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Leena's Lair
Leena Kamath
is a
budding journalist and is currently pursuing her master's in journalism from a
school in Pittsburgh. She finished her graduation from Mount Carmel College,
Bangalore and also has a Diploma in Print and Broadcast Journalism. She is into
classical dancing, painting and few other things!!
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here to read book reviews from Leena.
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Leena's
Lair: The
Art of being articulate
My sister’s
best friend often tells me that when I speak, she actually cringes at my choice
of words. She often has great urges to rinse my mouth with soap water. I have
been accused of being, perhaps, a little weird-- a person overtly fond of
profanity and taboo because I always like to do or say what I am not supposed
to. Ah! The sweet taste of the forbidden fruit. I guess there is a little bit of
“Eve” in us after all. Read
On
Back
To Basics
I look back on the past year, reassessed my losses, compromises, evaluated my shattered dreams – and realized that I had learnt a lot from them – Life’s little lessons. I recalled the victories, happy moments, and remembered those sleepless nights I spent staring at the ceiling wall mulling over the fear that consumed me: That I would never, ever be good enough. I do not know what the future holds for me - the uncertainty, ambiguity and insecurity of tomorrow haunt me.
Read On
My
Hero…
We live in a society where the TV and the print media are often considered as
evil by the public. Yes, they tolerate them but wished the journalists
disappeared from the face of the earth. More often than not, the public
misconstrues a journalist's search for a story as a charade, or pretense. What
else would motivate a reporter to jeopardize his/her life just to get a story?
Is it for a Pulitzer? Or is it the element of risk which entices them in to
pursing a story? Are they justified in their means go into the front lines of
war for an interview or capture the news? Read
On
To Die for…
In general, we’ve
become far too passive as a culture, in every facet of life-art, literature,
politics, science etc. Where are the Mozart, Shakespeare, Einstein, Gandhi,
Michelangelo, Abraham Lincoln of our generation gone? All everyone cares now is
their 401K, price of stock, car payments, house mortgage etc etc. We have
stopped caring about things. I don’t believe that we do not have talented
people nor do I believe that we have run out of causes worth fighting for. We
all know that there are plenty of worthy causes out there. We just look the
other way and not bother with them. I can almost picture Al Gore watching news
footage of New York City and thinking to himself, “Boy, I am so glad I don’t
have to deal with this.” Read
On
Deepavali
or Diwali…does it matter?
To the Jains, Deepawali
has an added significance because it is the day that
Mahaveera attained the eternal bliss of Nirvana. Swami
Dayanand Saraswati, the father of modern Hindu Renaissance
passed into eternity on this day. Swami Ramatirtha, who was
instrumental in spreading the message of Hinduism to the
western world, took samadhi on this day. Read
On
A Fish Called Sylvia
I am a ridiculous person.
This I know and people I know think so too. I have quietly reconciled to this
fact through the years and now just to keep people content, I act weird. Being
weird has become an integral part of my character. Sounds weird huh? I make
cooing sounds at dogs, talk to my husband although he lives 5000 miles away from
me and I have recently extended this behavior to our new pet Sylvia. Read
On
A few words for all....
De-stress (btw, that is my brother’s favorite
word) Let go of that guilt. Don’t indulge in gossip and don’t associate with
anyone who does. Be an Ayn Rand Fan. Let Fountainhead be your bible. Be cool.
Don’t sell yourself short. Preserve your integrity and don’t compromise on
it for anyone or anything. Use protection every time. Protect your apartment
complex against the fierce army ants and roaches. Chill, chill, and chill. But
don’t solidify. Learn math. Be an authority on Nietzsche. Disprove
Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. Do not condone Hollywood, bollywood,
lollywood or whatever, Jolly good? Join the Govinda’s fan club and Mamta
Kulkarni’s thrust fan club.
Ruminate if BUBU94 is an amalgamation of B52, UB40 and U2.
Read
On
And
the Oscar goes to…
I have always made it a point never to over-praise
a movie. But I admit I will make an exception this one time! Aamir Khan has
taken some extreme calculated risks and challenges in making this movie. We all
know he is a perfectionist and is supposedly very difficult to work with. But if
the end result is something like Lagaan, it definitely is worth putting up with
all his idiosyncrasies. It has been very difficult for me to write such a review
and praise it to the skies, but Lagaan is an extreme movie and it deserve such
response. Hip Hip Hurrah for Aamir Khan and Ashutosh Gowariker. Yet another
chapter is Indian Cinema has opened…
Read
On
Graduation!
Staying here has taught me a lot and
yes of course, I want to share it with you. So, please be prepared and don't
flinch. (especially dada and ma!)
Wear protection. If I could offer just one tip for the future, being protected
would be it. When efficiently used, they considerably lessen the chance of
pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. What I have to say will not
preclude conception. To some people, it may not even make sense. But, for what
it’s worth here, it is a good advice. Read
On
What
Men Want ? Prerequisite: Wanted
– Single, Indian female in her mid 20’s who likes music, movies. Should have
fair skin, speak good English. Should also have high moral character and good
sense of humor. Must be willing to work in the U.S. Must be willing to love and
be loved! (Sic!) Women afraid of heights need not bother to respond: since the
pedestal you will be put on will be rather high. Read
On.
