Sometimes things happen without any warning and they are more endearing because they are so unexpected.
After continuing the slumber in the drawing room through the Gilchrist and Symonds show of early morning. I had no warning what is lying ahead in the day for me. Just shifted base from the diwan to easy chair, picked up the long pending Amartya Sen book (It looks more and more like I will not be finishing this one), while shifting focus from the land of Oz to South Africa.
Watched Gibbs allow one through Gateway Of India(or should it be SA?) and knuckled down further deep in the easy chair in preparation to see another Kallis show.
Built like a fortress, this guy defends like one too. His approach is so serene that the opposition is not there in the picture anywhere. He builds a shell around himself and builds the innings in that shell. Very few (maybe only the Aussies) have been able to cause discomfort for him. But here this does not seem to be his day. his defense is awkward today, inside edges the ball to fine leg. And lo and behold: chases a wide one before he opens an account. So I concfentrate more on the book and ponder at the feet of clay most of our idols now-a-days seem to have.
I have almost lost interest in this match and surfs my fav channels and it throws up a gem. This is semi finals of some non-descript masters tournament. Ferrer is taking on Andi Roddick. now Ferrer is a guy I remember very little of. There is a chance that I have not seen him play at all. And Roddick has his share of sympathy like a number of other could have been world-beaters after the versatile Swiss knife called Federer made them look uni dimensional repeatedly.
so with mild interest and a lot of sympathy I watched initial warm up. But it took exact 25 seconds of actual play to clear my misconception. Roddick was serving first, I knew him as a good serve, he fired one and to my amazement the serve was replied with a drop shot Roddick rushed to the net and what followed was deft touches like Badminton near a tennis net. Ferrer won the dual. Roddick looked stung and powered through rest of the game.
Ferrer won his serve after a deuce and broke roddick for a 2-1 lead. The match was on: I had forgotten Amartya and was on the edge of my easy chair. Yet another Saturday was spoiled but was put to a good use.
Epilogue:
At the end of the day, Ferrer defeated Roddick pretty easily. But Star Sports pulled a DD by stopping the transmission. I did not complain as by then Kallis had overcome his antsy start and resumed uninterrupted service. I was back deep in the easy chair, the Amartya Sen book still lying unopened across my knees.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Sunday, September 09, 2007
North America on the run: Canada - the place
The next rendezvous beckoning after Seattle was the city of Barrie near Toronto.It is very confusing whether the landscape of Canada is more boring or the people are more remarkable.
In conclusion, I think both things are equally true.
About the Canadian land, the only words I have for it are flat, flat, flat, flat, flat, flat, flat, flat, uninteresting, uninteresting, flat, flat, flat, uninteresting,lakes,lakes,lakes,flat,flat,uninteresting.
Huge huge humongous infinite flat land. More than enough for everybody many times over. On my way from Toronto to Barrie I saw around 8-10 golf courses, after which I stopped counting. Buildings have so much of space left empty around them that they look very tiny despite being huge.
I saw a school building with 5-6 soccer grounds around it. Was just imagining Ojas running amok around those grounds: me and Pallavi hot in pursuit. Nothing more to bring out and enhance the innate free spirit present in everybody: especially a fresh mind, unaffected by any external influence. The city of Barrie is by the side of a huge lake and a very nice walkway around it. Had a chance to visit it only once though: I would definitely like to get back there with more time at my hands and with my family. Let's see: who has seen the future? Who knows?
In conclusion, I think both things are equally true.
About the Canadian land, the only words I have for it are flat, flat, flat, flat, flat, flat, flat, flat, uninteresting, uninteresting, flat, flat, flat, uninteresting,lakes,lakes,lakes,flat,flat,uninteresting.
Huge huge humongous infinite flat land. More than enough for everybody many times over. On my way from Toronto to Barrie I saw around 8-10 golf courses, after which I stopped counting. Buildings have so much of space left empty around them that they look very tiny despite being huge.
I saw a school building with 5-6 soccer grounds around it. Was just imagining Ojas running amok around those grounds: me and Pallavi hot in pursuit. Nothing more to bring out and enhance the innate free spirit present in everybody: especially a fresh mind, unaffected by any external influence. The city of Barrie is by the side of a huge lake and a very nice walkway around it. Had a chance to visit it only once though: I would definitely like to get back there with more time at my hands and with my family. Let's see: who has seen the future? Who knows?
Thursday, August 16, 2007
North America on the run : languid placid ennui
(Happy Independance day to everybody: I am here in some remote corner of Canada, when the whole country is celebrating the Independance day. I am ably represented by my kid though: he attended a flag-hoisting at a special guest at a school, all decked up in the Army uniform his mother bought his for the occasion. He will see the photographs of his first independance day when he grows and definitely will feel very proud. Anyways, happy Independance day to everyone)
I am sitting facing the glass wall of the terminal, a whole panorama expands itself in
front of my eyes, just for me. Mountains far away : blue and bleary : show promises of snow on their tops, peeping behind the pine like cold climate trees.
Greenery, that too immaculate shades of greens, is a rule rather than an exception. So if a piece of land is not in use, it is green, has a lush green well cut grass look to it. The huge airport sprawls between these patches of green. Humongous heavy belly air crafts lumber up to the start of their run ups, get off as if they never wanted to move.
With maximum gracelessness they pick their noses up. Reluctantly fold their hind tyres under their huge bellies. I can picture them any moment saying "to hell with it" and rolling on the beds of the inviting green grass expanding into the infinity. The sun also adds to the speed (rather the lack of it) of the scene, dragging its feet so slow that it takes four hours (from 6.00 to 10.oo) to just set. Right now the sun is just ambling, far past the time it should have set and gone to bed, playfully shining his weak rays here and there: sometimes on the blue mountains in the distance, sometimes fleetingly giving chase to the wings of one of the airplanes. Sometimes just teasing a poor passenger, sitting behind the glass in the terminal, minding his own business writing his blog.
Now consider that all this is happening at one of the busiest airports in western America, and you will see the irony. No, ironic is not the right word for whatever is happening here, contradiction: near but not enough; because the word means than there are two points of views, vying to be right: no, nobody is bothering to be right or to be proven right. Ennui: may be right, just right as then the word itself is so confusing that it adds to the mystery of the place.
But then this is not right as well. The mystery of this place is the chatter of the passengers and the announcements floating on the air to reach your ears. Add words like ennui to it, and it becomes a out and out murder mystery. it is not so. It is a mystery where the answer is some where near lurking just below the surface. You can see its outline but cannot find what it is. If you tried, you might. But you do not want to do that really. The tinge of anxiety not knowing the answer is what is more exciting than knowing it and getting it over with. Languor, placidity: next un-understandable word and I am just copying James Joyce's style.
Redmond, in first few days has already been an anti-thesis of sorts.The airport being the first place where I can sit down calmly for the first time and note it and note it down. The sun shines on the sand of clouds, undulating in the sea of the sky, and you people : hold on tight while I narrate one of the most bizarre journeys taken up (or forced upon )yours truly. So bizarre that a quarter of it is already done and dusted before I could breathe deeply and start making some noise about it.
