The new classic 007

The new Bond movie is out. Casino Royale is based on the first Bond novel by Ian Fleming and shows us how Bond becomes 007.

I was apprehensive of the new actor being used to the charm of Pierce Brosnan. But Daniel Craig is a crude, tough, smooth Bond - a real live youthful reminder of Sir Sean Connery. At various instances I blinked to see and hear if it was Connery or Craig in the scene.

Clearly the best debut Craig could hope for as Bond. The movie starts off with a beutifully shot chase sequence; and no there are no cars or planes. Eat this Matrix and Mission Impossible fans - Bond chases an African bomber on foot. The bomber jumps and sprints incredibly and 007 keeps pace. A thrilling finale ends the chase at an embassy. Very innovative and refreshing in a Bond movie. Craig is tough and fit, ready for extreme action.

Next we are shown how Bond gets possession of his first Aston Martin - no gift from Q. He wins it on the gambling table along with the loser's girlfriend. Fast-forward and Bond is engaging in a high stakes poker tourney against a villain who has tears of blood. The villain is a banker to terrorists worldwide and invests their money for high returns.

Bond is beaten on the table but he will fight back but after he is poisoned he goes into cardiac arrest. Will this be the end of the brand new Bond ??? ta-da-ta-da-ta-da-da NOOOO!!!

A jump start to a new life and he is back on the poker table - shaken but no emotions stirred. He beats the villain out of his client's fortune with a little help from CIA's Felix (for cash). But the celebration is short-lived. He is kidnapped along with MoneyPenny (the two are falling for each other) and tortured naked (well only Bond is naked, don't get your hopes high). Terrorists get to the villain and Bond and his accountant are saved. Bond's grit and determination as shown in this torture scene; its Craig's best show (and the villain scratches 007's balls - see it to believe it).

A brief romance ensues, Bond gives a one sentence resignation to M. Dame Judi Dench is great in reprising her role but this movie is about Craig and the first Bond adventure. GET READY FOR THIS - James Bond says "I love you".

As they vacation in Europe's best another deal comes to light. The US$ 150 million that Bond has won has not been remitted to MI6. Is his true love double-dealing him. She is pursued by Bond as other terrorists grab the money. A beautiful climax (for a love story) but this is Bond... James Bond - so he is cold and detached and he is ready for his next adventure.

Stay tuned for 2008's NEXT 007 flick.

How do you deal with dishonest people?

I love people. I am so socially dependent on personal interaction that if on a day off from work, if I don't meet with friends I actually get bored and depressed. I love talking to people, listening to them and care for their issues.

However people are prone to change. People fall in and out of love. Your best friend may not be comfortable sharing with you something that may change his/her image in your mind.

So people are basically subject to change of emotions and attitudes/moods. They are also manipulative when they know how you react to specific words or actions.

I have had much heartache and try to see things now in a detached way (it’s not easy). Detachment defeats my personal aim of togetherness, companionship and compassion.

So then I feel frustrated when people are dishonest while I would have accepted their choice and only wish they didn't try to cheat the friendship through inconsequential albeit matters affecting us both.

The best way to deal with it is to take stock of how close you wished to be and how it exists now. Do you wish to care for a crooked tail that shows no sign of mending its ways?

If the person is special you could try a dialogue and express your concern and desire for a truthful relationship. Also nobody likes someone who frets over every little detail and nitpicks information given to them.

If the person is not trustworthy anymore, try and understand this character and acceptance of his/her ill ways will give you peace of mind because IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT.

Friends or Family can only be suggested to do something. You can't force your will and expect their love in return. You want them to learn and grow and this takes time and patience.

Make sure you take a few slow deep breaths before confronting a lie. Don't get angry, instead communicate your dislike and disappointment in a calm manner and tell them it hurts when they try and play you for a fool.

As for Forgiveness that's the easiest thing in the world when you are in Love.

Also in relationships, keep the past in the past. Don't ever bring up past mistakes to point them out and increase your score. Love and Friendship is about looking forward to the relationship.

Undoing Friendships

Friends matter most to us when we realise that it is the only group of people we are most at ease with. This is especially so because we ourselves have chosen them unlike relatives we are born to, or colleagues we have little choice about.

Friends as they say are like beautiful, bright stars in the sky of our life – you don’t always see these stars but you know they are there. They emerge when you find yourself in the darkest moments.

I have had real good friends but really few. I am not complaining because they have been good to me and have been tolerant as well as supportive. I still can say that I have at least 2 friends since kindergarten and a handful since school/college. They have grown with me and we have shared a comfortable rapport discussing any issues with concern or casualness as they come.

I have had real miserable moments when the only thing that got me going was the way my friends looked up to me with respect and positivity. It is difficult to put into words the love and proximity you feel to a person you have known only a few years or even months. The attraction is instant or gradual – it may be the brainwaves or intellect or attitude or even personality – but you know you want to be around that person.

For some it is as easy as breathing to make new friends, for others it may take a long time for the trust and faith to set in. Openness, acceptance, love, relaxation – they help in making friends – it’s like a Zen experience.

I personally categorise friends and acquaintances separately. These are as distinct to me as milk and oil. I may make acquaintances by the dozen, I may be polite and considerate to them, but I am not attached to them in anyway. Walking away from acquaintances is not an effort whereas you could never imagine walking out on friends.

However, a time comes when you no longer can deal with certain issues with your friends. One of them may have changed too much for you to accept. You see the distance in their eyes and no bridge of common friends can get you together. This is heartbreaking for a simpleton, sympathising soul like me. You have to detach yourself from not just that one friend but the common friends as well. The loneliness is like an unending desert with heartburn from the Sun of cherished memories which plays on your head till you collapse in your solitude - reclusive and depressed.

A closure is essential to end this lingering confusion to your decision to call it quits. A fickle, indecisive action cannot cut this strong bond of togetherness. Severing ties takes skill and patience, to face opposition and worse an acceptance of your break-up by the other person. Empathy will bring more heartache; but keeping in mind the future you see for yourself and the flock you want to fly with will guarantee a more forceful and effective change in status quo.

There is no point carrying baggage or continuing a diseased relationship. It is difficult and crucial to go through with your decision when you know you have done enough while the other party refuses to acknowledge your efforts. Amputation of this organ would be felt with body, mind & soul reaching out to touch it and not finding it but with time the wound heals and you discover better supporting crutches to lean on.

Undoing Friendships is a dreaded event for me but I have done it and will do it when I know I don’t intend to herd with black sheep.