. Jordan, the Rockstar is a rebel, a real human, someone who we so want to be but all the practicalities of life never allow us to be. The madness, the love, the purity, the anger, the rawness, the lost in music soul, everything that is shown in the movie is something I always wanted to be. It was something I live; visualize everyday but only in deepest corners of my heart. Today, I witnessed how it may have felt if I have had the life which I always wanted. The life of an artist for whom pain is what matters, pain does brings your best and that’s the note with which the movie starts. The way plot is built, the way movie goes back and forth in time, the flashbacks, you relate to it all. If you do not, you need to change the way you live! Go out there, be crazy.

I am a diehard Imtiaz Ali fan. I haven’t appreciated A.R. Rehman’s music in a very long time now, however this is his best, I rate it even higher than Dil-Se and Jai Ho. Imtiaz is a man who follows his heart and the ones who follow their heart, they never disappoint. This movie does get dragged a little in the end, I did expect the numbering to appear at three different instances, however I still loved the movie. For, it had everything I could have asked for. Brilliant acting, Shammi Kappor’s last appearance on the big screen, Ranbir Kapoor, music which I am going to listen to for next two weeks and even more, the sceneries, there is nothing I want to complain about except the last half an hour of the movie, which I felt could have been edited better, and few of the flash backs which tend to get repetitive. Oh Yes, I forgot to mention Nargis Fakhri did overact in initial phases of the movie but then I think that’s how Delhi Girls usually behave, thus in a way she did act well.

The characters are well sketched, though movie has a high on emotions tone to it, you still laugh a lot. The dialogues are as fantastic as you expect from Imtiaz Ali. The lyrics are incredibly well written, profound and am so happy for Mohit Chauhan is the man of the hour finally. In every which way, this movie satisfied me, be it acting, music, direction, cinematography, dialogs, script or whatever your criteria be. I am all high on army jackets and rough look that Ranbir Kapoor donned. This is how I picture myself in my own alternate world too.

The bit that touched my heart the most, every wrong in the movie is portrayed so right! Whenever someone crossed the line, the emotions displayed simply justify it. This is a movie that you want to fall in love with, this is the movie that you associate with brilliance, this is the movie that proves me right for still loving Hindi Movies. Must you watch this movie for the way Ranbir Kapoor shows you a finger in the air, the way he performs on the stage, the way we always want an Indian Rockstar to perform in front of a madly-music-doped crowd. I bow down to everyone involved to make this movie happen. You all are my Rockstarsn and I am going to watch this movie again coming Tuesday.

Given that I am living the life I always wanted to, this movie made me feel in a special way that living your dreams is what makes life worth. Some bloggers may remember, whenever they wrote about pain, I commented, keep that pain alive. You need pain more than you need happiness for it brings the best in you! Thank You Imtiaz for proving me right and saying what I may have never said or be able to say, so brilliantly.

Go watch Rockstar and come back with a new awakened life.

Watch it in HD >>

The clip’s never-before-seen opening finds Edward uttering his famous quote, “I’ve been waiting a century to marry you, Miss Swan,” and Bella assuring him, “I know I can do this.”

Then, fans get quick glimpses of the “Midsummer’s Night Dream”-themed wedding with Bella being escorted down the aisle by her father, the guests sitting in flowered pews, and the dapper-looking groom grinning ear to ear at the altar. The scene is exactly as star Ashley Greene (who plays Alice Cullen) describes: “beautiful, decadent.” For Stewart, the wedding “definitely felt ceremonial and celebratory.”

We agree; the wedding does look amazing! But we’re all anxious to see what bride Bella will be wearing on her wedding day and it looks like that big reveal won’t happen until the movie premieres on November 18. “The wedding was Secret Service-style insane,” Stewart explained during a panel at San Diego’s Comic-Con.

“The crew was completely inconvenienced — there was no cell phone or email. I said ‘thank you’ so much because if this [wedding] dress gets on the Internet, I’ll die! I had to be locked into the dress to protect it.”

So here are my 10 Most Favorite Romantic Movies Ever!!!

1)  Notting Hill

One of the best movies I have seen till date. I love, love, love this one. The movie is so sweet, adorable and funny (thanks to the room mate character) that you can’t help but fall in love with it. Its one of those movies you watch and end up feeling good from inside. Hugh Grant and Julie Roberts are brilliant Ofcourse but even the supporting cast is so brilliant, that’s what makes the movie so good.

2) Titanic

This was my very first Hollywood movie on a big screen. I was just 12 when this one came out. The moment I lay my eyes on Kate in this movie, I fell in love with her and my love continues till today. I loved the movie for its story, graphics, chemistry, acting and the ending (where Jack and Rose meet again). Some how everything in this movie makes me go ‘WOW’.

3) Ghost

I so love this movie and I so love the scene with the clay. This movie is so emotional and mushy that every time I see it,I end up teary eyed. This movie actually started ‘Grand Father – Grand daughter movie watching on weekends’ tradition.

4) The Notebook

This movie is one of those exceptional cases for me. Generally I hate books being made into movies. But this is movie is brilliant. The chemistry between the lead pair is what makes this movie so totally work for me. Ofcourse, I don’t have to talk about the story and all because ‘The Notebook’ is one my favorite novels.

5) Pretty Woman

My Grand Pa’s favorite Rom-Com ever! I remember that he used to gaga over Julie Roberts and I was eager to see why he liked her so much. So, I sat with him and saw this one and I ended up adoring Julie Roberts. I loved the whole movie and also it’s from rags to riches concept.

6) Dirty Dancing

“Nobody puts Baby in a corner,” who can even forget that line? It’s the first Patrick Swayze movie that I saw and loved.

6) Sleepless in Seattle

I had heard so much about this movie. Everyone said how brilliant this movie was, how well the actors acted, chemistry between the actors and that story was awesome and unique. So, when I finally sat down to watch this movie my expectations were sky high. After I watched this movie I joined the clan and started singing the movie’s praises.

7) You’ve Got Mail

How could I not love this movie? It has a good story. It has all time favorite actor… Tom Hanks and he is accompanied by Meg Ryan. The chemistry between Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks is really awesome… I wonder why they dint act in more movies together?

8 ) When Harry Met Sally

I know most you might be wondering how come this movie isn’t in the list and finally here is it. Seriously, how can it not be in the list? It’s a classic.

9) 50 First Dates

I love this movie because of its comic take on a serious issue. The acting is good. The movie is romantic and sweet. And of top of it, its got few awesome sound tracks.

10) Moulin Rougue

I love this movie. It would have been on top if it had a happy ending. I know that doesn’t make the movie any less brilliant but its just that, I prefer happy endings. I knew that Nicole’s character Satine would die but couldn’t help from hoping she dint.

Zareen Khan, Nargis Fakhir (rockstar actress), Katrina Kaif, they all look the same. Poor girls have to work hard on their Hindi and their mixed accents are intolerable at times.giselle monteiro? (Love aajkal. she couldn’t deliver a single dialogue)
what’s so special about her?

Hazel Crowney ! Another one..:( No doubt they all are extremely pretty but why should we tolerate similar looking women?though can we really have variety? I think that phase is over.When we could see something Desi or unique and we could relate.?Okay ! if you really want to get girls from outside India, why don’t you try someone real looking like Scarlett Johansson or may be Kate Winslet? they are great actresses, real, healthy and very very beautiful.I know, it’ll be habitual to see this girl too. and then she’ll be rated the most beautiful women in ASIA !

I really admire beauty, and I am NOT jealous and I haven’t posted this to make anyone feel bad or offended. Its less about the boundaries, more about the same looking tall, fair-skinned, skinny women nothing like REAL !

I am entitled to my own opinion.thanks.

Every other season comes along – And I’m all right – But then I miss you, most at these Nights..
I gaze out the window – This cold winter’s night – At all of the twinkling lights – Alone in the darkness – Remembering when you were here – Everybody’s smiling – The whole world is rejoicing -  And everyone’s embracing…

In the springtime those memories start to fade – With the September rain – Through the summer days – Till autumn’s leaves are gone – I get by without you -Till the snow begins to fall…

And then I miss you – Most at Night time – And I can’t get you – Get you off my mind-
Every other season comes along – And I’m all right…But then I miss you, most at this time

So, here are my favorite and not so favorite dresses.

Sandra Bullock

It was so her night wasn’t it? She was not only one of the most gorgeous looking actresses on the red carpet but also stole the show by winning the best actress award. She looked picture perfect with the Marchesa column gown.

Demi Moore

Can anyone look at her and say that she is 47? She looks so gorgeous in Versace gown. Looking like this, she could make any young actress run for their money. I love the dress and its now one of those dream dresses of mine.

Rachel McAdams

I generally don’t like big prints but this Elie Saab number makes me think otherwise. Or then again may be it’s because of Rachel the gown is looking amazing.

Jennifer Lopez

Yeah, I have a soft corner for her and I love her! But that has nothing to do with the fact that she is looking just ‘WOW’ in this pink Armani dress. She was looking like the diva that she is. The best part of the dress is the cascading ruffles.

Cameron Diaz

Isn’t she looking fabulous in this golden Oscar de la Renta gown? I love the way she accessorized the whole dress with a diamond ring, side swept hair and her bold red lipstick and nail polish.

Penelope Cruz

This gown by Donna Karan is so so so amazing! And who better to wear it than Penelope Cruz? The nude look so totally works on her.

Now, coming to the dresses I dint much.

Kate Winslet

I absolutely hate putting her here. She is my all time favorite and also according to me a breath taking beauty. This dress by Atelier Yves Saint Lauren dint make her look like the stunning beauty that she is.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Everything about this citrus colored Chanel couture gown seems so wrong to me. There is nothing in this look that works for me.

Charlize Theron

What was she thinking wearing this lilac Christian Dior piece with rosettes on her bust? This one is a big NO NO to me.

Zoe Saldana

She wore a piece by Givenchy couture. I love the sparkling bodice and also ruffled tulle but they just don’t look good together.

Vera Farmiga

This ruffled Marchesa gown is not my cup of tea at all. Its way too much ruffled.

Out of all the men I think Jake Gyllenhaal and Bradley Cooper looked Awesome.

I generally love anything that George Clooney wears but the hair was not something I liked.