I am sitting facing the glass wall of the terminal, a whole panorama expands itself in
front of my eyes, just for me. Mountains far away : blue and bleary : show promises of snow on their tops, peeping behind the pine like cold climate trees.
Greenery, that too immaculate shades of greens, is a rule rather than an exception. So if a piece of land is not in use, it is green, has a lush green well cut grass look to it. The huge airport sprawls between these patches of green. Humongous heavy belly air crafts lumber up to the start of their run ups, get off as if they never wanted to move.
With maximum gracelessness they pick their noses up. Reluctantly fold their hind tyres under their huge bellies. I can picture them any moment saying "to hell with it" and rolling on the beds of the inviting green grass expanding into the infinity. The sun also adds to the speed (rather the lack of it) of the scene, dragging its feet so slow that it takes four hours (from 6.00 to 10.oo) to just set. Right now the sun is just ambling, far past the time it should have set and gone to bed, playfully shining his weak rays here and there: sometimes on the blue mountains in the distance, sometimes fleetingly giving chase to the wings of one of the airplanes. Sometimes just teasing a poor passenger, sitting behind the glass in the terminal, minding his own business writing his blog.
Now consider that all this is happening at one of the busiest airports in western America, and you will see the irony. No, ironic is not the right word for whatever is happening here, contradiction: near but not enough; because the word means than there are two points of views, vying to be right: no, nobody is bothering to be right or to be proven right. Ennui: may be right, just right as then the word itself is so confusing that it adds to the mystery of the place.
But then this is not right as well. The mystery of this place is the chatter of the passengers and the announcements floating on the air to reach your ears. Add words like ennui to it, and it becomes a out and out murder mystery. it is not so. It is a mystery where the answer is some where near lurking just below the surface. You can see its outline but cannot find what it is. If you tried, you might. But you do not want to do that really. The tinge of anxiety not knowing the answer is what is more exciting than knowing it and getting it over with. Languor, placidity: next un-understandable word and I am just copying James Joyce's style.
Redmond, in first few days has already been an anti-thesis of sorts.The airport being the first place where I can sit down calmly for the first time and note it and note it down. The sun shines on the sand of clouds, undulating in the sea of the sky, and you people : hold on tight while I narrate one of the most bizarre journeys taken up (or forced upon )yours truly. So bizarre that a quarter of it is already done and dusted before I could breathe deeply and start making some noise about it.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
My experiments with the coffee(maker)
this is Arvind Kandhare:
Blender of the coffees, visitor of the countries, solver(supposed) of the problems,sleeper of the days, sufferer of jet-lags, eater of bland oat meals and blander corn-flakes,takes the first sip of his own made coffee in his wife's name
and hereby (after adding a lot of sugar and creme whitener) christen thee sweet kandy-coffee.
Never having added sugar and creme whitener to the molten tar on the road, it can not be said for sure, but if it were done, it would not test very dissimilar.
I may live for hundreds of years more, but one thing is sure, I will never test anything so bad as this , either self-made and others, and emphasizing the fact that it is said after the bland oat meals in the morning in itself can be held as a proof of it, another proof being the remembrance of cockroaches we MPalya guys drank along with whatever drinks they decided to swim in, I declare this coffee the worst drink that ever did or will enter my bowels.
But the jolt this newly christened creation gives me goes far beyond what it was designed for: namely keeping me awake by the day, as I am so hi-strung that I may not sleep for next 3-4 days now :)
Blender of the coffees, visitor of the countries, solver(supposed) of the problems,sleeper of the days, sufferer of jet-lags, eater of bland oat meals and blander corn-flakes,takes the first sip of his own made coffee in his wife's name
and hereby (after adding a lot of sugar and creme whitener) christen thee sweet kandy-coffee.
Never having added sugar and creme whitener to the molten tar on the road, it can not be said for sure, but if it were done, it would not test very dissimilar.
I may live for hundreds of years more, but one thing is sure, I will never test anything so bad as this , either self-made and others, and emphasizing the fact that it is said after the bland oat meals in the morning in itself can be held as a proof of it, another proof being the remembrance of cockroaches we MPalya guys drank along with whatever drinks they decided to swim in, I declare this coffee the worst drink that ever did or will enter my bowels.
But the jolt this newly christened creation gives me goes far beyond what it was designed for: namely keeping me awake by the day, as I am so hi-strung that I may not sleep for next 3-4 days now :)
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Surya Paahilelaa maanus
Mi paahilaai Surya paahilela manus
Suryakade pahane shakya navate
Mhanoon tya maansakade paahun anand maanala
Sope naste suryakade pahane
Jar dolech jalaale naaheet tar
Kapalee asel janmabhar tras bhogane
Satya aanee yogya te prakhar shubhra disel
satya aanee ayogya te kutt kaale
tadjodicha sandhiprakash kuthech nasel
Aanee kuthaleehee palwaat nasel
Bhurkat sandhiprakashaat chachpadataanaa
Malaa aadhaar hotaa,
"Pahilaa dagad tyaaneech maaraawaa,
Jyanee asel surya paahilaa"
ya yuktiwadacha.
Dagad shodhayalaa madat karaa jaraa
Mi paahilaai surya pahilelaa maanus
Thodaa ghaitach distoy
Dagad maaraayachyaa addhich nighun jaicha
Kaa ugaa malaach awghad watat aahe?
Surya pahaane !!
Sope asel kaa sagale jar
sawalyaa asteel kaalya kutt aaanee
prakash kewal prakhar ..
aanee maahitee asel kee tumhee
nehmee barobarach aahaat ..
Aanee jar chuk asaal tar
swatachyaaek kanfataat deun barobar hone ?
Khup sope asel kaa
Ayogya pahilya pahilya tyacha pratikar karne?
chukeeche manjar aadwe gele kee rastaa badalne?
Kadhee shankaa yetach nasel kaa,
he yogya waate tar aahe pan kharech te tase aahe ka?
Suryakade pahane shakya navate
Mhanoon tya maansakade paahun anand maanala
Sope naste suryakade pahane
Jar dolech jalaale naaheet tar
Kapalee asel janmabhar tras bhogane
Satya aanee yogya te prakhar shubhra disel
satya aanee ayogya te kutt kaale
tadjodicha sandhiprakash kuthech nasel
Aanee kuthaleehee palwaat nasel
Bhurkat sandhiprakashaat chachpadataanaa
Malaa aadhaar hotaa,
"Pahilaa dagad tyaaneech maaraawaa,
Jyanee asel surya paahilaa"
ya yuktiwadacha.
Dagad shodhayalaa madat karaa jaraa
Mi paahilaai surya pahilelaa maanus
Thodaa ghaitach distoy
Dagad maaraayachyaa addhich nighun jaicha
Kaa ugaa malaach awghad watat aahe?
Surya pahaane !!
Sope asel kaa sagale jar
sawalyaa asteel kaalya kutt aaanee
prakash kewal prakhar ..
aanee maahitee asel kee tumhee
nehmee barobarach aahaat ..
Aanee jar chuk asaal tar
swatachyaaek kanfataat deun barobar hone ?
Khup sope asel kaa
Ayogya pahilya pahilya tyacha pratikar karne?
chukeeche manjar aadwe gele kee rastaa badalne?
Kadhee shankaa yetach nasel kaa,
he yogya waate tar aahe pan kharech te tase aahe ka?
