There are exciting goings-on in the WRC world. After 3 seasons of tremendous predicitability with Sebastian Loeb dominating, this season has been close and is going to come down to another last race fight. Gronholm takes a 4 point lead over Loeb into the last 2 rounds of the WRC.
Incidentally, Loeb had a chance to put a big one over Gronholm in Japan this weekend. But as luck would have it - they both ended up in the ditch. First Gronholm went off on Friday, badly damaging his front suspension, I think. And then a pace note error by Loeb's co-driver (he read out plus-plus rather than minus-minus for a turn) meant that Loeb went into a corner too fast and dumped his car into a ditch as well. He was in 2nd place, 10 seconds behind the leader at that point.
Unfortunately, the nature of a WRC rally is that we can only ever get to watch the highlights a week later, although I think someone puts up daily highlights - not that I'm going to be able to access it in this part of the world...
Incidentally, the third official FIA championship will also see a change this year. Andy Priaulx's run of 4 (?) championships in a row in the World Touring Car Championship looks set to come to end - he's currently in 4th place and unlikely to go all the way...
What a great year for motorsports, although the MotoGP wasn't exactly a close call. Rossi desperately needs a better machine next year - c'mon Yamaha...
Sunday 28 October 2007
Friday 26 October 2007
Retribution
I've been looking through some of Tehelka's stuff on the post-Godhra riots. See The video of Babu Bajrangi is particularly chilling - and rightly put up as their feature. See here for it. Watching him calmly say - "kissi ko nahin chhode. Aadmi, aurat, bacche. Kaato, maaro, jala do" - is extremely disturbing, even for me, with my fascination for most things morbid.
There's a bit of shouting from the cynics about the timing of all this - implementation of the Srikrishna report, the 1984 riots stuff being dredged up and now Godhra. Most seem to say its a politically motivated thing - appearing bang on time for the elections. Well...maybe.... but who cares? If it's a system that has to be broken, what better way than from the inside? (Cf: Sir
Humphrey on the Brits joining the EEC: We joined it to break it up....make a pig's breakfast out of it - the Foreign Office are extremely pleased...)
The good part about politically motivated retribution for the ordinary man is the wonderful concept of the political cycle - and come 2009, maybe Khairlanji will get the attention it deserves as well...
I like politically motivated moves - they weaken the system internally and leave it open for external attack...
There's a bit of shouting from the cynics about the timing of all this - implementation of the Srikrishna report, the 1984 riots stuff being dredged up and now Godhra. Most seem to say its a politically motivated thing - appearing bang on time for the elections. Well...maybe.... but who cares? If it's a system that has to be broken, what better way than from the inside? (Cf: Sir
Humphrey on the Brits joining the EEC: We joined it to break it up....make a pig's breakfast out of it - the Foreign Office are extremely pleased...)
The good part about politically motivated retribution for the ordinary man is the wonderful concept of the political cycle - and come 2009, maybe Khairlanji will get the attention it deserves as well...
I like politically motivated moves - they weaken the system internally and leave it open for external attack...
Wednesday 17 October 2007
The Danger of theology in the Judicial arena
I'm very glad that I was never witness to something like this. The only thing that comes close to it was a number judges undoubtedly very tempted to do something similar on several occasions. Of course, many years of sitting in a seat compulsorily listening to any number of boring and horrible arguments tends to increase one's self-restraint!
I was also concerned of the effect this might have had on one's Ex-Boss. Suffice it to say that his self-restraint, which (I'm told) has greatly increased over the years, did not always endure the strains of the dumbest of arguments and the closest that one could get to perjury in open court...
Grapevine - if you can hear me, kindly provide us with further details of the incident.
I was also concerned of the effect this might have had on one's Ex-Boss. Suffice it to say that his self-restraint, which (I'm told) has greatly increased over the years, did not always endure the strains of the dumbest of arguments and the closest that one could get to perjury in open court...
Grapevine - if you can hear me, kindly provide us with further details of the incident.
My turn - a new face
After anna's dabblings with the spamming world, I have now received a fresh perspective on the African heartbreak story. Perhaps they aren't getting the kind of response they're looking for... this is the fresh version...note the bit on utmost confidentiality!
Your Attention;
My name is Mr. KB. I trained and work as an external auditor for
a Suisse Bank, working as part of a bigger team that covers the entire
sub-euro region. I had taken pains to find your contact through personal
endeavors.
