Day & Night..

On the surface everything's all right...work's good...got a nice bunch of friends at work...weekends are fun with German classes and a chance to meet new people (read: new girls)...health seems all right (well...almost). All in all, life looks good.

But life's empty...some days pass away in a blur...they leave behind no memories. And some days just drag...they go on and on with no end in sight.

And worst are the nights...

Happy New Month...

It's a new month you know...hope you get everything that you desire for...and more than what you deserve...for you deserve a lot.

Here's saying cheers to a new start...Happy New Month...have a great one!!

SMSes again...

('-') - Kahan Hon Dost??
<) )\
_/\_

('-') - Pata Hai Kitna Miss Karte Hai Aapko??
<) )\
_/\_

Itna-('-')-Itna
>-----) )-----<
____/\____

Video replays in Football?

Ok, so England got knocked out of the WC2010 and are cribbing about how the "goal that was not given" could have changed things. I agree that at 2-2 it would have been a different game. So do we need video replays in football??

We have video replays in cricket and tennis. Replays will help out in football as well. But somehow I don't want sport to be touched by technology to the extent that the referee or linesman decision can be changed. I hate the replays that are used at major tennis tournaments. I feel that using video technology takes away some of the charm of sports. Refeering errors are part of the game. It creates legends as is the case of Sir Geoff Hurst goal in 1966 against Germany. To this date no one knows if the ball cleared the line or not but we still talk about it with great fondness (if you are English) and anger (if your German). But it has its place in history.

Not many would accept my argument but this is just the old-school footballer in me. Practically we need video replays but I really am hoping FIFA sees this issue not practically, but from the viewpoint of letting the game still be beautiful.

Back to childhood...

I started learning German from Saturday. It's been a great experience so far...learning a new language and more importantly a new culture...

Learning a new language is akin to going back to childhood. We all have to recite words, phrases, sentences, questions, numerals with our instructor. There's music (German of course) and video as well. It's great fun. The fellow students are fun as well.

And yeah...for the first time in my life I'm in a classroom environment where the sex ratio favors the men...8 girls to 7 guys...quite unlike my engineering and management days where girls were a precious and rare commodity.

Well...its been good so far. Now I have decide what to learn next. There's a toss up between Tennis or Guitar. Tennis looks to be a good option but I don't know whether my weak left leg would cope with it. Guitar seems to be a safe bet.

Gute Nacht...

SMS...

I pick up my cell...type a message...and then I don't send it.

Sometimes it's just a simple smile...sometimes a simple "Heyy...wassup?"...actually there's so much to ask...so much to talk about.

I don't know what stops me from sending the message...

Der Unterricht beginnt an diesem Samstag...

Today I finally did something that I've wanted to do since a long time...to be precise since 2004. I finally went ahead and joined German language classes.

But I aint happy...not one bit...this was not the way I wished it had happened.

Fast day...

I don't know what's with this day...things seem to be moving too fast for me.

Or maybe I'm simply too slow in reacting...

Cough, cold and fever...

Today afternoon I visited this doctor in Parel with my mom. I was visiting this doctor after something like 6-7 years...maybe more. Frankly I don't even remember the last time I visited this doctor since we have a doctor at home now.

I still remember the times we went to this doctor...there used to be a huge queue...small kids with rashes and boils on their faces...worried mothers...old ladies. You reach there at 11 AM and your turn would come by 3-3:30 PM. But it was worth the wait for one look at the senior doctor there and you would feel half better. Then there used to be the medicines. White tablets for fever with dark maroon liquid or pink liquid for a tummy ache. I, without fail, would get an injection...my mom would insist on it. And next day my school calendar would read, "Missed school because of cough, cold and fever."

One particular incident I remember is when I burnt my right hand in a freak Diwali cracker experiment. My hand had turned completely black and the Doctor was puzzled. Then, I said very innocently, "I washed the burns with Hamam soap." Why asked the Doctor? "Because Hamam hain sabse natural."

The senior Doctor no longer practices there; it's his son and daughter-in-law now. But I know that clinic is going to be there for the next 3-4 generations.

Loss of words...

Twice I've written something...twice I've deleted it...am simply at a loss of words.

Simply lost...

World Cup 2006 highlights

I am seeing the WC06 highlights on TV...just want to list some of my favorite moments from this tourney...

1. Zizou's penalty in the final: How cool was that noncholant chip?
   


2. Zizou's denied by Buffon: ZZ started the move...drifted into space and met Sagnol's pinpoint cross with a thundering header...only to be denied by Buffon. It was Zizou's anguish that stands out as he screamed out in frustration...
   


