Rohithian BroBible

'Realization' is my most favourite word. My really close friends would know that. It makes me sound intelligent too :P . On a serious note, I've realized so many things about life in the past one year that at one point, I totally lost it, I broke down not knowing what to do. One year in Pune at the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics Hostel killed a part of me. For months on end, I was incapable of giving a smile or be happy. The insane amount of pressure that I heaped on myself due to academics didn't help either.

I am a man of a few words, laconic in my conversations with most people. If something bothers me, I usually confide only in very few people or I have a diary (I've practically finished writing three books about things that I have 'realized' over the past few years!). But the fact that that circle got smaller really shattered me. It took me sometime to understand how naive I was about the way people behave.

Law 1: All's fair in love and war. Yes, it is. Being the nice guy in love or war won't give you anything, but a bruised ego and broken pride.

Law 2: Love all, trust few. I had never understood what Shakespeare meant by saying this. But now I have. It's sad how you make fewer real friends as you grow up. The competitive spirit, the need to be better than everyone else has heated up so much so that no one cares about anyone else, but themselves. So follow the crowd and don't be caught off guard next time.

Law 3: The prettier the chick, the greater you're screwed. I've believed in this for a long time. But recently, I decided to take this law down for a bit coz I thought it was a bit too cynical and lacked primary experiences. Well, now I have enough experience and am convinced that this should be the Eleventh Commandment in the BroBible. Even though the path of being screwed may be different for different bros, the end result is the same.

Law 4: Make sure that you're a priority rather than an option. Unless you're absolutely sure that you're not just another option, you're entitled to expand your portfolios too. Make sure you make the portfolios evident through subtle references.

Law 5: References to how cute you are, how smart you are or how talented you are meant to lower your guard. Yes, it is. It might seem as an obvious thing. But whether you like to admit or not, it works like a charm on you. So, be aware the next time.

I am sure I know more...will update it as soon as I remember them...

Celebrity Look-Alikes

I've heard that at any point in time, there are eight people in this world that look exactly like you do. Well, I have proof that there are a couple of celebrities who do have long lost twin brothers. Check this out!


1. Robert Pires & Anthony Kiedis

Robert Pires, the french mid-fielder who was part of the 1998 World Cup Winning French Football Team and who spent 6 years at the English Premier League Club of Arsenal. Now playing for Villareal in the Spanish Premiera Liga.

Anthony Kiedis, the lead vocalist and lyricist of the American funk rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers.

I was an Arsenal Fan even before I started listening to RHCP. At that time, my favourite footballer was Pires, so when I saw an RHCP live show on Vh1 for the first time, I was totally taken aback by the similarity between Pires and Kiedis.


2. Will Ferrell & Chad Smith
Will Ferrell, the American actor and comedian. He is a part of Saturday Night Live and played lead roles in comedy hits such as "A Night At The Roxbury" and "Stranger Than Fiction".

Chad Smith, the RHCP drummer. This is weird, two RHCP members have look-alikes!






3. Richard Gere & Robbie Savage
Richard Gere, the Golden Globe Award winning American actor famous for his roles in "Chicago", "Pretty Woman", "An Officer And A Gentleman", etc.

Robbie Savage, the Welsh footballer who is known for his violent method of play.







4. Heath Ledger & Jeff Buckley

Heath Ledger, the brilliant Australian Actor known for his roles in "The Patriot", "Brokeback Mountain" and the evil joker in "The Dark Knight". RIP.

Jeff Buckley, the American singer-songwriter who drowned and died in the Wolf River after releasing his only studio album "Grace" that recieved a lot of critical and commercial praise.

Not only do these guys look similar, but both of them passed away unexpectedly!


5. Jose Mourinho & P. Sainath
Jose Mourinho, the Portuguese football manager who is currently managing the Italian Serie A side Inter Milan. Former Manager of Chelsea and FC Porto.

P. Sainath, the winner of the prestigious Magsaysay Award in 2007 for journalism, literature and creative communication arts.





6. Bruce Springsteen & Tico Torres
Bruce Springsteen, the legendary American singer-songwriter and musician.

Tico Torres, the drummer of the American hard rock band, Bon Jovi.









7. Andrea Pirlo & John Malkovich

Andrea Pirlo, the Italian midfielder who was a member of the 2006 World Cup Winning Italian Football Team, also plays for AC Milan in Serie A.

