The Third Twin - Ken Follett

After a really long time, I was able to actually sit down and read an entire novel! I started with a determination to finish this book, but I was surprised at how easy Ken Follett made it for me!

The Third Twin is a fast-paced story of associate professor Jeannie Ferrami, Psy.D, who works at the Jones Falls University. She is carrying out a study on the relationship between a person's DNA to the probability that he or she will have criminal tendencies... you know, like whether you are born bad, or just made so.

The most important aspect of her study is that it is done on twins who have been seperated and are not aware of each other's existance. Twins who have turned out to be entirely different personalities are of the highest interest to the beautiful professor. In the course of her studies she meets Steven Logan, who is to be one of her subjects for study. At around the same time, her close friend Lisa Hoxton is raped by a mysterious man in the commotion that followed the break out of a fire in the women's changing room. A red cap worn by the man, with the word 'Security' written on it, is the only clue that the police department has to go on.

Torn between her friend's misfortune, Jeannie's aging mother's sorry state in an ill-kempt old-age home, painful memories of her irresponsible father who is still serving term in prison for theft, and her slowly growing attraction towards Steven, the young and driven professor does all she can to make the scientific study a success. Added to this, is the fact that Lisa claims that Steven is the rapist, because he looks like the man who attacked her! What's worse is that another man who looks exactly like Steven is serving time in prison for murder!!

Inspite of what her rational mind says, Jeannie believes that Steven is innocent, and now is even more eager to find out his wicked twin. Her work is suddenly shut down when Berrington Jones, the very man who spurred her study on, uses his power in the University to get Jeannie sacked!

Convinced that Jones and his high-profile friends (who own Threeplex, a medical research company that also provides a great deal of JFU's funding) have an evil secret that they would do anything to hide; Jeannie sets out to unravel the truth, prove Steven's innocence, and find Lisa's rapist.

The novel is rendered more intriguing because of all the twins walking around. The biggest hurdle in Jeannie's way is figuring out which twin she is talking to at any given moment. It gets worse whene she falls in love with Steven, but cannot reciprocate his love for her, as she really is not sure whether the man sitting on her couch is a rapist, a decent man, or some totally strange third twin!!

If that doesn't make your heart pound, I don't know what will!

Ken Follett is not one of the most widely read novelists for nothing! Making a knot in a tale is fairly easy. It is the unravelling of the plot that has most fiction writers stumped. Ken Follett does not allow you to guess the ending...ever! How did he know I love to do that! Just when you think you know what is going to happen, something totally unexpected takes place, and your heart skips a beat!

Definitely un-put-downable, Ken Follett's The Third Twin is one of the best reads I have had in a long while. Have you read it? What did you think of it?

"Baby Einstein Made My Child Dumb"! Yeah, Right!

Learning begins at home. I am a staunch believer of that view point, and take my responsibility as my daughter's first teacher very seriously. My husband and I try to fill our house with fun-yet-educational toys, lot of colorful books, and educational DVDs. Debbie is perfectly happy looking at her books or playing with her toys. She also has loads of time to play outdoors, and loves running around the house hollering and chasing a ball as much as playing a tame game of 'cooking' indoors.

She is also a BIG FAN of children's videos on YouTube, and educational DVDs. She loves Baby Einstein videos, Sesame Street songs, Dora the Adventurer (her favorite!), and anything with lots of toys or animals, colors, and loud music! I admit that I have a very selfish reason for letting her watch them... that's the only time I can get her to stop hating food long enough to eat it!! Don't get me wrong, we do have really fun eating time, when we don't watch TV and concentrate on finishing what's on the plate. Debbie can feed herself, and she does enjoy doing it. But sometimes, she gets it into her head that she can live on love and fresh air! and there is nothing a mother can do to change her mind... other than switching on the computer or the television...

Apart from the obvious value of these videos and DVDs (!), I really believe they are useful to a child's learning process. Which is why I was shocked at the study published by the University of Washington, that the Baby Einstein DVDs make children... dumb... (to be very blunt)! The study says:

The scientists found that for every hour per day spent watching baby DVDs and videos, infants understood an average of six to eight fewer words than infants who did not watch them. Baby DVDs and videos had no positive or negative effect on the vocabularies on toddlers 17 to 24 months of age.

