Suryan

I was sipping a hot cuppa today, perfect for a cold rainy day.
Out of the corner of me eye, an image stood still. I looked out and saw a child who wore rags for clothes look at me with all the wonder his pale brown eyes could conjure.
I walked up to him and asked him his name. His name was 'Suryan' which means 'The Sun'. Suryan is ten, does well at the government school he goes to and was helping his Sister sell roses to earn what I would call spare change. When I queried as into why he was staring at me, he sheepishly replied albeit with the brightest spark in his eyes that I looked liked the sort of person who could spare him 20 rupees. 20 rupees. Ironically, that's the exact amount I left as a tip at the cafe. 20 rupees was enough to buy a plate of hot lunch for him and his sister. I gave him the money but as habit stands I asked him where he stays. He said " I have no home." 

What he said still lingers in my head. Strange isn't it? The Sun has no home.

~Anil Paremal 

Book Review : The Devil All the Time

I have to say that I'm not much of a reader. I've started reading tons of books several times but for one reason or another I've never been able to get past a few pages or a few chapters. It's more or less my stop-start reading style that has hindered my ability to enjoy a book. Anyway, I've finally been able to complete reading a book for the first time in years. Much of the credit should go to Spice-Jet Airways who kindly gave me and my brother seats with extra leg room with a caveat that the seats do not recline. Also being a budget airlines meant no TV screens and with nothing else to do I was able to finish a book.

I've always been fascinated by the occult and secrets hidden away in manuscripts/books. The Ninth Gate is one of my favourite movies even though the acting in the movie is absolutely lazy. So when i searched for similar movies I came across a few. Fallen and Angel Heart are some of the movies that have something related to the occult.

In May, I finally saw Angel Heart and immediately searched through the boards of IMDb for any similar movies. I couldn't find any that were interesting but I came across a board that recommended reading The Devil All the Time and I went forth and bought it.

The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock

I really didn't bother reading a synopsis of the book as I didn't want anything to be spoiled but most of the headlines of the reviews around the web rated the book quite highly. Here I was expecting a book on the occult and dark arts but a few chapters in I was left with a bewildered look on my face when the book had nothing to do with anything I expected. I kept thinking something was bound to happen and each page kept disappointing me.
I finally gave up and read the synopsis on the back. The book is a Southern Gothic novel. No occult, no dark magic, no summoning up the devil.

Now the problem here is that I've already approached the book in the wrong manner. I had to start from scratch again. Again my stop-start approach hindered me but I finally finished it on the flight last evening.

It's not hard to believe that this novel was written by a first timer. The characters, however small their role are extremely well etched out. The main narrative is set in the 1960's and follows a teenager, a sheriff , a couple of preachers and two serial killers.

The plot itself is straightforward without any twists. It's the approach though that makes the book worth a read. The book has three major plot lines. The first involves Arvin Russel's journey to manhood. His father Willard who is deeply religious goes over the edge when his Mother falls ill. Arvin is then sent to live with his grandmother in Coal Creek, West Virginia. The rest of the plot line follows Arvin's life and his relationship with his "adopted sister" Lenora. The second plot line involves two preachers Roy and Theodore as they make their way across the south in search of a livelihood. Theodore is a cripple who is cared for by Roy. I found this plot line the least interesting of the three and felt the book should probably have concentrated more on the other two plots. By far the most interesting of the three plot lines is the third. Carl Henderson and his wife Sandy are serial killers who seduce young men. Lee Bodecker, the local sheriff in Ohio is Sandy's brother. He has a broken relationship with his sister and is oblivious to Sandy's other life.

Their paths don't intertwine until the last few pages and several chapters are dedicated to the development of these characters. Carl is brilliantly written by Donald. He invests a good portion to unraveling Carl's state of mind and his penchant for photographing his victims.

For all of Mr. Donald's writing, there were several moments throughout the book where the character transitions were clumsy. That was probably my major gripe with the book. My other gripe was that the ending however exciting was abrupt. It was sort of watching a Coen Brother's movie. You'd think there's more but there really isn't.

I would recommend the book to anyone who is a fan of Southern Gothic novels. Its well worth a read. Shame about the title though. The book really could have used a better one.


