Box out that idiot box

Recently, I had been asked to contribute my two cents on what's bugging me for the local YMA newspaper/newsletter. I would like to share the same on my blog. I wrote a short article on two topics which I feel needed to be addressed among the kids and young people of today's generation, especially those growing up in Mizoram.

1. Television viewing habit: TV is here to stay. So, let's try and tame it before it controls us (to a great deal, it already has for a good number of people). An American study suggested that kids spend around 22-26 hours each week watching the idiot box (and now they have the even idioter box- yes, the computer. That is a bout a day each week. Personally, with the lack of extracurricular and sport activities ,I think these hours may even be more for the Mizo children. TV hours for children should be restricted. I think each parent should take it upon himself/herself to regulate how much and what kind of programs kids view on TV. And, the youngest member of the family in NO WAY should be made dictator of the TV remote.

2. Fashion for Kids: Of late, I noticed that the new generation parents are obsessed with trying to dress their children up so that she will be the prettiest or He will be the smatest looking in church or any other social gathering. It is no longer uncommon to hear about kids' clothing or footwear costing more that a thousand bucks or even two. And the manner in which they are being dressed up can be quite an eyesore for many. "KIDS" are not "small adults" and neither should their dress or attitude or manner of talking (or how they dance on TV) be. Parents of other communities (like the western countries) are not obsessed whether their kids look good or not. They are more concerned whether their child is achieving something in life or not; or at least taking the initial steps towards achieving that. Instead of focussing on the child's dress and trying to instill a sense of fashion in him/her, a kid should be helped bring out his talents; be it playing certain sports, music, singing, writing, composing, painting, drawing, dancing, acting etc etc.

Why have I chosen to write about these two mundane things? Because I feel, in Mizoram than anywhere else in India, that our priorities have been screwed up- for a few people in the past, and now for a good deal of the general mass. I can bear the idea of a girl selling her body to support a drug habit but not for buying new clothes (it's sickeningly sad but true).

You know.......

You have reached your 30's when....
1. You feel all sport stars and music artists are talented "kids"
2. You feel the need to have a say in any group activity
3. The presnt music genres appear alien to you, and the last time you saw MTV was when Guns N Roses ruled the billboard
4. Your waistline is way ahead of your age in numbers
5. You think aloud "#%*^$@ fool" when a teenage dirtbag whizzed past you in his shiny motorcycle

You are in touch with your feminine side (you can rephrase this in your mind).....
1. You know more than 5 colours (especially the unusual ones like burgandy, mahogany, maroon, beige....oh nooooo)
2. If you are not married and have more than 2 pillows on your bed ( 1,2 ..3.....oh no)
3. If you have an opinion on who is the cutest of the Jonas brothers (definitely Kevin....oh noooo)
4. If you have watched the Twilight trilogy (hehe gotcha.....)
5. If you think this particular half of the post offends you

"I'll be Bach"

Back from a self-imposed sabbatical of almost half-a-year with a valid volley of excuses of having had my study holidays, final exams,coming home and seeing off my granpa (RIP), joining work and setting up (well at least trying to)a new department...whew!!, i'm really BACK.

What's up with me?
Well
1. I got myself a new (well January) Mountain bike which i lugged halfway across India from Bangalore-Vellore-Chennai-Kolkata-Aizawl
its a trek 3700 acid gold, yep its a beauty, but sadly, I havn't got the chance to use it as much as i wanted to here at home



2. Got myself another 2-wheeler - A scooty in fact. Why should girls have all the fun??
Its a sparkling white Mahindra Duro, quite a change from the big bad bullet i used to ride.

3. I'm still unfazed by the world cup fever

4. The gym is still my favorite refuge (and next the basketball court....i wonder how sandman is doing)

5. And lastly, I'm really sick of people smoking on the way to church or just after. One of these days, just to make my point, I'm gonna bring a bottle of booze and gulp down right after church in the sight of the elders, next to where they are smoking....lets see how they react to that..hehe

The heading ..well...
Steven Spielberg was discussing his new project -- an action docudrama
about famous composers starring top movie stars. Sylvester Stallone,
Steven Seagal, Bruce Willis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger being courted
for the top roles.

Spielberg really hoped to have the box office "oomph" of these
superstars, so he was prepared to allow them to select the composers
they would portray, as long as they among the most famous.

"Well," started Stallone, "I've always admired Mozart. I would love to
play him."

"Chopin has always been my favorite, and my image would improve if people
saw me playing the piano," said Willis. "I'll play him."

"I've always been partial to Strauss and his waltzes," said Seagal. "I'd
like to play him."

Spielberg was very pleased with these choices. "Sounds splendid." Then,
looking at Schwarzenegger, he asked, "Who do you want to be, Arnold?"

Arnold replied, "I'll be Bach."

I Respect...

I have high regards for

1. People who recycle
2. People who conserve electricity (and other sources of energy)
3. People who are kind to animals
4. People who play fair (life and games)
5. Parents whose kids are courteous
6. People who wake up early (especially young people)
7. People with neat handwriting
8. On the same note, people with clean/neat rooms/houses
9. People who dress simple
10. Those who are genuinely involved in charity work