2006 - where art thou?

And so another year begins (in 2 hours or so, at least). Does it make a difference? At one level, you wish that it gives you a new start. But reality tells you otherwise. Just another day, just another evening, except that I believe going to a disc is prohibitively expensive. The same rationale as applied to a birthday. See previous blog for details.

So happy new year to all (1,2,3,4) my readers.

New year resolutions (a habit that has persisted ever since school imposed this irritating 'essay' on us as holiday HW every Christmas):

1. Play the song currently being heard by the end of the year (a live version of Sultans of Swing - Mark Knopfler going mad on the guit)
2. Ensure that the Bombay Univ is made to pay for its sins
3. Sky die...no...dive.
4. Restrict TV viewing to less than 5 hours a week (barring sports). It's currently well below that.
5. Find someone to play tennis with in Bombay.
6. Make sure (by hook or crook) that there will be a sizeable overseas turnout at DMH 2007.
7. Raise 1 Crore (at least) to do up my college library

That's it. This time next year...I hope to see a few ticks.

For those of you who didn't get my mail, here is the meat:

"Think of yourself as on the threshold of unparalleled success. A whole clear, glorious future lies before you. Achieve! Achieve!"
- Andrew Carnegie

"Future: That period of time in which our affairs prosper, our friends are true and our happiness is assured"
-Ambrose Bierce

Packed up and gone

Kerry Packer is dead. The first man to market cricket as entertainment. Yes, he made millions, no - billions, doing it, but it was never meant to be philanthrophy and the players made money too.

The ICCs poor attempt at a Super Series shows how little they've learnt from him. The late 70's saw Viv Richards and the like take on even his teammates. Wouldn't you like to watch Ricky Ponting taking on Warne at the SCG?

There are several reasons the Packer Series concept will not work ever again:

1. Too much cricket on almost every team's calendar.
2. Players making enough money to live well. One of the big draws of the Packer Series was the compensation.
3. (Possibly as a result of the 1st two reasons) Players don't find any motivation to play responsibly and well for any team but their National team. The Africa - Asia Tsunami relief matches and the ICC Super Series saw this amply displayed.
4. With so little domestic cricket being played by international players, county cricket is a better alternative with lesser opponents and an opportunity to regain/stay in form.

It's the end of an era, nonetheless and I don't think cricket will ever see someone like him again.

This is my first blog by email...so if it's all mucked up formatting wise - kindly adjust.

2005 - RIP

As we crawl towards the end of what can be termed as an 'eventful, if not tragic' year, I'm not in one of those nostalgic moods that I often get into when looking backwards. This calendar year has been seen me in all sorts of places; from the extreme highs of DMH to the expected and unsurprising lows of the Univ's torture.

But if I am to look back on 2005, there wouldn't be too many personal events filling the chart. 13 Feb and 10 Aug would of course be there, but a large proportion of the rest would be world events. Bullet points to make it easier:

• The tsunami. This doesn't of course fit within 2005, but I reckon it needs a mention on this blog. I was on a ship approximately 50 km from the Cochin port when it hit. We didn't feel it on board (tsunamis are always only felt on the coastline) nor did we realise that it was more than just another strong earthquake until we got back to shore and checked the news again. 26 Dec will always remain one of the defining moments of our generation and it's a pity I didn't have the time to do anything about it.
  
• DMH. The reason I couldn't do anything for the tsunami victims. No regrets though. International, Ram Jethmalani, Sujata Manohar, SM Krishna. Me happy.
• London (again). No Wimbledon, but a far better trip all in all. Me happy.
• 7 July. Welcome to the real world, London. Mr. Blair finally realised how perilous it is to support anti-terrorism, Bush ishtyle.
• 26 July. Soaked, soggy, stinky and mad pissed about it - Bombay'ites go for a long swim that lasted 3 days for some.
• 10 Aug. No comments.
• Something in College. (Confidential - sorry, can't write about it.)
• 21 Sep. My first performance with a guitar in my hand. Not very different from the many without, but a decent start.
  
• Hurricane Katrina. The Americans are introduced to the true meaning of a natural disaster where (believe it or not, Mr. Bush) people actually die. The documentaries have already started rolling. The one thing I couldn't understand was troops deployed to ensure that there was no looting of shops etc. People were being shot dead for stealing. PRIORITIES GUYS...PLEASE.
  
• 8 October. Kashmir earthquake. As if that place didn't have enough problems already. 100,000 plus Pakistanis dead and more still dying. Only 10 -15,000 Indians dead. But does it matter where they're from?
  
• 29 October. Blasts in Delhi. Carnage. Life back to normal in a day. London was surprisingly similar, though a lot more shocked.
  
