Blogs: Life and times of crisis.

I don’t know what made me jumped on to Google and search for Limp Bizkit’s famous lyrics of that Mission Impossible II theme track while I was checking my portfolio. I like anyone else have been hit but personally for me with regard to my portfolio I am not that worried. I am just counting myself lucky. I go to college everyday 2-3% falls were not tickled the funny bone and just seemed as mundane as flushing toilets. The 5-6 % falls is like a clap of a thunder when you are walking downs the road, with the road is neck deep in floods and you know you are going to see the worst of it. On the other hand if the indices rose more than 2-3 % apprehensions would surface knowing that a next step down isn’t to far away. It is amazing how one year back last Diwali investment in equity seemed something obvious to do, today I stand at other end of the spectrum.

The BSE “tanked” by more than 11%. There were some shares that halved some reduce by 1/3 and so was the remained of the other shares. When the down slide had started not so long ago I was marginally in red. I know a few feet under danger mark knowing perhaps the worst of it is yet to come. Although my losses is not a loss per se I have full sympathy for those small time investor who had families to support and collected marginal some of money wanting to breathe just a wee bit easy. No I am not a big time investor who has minted money big time. But then on a stoic note, this too shall pass. The stupid thing to do would be just see the carnage and not dig into the reasons as to what really went into the making of the the events on the bourses. It is very important as an investor and as a student to know wha exactly is happening so that a better plan is formulated, financial targets are revised.

What happens is when things move rapidly to the other extreme instead of asking for relief from the pain or going mad, you start to enjoy it. If you can’t bear the pain then enjoy it. I know ever cloud has silver lining there are a few positive aspects too. The Great American Dream is turning into a Global Nightmare. Everyone remembers the Tsunami that hit Asian shores on the fate less day of 26 December. This one is perhaps of peoples negligence, folly and intentional. I asked my Finance Prof for reasons for the turmoil. I think he expected it coz before I completed my questions, he answered Greed. All subsequent questions answered, he moved on to his cup of tea and I took a break for a hot plate of Samosa.

I am no finance wizard; I am hardly good at anything besides blowing bubbles inside a bubble while chewing a bubble gum. It is fun and like most things I learnt to do it accidentally, I haven’t done this, it is something simple to do, I hold no monopoly claims over it. But let me say this, it is not disgusting it is an art. Those who make a shoo away face, are just being unappreciative.

There has been a lot lately about Marxism and Socialism. There was something on IBN’s website about Marxism, which compelled me to download Das Kapital. I still have to read it though. But then people have tendency to write off when things just slip or wobble. I know the current scenario is more than a wobble. I have a resentment for socialism/Marxist theory. I think it will lead to more corruption. No, democracy isn’t free of corruption and I think that democracy needs some corrupt/violent elements. It ensures that we are patient towards other and then it also provides us scope and urge to move forward though.

I don’t know what Jinnah thought of legacy. I wonder what Nusli Wadia thinks of legacy/inheritance Nusli Wadia’s maternal grandfather was M.A Jinnah. But I think Raj Thackeray is a worthy successor. Jinnah divided the country on the basis of Religion while Raj Thackeray has gone a set further; he is busy undermining the country on the basis of Region/Language. The poor and need will remain hapless while self labelled educated liberals stand for the cause of Mr Raj Thackeray. He is busy creating a platform for the coming elections in Maharashtra. The Congress-NCP coalition has a tacit agreement with him, perhaps Mr Raj Thackeray would want to cover a few more bases coz Congress can pull you down before you say I. He will obviously cut into votes for BJP-Shiv Sena coalition that’s what the tacit support from Congress is for. While Congress has sequentially dumped their political allies, Mayawati, Laloo Prasad, Communists at times Mamta, NCP soon perhaps. I see Congress winning the next general elections and I hope they do it on their own as coalition politics has been a bane of Indian politics. I just wish to see a single party rule again. I think I am not worried about the growth part of economics, I think coalition serves interests for short term and politicians just support each other so that they can scratch each other back.

The courts should exile him for like 5 years to some bewildering village in North Kosi district in Bihar and ask him to do his community service there. But since he is rich, yes he has a few hundred acres of land in this city of Mumbai where land rates are on top of the world. He doesn’t have to worry about his present assets perhaps he want a few more and there is lot more on offer if he manages to cut into votes bases.