3. Pirlo's reverse pass in the SF: As reverse passes go, I've seen better...but this one stands out because it came right at 117 minutes...Pirlo's tired...probably thinking about the impending penalty shootout. He has the option of playing it safe and not risking a German counter but no...he picks out Grosso with a neat blind reverse pass...
   


4. Zizou and Figo exchanging shirts: Two legends swapping sweat-soaked shirts...CR7 will never be that legend...never.
   


5. Zizou's show's Ronaldinho who's Boss: Another classic performance from the legend. It all showed how Robinho embraced ZZ in the end...Ronaldinho who??
   


6. England vs Portugal penalties: I knew Gerrard was going to miss...his face said it all...he was simply petrified
   


7. Holland vs Portugal: Some excellent play-acting...some really wild tackles...and some stupid refeering...8 yellows and 4 reds.
   


8. The 24 pass goal: Argentina vs Serbia...23 passes...and then the final pass

Some others would be the fake penalty Italy got against Australia...Beckham in tears after being subbed against Portugal...Graham Polls 3 yellows adding up to a red. Zidane's headbutt doesn't make it to this list...yeah it was a memorable moment but I'd rather see that man's genius than his dark side. I know there's a lot of Zidane in that list but he deserves it...he simply took France to the finals on his own. Gonna miss him this time.

Hoping for a great WC10 with loads of goals and good attacking play.

Chinese evenings...

An evening with good friends...good food (though I was veg for the evening)...all in all a great evening after two weeks of slow torture...

But the void remains...

Football fever continues...

Football fever continues.....

Tera Na Hona Jane, Kyun Hona Hi Hai

Tera Na Hona Jane, Kyun Hona Hi Hai
Tum Se Hi Din Hota Hai, Surmaiye Shaam Aati, Tumse Hi, Tumse Hi
Har Ghadi Saans Aati Hai, Zindagi Kehlati Hai, Tumse Hi, Tumse Hi

I always catch this song everytime Jab We Met is shown on TV (which is like every Sunday!!). But I'm not complaining...I simply love this song.

And the memories associated with it as well...

A dusty picture...

Through the dusty window I see you walk down the stairs, hoping that you'd look up just once.

You look up - if only for a moment - but long enough to let me capture you forever through that dusty window.

A dusty picture of a beautiful memory...

Magic Memory....

I attended a wedding in Matunga today (speaking of weddings, I hate this season...have to attend another one tomorrow evening). Now, the venue was bang opposite Cafe Madras and as I left the venue, I stood for a moment opposite the cafe. Suddenly a rush of memories welled up...my magic memory going into overdrive.

A year back...precisely to this very day...I had a very good day. That entire day flashed past in an instant...every memory...every moment.

Suddenly I was smiling like a madman in the middle of the road...marveling at life's ways of letting you know that you've come full circle.

Restart...

Ohh and by the way, the count restarted after a hiatus of 10 days...just when I had given up hopes of receiving it again...

It's 1901 now...

Will miss...

Two weeks leave starts from tomorrow...will miss the 5th floor A Wing coffee with LO(DG) and evening snacks with M(PM)...

Of course not to mention the RTIs and aggrieved investor calls...

I await 7th June...

HAHAHAHA...

Took this from the status message of my friend on FB:

Gujju Boy : Sweethart I've 2 tickets For Inglish Movee want too cum.
Girl : Which movie??
Gujju Boy : "Condom Of Shailesh"
Girl : You Idiot its "Quantum Of Solace"...

Disclaimer: No offence meant for my Gujju friends :P

Broken wings and rains...

I don't know why I suddenly remembered this incident. My memory takes me back to 4th standard when I was a gangly kid of just about 9-10 years.

We were in the middle of a class and suddenly a sparrow flew in...hit the rotating fan and fell down. Girls screamed...even some guys did. Maybe even the teacher did.

I picked up the sparrow and took it to the teachers common room where I gave it some water. The wing was broken and it would never fly again. I tended for the sparrow throughout the day until it was time to leave. I wanted to take it home but a call to my mom ended that desire. I left the bird with one of the peons who had his house on the school campus.

It rained heavily that evening. I remember this as well because I played football that evening and hurt my knee.

The next day the bird was gone...it simply flew away in the evening.

I still don't know why this incident comes to my mind...maybe broken wings heal with the rain??

Nari hai atyachaari...

Read this on the blog http://cut-to-cut.blogspot.com

Ekdum paisa-vasool post-lunch reading...