On routine audit check last month, I discovered some investment accounts
that had been dormant for the least twelve years. All the accounts belong
to a single holder (deceased) with monies totaling 21 Million United
States Dollars plus interest. Banking regulation/legislation in
Switzerland demand that I notify the fiscal authorities after a statutory
time period of twelve years when dormant accounts of this type are called
in by the monetary regulatory bodies. The above set of facts underscores
my reason of writing and making the following proposing.
My investigation of the said account reveals that the death occured in
1994—the exact time the account was last operated. I can confirm with
certainty that the said investor died interstate and no next–of–kin to his
estate has been found or has come forward all these years.
I am of the settled conviction that using my insider leverage, with I
working with you can secure the funds in the account for us instead of
allowing it pass as unclaimed funds into the coffers of the Government of
Switzerland. This is especially possible as you share same details as the
said investor. This exactly is why I crave your participation and
co-operation.
I have seized all relevant documents (legal and Banking) that will
facilitate our putting you forward as the claimant and beneficiary of the
funds and ultimately transfer the money to any account nominated by you.
Of course you shall be handsomely rewarded for your part in this
transaction as the people I am working with are prepared to allocate a 25%
slice of the total funds for your efforts, less any expenses.
I shall however leave out the finer details of this transaction till I
receive an affirmation of your desire to participate.
Be assured that my colleagues and I are on top of the situation all the
time and there will be no risk whatsoever if you agree to come on board.
Needless to say, UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY is of vital importance if we are
to successfully reap the immense benefits of this transaction. To maintain
the level of security required to see this transaction come to a
successful conclusion, I have intentionally left out the details.
To affirm your willingness and cooperation to my proposal please reply to
this email,stating your Full Names, Date of Birth, Telephone Number, Fax
Number, Company/position held, Email address, Contact address and Postal
address.
I await your response.
Thank you,
KBMy name is Mr. KB. I trained and work as an external auditor for
a Suisse Bank, working as part of a bigger team that covers the entire
sub-euro region. I had taken pains to find your contact through personal
endeavors.
On routine audit check last month, I discovered some investment accounts
that had been dormant for the least twelve years. All the accounts belong
to a single holder (deceased) with monies totaling 21 Million United
States Dollars plus interest. Banking regulation/legislation in
Switzerland demand that I notify the fiscal authorities after a statutory
time period of twelve years when dormant accounts of this type are called
in by the monetary regulatory bodies. The above set of facts underscores
my reason of writing and making the following proposing.
My investigation of the said account reveals that the death occured in
1994—the exact time the account was last operated. I can confirm with
certainty that the said investor died interstate and no next–of–kin to his
estate has been found or has come forward all these years.
I am of the settled conviction that using my insider leverage, with I
working with you can secure the funds in the account for us instead of
allowing it pass as unclaimed funds into the coffers of the Government of
Switzerland. This is especially possible as you share same details as the
said investor. This exactly is why I crave your participation and
co-operation.
I have seized all relevant documents (legal and Banking) that will
facilitate our putting you forward as the claimant and beneficiary of the
funds and ultimately transfer the money to any account nominated by you.
Of course you shall be handsomely rewarded for your part in this
transaction as the people I am working with are prepared to allocate a 25%
slice of the total funds for your efforts, less any expenses.
I shall however leave out the finer details of this transaction till I
receive an affirmation of your desire to participate.
Be assured that my colleagues and I are on top of the situation all the
time and there will be no risk whatsoever if you agree to come on board.
Needless to say, UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY is of vital importance if we are
to successfully reap the immense benefits of this transaction. To maintain
the level of security required to see this transaction come to a
successful conclusion, I have intentionally left out the details.
To affirm your willingness and cooperation to my proposal please reply to
this email,stating your Full Names, Date of Birth, Telephone Number, Fax
Number, Company/position held, Email address, Contact address and Postal
address.
I await your response.
Thank you,
Tuesday 16 October 2007
WC predictions - final time
And it's the one match I didn't want to see as the final - a front row punch-out between the Boks and the English. I see the Boks as having the advantage, particularly with the back-row in pretty good form. But this is the final of the WC and don't forget that Jonny and some of the boys have been there and performed, whereas its a first time for almost the whole of the Boks side (the only exception being Os Du Randt, the loosehead, who was part of the 1995 squad).
I don't think its going to be a particularly attractive game and it'll probably come down to a combination of a front-row battle and one between Jonny and Monty with their boots.
Watch out, however, for Francois Steyn. He attempted a 60-odd metre shot on goal from the right corner in the Arg game and almost made it despite slipping. The commentator (can't remember the name) said that in practice during the week, as Monty was employing Jonny's drill of aiming for the upright to improve aim, Steyn was kicking it from his 10m line through the uprights!! That should make for some really interesting viewing, although I suspect he wont get a chance unless its the stroke of half-time or SA are well in front (in which case, it wont matter much, will it?)