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
whiffs floating on the mists of the past: A man in dark times
Insipid future stagnates
in the well worn grooves of the past.
History devours the future.
The more things change,
more they remain the same.
A sad eternal truth tries unsuccessfully
To hide behind the thin guise of the context
But the fact remains.
And the fact is this:
Always,
lions are encircled by packs of wolves
And truth is nothing but a trap
Laid out by the naives: laid out for the fools
The Butterfly meekly turns back into caterpillar,
A dreamer is left holding the cold ashes of his dream.
While others sell them out
For higher places on the ladder.
But ..
Defeated yet unconquered
Broken still unshaken
Stands tall
Against odds all
A man:
A man in dark times.
in the well worn grooves of the past.
History devours the future.
The more things change,
more they remain the same.
A sad eternal truth tries unsuccessfully
To hide behind the thin guise of the context
But the fact remains.
And the fact is this:
Always,
lions are encircled by packs of wolves
And truth is nothing but a trap
Laid out by the naives: laid out for the fools
The Butterfly meekly turns back into caterpillar,
A dreamer is left holding the cold ashes of his dream.
While others sell them out
For higher places on the ladder.
But ..
Defeated yet unconquered
Broken still unshaken
Stands tall
Against odds all
A man:
A man in dark times.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
what a shame!!!
Like one of its most progressive thinking coaches, the game of cricketwas poisoned yesterday. It was then strangulated because it was not dying soon. It was found lying in its own feces and vomit, unattendedand abandoned.
It was a good final when it started though. Ground staff worked hard to get it running even if reduced to 38 hours. Gilli did what he does best, blasted off and was the best batsman from both the sides by quiet some distance.
It was still cricket when the ball suddenly started swinging without any perceptible change in the cloud cover. It was in fact pretty good cricket when Jayasurya and Sangakkara bided their time till the situations became favorable. Once the sun got out and the swing suddenly disappeared, they cashed in their patience, very good indeed.
Sri Lanka was quiet sure they won't have anybody playing the innings Gillie did for the Aussies. The trick was for everybody to play his own part in the chase. It was pretty much followed. Sangakkara did his job by first playing out the difficult overs and then cashing in on 2nd powerplay. The chinaman from Hodges did him in but by then he had played his hand and played it well.
From then things started going slowly downhill. The clouds became dark and ominous. Srilankan batsmen had too many things on their mind. What about D/L score, what if it does not rain till the end, what if they lose yet another wicket while trying one of these theories, all that along with a fading light caused Jayasurya to misread Clarkes innocuous skidder. It was bad that Sri Lanka should be put throught his hardships while chasing a daunting total, but still it was rules and cricket. But this is the last thing to be accepted under the vagaries of glorious uncertainties of cricket.
What happened next was incredibly stupid and unprofessional. Silva andMahila were going pretty strong and refused light and held fort through high wind and heavy rain. Even if it increased their net required run rate, they were slowly taking D/L out of the equation.The rains were about to let up and at this juncture first of many incredulous idiocies were committed.
With wind taking away rain clouds and sun peering through the web ofclouds, the light was offered and the covers were brought on. Byaccepting light and going off the field, Lanka lost whatever chance they had of making it a game then and there. It was sad that because of one official misjudgement, a dark horse lost the chance to unseat the champions. A seasoned follower can forgive them that.
But then the real bizarre things started happening. SriLankan tail accepted the light in almost a pitch dark condition. A D/L situation would have nominated Aussies as outright winners, just for one rule where the play can be resumed the next day. The umpires were adamant that they will start the play the next day, But by then the Aussies had started celebrating, the score board declared them as winners, the clowns and dancers for the farewell program were almost in the ground when the on-field umpires shooed them off.
Only after confusion reigning supreme for an eternity, Jayavardene decided to break the deadlock by asking his batsmen to reject the earlier accepted light offer. The farce continued in pitch dark.Umpires prolonged the agony by brooding over the third umpire decisions, giving wides and trying their max to beat the dead horse.
Now I am sure they were exactly following the book. I do not know exactly whose fault it was. But I know that Aussies did not deserve the final they had. They had to break their celebrations and bowl last three overs like a naughty school boy us is caned on his knuckles.They had ruled the roost in this edition and they surely deserved more honor than they were accorded.
Neither did Lanka deserve this end. They were in the game just to be denied their chance at the victory by the weather first and then thestupid officialdom.
Neither did we, the viewers who kept the faith and burnt midnight oil,and kept awake at some ungodly hours like 3.0-4.00 am deserved this end.
One last picture sums up the tournament for me. After dias is brought in and then dismantled and took off the field on the umpires behest, a man with Rastafarian pile of hair on his head, lazily and reluctantly putting back the 30 yard markers back again, umpires asking the ball and the stumps, taken as a souvenir to start the game again !!!
Hope things will get only better for cricket from here.
It was a good final when it started though. Ground staff worked hard to get it running even if reduced to 38 hours. Gilli did what he does best, blasted off and was the best batsman from both the sides by quiet some distance.
It was still cricket when the ball suddenly started swinging without any perceptible change in the cloud cover. It was in fact pretty good cricket when Jayasurya and Sangakkara bided their time till the situations became favorable. Once the sun got out and the swing suddenly disappeared, they cashed in their patience, very good indeed.
Sri Lanka was quiet sure they won't have anybody playing the innings Gillie did for the Aussies. The trick was for everybody to play his own part in the chase. It was pretty much followed. Sangakkara did his job by first playing out the difficult overs and then cashing in on 2nd powerplay. The chinaman from Hodges did him in but by then he had played his hand and played it well.
From then things started going slowly downhill. The clouds became dark and ominous. Srilankan batsmen had too many things on their mind. What about D/L score, what if it does not rain till the end, what if they lose yet another wicket while trying one of these theories, all that along with a fading light caused Jayasurya to misread Clarkes innocuous skidder. It was bad that Sri Lanka should be put throught his hardships while chasing a daunting total, but still it was rules and cricket. But this is the last thing to be accepted under the vagaries of glorious uncertainties of cricket.
What happened next was incredibly stupid and unprofessional. Silva andMahila were going pretty strong and refused light and held fort through high wind and heavy rain. Even if it increased their net required run rate, they were slowly taking D/L out of the equation.The rains were about to let up and at this juncture first of many incredulous idiocies were committed.
With wind taking away rain clouds and sun peering through the web ofclouds, the light was offered and the covers were brought on. Byaccepting light and going off the field, Lanka lost whatever chance they had of making it a game then and there. It was sad that because of one official misjudgement, a dark horse lost the chance to unseat the champions. A seasoned follower can forgive them that.
But then the real bizarre things started happening. SriLankan tail accepted the light in almost a pitch dark condition. A D/L situation would have nominated Aussies as outright winners, just for one rule where the play can be resumed the next day. The umpires were adamant that they will start the play the next day, But by then the Aussies had started celebrating, the score board declared them as winners, the clowns and dancers for the farewell program were almost in the ground when the on-field umpires shooed them off.
Only after confusion reigning supreme for an eternity, Jayavardene decided to break the deadlock by asking his batsmen to reject the earlier accepted light offer. The farce continued in pitch dark.Umpires prolonged the agony by brooding over the third umpire decisions, giving wides and trying their max to beat the dead horse.
