2 Songs

Choosing two songs is not a difficult task for me, as there are two songs which are always in playlists. As far as music goes, I love sufi, 80's rock, 60's and 70's music. Most of the time, selection of music depends on mood...

1. Estranged (Guns n' Roses)- One of the all time favorite of mine, I heard this for the first time in 2007 (I know its very late) and since then it is a permanent member of my playlist. There was huge transition from liking the opening guitar by Slash to lyrics. This number is magical, at least for me.

 
2. What a wonderful world (Louis Armstrong)- Beautiful lyrics and a great feel good factor associated with it. Let the song speak for itself:

3 Films

By far the toughest one... How can a film freak decides on films!? Before starting this list, let me give you a little background- From my 6th Semester in BE onwards, I am watching movie a day (almost). I specially love fantasy and Sci-fi movies and not a big fan of romantic ones. Most of the comedy movies bores me and I always look for 'it' factor in a movie. So common movies won't do it for me. 

Choosing 3 films out of a huge database of movies is a humongous task, so I though who not 'cheat' a bit! I am going to put name of three movies which comes in my mind without putting a great thought and lets see what is the outcome. It may be little biased, but these movies must be among my top 10 list. 

1. Lord of the Rings (Trilogy)

This trilogy made off masterpiece from Sir J.R.R. Tolkien, is by far my all time favorite. A well written, well executed with great screen play, amazing special effects, great story and equally well acted. For me, it is the day modern classic among movies. I have seen this series number of times and every time it has something new to offer. It is a great fun in watching extended version of this movie back-to-back over weekend (total  12 hours), I have done it couple of times and wish to do it again!!! 

2. A walk to remember-

 I know I mentioned in the beginning that I am not a big fan of romantic movies, and I am definitely not!! But this movie has its own magical effect. I rented this movie as no other option was available, and Oh Boy! I was surprised, shocked and emotional after watching this flick based on novel of same name by Nicholas Sparks. A must watch for anyone and everyone, this is a movie that truly stands out. It shows that simplicity, if presented in a simple way could be very charming.  

3. The Matrix trilogy- 

From fantasy to romance and finally to Sci-fi! An out-of-the-box thinking some of the greatest special effects of the time and great actors makes a movie special, and this movie has everything to offer. This movie is like old wine, it grows on you with time and stays forever. 

Finally, in my concluding remarks I must repeat that these three were among my top 10 list. I will not be able to sleep if I won't add few more names along with these three- 

12 Angry Men 

The Godfather 

A Wednesday 

Rang De Basanti 

X-Men series 

One flew over Cuckoo's nest

The bucket list 

Up in the air 

Back to the future 

Schindler's list

The great debaters

Black 

... and a never ending list!

4 Books

Before starting this post, I must confess that I am not a big time reader. Specially past 2-3 years were my non-book-reading years. So these book may not be gems, but I like them very much... 

1. Its not about the bike: My journey back to life (Lance Armstrong)- Its autobiography of Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, one of the best book I read in my life. This book is not stop journey in a life of a guy who never gives up. This book amazes me sometimes about the spirit that Lance has, and also a big inspiration source for me. 

2. The motorcycle diaries (Che Guevara)- As wikipedia says "The Motorcycle Diaries is a memoir that traces the early travels of Marxist revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara." I picked up this book after reading its synopsis on some website, being traveler I like to read travelogue and this one was much more than just another travelogue. It was a window in Che's life, his early days before he became famous. 

3. The Bhagwat Gita for daily living (Eknath Easwaran)- I am not a religious person, I saw this book first when I was in my final year of Engineering. I started reading first part of this book (it is a three book set) during breaks and free lectures from library, and after graduation I purchased all three parts. Though I have never finished these books but still they are in my favorite list. Whenever I am down or want to have some space for self, I spend some time with it. I think that is one of the reason that I have not completed it, as I want to keep it in my reading list as long as I can. I must say that I am impressed with the modern world illustrations and discussions given in this set of books. 

4. Shantaram (Gregory David Roberts)- Its about an incredible journey of a convict from Australia who escaped prison and went on to become entrepreneur in Australia, but this novel covers a part of his life when he come to India and joined underworld and also about hardships of life. A story inspired by life of author is one of the most addictive novel I have ever read (apart from Angles and Demons). I can't wait to read its sequel coming mid of 2012. 