The drubbing in the group stages really doesn't mean anything, seeing as how well England have performed since then. This will also be Jason Robinson's last match in the White jersey - and if he does lift the cup, I see (just as we saw 4 years ago), a hardback autobiography selling at 24 quid a pop in (miraculously!) a couple of weeks time...
May he who plays the more entertaining rugby win....
PS for the sake of it - I think the French will be runaway winners in the 3rd place playoff on Friday.
I don't think its going to be a particularly attractive game and it'll probably come down to a combination of a front-row battle and one between Jonny and Monty with their boots.
Watch out, however, for Francois Steyn. He attempted a 60-odd metre shot on goal from the right corner in the Arg game and almost made it despite slipping. The commentator (can't remember the name) said that in practice during the week, as Monty was employing Jonny's drill of aiming for the upright to improve aim, Steyn was kicking it from his 10m line through the uprights!! That should make for some really interesting viewing, although I suspect he wont get a chance unless its the stroke of half-time or SA are well in front (in which case, it wont matter much, will it?)
The drubbing in the group stages really doesn't mean anything, seeing as how well England have performed since then. This will also be Jason Robinson's last match in the White jersey - and if he does lift the cup, I see (just as we saw 4 years ago), a hardback autobiography selling at 24 quid a pop in (miraculously!) a couple of weeks time...
May he who plays the more entertaining rugby win....
PS for the sake of it - I think the French will be runaway winners in the 3rd place playoff on Friday.
Tuesday 9 October 2007
WC Predictions - updated
Ok - so I went 2/4 in my QF picks and of the 2 that missed - one really felt lousy. Such a bad match - they ought to hang their head in shame. I could only pick out 2 All Blacks who had a decent game - Richie McCaw and Alli Williams - the rest were simply pathetic. But due credit to the French - to push back two 15 plus phases in their own 22 in the last 10 mins without a penalty was simply amazing (one was lost by a needless knock-on; the other at phase 27 by a turnover).
So now it falls upon me to pick the next round. So here goes:
I suspect that England are going to turn it around on the French at th Stade de France. After the 2 pre-WC poundings, I just have this gut feeling that they're going to make it good with their front row. The only thing that might turn it is the crowd, Chabal and Michelak - the latter two basically did it for the French against the ABs.
The other SF is going to be an unfortunate blow-out. The Springboks all the way. The Argentine backs and Hernandez aren't going to be kicking their way to victory with Monty playing at 15.
So now it falls upon me to pick the next round. So here goes:
I suspect that England are going to turn it around on the French at th Stade de France. After the 2 pre-WC poundings, I just have this gut feeling that they're going to make it good with their front row. The only thing that might turn it is the crowd, Chabal and Michelak - the latter two basically did it for the French against the ABs.
The other SF is going to be an unfortunate blow-out. The Springboks all the way. The Argentine backs and Hernandez aren't going to be kicking their way to victory with Monty playing at 15.
Sunday 7 October 2007
Saturday 6 October 2007
Eng-Aus: 12-10
What a great match. England came out storming and there was little gentlemanly spirit in the game from either side (for the cynics; Yes - there can be civility in a rugby match). Too many missed kicks for my liking - but it was pretty much equal share on that.
So as far as my predictions go - I'm 0/1. I am desperately (DESPERATELY) hoping that it gets to 1/2 by this afternoon. I swear I will go and kill the next Kiwi I see if the All Blacks lose (and considering the fact that the lucky person may well be my RA Prof. - I'd rather not!)
So as far as my predictions go - I'm 0/1. I am desperately (DESPERATELY) hoping that it gets to 1/2 by this afternoon. I swear I will go and kill the next Kiwi I see if the All Blacks lose (and considering the fact that the lucky person may well be my RA Prof. - I'd rather not!)
Explicit ragging or smart ragging? You choose
The kids of today are going insane. First I read this about an engineering college in Agra where seniors decided to push a junior off the third floor of a building!
NB: It's worth noting here that the 3rd floor in India would be the 4th in the US. The US have this bizarre concept of there being no ground floor - they start counting at one. This is often very annoying, because sometime when you visit someplace on the 2nd floor, habit tells you to take the lift if its accessible. But then you suddenly realise it's time to get off before you've hit the button. In my dorms, it was even more confusing, for there is no 1st floor either. The lift starts at the basement - then mezzanine (where we catch it) and then the 2nd. All very confusing and intially annoying.
