Countries I am Aware of

 I became aware of England due to the language that they left behind. Vilayat meant England. There were a few Anglo-Indian families too, when I was growing up. Not sure if there are too many left. But in college days, USA was definitely the dream destination for many. I applied for an M.S. too, but managed to go there later for a Ph.D.- not in engineering, but Management. During stopovers in Europe, visited Greece, Italy, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Germany (West at the time), and Holland. France more intimately, thanks to Anne, a friend from Brittany we met at Clemson. 

Many years later, I have met people from Sri Lanka (have a good friend Samudrika there), Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan, S. Korea, New Zealand, Dubai, Sharjah, Australia, England, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, China ( I have a couple of friends there), and so on. 

I am yet to visit Down Under (Covid stole my thunder), and a few countries like China, and South America and Africa. Maybe I will, maybe I won't. But I had friends from Iran, Nigeria and Portugal in my Ph.D. program, and also from Turkey, and a colleague from Venezuela at Greenwood where I taught.

That is not a bad score! Yes, I know there are around 190 countries, but I am just one person..

The Bicycle Thief - Review

A student of cinema has his own bucket list, apparently, and this one figures on most. I can see why after seeing the film...whew, made it, finally. It is a stark, simple tale of unemployment, and the struggle to survive in Rome circa 1948. Post World War 2.

The unemployed young man gets an offer to work (and eat) but he needs a bicycle to get the job-that of putting up posters around the city. With great difficulty, he manages a bicycle, but it gets stolen while he is at his job, right under his nose. His travails with the cops, helpful friends helping to trace the bike, and the impact on his life due to this incident alternately getting him down and upbeat, form the rest of the narration.

Vittorio De Sica keeps it simple, focused, and from the gut. Riveting fare, showing anyone who cares to learn, that you don't need item numbers or gross dialogue to keep the viewer's attention. The consequences of stealing (the hero attempts to steal a bike unsuccessfully in a final scene) are also subtly brought in. Reminded me of another film, Cinema Paradiso, for its setting (Italy) and style of narration. Some of Kurosawa's films are also similar in style. Good viewing! Put it in your bucket!

Some Original Thoughts

Sometimes, an original thought enters your mind, without being influenced by your friends, colleagues, bosses, et. al. The media are exempt, because they influence everything from the food you eat to the deodorant you use (if you use one). The media also relentlessly enlightens you about the world's bad eggs, making you feel good that you are not one of them. However, I am digressing. Here are the thoughts- I admit they are small in number, but it is a start towards a new dawn.

1. If one were to write the complete story of the Italian Prime Minister, it would be titled 'The Full Monti' aka Full 2 Disclosure.

2. Some countries have had a 'meteoric' rise. But Russia is different.

3. CTRL-ALT-DEL refers to the Altitude which Dell once reached and fell from, with Michael (Dell) losing Control over his company.

Postscript

A scriptorium in an abbey.. in medieval Italy.. that is where the action takes place in The Name of The Rose by Umbert Eco...I finally finished the book, and thought it would have been twice as good if it was half as long..I have this feeling abut movies, TV shows, and many things, except games of golf..Discovered a new golf course in Nagpur, and played there this weekend..will continue through the year on weekends or other opportune occasions. Food, friends and Thums Up was an old tag line. Modify it to Golf, Friends and Fraternity.

Nothing like a game of golf to clear all other thoughts (pleasant or unpleasant)and concentrate on the here and now, as I keep saying. So here and now I am, at least some of the time. Whoever invented the game, hats off to him.