- Anil

Days of Future Past

One Moment. It defines us. These are the words uttered by our magnificent coach in the new Chelsea Home Shirt reveal. One Moment. This was it. The moment I had been waiting for 16 years. The moment Argentina had been waiting for since '86. The moment Messi was waiting for to write history and finally get rid of the Maradona hoodoo from his shoulders. It wasn't to be.

One moment. This was Germany's moment. Schuerrle's moment. Goetze's moment. Mario Goetze. I hate you. In that moment, at the Irish Village, Dubai, I was shattered. So were half the spectators. The other half: Elated. Led by the husband and wife couple known to me and my friends as 'the Choms'. She couldn't believe her eyes. He held her in her arms and was overjoyed. I wanted to murder them. And then as it always is, everything went back to the way it was. People got on with their jobs, the babies wailed, the children played, etc. I needed about 36 hours to get back into the swing of things by which time another adventure was fast approaching.

Tomorrowland. The perfect antidote to my grief. Bizarre, Enchanting and Exhausting. An unforgettable experience. Its been two days since I have returned and I can still hear the music resonating. But that's a tale for a different time. Football. Soccer to some, futbal, fussball, whatever you want to call it. The European Season beckons. The English Premier League beckons. Chelsea FC rallies their worldwide troops. The battle lines have been drawn. The war cry's have been sounded. This time we are prepared. This time we are here to win. This time we are ready.

Football isn't everyone's cup of tea. Like each individual, we have our own opinions. Similarly, we have our favorite sport (most people do). Mine has been football for the longest time. Sure as an Indian, I get patriotic and watch cricket whenever India plays a major tournament. But, there's something about football that leaves me wanting for more. There's drama, comedy (mostly unintentional) and more drama. Referee's getting the offside calls wrong, players diving, players play acting, a magical moment of skill and wizardry with the ball that draws the oooooh's and ahhh's, the shots that hit the bar that make you swoon, absolute genius finishing that make you smile with glee, resolute defending, dreadful defending, horrendous tackles and supremely timed tackles that both frustrate and draw applause. The pace of the game, the frantic finishes, end to end assaluts on goal, dreadfully boring matches, pre and post match media assaults. They all have their own charm.

For four years Chelsea have been evolving. The process has been tumultuous with our trigger happy Owner firing four coaches and several more earlier. Then there's Jose Mourinho. Now into his second year of his second tenure. Last year Chelsea failed to win a single trophy. Jose had never gone a season without winning a single trophy until last season and boy is he pissed. I was surprised he wasn't fired what with our over demanding owner having an itchy trigger finger. At the same time I wasn't surprised he was still our coach. Because for the first time in years Chelsea fought and fought well. Sure we may have won the elusive Champions League trophy two years ago but that was with a team well on borrowed time. This is an almost new look Chelsea. Only two of the legendary old guard remain. I don't know if they will make it past this season. This time Chelsea is battle ready. Because for the first time in years we have an elite striker. This guy. Diego Costa.

A proper psycho. Exactly what a team needs. Every team needs a madman. One that your fans adore and rivals despise. This is our new psycho. And what a madman he is. He picks fights with rivals for no apparent reason, he playacts, he moans and groans but he is driven to win. A winner. The last time we had a similar striker we were unstoppable. This is what Chelsea lacked. And if the big mouthed complete striker aka Romelu Lukaku stays, then we have one of the most fearsome strike-force in world football. This season is our moment. This season will define the current squad. Everybody who hates Chelsea hates us because of foreign money being pumped in and claims of lacking/having no history. But all big clubs have money and we do have history. It's different from other big clubs but at the same time most big clubs can't compare their silverware to ours over the last decade. This is what we are. We are writing our own Legacy. We are writing our way into the history books every single day. Write and Re-write. It isn't easy being a Chelsea fan. But, once a Blue. Forever Blue.

- Anil.

THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

Seriously, copyright laws have issues. Don't sue me. It will not be cool.

Hibernation

Hello Internet

New blogs will have to wait until July 14.

I've been trying to write new stuff for weeks now. Every single time I've started i get distracted.

World Cup syndrome. That's all that's on my mind.

July 14th then.

Cheeers

Hammered

Spain 1 - Netherlands 5

5PA1N.

Schadenfreude.

So much Schadenfreude.

Also. 24. Don't recall much of the night. It was a good night. Except for that refree in the Brazil-Croatia game o'course.