Well, I don't know about that. Baby Einstein videos have pictures of these large and colorful toys in the shape of animals and other shapes that a child needs to learn about. I think it is much better to let a child learn the names of shapes, animals, fruits, vegetables etc. through song, music and fun than through getting a book out, pointing at objects and loudly repeating the names!

And anyway, unless parents simply dump their children in front of a TV or computer for hours together, I don't think these DVDs are going to do any major damage. If parents want to take the easy way out and let their children watch TV all day, I think the children were destined for limited intelligence, DVDs on not! As a parent, it is my responsibility to decide how much time my child watches videos, how much reading time she gets, and how she learns about the world. If I go wrong with my planning, I don't think I have the right to blame any one else for my bad judgment.

The Baby Einstein Company seems to be doing something good for children across the world. They are parents too, so I am guessing they must possess some parenting experience! Give them a break! Come on!! They are normal parents who decided to make a fun video for their kids... we're blaming them that they did not do their research?!!? Ok, so the scientists who made nuclear bombs do a lot of research, so I guess wiping away an entire country is acceptable... I mean, criticising their work is one thing, but thinking people deserve a refund!?!?! Really now!

Too many people now are looking to shift the blame on some one else for just about anything. If your baby is not an Einsten before he is 2, maybe that DVD is to blame; if your boy is roughing up classmates in school, maybe the teachers are to blame; if your child broke the law, maybe the society is to blame... when a person commits murder, maybe the people who ignored him at work are to blame...

When did mistakes stop depending on the wrong choices a person made, and start depending on everybody else's behavior? When do WE take responsibility for our mistakes? And when will we teach our children that when they become adults, THEY are answerable for their mistakes, and that they cannot shift the blame?

I for one cannot believe that some DVD is being blamed for children's lack of learning. What do you think?

Poetry Prompts to Perk You Up! 2

Oh heck! Who am I kidding?! I am desperate to show off... So here are the rest of the poems...!

I Won’t

I will read the book that sits on my desk,

I will do the dishes promptly,

I will remember to get the groceries,

I will not forget the milk again, meanwhile.

I will smile at my child,

I will mean it.

I will not stare at the mirror,

And wonder where she went… I miss her.

I will stop picking at forgotten friends in forgotten memories,

I will forget the friends I forgot.

I will ignore the pain of those memories.

I will forget my singing voice,

I will sing to remember I can’t.

I will stop now…

I will make dinner.

_______________________________________________________

 

Where The Lost Go…

The keys dropped onto the table

Something was wrong

It had been right that morning.

The table had been bare when she left,

Except for the half-drunk coffee,

And the ring left by a wet coffee mug.

Where are the coasters?

Why was it so quiet?

The shower is usually running at this time.

Where are the kids?

And why is the television not on?

Why is the bedroom door closed?

It seems so Final.

Where are the shoes?

Who was in the closet?

(And the baseball bat is missing).

His clothes are missing…

He left one of his socks behind,

(She saw the little white dots where,

She spent an entire Sunday afternoon,

Mending his clothes… buttons, tears, holes for toes to peek out).

The lounge was gone…

He loved it.

His cologne was missing…

His smell was gone

He was gone…

---------------------------

The bar round the corner was always open…

The keys on the table were picked up... again.

______________________________________________________

 

Air-Conditioned Offices

Outside it is 40 degrees

Sunlight glares off everything

Car windshields, reading glasses, display windows,

My nose.

Switch on the stove,

And it just got hotter.

Steam does something for your skin,

But that doesn’t help the knot in your brain.

Sweat can run down any way it wants,

But it flows into your eyes.

And salt always stings.

The shower can wash the sting away,

But the sun is more persistent.

More scalding than warm…

I could use a cool drink.

I don’t; I have a reason.

You could leave all this behind,

And step in to the office,

Where swinging doors let in the cool breeze,

Of recycled carbon dioxide.