 

5 Foods

For a foodie like me, I got to say picking five dishes ain't no fun. The easier way out was I mention the name of countries but that would be cheating. I am a vegetarian, but never compromised on my taste buds. I have tasted food from almost 20 countries and I think my interest in food makes be a good judge (though little biased one). So here are some of the dishes that I likes most among the once I have tested so far- 

1. Eggplant Ravioli (Italy) - Eggplant known as brinjal in some parts of the world. First time I have tasted it in Macaroni Grill (Columbia) and since then I have been a big fan of it. If you love cheese (as you will be all cheese after you eat it) and you are a fan of ravioli this is one dish that you should not miss. 

2. Burrito (Mexico)- The father of all rolls! This is one dish that I have tasted in many form, be it fresh burrito at Chipotle or some refined once of any local Mexican restaurant, they always something to offer. My personal favorite once are from Chipotle and Chevy's along with freshly prepared Guacamole. I liked the once with stuffing of black beans, rice, lettuce, and super spicy salsa along with regular ingredients. 

3. Dal (lentils) Bafla (wheat doughnut like food) laddoo (sweet dish) (Indian)- Indore in capital of Indian food, and the king of food in Malwa region is Dal Bafla. Sometimes simple is simply beautiful and testy as well. The best test comes when they are prepared with traditional method on 'kande'. This is a food with lot of fat content and equally awesome taste. 

4. Pat Thai (Thailand) - These are noodles prepared with fresh vegetables (if you have ordered the veg version of it). The real taste comes when it prepared with right amount of sauce(s) mixed at right temperature. I tasted it first at The Bangkok Garden and following it, I have tasted it at many outlets, and still I can't avoid its temptation. 

5. Pizza (Italy, America)- Be it traditional Italian pizza, Brooklyn style pizza, Chicago's famous pizza, or a pizza from that unknown shop in Utah between Moab and one of the canyon that I can't recall (that was by far the most delicious), I am a big pizza fan. There is a reason that my friends say that Domino's next door is running because of me ;). A fresh crust, good amount of fine quality cheese and some good toppings like jalapeno, green papers, and onion can make may day! 

Apart from these five dishes, there are lot more that I like. I would love to invite you all to my restaurant (once it is open) to come and lost in world of food.     

6 Places

Wow! Now I am loving this... This list includes both, the places that I have already visited and places that I want to visit. 

1. Siberia- I have never been there and may be I will never be... but I have some special place for Siberia in my heart, there is something special about this place that connects me to it. I don't know much about it, and I really don't want to know apart from watching some pics and I will be more interested in going there personally and explore more about it. 

2. Greenland- A beautiful country with very less population and lots of ice, except for some of the shore parts it is very less or almost unexplored. It as got that enigma, that touch and feel that will pull me from anywhere in the world. 

3. Yellowstone and Grand Canyon- Keeping these two places together is intentional, I just missed these two by few miles last time due to limited time. But I promised myself that in my next visit to North American continent I will visit definitely be there... both have got a distinct identity and distinct beauty. 

4. North East India- Beautiful land and beautiful people, be it evening in Darjeelin, a great day out at Changu lake, warmth of people of Sikkim, crazy drives on the roads of ‘seven sisters’ or local dances. This part of India is a whole new world to explore and visit. Once you are here, you will never want to leave this place. 

5. Leh Ladakh- A place in far north of India with sheer beauty and elegance. It has memorable landscapes, magnetic hill, Buddhist temples and monks. One of the best place for road trip on bike. 

6. Europe- I definitely can't pick a country, be it romantic place like Italy or fun filled streets of Spain, the grass fields of Scotland or beauty of Sweden and Denmark or fashion filled Paris... Its totally worth it to spend some time in Europe and enjoy the life!      

Though list needs only six places but there are other places as well that I would love to visit. 

7 Wants

Wants! Just opposite to my previous post, where I had to think a lot about fears, this one is more like selecting from a list. Some of the wants are listed in 10 Secrets, so I will try to exclude them in this post. As picture above says, I am a greedy guy and all I want is everything (Just in case anyone remember tag line of movie "Bas itna sa khawab hai"). 

