Archbishop Dolan says gay marriage is absolutely wrong!

Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan has been vocal in his views about gay marriage and he has mentioned in a wide-ranging interview to the New York Post that the concept of gay marriage is totally wrong with regards to the morals and definitions of society.

Speaking just a week after he was enthroned as the Archbishop of New York, Mr. Dolan who had served as Archbishop of Milwaukee from 2002 to 2009, clearly said that tampering with the traditional marriage would lead us into big trouble. He feels that the traditional one man-one woman marriage is rooted in our moral DNA.

This maybe in response to Governor Paterson's (Governor of New York, worth mentioning is the fact that he's just the 2nd legally blind Governor of any State in the USA and he's also the first African-American Governor of New York) push to the bill that legally allows gay marriage.

However The Archbishop clearly stated that he doesn't feel aggrieved by Paterson's move to legalise gay marriage and that he doesn't feel Paterson tried to insult him.

The jovial Dolan has already shown his proclivity towards baseball and beer, not to mention cigars, and is a popular figure among the New York public.

He, and other bishops, have already shown displeasure over The University of Notre Dame awarding President Obama an honorary degree, since the incumbent President is an avid supporter of abortion rights, which according to Dolan is intrisically evil and that there can be no discussion about it.

Moulin Rouge Review

In Baz Luhrmann's (director) own words, the movie was inspired by a quintessential Bollywood film in which the poor hero loves the rich girl (or vice versa) and ends up in a tragic or a happy ending, interspersed with scenes depicting comedy, romance, action, sentiments etc. not to forget the songs (every Indian film has lots of songs- even modern films have 5 songs at least).

True to his inspiration, the director churns out a Musical that has loads of songs that one could say the scenes were interspersed between the songs. However, you just breeze through the film because the songs (like all good songs should) blend with the situation. There are dream songs no doubt, but they reflect the mood of the moment and do not drift away from the story.

And the songs aren't bad either- each one is worthy of quite a few listening sessions but I doubt if they would sound spectacular while not watching the movie.

The movie itself is the typical love story- poor man with loads of artistic talent,breath-takingly beautiful courtesan, rich duke who wants the girl, the works.

And what's more, the ending is most certainly revealed by the narrator (the lover) in the beginning itself. So what's the fun, you ask me?

It's the journey that comprises all the rides, ups and downs, laughs and gags, tears and anger and all those emotions you can feel.

The story ends the way it began- with the words "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is to love and be loved in return"

The Indian connection continues in the movie, where the characters are busy preparing to put up a play which seems to be direct rip-off of a Sanskrit play The Little Clay Cart
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%E1%B9%9Bcchakatika

Nicole Kidman as Satine is absolutely ravishing- she lives the role no less. She is effortlessly natural in all the scenes. Ewan McGregor (Obi Wan Kenobi in Star Wars-The Phantom Menace, The Clone Wars, Revenge of the Sith) as the penniless writer is good, can't say spectacular. The entire cast has been carefully chosed, and I couldn't find a single character who doesn't seem to fit in.

There are a few scenes which I feel leave a bitter taste- scenes where Christian shows jealousy etc. These scenes paint a different picture about Christian to the viewers, something that'll garner less sympathy, but overall, the story is brilliant and loads of fun to watch.

Verdict: Watch with your girlfriend (or spouse) or watch it alone! Don't watch it with family or you won't be able to laugh when you want to!

Wanna bulk up fast? Eat Almonds!

It maybe small in size, but everything else about the Almonds is huge! To start off- it's expensive (atleast that's what it has been), and it's high on nutriet content as well. It's known to induce the mind to work better. Of course, the mind part isn't scientifically confirmed, but it's been known to have that effect from ancient times, and many of the brain-foods contain almond extracts.

Detailed nutrient info can be found in the following page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almond

Anyway, regarding the getting bulked up soon- you don't need to stuff yourself with meat and pizzas and all that. Just eating 4-6 raw almonds a day and by the end of TEN (10) days you'll have bulked up. I came to know of this fact only through experience.