Whom did you guys like and dislike?

PS – I know this is kinda late but i wrote this as soon as i saw the show but couldn’t find perfect pictures. So had to wait

a pet might not stay with you for your whole life, but it makes your life whole, a person who never had a pet, has missed a very important part of life, the feeling of being complete, and its just not to have a pet, its how you take care of it, I’ve encountered a lot of people who ill treat their pets, they tie them out in the sun for long hours and the poor thing keep barking because it can’t say he is hungry or feeling cold or hot, Nothing.

‘P.S. If this day will be not able to offer something interesting, I want to have just a simple day with the smiles of my friends and classmates’.

I am glad because it was so and even better! I got a nice valentine card, it was pleasantly ^^

Lately I found some nice web sites with presents for the Day of love. It is not very true right now, but I’ll save those page till next years

This holiday is for those, whose heart is full of sincere feelings, love and happiness. I wish you to be happy, to save the people who are really important to you.

‘Love is when people do not only look on each other, but when they look in one direction.’

So I did go shopping but I tried to stay in a limit. Which is all good. I gifted Dad a Nokia which is very cool I tell you – touchscreen, slide and all that works. The problem is he still wants his trashy old Nokia back and I’m thinking of pouring some liquid on it.

Then I bought no Kurta shalwar and no shirt! I did drool over them and I stood in between the Shirt aisles at New Look and looked like this

Best feeling ever between rows and rows of wonderful variety of kurta shalwar.  They’re very simple and basic. Nothing dressy. I mean its Eid, and I gotta have something new isn’t it? But I didn’t want anything with glitter and stuff. They’re all very nice.
Yet to try the other stuff. What else? What else…Ya my bro buy a watch for me isn’t it cool..

See I didn’t even shop that much. This is it! All within limits! So proud of myself.

I’m not really sure where I stand on the Challenge to self after having spent 4 figures

Now, I am not at all expecting to hear back from them, because I sensed a form rejection there but the good part is I am feeling free, unrestrained from the limits that I had set for myself, and so glad that I did go and auditioned. Because I think I’ll have to try, at least a hundred times and perhaps more if I want to succeed. Same goes with all those stories that I send to editors across the globe; I have no other option but to try.

To try, try, try and not feel shy.

And those people who are winning in everything they pursue and getting acceptances where ever they submit themselves or their work, either they are limiting themselves to a too narrow a field or they are the ones who have chosen to play level “easy” in the setup menu of this game of life.

So, are you shy? Or did you try?

You see, I had to wake up early in the morning and rush to the bus stop and yet most of the days I ended up missing my bus. Then I had to wait for God knows how long for the next bus to arrive. When the bus did arrive, it was crowded and the drivers thought I needed a morning run, so they would stop the bus far away (or may be it was just fun for them), so I had to run to catch it. When I finally managed to reach the bus, they would either take off or more experienced women would push me off. Some days, with some miracle, I would be able to get hold of some part of bus and have enough space to keep my feet. Other days, I would end up in the bus stop hoping for another one which was better. But they were never better. As the result, the three years that I went to college I hardly attended the first hour.

So, I stood there in the bus stop reliving the old memories with a frown on my face and cursing the APSRTC for not being punctual and for not having brains (as they always seem to be increasing the number of buses in the routes which I don’t use). I finally gave up on hope of getting a bus and started looking around for an auto. That’s when I saw something that put a smile on my face and instantly in a good mood.

I saw an old couple, probably in their 70’s walking hand in hand. The wife was slightly leaning on to his shoulder, with a beautiful smile on her face. The husband was looking at her and saying something to her. They looked like a couple who had recently fallen not like someone who had spent so many years together. I kept looking and got lost in my own thoughts, wondering if I would end up like them, one fine day. So, when I got into an auto, I still had a smile on my face. Like always, love had put me in a better mood.

Pakistan Independence Day

Pakistan’s independence day (also known as Yom-e-Istiqlal (Urdu: یوم استقلال )) is observed on 14 August, the day before Pakistan was made an independent country based on border lines created by the British during the end of their rule of India. Pakistan became an independent country in 1947. The day is a national holiday in Pakistan. The day is celebrated all over the country with flag raising ceremonies, tributes to the national heroes and fireworks taking place in the capital, Islamabad. The main celebrations takes place in Islamabad, where the President and Prime Minister raise the national flag at the Presidential and Parliament buildings and deliver speeches that are televised live. In the speech, the leaders highlight the achievements of the government, goals set for the future and in the words of the father of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam, bring “Unity, Faith and Discipline” to its people.

History

Independence of Pakistan was officially announced on Friday, August 14, 1947 at 12:00 a.m (midnight). but the ceremony itself took place half an hour early on the actual day.This day is celebrated 1 day earlier in comparison to India even though independence was granted by the British Raj to both countries at midnight on 15 August 1947.

Independence Day was not celebrated on 14 August 2010 as a show of moral support to those affected by the 2010 Pakistan floods. All official Military and Government events that are traditionally held on this day were also scrapped to divert the expenditure incurred by these events to flood relief.

Celebrations

14 August is a National holiday of Pakistan. In the capital Islamabad and in all major cities of Pakistan the Government Offices are lit up as well as all the larger skyscrapers. Flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programs take place in all the provincial capitals. In the cities around the country the Flag Hoisting Ceremony is done by the Nazim (Mayor) belonging to that constituency. In various private organisations the Flag Hoisting Ceremony is carried out by a Senior officer of that organisation. Schools and colleges around the country organise flag hosting ceremony and various cultural activities within their respective premises. Families and friends get together for lunch or dinner, or for an outing. Housing colonies, cultural centres, and societies hold entertainment programmes and competitions.

Other events include: Changing of the guard at the mausoleum of Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Mazar-e-Quaid, Wagah Border ceremonies, fashion and musical concerts, both sides releasing prisoners that may have crossed each others borders.

However Pakistan was proven `to be a rich country because of its four seasons all kind of luscious fruits and vegetables even all across the provinces people greatly celebrate this joyfully and pray for its bright future.

The monsoon season. On Friendship day. A crowed train. Drizzling rain. Misty evening. Damp floor. Dripping umbrellas. Wet raincoat. Drenched he. Soaked she. Silent words from he to she,

“I trust u. believe in u…believe u…believe u that u will be with me…with me…till the end”

Soft smiles and glowing eyes. What else they need!

Small words aren’t it?? Short sentences rite? But an emotion attached. A feeling linked. Trivial incident… yet significant. Makes your day…makes your life meaningful…make u to live life…love life.

Small things, really petty and puny brings wide smile on faces. They seems to be really insignificant, so trivial, so trifle such that the 3rd person observing may not understand the real meaning.

Those tiny-winy minute things brings such a joy and sweetness so that life seems to be sizzling and sparkling…life finds complete new meaning…a complete new horizon as if the window has blown open and is bringing in the enlarged frontier to explore…

P.S. Cascada’s ‘Everytime we Touch’ tingles every romantic molecule of my being whenever my headphones bring it to my ears. Do check it out, though I’m sure you must have heard it.

*feels curious and wonders why*


P.P.S. I am a Twilight fan and the way Edward loves Bella makes me want a man like him

1) Have you read twilight?

Yes.

2) Are you a fan?

A big Yes.

3) Have you read it multiple times?

Yes. I read the whole series again just 2 days ago.

4) Did you buy your copy off the street or from a bookstore?

Off the street… the originals were way too costly.

5) Who introduced you to the books?

No one. I just went to my regular book wala and browsed for new books on the shelf found twilight read the back of the book, liked it so I bought it. After reading 1st book I fell in love with it and started counting days for next book to hit the racks.

6) Do you own any of the 4 books?

I own all the 4 . Though Twilight has been borrowed by someone and hasnt been returned yet (its been an year).

7) Do you think Twilight series are the best books you have read?

The best? No No, its one among the best but not the best. For crying out loud I have books like Harry Potter, Fountainhead, The God Father, Angels and Demons, And then there were none, Gone with the wind etc… so it cant be the best.

8 )Do you think that Stephenie Meyer should work on Midnight sun?

Ofcourse! I cant believe you are even asking me this question.

9) According to you, what works in the Twilight Series?

Well, many things do. I will list a few –

The first thing that works if you ask me is the romance between not so perfect girl and a guy who is perfect in every way. I mean, which girl doesn’t dream of a guy who loves her unconditionally, who knows all your flaws yet loves you beyond imagination, who puts your happiness before everything, who lives for you and would die for you? That’s the main reason why Edward Cullen has worked his magic on most of the girls.

I find the concept and the plot of the twilight series pretty interesting. Since I was a kid, I liked the whole vampires’ concept and they always fascinated me. So, when I read Twilight it did fascinate me for sure. The Volturi, special powers of vampires, romance and werewolves are all very very intriguing.

To give credit to the author, she did come up with pretty gripping plots in all the 4 books. She has managed to make us feel for the characters and their emotional turmoil. She has given each vampire a good background story that makes you sympathize with them. And the whole vegetarian vampires’ concept works for me.

10) What according to you works against the books?

Well, I am a huge fan of Twilight but I think with few changes it would have been better.

First thing has to be the sloppy writing. Seriously, as gripping as the plots are, the writing is a big NO NO. She keeps repeating things so many times that right now I associate Alice with dance and Edward with dazzling. It’s kinda pathetic to keep reading same lines (descriptions) again and again.

I am not a huge fan of Bella. I firstly don’t like the way she addresses her father I don’t know… may be it’s the whole Indian thing in me but I don’t like it when she calls her Dad ‘Charlie’… I find it disrespectful.

Secondly, She has no personality, no goals, is self-deprecating and she is really stupid and annoying at times. If you ask me she needs to get a life. I can understand (even though I don’t approve of it) her whole obsession with Edward and circling her whole life around him but I just wish that she had some goals in her life. It’s frustrating to see girls idolizing her wanting to be like her. If you ask me, she isn’t a role model in any way.

I am a huge Edward fan and I love him. But his over protective nature, obsession and dedicating terms of whom to friends with and all that doesn’t go down well with me. In fiction its fine… I guess but in real life it all would equate to unhealthy.

(I am sorry die hard twilight fans).

11) Did you like the book better than the movie?

