Couch Potato

If you cant figure out, what to do next, internships are over, idle weekends, then you can lay your hands on anything given below. Well, this is what I have done in my idle time, I had in past month. So I just thought to share it. Here it goes:

Movie: Downfall- A German movie on Hitler's last ten days. Based on account given by Hitler's personal secretary, who was alive till 2002. A powerful movie, shows story of the other side. This movie was in lot of controversy because it was alleged that it sympathies with Hitler and his party people but after watching it, I dont think so if that is the case. Viewer can easily feel the inherent malice or shortcomings or evil, whatever you name it, whenever Hitler came in the frame. The movie is also about the inherent tension of conscience which people on Hitler's side would have faced. All in all, a must watch. Awesome screenplay, racy plot and there will not be a single moment when viewer will feel bored. Camera work will give you out of the earth experience. One can easily feel as if he/she is in Berlin during that time.

One of my favorite scene from the movie was when during the end, when group of soldiers were debating over whether they should surrender or suicide, one soldier asks the other one, "Why do you want to live on?" The other soldier questions him back, "And you? Why do you want to die?" The first soldier answers, "You see this" (showing him a cyanide pill) "the Fuhrer gave it personally to me". In a bitter tone the other one replies, "As last honour?" "...maybe" answers the first soldier.

Music: 1. William Ackerman: A Grammy award winner Guitarist and composer of acoustic- based instrumental music. Each and every track he composed has power to send one in different world at once. Listeners wont feel any need of vocals because music speaks for itself. One of my favourite tracks from his twelve albums is Floyd's Ghost from the album Imaginary Roads.

Whole discography is available on torrent, so download it without any second thought. I have decided to buy original collection and when I die, I will give whole collection to my future generation through a Will. Absolutely priceless collection.

2. Pink Floyd: Ok yes, everyone knows about it. But the difference is that I am not talking about comfortably numb or high hopes or shine on or any such super-famous song. Below is the list of few songs, according to my rankings, which one should not miss:

1. Fat Old Sun: A slow ballad. Pink Floyd does'nt have many love-songs to its name. Well, if I have to make a playlist for a serious romantic date, then this song would be there for sure. Its a perfect dream in David Gilmour's voice and lyrics.

2. Two suns in the Sunsets: From the album The Final Cut. One of the lines, in the song- "the sun is in the east, even though the day is done" is a metaphor used for Nuclear Explosion. But an excellent song for a lonely long drive.

3. Fearless: From the album Meddle. I think, its about attitude of people towards an individual who tries to achieve something different. It was an underground hit when it was released.

(well there are more, a lot, but then some other time, I realised I have to write a separate)

3. David Gilmour: His 2006 solo project, On the Island. Two songs--This Heaven and Smile, makes him a genius.

4. Rudaali: Well old is gold. Apart from "Dil Huum Huum" track, another track "Samay Dheere Chalo" can send shivers to ones bones. Out of three versions, Bhupen Hazarika's version makes it magical, dark and spooky.

Books: Well two books for different needs.

1. 'Idle thoughts of an Idle Fellow' by Jerome K Jerome: Collection of 12 essays on random topics. Trust me, its not a book where you will roll on floor laughing or anything but it will make you laugh from inside. An old classic and a perfect mood setter. If books are man's best friends then this book is one of the best.

2. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dyotovesky: Well, to warn you beforehand, this book is not for dreamers and people who think a lot. This is 'Existentialism' at its peak. It has power to depress you, even if you are in the most brightest of mood. Its a book, which is hard to be read in a detached manner. Its a story of very poor, unemployed young man, who plans to kill his landlady because he owes her some money and thinks she is intellectually inferior to him. After killing, guilt overtakes him and whole book is about his thoughts, before killing and guilt thereafter.

Websites: 1. Stumbleupon: If you are bored, just keep stumbling and you will never stop. Almost addictive.

2. www.8tracks.com: Make your own playlist of 8 songs, based on certain theme, of your mood, and share. And if you are not interested in making your own, just browse and play other mix made by people. Best part-- its free, no long registration process also and fast.

3. www.searchslate.com: If you use google chrome. Set your home page using its beautiful themes.

Softwares: 1. BookSmart: A freeware available on net. Make your own books and if you wish to get it published ask the company guys. Pretty decent price they have. Check out: http://www.blurb.com/

2. Times Reader: A software which brings 'The New York Times' daily edition to your computer screen. Though maximum part would be locked for unsubscribed users (well, for subscription u have to pay..quite a lot..in dollars) but there is free access to front page, business news, photographs in news, videos (and you dont get them in newspapers), etc. A newspaper lookalike software. Super cool. Available on new york times site.

3. Tweetdeck: Well, now one can access facebook, twitter and myspace (but who uses that?) in a single window. Status update with a single click for all accounts. Extremely user friendly. Super fast. A must for Twitter and Facebook users. Download it from: http://www.tweetdeck.com/beta/

Ok, this was a long post. But there were many things also. I wish, I could write more, especially on movies. Anyways, will write more if I come across anything interesting.