I don’t care, it’s cool inside; freezing cold…

I’m glad I didn’t take that cool drink!

_______________________________________________________

 

It Was My Idea

It was a bad idea,

To look her in the eye,

To pick up the hint,

To return the touch.

 

It was a bad idea,

To shake that hand,

To tell the secret,

To loan him the money.

 

It was a bad idea,

To buy those flowers,

To unlock the door,

To see what I saw.

 

It was a bad idea…

To introduce them.

_______________________________________________________

 

Beware of Signs

Do not trespass here,

There is nothing to see.

Keep to the bright side of the street,

Don’t stare at the dark side.

Beware of low-hanging grief,

Hard metal can knock you out cold.

Watch out for the poison envy,

It can turn you blue… or green.

This coffee is scalding hot,

Do not spill on self.

Do not speak,

It is too revealing.

Flush after use,

No one wants to see your past.

Keep It Simple, Stupid,

I am seeing others too.

_______________________________________________________

 

You are Back?

Out of Sight,

Out of Mind.

When you left,

I didn’t die.

Work was tough,

Pay was good.

We can live.

You should leave.

Close the door,

Don’t look back.

Note to self :

Do Not Cry.

_______________________________________________________

Poetry Prompts to Perk You Up!

There was a time, long ago (at least that's how it seems), when I used to write poetry.

And I was told I was good...by published and popular poets, no less.

And then, life

happened. And I was too busy living it to write about it. Sometime, in the silence of the kitchen, with just the sizzle of sauteing vegetables in the background, the memories would come creeping back - of all those poetry workshops and those pages of poetry stashed away in some forgotten shelf. And I would wonder if I could even write poetry anymore, whether my mind was still unfettered and potent enough to put thoughts to words.

It was then that I came across this wonderful blog on writing (Thank you Google Reader...I love you!). It's called PoeWar.com, and written by a brilliant writer called John Hewitt. The most fascinating thing about his blog is the 30 Poems in 30 Days series. The writer gives the readers creative prompts, and also writes his own poem based on the prompt. And I tell you, the prompts are really innovative! It certainly helped shake up some very sleepy and demotivated gray cells in my upper chamber!! So, I took the plunge, and wrote some poems of my own. Whether I was any good, remains to be seen! Tell me what you think...

Here's the first one...

Patterns

The pattern does not matter,

As long as it is how it is

To the very end.

Color in the dotted lines,

And be done with it.

You don’t have to replace spots with lines,

It is not normal, they said.

Just do it, follow the pattern.

Make it look like you know how,

Like your mother taught you right.

Follow the pattern,

And you’ll be alright.

I’m Not.

--- Jane Hamilton

...and another one for good measure...

Secret

I have a secret,

A part of me I willingly forget.

Then I remember, and loathe it.

My secret festers,

Guilt buzzes around it in dark clouds,

Settling briefly on little white incidents that led to it -

The thing that I will not speak about.

Sometimes, it smells.

Intrudes the little tunnels that lead

To gray cells, and dark thoughts,

Every time I gasp for breath,

When a kind word is offered,

Kindness I don’t deserve.

I look away, “Look, there’s a nice spot!”

Walk away, hold hands with Happiness,

Cover the secret with a smile… Forget.

But, it wafts back, now and then,

To cloud a picture-perfect view,

With the Secret.

--- Jane Hamilton

False Evidence Appearing Real!

I read somewhere once that FEAR stands for "False Evidence Appearing Real". I have to agree with that, in retrospect, that is. But when you are lying on your bed, staring at the ceiling, heart pounding at the very thought of that awful thing you fear so much, the evidence you dig up from the recesses of your mind seem anything but false…. You know what I mean, right?

I have a 2 year old daughter. I should stop right here, and let you make the obvious connections with FEAR, and fear in general. But, I love to talk about my fears, and so I will.

When Debbie was born, she was barely 5.5lb, tiny and fragile, her wail almost a squeak. Now, although she is still tiny for her age (only 22lb when she should be 27lb, and I get my share of flack about it from busybodies of all descriptions. In my defense I would like to state, both my doctor and this website claim this is quite normal.), she is growing up to be a source of admiration, jaw-dropping disbelief, and pure joy for my husband and me, every moment!