After seeing such turmoil all round, I guess things that have already happened and will happen, I haven't waited for Diwali with such eagerness. Tough times dont last tough people do.

Football is on, Chelsea vs Liverpool. Liverpool is one of the reason I have shifted my loyalty from teh colour blue to colour red. May the best team win.
Liverpool win one nil much to my delight.

Cricket: India one up.

MSD lead India to one nil up with two more matches to go. The Aussies never looked as to put up a fight as India tightened their grip as the game moved forward. India won the match by a record margin as many records and personal milestones were conquered. Indians are firm favourites at this point in time to win the series. Can the Aussies come back?

Problems of a different kind.

India has had superlative performances with bat, ball, and gloves and in the field as well. Zaheer and Ishant are bowling superbly. Their fitness is supreme, their control amazing and are doing everything with high degree of finesse. Zaheer has marked Hayden as his man, while Ponting will be daunted by Ishant. Zaheer mean while has penchant for top order left handers, Strauss and Cook (England), Smith (South Africa), and now Hayden. He is so good that at point the blue eyes Irfan Pathan is struggling to break into the side. The old ball is working well for both Ishant and Zaheer. If Aussies thought they would only be facing Kumble, Bhajji & Co, then they would have got a big jolt in the very first over of this sries when Hayden fished out side off stump (Symo no pun intended) and edged to keeper Dhoni.
Amit Mishra, mean while was ridiculed for his selection instead of Piyush Chawla. I believe Mishra has better control, Chawla has ages on his side, National selectors are happy. Batsmen are a worry though, although there is time but the planned should be made well in advance. My chief concern Gambhir, scored well and now has cemented his place for at least till the end of this season. Sehwag when he will score India will win, not that he didn’t score this time. Laxman may face the axe. Dada Ganguly will be looking to add a few more runs before he decides to call quits. It would have been so good if Tendulkar had got the century. Meanwhile Bhajji has ensured he is saving from the axe by taking wickets in no time and turned tables on Australia. I hope they spare no quarter and drub Aussies three nil.

Pontings headache.

Big guns are not firing. I wonder why Pomersbach and Shaun Marsh were not included in the squad. Lee has failed to come to terms and now Ponting is claiming back to back Test matches are tough to play. But that’s not enough of excuse when Australia holds Boxing Day (26 Dec to 30 Dec) and New Year (2 Jan to 6 Jan) match within 48 hours. I think this back to back test match is no excuse. I also think they are over balanced. Off course they neither have a quality spinner and nor the pace battery is charged enough to impose any threats. I think he should look to shuffle the batting order also. It should be Hayden, Katich, Clarke, Hussey, Ponting, Haddin and Watson. Also if he is looking to bowl, why has he not pressed for Katich to bowl? We all know he can bowl. It is one of the many nebulous decisions that Ponting has taken. They all have back fired and Ponting seem to be confused. I think Katich will do better then White and Clarke. I was happy with Siddle and Mitchell Johnson is really good. He is consistent with is pace, but he should be seriously looking at Zaheer and what he does there is a lot to learn. It will be interesting to see, if some heads roll if Aussies lose this.

Milestones on the same road.

This is India’s biggest win in term of margin. Tendulkar has most runs and establish 12k runs club and Ganguly got a doggy 16 century and entered 7k runs club going past Don Bradman, got into the record books, meanwhile Dravid (highest Catches) and Bhajji (300 wickets) await their turns to doff their hats. Mishra meanwhile got a Pfeiffer on debut, which is something good. Gambhir got his second ton.

The next test match is in Ferozeshah Kotla Delhi. It is home ground for Sehwag, Gambhir, Ishant and Mishra. I am confused whether to add Kumble in this list. He got his perfect ten here.

Also check ot this link Aussie online newspaper The Australian, check out this blog.

About: Blog Action Day

Poverty, an irony that Earth has never ever seen so much prosperity while majority of other human beings strive to even dream of those opulent things we have deemed basic necessity.

A few humble words of hope and wishes, from someone you believe earning smiles of appreciation means the job is truly well done.

Today is the Blog Action Day.

Cricket: Aussies blend in.

At last Ponting caught up with law of averages in India. He is the front runner to go past Tendulkar if and when Tendulkar breaks Lara’s record for most runs. He announced his intention with a well deserved century, put for some reason couldn’t go on and firmly assert Aussie position on this test.

