'Bet' it's a long story...

Lagi shart?

(Wanna bet?)

This seemingly innocuous question has led many a person to lay a wager. On the most trivial of issues.

Ranging from money to treats at the expense of the loser, such bets are known to cause glee / grief to quite a few who indulge in them.

I am no exception, and on more occasion than one, have had to to shell out bucks for a coffee treat, or on those rare occasions, clapped my hands in utter joy, upon “winning” a box of my favorite After Eights. With my recent luck though, I've just been doling out crisp hundred-rupee notes to a jubilant hubby, which probably explains my long-facedness...Bah!

For some people, laying a bet is almost a ritual.

The stakes get higher, and money is regulary seen exchanging hands, willingly or, as is pretty much the rule (in the case of the loser), reluctantly.

And here I thought people lay bets only in casinos, during matches, and on horses!

Seems that I couldn’t have been farther from the truth.

Wagers seem to be doing the rounds pretty regularly, from seemingly meaningless bets.

Despite most people knowing very well that gambling doesn’t pay on average, they gladly gamble away.

It’s akin to a person knowing that it is next to impossible to hit that aggressive deadline, knowing all the factors that are out of control, yet being overtly optimistic.

Call it illusion of control.

Or whatever you will.

They do it for a variety of reasons – money, just for fun, to make their day more exciting, or just to assert their knowledge.

There are different kinds of people who lay bets.

You have the cocksure ones.

You have the diffident ones, who place bets the way you put your foot gingerly into an ice-cold pool.

There are the ones who place wagers consciously.

There are also the ones, who are led into placing bets under the influence of spirits, when their judgment is clouded.

Then you have the ones who have done their homework thoroughly (and smile smugly).

While you have also those who haven’t quite checked the odds. The ones who often face the most disillusionment, and emerge cynical and bitter from their speculative experiences.

Whatever section they may be from, betters are your average you and me.

Are you rolling your eyes in skepticism?

Chances are, in the next fortnight, you will probably put a wager on something or the other.

Wanna bet on that?

Flying without Wings...

It was heartening to see the numerous kites that dotted the sky the entire day this Sunday. Even some of those people, the ones who call themselves uber-busy, took time out to fly those gaily-colored creations, and were joined as one in one ritualistic celebration of our country’s Independence Day.

While the evening looked overcast and not very conducive to kite flying, the multitude of accommodating clouds showered promptly, leaving souls like hubby and me raring to jump onto the infectious bandwagon.

The necessary purchases had already been done the same afternoon, and after the mandatory medical tapes on our right thumbs and index fingers, we were ready to roll.

Out came our first warrior – a kite bearing the three colours of the Indian Tiranga. The wind languorously built up, as if indirectly cheering us to give kite-flying a shot.

And gave it a shot we did indeed.

In a span of less than an hour – we passed through various emotions…

Delight when the kite first rose in the air – not like a skillful eagle soaring smugly in the azure skies, but more like a staggering fledgling, trying to take wing.

Some teething problems, but soon our kite, tail firmly in place, was rubbing shoulders with the best of them all - the Chinese lantern ones, the butterfly-hued ones, the bow kites, the ostentatious ones - you name it...

The initial euphoria soon gave way to nail-biting apprehension when other kites steered dangerously towards ours.

Relief spread over our expectant faces when we were able to veer away from the treacherously close kites.

A collective sigh of cheer went up again and triumphant / gloating looks and hurrays arose in unison upon our kite getting the better of another kite, and that kite slowly making its descent towards the earth.

Disappointment set in and we sucked in groans of distress when a neighbor’s kite got the better of ours, and our ‘conquered’ kite descended in spiraling slow-mo towards the ground.


However a mutual feeling of joy was also somewhere in the horizon, for having tried and flown, and given wings to those kites, even if only for a short while.

Cos’ that’s what kites are meant for – to fly.

As we are meant for - to take a shot at everything...even if after trying, we return bruised and battered, to familiar territory - terra firma.

Who'd make the best Bond?

‘Shaken, not stirred’ – a smooth voice booms in the watering hole.
You don’t need to scratch your head. God knows that you’ve heard the catchphrase long enough times to know that the world’s most celebrated spy is standing right behind you. You can visualize him clearly – suave, dressed in an impeccable Saville-Row suit, an Omega Seamaster adorning his wrist, and an Aston Martin waiting for his touch outside, and of course a bevy of admiring glances from both men and women alike. This British Secret Service agent has a license to kill, and takes it to a new level – a License to thrill.

