Inspirational videos. I just had to post these. Look at them if you're having a bad day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13N6gAlhAqg&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDgVske63cY&feature=feedpop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6hz_s2XIAU&feature=related

Obsession obsession obsession...

The insanity of it all.

Hope is a bastard. He'll give you dreams that you can never ever achieve. He'll make you strive, and struggle. Work, and trudge through crap. Cringe, agonize, and fumble through life. He'll do all of that, telling you that you can achieve your dreams. "You can do it" he'll say. You can make it.

Then reality comes along and quite cheerily says, "Fuck you!" and you end up feeling like shit.

(Check out this fun song called Fuck You!)

When I was in my 10th standard, I got obsessed with theoretical physics. That was the first obsession for me. I spent an entire two years obsessed with it. I was so convinced that I could solve the theory of everything. That I could do it. I was so close, and that I would be rich and famous soon. That I alone had the skills required to accomplish it.

Looking back on it now, I realize that was quite naive on my part. But at the time, I was convinced that I could make it work.

My grades were poor, and I got into college. A year or two passed in college with nothing all that exciting happening.

Then I hit upon an idea for a random data compression algorithm. To those who don't know about it, random data compression is impossible. I mean really... impossible!

But I didn't believe it then. I looked at it and said, "ha! Impossible? Well, not for Ananth Kumar Gonibeed! Muuhahahahhahahah!"

Two years passed. Tears were cried. Keyboard keys were punched. New keyboards were bought. Eye strains. Sleepless nights. Dreamy stares. I was constantly lost in my own world. Time was lost. I read a lot. Learned a lot. I joined forums. I coded. I asked for help. I did everything I could possibly do to make my dream of writing a random compression program come true. But it didn't happen.

In the end, though I didn't succeed in getting my program to work completely, I did get it to work in parts. In those parts I tested my program, and found to my surprise... it did work! It worked! By all that's holy, it worked!

After my excitement simmed down though, I finally found out that though it did work, it had quite a few limitations which made it difficult to work with in real world. That's why it wasn't being used yet.

I got frustrated, and decided to write a novel about my experience with it. And voila, before I even realized it, a new obsession had been born.

My first novel failed. So I wrote my second novel.

That failed, so I wrote my third... then my fourth.... fifth...

It went through edits, reedits, ups, downs, sleepless nights, critiques, hard effort. It all happened. And in the end, though I've learned a lot, my writings gone nowhere.

I've just spent years worth of time doing nothing that has bourne any fruit to me. Something tells me I'm being awfully stupid. If I had spent those years going after just one of them: physics, coding, writing, or even music then I would've been much much better right now.

But I didn't. I guess that's my fate. To hopelessly chase after one dream after the next. To keep trying, and jumping tracks.

But the truth is, I wouldn't have it any other way. It's only when you're obsessed that you feel alive! That you feel the rush you get to live! It's invigorating. It's nothing but love.

Love is an obsession with one person, or one thing. It's tough. It really really is. But that's humanity's curse, and dream. To love. To be loved. It's the only way to live.

We're all running out of time, and there are so many things to do. Life's a bitch. But damn! She's beautiful.

Peace out.

Why push on?

Why believe that you can get a job, when the market is so low?

Why bother to write, when all the literary agents are telling you, no?

Why try to run as fast as you can, even though you're not fast at all?

Why bother trying to help a friend, who does not care about you at all?

Why try to sing, when your voice has no melody?

Why try to grin, when you're not really happy?

Why try to learn, when they tell you, you're no good?

Why try to observe, when they call you a fool?

Why try to seek, when there's no clue on what's to be sought?

Why try to fight, when they claim that there's no battle to be fought?

Why, why, why Indeed?

Because, my friend...

It's the only true way to live,

and besides...

if you don't do it, who the bloody hell will?

The habit of reading and the misconception behind books:

A friend and I were discussing the other day about how reading is nothing more than a hobby. That it's something that needs to be developed, and honed. You can't just pick up a book, and start reading it. You have to give it some time, and develop the patience to do something like that. Only then, is it fun.

I recognized his understanding for what it is: A misconception in peoples minds that reading is for nerds. That it's not an exciting or adventurous journey that can be undertaken by anyone and everyone. It was a silly thing to try and do. I recognized it because I felt exactly the same way.

Until, I started writing myself.

People don't make movie watching a habit. They hear good reviews about it, and check it out. They then find that they either like it, or they don't. It's entertainment. The same can be said of dramas, sports, novels, music, and pretty much everything else. It's all entertainment.

The point I am trying to make is that reading is not a habit. But it has developed a bad reputation in people's minds that it's a boring thing. That it cannot entertain them. That when they read it, they will not be entertained. It's only for a group of snotty idiots who have nothing better to do.

That is both true, and completely untrue as well.

The publishing market estimates that the readership has remained the same over the years. No new people are taking up reading, and it is a dying market.

That's wrong.