Remember Day one?

Hayden out in first over of the first match. Poor Goliath or what I prefer calling Big Oak, (Hayden) way have got knocked out because of combination of a very good delivery and a bad decision, he way have earned Rahul Dravid sympathies as well, but to be fair to the umpire he did turn back, a virtual tacit sign by the batsman saying Yes I have snicked this one. Ponting on the crease in first over of the day. He fight it out, but then the whole Aussie set up for this match was a defensive one, which like the last test at Adelaide which Australia played for the draw from the very first ball of the match. The Aussie never got a flying start, mean while hapless and weary Indian spinners kept batsmen in check but never threatened to knock Aussies over in a hurry. The strange mix of 8 batsmen and 7 bowlers i.e. Hayden, Katich, Ponting, Hussey, Clarke, Haddin, Watson and White being the batsmen and Lee, Clarke, Johnson, Watson, White Clarke and Katich being the bowlers. I haven’t seen an Aussie team with that many all rounders namely Katich, Clarke, White and Haddin. A luxury really.
Ponting kept accumulating runs. He did not plunder them; in fact his batting was a sign of things to come. He gained confidence and dashed Bhajji a couple of times. Bhajji had the last laugh though; he got his man while Ponting walked of a relieved man after scoring a priceless century against India in India. Aussies made 250 runs in the day for the loss of three wickets

Hussey man of limited resources limitless possibilities.

Hussey controls the tempo of the game a very effective player good in defence and attack. A very traditional player in every sense of the word. He too never seemingly forced the issue and kept pegging away India attack. He was helped by the poor field setting. He kept on edging Kumble only to be happy to see no second slip. If Kumble is turning it in to a left hander, at his pace and bounce second slip is a must. Hussey did show that he plays a little away from the body so a big turner of the ball someone like a Tendulkar against Hussey would be very interesting. Hussey also had a welcome century to his name. He was beautifully done in by Bhajji in the second innings.

The Aussie Bowling.

Again blessed by some help from the umpires and show sheepish strokes that Indians played, Lee & Co looked really lethal up to the point when Indians were staring at follow on from much closed quarters. But then deadly lee and company couldn’t really polish of the tail, Bhajji and Zaheer getting a good half centuries and India marched from 180 for five to 360 all out. I say a couple of dozen more runs r say a lead of 30 to 40 to the Aussies would have really tightened the screws on the Aussies.

Second Innings and tall claims of forcing the issue.

If Aussie were honest in saying that they were the only team bent on “forcing the issue” meaning playing for the result, they would be cruising at 3.5 to 4 an over rather than creeping and crawling at 2.5. The Big Oak fell cheaply again perhaps rocked the Aussie boat. Ponting this time didn’t last long, Ishant foxing him with a very good slower delivery. Katich and Hussey looked to steady the rocking boat, Bhajji on other hand looked very itchy to take wickets and salvage some pride. He got two against the run of play. Those two wicket taking deliveries very beauties. A seam up delivery an addition in Bhajji repertoire a la Mendis. Katich was foxed with one that bounced a touch too much and Hussey was foxed by a ball that was supposed to turn away from him but castled his off stump as he learnt that spinning deliveries are to be played with the bat and not with the pad. Ishant looked tremendously in control. Ishant and Zaheer troubled all the Aussie batsmen with bounce and movement.

Action shifts to Mohali, Chandigarh

Cricket: Prime Crises and a drawn Test.

Second edit …

Blog Action Day caught my eye.Please check out the site and do something if you can.



You what, people like to follow different trends … I follow them too. I see everything around and try to connect all the dos and see what kind of pictures emerge. For once just imagine what Happens when markets rocket skywards, i.e. the BSE gained more than 7% today, it was an 800 point rally, there is more to come tomorrow. Indians and Aussies battled for a draw. A reminiscent of the last test series between India and Australia in Australia, the match at Adelaide earlier this in January which also ended in a tame draw. No team looked to force the issue to victory. Here were subtle hints to these facts when Aussies could get even near 300 on the first day and then India not only avoided the follow on but looked to marginalize the Aussies lead. I wonder if couple of Indian tail enders make couple of fifties then the match may end up in a draw. The following is purely a cricketing post.

Prime Crises.

