I and a group of freaking out friends packed and left for Lonavala on Saturday morning, it now feels just like day before, yesterday. Well the current status is howling winds, swirling rains and crashing waves. It was howling and swirling rains and winds all weekend as all one and sundry kept going to much needed unwinding to one of the more famous tourist places out of the many place which are a few hours drive away from this chaotic, turbo charged mega-polis. The drive was smooth and there were and odd cheer of laughter and some banter as always as the road hit the Hills aka the Ghats the chill of the altitude, sight of distant water falls, hovering clouds and honking cars greeted us.
Lonavala being dotted with resorts and many company guest houses is an easy place to go and come back. But you would love to go on week days to avoid the dense maddening crowd. We reached there by lunch, unloaded. We went to this very small water fall of a rivulet which was close by to our lodging place. We played and jumped, the water was cold to touch and almost gave and tingling feeling. We were there for a while. No moment was spared of the flash light as the digi was kept busy all day. We then had lunch, and we ate like we were there for just that lunch, packed your self then hit the mountainous road again. We went to this place high up on the hills and it was getting colder by the minute meanwhile we continued to flash lights and click the snaps. Some of the snaps are breath taking; some of the views were once in life kind of an experience. It was were delightful and soothing to the eye. We were not chilling we were freezing after it rained and within counting one two three all of us were wet and drenched in the hilly rain, it was only the comfort of the worm corn that we found ourselves back to normal mode again, the drive back to the lodge was bit lazy, there were other cars trying to meander their way, the rest of the evening was spent of the terrace, and around the dinner table awaiting dinner.
The rain and howling winds were more intense then I would have liked to imagine, but my Sunday’s, good morning was a bit later then usual. I went to terrace and saw an odd sun ray breaking thru the clouds and the rains clouds taking a usual morning walk up the hills, the gentle breeze swayed all over. The good morning cheer; the whole day was then just spent lazing around sleeping and dozing all over the place, with little affinity for action or any other labour intensive activity.
The lunch followed repacking and leaving plans, a quick trip to the local temple, perhaps thanking god for good life and asking a few days more for extension of some good hours spent gazing at greens of the trees and greys of clouds, steep slopes and gushing waterfalls and rivulets. Then we stopped for one of the many crowded points and just went around with a sense of futility till I saw a cartoonist practicing caricatures, I wanted one done for me for eternity, got one done, and I was all laughers, all my friends followed suit. We had the most laughter since we started on Saturday morning. I was damn happy of the cartoon that was made of me and perhaps would find its way on the profile pic soon. It is hilarious to see but amazingly done. I have had highest regard for people practicing any form of art. It was done in minutes.
A quick coffee and we marched towards Mumbai, although the roads were jammed the traffic was thin and bit silent. I reached home, had dinner, edit some snaps, checked a few forwarded mails and went bed rather late and started my Monday morning a bit early.
Showing posts with label Weekend. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weekend. Show all posts
20.7.09
13.1.07
Blog: Week in review
Well well feels so good to have a chilly wind sweeping across your face. Surat is just chilled enough to have some quality time around. Fourtunately there is no one around to spend this time other than eating my "Swiss Miss". It is a yummy chocolate pastry. I am a not heavily into non-vegetarin dishes but I think I can never ever say no to a tandoori chicken. Tandoori Chicken for dinner and Swiss Miss for dessert. Gosh its a mean world.
CAT and SNAP bombed.Not optimistic for XAT either.
No shoulder to cry over required here. I wasn't quiet ever there I think. I did not put in much efforts. But the result diminish whatever I thought I put it. The result just bombed the ceiling and crashed the floor of my emotion's comfort zone. I could not do it but this is not putting myself on a mat and kicking me for rest of my life. It was a bad dream giving CAT. I was exhausted long before I even started preparing for it and did not have enough to pull out at the last time. I breath a bit easier these days. I have a decent job in hand and dont want to think of consequences, pros and cons whats if and what nots of an MBA. I think a friend of mine equally devasted with is result blogged things just right. I dont want to see myself either runing away and hiding myself from a beautiful winter sun, chilly mornings and wonderful blooming days.
This is perhaps also one more reason to look forward to 2007. I also would not blame any person (alive or dead), event, place, cricket match, or a pastry over my debacle coz "The harder you work, the luckier you get" my brother says.The failure isn't in never falling but it is never rising once you take the fall.
I have reasons to believe that my good days and nightmare come and go in close proximity. So if I am having some bad days I know whats coming up next.I plan to start all over again this time there will a process, a vision, an aim and a reason.
"Let the reason be you" from the song "The reason" by Hoobastank.
LOL. I love laughing these days in joy off course no sign of worries and debacles near me they are definetly. Life has been good till date and the God above has been kind and generous put everybody want more... (par yeh dil maange morni)
I wasn't the lone screw up.
Cricket this there is some more to read down below but let me rwrite it coz I love writing my cricket post never mind the fact that I am the only one reading it.
Anyways Indian team displayed a classic case in of digging ones own grave carving out the headstone and arranged there own funeral and invited the guest and also did the last rites. India had three chances and they wrapped it up and gave it to SAfs. They made a good start on a home cooked pitch but failed to bat them out of the game.They screwed up by withering away . They did not build up enough pressure when SAfs batted and the first time. They slumped further into the hole when they batted again in their second innings. The final innings they never had a chance. There may be many stars to come out of the innings but India was let down by Tendulkar and Kumble. Kumble was bowling his unnatural leg stump line and Tendulkar simply disappointed. If he is carrying a niggling injury why is he playing?
There were people who went ga ga over Ganguly, he may do well in coming One Days, but his ODI record is fab abut in test I think he has to score more to impress me. Munaf squarely took the blame and India meekly came back. I will hopefully a better cricket from India. They are playing at home. But wats the point of 4 matches?
Shame on the organisers.
XAT bombed, again.
CAT was "easy" I dont mock this one I haven't faired the best. It was easy to say that the least. XAT has a weird pattern though , I found hard to realise what were the options and where the question added.
Lets talk up reaching early to a center and late into the alloted room. There are very few people in Mumbai who aren't familiar with "Saint Xaviers" I have lived long enough in mubai to exactly pin point the location. I reached at Xaviers at 8:15 in the morning. I hired a taxi and I reached the centre where a banner exclaimed that this was a Cnter for XAT a test for XLRI.
I was strolling about seeing faces just before the exam. I spotted a senior of mine. We chatted and I went to my class but unable to spot where I am suppose to go. There was a exodus from that center. I realised I was supoose to go to Xaviers College and I was standing in the premises of Xaviers School. Luckily these two are not Pluto and Neptune from Earth. I stroled across only too see the people folowing me to college and some people heading towards Xaviers School.
If any one who is organising XAT is reading this, For Christ sake keep either Xaviers school or Xaviers college as the examination center and not both of them
There was more to follow. I read the board correctly I wrote down my examination hall number byt I wasn't able to spot it. It was on fourth flooer but I could only see three. I imagine a tent and mats and student filling in the required deatils. Now I have always studies in school or college with big courtyards, passages and halls. But if u were there that day in XAviers (college) U would have reaalised there were no corridors every passage was part of another class only creating further ruckus. I thought whats this Kumbh ka mela. It was about to start near that date only. I wanted to break the walls against my head. I then manged to get over the attic. I meet someone who told me confessions on the ground floor fourth room on the third right. I confessed I had come for an exam. He hurried me to a staff member who showed me the class. I carrying a heavy hand bag as I had to come back to Surat the same evening. I went to drink water. I drank for a few minutes before leaving a sigh. I splashed some water on my face just wanting to be in my zone. I rattled a few pockets to find my hall ticket, pencils, pen, eraser, sharpner and bubble gum. I love my bubble gums and I simply can much one for than 8 hours. The record by the way for 12. I love my bubble gums and chewing gums.