She is a lovely, delightful little girl! She runs around making shrieking noises when I try to make her eat food. She throws a healthy tantrum (the habit isn’t, but the gusto of the display certainly is!) when she is refused ANYTHING, yes, even the flames on the stove burner (?!?!?!) She sings non-stop (ie. When she is not shrieking or throwing a tantrum). In fact she can sing the entire alphabet song, even the last bit (“Now I know my ABCs…etc.), a couple of rhymes, can count till 10 in a random order (!), and recite a couple of Bible verses… *I’m on a roll here, aren’t I… ;-]… and you say “Mmhmm…keep going…”* She cries VERY LOUDLY (seriously, that is how it sounds, my eardrums are not what they used to be…) Sigh…, loves books, and dotes on her big brown teddy bear. She is healthy and happy. She is surprisingly intelligent and insightful for a 2-year-old, and did I say she loves books…oh yeah, if she is very quiet and you don’t hear shattering glass, she is definitely poring over a book. There is no need to worry, no need to lie awake at night wondering about the future. If we do our best, everything will turn out just fine.

However, and you mommies will surely understand, I sometimes have these fears… Will she grow up into a healthy adult, or will she inherit any of my health conditions problems? How will she stand up to a bully in school? Will she be able to cope with the harder lessons in school? Will she maintain good (if not excellent) scores throughout her student career? Will I be able to guide her well through her adolescent years? Heck, will she let me?? Will she meet the right guy? Will she love him? Will he love her long enough (‘long enough’ read ‘forever’…) Will she achieve all her dreams? Will she love me when she grows up? *Aside: Will she love me more than her Dad…* Aaaarrrrgghhh! Come to think about it, these are all Worries. I worry about her a lot, and which mother doesn’t.

And these worries turn into fears, slowly but surely. Looking around at the world, I do not receive much consolation either. Relationships of any kind are not what they used to be. Even in a relatively conservative country like India, divorce rates are creeping up the ladder, families are becoming more dysfunctional everywhere, psychos are created at every street corner (False Evidence or not, it is creepy!), educational systems losing quality, and the list is endless. Of course, there is any number of good things in a society that can influence a child: a good family, good friends, the church (or any religious institution), good teachers, true ‘soul-mate’ kind of love, and lots more.

But it all depends on the choices that my child makes. Will she let the bad influence her, or will she take in only good influences. As parents, we can guide her, but (I hate this part) we can’t make the choices for her. Sometimes, these fears make us let go of the Trust Factor and lay down absurd rules that curb the normal growth of a child. There really is a thin line between caring and controlling. So, you lay down the ground rules, teach your child everything they need to know, set a good example, and expose them to a loving and caring environment…. And wait. You Wait… to see how your child turns out…How do we do that? How did our parents do it? And what will my little girl be like when she is an adult? What kind of a woman, wife, mother, and human being will she be?

Now, tell me, how can I not let False Evidence Appearing Real creep up on me every night?

_______________________________________________________

This is my entry for the Write-Away Contest for the month of October, over at Scribbit - A Blog About Motherhood in Alaska.

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Feast of Love - Robert Benton

This movie has bad reviews! I Googled Feast of Love, and I must say, I have seen more bad reviews than good ones about this flick. Here's why I think this one is getting the raw end of it.

First of all, the name of the film... Feast of Love?! What are they, Shakespeare? Food of love...feast of love...not happening. Secondly, a rather lame Greg Kinnear. Do you have to make puppy eyes and look tortured all the time? Thirdly, the loveliest couple in the story ends up minus one. That was cruel! And that is why anyone would easily hate this film, or at least show aggressive indifference.

At this juncture, I would like to state that I an NOT a part of that there folks! I LOVED the film! It was a beautiful blend (pun intended) of love, sadness, loss, new relationships, end of old ones, innocence of youth, wisdom of age, naivety and precociousness. It was not so much a 'feast' as much as a 'partaking'. There are all these people living their lives, and we are here, catching a glimpse into their existence, and grieving or rejoicing with them.

