He starts off on a mission to escape the system, so to speak; believing the US government is not to be trusted, seeking asylum in dual citizenship and offshore ventures; all inspired by dodgy cult groups, the infamous Y2K panic, and his rich friends hoping to purchase an island of refuge. His Wikipedia page, which I casually consulted shortly before cracking open Emergency, notes that Strauss’s nationality is American, Kittitian. The book truly goes into specifications on the trouble he went through to earn that second, well-researched but completely unrelated nationality; all in an effort to breakout from the catastrophe that is, from historical precedence and current signs, the US’s destiny to perish as the world’s hegemonic power. While I admittedly note that he’s inspired my investigation on attaining dual citizenship for myself, American & South African (minus Strauss’s hassle), I can’t agree more with his realization that, after he found himself in the threatening darkness of St. Kitts blackout post-Hurricane Katrina, he hasn’t escaped from anything; “The lesson of Katrina wasn’t that the United States can’t protect its own. It was that no country can protect its own. No place and no government can guarantee the well-being of its citizens. There’s only one place to find true safety: from within.”

So Strauss goes forth describing his lessons on becoming a man- and “as the world of survivalism opened up, I began to realized that I’d been rendered completely helpless by convenience….Life was more exciting now that I was learning to handle just about anything that came my way without having to depend on anyone else. Two decades after puberty, I was finally coning a man.” Little do we know that calling the 1-800-plumber when the toilet floods, purchasing mozzarella cheese at Trader Joe’s, or consuming vitamins to mentally compensate for the lack of fiber, protein, and calcium in our diets, is inadvertently, making us less of a “man.” I can agree with Strauss in some sense; because if the world was to end as we know and we were challenged in pulling a Robert Neville, how many hours, days, or weeks would we survive?

Strauss made frequent references to one of my favorite and most influential novels, Lord of the Flies as he himself, is a fliesian. If society were to tumble into unfamiliar shreds, humans would turn violent and animalistic; fending for themselves at the expense of anyone else; the Hobbes mentality; we are born naturally brutish and short. I paged through the novel questioning whether I myself, am a fliesian or a humanist, or somewhere in the vast grayness that lays between. While I believe strongly that human beings have the capacity to turn from kind and generous (when the resources are not scarce) to conniving and aggressive, I also believe that a situation like an apocalypse could evolve people in the opposite way. Is that survival instinct that some of us hold deeply within the very root to hostility we would inflict on another for a morsel of food or a sip of water to help us see the sun for at least one more day? Is it the denial of death (of ourselves) the stem to living beyond at our neighbor’s life sacrifice?

Strauss straddled a fine line between irrationality and inspiring awareness. While he seemed excessively paranoid, he indicated that “though paranoia is often used as a derogatory term, the truth is that it’s a survival instinct. In you your postman is stealing your checks or your nurse is poisoning your food, eve nits not true, the accusation is rooted in an innate desire for self-preservation. When a cat perks up its ears or hides under a bed when a completely harmless stranger approaches, it the exact same response developed through millennia spent living in the wild, where the unknown was a threat. And because the future is unknown, no matter how good or bad things may be today, it will always be a threat. So, ultimately, the sole arbiter of what’s paranoia and what’s common sense is what happens tomorrow. You’re only paranoid if you’re wrong. If you’re right, you’re a prophet.” And if that’s not convincing, I know that if/when sh*t hits the fan, I’d want to be stranded with Neil Strauss because he knows how to make, for example, drinkable water, from practically nothing; something we supposedly can’t survive 3 days without (unless you’re the Buddha Boy of Nepal).

Even though it’s only been eight days, I genuinely feel like I am at a whole new level of fitness, balance, and pure happiness (no, seriously) in my life because the mental post-effects have been and continue to be almost instantaneous for me! Through mediation and disciple, it’s fascinating what the mind and body could tolerate and become energized by. The minute I walk out of that sweltering room (appearing as if I had just been showered down; cleansed from the inside out), I feel rejuvenated and completely enlivened. While every practice has been a distinctive experience regarding my tolerance, strength, stability, flexibility, or lack thereof, etc. I finish with an even clearer confirmation in the wise notion that “the body is a temple, the finest machine in the world” (Bikram Choudhury).

Now I’ve just quoted Choudhury but I must add that some individuals seem as though his teachings are straight religion which they live and die by… “Bikram says this, Bikram says that.” Bikram says a lot of things, some of which I couldn’t agree with more, but many of which I don’t understand nor see eye to eye with. The man himself is another story in my mind and for this post, he is beside the point; while giving focus to the beauty of the yoga itself, I can admit thus far that his series, which, might I add, he copyrighted and franchised, is truly as magical as it’s cracked up to be.