John Malkovich, American actor, producer and director who has played major roles in blockbusters such as "Con Air", "Being John Malkovich" and "Man in the Iron Mask".

Imagine if Malkovich had hair on his head, then you'll see the similarity!


8. Fidel Castro & Bobby Fisher
 
Fidel Castro, the communist leader who was the head of state of Cuba for almost 50 years.

Bobby Fisher, the reclusive Chess grand master who passed away last year.






9. Bill Cosby & BB King

Bill Cosby, comedian and actor who is a veteran stand-up comic. Famous for his various shows for Children.

BB King, the master of the blues guitar known for his expressive singing and brilliant guitar work.







10. Milo Ventimiglia & Novak Djokovic

Milo Ventimiglia, known for his role as "Peter Petrelli" in the hit TV Series "Heroes". Also appeared as Rocky Balboa's son in the 2006 movie "Rocky Balboa".

Novak Djokovic, the 22 year old who became the first Serbian tennis player to win a grand slam event when he won the 2008 Australian Open. Currently ranked No 3 in the world.





11. Josh Radnor & Nicklas Bendtner

Josh Radnor plays 'Ted Mosby' in the popular     
American sitcom 'How I Met Your Mother'.                             

Nicklas Bendtner is a Danish football player who
plays for Arsenal F.C. in the English Premier League.











12. Shasi Tharoor & Dimitar Berbatov

Shashi Tharoor, India's first under-secretary general at the
UNO, and also the current MP from Trivandrum constituency representing the Congress Party.

Dimitar Berbatov, the Bulgarian footballer who plays for Manchester United in the English Premier League.







13. Jakub Blaszczykowski & Lasse Schone

Jakub is a Polish footballer who plays for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.

Lasse is a Danish footballer who plays for Ajax in the Dutch League.

My Five in Progressive Metal

Progressive Metal is the most complex form of Metal with odd time signatures, greater song lengths and complicated song constructions. It is not a part of popular music. It's very difficult to name just five Prog Metal tracks when there is so much quality to choose from. But here are my favourite five:



1. Norra El Norra (Entering The Ark) by Orphaned Land
This track is from the album "Mabool" by the Israeli band Orphaned Land. Mabool took a staggering six years to make and the end result was one of the greatest progressive albums in music history. Mabool tells the story of three sons who try to warn humanity of a coming flood as punishment for their sins. Eventually they fail since the people refuse to listen to them and the flood comes to be. Kobi Farhi's melodic vocals accompanied by complex instrumentation along with very good production takes you to another world.



2. The Funeral Portrait by Opeth
This track is another gem from the album "Blackwater Park" by the Swedish Progressive Death Metal Band, Opeth. This track has two riffs that's a headbanger's dream. The riff after the thirty second acoustic intro and the riff at 1.08 minutes. Blackwater Park, considered by fans and critics alike as Opeth's manum opus was the first Opeth album to be produced by the British producer Steven Wilson known for his work as the leader of Porcupine Tree.








3. Endless Sacrifice by Dream Theater
This 11 minute masterpiece is off the album "Train of Thought" by the US Progressive Metal band, Dream Theater. Dream Theater, considered a more mature and technical progressive group showed their thrashy and in-your-face metal side in this album. The heavy instrumental sections with the trade offs between John Petrucci's guitar and Jordan Rudess' keyboard is pure brilliance. James Labrie's vocals is reminiscent of Bruce Dickinson's of Iron
Maiden.

4. Blood and Thunder by Mastodon
This track is off the concept album "Leviathan" by the US Sludge Metal band Mastodon, that is based on Herman Melville's classic novel, Moby Dick. The lyrics takes you to captain Ahab's mind while he attempts to capture his big fish.
"Split your lungs with blood and thunder
When you see the white whale
Break your backs and crack your oars men
If you wish to prevail
This ivory leg is what propels me
Harpoons thrust in the sky
Aim directly for his crooked brow
And look him straight in the eye"

With excellent drumming, praiseworthy guitarwork, thoughtful lyrics and a vocal style that is somewhere between a growl and a scream, Mastodon is definitely one of the bands to watch
out for in the future.

5. My Starving Bambina by Novembre
This is off the album "Classica" by Italian Progressive Death Metal band, Novembre. After listening to their albums, "Classica", "Novembrine Waltz" and "Materia", it beats me why they aren't more popular. This track gives you a feeling of heaviness and softness at the same time that is beyond words. Special mention goes to Giuseppe Orlando for his brilliant drumming.