XAT went on I wasn't attempting much. I picked and chosed this time XAT's Data Interpretation was something I could fathom, thankfully. There was a lot of questions from "Functions" and from Logic and Reasoning. Solid Mathmatics wasn't quiet there. There is always geometry to fall back on. Then ther paper finished then we were supposed to write an essay on degrading environment and economic growth. The time was for 20 minutes I thought for couple of minutes wrote couple of ideas and wrote the essay everything was over in 12 minutes I just waited for things to get over.
XAT over; party to start.
I had planned to meet up with my final year roomie. He too had the same center as mine.Xaviers. I met him just out of my class. We walked down to Churchgate station. I called a few numbers and asked my friends to meet up at Bandra west station.
We got into the bus. I know Hill Road area like the back of my palm and I virtually now which shopkeeper would be sitting at given point in time. I was a butt for a few jokes when bus took a right towards SV Road instead of stright to hill road tehre was a littel tiff over the exact fares charged and I just turned the tables on all four of them when the bus to a sharp left and came to halt before a restraunt called "Gazebo". I knew I was at my best and my friends did support me in that.Friends good fun.
The beer kept flowing. A royal treat of Tandoori was enjoyed over annecdotes, tales and loud mouthed blabber, laughs and guaffs. There were a few people missing but then we all had a fun. We boys never discussed girls, cricket was always there but it was brushed past as we caught have with what was happening there were a few number exchanged. The Tandoori mean while tasted amazing. The bill came and we looked at each other and had a hearty laugh, the billed was split into people who ate and drank meanwhile the guy who only ate footed in the change.
We laughed becaused more than an year back we would do the saame thing but no one would shell out the money days were chaged coz we were all earning now so money wasn't an isse a it was back in college as well.
Then the Hearsch Bakery was a close next. The burgers and biryani were just too good. We took htree and four people shared them.All said and done it was time to leave. We caught the bus, then the local, people got off at their respective station I came back to Borivali to come back to Surat.
It was a good time spent.
The "world" this week.
I have been a ghost of the blogosphere of late reading everythig write comments and just not commenting. I dont know something or the other happened and I just could not have enough time to login write up and post. It was great to read what everyones upto for new years.This year has a mixed start as off now but thats the way it is.A sad demise of an ageing near relative, an award, a jolted result, meeting people. It has been a mixed bag as off now.I just hope I will post something mid week, if I have the resources at my disposal.
It was Swami Vivekanad's birth anniversary yesterday. He was a great soul, he did much to spread the ethos of peace and harmony and laid foundations for the Great Indian Struggle. He was a gret thinker whoe thoughts still hold their place in todays time. Birthday greeting to man and everyone who was born on 12 of Jan ever.
Movie Review: Guru.
The big film bang in the new years.Mani ratnam has always been one of the better directors which people like to queue up and watch.It is hard to find faults in either the script of the characters or the presentastion. The Guru features the cinematographic genius of Rajiv Menon an axce ad guru and a brilliant cinematographer. There are lot of use of wide angle shots and brilliantly done close ups. It is a rags to riches story about a character who picks up lots of rags on his way to riches.The music and dialogues are well in verse of each other. Ash shoed her presence and Mallika Sherawat also did an item number. There was Mithun Da too, did well to be honest. Vidya Balan makes you stand up and take notice. There is something of the Meena Kumari effect in Vidya Balan's voice. Madhvan did well too. I have this belief about the hindi film world that our "stars" may not have that much in terms of pptential but the supporting class and the technicians (count out special effects) are as good as it can be. The ad-world churns out amazing ads by the hour.
The movie goes and towards a dramatic end. The Guru wins.
The climax may be a bit of a drag but the movie is good but may not be brilliant.
The question in my mind at this point is, "How does one be himself (or herself) when one does not know who he (or she) really is?"
CAT and SNAP bombed.Not optimistic for XAT either.
No shoulder to cry over required here. I wasn't quiet ever there I think. I did not put in much efforts. But the result diminish whatever I thought I put it. The result just bombed the ceiling and crashed the floor of my emotion's comfort zone. I could not do it but this is not putting myself on a mat and kicking me for rest of my life. It was a bad dream giving CAT. I was exhausted long before I even started preparing for it and did not have enough to pull out at the last time. I breath a bit easier these days. I have a decent job in hand and dont want to think of consequences, pros and cons whats if and what nots of an MBA. I think a friend of mine equally devasted with is result blogged things just right. I dont want to see myself either runing away and hiding myself from a beautiful winter sun, chilly mornings and wonderful blooming days.
This is perhaps also one more reason to look forward to 2007. I also would not blame any person (alive or dead), event, place, cricket match, or a pastry over my debacle coz "The harder you work, the luckier you get" my brother says.The failure isn't in never falling but it is never rising once you take the fall.
I have reasons to believe that my good days and nightmare come and go in close proximity. So if I am having some bad days I know whats coming up next.I plan to start all over again this time there will a process, a vision, an aim and a reason.
"Let the reason be you" from the song "The reason" by Hoobastank.
LOL. I love laughing these days in joy off course no sign of worries and debacles near me they are definetly. Life has been good till date and the God above has been kind and generous put everybody want more... (par yeh dil maange morni)
I wasn't the lone screw up.
Cricket this there is some more to read down below but let me rwrite it coz I love writing my cricket post never mind the fact that I am the only one reading it.
Anyways Indian team displayed a classic case in of digging ones own grave carving out the headstone and arranged there own funeral and invited the guest and also did the last rites. India had three chances and they wrapped it up and gave it to SAfs. They made a good start on a home cooked pitch but failed to bat them out of the game.They screwed up by withering away . They did not build up enough pressure when SAfs batted and the first time. They slumped further into the hole when they batted again in their second innings. The final innings they never had a chance. There may be many stars to come out of the innings but India was let down by Tendulkar and Kumble. Kumble was bowling his unnatural leg stump line and Tendulkar simply disappointed. If he is carrying a niggling injury why is he playing?
There were people who went ga ga over Ganguly, he may do well in coming One Days, but his ODI record is fab abut in test I think he has to score more to impress me. Munaf squarely took the blame and India meekly came back. I will hopefully a better cricket from India. They are playing at home. But wats the point of 4 matches?
Shame on the organisers.
XAT bombed, again.
CAT was "easy" I dont mock this one I haven't faired the best. It was easy to say that the least. XAT has a weird pattern though , I found hard to realise what were the options and where the question added.
Lets talk up reaching early to a center and late into the alloted room. There are very few people in Mumbai who aren't familiar with "Saint Xaviers" I have lived long enough in mubai to exactly pin point the location. I reached at Xaviers at 8:15 in the morning. I hired a taxi and I reached the centre where a banner exclaimed that this was a Cnter for XAT a test for XLRI.
I was strolling about seeing faces just before the exam. I spotted a senior of mine. We chatted and I went to my class but unable to spot where I am suppose to go. There was a exodus from that center. I realised I was supoose to go to Xaviers College and I was standing in the premises of Xaviers School. Luckily these two are not Pluto and Neptune from Earth. I stroled across only too see the people folowing me to college and some people heading towards Xaviers School.