Although the instructors don’t do the asanas/exercises themselves with us during the class, some of them whom have led a few of the classes I’ve taken exhibit an inspiring passion and personal commitment to our vitality and the healing of Bikram Yoga. Their enthusiasm and precision have a powerful impact on my vigor and impression of the day’s practice. No wonder they’ve invested thousands of dollars to become “certified Bikram Yoga teachers” by the boss man himself…oh, and because they could run the risk of being sued if they didn’t since that very boss man is an unprecedented-yoga-entrepreneur who is so very on top of his game.

Also, I never realized the true potential of my ability to perspire…so profusely! Even while training Muay Thai in Thailand in 90-degree weather, running for miles, boxing and kicking until my limbs quivered, etc. I didn’t sweat this much. Sure, the fact that 40-plus, clammy, dripping adults are packed into one modestly-sized studio for 90 minutes, which at times feels like 90 years, is a troubling thought. But by flex or by stretch, sweating that much is so unbelievably liberating, especially considering that that’s how our bodies’ amassed toxins are being plainly released! In that respect, we become an intimate-(and I mean it in more senses of the word than I would sometimes prefer) community that is devotedly striving to attain a fresh height of health and happiness…simple. :] :] :]

Namaste.
Chetna

Bangalore-born, 27ish years young (sources vary), standing at 5’10″, so funky, so fly, and doing her thing as an edgy yet beautiful, Indian woman.

When I first saw a photo of Lakshmi Menon, I couldn’t quite pinpoint where she was from. I didn’t think, “wow, she’s pretty” but at the same time, was definitely intrigued by her. I wouldn’t classify her in the same category as Freida Pinto or Aishwarya because Lakshmi Menon is so much more than pretty; she’s versatile, beautiful and straight up Fierce…that’s what I love about her look, or rather, many different looks.

And to think that she only started her international modelling career in 2006, when she was about 24 or 25 years old…an age at which such an industry would be unwelcoming or harsh to break into…ermm, unless you look like her.

Bottom line: I’m inspired…

Chetna

Hilary Swank has always been one of my favorite actresses, especially after “Boys Don’t Cry” and even more so after “Million Dollar Baby.” Besides Kate Winslet, I can’t think of many others who delve so deeply into the characters they represent in such a classy and poignant way.

I was looking at InStyle’s 100 dresses of the decade and Swank naturally made the list in Guy Laroche’s navy blue, backless gown from the 77th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles back in 2005. This is was shortly after “Million Dollar Baby” came out and after she underwent some serious fitness training to rightfully fit the part. Results: the perfect backless dress to show off a killer back.

C

They say that the green is a gateway drug. If anything, it certainly is a gateway to analytical thinking, irrepressible laughter, silent appreciations, and foolish bloggery. Au contrare, I will proudly go so far as to say: that cherished Starbucks double espresso cappuccino is the gateway drug. To the right, I have a google-extracted/self-edited photo to illustrate my point exactly.

A genius can be identified as someone who has overcome the barriers within his/her mind; barriers which impede creativity, originality, and controversy.  Painters, writers, etc. like Salvador Dali, Stephen King, and Picasso created their masterpieces while undergoing the effects of LSD, Coke, and so on. What earned them the “genius level” is their ability to surmount (at least temporarily) those crazy trips and produce “art” from it which will and has eventually changed the world as we see it…even if it haswill eventually lead to their physical and mental demise. They’re either incredibly brave…or stupid. Can you imagine being in Stephen King’s head?!

Best advertisement placement I’ve seen in a long while: a large poster saying “Got a DUI?” with a phone number stuck on the backrest of a bench near a bus stop in LA (“because you’re a dumba*s and you probably have to take the bus just because of it,” wisely cracked by Nadia).
Moral of the story: don’t drink and drive or you’ll be “that guy” on that bench, probably calling that number.

I recently saw a flick called “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.” I highly anticipated the release to theatres as its Heath Ledger’s last movie and also features Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Collin Farrell. I’m extremely surprised that it’s not as big as I thought it would be (completely but understandably drowned out by “Avatar”), although I thoroughly enjoyed it. The premise was basic yet intriguing, the story itself was glittered with various other details to make it more innovative, and the cast was creepy…yet appealing. However, my opinion of the film was generated under a certain influence. When people ask if I would recommend seeing the movie, I feel as though I can offer my opinion only alongside a disclaimer crediting that influence, otherwise, my opinion may be rightfully judged as falsehood. Consider (yet another) disclaimer given.