A zillion times yes! The movies are pathetic when compared to books. The books are so better. You can feel for the characters in the books but in movies it’s just tough to care. The only reason movies work is because they have good looking actors (can’t say same about their acting though) and die hard twilight fans who will approve of anything related to twilight. And to make matters worse the imaginary people in my head are much better looking.

12) Which character do you like the most?

Hmm… it’s really difficult to pick. I like all the characters including Bella (I know, I know I said awful things about her but sometimes I do like her). Charlie is so real and such a typical dad. Edward is dazzling , Jake is awesome, Alice is sweet, and Carlisle is wonderful.

13) Do you like the character Edward Cullen or do you like Robert Pattinson, the actor? You can answer neither.

Edward Cullen! I prefer R Patz as Cedric Diggory than Edward Cullen. I actually like Taylor Lautner the actor. He is hot!

14) Team Edward or Team Jacob?

Both! I am Switzerland.

15) Favorite quotes from the series.

Edward: And so the lion fell in love with the lamb …
Bella: Stupid lamb.
Edward: Sick, masochistic lion.

Edward: Before you, Bella, my life was like a moonless night. Very dark, but there were stars, points of light and reason. ….And then you shot across my sky like a meteor. Suddenly everything was on fire; there was brilliancy, there was beauty. When you were gone, when the meteor had fallen over the horizon, everything went black. Nothing had changed, but my eyes were blinded by the light. I couldn’t see the stars anymore. And there was no more reason for anything.

Bella: I was afraid… because, for, well, obvious reasons, I can’t stay with you. And I’m afraid that I’d like to stay with you, much more than I should.

Bella: About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was part of him — and I didn’t know how potent that part might be — that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

Edward Cullen: “You’re like my own personal brand of heroin”.

And many more… actually I could write a whole post on quotes.

16) Did you read any vampire literature before Twilight? If yes please specify the names of at least two books.

No. But I had seen loads and loads of scary vampire movies.

17) Do you believe in vampires?

No! But if all ever Veggie vampires I wouldn’t mind to share my world with them.

18) How did you come to believe in vampires? Through books, movies or other.

I don’t believe in them.

19) What do you associate vampires with now? Horror or Romance? Please elucidate.

Romance! The whole forbidden love thingy appeals to me.

Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist who has just lost a libel case under murky circumstances is hired by Henrik Vanger, an ex industrialist to investigate the disappearance of his great-niece, Harriet 40 years ago. Unknown to Mikael, Vanger had him checked by Lisbeth Salander, a freelance investigator for Milton Security who always is an awesome hacker. The story then follows these two main protagonists and how they come together to solve the mystery of mysterious disappearance of Harriet Vanger.

Larsson’s writing is a treat if you ask me. Its pretty easy to follow and intriguing. The actual plot is something that you can rank in the ‘good thriller’ list… its absorbing. His attention to details is something I enjoyed especially when it came to the Vanger family. The other thing about the book I liked was that he speaks his mind through the book and you can understand what all he stands for and what he opposes as you read the book.

The biggest criticism every one has about this book is that it’s misogynistic. And I m not denying it, it is but isn’t that expected when you pick up a book originally titled ‘Men who hate Women’? The point that I oppose is that Larsson is misogynist. Infact he is quite the opposite, he is lashing out at misogyny and it’s pretty much evident in his writing. Yes, the extreme graphic nature of rapes give you creeps and make you want to take showers but then again I had expected that given the title.

Of course this book isn’t perfect. It has its drawbacks too. Its major draw back if you ask me comes in form of length. There are many times that you feel that the book is been dragged especially in the end. The other thing is that you can hardly empathize with any character (may be just Henrik). I mean Mikael is pretty much a good guy and would have been my favorite if not for his flaw of sleeping around. Call me old fashioned but I can’t digest the things like open marriage and casual sex. Salander is mysterious Ofcourse and sometimes awesome (especial the time when she gets her revenge) but something in her makes you stay wary of her. I hope that this dissolves when I read the 2^nd book. But my biggest complaint from the book is something I can’t talk without spoiling it. May be you will understand when you read the book.

Anyways, pick this book up if you like a good thriller but stay away from it if you can’t handle the graphic nature of sexual assault on women and children.

I vividly remember the day when I walked hand in hand with my Grand Pa (whom I used to call Tatha) with excitement and anxiety filling every cell of my body to get my 1^st ever novel from a near by library. This was done for 2 main reason; one was that I had completed all the books laying around in my home including my academic English Text Book and the two supplementary (as usual within 4 days from the purchase) and reason two was that my Grand Pa was tired of me nagging for new and innovative stories as he had exhausted himself with all the stories he remembered (which comprised of many novel stories as I now realize) and he thought the only way I would shut the hell up was if he gets a novel that would occupy me for days but little did he know. So he took me to the Library that was 30 minutes away from my home and introduced me into this whole new world of books that I soon fell in love with.

As probably the case with everyone I started off by reading Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys mysteries (I guess that’s where my love affair with mysteries started and curiosity cells in my body got activated). I read them in such a fast pace that shocked both my Grand Pa and the librarian. My Grand Pa never thought that I could read anything so fast, sitting for hours together and forgetting the whole world around me especially given my concentration levels when it came to academic books. Soon I completed all the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books in library and moved on to Harry Potter.

I digress  (talking about my Sweet Heart Grand Pa and books always does that to me)… all I wanted to say was that I don’t read as much I would love to or as much as I used to before. And considering that books are my best friends and I love them beyond eternity I m really disappointed in me. So, I have made a resolution (along with my friend) for the upcoming year 2011. The resolution is to try and Read 100 books this year and I m calling this challenge 100 Book Challenge for 2011.

I don’t really like rules but well, oh well my friend told me that every challenge even if it’s for your self needs to have rules (such a party pooper eh?). So, anyways here are the rules –

• You should read 100 books in year 2011 which spans from January 1^st to December 31^st.
• You can read books of any genre, fiction, non-fiction, poetry absolutely any book that’s recognized.
• You can even re-read the books (I made this one because I want to re-read the whole Harry Potter series).

It’s that simple!

I m really Excited about this Challenge to myself. I have never ever challenged myself before like this. Let’s see if I can win.

Do you guys wanna join too and enjoy this year by reading books with me? If yes all you have to do is say in comments that you are IN and by the end of 2011 inform me how many books have you read. You don’t have to blog about every book you read but if you want to I won’t stop you. If you have a Goodreads Id add me so I can keep a track of what are you reading. And NO Cheating..:)

Making time for romantic things to say to your girl will rank you one of the sweetest guys in the world. Not all guys can get all mushy and corny when it comes to love. But get this — love is supposed to be corny. Love is mad, and the more intense, the better. But to keep things on a lie-low, why not try these three romantic things to say to your girl — and make her feel loved and special every single day?

•I always think about you. Nothing can be sweeter and more romantic when you tell someone you’re thinking of them. Talk about romance overload. When someone tells you the same thing, isn’t it overwhelming and makes you feel all warm and good inside? So make it a point to tell your girl she’s on your mind.

•You make me very happy. Making your loved one happy makes you happy, doesn’t it? Well, take time to let your girl know she does. She will definitely marvel with the thought that she’s a part of your life and contributes to your happiness. It’s always fulfilling to please someone so let her know she makes you feel special as well.

•You are very beautiful. Telling women they’re beautiful is one of their greatest weaknesses — nothing can make a woman blush more than telling them they’re pretty, or sexy or beautiful. Girls value their appearance highly and will take extra time to look good for you so the least you can do is compliment her about it.

Jennifer Lopez is a diva. She looks absolutely stunning every time she walks down the Red Carpet. Every time I just cant wait to see her on the red carpet and know who she is wearing at that particular event. She has splendid taste. That’s why I find it so difficult to select my favorite from all the events but my most favorite has to the Zuhair Murad dress she wore to the Met gala. This gown is GORGEOUS.

Lin Chi Ling

Lin Chi Ling wore this beautiful, gorgeous, stunning just WOW Valentino dress that I can’t stop drooling over. It’s so breathe taking and gorgeous that this probably would qualify as my most favorite gown of the year. I just LOVE it!

Gwyneth Paltrow

To CMA Awards night Gwyneth Paltrow wore this gorgeous single side high slit Atelier Versace dress which FABULOUS. Even though I liked the run away version more as it was lighter still the dress is amazing and man she carries this off!

Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek always looks good on red carpet but there are some times she looks breath taking and this Gucci Gown she wore to Cannes makes her look gorgeous.

Natalie Portman

I never knew how beautiful Natalie Portman was until I saw her in movie Closer. She is so so pretty. She looked gorgeous in this red dress Rodarte dress. Doesn’t she look like a million bucks?

Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria is someone who always manages to present her best side at the red carpets. She looks breath taking every time she walks on a red carpet. Who can forget her white Emilio Pucci gown? As gorgeous as that gown was it was the black Robert Rodriguez that she wore to the Emmy’s that stood out for me even though it gives you a deja vu of Cannes.

Penelope Cruz

Elie Saab is the designer of the year for me. I have fallen in love with so many collections and gowns of his that I have lost the count. Penelope Cruz looks Beautiful in this Elie Saab which she wore to Cannes Film Festival this year. She looks pretty and very happy as she walks hand in hand with her hubby.

Fan Bing Bing

I never knew who Fan Bing Bing was until I saw her on the red carpet of Cannes Film Festival. Actually I don’t know who she is even know but all I know of her is that she is one the best dressed celebrities. Every gown she wore to the film festival was gorgeous but Fan Bing Bing made a statement by wearing Dragon Robe by Laurence Hsu. The dress clearly represented her country and she looked beautiful.

Angelina Jolie

I am not a fan of Angelina Jolie… I don’t care what others say but I don’t find her all that gorgeous. Anyways I m team Jennifer (If you know what I mean). But anyways, I just ignore the fact that she looked awesome in this red Alterie Versace dress to salt premier in Russia. She looked ravishing.

Jennifer Aniston

I am so glad to see Jennifer Aniston in this short Valentino Fall dress. Jennifer Aniston is gorgeous no doubt and looks good in everything but I hate that she is monotonous. Her style is pretty much the same long gowns with a slit and mostly black. So this Valentino dress comes as a breath of fresh air.