If any one who is organising XAT is reading this, For Christ sake keep either Xaviers school or Xaviers college as the examination center and not both of them
There was more to follow. I read the board correctly I wrote down my examination hall number byt I wasn't able to spot it. It was on fourth flooer but I could only see three. I imagine a tent and mats and student filling in the required deatils. Now I have always studies in school or college with big courtyards, passages and halls. But if u were there that day in XAviers (college) U would have reaalised there were no corridors every passage was part of another class only creating further ruckus. I thought whats this Kumbh ka mela. It was about to start near that date only. I wanted to break the walls against my head. I then manged to get over the attic. I meet someone who told me confessions on the ground floor fourth room on the third right. I confessed I had come for an exam. He hurried me to a staff member who showed me the class. I carrying a heavy hand bag as I had to come back to Surat the same evening. I went to drink water. I drank for a few minutes before leaving a sigh. I splashed some water on my face just wanting to be in my zone. I rattled a few pockets to find my hall ticket, pencils, pen, eraser, sharpner and bubble gum. I love my bubble gums and I simply can much one for than 8 hours. The record by the way for 12. I love my bubble gums and chewing gums.
XAT went on I wasn't attempting much. I picked and chosed this time XAT's Data Interpretation was something I could fathom, thankfully. There was a lot of questions from "Functions" and from Logic and Reasoning. Solid Mathmatics wasn't quiet there. There is always geometry to fall back on. Then ther paper finished then we were supposed to write an essay on degrading environment and economic growth. The time was for 20 minutes I thought for couple of minutes wrote couple of ideas and wrote the essay everything was over in 12 minutes I just waited for things to get over.
XAT over; party to start.
I had planned to meet up with my final year roomie. He too had the same center as mine.Xaviers. I met him just out of my class. We walked down to Churchgate station. I called a few numbers and asked my friends to meet up at Bandra west station.
We got into the bus. I know Hill Road area like the back of my palm and I virtually now which shopkeeper would be sitting at given point in time. I was a butt for a few jokes when bus took a right towards SV Road instead of stright to hill road tehre was a littel tiff over the exact fares charged and I just turned the tables on all four of them when the bus to a sharp left and came to halt before a restraunt called "Gazebo". I knew I was at my best and my friends did support me in that.Friends good fun.
The beer kept flowing. A royal treat of Tandoori was enjoyed over annecdotes, tales and loud mouthed blabber, laughs and guaffs. There were a few people missing but then we all had a fun. We boys never discussed girls, cricket was always there but it was brushed past as we caught have with what was happening there were a few number exchanged. The Tandoori mean while tasted amazing. The bill came and we looked at each other and had a hearty laugh, the billed was split into people who ate and drank meanwhile the guy who only ate footed in the change.
We laughed becaused more than an year back we would do the saame thing but no one would shell out the money days were chaged coz we were all earning now so money wasn't an isse a it was back in college as well.
Then the Hearsch Bakery was a close next. The burgers and biryani were just too good. We took htree and four people shared them.All said and done it was time to leave. We caught the bus, then the local, people got off at their respective station I came back to Borivali to come back to Surat.
It was a good time spent.
The "world" this week.
I have been a ghost of the blogosphere of late reading everythig write comments and just not commenting. I dont know something or the other happened and I just could not have enough time to login write up and post. It was great to read what everyones upto for new years.This year has a mixed start as off now but thats the way it is.A sad demise of an ageing near relative, an award, a jolted result, meeting people. It has been a mixed bag as off now.I just hope I will post something mid week, if I have the resources at my disposal.
It was Swami Vivekanad's birth anniversary yesterday. He was a great soul, he did much to spread the ethos of peace and harmony and laid foundations for the Great Indian Struggle. He was a gret thinker whoe thoughts still hold their place in todays time. Birthday greeting to man and everyone who was born on 12 of Jan ever.
Movie Review: Guru.
The big film bang in the new years.Mani ratnam has always been one of the better directors which people like to queue up and watch.It is hard to find faults in either the script of the characters or the presentastion. The Guru features the cinematographic genius of Rajiv Menon an axce ad guru and a brilliant cinematographer. There are lot of use of wide angle shots and brilliantly done close ups. It is a rags to riches story about a character who picks up lots of rags on his way to riches.The music and dialogues are well in verse of each other. Ash shoed her presence and Mallika Sherawat also did an item number. There was Mithun Da too, did well to be honest. Vidya Balan makes you stand up and take notice. There is something of the Meena Kumari effect in Vidya Balan's voice. Madhvan did well too. I have this belief about the hindi film world that our "stars" may not have that much in terms of pptential but the supporting class and the technicians (count out special effects) are as good as it can be. The ad-world churns out amazing ads by the hour.
The movie goes and towards a dramatic end. The Guru wins.
The climax may be a bit of a drag but the movie is good but may not be brilliant.
The question in my mind at this point is, "How does one be himself (or herself) when one does not know who he (or she) really is?"
6.11.06
About: Cricket & Weekend.
Match or Mismatch?
I will leave that for you to ponder upon. The two teams which ended up in the final mismatch were two complete opposite teams in every sense. Aussies on the top of the game for over a decade now. The name of their game plane is consistency of winning. They have won virtually anything and everything wherever international cricket is played. They have won so much that it is a news when Aussies loose. Their batting order on paper is as solid and flexible as any in the recent for that matter past era. Their bowlers are nothing short of teeth grinding menace and they always among wicket. Their fielding is superb. They are now standard against whom you have to scale your team’s performance. The only thing which they could not have laid their hands on would be the Champions Trophy.
The West Indies team however represents completely different end of the spectrum. They are on a virtual decline for I don’t know how long. The West Indies supremacy or cricket I believe is now a faded memory for most. I think their hangover is still lingering. Their fast bowlers are no more fast. They never seem to be rushing the batsmen. They are no more intimidating. Their batsmen always offer some chance. The consistency of loosing is their bane. There is something key ingredient missing.
A flash in the pan start.
The West Indians seemed to have started their innings in the most aggressive of fashions, Chanderpaul and Gayle were not interested in singles they were just going boom boom over the top, cut flicks, pulls, drives all ending up in boundaries or over them McGrath was welcome with a six in his very first over after Bret Lee was beaten black and blue. But then you need to do that for fifty overs. There is some Aussie who will always put his hand up and bail the team out of the rot. Nathan bracken did that today. The it was party time for bowlers as West Indies collapse and their batting order was a set of single figures. Bracken was too good for Gayle and Lara failed so did West Indies. The Aussies got a meager target which proved just a matter of finishing up the formalities.
The root problems.
There are teams which takes out some positives from the defeat problem with West Indies is that they seem to carry the negatives from their victories. Sarwan seem to be all about inconsistency and the only team he can score against is India. Lara remains ever mercurial, here Tendulkar is far better even though last couple of years Lara nd Tendulkar seem to have different fortunes especially in test Arena.
There seems to have no plan, their batting looks good when Gayle fires otherwise they pan out too soon. Their late order is good though. The bowling is not as sharp as it could be. There seem to be no direction in West Indies team they seem to be lost island in the sea of cricket. Lara has had a brilliant last two years mean while injuries and bad form has bought down his stature just by few notches.
Dravid meanwhile has been consistent too. He was ICC captain of the year, rubbish media and public speculation that he is an ordinary captain. Ganguly earned a name of a successful captain only because of good work of Tendulkar, Laxman, Kumble and especially Dravid, who managed to hand over biggest wins for Dada both home and away in Test and one days.
Coming soon ... Ashes to Ashes; Dust to Dust.
The Ashes series is about to start in three weeks time. I will again start wrtting The Ashes Diary. The Aussies starts favourite again. I will not be surprised if English get routed for the first match they tend to get routed in the first especially in The Ashes meanwhile they always seem to win atleast one match in the last two remaining matches.
They atleast did so in last two previous tours.
It is a game of CAT and mice.