Netflix Inc. has an invaluable library of…movies, yes indeed, but it also sits on an ever-increasing collection of millions of customer preferences and ratings, all of which could tell an enormous amount about someone. I wonder if a couple’s compatibility could be determined by their taste in documentaries, romantic comedies, gore, drama, and television shows…if so, we could say goodbye to eHarmony.com and Match.com and say hello to Netflix.com…in terms of finding your soul mate, that is. No? Maybe not.

Keep holistic.
C

 Ron Haviv is an award-winning photojournalist who has produced images of conflict and humanitarian crises that have made headlines from around the world since the end of the Cold War. 

Many of Haviv’s photos were shot in countries such as Afghanistan, DR Congo, Haiti, Yugoslavia, etc.

This post was inspired by a conversation I recently had with one of my co-workers about what our “dream job” would be. We both mutually agreed that being a photojournalist for the National Geographic, for instance, would be incredibly badass…

This topic in itself reminds me of a fictional but sensible character in Jhumpa Lahiri’s Unaccustomed Earth, (a brilliant collection of stories which I highly recommend reading) who was a photojournalist. Throughout his career, he had captured death, demise, and despair. However, he became numb to the gruesome casualties that he photographed from all over the world, and even those within his own family, because he had built a life from hiding behind a lens…that’s powerful. 

As visually and captivatingly awarding this career could be, it takes one with immense strength and courage to do it. Photojournalists make a daring living by portraying scenes that aren’t shown in the everyday media…they illustrate stories through their photos, which look similar to war movie freezes…yet somehow, the blood flows as a brighter scarlet and the facial expressions are deeper than the viewer can fathom; utterly real, unscripted, and inevitably poignant.

Say cheese.
Chetna

It’s always interesting, and occasionally upsetting to become aware of how we are perceived by others. It can be even more distressing when our character is determined by the generation which we belong to…a mere but professing alphabet (Y) that declares the story of our very existence, attitudes, and ethos. FYI, Generation Y includes those who were born in and between 1979-1997.

The link above is to a 31-slide PowerPoint presentation (which I suggest clicking through) from a marketing company called Outlaw Consulting, Inc. based in San Francisco. They are a qualitative research firm specializing in Gen Y and trendsetters. I’ll give it to them; their work and philosophy are incredibly intriguing. They claim that they are “in the club with hipsters one day and in the boardroom with marketers the next” (as cheesy as that is, it says so on their website) all in an effort to delve into needs of consumers everywhere.

Either way, this slide-show is post-worthy because it identifies many revealing facets of society and its citizen majority, Gen Y…dun dun dunnnn. Obviously, what I take to be true from this presentation is only what I can relate to directly or indirectly through the traits of those whom I know. How true is it to you? 

rotflmao :].
C

Thanks to DVR, we literally rewound to rewatch this dance approximately 10 times last night after it aired. And now, thanks to YouTube, we can all watch it a few times more. :]

Also, a minor plug on “Dancing with the Stars” and how amazing of a show it is: It’s brought to my awareness so many different kinds of dances, choreography styles, and music from all over the world. The costumes are always so beautifully designed and constructed, the dancers and guest performers are hardly short of entertaining, the live singers are on point with the song covers, and the hosts and judges (when they’re not completely off with their scores) are witty and hilarous. I highly recommend checking it out!

Paz Doble.
C

“Yes, I am the inescapable, the irresistable,
The unnegotiable, the unchallenged
I scroll in measurements, control the elements,
I hold the evidence, I tell the story
I know no prejudice, I bare no sentiments
For wealth or settlement, I move forward
You can’t recover me, conceal or smuggle me,
Retreat or run from me, crawl up or under me,
You can’t do much for me besides serve
Me well and have good dividends returned to you
Or attempt to kill me off and have me murder you
Many have wasted me but now they are facing me,
Treated me unfaithfully and now endure me painfully
Plaintively, I wait to see what history will shape to be,
Whose hearts will never die inside the sake of me
Angel’s scribe the page for me,
Keep a full account of all the names for me”

[Mos Def's verse in "Hurricane"]

Tick tock…
Chetna

I don’t know if this is a recent trend, but browsing through Vogue and Elle, I’ve noticed that there are so many more actresses and/or musicianistas whom are strewn across white bedsheets, caressing perfume bottles, or sporting the latest, lavish accessories in editorial advertisements for the high-end players; i.e. Madonna for Louis Vuitton, Scarlet Johansson for L’Anti Marilyn and Dolce & Gabbana, Keira Knightly for Chanel, etc.

Emma Watson is my fav. though!

Muggle…out.
C