Out on a Limb :
An open letter to my friends, family and foes.
I understand people have opinions and the whole point of having a feedback
column is to voice opinions and feelings. Furthermore, I understand that many
people may not fully accede with mine. Which is fine with me. Read
On
Valentine's Day!
Well, for those of us who live in the
US of A, February is that month that lies in nullity. Most of us are still
getting over the Christmas shopping and are still buried in bills left over from
the Christmas. Just when you thought it was safe to relax, the commercial powers
that be slap Valentine's Day smack in the middle of the month. All of a sudden,
we have to find something to buy for our friends and loved ones. Read
On
The Power of Plastic!
Well, in the beginning I thought I had
received a cool credit card where I can sign off my magic name and survive in
this big bad world of Gap, Victoria's Secret and Ann Taylor. But later, I
realized I should have been more careful and read the fine print below before
signing away my name and social security number to an unknown person.
Read
On
How much do You Drink?
I was appalled when I got an email from a friend informing me that my roommate
has been suspended from school for excessive drinking and indecent behavior.
What my roommate did was typical of any school or college going kids.
Binge drinking. It's a college stereotype... Read
On
Celebrating Kannada and
Kannadigas: Dr. Kota Shivram Karanth (1902-1997)
His work includes 42 novels, 31 plays, Four short
stories, Six books of essays and sketches, thirteen books on art, including a
history of world art and an authoritative work on Chalukyan sculpture and
architecture, A standard treatise on the Yakshagana, with which dramatic form,
his? name is identified, A three volume book of knowledge for children, A four
volume encyclopedia on science for grown ups, 240 children's books Six books on
travel, and the list is still incomplete... Read
On
Life's Little Instruction!
I often find myself asking questions like,
"DO I enjoy my work?" "Am I happy?" "Is there any
meaning in my existence?" "Where will I be 10 years from now?"
Sitting at my desk everyday, staring at the monitor, I do not realize how soon
time flies. Minutes roll into hours and then into days and then into months, and
years. And finally, before you even know it, it is time to check out. Say
goodbye! Finito! The End! Read
On
The Next to
"Stain" the White House!
Despite the final recount, the acrimony
surrounding this election will be felt for a long time to come, at the very
least on the election day four years from now. Well, who can imagine what is to
happen? Maybe Bush will actually deliver all those grandiose promises he made
about health concerns, social security, and tax relief to fellow Americans and
will be hailed as a national hero. At least this time it won't be a divided in
the House of Senate and maybe it will be good for America, after all. Read
On
The Weighty Issues in Life
I am not fat but I don't want to end up as a fat
ass, badass journalist who waddles her way through assignments. Perish the
thought! Read
On
This thing called Attitude!
Stitching, needlework, knitting has never been my
strong point. I used to hate those home science classes at school. I remember
our teacher giving us lectures on health, hygiene, importance of safe sex,
condoms, breast exams, AIDS and cancer. Now I wish, that maybe I should have
paid more attention to Sr. Lenny. Read
On
Live and Let Live!
I grew up like most kids using and consuming
animal food and products. I did not pay attention to the concept of
vegetarianism nor did it concern me in the least at that time. It was when I
witnessed a brutal animal slaughter, something in me snapped. Not many of us
know about the atrocities being meted out to the animals. Cows, chickens, pigs
are raised in a "farm factory" just so that they end up on our dinner
plates. They have nothing to look forward to in life. The sole purpose of their
existence is to offer themselves to us. How many of us can live like that? Read
On
Internet and Copyright Laws
- Part1
The main problem in violating the copyright on
the Internet lies in the fact that many Internet users don't realize that the
rules that apply in the real world also apply in the cyber-world. It is
imperative that all net users know that just because information is freely
available, it does not give them any automatic right to use any work in any way
they can. This is violating the law in the worst possible sense. Read
On
Internet and Copyright Laws
- Part2
"Acceptable Use" varies in the opinion
of the Internet users. For some "acceptable use" is limited to viewing
the pages. For others, it is completely unlimited. Hence, it is a very relative
issue where Internet is concerned. In times like this, it is always advisable to
ask the administrator and seek permission to use the work. Writing for the
Internet is publishing it in a global forum. Here, it is there for everyone to
see and use. Thus, taking any material from a web site and using it can be seen
as publishing someone else's work under your name. Read
On
Ethics: Does it apply to
you?
Chicago Sun-Times is a very well reputed
newspaper in the United States. Recently they got into a controversy over the
extent they would go to get a story. What they did was is as follows: Read
On
Stockholm Syndrome
Interesting fact about the Stockholm syndrome was
the case of a woman who was one of the captives held hostage at that bank, who
became so emotionally attached to one of the robbers that she broke her
engagement to another man and remained faithful to her former captor during his
prison term. Read
On
Of Soppy Weepy Stuff!