And it is not the soppy, reach for the Kleenex, or die of sugar overdose kind of chick flick that I abhor (read 'adore'!). Yet, it is about Love, with a capital 'L'.

I am not going to tell you the story, if you haven't already seen it. I want you to hear it from the characters themselves. This is not anyone else's story to tell, really. It is far too fragile and delicate a thing to be ploughed through with objective narration. It is people's feelings, raw emotions, endearing yet embarrassing flaws, and aching yearnings.

It is made up of almost every kind of love that the world has seen. Sorry, Martian love with humans and amoeba-love not covered! But it is about love that an average human being will experience in their lifetime. Sensual love, motherly and fatherly love, forbidden love, daring love, puppy love, naive love, doomed love, tough love...you name it, they've got it. Even though it seems much too much to be packed into 2 hours, you will see that it is the most beautiful and natural thing when people experience it.

If you are not bleeding through your poetic heart already, go find a chisel to crack you up...you are probably made of stone. If you've already seen it, please tell me you liked it...or not...anything goes. If you haven't seen it, please say you will.. And if you think I will end by saying something tacky like, "join me in the feast of love..."? No, I won't say it...

10 Lovable Blogs that Make My Day - Everyday

As an amateur blogger, I read a lot of good blogs to see what my blogs could become. Today I want to set aside the books and movies for a bit, and review my most favorite blogs. Blogs from different hosts, from different people, from different countries; blogs of people with varied interests, from poetry to photography and sushi to sentence structure! I have bookmarked and read these blogs from the day I started blogging myself. I read them partly out of interest in other people's lives and activities and partly out of sheer admiration for people who can be so disciplined and regular in doing stuff like blogging and pursuing their passions.

Here, I give you 10 of the blogs that I absolutely have to read everyday, and why I love them:

1. Scribbit - A Blog about Motherhood in Alaska
Written by Michelle Mitchell, this blog is refreshingly full of recipes, kids on vacation, home makeover, writing contests (my favorite part), and superb give-aways. Great pics and even better humor. I love this blog!

2. It's Lovely! I'll Take It!
This blog gets top marks for humor! And I have come to love 'Chair'. Check him out...! The author of the blog is Sara Lorimer.

3. Dumb Little Man-Tips for Life
A great blog that gives you remarkably insightful advice/tips on just about everything from packing for a vacation, to dumping your girlfriend. Author: Jay White.

4. Hello! My Name is Blog!
This is the blog of Scott Ginsberg, who has worn a nametag 24x7, every day of his life, ever since he graduated!! Oh, and he was also on Ripley's Believe It or Not! Enough said...!

5. I Think This World is Perfect...
First of all, it is amazing to see a father who is so involved with his home and his family that he blogs about it. Watch out Mommy blogs. The blog also features some of the most poignant and beautiful moments between two little girls and their Dad. Author: Dad.

6. PS22 Chorus
A blog about amazingly talented little kids who sing like angels. This blog has pics, videos, audios, awards...the works. I am totally a fan. Written by: Mr.B (their choir director).

7. Mashable
This blog will win a post-update marathon hands down, any day. I have them on my Google Reader and by the time I've finished reading their post (which are atleast 10 on a daily basis), they update 2 or 3 more! They carry lots of really informative information on technology of all kinds, and make it interesting even for technologically challenged people like. The blog is written by Pete Cashmore and others.

8. Send Me Your Head
This blog is simply full of portraits by the blogger. Simple, yet breathtaking. Lucky folks who get to be subjects for the portriats. Art by: Karen Schmidt

9. Angela Booth's Writing Blog
Obviously, written by Angela Booth, it has expert advice on writing, getting published and generally directs you to the way to becoming a writer.

10. Clipping Corners
This blog is about how you can Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, and about how Jennylin follows this religiously at home.

Honorable Mentions: other blogs that I just could not ignore

People Reading

Growing a Life

Poem of the Week

Open Mouth, Insert Fork

Dooce

My Ice cream Diary

Endless Possibilities

Working Girl

When Tara Met Blog

Bottles, Barbies & Boys

Starving African Children Don't Twitter...