Now I am sure they were exactly following the book. I do not know exactly whose fault it was. But I know that Aussies did not deserve the final they had. They had to break their celebrations and bowl last three overs like a naughty school boy us is caned on his knuckles.They had ruled the roost in this edition and they surely deserved more honor than they were accorded.
Neither did Lanka deserve this end. They were in the game just to be denied their chance at the victory by the weather first and then thestupid officialdom.
Neither did we, the viewers who kept the faith and burnt midnight oil,and kept awake at some ungodly hours like 3.0-4.00 am deserved this end.
One last picture sums up the tournament for me. After dias is brought in and then dismantled and took off the field on the umpires behest, a man with Rastafarian pile of hair on his head, lazily and reluctantly putting back the 30 yard markers back again, umpires asking the ball and the stumps, taken as a souvenir to start the game again !!!
Hope things will get only better for cricket from here.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
WorldCupClassics: Gilli Walks
Written on Tue Mar 18, 2003:
There comes a time when you have a choice between two things ...
There is glory; personal as well as for your team and people;accolades; a chance to resurrect whole of your people;regain lost pride; reach new peaks ; conquer terrotories nobody has even dreamt of even trading on. The world is looking unto you to be won.
On the other side is truth, honesty.
There lies a small catch:you've to do just one thing wrong.Nobody'll know, it has been done before and being honoured forbeing practical heros and wily foxes and cunning winners.
But there are men who :
"Can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose,
and start again at the beginnings
And never breathe a word about the loss;" -- If
These are the angels of the new age;
they walk because they know it is right thing to do; that is the right choice, baby if you would.
Take Gilli today: He is just yesterday demoted from the vice-captaincy of the test side; has not been playing upto his potential; once he was touted as the captain of this best side in the world, basically his fortunes are in slow but steady spiral downwards; his walking might open the now brittle aussie middle order(with Martyn gone and Waugh absent and only symonds and Harvys and Bichels; who have won matches but not very much well known for the consistency) to the guiles of Murali; might end up losing the semis for his team.
OR Lara in a earlier match: his team desperately needs to win this match to stay in contention for super six.He's on a dream run; playing the best cricket of his life perhaps. He is matching his rival for the best-batsman-of-the-world title stroke by stroke if not score by score.He is the one who can make the difference.Who can show the gloomy West Indian cricket light on the lost path to the glory of the past.
Both could have probably done all that provided they ignored one small pang of self conscience. The umpire any way has not given you out. so you are not out, technically.
Still they walked, only because staying ain't "cricket". These are angels among some mere mortals.
These mortals may be demi gods; but only with feet of Clay. The lightening does not last more than a fraction of a second; but till it is there; it lights the whole earth with blinding light. The dew is always evaporated with the first cruel rays of sun but till it exists it reflects and holds a beautiful image of the whole world unto itself though momentarily.That's where divinity is displayed between the mere transaction of life.
Well done Gilly; well done mate !!
There comes a time when you have a choice between two things ...
There is glory; personal as well as for your team and people;accolades; a chance to resurrect whole of your people;regain lost pride; reach new peaks ; conquer terrotories nobody has even dreamt of even trading on. The world is looking unto you to be won.
On the other side is truth, honesty.
There lies a small catch:you've to do just one thing wrong.Nobody'll know, it has been done before and being honoured forbeing practical heros and wily foxes and cunning winners.
But there are men who :
"Can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose,
and start again at the beginnings
And never breathe a word about the loss;" -- If
These are the angels of the new age;
they walk because they know it is right thing to do; that is the right choice, baby if you would.
Take Gilli today: He is just yesterday demoted from the vice-captaincy of the test side; has not been playing upto his potential; once he was touted as the captain of this best side in the world, basically his fortunes are in slow but steady spiral downwards; his walking might open the now brittle aussie middle order(with Martyn gone and Waugh absent and only symonds and Harvys and Bichels; who have won matches but not very much well known for the consistency) to the guiles of Murali; might end up losing the semis for his team.
OR Lara in a earlier match: his team desperately needs to win this match to stay in contention for super six.He's on a dream run; playing the best cricket of his life perhaps. He is matching his rival for the best-batsman-of-the-world title stroke by stroke if not score by score.He is the one who can make the difference.Who can show the gloomy West Indian cricket light on the lost path to the glory of the past.
Both could have probably done all that provided they ignored one small pang of self conscience. The umpire any way has not given you out. so you are not out, technically.
Still they walked, only because staying ain't "cricket". These are angels among some mere mortals.
These mortals may be demi gods; but only with feet of Clay. The lightening does not last more than a fraction of a second; but till it is there; it lights the whole earth with blinding light. The dew is always evaporated with the first cruel rays of sun but till it exists it reflects and holds a beautiful image of the whole world unto itself though momentarily.That's where divinity is displayed between the mere transaction of life.
Well done Gilly; well done mate !!
Friday, March 02, 2007
dream home: sunrise
He puts the alarm at 6.15. 6.36 is the sunrise noted in the newpaper for the earlier day. but then this place is high, it may be earlierhere, he reasons.
He wakes up five minutes before the alarm, switches it off. As if on cue, the son is already up,staring at some unknown spot on the wall,holding both feet in both hands, patiently waiting for something. He decides to go to the balcony, but it is still pretty chilly. He dresses him in warm clothes. The son also knows there is something cooking, he gets dressed up willingly.
The dawn is getting lighter by minutes and the son watches his father's face intently, waiting for the next step. Picks him up, he opens the door to the balcony. The east side is aglow, red-yellow. A freshening breeze welcomes both. He tries to show the son the colors in the sky. but the son is staring at his face intently. He tries to move him away, facing the open sky. The son does not budge, watches his father's face with curious eyes.
The play of colours continue. He is mesmerised. Wants his son to be part. but he is completely immobile now. Watching his father's face with a stunned and awed silence. The father ignores him now that he is not responding and enjoyes the sunrise all by himself.
He says to his son "you need to grow up a bit to understand all this and enjoy it".
The son does not respond. He is busy trying to search all the colours of the morning that danced on his father's face, scratching behind the golden rays of early morning.
He wakes up five minutes before the alarm, switches it off. As if on cue, the son is already up,staring at some unknown spot on the wall,holding both feet in both hands, patiently waiting for something. He decides to go to the balcony, but it is still pretty chilly. He dresses him in warm clothes. The son also knows there is something cooking, he gets dressed up willingly.
The dawn is getting lighter by minutes and the son watches his father's face intently, waiting for the next step. Picks him up, he opens the door to the balcony. The east side is aglow, red-yellow. A freshening breeze welcomes both. He tries to show the son the colors in the sky. but the son is staring at his face intently. He tries to move him away, facing the open sky. The son does not budge, watches his father's face with curious eyes.
The play of colours continue. He is mesmerised. Wants his son to be part. but he is completely immobile now. Watching his father's face with a stunned and awed silence. The father ignores him now that he is not responding and enjoyes the sunrise all by himself.
He says to his son "you need to grow up a bit to understand all this and enjoy it".