The only reason that people are not reading is that there are no books that are being published that are reaching out to them.

Publishers, and agents are sitting on their heads scared shitless about the next thing they are going to publish and wondering if it will sell or not.

When Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy was introduced to me, I did not force myself to read it. I read the first few pages and discovered that I just could not put the book down. It was so damn hilarious. At that point, reading was not a hobby to me. I just casually glanced through it when a friend of mine was reading it. Point to be taken out of this: I was entertained.

That's the purpose of a book. To entertain.

There are many things that work for a book, that do not work in movies, and vice versa. Same as saying that things that work in plays, do not work in movies, and novels and vice versa.

For example, in plays, it's a common idea that actors talk to the audience. They break the forth wall. This is something that no movie, or book can do as effectively and still have the reader in suspended belief.

For books, the strongest point is the narration. The narrator's voice is all important, and like for the plays, cannot be used as effectively in movies and plays.

For movies, the live action is impeccable. You see it, so it is. It cannot be broken either.

Mangas, and graphic novels share the advantages of all three forms: plays, movies and novels, but to a lesser intensity.

As one can see, all forms have their strong points, and things that they can capitalize on. So all forms can be entertaining, and everyone can be entertained by all forms. But the only problem is that when people see their business being hit, they say things like oh no. My format is dying out and they complain, and brood without really finding out why it is suffering.

That's why, if publishers and agents looked into their business worlds and saw what they were doing wrong, they would see that the biggest problem is todays publishing industry is that there are not enough authors whose voices must be heard, and those whose books are published, don't get the attention they deserve because there's no easy way to find them, and there's no way to change the misconception in the people.

Thankfully, all this is about to change with the advent of kindle and apple's Ipad. By making books easy for people to find and access, the publishing houses and agents will have less say in what the people want to see, and the people in turn, will see why reading is so damn fun.

The publishers and agents need to break out of their mold and start displaying books that people will read. Instead of old stories, written by old authors, for people who still consider reading as a "habit."

More importantly, with the world becoming one, more and more people are getting introduced to English and so their potential market is only constantly increasing. They just need to find writers who write for what new age readers will read.

That's why Young adult is taking charge today. The revolution of the next generation is calling out, and no one can say a damn thing about it.

I recommend that the publishing houses get together and launch an advertising campaign that shows what's so damn interesting about books to increase public awareness that it's not a form of boring hungadoo.

It is purely entertainment.

Virtua Fighter 4 - Evolution:

If there is ever a game that is worth playing on your own on the PS2 over and over again, it is Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution.

Again, this is on your own; when you have time on your hands, but no friends to accompany you; when you have time on your hands, but no money to spend; when you have time on your hands, but no enthusiasm to do anything productive with it.

Normally, this is not the case for me. At least one of those three aspects are fulfilled. More often than not, two or more at the same time.

But then again, there are those time, when I do find myself blissfully staring at the ceiling, wondering what the hell it is that I am doing with my life.

It is at those times that I decide that instead of having another inane conversation with myself, hey, why not take part in an inane fight?

Yeah baby! Yeah!

(Sorry, been watching far too many Austin power's reruns. If you don't know who Austin Powers is, check out the international man of mystery in his first movie, as he battles himself in a seriously ridiculous fight that lasts several seconds. Also, don't miss the second movie as well, when the Evil dooers decide to decidedly steal Austin's precious Mojo! *shudder*)

Anyway, getting back to topic for the third time in the row, Virtua Fighter Evolution Rocks!! Period.

Now I may be a bit late in writing this (it's been out for five years now) but still, better late than somebody else stealing your cake. That's what I always say.

Virtua fighter rocks. There are no random power ups or awesome blitzkering moves that will like totally decimate your enemies in one flashy Kablosk! But that's why it's so friggen awesome.

It is about as close to fighting simulation as one can get.

Sure, there is the aspect of you hitting the leg of the opponent while he bounces of the ground to do a staggering amount of damage which will make you wonder what was so damn special in that punch... BUT! It is about the closest thing we have at the moment gamers.

And... IT... IS... ON!!!

I challenge anyone who's played the game before.

My character is Akira Yuki.

Yeah, that's right, the insanely awesome looking character who looks like he'll break you into two if you laugh at him while he furls his eyebrows in ridiculously crazy contortions that'll make even "The Rock" from WWE fame stare on in amazement.

But never the less, he will beat your punk ass down, and smile himself giddy while doing it.

And like Akira Yuki himself says, "Juuunin Haiyan Daiyo!!!"

Right. I know, right? I so totally know what he means. I mean, I'm a writer after all, so like, Japanese is one of the languages I need to know.... so er... like...

Umm.... Signing off!! Horiiiyaaahhh!!!

Apparently blogs are cool sources of publicity for new authors.

Yup. Just discovered that recently. In accordance with one who is seriously trying to become an author (who writes while listening to Skindred, no less) I realize that blogs are cool source of publicity.