I found this discussion on TechCrunch about a particularly brow-raising Twitter account.  The account user is a 'StarvingAfricanChild' (!) and the Tweets are a whole bunch of "I'm hungry"s.  Only two or three tweets mention anything about the surrounding.  The post I mentioned also has some really insightful (and some truly shocking) comments from regular readers.  I found the Twitter account and the pictures an unnecessary gimmick, as it seems to cheapen the suffering of the child, seeing as it is obviously not the real experience of the child in question but the random rantings of some person who has unlimited (and maybe free) Internet access (which in itself would be unheard of in a famine-ridden region of Africa, I presume!) An even worse example of online inappropriateness and crassness is this Twitter account of 'Hellen Keller'.  It's a shame that people are so unfeeling, disrespectful, and evil.  Even more sad is that they are so proud of their nature that they want to exhibit it online!

Anyway, coming back to the post - first of all, I personally wish to express my appreciation to MG at TechCrunch for feeling the need to address such issues on his otherwise techie blog.  It shows that he is humane and also cares about global issues as much as the latest iPod application... or whatever he writes about. Tech is good, but empathy is necessary.  Atleast, I think so.

Secondly, the comments to the post were absolutely shocking, with people more bothered about a small typo MG made on the number of followers that the account had.  The issue at hand was completely thrown out the window.  What's worse, some people griped that the blogger should just stick to techie news and not lose focus.  Oh for God's sake!  Why do people have such an aversion to being faced with anything unpleasant.  One person claims that there are other people who will bring such problems to the forefront and TechCrunch should simply stick to techie stuff.  Contrary to this, I believe it is the duty of every person who enjoys such a wide online visibility and credibility to talk about such global issues, since they have more people paying attention to what they say.  Same reason (although on a much more wider reach) as why the American President is asked to comment on everything that happens in the world.  You can't tell him it's not his business, can you?!

Thirdly, one reader brought this comment that should jolt any sane person out of their social lethargy:

"Know what is in poor taste? The hours and hours of media and dialogue dedicated to Michael Jackson’s death while 3.2 Million people die each year from water related illness. That’s not even getting into hunger issues.

In fact, it’s not just poor taste. It’s downright tragic and disgusting.

It’s nice to see someone trying to remind people where their priorities should be."

Enough said!

So, when the world is seeing the highest levels of pollution of every kind; a spread of more diseases than we can account for; the death of more people due to war and terrorism, more of the human population caving in to  famines, droughts, fires, and other natural disasters, shouldn't we sit up and try to be real and look at what's really important in life.

Shouldn't we try to appreciate what and whom we have in our lives right now; shouldn't we learn to respect the other person; shouldn't we set out priorities right; shouldn't we finally try to make a difference in the world around us?

In Memorium

It has been a really long time since I posted here.  The past couple of weeks have been especially hard for me.  My dad (Mr. C. Mohandoss) passed away on 13th June, 2009.  He was 57 years old and died of a massive heart attack.  My family, especially my mother, is devastated.  Mom (Mrs. Vijaya Mohandoss) cannot imagine a life without my dad, but is forced to swallow her grief and get on with life for the sake of my little sister (Jone Dorothy, age 22) and my brother (Jacob Timothy, age 18).

We still can't believe that he is gone.  At the funeral, for the first time, I saw how so many people had been touched through my dad's life and testimony.  He was a man of God, and a wonderful human being.  I can only hope to be half as good as him.

I wish he were still here, because we feel we lost the corner stone that supported this family. But we owe it to his memory to be strong and to be the best at whatever we do, just like he was during his life on earth, and just like he wanted us to be.

My father, who taught me confidence, self-respect, enthusiasm and creativity; who inspired in me the love for writing, books, and music; my dad will be missed for as long as this family goes on.

Dad, we love you forever....