We all know by know exactly what is sub prime crises? But India cricket is undergoing Prime Crises. Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman Ganguly and Kumble not firing at all or not firing enough. The wizardry is no where to be seen. There was a time when Tendulkar would score others would bet and late in the third day or by fourth day lunch the writing was pretty much on the wall, and the language was Hindi. Well it is not to be perhaps. While the sub primes are doing well, Sehwag, Bhajji and Zaheer along with Ishant Sharma, who looks to do what Srinath, did for Kumble. He perhaps does a job few notches better. He not only ties one end up but also takes wicket. Alas Kumble isn’t in his Prime (obvious reference to the Prime Crises). Gambhir remains a cause of worry though; he bats but doesn’t score enough. He may be hard found all of a sudden when his good form deserts him. There are a few more openers in the fray namely Akash Chopra and Wassim Jaffer who by the way has a penchant for scoring big runs big time.

Mean while Dravid has shown some performances, is a tad better that way so is Laxman. Ganguly meanwhile is way past his best. It remains distant, like a myth really. Don’t come back to me saying he just hit a 239 against Pakistan. The ball scooted to ankle height when Sami was bowling, Yuvraj hit one too, put couldn’t even put bat to ball against second grade Aussie spinners in Australia and has been dropped ever since from the test side. I think Ganguly should have struck the deal long time back hung up his test boots and concentrated on ODI. There are two things, first he has been a fabulous ODI player and won more matches with his batting. He was perhaps the best finishers of the ODI game.

Laxman will come into his own for at least one more time, while Tendulkar will limp to break Lara’s record only to be taken over by Ponting in times to come. Dravid is slowly headed into the sunset until and unless he hits three centuries on a trot. He may bow out in this series but I hope to see him bow out in the very next away series. I want to see is magic on away tours for one last time. I don’t know what’s with Tendulkar it gets a bit embarrassing as he busy give more interviews explain his injuries, recovery exercises and probable date of resuming again. He played well though, he is a bit sombre about his fourth innings, but salvaged at least this one.

Kumble, well carrying on age on his shoulder proving to be a hot and heavy burden to carry. He is still to take a Pfeiffer this year; his last Pfeiffer was against Australia when he rocked them in the first test when India toured Australia late last year. I don’t know perhaps it is the advent of new fast bowling talents or Zaheer coming into his own or purely due to the burden of captaincy.
Dhoni is missing from this prime crisis. I think he has couple of season or yeas more before he truly blossoms as Test batsmen, but I think he should rethink his batting strategy in Tests. He is a better keeper to other keepers available on the scene purely in ‘keeping skills, proficiency and performance.

Cricket: Aussies tour India.

Aussies tour to India is all ready under way. The test series gets uner in Banglore starting this Thrusday The battle lines are already drawn. A major change of guard is under way on both sides. Aussies bowling look not so much in control as they are minus Wane-McGrath. This was the case in the last series as well, but since there are always some major umpiring blunders I personally saw it coming. India did well in the series though. Aussies bowling may look weak and one would automatically give the edge to India, as India spinners against Australia have very impressive record. Kumble and Bhajji both have very good records against Aussies.

The teams and players.

I see this series as a windfall series, some old guards have already hung their boots, while India look to bring down their average age from 35 to say 30. Kumble, Dravid, Tendulkar already looking weary. I agree with Geoffrey Boycotts remark, but I am hopeful that Lankan series of a thing of the past. Ganguly meanwhile has called it quits after Aussie series. I wonder with few runs behind his back would his bat talk.
Matthew Hayden look definitely over the hill, he is a class act a complete batsmen. A reason for his success is when spinners start to operate in the sub-continent he already has his eyes set in and some runs on the score board. It helps the current batch of India Great middle order will tell. All, Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman, Ganguly, hadn’t had a great score behind them, all four had a very mediocre IPL. Murali and Mendis just never let them settled. These four exemplify why batsmen from other corners of the world struggle against the spinners in India.

Zak first in command

Zaheer has his hat in the ring. He is known for getting among the openers. I wonder though if he could improve upon just being the opening bowler. He looked a bit bemused if he is asked to bowl between overs 40-60 of a test match. He is very prudent at least in the opening spell. India will look to him for decent start is they have to win the Border-Gavaskar trophy. Ishant did well down under and may be he has his hand up when people look forward to bowling to take on Ponting. Ishant and Bhajji both would be egging on each other to take on Ponting. I would love to see Ponting facing Bhajji on one end and Ishant on the other.