Scarlett Johansson

If you ask me to name one young actress that I think is gorgeous I would say it’s Scarlett Johansson. She has a great face and an even greater body. But there is hardly few times that she does justice to herself on the Red Carpet. This time around for the Iron Man 2 premiere she wore an amazingly chic and white Armani Prive. Isn’t she looking great?

Rachel McAdams

I just can’t get over the Elie Saab that dress Rachel McAdams wore to the Oscars. She looked so beautiful and the gown is so pretty with the Big Prints… I m in love!

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker has been all over Red Carpets thanks to her promotion of her movie Sex and the City 2. I fell in love with her black Alexander McQueen gown she wore on one of her promotional tour. This Alexander McQueen piece is brilliant.

Kate Beckinsale

Kate Beckinsale looked amazing walking down the Red Carpet in this Gucci during Cannes Film Festival.

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway is one more gorgeous actress who looks beautiful on the Red Carpet almost every time. I am kinda partial towards her as she is my favorite. This time around she looks amazing in this Valentino gown.

The other dresses that caught my attention along with the top 15 are

Lea Michele in Oscar De Lenta

Ana Kendrick in Ellie Saab

Rachel McAdams stunned me again by wearing Lanvin Spring dress

Catherine Zeta Jones in Versace

Cate Blanchett in Christian Lacroix

Gwyneth Paltrow in Armani

Carrie Underwood in Randi Rahm

Leighton Meester in Vera Wang. This is actually a Bridal Collection Dress .

Fan Bing Bing in Elie Saab

Rihanna in Christian Dior

Kate Hudson in Marc Jacobs. This has been worn by many on Red Carpet but I like it best on Kate.

I will be back soon with Golden Globe Awards post (hopefully). Till then miss me . And as promised earlier I will try to regular in blog world again.

I lie in bed wishing I could hug you, wishing we were not that far,you’re the most beautiful part of my life,my heartbeats are the presents you got me last year,

In the current scenario a person who remains oblivious of recent developments in the industry is more likely to bump into fiasco specifically in the field of electronics as it has witnessed revolutions within the wink of an eye.

Creativity and logic cannot be implemented without means and aid and in the world of electronics, this aid for creativity is provided by software’s and languages. Thus the recent development in the software’s and languages with whom today’s engineer should keep track of, are as follows:

MATLAB:

MATLAB can be referred to as the matrix laboratory. It is a registered trademark of The Math Works Inc, of Natick Massachusetts. It was built in 1970 for applications involving matrices, linear algebra and numerical analysis. According to an estimate carried out by them in 2004 reveals that MATLAB was used by more than one million people in industry and academic.

Through it may not be a part of curriculum but it is the utmost foundations for and engineer to survive in any technical environment. It has wide range of applications from numerical calculus and differential equation, simulink to even complex graphics and animations. In some technical specialties such as single processing and control system is is the standard software package for analysis and design. MATLAB is build around the MATLAB language called M-code.The MATLAB neural network is use in the design of probes and autonomous vehicles like Mars rovers.

MATLAB is built around the MATLAB language called M-Code. The simplest way to execute M-code is to type it in at the prompt,>>,in the Command Window, one of the elements of the MATLAB Desktop. In this way, MATLAB can be used as an interactive mathematical shell, Sequences of commands can be saved in a text file, typically using the MATLAB Editor, as a script or encapsulated into a function, extending the commands available.

MATLAB has a number of add on software’s modules called toolboxes which can be bought separately and these tool boxes deal with image and signal processing, financial analysis, control system design and fuzzy logic. It is easy to understand programming language with a variety of tutorials and books available for beginners. The official website for this language is www.mathswork.com where you can get a lot of help regarding the recent developments in this language.

P-CAD

P-CAD is the complete design solution for the PCB professional. Whether its developing high-speed board solutions, integrating large BGA devices into your design flows or dealing with complex signal integrity issues and high density PCB layouts, P-Cad’s proven power and stability provides the perfect environment for PCB design.

From design capture through to output generation, P-CAD provides a complete set of PCB design capabilities that meet even the most demanding board design needs. P-CAD 2006 has an intuitive schematic editor designed specially for layout specialists and fully-integrated library management gives you the power to tackle the most complex of design, Service Pack 2 further strengthens the performance and reliability of P-CAD 2006 with a number of features and enhancements that are focused on keeping you designing effectively at the board level interactive symbols (keyboard,displays,switches,etc..) The tools are used by more than 500 universities and industries around the world DSCH is the companion software for logic design. Based on primitives, a hierarchical circuit is built and simulated.

LABVIEW:

(Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Engineering  Workbench) The graphical language is named “G”. Originally released for the Apple Macintosh in 1986, LabVIEW is commonly used for data acquisition, instruments control, and industrial automation on a variety of platforms including Microsoft Windows, various flavors’ of UNIX, Linux, and Mac OS. The latest version of LabVIEW is version 8.5.1, released in April of 2008.

The programming language used in LABVIEW,called G, is a data flow programming language. Execution is determined by the structure of a graphical block diagram (the LV-source code) on which the programmer connects different function-nodes by drawing wires.

LABVIEW ties the creation of user interfaces (called front panels) into the development cycle. LABVIEW program/subroutines are called virtual instruments (VLs). Each VI has three components; a block diagram, a front panel and a connector pane. This implies each VI can be easily tested before being embedded ad a subroutine into a larger program.

The graphical approach also allows non-programmers to build program by simply dragging and dropping virtual representations of the lab equipment with which they are already familiar, One benefit of LABVIEW over other development environments is the extensive support for accessing instrumentation hardware. Drivers and abstraction layers for many different types of instruments and buses are included or are available for inclusion. These present themselves as graphical nodes. The provided driver interfaces save program development time.

NI Measurements Hardware DDK (Driver Development Kit) functions, provides platform independent hardware access to numerous data acquisition and instrumentation devices. The DAQmvBase driver is available for LABVIEW on windows, Mac OS X and Linux platforms, In addition, as of version 8, all LABVIEW installs require customers to contact National Instruments by internet or phone to “activate” the product. The increasing dependence on the vendor suggests a possible threat to privacy and data security. Building a stand-alone application with a LABVIEW requires the Application Builder component which is included with the Professional Development System but requires a separate purchase if using the Base Package or Full Development System.


VERILOG:

Verilog stands for verify logic. Verilog HDL is a hardware description language used to design and document electronic systems. Verilog HDL allows designers to design at various levels of abstraction. It is the most widely used HDL with a user community of more than 50,000 active designers.

A verilog design consists of a hierarchy of modules. Modules are defined with a set of input, output, and bidirectional ports. Internally, a module contains a list of wires and registers. A module can also contain one or more instances of another module to define sub-behavior.

A subset of statements in the language is synthesizable. The netlist may then be transformed into, for example, a form describing the standard cells of an integrated circuit (e.g an be transformed into, for example, a form describing the standard cells of an integrated circuit (e.g an ASIC) or a bitstream for a programmable logic device (e.g a FPGA).

The ageless rockers are wrapping up the most lucrative tour in the history of music: By the time U2′s two-year trek ends this summer.

2. Bon Jovi ($125 million)

Who says you can’t go home? Bon Jovi opened New Jersey’s New Meadowlands Stadium with three consecutive sold out concerts last May and another in July.

3. Elton John ($100 million)

Sir Elton has sold 250 million records worldwide over the past 30 years and isn’t slowing down, grossing $204 million on 102 live shows in the past 12 years.

4. Lady Gaga ($90 million)

The Queen Monster grossed $170 million on 137 shows in 22 countries over the past 12 months. Though high production costs significantly reduced that sum.

5. Michael Buble ($70 million)

The Canadian crooner rode a lucrative concert tour, heavy radio play and strong album sales all the way to a spot among music’s top five earners.

6. Paul McCartney ($67 million)

The former Beatle could just sit back and collect checks — he’s the most commercially successful songwriter in the history of popular music.

7. The Black Eyed Peas ($61 million)

The business-friendly rockers grossed $68 million on 62 shows around the world over the past 12 months and added to their coffers with lucrative endorsement.

8. The Eagles ($60 million)

The ageless rockers continue to take it to the limit — especially on the road, where they make the bulk of their money.

9. Justin Bieber ($53 million)

At age 17, Bieber is the youngest on the list, raking in cash from an international tour, new album, biopic Never Say Never and even a perfume line.

Still touring after the success of 2009’s Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King, the band grossed over $1 million per night over the course of 68 shows in

11. Toby Keith ($50 million)

It’s not just music that makes money for this country star: Keith also profits from an endorsement deal with Ford, a mezcal line and a restaurant chain

12. Usher ($46 million)

The R&B crooner credited with discovering Justin Bieber had quite a year himself, playing a lucrative concert tour to support his extended play album

13. Taylor Swift ($45 million)

Country or pop? Either way, there’s no question that Swift is a moneymaking machine: new album Speak Now was certified triple-platinum barely a month after .

14. Katy Perry ($44 million)

Perry’s album Teenage Dream is one of nine in history to boast four chart-topping singles. No stranger to business, Perry shills for Proactiv and Adidas .

15. Brad Paisley ($40 million)

Country star had a banner year, thanks to strong touring backed by sponsorships from Chevy, Skinny Water, and Sea Ray boats.

16. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers ($38 million)

Some acts seem to have an infinite shelf life on the road, and Tom Petty is one of them–the bulk of the band’s annual take comes from 46 dates.

17. Jay-Z ($37 million)

The Empire State of Mind rapper out-earned wife Beyoncé for the first time since their 2008 nuptials, thanks revenues from the tail end of a world tour.

18. AC/DC ($35 million, tie)

Scotland-born and Australia-bred, AC/DC continued to shake audiences all night long, grossing nearly $60 million on the road.

18. Sean “Diddy” Combs ($35 million, tie)

Music now accounts for less than 20% of earnings for the artist formerly known as Puff Daddy, thanks to big stakes in clothing lines Sean John and Enyce,

18. Beyoncé Knowles ($35 million, tie)

The Houston-born diva ranks unusually low on our list because she didn’t tour or release an album this year. In the absence of new music revenue, business-focused .