• Exams and the Mumbai Univ. Comments on this can't be displayed without the help of much censoring. So, I shall simply refrain.
• Hong Kong - Great place. Good time, a bit short though. (long enough to do requisite shopping)
• December. Another Kashmir earthquake. Can't remember the date. Was in HK. This one was for all those whose houses didn't fall in the first one. The bright side of this one - not too many dead, because 80% of the population were living in tents already. Remember, earthquakes don't kill people - buildings falling on them do.

That's the best I can do. Anything I missed, you're welcome to remind me.

'Since we had nothing to do with our Arrival and usually are not consulted about our Departutre, what makes so many of us think we're entitled to so much while we're here?'

- Malcolm Forbes

Expressed Fascism

An incident that has got me a bit irked:

Paulo Di Canio of Lazio has been banned for one match (and fined) with Sepp Blatter threatening him with a possible life ban. This is thanks to the fact that he saluted the fans with a Mussolini type straight arm salute. This is the 3rd time that he's done the saluting act. Am not entirely sure what happened the previous two occasions. He defended his actions saying it makes him identify with his homeland.

I'm not quite a Nazi/fascist supporter nor will I ever support the ends they sought or the means used. But one thing that I am certain must be permitted is the freedom of expression. I believe in this even if it means that a fascist-at-heart be allowed to tell the world that he is proud to be one. And that's fair enough. As long as he doesn't stir the masses to supporting the cause of fascism or do something in the region himself, he ought to be permitted to express himself for who he is.

In a day and age when we are happy to accept gay marriages and transsexuals as a part of society, the least that the world should be ready to tolerate is a man who says what he feels, showcasing himself for who he really is, whoever that may be. This incident takes you back to the 60's and 70's in the US when 'communist' was a bad word and a simple accusation was enough to put someone in the dock for a long time.

How do prove that you aren't a communist? Don't most people encourage welfare schemes - for health, housing etc.? - That's a communist/socialist feature. Enough to put you behind bars, though.

Whatever has happened has happened, and I'm certain no one is going to be appealing the decision, but I hope there is a sufficient hue and cry if it is taken any further. I presume Di Canio will also refrain from repeating the act in the interests of his career (which at 39 is less and less of a concern).

I can relate to the Italian mindset to an extent in that they (or most of them) aren't exactly proud of their fascist past and don't want anyone telling the world that there are some who are. But the truth must be (and probably is) that the fascist ideology has obviously not just vapourised after WWII - that would be rather unrealistic to expect, regardless of however much they and the rest of the world dislike that. While it needn't be encouraged, those who have taken to it must be allowed the freedom to believe in it and consequently express their beliefs.

Sport and Politics - Methyl alchohol to the masses

I'm not usually keen on expressing my views on cricket but this time I've been left little or no choice. For the first time (and I really do hate this) I actually feel sorry for Ganguly. (ok - all his fans can give me a pasting later). He's been given a pretty shitty deal and yes, he (even he) does deserve better.

Even though India's been doing well, there is this strong underlying sense of politicking in everything that is taking place around the team, not least of all Sourav da flying down from Cal to Delhi for an appointment with Mr. Pawar. I can't, except for dinner table wisecracks, speculate on what exactly is happening within the spheres that control the sport in India, but I am quite content to say that I don't like it.

True, I presume there has always been politics in the game ever since it became a serious money-spinner (thanks to Mr. Dalmiya), but sometimes ignorance is bliss. (forgive the cliche). There's something about sports that sets it apart from all other issues in our day-to-day lives. A cleanliness to it, maybe? I can't put my finger on it - a purity about it, an unmatched simplicity? Politics (or at least ostensible politics) sort of ruins that. No - I liked it better when Mr. Dalmiya kept the media and the public out.

In other news, Ronaldinho is the FIFA player of the year again. Barca teammate Eto'o polled 3rd. Explains why they're doing so well, as also my good mood each time I catch up with La Liga action.

You're sitting alone you watch
As the wind is blowing treetops
And the swaying rustling leaves
Plenty of time to perceive
As you wait for rain to fall
Only God knows
The whole sky glows

-Lightning Strikes Twice by Iron Maiden

Whasssssssssssssuuuuuuuuuup???

Back. Good (???) to be back. Primarily thanks to my latest acquisition. The smart ones will have guessed it. Black and sleek...with a nasty sound-making capacity accompanied by a little orange add-on.

Pictures soon.

Nothing to write about - so I will just keep as shut as possible. Details of HK will be forthcoming on request. Ideally if specific questions can be addressed, it will make my task easier.

Couple of amusing stories will also be blogged soon.

Worry for the day : Anna is listening to James Blunt and Natalie Improbablia...this is going to take a great deal of exposure to death metal to correct.