But to get back to the issue - there's a piece today about kids in Stephens who sprayed deo on a kid and then lit him up....gosh...need I say more?
These were always just sadistic fantasies that we had as seniors(!!) ...no real intention of doing all this...my juniors will testify to this. My modes of ragging (and indeed, torture) were far more legit and subtle - not to mention that they were always given the cloak of legality through the command structure.
The kids of today are going insane.
NB: It's worth noting here that the 3rd floor in India would be the 4th in the US. The US have this bizarre concept of there being no ground floor - they start counting at one. This is often very annoying, because sometime when you visit someplace on the 2nd floor, habit tells you to take the lift if its accessible. But then you suddenly realise it's time to get off before you've hit the button. In my dorms, it was even more confusing, for there is no 1st floor either. The lift starts at the basement - then mezzanine (where we catch it) and then the 2nd. All very confusing and intially annoying.
But to get back to the issue - there's a piece today about kids in Stephens who sprayed deo on a kid and then lit him up....gosh...need I say more?
These were always just sadistic fantasies that we had as seniors(!!) ...no real intention of doing all this...my juniors will testify to this. My modes of ragging (and indeed, torture) were far more legit and subtle - not to mention that they were always given the cloak of legality through the command structure.
The kids of today are going insane.
Friday 5 October 2007
Free Burma / Myanmar
It's not much, but its something we can do - join in...its blogspot's free Burma day today...Out of respect for this - I open my cellar again...
"It isn't bigger than us - its just wrapped around our necks
There's no good way to chip it away - the rebellion must stay
I tried and I can't - maybe its your turn now
But the world doesn't let us - there's not enough 'you' to fight for
Break it down - end it all with a bang
I can see the black sun turning grey
There's no good way to do this - just the way you can
If the sun isn't what I need - I'll take the stars, anything for that little light I see through the haze
Lost myself in the race I needed to lose
There's options - but not for the survivors
Maybe its best to leave this to the system
But isn't that what I started without?"
Wednesday 3 October 2007
Massa and Kubica on the Final Lap
So, I've finally managed to get YouTube to link to my blog...this is the final lap battle that I talked about in my previous post...
Tuesday 2 October 2007
World Records
One of the more interesting World Records I've come across recently. See the video here. For the record, my top was 11 or 13 bounces, but I never had such a large lake to use - we did ours on rivers and with flowing water everywhere.
The one time we could have actually pushed the limit was at Dodital - where, unfortunately, one is not allowed to disturb the water as per local tradition.
Speaking of world records, the men's marathon time has been smashed by Haile Gebreselassie, which is just an incredible feat, especially at his age. There's a real runner for you. As a way to judge how quick he is - I did the half in 2:11 or so. He did the full in 2:04:55 - thats the same as doing 336 metres every minute for 2 hours. Or put differently - thats doing every 100 metres of the 42 kilometres in 17.8 seconds on average. Ridiculous.
The one time we could have actually pushed the limit was at Dodital - where, unfortunately, one is not allowed to disturb the water as per local tradition.
Speaking of world records, the men's marathon time has been smashed by Haile Gebreselassie, which is just an incredible feat, especially at his age. There's a real runner for you. As a way to judge how quick he is - I did the half in 2:11 or so. He did the full in 2:04:55 - thats the same as doing 336 metres every minute for 2 hours. Or put differently - thats doing every 100 metres of the 42 kilometres in 17.8 seconds on average. Ridiculous.
Monday 1 October 2007
WC Update
Really good Arg-Ire match. The Argentinians have shown that they are good enough to be included (at least) in the 6 nations. I expect them to run through Scotland if they continue to play as well as they have. It will really be wonderful to see them in the Semis. They really do play such attractive rugby.
On the other side - the All Blacks have a dangerous QF against France. That will be a match to watch (actually all matches from hereon are...).
The US has just scored a magnificent interception try against the Springboks. From all the way inside their own 22 in one clean phase. Brilliant stuff. The Springboks are looking untidy today, but I expect them to still ease past Fiji into the Semis.
My prediction for the tournament now:
Semis
NZ-Aus
Arg-SA
Final
NZ-SA
Winner
NZ (please??)
On the other side - the All Blacks have a dangerous QF against France. That will be a match to watch (actually all matches from hereon are...).
The US has just scored a magnificent interception try against the Springboks. From all the way inside their own 22 in one clean phase. Brilliant stuff. The Springboks are looking untidy today, but I expect them to still ease past Fiji into the Semis.
My prediction for the tournament now:
Semis
NZ-Aus
Arg-SA
Final
NZ-SA
Winner
NZ (please??)
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