I love Tom and Jerry. But there is more to it.The famed exam one which all MBA aspirants in India dream to crack is know just 13 days away. I have been just in touch with the course and will dive dep into settling the dust forever. I am vying for MDI Gurgaon and MICA Ahemdabad (not necessary in this order.) The ere are three sections in CAT examination. Quantitaive ability,Data Interpretation anad Cerbal Ability. The plot seems well covered in Quantitative, Verbal is alright, but like last time Data Interpretation seems more than a spot of bother even thugh my maths is decent. I love Geometry and Arithmetic and hold my ground on Algebra. But DI remains a ghost I cannot fathom and Verbal is all about practice. I hope to sort out my “plans” is this week.
I will leave that for you to ponder upon. The two teams which ended up in the final mismatch were two complete opposite teams in every sense. Aussies on the top of the game for over a decade now. The name of their game plane is consistency of winning. They have won virtually anything and everything wherever international cricket is played. They have won so much that it is a news when Aussies loose. Their batting order on paper is as solid and flexible as any in the recent for that matter past era. Their bowlers are nothing short of teeth grinding menace and they always among wicket. Their fielding is superb. They are now standard against whom you have to scale your team’s performance. The only thing which they could not have laid their hands on would be the Champions Trophy.
The West Indies team however represents completely different end of the spectrum. They are on a virtual decline for I don’t know how long. The West Indies supremacy or cricket I believe is now a faded memory for most. I think their hangover is still lingering. Their fast bowlers are no more fast. They never seem to be rushing the batsmen. They are no more intimidating. Their batsmen always offer some chance. The consistency of loosing is their bane. There is something key ingredient missing.
A flash in the pan start.
The West Indians seemed to have started their innings in the most aggressive of fashions, Chanderpaul and Gayle were not interested in singles they were just going boom boom over the top, cut flicks, pulls, drives all ending up in boundaries or over them McGrath was welcome with a six in his very first over after Bret Lee was beaten black and blue. But then you need to do that for fifty overs. There is some Aussie who will always put his hand up and bail the team out of the rot. Nathan bracken did that today. The it was party time for bowlers as West Indies collapse and their batting order was a set of single figures. Bracken was too good for Gayle and Lara failed so did West Indies. The Aussies got a meager target which proved just a matter of finishing up the formalities.
The root problems.
There are teams which takes out some positives from the defeat problem with West Indies is that they seem to carry the negatives from their victories. Sarwan seem to be all about inconsistency and the only team he can score against is India. Lara remains ever mercurial, here Tendulkar is far better even though last couple of years Lara nd Tendulkar seem to have different fortunes especially in test Arena.
There seems to have no plan, their batting looks good when Gayle fires otherwise they pan out too soon. Their late order is good though. The bowling is not as sharp as it could be. There seem to be no direction in West Indies team they seem to be lost island in the sea of cricket. Lara has had a brilliant last two years mean while injuries and bad form has bought down his stature just by few notches.
Dravid meanwhile has been consistent too. He was ICC captain of the year, rubbish media and public speculation that he is an ordinary captain. Ganguly earned a name of a successful captain only because of good work of Tendulkar, Laxman, Kumble and especially Dravid, who managed to hand over biggest wins for Dada both home and away in Test and one days.
Coming soon ... Ashes to Ashes; Dust to Dust.
The Ashes series is about to start in three weeks time. I will again start wrtting The Ashes Diary. The Aussies starts favourite again. I will not be surprised if English get routed for the first match they tend to get routed in the first especially in The Ashes meanwhile they always seem to win atleast one match in the last two remaining matches.
They atleast did so in last two previous tours.
It is a game of CAT and mice.
I love Tom and Jerry. But there is more to it.The famed exam one which all MBA aspirants in India dream to crack is know just 13 days away. I have been just in touch with the course and will dive dep into settling the dust forever. I am vying for MDI Gurgaon and MICA Ahemdabad (not necessary in this order.) The ere are three sections in CAT examination. Quantitaive ability,Data Interpretation anad Cerbal Ability. The plot seems well covered in Quantitative, Verbal is alright, but like last time Data Interpretation seems more than a spot of bother even thugh my maths is decent. I love Geometry and Arithmetic and hold my ground on Algebra. But DI remains a ghost I cannot fathom and Verbal is all about practice. I hope to sort out my “plans” is this week.
23.10.06
Blog: Festive Weekend..
A very Joyous New Year to all. The Hindu New Year begins today. The morning was misty (smoogy actually). The city of Surat celebrated Diwali with lot of lights lighting up every nook and corner, most busy flowers were dotted with row of lights and one could shop as long as anyone would like. The shops are likely to be closed for better part of this week. There were crackers disturbing my sleep for two days now, but the aerial show which I saw was quiet exhilirating.
U cook before U celebrate.
This is common everywhere I think. No matter where festivals are clebrated it has some sort of food/ale associated with it. Diwali brings in host of sweets to be goobled up be it the chocolates, ladoos, barfis, kachoris U name it and u will be fed. I miss something called a thekua which my roomie friend use to bring from his home. I had a Monthal and loaddos for myself along with nutties and kachoris and gulab Jamuns.
A precursor to Diwali.
The morning of Saturdays was about uggling three landlines and two cellphones. I talked to almost everbody I wanted to, though there were a few who I could not get thru, messages failed. I tried mailing a few people. I got in touch with my long lost cousins.There was less of pandmonium this time and I found time for my afternoon siesta which has been an on going romance. Don't I love my sisestas? Then there was hush -rush of getting some more diyas some more hawan samgri and crackers was left to epople who organised the cracker show.
Thanks to Orkut and YM I managed to convey my refgards to many Blogger Friends of mine as well. I just about managed to find time to update my blog page as well.
Lakshmi Pujan.
I never dream of missing a Diwali Puja which is done with lots of fun and I actually look forward for this one. The Diyas were lighted and placed every where around the house. Blessing were seeked from the elders and we were blessed with blessings and cash offcourse. (grins)
The ICC has to consider the ODI status of England as a One Day team, They are just good enough to make it to the list. They look so hapless and ordinary in especaially ODI. Trescothick making a point not to tour India. I think he is a good batsman but he can count me out as his fan. I cannot believe he doesn't want to play in India. The best of the best queue to bat here and he wish to stay away. I always get negative vibes whenever I see the English playing One Days, they seem out of sync and out of thoughts. I pray that they shall be proclaimed Cricket World Cup favourites atleast once in my lifetime. I will be on seventh heaven if they win this one. How about the English winning The Ashes and They World Cup. Miracles do happen don't they? I think I am pushing the envelope to far.
The English winning The Ashes would be a bigger miracle then the last win. They could have had the home advantage last time. The point to note is the fact that Aussies lost their last home series in 1992. They would like to keep that record up. I hope they can survive the first test atleast. "The Ashes Diary" will return will return on the eve of The Ashes 2006-2007. The Aussies won by the way although England did manage to take four wickets, t
Champions Trophy is a loser, till date.
I haven;t seen such a lack luster event featuring all the top 12 teams. The CHampions Trophy is proved out to be a damp squib more than anything else. Why are there four venues only in a country where cricket is played on every street? There are 21 matches and just four venues. Where is the rotation policy of BCCI, where each zone/ground is given a chance to host One Days. The point that struck me is the vindictive politics. The four honchos of BCCI Sharad Pawar President , Lalit Modi Vice President, Niranjan Shah Secretary and I.S. Bindra former BCCI chief and a Pawar supporter and some one who doesn't get along with Dalmiya and Raj Singh Dungarpur who has been ast various positiong in BCCI. There four have manged to make sure that CT is limted to their venues ONLY.
How one may ask?