The son does not respond. He is busy trying to search all the colours of the morning that danced on his father's face, scratching behind the golden rays of early morning.
control of life
Aru, get up now. You wanted to get up by 5.30 to finish your homework" -- one of the parents.
I try to hide in the Rajaai, curl up pulling my knees near my chin. Then the aforementioned parent pats on my shoulder, first slowly and then shakes me firmly. I, with the sleep from my eyes, get up obediently. run the required errand. And my day starts.
Years pass and now this!! I am snoring softly, enjoying my early-morning sleep. A tiny hand exlpores my mouth and nose. Fingers somehow trying to find the source of the snores. Half awake, I try to see, behing the prying hands, a very inquisitive face peeps. He is lying on his side, unbalanced. both arms extended, uncontrollably trying to scratch my nose and mouth with them. His own mouth half open,forgetful. I smile at him and that stops him. He smiles first and then pulls his arms back. His smile suddenly turns shy and he pulls to the other side.
I go back to sleep. After some time, I see him again, on his side, aiming his left kick on my tummy. He takes his own time, lands the blow, moves a bit to gain balance and again pull the leg back to take aim once again. This has a very beautiful slow rythm. But it keeps on increasing. I,with sleep in my eyes, get up obediently. Pick him up, he is happy with the achievement OR almost to tears (depending on the time it takes for me to get up). And we both are now up and running :)
I try to hide in the Rajaai, curl up pulling my knees near my chin. Then the aforementioned parent pats on my shoulder, first slowly and then shakes me firmly. I, with the sleep from my eyes, get up obediently. run the required errand. And my day starts.
Years pass and now this!! I am snoring softly, enjoying my early-morning sleep. A tiny hand exlpores my mouth and nose. Fingers somehow trying to find the source of the snores. Half awake, I try to see, behing the prying hands, a very inquisitive face peeps. He is lying on his side, unbalanced. both arms extended, uncontrollably trying to scratch my nose and mouth with them. His own mouth half open,forgetful. I smile at him and that stops him. He smiles first and then pulls his arms back. His smile suddenly turns shy and he pulls to the other side.
I go back to sleep. After some time, I see him again, on his side, aiming his left kick on my tummy. He takes his own time, lands the blow, moves a bit to gain balance and again pull the leg back to take aim once again. This has a very beautiful slow rythm. But it keeps on increasing. I,with sleep in my eyes, get up obediently. Pick him up, he is happy with the achievement OR almost to tears (depending on the time it takes for me to get up). And we both are now up and running :)
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
हसीन कातिल
हाती धनुष्य ज्याचा त्याला कसे कळावे
ह्रुदयी बाण ज्याच्या त्यालाच दु:ख ठावे
अशीच एक "कट्यार" नुकतीच माझ्या काळजात घुसली. तीचाच हा (पंच) नामा.
गेल्या पूणे-वारी मध्ये श्वसुरगृह जवळ करण्यासाठी बस पकडण्यासाठी मी मुख्यरस्त्याशी आलो. मुख्यरस्त्याचा मुखडा पूर्णपणे बदलला होता. पूण्यातील खड्डे नाहीत अश्या खूप कमी रस्त्यांपैकी एक असणारा रस्ता अचानक भारत-पाकिस्तानची फ़ाळणी झाल्यासारखा तीन तुकड्यांमध्ये विभागला गेला होता. दोन्ही बाजुना धन-धान्यानी भरलेली तटे सांभाळत एखादी नदी वाहात आहे असे वाटत होते. फ़क्त या नदीची दोन्ही तटे धान्याऐवजी ट्राफ़िक मध्ये अडकलेल्या वहानांनी गच्च भरली होती.
नदीचे पात्र (म्हणजे मधला रस्ता हो!) मोकळाच होता. त्या रस्त्याच्या आजुबाजुला ट्वेंटी-ट्वेंटी म्याच मध्ये खेळाडुना बसवतात तशी अर्ध्या कापलेल्या इग्लू सारखी झोपडी वजा जागा होती. थोडे वेळ निरक्षण केल्यानंतर असे जाणवले की ती तर नवी बस स्टॊपची शेड आहे.
त्या शेड्पर्यंत पोचता-पोचताच accident मध्ये लोक टपकावेत अशा उदात्त हेतूनी तो तिथे रोड्च्या मध्यभागी बांधलेला दिसत होता. आपले माणसे मारण्याचे काम पी यम टी ने असे private sector ला outsource केलेले पाहुन गदगदुन आले. झेब्रा क्रॊसिंग व इतर प्रवाश्यांच्या सहाय्याने आम्ही शेड्पर्यंत पोचलो. मावळ्यांच्या व घॊरपडीच्या सहाय्याने बालेकिल्ल्यापर्यंत पोचल्यानंतर तानाजीच्या आवेशात आम्ही त्या शेड मध्ये शिरलो. फ़क्त "हर हर महादेव" वगैरेच बाकी होते.
स्टोप आहे पण रस्त्याच्या कडेला नाही, मध्यावर आहे पण ट्राफ़िक दिसत नाही, सीट्स आहेत पण बसता येत नाही (या सीट्स कोणाच्या पार्श्वभागाच्या मापानी बनवतात काय ठावूक?), शेड आहे पण उभे रहाता येत नाही अश्या त्या ठिकाणी आम्ही हिरण्यकश्यपू जसा नरसींहाच्या मांडीवर अवघडल्यासारखा झोपला असावा तसे आम्ही त्या सीट्स वर बसून राहिलो.
व्ही आर एलच्या मालकीची वाटावी अशी एक लाल बस समोर येउन उभी राहिली. कितितरी दशकांची धुळीची पुटे ही पी यम टी ओळखण्याची पहीली खुण न जुळल्यामुळे मी त्या बसकडे दुर्लक्ष केले. पण आजुबाजुच्या प्रवाश्यानी त्या बसच्या दरवाज्याजवळ झुंबड केली. मी देखील त्यांबरोबर गेलो. हे सर्व थोडे विचीत्रच होते. एक तर बसला दरवाजा होता आणि तो बंद होता. कुणीही हात न लावता तो हळू हळू उघडला. मला तर दरदरून घामच फ़ुटला. काही तरी बाहेरचा प्रकार आहे अशी शंका मनाला ग्रासून गेली. जीप मुठीत धरून मी आत पाउल टाकले समोर कंड्क्टर उभा होता. तीकीट देण्यासाठी तो जवळ आला. त्याकडे तिकिटे तर नव्हतीच पण तो calucator सद्रृश्य ठोकळा घेउन आला होता. मी मान वर करून त्याकडे पाहिले. मग मात्र माझीच दातखीळच बसली. मला असा भास झाला की त्यानी मला हळुच smile दिले. मला गरगरून आले. पाच-दहा मिनिटांनंतर डोळ्यांसमोरील अंधारी कुठून तरी आलेल्या थंड हवेच्या झुळूकीनी दूर झाली. मी सहज कुतूहूल म्हणून थंड हवा कुठून येत आहे ते पाहिले. डोळ्यांसमोरील काळोखी आणखी गडद झाली. ती बस चक्क एअर कंडीशंड होती.