My Dad with Debbie

Timeline - Michael Crichton

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Today I review one of Michael Crichton’s many books, TimeLine, one of his best works and one of many that were later made into movies. The story is about a group of historians and archaeologists who, while studying a site in the Dordogne region of France, find a mysterious message buried in the earth, and the lens from one of the archaeologists glasses. Soon, Professor Johnston (the owner of the lens), who works for ITC, goes missing, and the rest of the crew travel back in time to the medieval towns of Castelgard and La Roque (which were believed to be located near the site where they were carrying out their research). Researchers Chris Hughes, Kate Erickson, Andre Marek, and David Stern, along with a marine travel back to 1357 to look for Johnston.

Here they come across many misfortunes. Chris meets Lady Claire, whom he helps to escape from the clutches of the evil Sir Guy. The men are forced to fight in jousts, and somehow manage to survive and win, to their surprise. The team finds that another person from the present has followed them into the past. It is Rob Deckard, an ITC employee and former marine, who has gone insane as a side effect of constant time travel. Deckard has remained in 1357 after his last travel back in time.

After a series of skirmishes, the team get ready to go back home through the marker beacon that Chris has managed to get from De Kere. Noble Andre stays behind with Lady Claire to help her people win the battle against Arnaut, another bad guy.

The team saves Professor Johnston and, minus Andre and some people who don’t deserve to live, return to the present. Chris and Kate fall in love and Kate is pregnant. They find the tombstone of Andre and Lady Claire and are happy to know that Andre lived a good life.

Crichton reveals the depths of quantum leap, and the theory of the multiverse. The theory is that time travels in different speeds in different universes and that when one person jumped from one universe into another, he would land in a different time, either in the future or in the past based on whether time moved faster or slower respectively.

Another important concept is that changes made in one universe affect the events of a future time of other universes. Crichton explains these theories in such a simple manner that any reader, whether familiar or stranger to scientific theories, can understand the principle behind time travel, albeit as Michael Crichton sees it.

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In Honor of Michael Crichton

Michael Crichton is one of the world’s best novelists, thinkers, and filmmakers in the world. A doctor by profession, he is one of those rare human beings who transcend race, countries, social strata, educational and professional disciplines, media, genres, and languages to touch the lives of people whom they will never meet. No college professor or scholar can explain the complicated scientific theories of DNA reconstruction, time travel, Quantum physics, and air travel to the common man better than this writer can. And what an ingenious way to impart scientific knowledge to the masses, through the simple method of story-telling that has been the most effective way to get any message across to people, from the very beginning of humanity.

I admire this man as much for his personality as for his works that will always stand tall as beacons that other science fiction writers should follow. The world suffers a great loss on his death. Crichton passed on on November 4, 2008. He will be missed.

In honor of his work, I will be reviewing some of his books and comparing them with their movie versions, the next few days.

America's Sweethearts - Joe Roth

America's Sweethearts - I can't decide whether the title is sarcastic or straightforward! The story is as old as the hills, only this time there are lots of famous names in it. Stuck up beautiful sister Gwen Harrison (Catherine Zeta-Jones), whom all the men swoon over, marries a wonderfully spineless creature of a man Eddie Thomas (John Cusack). Both are also famous film stars, which makes them amazingly neurotic. Wife is looking for a man with a stronger back bone, ends up with a man who's... well... got only that. Husband, now on his way to becoming the 'ex', hides himself behind the vague drivel of his psychiatrist about flowers and flames .

The wife's previously 'calorifically challenged' sister Kiki (Julia Roberts in a terrible fat-suit) is now an attractive size 2. She is falling for her ex-bro-in-law, and he is beginning to see her now, when she has lost all the weight that was clogging her smile. Convenient! By the way, what's with the silly nickname 'Kiki'?! Poor Julia Roberts!

Gwen and Eddie have co-starred in a movie that won't get promoted if they are not together anymore (I thought split-ups got all the attention and not happy marriages!). Anyway, this becomes a very contrived situation for all parties concerned to meet, and for all the guts to spill when the psycho director shows personal conversations of the stars at the very-public press junket.