Sharad Pawar Heads the Mumbai Cricket Association and Raj Singh Dungarpur is close to him. Dungarpur is Chief of CCI Brabourne Stadium. Lalit Modi is well placed in Rajasthan Cricket Association and Jaipur has seen N number of matches, perhaps more in 3 weeks then in last three decades. Niranjan Shah is also a member of Gujrat Cricket Association so no wonder that Ahemdabad to gets to host some meaty matches. IS Bindra helped Sharad Pawar win BCCI elections and he is also President of Punjab cricket association, he has flexed enough muscle to make sure Mohali host atleast five matches. I mean we surely have more than 4 venues to host these matches. This is really an awful, unexpected and unaccpetable on BCCI which has made sure theat Cricket reached every part of this country. It os purely lame and BCCI has to be laughed at for the way they have hosted CT.
U cook before U celebrate.
This is common everywhere I think. No matter where festivals are clebrated it has some sort of food/ale associated with it. Diwali brings in host of sweets to be goobled up be it the chocolates, ladoos, barfis, kachoris U name it and u will be fed. I miss something called a thekua which my roomie friend use to bring from his home. I had a Monthal and loaddos for myself along with nutties and kachoris and gulab Jamuns.
A precursor to Diwali.
The morning of Saturdays was about uggling three landlines and two cellphones. I talked to almost everbody I wanted to, though there were a few who I could not get thru, messages failed. I tried mailing a few people. I got in touch with my long lost cousins.There was less of pandmonium this time and I found time for my afternoon siesta which has been an on going romance. Don't I love my sisestas? Then there was hush -rush of getting some more diyas some more hawan samgri and crackers was left to epople who organised the cracker show.
Thanks to Orkut and YM I managed to convey my refgards to many Blogger Friends of mine as well. I just about managed to find time to update my blog page as well.
Lakshmi Pujan.
I never dream of missing a Diwali Puja which is done with lots of fun and I actually look forward for this one. The Diyas were lighted and placed every where around the house. Blessing were seeked from the elders and we were blessed with blessings and cash offcourse. (grins)
Aussies vs English.
The ICC has to consider the ODI status of England as a One Day team, They are just good enough to make it to the list. They look so hapless and ordinary in especaially ODI. Trescothick making a point not to tour India. I think he is a good batsman but he can count me out as his fan. I cannot believe he doesn't want to play in India. The best of the best queue to bat here and he wish to stay away. I always get negative vibes whenever I see the English playing One Days, they seem out of sync and out of thoughts. I pray that they shall be proclaimed Cricket World Cup favourites atleast once in my lifetime. I will be on seventh heaven if they win this one. How about the English winning The Ashes and They World Cup. Miracles do happen don't they? I think I am pushing the envelope to far.
The English winning The Ashes would be a bigger miracle then the last win. They could have had the home advantage last time. The point to note is the fact that Aussies lost their last home series in 1992. They would like to keep that record up. I hope they can survive the first test atleast. "The Ashes Diary" will return will return on the eve of The Ashes 2006-2007. The Aussies won by the way although England did manage to take four wickets, t
Champions Trophy is a loser, till date.
I haven;t seen such a lack luster event featuring all the top 12 teams. The CHampions Trophy is proved out to be a damp squib more than anything else. Why are there four venues only in a country where cricket is played on every street? There are 21 matches and just four venues. Where is the rotation policy of BCCI, where each zone/ground is given a chance to host One Days. The point that struck me is the vindictive politics. The four honchos of BCCI Sharad Pawar President , Lalit Modi Vice President, Niranjan Shah Secretary and I.S. Bindra former BCCI chief and a Pawar supporter and some one who doesn't get along with Dalmiya and Raj Singh Dungarpur who has been ast various positiong in BCCI. There four have manged to make sure that CT is limted to their venues ONLY.
How one may ask?
Sharad Pawar Heads the Mumbai Cricket Association and Raj Singh Dungarpur is close to him. Dungarpur is Chief of CCI Brabourne Stadium. Lalit Modi is well placed in Rajasthan Cricket Association and Jaipur has seen N number of matches, perhaps more in 3 weeks then in last three decades. Niranjan Shah is also a member of Gujrat Cricket Association so no wonder that Ahemdabad to gets to host some meaty matches. IS Bindra helped Sharad Pawar win BCCI elections and he is also President of Punjab cricket association, he has flexed enough muscle to make sure Mohali host atleast five matches. I mean we surely have more than 4 venues to host these matches. This is really an awful, unexpected and unaccpetable on BCCI which has made sure theat Cricket reached every part of this country. It os purely lame and BCCI has to be laughed at for the way they have hosted CT.
16.10.06
About: Weekends and Mismatches
The weekend came and went like a fast rajdhani train while I thought I stood on an unamed, unmaned station. The regular of catching with people over the phone and unwinding on saturdays nights and making plans for coming up festivities. I plan to shop by the way. Then i also made sure that CAT is mocking at me, then there was orkut too, some study and some test and some analysis. The ghost called D.I. still mock at me like there are I don't know what? Maths and English make e feel good and cozy.
Mentally Affected Teacher Harrassing Students?
While chatting with someone I suggest the Maths section of CAT is worth falling in love with a milion times in a single life time. I am not a geek but I think I love the subject Maths and I was all ways at ease with Geometry, Co-ordinate Geometry and Trignometry and Arithmetic. Algebra was big of a niggle but then I did not mind much. I think Geometry was one of the first thing that caught my attention after arithmetic and it is always fun.
The shortest distance between two points is indeed a straight line. :) I have one friend of mine whom I have know sinces ages know, I use to say with him that I have always been good with numbers, but numbers haven't been always good at me. It was a lame attempt to extract humor oversomething. I guess life is about giving up ego and following a discipline that will see oneself at a level which one aspires for. It is a long and tedious journey only laced with diffculties of giving up things which we should want to hold onto forever. Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die.
There is a great merit and working your ass off for something which one hopes for and belief in. There is no room for anything negative because things happen the wayyou want them to happen. There are examples for these cases before everyone who reads these lines, one may site an Olmypic athelete winning a gold medal even though she suffered poilio, or there may be the case of Lance Armstrong who had the balls to win Tour-De-France thrice after fighting Cancer. There will be millions of those examples which most be able to site why not add out own. The great lives are all about doing extra-ordinary events in an ordinary lives. Mother Teresa for one. Do i neeed to say more?
Then there was unlimited help - yourself cold coffee which I love to have. I managed to rip some Hindi old songs, Winamp 5.3 looks good. I manged to add couple of more school day pals of mine on Orkut. It has been such a rage and such a fun. I few things common to all bloggers would be, a blog ;P, An Orkut Profile, a separate buddy list on YM/GTalk/MSN truck load of forwards from fellow bloggers in the Inbox. I think I missed having pasteires but then enjoyed some mouth watering chaat, courtesy a family visit. :D
Mismatches.
I heard this some where ... "You know whast common to Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and England?"
none of these teams have ever won a major ICC tournament like a world cup or a champions trophy. It is a sad story, this Champions Trophy. Windies were all out for 80 runs. They are defending Champions. The match was so tard. I think Windies selectors should find some grit and steel into their team. This teams look weary even to complete the formalities. There are two mavericks Lara and Gayle and then there is Chanderpaul and Sarwan how u wont back up much. The Windies are depended on Lara and Gayle more than India has ever been on Tendulkar. It is such a shame, I hope Windies cricket survives this patch. It has such a vibrant past but they need to walk out of it of else we all will see documentaries not to far from today titled "Cricket was calypso once."
The English body language looked very negative. Their actions on the pitch confirmed my notion, and result of the match affirmed. Is England really looking forward to winning The Ashes again. If it is then they must make sure that they give a tough fight. There has been everything negative about them. Did u look at home Harmisson bowl? He looked like a clown in the middle of a big circus rather then a Hero of Ashes. Flintoff doesn't want to bowl and he is unable to bat. The best of batsmen follow the tail-enders like players. I seem to get a vibe that the English are here to just fill the numbers. One can look at the Aussies they are here in full strength and a good show here will surely take them a long way to win back The Ashes.