Bechare mard

Agar aurat pe hath uthaye toh zalim,
aur pit jaye toh buzdil.

Aurat ko kisi ke saath dekh ke ladai kare toh jealous,
aur chup rahe to begairat.

Ghar se bahar rahe to awara,
aur ghar mein rahe toh nakara.

Bacchon to daante toh kathor,
naa daante to laparwah.

Aurat ko bahar kaam karne se roke toh shakki MCP,
aur na roke to aurat ki kamai khane wala.

Akhir ye bechara mard jaye to jaye kahan?

Janhit mein jaari, nari hai atyachari!!!

Disclaimer: Not hinting at any of the women in my life...you ladies know that I love you all :P

Deja vu...

I don't know why I did what I did but I'm really sorry for what I did because I shouldn't have done what I did and infact I should have done the reverse of what I did but ultimately I didn't do that but I did what I did because I'm quite silly in what I do and so I did what I did...

Please forgive yours truly...

RIP Umesh Divate

Life has come full circle for the Batch of 2009.

We came together on the verge of forging a bright career. We left as fragments of a batch scarred for life .

16th May 2010 will really be a strange day for everyone in this batch. While at one end, two batchmates got bound together in the eternal flame of love, the day before another of our batchmate passed away.

The Batch of 2009 has seen it all...bloodshed, massacre, true friendship, and a sworn enmity. Now, we've seen Love and Death as well. We may never be seen as one...many of us will disown any links to this Batch...most won't turn up for the reunions. I can make a safe guess that the 10th and 25th reunions will be a pale shadow of what was once a Batch full of life.

But we will always be the Batch of 2009...always.

RIP Umesh Divate

Incommunicado...

"You realize the true value of something when you lose it."

No one knows this better than me. Today I lost my ability to stay in touch with the world. My trusted cellphone packed it in. I guess it was long time coming. I've taken it for granted just like I do for everything...

Anyways...my cell went dead 5 min before the clock struck 12 and ushered in my 26th birthday. And it refused to get charged. Not having a spare cellphone, I faced the prospect of being incommunicado from my friends and well-wishers.

As I did not carry my cell today with me, it made for a very strange day. First of all it felt strange that the right pocket of my jeans was empty. Last time that was the case was during my engineering days when I had no cellphone. Secondly I didn't have to check my cell every now and then to see if a message has been received (off late I have been doing that so often...I guess that pissed my cell off). Thirdly, there was no way I could go online and check Facebook, check if somewhere, someone has changed a status message. There was no way to check if it had been received. And mainly...there was no way my cell was going to start crooning, "Rehna tu...hai jaisa tu...thoda sa dard tu...thoda sukoon"

It was (and still remains) a very very strange day...

Yogi strikes back...

The Yogi has struck again...

And it's good to see that he has not lost his touch...

Stop & Start...

Finally after 1 year, 5 months and 2 days, the count stopped at 1898.

I live in the hope that it will restart since it has not been removed.

Of friends and best friends...

This is a story of two best friends who were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey they had an argument and one friend slapped the other one in the face.

The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand:

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.

They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him. After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone:

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE.

The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?"

The other friend replied "When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it.”

Learn to write your hurts in the sand and to carve your benefits in stone.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.

Thanks for the mail Dadaaaaaaaa!!!

Another good pictogram (as my lawyer friend would put it)...

http://www.millionface.com/l/difference-between-man-women-waking-up-in-the-morning

Loser Indian Cricket team

I earlier was of the opinion that every match the Indian cricket team won or lost was fixed...that the Men In Blue were paid big bucks to lose or the other team was paid big bucks to lose.

But after seeing the latest T20 WC debacle I realized that nobody paid us to lose...we are simply not good enough to win. This team is nothing but a bunch of non-motivated...money-loving motherfuckers. Hope they get their ass kicked when they return back.

And by the way, one of India's forgotten heroes made us proud by defending his chess title. Way to go Vishy...we are all proud of you.

A colleague forwarded this link...makes for a good read

http://in.news.yahoo.com/265/20100501/1705/top-the-weaver-the-princess-and-goldman_1.html

Happy reading!!

Silence..

It's a strange kind of a silence. All encompassing...all pervading. A silence that turns this summer heat into a harsh chill.

Is this the silence that precedes a storm or the one that succeeds a storm?? Only time will tell...

Addictively yours...

I am a sucker for addictions these days. Earlier I needed a cup of coffee post-lunch. Hence, an almost daily trip to the nearby CCD for a takeaway Cappuccino...it felt good to have that coffee and be fresh for the latter half of the day.