18. Tim McGraw ($35 million, tie)

A jack of all trades, McGraw made big bucks in 2010 despite his label’s decision to delay his new album. In addition to a lucrative tour, McGraw starred.

18. Muse ($35 million, tie)

The Britain-based rock group grossed $76 million on 63 shows in the last year and has landed songs on all three Twilight soundtracks–leading bassist Chris .

23. Rascal Flatts ($34 million)

The country stars grossed $45 million on 61 shows over the past 12 months, adding to their coffers with heavy radio play and endorsements from JC Penny

24. Kenny Chesney ($30 million)

The sexiness of his tractor aside, Chesney has a lot to sing about this year. He grossed nearly $40 million on 24 shows in support of his new album, Hemingway’s

25. Rihanna ($29 million)

The Barbados-born singer grossed $1 million per night in 38 shows over the past 12 months; added more with strong sales of new album Loud, digital singles.

Here is a screenshot of the brush set:

Installation:

1. Download the file and unzip it.

2. Copy the file (BB_watercolor.abr) to your Photoshop/Presets/Brushes folder.

3. In your Photoshop Brushes palette, click on the arrow in the upper right and click on “Load Brushes.”

4. Navigate until you find the file and load it (Photoshop/Presets/Brushes/BB_watercolor.abr )

Note: The next time you restart Photoshop you will not have to load the file, it will be in the list of Brush Libraries.

“Oprah, watching you be yourself makes me want to be more of myself.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

My love for Oprah is well-documented and I felt all that love flowing back my way as Oprah took to the stage and said her final farewell. She shared the highlights of her journey and the lessons she hopes we all took away from 25 years of programming. I knew some of them so well I could have completed her sentences.

Was it perfect? Short of my own personal lunch with Oprah to process my emotions on the final season, I’m not sure anything would have been perfect. However, I got the closure I needed and felt her sincerity in reaching out to thank the viewers who have loved and supported her all these years. I’ve been in Oprah’s audience. Everything she said about needing us there and feeding off our energy is true.

I even got one final “Aha! Moment.” She shared a lesson learned from her recent reunion with Iyanla Vanzant. “There is a difference, you know, between thinking you deserve to be happy and knowing you are worthy of happiness.” Aha!

In the spirit of Oprah’s final lesson and all the wisdom I’ve learned through the years in “the world’s biggest classroom,” I thought I would share my most important lessons—the Oprah-isms I repeat and repeat and repeat, the aha moments that changed me, the truths who shaped the person I am.

Don’t let yourself be taken to the second location! Retired police sergeant Sanford Strong shared this tip in 1991. “Rule number one—and frankly, it’s probably, in my opinion, the most important: Never allow them to take you anywhere else. Never,” says Sanford. “Because crime scene number two is going to be isolated, you won’t choose it, you’ll be the focus of the crime.”
I know I was probably too young to have seen the original episode but this has been scalded into my memory after tons of follow-ups where Oprah viewers credit this tip with saving their lives.

The Imago Theory. A relationship theory developed by marriage therapist Harville Hendrix, Imago Theory is basically the idea that you draw people into your life to either heal or re-enact old wounds. It’s why we marry men just like our fathers or act like our mothers (basically, the premise of every episode of 16 & Pregnant). Understanding this central idea has really affected how I view my marriage and so many other relationships in my life. It helped me understand that what I usually think is all about the other person is most likely all about me.

When people show you who they are, believe them. Although coming via Maya Angelou, this was not an easy lesson for me to learn. Maybe I wanted to believe the best in people. Maybe I was too busy worrying that there was something wrong with me. Either way, I finally learned that I have no space in my life for toxic people. So, I say goodbye when they show their true colors…the first time.

All pain is the same. Oprah was interviewing women in prison for killing their own children—the worst crime imaginable. After the interview, one of the woman came to Oprah and said, “I can’t believe you don’t hate us.” Her response, “No, I don’t hate you. I see that’s what you did with your pain and I do something else with mine.” It was a profound lesson in empathy, sympathy, and compassion that was reinforced throughout the show. A lesson that has stayed with me and colored the way I see everything.

You teach people how to treat you. So simple. So important—especially for us moms. If you give and give with no concern for yourself, then don’t be surprised if those around you take and take with no concern for you either. Putting everyone else first and waiting for someone to do the same for you is a fruitless endeavor. If you want people to respect you, then you must respect yourself. Simple? Yes. Easy? No…well, unless you have Oprah to guide you.

I know Oprah will still be there to guide me. I still have O Magazine and the all-important OWN. I appreciate the heartfelt goodbye and gratitude she expressed yesterday.

That didn’t make it any less sad today when my 4 o’clock came and went with no Oprah.

From this perspective, the tropics seem very “sad”, because travel show finally “launched our junk in the face of humanity” … Poignant book, Tristes Tropiques carries the guilt of the West and the difficult position of the ethnologist, torn between irreconcilable worlds.
Prophetic, no?

I hate traveling and explorers. And here I am telling my expeditions. But that time to myself to do! Fifteen years have passed since I left for the last time Brazil and during all these years, I often planned to undertake this book, each time a sort of shame and disgust I have been prevented. Eh what? Should we tell the menu so many details insipid, insignificant events? The adventure has no place in the profession of ethnographer, it is only an easement, it weighs on the effective work of weight for weeks or months lost on the way, the idle hours while the informant escapes ; of hunger, fatigue, sometimes the disease and still, a thousand chores that eat day in wasted lives and reduce danger in the heart of the rainforest to an imitation of military service … Fault that so much effort, and fruitless expenditure to achieve the object of our study provides no value to what we should rather consider the negative aspect of our business.

The truths that we seek so far are only of value stripped of this matrix. We can certainly spend six months of travel, deprivation and fatigue sickening collection (which will take a few days, sometimes within hours) of a myth scholarship, of a new marriage rule, a complete list of clan names, but this slag from memory: “At 5 pm 30 am, we entered in the harbor of Recife while squealing seagulls and a flotilla of exotic fruit vendors thronged along the hull, a memory so poor he deserves that I lift the pen to fix it? Yet this kind of story encounters a favor that is inexplicable to me.

The Amazon, Tibet and Africa invaded the shops in the form of travel books, records and shipping photo albums where concern for the effect dominates too much for the reader to appreciate the value of the evidence that it brings. Far from his critical awakening, he always asks more of this pasture, he wolfs down enormous quantities. It’s a job now than to be an explorer; business which consists, not, as one might think, to discover after years of studious facts remained unknown, but to travel a total mileage and collection of still and moving projections, preferably in color, whereby we will fill a room several days later, a crowd of listeners that platitudes and banalities seem miraculously transmuted into revelations for the sole reason that rather than stand out there, the author will be sanctified by a term of twenty thousand kilometers.

What do we in these conferences and that we read in these books? The retail boxes removed, the misdeeds of small dog on board, and, mixed with anecdotes, snippets of information faded, dragging the past half-century in all the textbooks, and a dose of impudence uncommon, but in proper relationship with the naivety and ignorance of consumers, is not afraid to present as evidence, nay, an original discovery. No doubt there are exceptions, and each time has experienced travelers honest amongst those who now share the public favor, I could name one or two willingly. My goal is not to expose hoaxes or grant degrees, but rather to understand a moral and social phenomenon, very particular to France and has appeared recently, even among us.

We rarely traveled, some twenty years, and they were not five or six rooms Pleyel attic that once hosted the storytellers of adventures, but only place in Paris for such events, the small amphitheater dark, cold and dilapidated old who holds a flag at the end of the Jardin des Plantes. The Friends of the Museum organized there every week-maybe organizes she always – lectures on natural science. The unit sent on a projection screen too, with lamps too weak, vague shadows which the speaker, nose pressed to the wall, managed to collect bad shape and that the public could distinguish little damp patches blurring walls. Fifteen minutes after the time announced, we still wondered anxiously if there were listeners, and more familiar with the few scattered silhouettes filled the bleachers. When they despaired, the room was filled to half of children accompanied by mothers or good, some greedy, a free change, others weary of noise and dust from outside. Given this mix of ghost moths and impatient brats – supreme reward of so much effort, care and work – it was using the right unpacking a treasure of memories forever frozen by such a meeting, and that speaking in penumbra was felt detach itself and fall of one by one, like pebbles at the bottom of a puits.Tel was the return, barely more sinister than the solemnities of departure: banquet hosted by the France-America in a hotel Avenue is now called Franklin Roosevelt remains uninhabited, where, for the occasion, a caterer came two hours before setting up his camp stove and dishwasher, with no ventilation has managed to serve early the location of a smell of desolation So unaccustomed to the dignity of such a dusty place that it gave off boredom, sitting around a table too small for a large room which we had just enough time sweep the central part actually occupied, we took for the first time contact with each other, young teachers who had just barely started in our high schools in the province and a bit perverse whim of Georges Dumas would abruptly raise the The wet winter in hotels catering sub-prefecture, impregnated with the smell of grog, cellars and vines cool, tropical seas and luxury boats, all experiences, moreover, intended to offer a far cry from inevitably distorts the image, by the fatality own travel, we are fermions déjà.J ‘had been a student of Georges Dumas the time of the Treaty of psychology.

Once a week I do not know if it was Thursday or Sunday morning, he met students of philosophy in a room of Sainte-Anne, the wall opposite the windows were completely covered with cheerful paintings of the insane. We already felt himself exposed to a particular kind of exoticism, a platform, Dumas set up his strong body, craggy, topped with a bumpy head, which resembled a large root bleached and stripped by a stay at the bottom seas. For his sallow face and unified white hair that he wore a brush cut and very short, and beard, also white, growing in all directions. This curious plant wreckage, still bristling with its rootlets, suddenly became human by a smoky eye accentuating the whiteness of the head, continued opposition by that of the white shirt and starched collar and folded back, contrasting with the wide-brimmed hat The lavaliere and costume, always black. His lectures were not learning much; he never prepared one, he was aware of the physical charm exercised upon his audience the play of his expressive lips deformed by a sneer mobile, and especially his voice hoarse and melodious voice of real siren with strange inflections did not refer only to his native Languedoc, but, even more than regional particularities in very archaic ways of the music of spoken French, so that voice and face evoked sensitive in both orders the same style at once rustic and incisive: the humanists of the sixteenth century, physicians and philosophers which, by the body and mind, he seemed to perpetuate the race.