Did England bat first or India bowled first.
After looking at the score card it looked like Indian bowled first and there was only one team on the ground has Dravid's post match comments delight also is in tune with this fact.
I have never seen the Indian bowling so sharp all the whiff about of the boil Pathan is now on the back burner with Dravid coming out in full support of Sehwag and Pathan who seem to be chasing some form with either bat or ball or both.
The English batting line up looked like an International Dialling code and they came and went people reject from an interview. Pietersen always looks good but often fails to deliver. Collingwood is a Kaif like case. I wonder if England have thought about saving him for the eleventh wicket?
There was no fight and I think I thought there would be some fightback. There was only one fight in the form of bucketing England for a very ordinary score on a decent batting pitch.
India may wanted to do things in style but then India is one team which can make one sided match exciting and they put in their best efforts to make this exciting but citing limitations of the runs to be scored they came home by four wickets. Sachin looked in some class and he is perhaps licking his lips to meet Aussies soon. It was so good to see him in FIrst Slip and take the Pietersen catch. He drives were more about fierce power, precision placement and a breath taking finish. A picture perfect touchwood.
I sit and pray for some exciting matches which I would love to watch.
Mentally Affected Teacher Harrassing Students?
While chatting with someone I suggest the Maths section of CAT is worth falling in love with a milion times in a single life time. I am not a geek but I think I love the subject Maths and I was all ways at ease with Geometry, Co-ordinate Geometry and Trignometry and Arithmetic. Algebra was big of a niggle but then I did not mind much. I think Geometry was one of the first thing that caught my attention after arithmetic and it is always fun.
The shortest distance between two points is indeed a straight line. :) I have one friend of mine whom I have know sinces ages know, I use to say with him that I have always been good with numbers, but numbers haven't been always good at me. It was a lame attempt to extract humor oversomething. I guess life is about giving up ego and following a discipline that will see oneself at a level which one aspires for. It is a long and tedious journey only laced with diffculties of giving up things which we should want to hold onto forever. Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die.
There is a great merit and working your ass off for something which one hopes for and belief in. There is no room for anything negative because things happen the wayyou want them to happen. There are examples for these cases before everyone who reads these lines, one may site an Olmypic athelete winning a gold medal even though she suffered poilio, or there may be the case of Lance Armstrong who had the balls to win Tour-De-France thrice after fighting Cancer. There will be millions of those examples which most be able to site why not add out own. The great lives are all about doing extra-ordinary events in an ordinary lives. Mother Teresa for one. Do i neeed to say more?
Then there was unlimited help - yourself cold coffee which I love to have. I managed to rip some Hindi old songs, Winamp 5.3 looks good. I manged to add couple of more school day pals of mine on Orkut. It has been such a rage and such a fun. I few things common to all bloggers would be, a blog ;P, An Orkut Profile, a separate buddy list on YM/GTalk/MSN truck load of forwards from fellow bloggers in the Inbox. I think I missed having pasteires but then enjoyed some mouth watering chaat, courtesy a family visit. :D
Mismatches.
I heard this some where ... "You know whast common to Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and England?"
none of these teams have ever won a major ICC tournament like a world cup or a champions trophy. It is a sad story, this Champions Trophy. Windies were all out for 80 runs. They are defending Champions. The match was so tard. I think Windies selectors should find some grit and steel into their team. This teams look weary even to complete the formalities. There are two mavericks Lara and Gayle and then there is Chanderpaul and Sarwan how u wont back up much. The Windies are depended on Lara and Gayle more than India has ever been on Tendulkar. It is such a shame, I hope Windies cricket survives this patch. It has such a vibrant past but they need to walk out of it of else we all will see documentaries not to far from today titled "Cricket was calypso once."
India vs England.
The English body language looked very negative. Their actions on the pitch confirmed my notion, and result of the match affirmed. Is England really looking forward to winning The Ashes again. If it is then they must make sure that they give a tough fight. There has been everything negative about them. Did u look at home Harmisson bowl? He looked like a clown in the middle of a big circus rather then a Hero of Ashes. Flintoff doesn't want to bowl and he is unable to bat. The best of batsmen follow the tail-enders like players. I seem to get a vibe that the English are here to just fill the numbers. One can look at the Aussies they are here in full strength and a good show here will surely take them a long way to win back The Ashes.
Did England bat first or India bowled first.
After looking at the score card it looked like Indian bowled first and there was only one team on the ground has Dravid's post match comments delight also is in tune with this fact.
I have never seen the Indian bowling so sharp all the whiff about of the boil Pathan is now on the back burner with Dravid coming out in full support of Sehwag and Pathan who seem to be chasing some form with either bat or ball or both.
The English batting line up looked like an International Dialling code and they came and went people reject from an interview. Pietersen always looks good but often fails to deliver. Collingwood is a Kaif like case. I wonder if England have thought about saving him for the eleventh wicket?
There was no fight and I think I thought there would be some fightback. There was only one fight in the form of bucketing England for a very ordinary score on a decent batting pitch.
India may wanted to do things in style but then India is one team which can make one sided match exciting and they put in their best efforts to make this exciting but citing limitations of the runs to be scored they came home by four wickets. Sachin looked in some class and he is perhaps licking his lips to meet Aussies soon. It was so good to see him in FIrst Slip and take the Pietersen catch. He drives were more about fierce power, precision placement and a breath taking finish. A picture perfect touchwood.
I sit and pray for some exciting matches which I would love to watch.
8.10.06
About: This Weekend.
There is an unkown reason I love to blog about weekends which are mostly unwinding rather than going outlike may people do. I love to blog about it besides my Cricket blogs.I wanted to blog all week but just couldn't ful fill my own wishes. Sunday gives me enough time to go through the new papers and catch up with some movie.Cricket.
After ages some Champions Trophy started with some matches in which the result of the match was more obvious then the toss.Sri Lanka Bangladesh India Pakistan
West Indies vs Zimbabwe
So as expected Sri Lankans and Windies pulled off their matches with minimum fuss.This tournament will alst for over a month and we will have to wait till Diwali to Check out whats teamIndia India
Formula One.
After convincing the media that nobody other then Schumacher will win the Championship and also accusing and crying foul over FIA running the "show" behind the curtains, ALonso pulled the carpet from under Schumi's feet to setup a wonderful win at Suzuka, Japan and perhaps won his second crown on the way. But there is still a race to go and who knows ...
New Phone.
I was looking for a new phone for couple of months the battery of my cell was about to give way. I first check out Nokia 6030 and then something made me check out Nokia 6070 on Dusshera. So I got Nokia 6070 for myself and let me tell u I am loving it. There are whole lot things I can do with as is the case with so many mobile phones these days. Since I already have an iPod and a digi Cam I was not hell bent on get something extravagant which may be of no use tommorow. I am looking for some iPod attachements though.
Festive season on the doors.
Starting Navratri there will be some festival once every 10 days. Navaratri gave way to Dusshera, Dusshera will give way to Karva Chauth... A day of fsating done my all wifeys for their hubbies. Mom use to do it for ages but now her age she is not hell bent on going without food or water for a day. One good thing television has done is spread all the festival in a big big. They say it is not a seller's market any more. Let mne tell u one thing the seller's are not complaining me any more. The shop where I got my mobile I saw two high end Nokia phones being sold before I setteled for my 6070 which costed me Rs 5800. Karva Chauth will be followed by some festival which will be followed by Diwali. The festival of the season and a festival where people to don't bat a eye link before spending. The markets in Surat are all buzzing and all the brands including the seconds outlet are seeing huge volumes of customers, purchase and money flowing in the cash registers.
