India

It is just a little weird when people ask me why oh why would you want to leave this wonderful country and go back to a country where:
Beggars fill the streets
Pollution fills the lungs
Men shove and jostle you in lines
Rich people are still succumbing to dengue fever
Water borne diseases are everywhere...

Now, I am not saying there is no difference, because if that were true, I would like living here. But the problems are everywhere...I cannot quit on something because it has problems.

Yes for some USA is a god sent release from micro managing parents, annoying inlaws and lower standard of living. But if that was the reason you live 10000 miles, why fake a connection with a place you don't really like to begin with? Why call India once a week, wear a saree on Diwali, make ready made samosas, watch cricket on the internet, arrange bollywood themed parties, talk about how corrupt Indian politicians are, wonder why India can't have such clean streets and hatch detailed plans about what US inspired business you will start once you go back.

And when exactly is that? When US doesn't need you anymore? When you get the pink slip? When you realize that India has huddled masses that will make for a great market for your company? When? And if and when you do go back, let us see how many of those entrepreneurial ventures you will start or even take part in. Let us see how many non profits you will voulnteer for if it is not needed in a college application.

Why would anyone want to live in a place where they cannot be themselves? And you don't become yourself just by changing your location. If you were waiting to come to the US so you could wear trendy clothes, go drinking at any time, smoke pot and swing, then there is something so deeply wrong with that, I wouldn't want to comment without consulting your shrink.

So do me a favour, if you love living here, continue, God knows India doesn't need more skeptic cynics. And when you finally get thrown out and only India will take you back, do not invite me to your thanksgiving dinner.

Going Gaga in Lala

Lady Gaga is 23 and she is talking about bad romance. heck, when I was 23, I didn't even know there were different kinds of romances. So much talent in such a small neat bizarre package.

The only person who trumps her in bizarreness is Adam Lambert. Both very comfortable with discussing their sexuality on TV.

You may think the taboos are reduced. But when it comes to music, people are not racist, sexist or homophobes. People love african american musicians, folk singers, nusrat fateh ali khan, madonna, shakira, rihanna, george micheal, etc.
But in real life, they fear the black, queers, muslims and sexual women.

So if you think this open display of sexuality will get people to accept things that they are fundamentally against, think again.

Ironically, they like the talent alone and in supporting the talent they end up supporting the person behind the talent.

Even if some of these are gimmicks, we live in a world where it has become relatively easier to talk about it at least if you are famous. Of course there is a long way to go before nobody's with absolutely zero fashion sense can pull off such things.

Thankfully, people are more accepting today of ugliness than they were. Exhibit A: Robert Pattinson.