The second hour, and sometimes the third, were devoted to presentations of patients; was taking place has extraordinary numbers between curly and practitioner trained subjects by years of asylum to all such exercises, knowing full well what was expected of them, producing disturbances to the signal, or tough enough for the trainer to provide an opportunity for bravura. Without being duped, willingly left the audience enthralled by this show of virtuosity. When we had deserved the attention of the teacher, we were rewarded by the confidence that you had a patient for a private interview. No handshake with wild Indians do me more nervous that morning spent with an old lady surrounded sweaters who compared himself to a rotten herring within a block of ice: apparently intact, but threatened to disintegrate soon as the protective casing fondrait.Ce learned a bit mystifying, host of synthetic works whose purpose remained ample in the service of a rather disappointing critical positivism, was a man of great nobility, and he was showing me later, after the armistice and shortly before his death, when, nearly blind and already retired to his native village of Lédignan, he has given careful and write me a letter which had no other discrete be possible to show solidarity with the first victims of événements.J’ve always regretted not having known him in his youth, when, tawny brown and has the image of a conquistador and quivering scientific perspectives that opening the psychology of the nineteenth century, he had gone to the spiritual conquest of the New World. In this kind of lightning was going to happen between him and the Brazilian company has certainly shown a mysterious phenomenon, when two fragments of a Europe four hundred years old – some essential elements were preserved, but of a share in a southern Protestant family, the other in a very refined bourgeoisie and a little decadent, living in slow motion in the tropics – met, recognized and almost re-welded. The error of Georges Dumas is never truly realized Archaeological this juncture. Brazil alone he had seduced (and to which a brief stint in power was to give the illusion of being the real one) was one of those landowners gradually moving their capital into industrial investment with foreign participation, and seeking an ideological cover in a parliamentary system in good company; them the same as our students, from recent immigrants or gentry related to land and ruined by the fluctuations of world trade, called the gran fino with resentment, the great end, that is to say the top of the basket. Curious thing: the founding of the University of Sao Paulo, great work in the life of Georges Dumas, was to allow these classes to begin their ascent modest obtaining diploma and administrative positions, so our mission university helped form a new elite, which would break away from us insofar Dumas, and the Quai d’Orsay after him, refused to understand it was our most precious creation, even if it got down to the task of debunking a feudal system that we had certainly introduced in Brazil, but to serve as part of bail, and another hobby. But the evening’s dinner France-America, we were not even my colleagues and I – and our wives who accompanied us – to measure involuntary role we would play in the evolution of Brazilian society. We were too busy watching us from each other, and watch our faux pas possible, because we had been warned by Georges Dumas need to prepare ourselves to live the life of our new masters: that ie attend the Automobile Club, casinos and racetracks. It seemed extraordinary to young teachers who previously earned twenty-six thousand francs a year, and even – as candidates for expatriation were rare, after they had tripled our treatments “Above all, we had said Dumas, it will be well-dressed “anxious to reassure us, he added with a rather touching candor that it could be done very economically, not far from Les Halles, in an establishment called A Cross Jeannette he had always had to rent when he was young medical student in Paris.

Levi-Strauss, Tristes Tropiques, Plon, 1955

In case of any kind of art – a form of expression it is virtually impossible compare and provide a grade to that of any particular culture of sub culture. In case of Islamic art is even more difficult to establish a common denominator for all of the artistic expressions of the Islamic peoples. To develop one, it would have to envelope and be meaningful for not just miniature painting and historiography, but also for a musical mode and the form of a poem.

However in case of Indian art the connotations of their artistic expressions are also religious. Islam, like most prophetic religions, is not conducive to fine arts. Contrarily the representation of living beings is prohibited–not in the Qur’an but in the prophetic tradition. Thus, the center of the Islamic artistic tradition lies in calligraphy, a distinguishing feature of this culture, in which the word as the medium of divine revelation plays such an important role. “at the doors of the bathhouses,” according to later Persian poetry.

The center of Islamic religion is the clean place for prayer, enlarged into the mosque, which comprises the community and all its needs. Of all the recognizable periods of Islamic art, the early period of the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties is by far the most difficult one to explain properly, even though it is quite well documented. There are two reasons for this difficulty.

On the one hand, it was a formative period, a time when new forms were created that identify the aesthetic and practical ideals of the new culture. Such periods are difficult to define when, as in the case of Islam, there was no artistic need inherent to the culture itself.

]]> http://idiotsandgenious.wordpress.com/2011/05/27/islamic-art-and-expression-in-the-early-period/feed/ 0 Life For Rent islamic_art-491155 http://idiotsandgenious.wordpress.com/2011/05/21/the-axis-of-the-pacific-and-north-american-identity/ http://idiotsandgenious.wordpress.com/2011/05/21/the-axis-of-the-pacific-and-north-american-identity/#comments Sat, 21 May 2011 07:39:41 +0000 Shoaib Ishrat http://idiotsandgenious.wordpress.com/?p=514 ]]> In an article distributed by the Global Viewpoint, published by the Herald Tribune, Henry Kissinger holds an interesting thesis: the victory of George Bush is the ultimate sign of shifting policy focus of the world from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

“The generation that formed the Atlantic relationship has left the scene. In the U.S. the center of political gravity has moved to parts of the country whose representatives have fewer personal contacts with Europe. “

This means that the common heritage of modern revolutions, deposited in the American Declaration of Independence and the Declaration of the Rights of ’89, there is more on the American horizon. Atlantic era gives way to the peaceful era, and American capitalism, the heir of Nazi-Puritan Christianity must be prepared to compete with the Chinese imperial power of collectivism.

The holy war waged against Islam on the part of the KKK is a preventive war against China. Controlling sources of oil supply in coming decades will mean having to China under blackmail. In his latest book, Who are we?, Samuel Huntington elaborates the principles of identity Puritan fundamentalism that shapes his understanding the fundamentals of the American nation. Huntington is obsessed with the American identity is defined as the pathetic title.

His remarks on the identity, occupying the first chapter are banalities coffee table. The concept of identity is obviously too vague as to be comprehensible by a puritanical fundamentalist brain. But the interesting part is that in which Professor Huntington reflects on the alternative which is now the American identity. America, says Huntington, bases its identity on two pillars: that of the Declaration of Independence, that is, the Enlightenment principle of freedom and equality of all citizens before the law, and culture of the early Puritan settlers who landed on the east coast in 1607 and 1620.

Today we must choose what is most essential basis for defining American identity. “They say that America is a nation of immigrants and the American identity is defined only by a set of political principles, the American Creed. There is much truth in this. Immigration and the Creed are key elements of U.S. national identity. There are mistaken identities, but they are only partial identities. Neither one nor the other tell the whole truth about America.

They tell us nothing about the society that had attracted immigrants or their culture that produced this creed. America is a company set up by settlers in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries all came from the British Isles. Their values, institutions and culture provided the foundation and model for the development of America in later centuries. They initially defined America in terms of race, ethics, culture, and especially in terms of religion. Then in the nineteenth century must also define America ideologically to justify the independence of fellow English (Huntington, 2004, p.38).

Huntington Leaving the Enlightenment tradition says that the basis of coexistence is U.S. law, but in the Anglo-Saxon kultur Puritan. “The Origins of America should seek in the English Puritan Revolution. The revolution is indeed the most important formative event in American political history. America was founded as a Protestant society just as and some of the same reasons why Pakistan and Israel have been created as a Muslim society and Hebrew society in the twentieth century “(Huntington, 2002, p.63).

Pakistan and Israel are two fundamentalist states that violate the fundamental principle of the Enlightenment and modern civilization by which the State can not differentiate between citizens based on their religious belief. Two years after the death of Adolf Hitler, the birth of Pakistan and Israel marks the return of the ethnic conception of nation-state. Now Professor Huntington explains that the United States were born in the same way, because the identity of U.S. deep is the universal value of the law but on the particular value of culture, the predominance of an ethnically defined religion.

In this sense America has taken over the KKK. Conceivable scenarios And now? How American society react to the cultural dictatorship has been installed? How will they react kinds of cognitive work, concentrating on areas where the vote was anti-Bush? Will they get the American partimers search create autonomous structures and transmission of knowledge that seeks to remove the new Dark Ages? Will they be able to give life to a new war of secession, not fight with weapons but with the removal of energy to the war, with the creation of structures and institutions regulated by post-first owner?

It is difficult, but it is the view toward which to work. In the next stage I am convinced that there is no other purpose than to pursue it. For other questions, I think the nonviolent movement against the war has no more card to play. Neither the company may win a battle against global corporate dictatorship. A series of catastrophic processes have been launched, and developed in the near future: Islamic terrorism is now endemizado and produce effects of increased violence during the time of the next generation. Islamic terrorism is no way a sign of political groups, but a cultural wave that will extend over at least a generation and is rooted in the humiliation.

The Iraqi war, the violence to which the Islamists have been detained under the vision of the naked male body are under psychological time bombs, aimed at nurturing a hatred that is armed and blame the Americans wherever they are. The weapons of terrorism which will provide will become ever more destructive, powerful. And the invincible power of terrorism is the love of death, fueled by violence and humiliation.

A second process that is outlined is the crisis of public order in China, and the explosion of conflicts that can hardly be long-term content. About what is happening in Chinese society can not have much information because the control is to a totalitarian country. But many things begin to leak. http://www.china-labour.org.hk/iso/index.adp

Another important fact to reflect upon is the fact that each year there are 200,000 suicides in China (yes, just so, two hundred thousand).

http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=37061

As a result of impoverishment, of overwork, and the psychological devastation, suicide behavior tends to become increasingly common. Economic dictatorship of the corporations has produced the conditions of a true pandemic psychotic. And suicide is becoming less an isolated act and increasingly acting out aggressive and deadly. The wide availability of weapons and explosives that can be used by a single individual, have already linked suicide and terrorism. In conclusion, in the coming years the planetary environment will tend to collapse on several levels, and is not excluded that some of the major emergencies in the near future are very tied to this. On any of these levels can act movement. We can just sit on the banks of the river and expect to happen what must happen.