My relative had bought myself some almonds. I think they must have weighed at around 250g. I finished off the entire pack in 10 days. I noticed that I had grown pretty fat than when I was before those 10 days. When I asked my parents for the reason- out came the answer, that I've been eating too many Almonds each day.

It took me about a year to burn up that fat! That's about as much nutrients and fats and sugar Almonds pack!

It's Raining Men by The Weather Girls

Why goto Limewire or Torrents when you can download the songs here for free!

Here's the It's Raining Men song by The Weather Girls.

"It's Raining Men" is a song written by Paul Jabara and Paul Shaffer in 1979, and originally recorded by The Weather Girls in 1982. The song had been offered to some female singing legends including Donna Summer, Grace Jones, Diana Ross, Cher, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Teena Marie, Gloria Gaynor, and Barbra Streisand before being accepted by Martha Wash and Izora Armstead of The Weather Girls. Their version became an international hit.

It was covered by Martha Wash (of The Weather Girls) as a duet with RuPaul in 1997, Geri Halliwell in 2001 and by Young Divas in 2006. The song is hailed as a camp classic and more recently as a dance anthem, and as a classic female anthem.

A modified version of the song was used in the Maruti SX4 "Men Are Back" commercial.

This song is played during the fight scene between Mark Darcy and Daniel Cleaver in the film Bridget Jones' Diary.

In 2001 a Bollywood movie, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (starring Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor and Rani Mukerji, directed by Karan Johar) used the song without acknowledgment or permission. The producers were taken to court and were ordered to pay compensation.

Here's the link
It's Raining Men The Weather Girls Success Download Rapidshare Free Megaupload Ziddu
Size:5.05 MB Format:MP3
http://www.ziddu.com/download/4417444/ItsRainingMen80sDisco.mp3.html

Ramayan The Legend Of Prince Ram Movie Torrent Everseeding

The movie was a huge hit with the Indian audience- who liked the concept of a reinvented (in some respects) Ramayana. It's available in DVD, but even that isn't easily got.
Anyway here's a good quality rip. The language is hindi. You can download subtitles if you have problems understanding hindi. Enjoy!

Ramayan The Legend Of Prince Ram Movie Torrent Download Ever Seeding Rapidshare Megaupload

http://www.mininova.org/tor/1164664

Can India do a South Africa to become Australia?

Daryll Cullinan, in his interview to Cricinfo reviewing the 4th day's play in Chennai between India and South Africa explained India's quick demise after Sewhag's fall due to an effort to produce an unlikely result out of the match. He says that in doing so they showed characteristics typical of recent world conquering Australian teams. We all know how the Aussies have plucked victory out of thin air in recent times. 2006 Adelaide against England, 2008 Sydney against India are a few such examples. It showed us that champion teams can turn matches in blink of an eye.

Although Cullinan may not have meant everything I have said here, this is a great compliment coming from him. Yet I must say the Indians must learn a few things and take a few tough risky decisions before earning it.

First of all, they must know to tackle any situation, any twist in the tale, must try to plug the leak before it develops. Instead of blinking on the pitch as to what is to be done, they must have definite plans to continue the match.

The most important problem today was the Indians didn't have a plan B. They had dreamed up of a situation in which Sewhag would bat for an eternity or at the leat until declaration, that is he would cross 400 in their plan A, and in quick time too. However, the South Africans had done their homework and had different ideas of their own.

So when an intense Ntini pulled off two blinders to remove Sewhag and Sachin in quick succession, the Indians felt they had floundered the opportunity. Actually- they had not.

Its foolish to think that all your plans will come good, to expect no fightback from the opposition. The best teams always know how to handle a situation if it doesn't go according to plan, or if plans backfire.

The Indians just had to regroup and go back to plan A. They could have tried different things too. They could have sent in Dhoni immediately after Ganguly fell, to keep up the scoring rate, by attacking Harris.