I used to think that my quest for understanding
was a hopeless one. I was wrong! I thought if anyone could ever understand me
wholly, there would be only "one" person and it would take me a
lifetime to find him or her. But I have come to realize that understanding
someone is not so hard.
Lucky for me, I had three special people to make me understand! Read
On
Save Cubbon Park
isn't Cubbon Park where the hoi polloi, the
crème' da' la' crème' of Banglore's high society hang out, jog, talk or simply
stand and gawk? Bimal Desai, Justice Saldhana, Ramjee Chandran, Padukone, Krish
(my one-time huge crush... But please don't ask me why I have included him in
this list!) are some of the popular faces one can see in the wee hours of the
morning in C.P's (acronym of Cubbon Park!) Read
On
My Pap Farm
My admiration for my father increased when I left
home to pursue my studies abroad. He has been a pillar of strength to me and has
also put with my rebellious attitude. I love my dada and completely adore his
eccentric ways. He enjoys the finer things in life and has come up the hard way.
His no-nonsense attitude and his obsession about punctuality drive us mad! But
that’s my dada… “Don’t do two things at a time, you will never be
successful that way”, he admonishes us when we sit in front of the T.V with
our dinner plates! Read
On
A-NOT-O-L!
I have silently resigned to the fact that for the
next couple of years, the big bus will be my mode of transport. Unless OKC goes
public…my dada wins $1 million in his free lotto game he religiously plays
everyday or maybe if my takes pity on me and gives me a VW bug for my 25th
birthday! (Hint! Hint!) Well, till such time I will ride the bus and come back
and religiously report every little detail that happens to me on my ride to
school. I saw a large billboard sign, which said: BANK ONLINE
AND NOT IN-LINE!
Read
On
AWARE OF AWARENESS WEEK?
I have an alter personality and my alter name is
Chulita. It means flower in Norwegian. This is my identity on the Internet. The
Internet has become a way of life for me. Over these past couple of years, I
have made several friends, shared deep dark secrets and fantasies with “fun_without_gus”,
“Cyber Demon”, “Giggles”, “erectile dysfunction”, chatted with
famous personalities and also found my soul mate (read husband!) in this
crazy-larger-than-life world of Internet. Read
On
Censorship in Television
Increasingly, electronic media--including
television, music video, videotape, film, radio, compact disk, and hypertext for
personal computers--have become primary sources of information and recreation,
as well as emotional and artistic experiences for everyone
Read
On
Deepavali or Diwali…does
it matter?
If there is one season, which is
full of joy and jubilation for everyone – the young, the old, rich poor, men
and women – for the entire Indian community, it is the festival of Lights,
Deepawali. ‘Tis the season to be jolly and gay (!) the festival of Deepawali
holds a great significance to Hindus not only in India but to the Indian
community throughout the world. ‘Tis the time of the year when we come
together as a family and spend time with one another. This is festival where
people from all age groups participate in the festivities to give expressions to
their happiness.
Read
on
What After??
I am at crossroads in my life. When I finished my
undergraduate degree I swore I would not study again. But I did. And now I don’t
know what to do with myself after I graduate. I find myself dreaming into space
and thinking of the those wonderful years… It is difficult to picture yourself
as an alumnus. You work and work each day to reach that ultimate goal.. Read
On
I know what I did last
Fall!
Last fall, I discovered that freedom costs about
$10,000 plus a life to your self. I left for the U.S visualizing of this freedom
and entering the land of opportunity with reckless abandon. Of course I missed
my home, parents, friends…but still I had my own life and had to carve a niche’
for myself in this big bad world. All my life I have lived with my parents and
have been sheltered and cosseted by them. I enjoyed it but for a while… Read
On
Whose Life is it Anyways?
I live in a middle class
American town. Cobbled streets, dying steel-mills, old ladies prancing around in
their tennis shoes, old dilapidated buildings is what Pittsburgh is all about. I
usually travel by bus from home to school, which is an hour’s drive from where
I live. I encounter a lot of weirdoes, senior citizens and handicapped people
and it takes forever for these people to climb or get down, thus making my Read
On
Writing......
I sat and waited. Organized
my thoughts, sharpened my pencil. Sipped my Café Mocha and took a long drag on
my cigarette. And then I glanced up to catch my reflection in the window. And
found myself still wondering…why can’t I come up with something interesting
to write about...? Something to comment...Read
On Honeymoon…
"A road trip from Pittsburgh to Seattle…NO
WAY, you are not spending 10 days in a car and gallivant across the country with
a man you just met…." shrieked my ever- skeptical-never-trusting mother.
"Hmm…a road trip huh?!? Well, one thing's for sure, if you both endure
this trip
and actually not end up not killing each other,
there is a chance that your marriage will last " commented my sister, who
is known to be more objective than the rest of my clan. Read
On
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