Yet a plane on which it is essential to continue a long-term organized action: the creation of independent structures of research and transfer of knowledge and sensitivity. Around the world in action settlement from the university, parallel to the submission to gain research and training. It tends to cancel the autonomy of knowledge. And it is only the autonomy of knowledge that the construction of a higher level of human society can begin.

Let us take a step back and think for a while. Couple of days back, this match was the only thing we could think about. To cheer for this match was the sole definition of our patriotism. But, should we be bothered to think about the families who lost their loved ones? Do they actually care about this match anymore? These random firing incidents would have increased if we had won the match. And the sad part would have been that the news of these precious lost lives would have been lost in the hyped pile of headlines about our team’s victory.
There are many ways to express our emotions and arms shouldn’t be one of them. We can’t celebrate while others weep. Our smiles are not worth their tears.

You often expect a lot from others when you stand on their expectations. They are close, close to what you never expect or you ever expected.

The story for this time is just a student of this program, Carolina Cobos Silva , who after a long journey from each of the tests imposed, he can prove, by the Atlantic Regional, one of the 19 seats for Cooking a six-month internship in one of the restaurants Holding OB-Group  Bertrand .

OB Holding, Group  Bertrand is a major French business conglomerate engaged in the business of restaurants. To date over twenty runs between fast food restaurants, cafes and gourmet cuisine.

The competition began at the local level. There were 16 students win kitchen one of three seats to represent the Atlantic. At this early stage there were three tests, one of them, preparing a menu with typical ingredients of the Caribbean region. Presentation, originality, cost / benefit and complexity were the criteria evaluated.

In this test for entry cooked Carolina tartar sausage flavored with Key lime and cilantro and served with cassava, for the main course, a fillet of grouper in salsa with a reduction currambera panela and helmets classic pickled cherry tomato and For dessert, grapefruit and lemon foam with beet reduction and aniseed Trinity crystallized petals. “I had participated in the last call and had not succeeded, but this time I was in the top three places,” said excited.

The three elected representatives of the Atlantic, where in addition to Carolina were Miguel Hernandez and Carlos Delgado, traveled to Bogota to participate in the national playoffs. “Here is the fourth and last test was an interview with representatives of the company” says, “contests around 50 students from across the country and of the three, two, my friend Michael and I were selected.”

The internship provided by the French conglomerate covers 100% of the costs are distributed between the Seine and them. Carolina students to 18 kitchen (and 10 table and Bar) chosen will travel to Paris next July. They will have the opportunity to work in one of the restaurants signature assigned in addition to learning the language and know the culture of this country.

” Work at Home is the cradle of classical and modern cuisine is the dream of any chef , “he says. ” Upon hearing this call the SENA thought it was an opportunity that, no matter what happens, I could not let go. My goal was to give the best that was within my reach and whatever happened to say “at least I tried” and it was, and although the competition was not easy, the talent in the country in this field is huge and competitors were worthy opponents for anyone, which sometimes made ​​me wonder, and I decided that I would do his best and thank God things were donated . “

France is one of the most attractive tourist destinations, which, according to Carolina, has many implications for the profession of a chef. She travels with expectations to absorb as much as possible, not only in the area of the kitchen, but in all possible instances. ” It’s a great opportunity to develop as far as I can and above all, and this for me is very important to show a softer side of Colombia, have the opportunity to represent our people as they really are: good people hardworking and honest . “

Finally, Carolina emphasizes that all persons who have a dream, however difficult it may seem, must dare to try. ” It is better to have tried and lost than to have to live with “if I had done , “he says. ” I would also like to thank the Seine by their conventions and their constant search for improvement of the learner. Today, the distant fantasy of going to France is a fact for all who were selected and who knows if any of the people reading this are the next to start an adventure like this, remember, the day is today! “.

According to the NY Observer, the crying Svechinskaya approached the bench wearing skin-tight jeans and slinky, calf-high boots.

Sexy, eh? Definitely!

Still, as Sophos senior security researcher Graham Cluley notes, the jury is still out on whether or not the fetching Svechinskaya is actually a bona fide hacker.

“Kristina has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of false use of passports. [Yet], that’s not how I would define hacking,” opined Cluley.

“[Yes], prosecutors claims that Svechinskaya was recruited to join a ‘mule’ organzation that had numbered over two dozen participants and had contact with computer hackers and individuals who could provide fake passports.

“[Nevertheless], there’s nothing really there to suggest, even if she was proven guilty, that she’s a hacker.”

Fair enough.

But that isn’t really the point of Kristina Svechinskaya or her photos, is it?

]]> http://idiotsandgenious.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/worlds-hottest-female-hacker-appears-in-nyc-court/feed/ 0 Life For Rent Kristina - World Kristina - World Kristina - World Kristina - World Kristina - World Kristina - World Kristina - World Kristina - World Kristina - World Kristina - World http://idiotsandgenious.wordpress.com/2011/05/05/to-boys/ http://idiotsandgenious.wordpress.com/2011/05/05/to-boys/#comments Thu, 05 May 2011 05:03:10 +0000 Shoaib Ishrat http://idiotsandgenious.wordpress.com/?p=434 ]]> I was watching a video clip and it made me laugh like crazy. A couple was shown sitting on bench and boy didn’t left any stones unturned to make her girl smile and tell him actually what had happened. But girls are girls indeed. You will never be able to know what actually had happened, and if something has really happened or not *Smiles* Girls are like this, Dad’s princess and Hubby’s queen. I can’t stop myself sharing some of the common sentences said by boys and their replies from girls side Enjoy it ;

Ya after all what had happened you just have the words i love you and thinking that you have done the best. So now everything gonna be fine just like movies? But mind it we are not actors of movie, come to some real world.. .. Aahh What to do now.

Listen your sorry does not work with me. Saying everything and then just getting away with SORRY, IT WAS ALL MY FAULT. Do you actually think i will let you go away like this ? Gosshh what is my mistake and what i have done, why i am saying sorry.. yuukkkhhh 

Osama Bin Laden is dead, President Obama announced Sunday night, in a televised address to the nation. His death was the result of a U.S. operation launched today in Abbottabad, Pakistan, against a compound where bin Laden was believed to be hiding, according to U.S. intelligence. After a firefight, a small team of American forces killed bin Laden and took possession of his body, the president said.

The announcement that Obama would speak came at 9:45 p.m., less than an hour before he was initially scheduled to go on the air. The unusual hour, and the fact that the White House gave no details about the topic, set off a flurry of speculation.

Officials long believed bin Laden, the most wanted man in the world, was hiding in a mountainous region along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Celebration In New York

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Happiness is like butterfly, it alive until you want to hold it to you.

Zulqarnain-Haider

Former Pakistan captain Moin Khan has said that Zulqarnain Haider is mentally ill and his statements do not make any kind of sense.

Two portraits, one formal and one more casual, show the couple smiling and embracing after the announcement of their engagement last November Marrying the man you love might be considered enough of a first for any woman. But on Friday at 11am, when Catherine Middleton steps into Westminster Abbey to exchange vows with Prince William, this commoner will become a true royal pioneer.

Kate will be the first royal bride to have a university degree, the first to have lived with her husband before marriage, the first to have a mother who used to be an air hostess, the first to be raised in a house that has a street number instead of a fancy name and a moat with swans. Whatever snobs may say about the suitability of the match between the middle-class Miss Middleton and the monarchy, there can be no doubt of one glorious fact: some day, she will be the first Queen of England to have fallen over at a roller disco in a pair of yellow hotpants.

It is Kate’s only serious slip-up so far. Not bad for a girl who has had to endure the longest job interview in history. Kate was 19 when, in 2001, she met William during their first term at St Andrews University. They became friends – and, eight months later, more than that. Fast forward eight years and Kate was two months away from her 29th birthday when their engagement was announced.

Eight long years in which the quiet, sporty brunette, famous at school for her record-breaking high jump and tenacious character, earned the humiliating nickname of Waity Katie. Why didn’t the art history graduate use her brain and find herself a proper job, demanded the press. Kate’s failure to get a ring on her finger became a national joke.

But, as a friend in the couple’s circle points out, to get the promotion to fiancée, Kate couldn’t risk accepting any job that made her look like she was cashing in on her boyfriend’s name: she was stuck between a hard place and a rock. And not just any rock; it was the £250,000 sapphire and diamond ring that had belonged to William’s adored late mother.

Here is a modern woman, who, like Diana, Princess of Wales, is known for her kind heart and love of dancing, wears £40 polka-dot dresses from Topshop, and found herself auditioning for a role in a cantankerous institution that still runs according to rules that would make Queen Victoria feel at ease. Only Jane Austen would have guessed that the perfect person for the role would turn out to be a Miss Catherine Middleton of Bucklebury, Berkshire.

“Kate’s not necessarily the most dynamic girl on earth, but she’s been hemmed in by not wanting to do anything wrong,” says the friend. “She is bright, artistic and a hard worker. If she hadn’t met William, she would have had a conventional career, but she’s been driven by a desire not to do anything that’s tricky for him. She never wanted to do anything that could harm William.”

Or harm her own prospects of getting her hands on the ultimate prize, some might add. The girl who at school was said to “never do anything wrong” is possessed of a steely inner resolve. “Kate isn’t interested in [social] position,” insists another royal insider, “her attitude is, ‘William’s my man.’ There’s this incredible possessiveness and she was damned if she would lose him to another girl who loved him less than she does.”

Jewellery designer Claudia Bradby, who worked with Kate when she was employed as a part-time junior buyer for Jigsaw, the clothing store, and will attend the wedding, says: “Kate is straightforward, nice, composed, feminine and very English. Discreet and quiet, but with a strong sense of herself. She’s a classy girl.”

The royals have their own definition of classy. As second in line to the throne, William was expected to pick his princess from a select group of well-bred young fillies. Hot favourites included Davina Duckworth-Chad and one Isabella Amaryllis Charlotte Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe. Enough hyphens to make plain Catherine Middleton feel a little inadequate, you might think. Except that, when a friend at St Andrews told Kate how lucky she was to be going out with Prince William, a smiling Kate replied: “He’s lucky to have me.”