But then again, Schadenfreude.

Holy Dutchman Batman! This Robin can fly!

-Anil.

The Leap Year of Football

 Hello Internet.

It's here. Almost here.T minus One Day . And this year it kicks off at 00:00 hrs on June 13, GMT +4:00. That's the time in Dubai, UAE, where I live.
Co-incidentally, at probably the exact time either Brazil or Croatia kicks off the World Cup, I will turn 24.

Not a bad way to turn 24. I could probably later brag that billions around the world were cheering when I turned 24. A poor joke that would probably lead to people rolling their eyes in horror of the 'lameness' I had just uttered.

I personally would be cheering on Croatia because as much as I love the Chelsea boys from Brazil, come the world cup, I'm Argentine. And therefore, Brazil is not cool. However, I do hold a soft spot for the Red Devils of Belgium.

The World Cup. Brazil. These two are marriage made in heaven. Except, the news reports (the one's that get reported) are the exact opposite. A divorce. A rude awakening. Brazil is not a nation where you could offer a football to a child or issues can be sorted out by a football match. The media is to blame for this unfortunate caricature of a nation rich with culture, curves (I could not resist) and heritage. It is very much a nation going through turmoil. It has been for years. The government is run by corrupt bureaucrats. Policemen flash jewellery that they in no way can afford. And the public is revolting. Protests are probably being held as I write this. So what's new you say? Aren't there revolts everywhere in the world. Governments rise, fall, rise and fall again. Its the natural cycle of governments. But this is the World Cup! Imagine the amount of revenue that the country will generate you say!. Except, this isn't the World Cup.

It's called the FIFA World Cup. FIFA. I play that game religiously almost everyday. FIFA.
Diego Maradona recently called the organization an ugly power.
He dosen't mince his words. Never has. Bless Him. What a man!. What a player!. Legend!. Right, lets get back on track. FIFA. Where do I begin. If only there was an easier way to explain the problem with FIFA. Fortunately, There is. Readers (if at all any of you are reading) I give you Mr. John Oliver.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlJEt2KU33I

Brilliant, ain't it?

Being in the Middle East, I was immensely pleased when Qatar won the bid to host the 2022 World Cup. But no sooner than they announced it, the first thought that popped into my head was 'Why?'. I've played in the heat before. 45-50 degrees Celsius or so.Apart from going 6 shades darker and a massive headache, I enjoyed playing in the sun. This was 8-10 years ago. High School. An obese teenager running behind a ball and smashing it with all the power his legs could muster (not much). Now compare this to athletes playing at a supernatural level. They would be exhausted. Air-conditioned stadiums have been proposed. For a nation touted to be a proponent of going green, this proposal would ensure that the environmental-friendly tag will sink towards the trenches of the deep oceans.

However, part of me still wishes that the World Cup should be held in Qatar. You have all sorts of issues: labourers being misused, corruption claims, etc. But the World Cup so close to where I live? How can i turn that down? I should. If it is held in Qatar, I probably will go to the tournament so that I can fulfill my dream of watching the World Cup live in a stadium. If it isn't, I'd probably watch it on TV slightly disappointed but surely more at peace with my conflicted mind.

Note: This is all being written assuming I pursue my current standard of living, which is not bad at all. If I hit the jackpot in the next 2-4 years, I'm off to Russia to see the World Cup. Heh. So there.

Despite all of the glaring issues, just like John Oliver said, I know that I will be part of billions around the world cheering on the games every night for the next 30 days.

Here's David Luiz being awesome.

Why? Why you do this to us? Why? You were the chosen one! The next captain. PSG. Dammit. Bloody PSG. I can't hate this man. But he's just added more fuel to the desire to watch Brazil fail and Argentina succeed. Thanks for the 50 million geezer. You will be sorely missed.

- Anil

THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

Seriously, copyright laws have issues. Don't sue me. It will not be cool.

What to expect from The Dwarf Star.

Hello Internet.

I've been giving much thought to what I should blog about. I've just decided to do whatever comes to my mind. What can you expect? Hopefully, you can expect just about anything from my views on current events, social/economic, my view on what's right or wrong with the world, Cinema Reviews, Chelsea FC, etc.


Here's a fist-bumping puppy.

-Anil