Surat , Then and Now.
The floods really dampened the spirit but Navratri took all the way but there is still a negative vibe when u go around the city but things not only crept back they have been restored and Surat is looking cleaner then ever. People are now ack to splurging on clothes and foods and other things roaming arond the city. Lets see a good Diwali this season.
My Diwali plans.
As a kid me and my brother use to buy crackers which should atleast last for couple of Diwalis, the rage for buying fcrackers has toned down a great deal. Me looking forward to buy a feew gifts for my folks and family and treat some friends to some treat. I am longing to reach Mumbai tune in into radio, travel in trains again. Then visit the never changing and ever crowded blanes of Bandra. I will try to visit my school this time although it may be closed. I need to catch up with lots of friends before they issue a red corner notice for me.
After ages some Champions Trophy started with some matches in which the result of the match was more obvious then the toss.
So as expected Sri Lankans and Windies pulled off their matches with minimum fuss.This tournament will alst for over a month and we will have to wait till Diwali to Check out whats team
Formula One.
After convincing the media that nobody other then Schumacher will win the Championship and also accusing and crying foul over FIA running the "show" behind the curtains, ALonso pulled the carpet from under Schumi's feet to setup a wonderful win at Suzuka, Japan and perhaps won his second crown on the way. But there is still a race to go and who knows ...
New Phone.
I was looking for a new phone for couple of months the battery of my cell was about to give way. I first check out Nokia 6030 and then something made me check out Nokia 6070 on Dusshera. So I got Nokia 6070 for myself and let me tell u I am loving it. There are whole lot things I can do with as is the case with so many mobile phones these days. Since I already have an iPod and a digi Cam I was not hell bent on get something extravagant which may be of no use tommorow. I am looking for some iPod attachements though.
Festive season on the doors.
Starting Navratri there will be some festival once every 10 days. Navaratri gave way to Dusshera, Dusshera will give way to Karva Chauth... A day of fsating done my all wifeys for their hubbies. Mom use to do it for ages but now her age she is not hell bent on going without food or water for a day. One good thing television has done is spread all the festival in a big big. They say it is not a seller's market any more. Let mne tell u one thing the seller's are not complaining me any more. The shop where I got my mobile I saw two high end Nokia phones being sold before I setteled for my 6070 which costed me Rs 5800. Karva Chauth will be followed by some festival which will be followed by Diwali. The festival of the season and a festival where people to don't bat a eye link before spending. The markets in Surat are all buzzing and all the brands including the seconds outlet are seeing huge volumes of customers, purchase and money flowing in the cash registers.
Surat , Then and Now.
The floods really dampened the spirit but Navratri took all the way but there is still a negative vibe when u go around the city but things not only crept back they have been restored and Surat is looking cleaner then ever. People are now ack to splurging on clothes and foods and other things roaming arond the city. Lets see a good Diwali this season.
My Diwali plans.
As a kid me and my brother use to buy crackers which should atleast last for couple of Diwalis, the rage for buying fcrackers has toned down a great deal. Me looking forward to buy a feew gifts for my folks and family and treat some friends to some treat. I am longing to reach Mumbai tune in into radio, travel in trains again. Then visit the never changing and ever crowded blanes of Bandra. I will try to visit my school this time although it may be closed. I need to catch up with lots of friends before they issue a red corner notice for me.
29.8.06
Blog: Weekday or Weekend?
I was not feeling all that great about coming to office on Sunday.I am no work-o-holic but it was just part of the job that someone in our group has to put in a Sunday once a month. I was not grumbling but just a touch sombre over the fact that I had to get up "early" (say 8:30 A.M.) on a Sunday morning. There was some more dismay when I realized that the tap had run dry. Anyways after a wait of 40 minutes I had completed all the formalities which had to be done before anyone leaves for office.
Microsoft Office and office.
As it was a Sunday I was there along with a colleague who prefers to be quiet and smiles oddly at some of my quick comments. I managed to hook on some sites, caught up with the world. Rediff my favourite site came in handy.I Google my way over some forced doubts over some details in the document section that I am assigned to. Since at one point I was the only one in the office for whom the Printer awaited commands for I made sure all the 86 pages were printed seggregated and the Databse was updated along with filing the documents wherever they were supposed to be.
Home Sweet Home.
After trugging on the ST bus I managed to "land" near Surat Station. An auto-rickshaw was "Google" and managing two Auots I was home.Father was a touch busy regarding matters in the office which is nearby, Mom made some really hot Parathas, (God I love those.) I was half in slumber and half awake and at this point I don't remeber what I saw on the telly. I knew a Formula One race would be underway. I though "Why not?"
I wanted to be Philipe.
Massa was head of the pack and maintained his lead all thoughout the race. He managed to put his foot to the last second and secure his first win. It was such fun seeing Philipe being immeresed by Alonso and Schumi. I just wish to be in his shoes and wanted to know what it feels like when ALonso and Schumi dip you in Champagne. It was a wonderful race for him as he ably defended his good work from Alonso and Schumi all the way to chequered flag.
Schumi Screwed.
I don't why the decision to calling in both the Ferraris together was ever made? Schumi followed Philipe into the pit and was to made wait percious 8 seconds and Alonso managed to get ahead of him. WHat if Schumi came in couple of laps later gaining enough time on Alonso. It would have made Ferrari one-two on the podium and would have given Alonso a few things to think about the next few races. But ...
Waking up late on Monday Morning.
On Monday morning blues in this week. Monday was about getting up late having two really large glasses of cold coffee with some delightful breakfast. I manged to read, watch some more Television and thing about a few things of past and few things for future. The evening came and I wemt out to the nearest "Mongins Bakery". I had the pleasure of having a big chocolate pastry named "Swiss Miss" and wasn't it yummy? I love that.
The American Open.
There would be many favourites and among all the list of favourites and underdogs there will be an eventual winner. I am just praying that Andre Aggassi and Martina Hingis do well. Aggassi has always been about panache and aging into twilight. Martina Hingis represents an always eager spirit of competition. I hope she can come up with some scintilatting base line tennis once trademark of the now legendary Steffi Graf.
Hrishi Da no more.
One more master passed awaay following the sad demise of Bimillah khan. Hrishikesh Mukherjee churned out some of the most soul searching and some of the cult classic Hindi comedy movies. These were family orinted movies for the entire family. The remain eternal. One of those movies was Anand. It was such a wonderfully done movie. The climax is the most touching and soul stirring once and still evokes goose bumps whenever I see that movie. I saw it for few minutes last night but it was getting late and I had to wake up early.
"Zindagi kaisi hai paheli..."
Microsoft Office and office.
As it was a Sunday I was there along with a colleague who prefers to be quiet and smiles oddly at some of my quick comments. I managed to hook on some sites, caught up with the world. Rediff my favourite site came in handy.I Google my way over some forced doubts over some details in the document section that I am assigned to. Since at one point I was the only one in the office for whom the Printer awaited commands for I made sure all the 86 pages were printed seggregated and the Databse was updated along with filing the documents wherever they were supposed to be.
Home Sweet Home.
After trugging on the ST bus I managed to "land" near Surat Station. An auto-rickshaw was "Google" and managing two Auots I was home.Father was a touch busy regarding matters in the office which is nearby, Mom made some really hot Parathas, (God I love those.) I was half in slumber and half awake and at this point I don't remeber what I saw on the telly. I knew a Formula One race would be underway. I though "Why not?"
I wanted to be Philipe.
