R-Rated

Typical me that I thought a reality show like American Idol would be just another drama filled event with everyone wanting to win the grand prize. But I must say, I am hooked on to American Idol. There are some genuinely amazing talents who can sing. And it shows on the show why they need to win the title. People ridicule Simon Cowell for being brash and rude to the contestants, but he is brilliant when it comes to identifying a gem from the also-rans. Another show that I am beginning to like is Hell's Kitchen, a reality show for aspiring chefs. The show's main attraction is Chef Gordon Ramsey who is probably the rudest and arrogant person to step foot in a kitchen, but again he is simply the best. British personalities like Cowell and Ramsey are churning up America's best talents in the singing and the food business. No wonder they are coveted and so are the people whom they identify as the ones to carry a huge legacy on their shoulders.

Had been to the Hindu Temple today. One of the first things that I noticed about the temple parking lot was that it resembled a used Honda and Toyota car showroom. These two Japanese auto powerhouses have to thank the Indians all around the US for their exceptional sales. And this observation is true about any temple in the US. Pittsburgh Balaji Temple, Aurora Balaji Temple, Lemont Rama Temple etc are the few huge temples that I have visited and have been pleasantly shocked to see the number of Hondas and Toyotas in the parking lots. Lexus and Mercedes are also catching up. Seems the Indian diaspora is not gravely affected by the recession. They were/are smart about the money they earned. Talking about car sales, almost everyone from GM to Ford to Chrysler to Toyota to Honda to Nissan have seen their car sales decline by double digits. American automakers are struggling to sell their "bad" products to the consumers and this time unlike earlier years, the consumer knows better...

Shri Ram Sene ... naam to suna hi hoga ..says Pramod Muthalik, chief of the new 'terror' squad spreading havoc in Mangalore. After the 'punishment' that was unleashed at the pub-goers couple of weeks ago, there is a new "law and order" in town so to speak. And the occasion to 'celebrate' the new law is none other than the scorn of the hindu-tradition loving purists, "St. Valentine's Day". The 'rule' apparently is that if a couple is found 'together' on V-day, Shri Ram Sene activists are going to get them married off without (apparently) resorting to violence. Unka maanna hai ki 'itna hi pyar hai to shaadi kyun nahi kar lete'. Fair enough. But what the hell does Democracy mean or for that matter Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Speech mean to a citizen of India. Nothing when it concerns the Sene. Also, noodle straps and some western wear are not allowed to be worn by females. Good God. I thought America is goin...