Without a plan B, the batsmen were torn between going for runs or building their own innings. Nobody knew what their role was, now that they were in a commanding position. Either Dravid or Ganguly had to tie up one end, while the other attacked. And although for a certain passage of time both were scoring boundaries freely, with the fall of Ganguly and Dravid, everything fell apart. Laxman and Dhoni are two contrasting batsmen, yet they can score a fast rate in their own styles.
Laxman deals in smooth caresses, Dhoni deals with bludgeoning blows and both leave the fielding team in chaos. If you doubt Laxman's prowess, just ask the Aussie attack that bowled to him this summer.

So they just had to string a partnership to wrest back the initiative. In that context, Dhoni's mode of dismissal was deplorable. He had no business charging Steyn- a bowler renowned for fiery pace and swing and bounce, who has been man-of-the-series for the past 3 consecutive series. If he wanted to bully someone, he didn't have to look further than Harris, the poor spinner who went for more than 200 runs. in fact, Dhoni had made a living biffing spinners out of the park until he became captain.

Dale Steyn cut him to size with two vicious bouncers and sent him packing. After that it was sheer carnage- Steyn style. He just ripped through the lower order like knife through butter. (This must be a warning to the Indian batsmen of Steyn's lethal nature.)

This wouldn't have happened if Dhoni had been a bit more responsible and strung a partnership with Laxman. This is where it became clear that the Indians had no clear working plan. They had the intent to get runs quickly and have a go at the Proteas, yet sometimes, just intent is not enough. You must know the methods.

Dhoni must by now know his role in the team. He needs to bottle up his aggressive instincts (of which we see very little of lately) and play gritty innings whenever required. Otherwise, if given the license, like in this case, he must be able to pummel the opposition into submission (like what Sewhag did as an opener). In effect, he must be able to do a Gilchrist when it is most needed. Above all this, he must know that his wicket is the door to Indian tail. He must not carelessly give it away like he did today.

Going for broke and getting out in the process is something, but walking down the pitch to an express fast bowler considered in the level of Lee is suicide. He must respect the bowlers for what they are. Had he done it against Kallis or Harris, or atleast Morkel (rarely) it would have been prudent.

Dhoni's manner of dismissal was unforgivable and it was the decisive moment the match turned from a possible Indian victory to an almost inevitable draw. Instead of unsettling or bullying Steyn, he was made to look like a dunce on the ground, stranded outside his crease, ungainly fending the ball like a rank No.11 batsman. Dhoni wouldn't forget this hard baptism, and if he intends to become a great Indian Test captain, he must not.

Anyway, the rest, as they say, is history. Indian dreams of a victory became thinner by the minute, and were almost extinguished once their own new ball bowlers sprayed it all over the pitch gifting away runs like toffees on Independence Day. Only a sliver of hope of a result in this match remains. And that is to do what South Africa did to us today- take the remaining 9 wickets for 150 odd runs in under 50 overs.

That would leave us with about 200 runs to get in about 35 overs. At a run rate of 6 with Sewhag in such searing form and the South African pace contingent recovering well after their 3rd day mauling, it promises to be an exciting run chase if it materialises. If it doesn't, then plan B- play for a draw. Let us hope the Indians come tomorrow with more than one plan and although I fear any amount of planning may not produce a result, it is always good to be ready.
Because they say "When you fail to plan, you plan to fail!"

Can India do a South Africa to become Australia?

Daryll Cullinan, in his interview to Cricinfo reviewing the 4th day's play in Chennai between India and South Africa explained India's quick demise after Sewhag's fall due to an effort to produce an unlikely result out of the match. He says that in doing so they showed characteristics typical of recent world conquering Australian teams. We all know how the Aussies have plucked victory out of thin air in recent times. 2006 Adelaide against England, 2008 Sydney against India are a few such examples. It showed us that champion teams can turn matches in blink of an eye.

Although Cullinan may not have meant everything I have said here, this is a great compliment coming from him. Yet I must say the Indians must learn a few things and take a few tough risky decisions before earning it.

First of all, they must know to tackle any situation, any twist in the tale, must try to plug the leak before it develops. Instead of blinking on the pitch as to what is to be done, they must have definite plans to continue the match.