थोड्या वेळानी मी सावरलो. मग मी बस्चे निरिक्षण करायला सुरुवात केली. सुपर-बिल्ट्प एरीयामध्ये जसे बील्डर लोक हात सोडून कोमन एरीयासाठी जागा ठेवतात तशी बस च्या मध्यभागी मोकळी जागा होती. मी तिथे थोडेसे बागडून घेतले. बसचा पुढचा अर्धा भाग एकदम खाली होता. तीथे बसल्यानंतर व्हेनीसच्या गोन्डोल्यामध्ये प्रियेचा हात धरुन बसलो आहे असे वाटले (अहो, मी कसला जातोय व्हेनीसला, "दो लब्जोन्की है" मध्ये पाहिलेय तेवढेच) . बसचा मागचा भाग बराच उंचावर होता. तेल वीकून गब्बर झालेल्या कुणा अरबाला जर एअर कंडीशंड उंट करुन हवा असेल तर तो असाच दिसेल. (मी पेटंट करणार ही आइडीया: एअर कंडीशंड उंट).
तर अशा ऐटीत दोन्ही बाजुंच्या ट्र्याफ़िक मधील मारूती - शेवर्ले (ट) - होंडा सीटी वगैरे गाड्यांवर धुळ उडवत माझी यात्रा सुफ़ळ संपूर्ण झाली. (पूण्यातल्या छोट्या-छोट्या व खड्डे पडलेल्या रस्त्यातुन होंडा-सीटी वगैरे अवाढव्य गाड्या चालकाबद्दल माझे एक निरीक्षण आहे : गेल्या पिढीतील "जीव गेला तरी चालेल पण मी वाडा सोडणार नाही" अश्या पुणेरी बाण्याचे ते या पिढीतले अनुकरण आहे. हा एक वेगळाच मुद्दा होइल. म्हणुन असो. )
पूण्याचा portsmouth झाल्यासारखे वाटले. (कुठे आहे ते मला विचारु नका.). थंड हवा घेत घेत लार्ज साइझच्या खिडकीतुन पाहिले आणि बाकीची ट्र्यफ़िक, तीन तीन तास भार-नियमन, दिवसाआड येणारे पाणी, रस्त्यातील खड्डे वगैरे गोष्टी कद्रू वाटायला लागल्या.
पूण्यनगरीवरून परत एकदा नांगराचे सोनेरी फ़ाळ फ़िरले.
ह्रुदयी बाण ज्याच्या त्यालाच दु:ख ठावे
अशीच एक "कट्यार" नुकतीच माझ्या काळजात घुसली. तीचाच हा (पंच) नामा.
गेल्या पूणे-वारी मध्ये श्वसुरगृह जवळ करण्यासाठी बस पकडण्यासाठी मी मुख्यरस्त्याशी आलो. मुख्यरस्त्याचा मुखडा पूर्णपणे बदलला होता. पूण्यातील खड्डे नाहीत अश्या खूप कमी रस्त्यांपैकी एक असणारा रस्ता अचानक भारत-पाकिस्तानची फ़ाळणी झाल्यासारखा तीन तुकड्यांमध्ये विभागला गेला होता. दोन्ही बाजुना धन-धान्यानी भरलेली तटे सांभाळत एखादी नदी वाहात आहे असे वाटत होते. फ़क्त या नदीची दोन्ही तटे धान्याऐवजी ट्राफ़िक मध्ये अडकलेल्या वहानांनी गच्च भरली होती.
नदीचे पात्र (म्हणजे मधला रस्ता हो!) मोकळाच होता. त्या रस्त्याच्या आजुबाजुला ट्वेंटी-ट्वेंटी म्याच मध्ये खेळाडुना बसवतात तशी अर्ध्या कापलेल्या इग्लू सारखी झोपडी वजा जागा होती. थोडे वेळ निरक्षण केल्यानंतर असे जाणवले की ती तर नवी बस स्टॊपची शेड आहे.
त्या शेड्पर्यंत पोचता-पोचताच accident मध्ये लोक टपकावेत अशा उदात्त हेतूनी तो तिथे रोड्च्या मध्यभागी बांधलेला दिसत होता. आपले माणसे मारण्याचे काम पी यम टी ने असे private sector ला outsource केलेले पाहुन गदगदुन आले. झेब्रा क्रॊसिंग व इतर प्रवाश्यांच्या सहाय्याने आम्ही शेड्पर्यंत पोचलो. मावळ्यांच्या व घॊरपडीच्या सहाय्याने बालेकिल्ल्यापर्यंत पोचल्यानंतर तानाजीच्या आवेशात आम्ही त्या शेड मध्ये शिरलो. फ़क्त "हर हर महादेव" वगैरेच बाकी होते.
स्टोप आहे पण रस्त्याच्या कडेला नाही, मध्यावर आहे पण ट्राफ़िक दिसत नाही, सीट्स आहेत पण बसता येत नाही (या सीट्स कोणाच्या पार्श्वभागाच्या मापानी बनवतात काय ठावूक?), शेड आहे पण उभे रहाता येत नाही अश्या त्या ठिकाणी आम्ही हिरण्यकश्यपू जसा नरसींहाच्या मांडीवर अवघडल्यासारखा झोपला असावा तसे आम्ही त्या सीट्स वर बसून राहिलो.
व्ही आर एलच्या मालकीची वाटावी अशी एक लाल बस समोर येउन उभी राहिली. कितितरी दशकांची धुळीची पुटे ही पी यम टी ओळखण्याची पहीली खुण न जुळल्यामुळे मी त्या बसकडे दुर्लक्ष केले. पण आजुबाजुच्या प्रवाश्यानी त्या बसच्या दरवाज्याजवळ झुंबड केली. मी देखील त्यांबरोबर गेलो. हे सर्व थोडे विचीत्रच होते. एक तर बसला दरवाजा होता आणि तो बंद होता. कुणीही हात न लावता तो हळू हळू उघडला. मला तर दरदरून घामच फ़ुटला. काही तरी बाहेरचा प्रकार आहे अशी शंका मनाला ग्रासून गेली. जीप मुठीत धरून मी आत पाउल टाकले समोर कंड्क्टर उभा होता. तीकीट देण्यासाठी तो जवळ आला. त्याकडे तिकिटे तर नव्हतीच पण तो calucator सद्रृश्य ठोकळा घेउन आला होता. मी मान वर करून त्याकडे पाहिले. मग मात्र माझीच दातखीळच बसली. मला असा भास झाला की त्यानी मला हळुच smile दिले. मला गरगरून आले. पाच-दहा मिनिटांनंतर डोळ्यांसमोरील अंधारी कुठून तरी आलेल्या थंड हवेच्या झुळूकीनी दूर झाली. मी सहज कुतूहूल म्हणून थंड हवा कुठून येत आहे ते पाहिले. डोळ्यांसमोरील काळोखी आणखी गडद झाली. ती बस चक्क एअर कंडीशंड होती.