Kumble comes, bowls, strikes.

Not quiet considered in the fab four but all four of the fabulous have time and again vouched for the fact that Kumble is a match winner in his own right. He may have won more matches then either of the Fab Four. I am speculating that this could be his last series. Everyone wishes to bow out on a high and current series win (f they win) would be some high. Kumble is lethal in third and fourth innings of a test. He has turned around many games for India. The spell that’s currently is coming to my mind is the first test of the last series. He and Zak plucked out Aussies on the ‘Gabba. It was an ill fated series but then Kumble knows what it takes. He along with Bhajji would already loom large on them. The Aussies have a few more ghosts to confront, Laxman, Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. I am not sure how Ganguly may fare but don’t see him on current form as a batsman leading the charge against the Aussies. Did I miss Sehwag?

Mad monk Sehwag and Fab four.

Sehwag has into his won. I would mark him for next test captain. He has it in him, would he deliver is the thing to be seen. I would love to see him in the helm of affairs for two year and then take it from there after two years you could always give it to Dhoni, but it is worth the gamble. Sehwag has hit a century (150) and double century and a triple century so he knows what he has to do and not thinking too much apart from scoring runs. E bats well along with Rahuld Dravid. Tendulkar and Laxman “shall always” score runs. It would be interesting to see how Ganguly and Dhoni take the measure of Aussie Spinners.
A couple of line is serious laziness for Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman and Ganguly. I think I have a lot to write about and perhaps this series will in some way present the opportunities to blog on them.

Aussies have their tusks cuts out.

Aussie without a decent spinner look a decent cake walk but I wish not o under estimates them. They may go in with four fast bowler and Micheal Clarke. Clarke has an amazing record against India. He is likely to bowl a few everyday. Aussie batting isn’t looking to eager either. Like Sehwag is for India Hayden is for the Aussies. I thin run scoring capabilities would rest on Hayden, Jacques, Clarke Hussey and Ponting. I think Ponting should look to bat three down rather than one down. I feel it is a better position for him. While the bowling seems to lacking resources but Lee is looking very good to perform. India should offer him low and docile pitches and make sure those aren’t conducive to reverse swing or Indian would be in trouble like they were when England came a few seasons back. Stuart Clark would also want to have a look in while Mitchell Johnson would be the work horse. I wonder if Bracken is there for the tour. I haven’t much to write on Aussie Spinners except that Indian batsmen would have already bought Diwali sweets for them.

I hope Tendulkar hits a century if India bats first in the first test. A couple of edits for this small post. Aussie perspective and a post on Ganguly which may be on the day he actually calls it the day

Blog: Second Edit

A Boat

K, Me P, D, V

K V A Kp D P H P and Me

H,P, Kp, D, Me and K

H, P Me, P, Kp, D, K, V and A

Janjira Fort

Do’s

• Arrange a place to stay a touch in advance.
• Do look into staing at farms especially if it’s a package kinda tour a group of 8-12 or more.
• You know food and breakfast can come out to be cheap. The rooms would be as good as the rooms.
• The pretext to last sentences was the basis that you prefer a ceiling fan to an AC.
• There are many beaches, road are patchy but towards Murud roads are virtually dessert and there are many beaches.
• Try beating the weekend blue by being there over there in the week itself.
• I personal had a horror time lunching so better look out for a place to have a nice lunch.
• Take your own Vehicle. :p
• Drive safely. Get your vehicle serviced before you leave
• We did not explore Alibaug much so this infact reduces to visit to Murud.
• Collect sea shells. … she sells, sea shells on the sea shore.

Don’ts

• Don’t worry if you skip a beach. We preffered something which is not too crowd, there are many options.
• Don’t drink and drive. I mean don’t drink and drive ever.
• Make sure the cell phones and camera batteries are charged.
• In and around Mumbai best seasons to holiday is in between October to February end (between Diwali and Holi). So plan the trip around that time.
• For once you wont worry about the fact that there wasn’t much cellphone network many a times.
• Believe me spend a long weekend and it feels great to back in office on Monday mornings.
• I don’t know if Alibaug is recommended in rains, considering roads were naroow and there was lot of up and down the hill drive.