The most important problem today was the Indians didn't have a plan B. They had dreamed up of a situation in which Sewhag would bat for an eternity or at the leat until declaration, that is he would cross 400 in their plan A, and in quick time too. However, the South Africans had done their homework and had different ideas of their own.

So when an intense Ntini pulled off two blinders to remove Sewhag and Sachin in quick succession, the Indians felt they had floundered the opportunity. Actually- they had not.

Its foolish to think that all your plans will come good, to expect no fightback from the opposition. The best teams always know how to handle a situation if it doesn't go according to plan, or if plans backfire.

The Indians just had to regroup and go back to plan A. They could have tried different things too. They could have sent in Dhoni immediately after Ganguly fell, to keep up the scoring rate, by attacking Harris.

Without a plan B, the batsmen were torn between going for runs or building their own innings. Nobody knew what their role was, now that they were in a commanding position. Either Dravid or Ganguly had to tie up one end, while the other attacked. And although for a certain passage of time both were scoring boundaries freely, with the fall of Ganguly and Dravid, everything fell apart. Laxman and Dhoni are two contrasting batsmen, yet they can score a fast rate in their own styles.
Laxman deals in smooth caresses, Dhoni deals with bludgeoning blows and both leave the fielding team in chaos. If you doubt Laxman's prowess, just ask the Aussie attack that bowled to him this summer.

So they just had to string a partnership to wrest back the initiative. In that context, Dhoni's mode of dismissal was deplorable. He had no business charging Steyn- a bowler renowned for fiery pace and swing and bounce, who has been man-of-the-series for the past 3 consecutive series. If he wanted to bully someone, he didn't have to look further than Harris, the poor spinner who went for more than 200 runs. in fact, Dhoni had made a living biffing spinners out of the park until he became captain.

Dale Steyn cut him to size with two vicious bouncers and sent him packing. After that it was sheer carnage- Steyn style. He just ripped through the lower order like knife through butter. (This must be a warning to the Indian batsmen of Steyn's lethal nature.)

This wouldn't have happened if Dhoni had been a bit more responsible and strung a partnership with Laxman. This is where it became clear that the Indians had no clear working plan. They had the intent to get runs quickly and have a go at the Proteas, yet sometimes, just intent is not enough. You must know the methods.

Dhoni must by now know his role in the team. He needs to bottle up his aggressive instincts (of which we see very little of lately) and play gritty innings whenever required. Otherwise, if given the license, like in this case, he must be able to pummel the opposition into submission (like what Sewhag did as an opener). In effect, he must be able to do a Gilchrist when it is most needed. Above all this, he must know that his wicket is the door to Indian tail. He must not carelessly give it away like he did today.

Going for broke and getting out in the process is something, but walking down the pitch to an express fast bowler considered in the level of Lee is suicide. He must respect the bowlers for what they are. Had he done it against Kallis or Harris, or atleast Morkel (rarely) it would have been prudent.

Dhoni's manner of dismissal was unforgivable and it was the decisive moment the match turned from a possible Indian victory to an almost inevitable draw. Instead of unsettling or bullying Steyn, he was made to look like a dunce on the ground, stranded outside his crease, ungainly fending the ball like a rank No.11 batsman. Dhoni wouldn't forget this hard baptism, and if he intends to become a great Indian Test captain, he must not.

Anyway, the rest, as they say, is history. Indian dreams of a victory became thinner by the minute, and were almost extinguished once their own new ball bowlers sprayed it all over the pitch gifting away runs like toffees on Independence Day. Only a sliver of hope of a result in this match remains. And that is to do what South Africa did to us today- take the remaining 9 wickets for 150 odd runs in under 50 overs.

That would leave us with about 200 runs to get in about 35 overs. At a run rate of 6 with Sewhag in such searing form and the South African pace contingent recovering well after their 3rd day mauling, it promises to be an exciting run chase if it materialises. If it doesn't, then plan B- play for a draw. Let us hope the Indians come tomorrow with more than one plan and although I fear any amount of planning may not produce a result, it is always good to be ready.
Because they say "When you fail to plan, you plan to fail!"