थोड्या वेळानी मी सावरलो. मग मी बस्चे निरिक्षण करायला सुरुवात केली. सुपर-बिल्ट्प एरीयामध्ये जसे बील्डर लोक हात सोडून कोमन एरीयासाठी जागा ठेवतात तशी बस च्या मध्यभागी मोकळी जागा होती. मी तिथे थोडेसे बागडून घेतले. बसचा पुढचा अर्धा भाग एकदम खाली होता. तीथे बसल्यानंतर व्हेनीसच्या गोन्डोल्यामध्ये प्रियेचा हात धरुन बसलो आहे असे वाटले (अहो, मी कसला जातोय व्हेनीसला, "दो लब्जोन्की है" मध्ये पाहिलेय तेवढेच) . बसचा मागचा भाग बराच उंचावर होता. तेल वीकून गब्बर झालेल्या कुणा अरबाला जर एअर कंडीशंड उंट करुन हवा असेल तर तो असाच दिसेल. (मी पेटंट करणार ही आइडीया: एअर कंडीशंड उंट).
तर अशा ऐटीत दोन्ही बाजुंच्या ट्र्याफ़िक मधील मारूती - शेवर्ले (ट) - होंडा सीटी वगैरे गाड्यांवर धुळ उडवत माझी यात्रा सुफ़ळ संपूर्ण झाली. (पूण्यातल्या छोट्या-छोट्या व खड्डे पडलेल्या रस्त्यातुन होंडा-सीटी वगैरे अवाढव्य गाड्या चालकाबद्दल माझे एक निरीक्षण आहे : गेल्या पिढीतील "जीव गेला तरी चालेल पण मी वाडा सोडणार नाही" अश्या पुणेरी बाण्याचे ते या पिढीतले अनुकरण आहे. हा एक वेगळाच मुद्दा होइल. म्हणुन असो. )
पूण्याचा portsmouth झाल्यासारखे वाटले. (कुठे आहे ते मला विचारु नका.). थंड हवा घेत घेत लार्ज साइझच्या खिडकीतुन पाहिले आणि बाकीची ट्र्यफ़िक, तीन तीन तास भार-नियमन, दिवसाआड येणारे पाणी, रस्त्यातील खड्डे वगैरे गोष्टी कद्रू वाटायला लागल्या.
पूण्यनगरीवरून परत एकदा नांगराचे सोनेरी फ़ाळ फ़िरले.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
100 things to do before I die
Ok, this is October end and this is public review :)
1. Make sure my son grows up to be an independant, honest and gentle person.
[October 07] He is a very mischievous indivual right now with pretty strong likes and dislikes. And very demanding one also. Can not even tell whether I am on a right track on this one :(
2. Enable him to dream about his career without any restrictions and educate him to make it reality
3. Go on a very long trek alongwith only him and nobody else
[October 07] Long walk, solitary.ha ha. Only dream about it buddy. But managed to go on a long ride with wifey though :)
4. Make sure everybody at home is independant and busy contributing his worth to society and himself. Pallavi gets a job
[October 07] Hmm. Not even trying anything in this direction right now. Does not even know how to start.
5. Dada ia doing something regular out of house
[October 07] Hmm. Not even trying anything in this direction right now. Does not even know how to start.
6. Aai is working (maybe helping dada)
[October 07] Hmm. Not even trying anything in this direction right now. Does not even know how to start.
7. Make sure there is always love, work against all the prejudices/people which comes in the way.
[October 07] Honestly tried this seldom. When I am actually into all this, this is too murky. And like a lot of other thing, there is no end to it. So a very bad commitment to write in all.
8. Maintain nutrality without being aloof and disinterested.
[October 07]Ditto. A tight rope walk indeed.
9. Adopt a cute girl.
[October 07] Need to get motivated and really serious about this. This thing is not going to work by consensus.
10. Be part of kernel development team.
[October 07] Ok.TS, pretty near to the kernel team. Slow but on right track.
11. Involve in Apple kernel developement somewhere down the line.
[October 07] Dream on.
12. Contribute to *bsd source code whenever it becomes legally possible.
[October 07] Dream on.
13. Visit Himalays (Nepal)
[October 07] Not a hugh thing. Will do it anytime.
14. Read complete Victor Hugo /Ernst Hemingway/Dostovesky
[October 07] Losing the habit of reading and hence writing. Such a simple thing but going backwords on this one :(
15. visit all the places mentioned in the above works
[October 07] Dream on.
16. Act in at least one shakespeare drama
[October 07] Dream on.
17. Learn to play tennis,football
[October 07] 1/3 done already. But again depends on the definition of " learn".
18. Bowl with speed more than 80miles per hour.
[October 07] Dream on. Seious long running injuries preventing from doing so.
19. Own a beautiful house
[October 07] Dream on. Will hand it down to my son most proibably.
20. Own a four wheeler
[October 07] Wiithin next two years.
21. Go on a holiday for more than a month at least once in two years
[October 07] Will do :)
22. Change company/groups at least once in three years.
[October 07] Group changed by default.
23. Learn any of the skills which take you off the ground (flying/gliding/paragliding)
[October 07] Dream on. Not anywhere related
24. Donate minimum 3% of earnings annually
[October 07] Dream on. Should do. One of the most doable thing which is not done.
25. Talk to minimum 20 people in a week.
[October 07] Dream on. Totally forgot about this one. Should start a private talk meter :)
26. Make new friends, give them more than you take from them.
[October 07] Dream on. Forgot about this one.
27. Learn to drive a four wheeler.
[October 07] If I buy, I will learn :)
28. Everyday see the moon and the stars.
[October 07] Did for the period of 2 weeks. Restart.
29. Reduce and maintain weight less than 70 kg always
[October 07] Dream on. Second most doable thing which is not done.
30. Learn how to play the flute
[October 07] Dream on. Not tried anything in this direction at all.
31. Learn how to cook and try to cook your own food at least twice a week
[October 07] Dream on. Start from this week.
32. Wash and iron your own clothes at least thrice a week.
[October 07] Dream on. Start from this week.
33. Study and teach physics and maths
[October 07] Dream on. Trying for MS in CS. Can be called a good start.
34. Pursue further education in s/w
[October 07] Dream on. Trying for MS in CS. Can be called a good start.
35. Learn at least one foreign language completely (french/japanese)
[October 07] Dream on.
36. Learn Telugu
[October 07] Dream on. Can be started at any point of time.
37. Take everybody (Pallavi, Ojas, aai and dada) on a foreign trip
[October 07] Will do.
38. Walk more than50 kms per week
[October 07] Ran more than 50 kms for two weeks before heels gave up. Earned me a lifelong injury most probably.
39. Spend more than 1000 rs every two months on buying new books
[October 07] Doing so till now.
1. Make sure my son grows up to be an independant, honest and gentle person.
[October 07] He is a very mischievous indivual right now with pretty strong likes and dislikes. And very demanding one also. Can not even tell whether I am on a right track on this one :(
2. Enable him to dream about his career without any restrictions and educate him to make it reality
3. Go on a very long trek alongwith only him and nobody else
[October 07] Long walk, solitary.ha ha. Only dream about it buddy. But managed to go on a long ride with wifey though :)
4. Make sure everybody at home is independant and busy contributing his worth to society and himself. Pallavi gets a job
[October 07] Hmm. Not even trying anything in this direction right now. Does not even know how to start.
5. Dada ia doing something regular out of house
[October 07] Hmm. Not even trying anything in this direction right now. Does not even know how to start.
6. Aai is working (maybe helping dada)
[October 07] Hmm. Not even trying anything in this direction right now. Does not even know how to start.