Her confidence is largely down to her parents, Michael, 61, and Carole, 56. Their story of rising from British Airways officer and stewardess to multi-millionaires, thanks to Carole’s mail-order Party Pieces firm, is well known. Michael – known as Mike or even “dad” by Prince William – is descended from middle-class legal stock. Carole’s parents, Ronald and Dorothy Goldsmith, a builder and sales assistant, began married life in a condemned flat in Southall.

Every family that enjoys a remarkable jump in status has an engine. For the Middletons, it was Kate’s tiny, birdlike granny. A coal miner’s granddaughter, she was known as Lady Dorothy to relatives because she was a snob who “wanted to be the top brick in the chimney”. Dorothy, who died in 2006, was fanatical about keeping up appearances and raising her children, Carole and Gary, for a better life.

With her mother’s fierce encouragement, Kate eventually blossomed. But her background remained an issue. The Middletons have been mocked for their origins and aspirations. The Prince’s friends reportedly sniggered “Doors to manual” in Kate’s presence, a cheap jibe at her mother’s career. Meanwhile, Kate and her younger, minxier sister Pippa were nicknamed the Wisteria Sisters because, as one wag put it: “They’re decorative, fragrant and have a ferocious ability to climb.”

Certainly, their rise has been so rapid they needed breathing apparatus. To go from a condemned council flat to Buckingham Palace in two generations makes Elizabeth Bennet’s bagging of Mr Darcy look like a doddle. At Edinburgh University, the vivacious Pippa ended up sharing a flat with the sons of two different dukes. Friends say Pippa, who will be her sister’s chief bridesmaid, has made no secret of wanting to “marry up”. The bar has been set high by Kate. Carole Middleton has her future son-in-law as a screensaver on her mobile phone. Just picture that cat-got-the-queen smile.

However, it’s a truth universally acknowledged that a girl with hair that long and swishy must be in possession of a Plan. “Kate has played a brilliant waiting game,” says one royal source. “Even when William dumped her in 2007, and she was terribly hurt, she acted with dignity, kept her mouth shut and didn’t bleat to the media.” Indeed, she did what any resourceful Austen heroine would do. She wore a spray-on mini-skirt, got an edible, caramel self-tan and went on the town looking like Cindy Crawford’s sexier kid sister, confident she could provoke William to see what he was missing, come back and grab it.

According to Katie Nicholl, author of The Making of a Royal Romance, “William is stubborn by nature, but Kate has this incredible ability to read how he’s feeling. If they have people over and he’s tired she knows when to wind the party up, she knows when he’s feeling claustrophobic… On the two occasions when they split up – neither of which were what Kate wanted – she knew he needed space and time. She stepped back and she gave it to him. She is intuitive, she gets William in a way no one else does.”

While William trains as a search and rescue helicopter pilot, he and Kate have been living in a remote five-room, whitewashed farmhouse on the Isle of Anglesey, lashed by a causeway to the wild, westerly tip of Wales. They prefer to get by without any domestic staff. Kate is the bossier of the two at home, but it balances out because she defers to him in public. Friends say that the couple are eager to snatch as much real life as they can before they enter the goldfish bowl for good.

“It’s good that Kate seems to lack ambition,” says one member of the royal circle. “She’s strong, not a pushover, but her job is to be two steps behind him. If someone likes being in the spotlight – well, that’s when the trouble started with Charles and Diana. The best royal marriages are when the consort keeps her head down.”

That said, Kate has already made the monarchy less custom-bound. Instead of a traditional wedding breakfast, they’re having a buffet – frightfully middle class, darling! She has insisted on doing her own make-up for the big day. The request for charity donations in lieu of wedding presents has caused heart attacks among the old guard.

And it’s hard to picture Kate, raised in such a warm family, tolerating the cold formality of the Windsors.

Much will change when the Queen dies. Kate’s family is important to her. Indeed, many believe the comforting embrace of the Middleton clan will preserve and protect Kate – and William – once she becomes royal.

The couple’s plans after the wedding may also buck convention. William’s driving ambition, says a friend, is “to stay in the military for as long as he conceivably can and not get sucked into full-time royal stuff. He’s always been keen to live life his own way, and that’s been evident in the way he’s taken so long about making this decision. They’re very determined not to make their domestic happiness a casualty of royal life.”

What everyone knows, but no one is saying out loud, is that this is one royal marriage that simply has to work. Jennie Bond, the veteran BBC Court correspondent, goes so far as to suggest that the break-up of Prince William and Catherine would be such a disaster it could herald the end of the monarchy itself.

“They took so long getting engaged because they are aware they can’t ever get a divorce,” confirms someone who has talked to William a lot. “It never crossed their minds that they would be able to split up, so the question was not, will we be married for ever, but will we be happy? They spent a long time dwelling on that.”

To understand how the Prince came to believe that Kate was the woman for the top job, you have to grasp that trust and loyalty are such huge issues for William that he tells untrue stories to friends to see if they turn up in the papers. Even before the death of his mother, William was a damaged and angry young man, acutely aware he was a prisoner of fate.

The lowest point came when William’s housemaster at Eton gave the boy special permission to watch his mother’s interview with Martin Bashir. Diana had promised him that he had nothing to worry about, but, as Katie Nicholl recalls, when Diana talked about there being “three of us” in the marriage, “William’s eyes filled with tears of fury. He could not believe his mother had invited cameras into his home, to betray his father and their family in such a public way.” He wouldn’t speak to her. He forgave her, but he could never truly forgive her. And then she died.

Until the day of their engagement, Lady Diana Spencer had to call Charles “sir.” On the night before her wedding, she was left alone in Clarence House, with supper on a tray. Diana said that walking down the aisle, she felt like “a lamb to the slaughter”.

William is determined that Kate will not be hurt as Diana was hurt. All those years when William seemed unable to commit had nothing to do with his love for Kate, and everything to do with his fears. Although Kate is, in many ways, the anti-Diana – wiser, calmer, a woman not a child – only a Windsor who had been raised by Diana’s rebellious, loving spirit could have chosen her. How fitting that the couple made an emotional pilgrimage to Diana’s grave at Althorp last week.

When Kate walks down the aisle of Westminster Abbey on Friday and into history, the ghosts of two remarkable women will be with her. The mother-in-law who taught her son to protect and love, and her grandmother Dorothy, who always did want to be the top brick in the chimney.

Kate was right all those years ago. William is lucky to have her. And so is England.

Mother Monster Lady Gaga made a faux paw when she let the “R” word slip during an interview with NME magazine.

The 25-year-old was firing back at accusations that her song ‘Born This Way’ is a rip-off of Madonna’s ‘Express Yourself’, saying, “I’m a songwriter. I’ve written loads of music. Why would I try to put out a song and think I’m getting one over on everybody? That’s retarded.”

That’s not all:

“If you put the songs next to each other, side by side, the only similarities are the chord progression,” Gaga told NME. “It’s the same one that’s been in disco music for the last 50 years. Just because I’m the first f****** artist in 25 years to think of putting it on Top 40 radio, it doesn’t mean I’m a plaigarist, it means I’m smart. Sorry.”

But, as Jennifer Aniston learned last year, dropping the “R” word is not OK, and Gaga’s since apologized.

“I consider it part of my life’s work and music to push the boundaries of love and acceptance,” Gaga told CNN in a statement. “My apologies for not speaking thoughtfully. To anyone that was hurt, please know that it was furiously unintentional.”

She continues, “An honest mistake, requires honesty to make. Whether life’s disabilities, left you outcast bullied or teased, rejoice and love yourself today.”

KARACHI: Moin Akhtar, the legendary artist of television, stage and film passed away after having a heart attack here on Friday, Geo News reported.

Moin Akhtar, 61, was taken to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) where he breathed his last during treatment.

Moin Akhtar was a television, film and stage actor, as well as a comedian, impersonator, and a host. He was also a play writer, singer, film director and a producer.

Moin Akhtar (Pride of Performance, Sitara-e-Imtiaz, born 24 December 1950; died 22 April 2011) was a Pakistani television, film and stage actor, as well as a comedian, impersonator, and a host.

From? pilot Yaqoob? of ?Buddha ghar per hai? to ?Seth Manjoor? in ?Such Much?: ?Kaan Aap ki phemli kidar hai?, his ability to devote unswerving attention to his task produced success in his field.

His parody in English, Urdu, Sindhi, Bengali, Punjabi, Memon, Pushto, Gujrati and many other dialects distinguish him from all other entertainers. He was apt to be successful in Haseena Moin?s television comedy play, ?Eid train?: ?Bhabi samosa khayia? and numerous other programs like ?Studio Ponay teen?, ?Show time?, ?Half plate? and ?Excuse me?.

Moin, an adornment to the entertainment world, is a gift that keeps on giving: His parody of a Bengali film director, Silver Jubilee in 1983: ?Mubeen Aktar, kaum chahiye?. Is yet another example of the poise and intelligence he displayed.

In the process he transformed his life into an exciting adventure that constantly challenges, rewarded and rejuvenated him. His parody of a bus driver in Pushto accent, ?Aur aik baat hum bhi bata dayta hai?, is yet another instance of his artistry.

A highly dynamic and versatile performer from Karachi, the largest city of Pakistan, he made his debut for television on 6 September 1966, in a variety show held on PTV to celebrate the first defense day of Pakistan. Since then, he has performed several roles in TV plays/shows, later making a team with Anwar Maqsood and Bushra Ansari.

Whether on the stage or on the screen, Moin Akhtar was one of the most sought after actors in Pakistani entertainment industry. His apparent attempts to avoid vulgar in his humor has rendered him a favorite amongst family audiences.

Moin, the jewel of the Pakistani film, radio, television, stage and music, whose eyes smile with the joy of today, the promise of tomorrow, said: ?I have confidence in my own abilities.?

Moreover, he has such good judgment and intuition, that he rarely makes a wrong decision. Majority of Pakistanis believe that had there been an artist of Moin?s caliber in U.S.A. then the American people would have carved his statues and the U.S. postal service would have issued stamps of Moin Akhtar.

He was the host of the show in which

* King Husain of Jordan was invited.
* the Prime minister of Gambia, Dawoodi-Al-Joza, was invited.
* President Zia-ul-Haq was invited.
* Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was invited.
* President General Yahya Khan was invited.
* President Ghulam Ishaq Khan was invited.
* Studio Dhhaai 2.5
* Studio pone teen 2.75