For over five decades, James Bond has been scorching the scenes. It’s not hard to see why - adrenaline-thumping chase scenes, futuristic gadgets that do his bidding at the flick of a finger, a bevy of tantalizing beauties, his stock of ready one-liners in that much-perfected baritone – all do their job in making him a Box Office darling, raking in the moolah and making all those associated with the Bond banner go laughing all the way to the bank.

Sean Connery, Roger Moore, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and now Daniel Craig – all have assayed the role of the world’s most famous secret agent, with varying degrees of success. And while I think 4 of them absolutely breathed life in their portrayal, I wouldn’t mind the following actors getting into 007’s skin and give that iconic introduction –

The names Bond...James Bond.

1. George Clooney – at the top of my list, most definitely. He oozes charm, can smooth talk his way through any situation, has that mischievous glint in his eyes, is a pro at wink-your-eye flirtiness, and has that slightly wicked-naughty streak. Oh and did I mention that he’s easy on the eyes and has been known to make millions of women worldwide go weak in the knees. With so much as a look...It’s been Intolerable Cruelty that he hasn’t been cast till now. EON Productions should absolutely Burn After Reading this!

2. Hugh Jackman – with his rugged-looks, this Aussie actor can pack a mean punch, thus bringing much-needed realism to the Bond movies. And of course, that baritone isn’t too bad either. It’ll be nice to see him trade his Wolverine three moon claws for a lethal Walther PPK. Will be great Prestige for this Leopold, I’m sure...

3. Gerard Butler – from a humble cameo as a crew member in 1997’s Tomorrow Never Dies to the actual her Majesty's agent, it would be RocknRolla good to see the valiant King Leonidas exchange his steely armor for a suave tuxedo.

4. Jason Statham – This Mean Machine is one helluva Transporter. Plus he looks good in a tux. Plus he’s an acclaimed Martial artiste. He’ll have to work on his voice though – that rasp couldn’t possibly pass off for Bond’s, hough the accent will be his redeeming point for sure.

5. Christian Bale – This stylish Welsh actor has proved his mettle time and again – as Batman, John Connor in the fourth of the Terminator series, as a serial killer in American Psycho. A veritable Treasure Island, he looks good in almost everything (or nothing, as the case may be). He can quip, wield a gun effortlessly, And we’d be delighted to see him reprise the role of Bond. Thank you very much!

6. Clive Owen – This Brit is as Inside Man as it gets and can easily Vroom away in the iconic black Aston Martin. He’s got it all – the looks, that genteel air, the talent – and is bound to leave in his wake millions of people panting for more...

7. Jude Law – He’s among the youngest in this section, but there’s nothing lacking in him in the looks, talent or charm department. We would Love, Honour and Obey this Talented Mr. Ripley if he were to shake his martini, curl his lip in mock-amusement and stroll into a packed-room with that debonair charm, knowing all too well that all eyes are upon him.

8. Ethan Hawke – quite a lady killer this – after all he managed to sweep Uma Thurman off her feet and also put a ring on her finger. Too bad the pair fell through, but one thing’s sure, if this Hamlet were to take on Bond’s role, it would be for keeps.

9. Colin Farrell – Fellow Irishman Pierce Brosnan once famously said that Colin Farrell would probably fit the best in Bond’s sleek shoes. This bad boy gadabout Alexander could be the real thing. After all, he knows a thing or two about strutting his stuff (both onstage and offstage), can arch his eyebrows in mock-amusement like Bond, can mix a mean drink, is not averse to kicking some bu**, is a Daredevil, a pro at driving fast cars, and is known for making women swoon.

10. Eric Bana – another Aussie on this list, this 40-something holds his own against heavyweights (remember him in that fight sequence with Brad Pitt in Troy). On top of that, he’s ruggedly handsome and that smile can make the toughest of hearts melt. ‘Nuff said!


So who do you think could set the BO on fire as Bond? While I’ve had my share of talking, it’s only fair that I turn it over to you.

Who do you think could best whip the likes of Le Chiffre, Goldfinger and Blofeld to pulp?