7. Make sure there is always love, work against all the prejudices/people which comes in the way.
[October 07] Honestly tried this seldom. When I am actually into all this, this is too murky. And like a lot of other thing, there is no end to it. So a very bad commitment to write in all.
8. Maintain nutrality without being aloof and disinterested.
[October 07]Ditto. A tight rope walk indeed.
9. Adopt a cute girl.
[October 07] Need to get motivated and really serious about this. This thing is not going to work by consensus.
10. Be part of kernel development team.
[October 07] Ok.TS, pretty near to the kernel team. Slow but on right track.
11. Involve in Apple kernel developement somewhere down the line.
[October 07] Dream on.
12. Contribute to *bsd source code whenever it becomes legally possible.
[October 07] Dream on.
13. Visit Himalays (Nepal)
[October 07] Not a hugh thing. Will do it anytime.
14. Read complete Victor Hugo /Ernst Hemingway/Dostovesky
[October 07] Losing the habit of reading and hence writing. Such a simple thing but going backwords on this one :(
15. visit all the places mentioned in the above works
[October 07] Dream on.
16. Act in at least one shakespeare drama
[October 07] Dream on.
17. Learn to play tennis,football
[October 07] 1/3 done already. But again depends on the definition of " learn".
18. Bowl with speed more than 80miles per hour.
[October 07] Dream on. Seious long running injuries preventing from doing so.
19. Own a beautiful house
[October 07] Dream on. Will hand it down to my son most proibably.
20. Own a four wheeler
[October 07] Wiithin next two years.
21. Go on a holiday for more than a month at least once in two years
[October 07] Will do :)
22. Change company/groups at least once in three years.
[October 07] Group changed by default.
23. Learn any of the skills which take you off the ground (flying/gliding/paragliding)
[October 07] Dream on. Not anywhere related
24. Donate minimum 3% of earnings annually
[October 07] Dream on. Should do. One of the most doable thing which is not done.
25. Talk to minimum 20 people in a week.
[October 07] Dream on. Totally forgot about this one. Should start a private talk meter :)
26. Make new friends, give them more than you take from them.
[October 07] Dream on. Forgot about this one.
27. Learn to drive a four wheeler.
[October 07] If I buy, I will learn :)
28. Everyday see the moon and the stars.
[October 07] Did for the period of 2 weeks. Restart.
29. Reduce and maintain weight less than 70 kg always
[October 07] Dream on. Second most doable thing which is not done.
30. Learn how to play the flute
[October 07] Dream on. Not tried anything in this direction at all.
31. Learn how to cook and try to cook your own food at least twice a week
[October 07] Dream on. Start from this week.
32. Wash and iron your own clothes at least thrice a week.
[October 07] Dream on. Start from this week.
33. Study and teach physics and maths
[October 07] Dream on. Trying for MS in CS. Can be called a good start.
34. Pursue further education in s/w
[October 07] Dream on. Trying for MS in CS. Can be called a good start.
35. Learn at least one foreign language completely (french/japanese)
[October 07] Dream on.
36. Learn Telugu
[October 07] Dream on. Can be started at any point of time.
37. Take everybody (Pallavi, Ojas, aai and dada) on a foreign trip
[October 07] Will do.
38. Walk more than50 kms per week
[October 07] Ran more than 50 kms for two weeks before heels gave up. Earned me a lifelong injury most probably.
39. Spend more than 1000 rs every two months on buying new books
[October 07] Doing so till now.
One addition:
40. Masters before 35 years of age, doctorate before 40 :)
Sunday, January 21, 2007
reargard action .. slow and steady does it again ...
Just had the honour of watching part of Inzi's and complete Hussy's innings played during the last two days. They were very different from each other in terms of strategies.
Hussy, on one hand, definitely believed in the tailender at the other end to somhow survive the short balls (and did Flintoff batter Lee with hailstorm of them!! nad Lee not for the first time in his career, hung on with his nails, first winced and then smiled at the blows, jumped on anything with width, what a charactor, what a charactor). Hussy at the other end, scratched and fidgeted, nudged singles around, ran like hell to make some of them twos, shelved all the risky shots and looked like he somehow will drag the dead australian horse across the winning line if he is lucky. But actually he was just patiently waiting for his time to come. He first blunted the English attack, tamed them and then ruled them. Then came out the gorgeous cover drives. If there ever will be an book called "Idiot's guide to tame the ballers and win a lost one day game", Bevan-Hussy will write it. I seriously think such a book is in private circulation: Yuvraj and Kaif seemed to have read a chaptor of it on that astounding day at Lord's ages ago. But they promptly forgot the lesson.
Inzy on the other hand was not so gifted in his friends. Paki tail did wag a lot in the first test but history, even if it repeats itself, does not do so so frequently. He lorded over five balls per over. Finding boundaries and denying himself any singles. This is the alternative way to the Idiot's guide, it took out the weak point, i.e. the tail-ender out of the equation and hence the position was strengthened.
Coming back to our Lord's(and Maharaja's?) of dead pitches, Our confidence is suddenly buoyed by the media jumboree. I am not saying we will lose badly. We may still beat the hell out of the Windies. Our Master Blasters,Maharajas and Dhonis may still butcher the ballers, take them to the washers. But I would like our boys to fight in minimum one readgard, dig deep, prowl in trenches and slowly push back the marauders, dethrone the pretenders. Ek baar yaar, sirf ek baar Lords ho jaaye aur ek baar ...
Hussy, on one hand, definitely believed in the tailender at the other end to somhow survive the short balls (and did Flintoff batter Lee with hailstorm of them!! nad Lee not for the first time in his career, hung on with his nails, first winced and then smiled at the blows, jumped on anything with width, what a charactor, what a charactor). Hussy at the other end, scratched and fidgeted, nudged singles around, ran like hell to make some of them twos, shelved all the risky shots and looked like he somehow will drag the dead australian horse across the winning line if he is lucky. But actually he was just patiently waiting for his time to come. He first blunted the English attack, tamed them and then ruled them. Then came out the gorgeous cover drives. If there ever will be an book called "Idiot's guide to tame the ballers and win a lost one day game", Bevan-Hussy will write it. I seriously think such a book is in private circulation: Yuvraj and Kaif seemed to have read a chaptor of it on that astounding day at Lord's ages ago. But they promptly forgot the lesson.
Inzy on the other hand was not so gifted in his friends. Paki tail did wag a lot in the first test but history, even if it repeats itself, does not do so so frequently. He lorded over five balls per over. Finding boundaries and denying himself any singles. This is the alternative way to the Idiot's guide, it took out the weak point, i.e. the tail-ender out of the equation and hence the position was strengthened.
Coming back to our Lord's(and Maharaja's?) of dead pitches, Our confidence is suddenly buoyed by the media jumboree. I am not saying we will lose badly. We may still beat the hell out of the Windies. Our Master Blasters,Maharajas and Dhonis may still butcher the ballers, take them to the washers. But I would like our boys to fight in minimum one readgard, dig deep, prowl in trenches and slowly push back the marauders, dethrone the pretenders. Ek baar yaar, sirf ek baar Lords ho jaaye aur ek baar ...
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