So I'm changing a whole bunch of things on this blog. Images that have no right being here in the first place, (which is most of them), and removing certain posts that are not... let's say... worthy?

I'm also correcting a lot of posts that had a lot of formatting problems. So that should make it a little more professional looking? or just, nice to look at...

So does that mean that this site will turn into egoistical bullcrap about myself, and stuff that I do?

In one word, yes.

But that's what it's always been about, so I don't see why anyone should have a problem with it. :D

Owing to that, I'll try to post once a month, or at least once a week. Which shouldn't be too difficult. Considering that I do want to try to write for a living... :- /

In accordance with that, the punctuation, and other things should improve a bit. So there is hope out there! Wazoo!!

Don't count on my vocabulary improving though... :-p

Also, in order for this to be considered a post, I thought I'll post something. Cool online channels that I found pretty funky. You can just search for these guys on youtube, or follow the links by clicking on the name that lead to their websites.

1) Sxephil: In his own words, it's not really a show, but some guy talking to the camera for three to four minutes. He says some pretty funny stuff, and a special feature that he runs is called "Douchebag for the day".

2) The guild: A humorous show about a group who play an online MMORPG. That's massively multiplayer online role playing game, for the non-geeks. The show is not exactly about the game, but about the consequences of their gaming on real life. It's a lot of fun. Must watch.

3) Ask a ninja: A ninja answers questions that people ask him. But it's a lot, lot more than that. This guy is hilarious, and even got featured on CNN once, as far as my sources (google) tell me.

Maybe I should start my own online show. Or maybe just a video or two, or maybe the movie that I've been claiming to do for a really long time. Maybe I could cut it into webisodes or something. All those who are interested, let me know in the comments.

Also, now you can rate the posts by clicking the appropriate buttons below the post.

Anyway, that's it for now.

Have a great day, and week!

Laters. :D

Dragonball Evolution

Ever wanted to watch a movie, where in the climax, the hero changes his clothes after escaping from a hovercraft jeep thats exploding? - Well then, this is the movie for you!!!

I usually never write about movies, because I'm not a critic, but this movie was based on something, very dear to me, and now, they have quite cheerfully, killed it.

It all started with a pencil box that I bought years ago at a local shop. One could tell the box was imported, it looked expensive. But what drew me to the box was not its design, but a few picutres that were painted on it. I saw a few more boxes with simillar drawings and noticed one thing common with all of them. The word, dragonball.

That was the first introduction to dragonball to me. A few years later, they started showing the show on TV in India, and all my greatest fantasies came true.

Dragonball Z was everything I hoped it would be and much, much more.

Eventually I was facinated by it and later found out, that it in fact was anime. This was what drew me and countless other anime crazy individuals out there, into the world of anime.

This was the first show that tied itself closely with words like epic and legendary.

It's been twenty years now since the show was over and they are re-running it on TV and die-hard fans still take it in as they chant prayers to the awesomeness of it all.

Dragonball evolution, being the movie based on this great show, held millions of hopes and dreams in its hands.

"Wow!! a real live draonball movie!! Wow!! Like, Kaboosh man!!!"

They then proceeded to mercillesly, kill it. The worst nightmares of every single fan came true.

This movie is not just the worst anime adaptation there is, it is also the worst movie there is, period.

It's so bad in fact that if I didn't know anything about dragonball Z, I would be laughing at the insanity of it all.

It's just ridiculous!! Fan's of DBZ, I assure you, you will hate it. People who don't even know what DBZ is, watch it, its hillarious!! (for the wrong reasons...)

The movie is not actually about DBZ, but supposed to be about DB. Where piccollo is the bad guy and wants to take over the world. I know this because I have watched the whole series, twice.

They, although, don't go through the trouble of explaining any of it. This is what it seemed like the story was trying to convey. "There's like this evil guy, he wants to take over the world, and the only one who can stop him is his monkey."

Considering that the characters, the plot, the ideas are not even simillar to Dragonball Z, I wonder why they even bothered calling it dragonball. They might as well have called it, "Boom, Boom, Bakalaka" and got the tittle over with. The only thing in common this movie had with the series was the names of the characters. There are so many things that are wrong with this movie, that it's hard to pin point which is the worst aspect of it.

Even though I knew that they had made changes to the plot of the anime, I had hoped it would have been at the very least, a movie. This was not a movie. This was ninty minutes of crazy things happening on the screen for apparently no reason.

I mean, look how Batman, Spiderman, Ironman and the transformers turned out. They were pretty decent action flicks. They even kept the characters and themes, intact. Here, they tried to make mango chutney with ginger and coca-cola and they failed miserably.

A pox on all those who willingly consented to make this movie. A bigger pox on the main character who claims to be a DBZ fan, for if he was, he has obligingly, betrayed us all!!

May Dragonball Evolution bomb so badly that they never even think of making a sequel to this embarresement of an adaptation.

Down with Dragonball Evolution!!

Long live the Legacy of Dragonball Z the anime and manga!!!