1. I want to write a fantasy fiction that includes some Sci-fi and some mythological elements. 

2. I want to direct a movie, no matter it is 2 min short flick or a 3 hours movie. But it got to be a good quality work. 

3. I want to sky dive from at least 14,000 ft. 

4. I want to run a global multi-cuisine restaurant chain. 

5. I want to visit Siberia and Greenland, there is something over there that always attracts me. 

6. How about a dinner with Eva Mendes and Salma Hayek! 

7. Finally, a techno-house with at least a patio, hot tub, jacuzzi, mini theater, indoor games arena and a beautiful organic garden.

8 Fears

F.E.A.R.S. interesting word, it is. I don't know what fear me most, but just putting some random experiences that I might put under category of fear. I didn't know it is going to be so hard to find my fears...

1. Reptiles- I am not sure if it is hate or fear, but I just can't stand those animals near me specially small ones like lizards, and snakes. The big ones like crocks, alligators usually attracts me.

2. Chatter box- There are some people who just talk, talk and talk. Just can't stand them though there are few exceptions in this category.

3. Traffic/Pollution- Story of most of the Indian cities, but I try my best to avoid it. 

4. Crowd- May be this is effect of Columbia or my inherent nature, I just can't stay at crowded places. It makes me uncomfortable to the soul. 

5. Monotonicity- I can't live a predictable and same day in and day out kind of life. I love living on the edge, So slow, monotonous life is not for me and among my fears. 

6. Authority- I am a rebel, given a condition that I have to live under other's authoritative rules, may not be so pleasant experience for me.  

7. Kids- That is a damn big one! I am scared of lil ones, specially the dirty crying ones. They really scare a hell otta me. 

8. Fear of unknown... I don't know what it is but it is there!

9 Loves

Here comes the part-2 of series. I must say that this was easier one as I love life! so not very difficult to choose 9 loves among them. I think a major challenge will come when it will come down to songs, movies...

1. Nature: I love to loose myself in beauty of nature around, be it Badlands of South Dakota, or Rocky Mountains or Changu Lake close to India-Chaina border in North-East. 

2. Travel: I am a traveling soul, may be it is in my genes

3. Photography: The creative Anoop! I think that all I can say, as I am not among most creative people out there but this is something that keeps me going. 

4. Movies: A secret, I have a rough record of watching one movie a day for past few years!... and if that movie is Sci-fi, Adventure or fantasy then it is even better... 

5. Being alone: My outlook may be social, but I love being alone and being to self. 

6. Sufi Music: I just love it! 

7. Reading: News (political), mysteries of world, mysteries of Universe, supernatural phenomenon, aliens or anything that is 'interesting'. 

8. Challenges: There is no big fun than defying the odds and coming out... 

9. Life: From where I started, I love life... and everything/everyone involved in it, my be its not fair at times or frustrating as well... but this is what we have. So why not learn to love it that way it is! 

10 Secrets

Thanks to Priyanka for this idea, the "You" challenge... I must confess its not as easy as it look, being honest to self is not a very simple thing these days... so being honest to world will be a lot more difficult! So be it, this time I am in... (anyways secrets never means "Dark Secret") 

1. A poet exists in me, it a secret to most of the world except blog sphere. (Though last few attempts were not up to the mark, as some inspiration was missing behind them).

2. I just want to do something that people will remember my name for at least 100 years, not a big expectation! 

3. I have a secret ambition of having a business, and a NGO in field of education.

4. I am still waiting for a girl bindass enough to ask me out!

5. Once in a life, I want to give a motivational lecture to a big audience.  

6. Sometimes I think I can dance well, and choreograph as well.

7. I am very pseudo-extrovert type of person, people around me (who casually know me) think that I am very outgoing and open but the fact is it is just one of the mask that I wear. So many people around me for years don't know me well and on the other side there are people who know me well in minutes. 

8. I did fall in love once, it was actually a 'fall' (if you know what I mean). 

9. I never forget faces, even if I see that person after years but at the same time I am extremely poor with names and dates. (I did forget me birthday once!)

10. Bad manners are BIG turnoff for me, be it table, dressing, traffic or any other ones.