Some jaw-dropping; many threats of suing and libel; and eventually some break-ups and make-ups. Gwen's Spanish boyfriend is furious, Eddie and Kiki get together and I'm not sure what happens to the movie. The stars, though, are definitely America's sweethearts. You know, like Britney Spears - people do not generally approve of her, but boy do they gawk when they spot her in public!

The movie is like an adorable baby that looks the same but grew too big in size, and is not endearing anymore. Too many stars, if you ask me. Julia Roberts is wasted in this role. She is too huge a phenomenon to be playing anyone's chubby sister. Catherine Zeta-Jones is okay, but really there is no room on screen for Two fabulous women! I have never been a fan of Cusack, and I kind of wished that Roberts finally fell for Billy Crystal instead. He is a much better watch than Cusack any day.
Gawd! and no comments on the Spanish guy. And Why, oh Why does Chris Walken go for such silly roles when he clearly has a lot more talent?

This movie is okay if you have absolutely nothing to do on a lazy afternoon, and feel like doing something unhealthy like eat a lot of fat and carbs and laze on the couch, and generally get wasted. I say this because you don't have to be in your senses to take in this movie. Enjoy!

The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho

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The story is about a young shepherd called Santiago, whose greatest aim in life is to marry the local merchant’s daughter. He spends his days in the bliss of a stagnant life that has no adventures. One day, while sleeping inside an old church, he dreams of a treasure that can be found under the pyramids of Egypt. A consultation with a gypsy confirms that the dream is worth following as it was spoken in the language of the world. Not convinced, Santiago goes on with his life. Everything changes when an old man called Melchizedek, who was the King of Salem, offers directions to the treasure in exchange for one-tenth of Santiago’s sheep. He also gives him two black stones to take on the journey as money. Santiago takes the risk, and sets off to Tangiers to find the treasure.

Along the way, he meets many interesting people, including an Englishman who is looking for the great alchemist who has discovered the Philosopher’s Stone and can transform metal into gold. Santiago joins him, and finally meets the alchemist, who then becomes his guide on the journey. The alchemist helps Santiago find his inner self; and the ability to commune with nature, to control the wind, save a desert tribe, and see into the future. Santiago also meets Fatima, the love of his life and his soul mate, whom he promises to marry after he has found the treasure.

A changed man, Santiago leaves the desert and finally reaches the pyramids, where he is sure he will find the treasure. The tale reaches a sort of anti climax here, when two wayside thieves force Santiago to reveal the reason for his being there. Unwillingly, Santiago tells the men about his dream of finding treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. The men surprise him by saying that they dreamt of finding treasure in the church where Santiago had originally had his dream.

Santiago returns to his homeland to find the treasure under the very place where he had lain so long ago. He takes the treasure and leaves behind the two stones that Melchizedek gave him. His last journey is the journey back into the desert to look for Fatima and marry her as he had promised.

The entire story is a metaphor for the journey of life. A dull, unmotivated life may be comfortable but it is also a life that is easily forgotten and fades away in to Time, having achieved nothing of importance. The life with a purpose may be hard to live, but it will be a life well lived and the end will be a true loss to the world. Santiago represents the modern man who steers clear of almost all adventure, giving himself reachable goals that only cover his selfish needs. The modern man does not look beyond the most basic human needs like money, a job, a house, a person who will love them, and the comfort of a bed and sleep every night. His quest for the treasure transforms him into a hero, a warrior, a seer, an adventurer, a lover, and man whose soul is one with God and nature. He forgets his initial frivolous desires and gives importance to the more important things in life.

The fact that the treasure was hidden right under where he slept, while he had to travel half way around the world for it, may seem unfair. On the other hand, who knows! If Santiago had found treasure under the ground where he lay, he probably would never have moved from the spot, spending his entire lazy life in one place, never going forward. He would be no better as a person. The journey is what makes the difference, and the treasure is more valuable for all the troubles he had to go through to find it.

The story also drives home the point that the most important things in life lie closer to us than we think. It does not lie in a bog house on a faraway island, or in plush jobs in high-rise buildings, or in making more money or friends than is humanly possible. It lies in being one with your Maker, in keeping promises and loving your family, in burning and molding your inner self to be a better person, and in respecting nature.