Massa was head of the pack and maintained his lead all thoughout the race. He managed to put his foot to the last second and secure his first win. It was such fun seeing Philipe being immeresed by Alonso and Schumi. I just wish to be in his shoes and wanted to know what it feels like when ALonso and Schumi dip you in Champagne. It was a wonderful race for him as he ably defended his good work from Alonso and Schumi all the way to chequered flag.
Schumi Screwed.
I don't why the decision to calling in both the Ferraris together was ever made? Schumi followed Philipe into the pit and was to made wait percious 8 seconds and Alonso managed to get ahead of him. WHat if Schumi came in couple of laps later gaining enough time on Alonso. It would have made Ferrari one-two on the podium and would have given Alonso a few things to think about the next few races. But ...
Waking up late on Monday Morning.
On Monday morning blues in this week. Monday was about getting up late having two really large glasses of cold coffee with some delightful breakfast. I manged to read, watch some more Television and thing about a few things of past and few things for future. The evening came and I wemt out to the nearest "Mongins Bakery". I had the pleasure of having a big chocolate pastry named "Swiss Miss" and wasn't it yummy? I love that.
The American Open.
There would be many favourites and among all the list of favourites and underdogs there will be an eventual winner. I am just praying that Andre Aggassi and Martina Hingis do well. Aggassi has always been about panache and aging into twilight. Martina Hingis represents an always eager spirit of competition. I hope she can come up with some scintilatting base line tennis once trademark of the now legendary Steffi Graf.
Hrishi Da no more.
One more master passed awaay following the sad demise of Bimillah khan. Hrishikesh Mukherjee churned out some of the most soul searching and some of the cult classic Hindi comedy movies. These were family orinted movies for the entire family. The remain eternal. One of those movies was Anand. It was such a wonderfully done movie. The climax is the most touching and soul stirring once and still evokes goose bumps whenever I see that movie. I saw it for few minutes last night but it was getting late and I had to wake up early.
"Zindagi kaisi hai paheli..."
6.3.06
Cricket: Over the weekend.
There were two very interesting games of cricket, which were played over this weekend. One of the results stumped the Indian media other wrapped the knuckles on hooligan and racist spectators.
Australia’s tour to South Africa.
It is an irony of cricket. No team sport realise so heavily on individual as does cricket. Ponting and Symonds unavailable for selection due to injuries, Australia is playing some worst than ordinary (not extra-ordinary cricket), for once West Indies vs. New Zealand made a better viewing. The first time I saw the score it was South Africa who were batting with last dozen over remaining and the score was nearing 190. I though the might be able to touch 270. They set a chase of 290 runs for the Kangaroos.
They Proteas (South Africans) received quiet a mouthful while batting as well as while fielding. The captain Graeme Smith also did not have the greatest tour with his scratchy form. It was time to pay the Aussies back. Ntini had to face a racial slur in Australia and as fate would have it Ntini rocked the Aussie batting line up claiming the best bowling figures of 6 for 22 by a South African against the Aussies. The Aussies were defeated by 196 runs.
The English Tour: A tour of missing the bus on the field.
The NEWS channels and their exclusive cricket experts once again humbled by this game of cricket. England batted and then really bowled well to claim a lead of 70 runs. I thought the English score would not have touched 400 had Piyush Chawla played. Then Kaif vindicated my thoughts by scoring a proud and a solid 91. He got able support from Kumble who made 58. I thought the lead could have been very big then they would be lots to think about. The newfound vigour of fielding lacked in the English second inning and helped Pietersen score a very good 87 and Cook who deservedly hit a century on Test debut. Not an easy task to do. However, if one is helped by fielder and bowlers not wanting to hold the catches offered then why shouldn’t help yourself with a century. Flintoff mindset was exposed in their second innings. He also missed in the bus in the sense he could have seized the initiative. He didn’t, this may cost him the series.
He could have up the tempo of run scoring. He should have declared the innings and asked Indians to bat at least half an hour. He screwed up the whole of last session with bizarre fields and ordinary field placements. Wassim Jaffer on a comeback made a century. A tough ask especially in the last innings of a test. However, their were not many much on nervous nineties as there was no close in fielders. The Indian preserved their wickets well up to the pint where Rahul Dravid played a rash shot. There wasn’t as much excitement as the commentators thought. There were some breezy strokes that were played but it wasn’t going to go the distance. It is tough to win a test match with an asking rate of 8 an over no matter who was at the crease. Flintoff could not hold the nerve in the end and Srinath put on a very good perspective by saying the Indian team covered lot of missing ground. The excitement now shifts to Mohali, Chandigrah.
I hope Kaif is not dropped. Yuvraj can wait at least for now. Harbhajan can look forward to do couple of Ads and Bhangra videos he is not looking penetrative at all. No the English front Ian Bell looks like the weakest link. He can be replaced.
This is good start to a series after many commentators had buried England. I hope we are in for treat of some old fashioned Test Cricket. Indian needs to pull up their socks. The English need to repeat their performances and make sure that their bass are covered.
Australia’s tour to South Africa.
It is an irony of cricket. No team sport realise so heavily on individual as does cricket. Ponting and Symonds unavailable for selection due to injuries, Australia is playing some worst than ordinary (not extra-ordinary cricket), for once West Indies vs. New Zealand made a better viewing. The first time I saw the score it was South Africa who were batting with last dozen over remaining and the score was nearing 190. I though the might be able to touch 270. They set a chase of 290 runs for the Kangaroos.
They Proteas (South Africans) received quiet a mouthful while batting as well as while fielding. The captain Graeme Smith also did not have the greatest tour with his scratchy form. It was time to pay the Aussies back. Ntini had to face a racial slur in Australia and as fate would have it Ntini rocked the Aussie batting line up claiming the best bowling figures of 6 for 22 by a South African against the Aussies. The Aussies were defeated by 196 runs.
The English Tour: A tour of missing the bus on the field.
The NEWS channels and their exclusive cricket experts once again humbled by this game of cricket. England batted and then really bowled well to claim a lead of 70 runs. I thought the English score would not have touched 400 had Piyush Chawla played. Then Kaif vindicated my thoughts by scoring a proud and a solid 91. He got able support from Kumble who made 58. I thought the lead could have been very big then they would be lots to think about. The newfound vigour of fielding lacked in the English second inning and helped Pietersen score a very good 87 and Cook who deservedly hit a century on Test debut. Not an easy task to do. However, if one is helped by fielder and bowlers not wanting to hold the catches offered then why shouldn’t help yourself with a century. Flintoff mindset was exposed in their second innings. He also missed in the bus in the sense he could have seized the initiative. He didn’t, this may cost him the series.
He could have up the tempo of run scoring. He should have declared the innings and asked Indians to bat at least half an hour. He screwed up the whole of last session with bizarre fields and ordinary field placements. Wassim Jaffer on a comeback made a century. A tough ask especially in the last innings of a test. However, their were not many much on nervous nineties as there was no close in fielders. The Indian preserved their wickets well up to the pint where Rahul Dravid played a rash shot. There wasn’t as much excitement as the commentators thought. There were some breezy strokes that were played but it wasn’t going to go the distance. It is tough to win a test match with an asking rate of 8 an over no matter who was at the crease. Flintoff could not hold the nerve in the end and Srinath put on a very good perspective by saying the Indian team covered lot of missing ground. The excitement now shifts to Mohali, Chandigrah.
I hope Kaif is not dropped. Yuvraj can wait at least for now. Harbhajan can look forward to do couple of Ads and Bhangra videos he is not looking penetrative at all. No the English front Ian Bell looks like the weakest link. He can be replaced.
This is good start to a series after many commentators had buried England. I hope we are in for treat of some old fashioned Test Cricket. Indian needs to pull up their socks. The English need to repeat their performances and make sure that their bass are covered.
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