Now thanks to some of my friends in office who arm-twist the pantry guys to make coffee the way I want, I have done away with the expensive coffee. I have it just once a week now.

However, like every artist who needs his muse, I need an addiction. Hence, I've switched to cola drinks. One Thums-Up a day contributes to the earnings of Coca-Cola where my friend works.

So...next is what???

It’s strange when you have a lot of time to sit back and reflect where things went wrong. You see every incident in a different light…you realize what actually went wrong…and more importantly where you went wrong. And it’s worse when you realize that you could have avoided it all so easily…

I just was not patient enough…not ready to wait…always ready to give up at the slightest hint of failure. Time and again I lost patience. Time and again I’ve just said to myself that I can’t take it anymore. Though I’ve tried to come back time and again, this time it’s proving to be tough…maybe this time there’s no coming back.

I just was not understanding enough and that has left exposed my shortcomings as a human. I may have been caring and loving and all that but understanding?? Naah…and worse is that I’ve never even attempted to be so. I’ve never tried to understand the feelings…the emotions…the way the heart works…the limitations. I kept assuming that everything I did would bring happiness…but I always looked at my happiness first. I never tried to understand what I should have done. I never tried to understand what was needed…

I lacked self-belief and that has cost me trust. Some relations are based purely on trust…and once that trust is broken, then everything is over. You may try all you want but that trust will never come back.

I started expecting things and that has cost me a friendship. The more I tried to prevent myself from doing so, the more I started expecting things. I tried to comfort myself by reasoning that expectations and wants are different but I was just clutching at straws.

I started taking things for granted. And that is a cardinal sin. I never realized how deep the wounds I have caused have run. I just thought I would get away with everything I did…I took for granted the happiness.

And more importantly, I never was a good friend.

The Lonavla Escapades...

There was an earlier post in which I mentioned about 4 of my friends going to Lonavla for the weekend and scoring big-time over there. I think I've deleted that post (now don't ask why!!) but here are the complete details of what transpired that cold February night over a bottle of Jack Daniels and Coke...

The lead characters - and they shall go nameless - are two Sindhis, one South Indian and one Marathi Manoos...quite a mix and match of Indian cultures. Another Marathi Manoos, who would have surely joined them, was somewhere selling biscuits in the heart of Bihar. We shall name them Wannabe, Jaggi, Banker and the Goat respectively.

So these four make time from their busy professional schedules and head for Lonavla for a night of drinks amidst the lap of nature. And as always, they are on the look out to score...

Now they are sitting somewhere near a valley sharing drinks and getting totally smashed. It's a beautiful night...a night where almost all damsels choose to fall in distress...

It's a usual Hindi movie scene...a car breaks down in which there's a really beautiful girl. Only this time, she wasn't driving and nor was she alone. A sturdy Sardar is her companion. They ask the boys to help out. Now these guys are very adept at socializing and soon the entire group is sitting around sharing a bottle of Jack Daniels (this was the sardar mundas only contribution).

The guys start hitting on the girl as guys will always do. The Wannabe fiddles with his hairstyle (and yeah not to mention his Blackberry) trying different shapes and styles. Jaggi tries to maximize the effect of his chocolate-boy looks. The Banker throws around his extensive knowledge of real estate and how he has already mapped out his entire future (down to the school where his children will learn dancing). The sardar continues to drink and get smashed. And the girl remains oblivious to the charms of these gentlemen.

Then the boys play their trump card. "We are from XYZ B-school you see...the MMS course"

The sardar stirs at the mention of the word MMS but then goes back to sleep. But the girl has had her interest aroused. "XYZ...you mean The XYZ Institute of Management Studies!!!!" Ofcourse you %&**%&^&, what did you think...the ABC Institute of Management Studies!!! She fires questions at them about placement...alumni...how to crack the CET and so on...

But the Marathi Manoos aka the Goat is uninterested. In fact he's not even part of this conversation. For he has found something that interests him more...something that gives him a high more than anything else in this world. You see...it was a clear night sky...with not a trace of clouds. And on such nights, the stars are out in full flight (now that rhymed quite nicely).

The Goat is busy examining the stars...trying to plot their course...using the arcane knowledge that he has gained during a lifetime of studying ancient Chinese maps. He's on the lookout for the next celestial spectacle which would justify his next trip into the heart of rural India. There's a strange weirdness in watching him watch the stars (and some pity as well). But I never thought someone would find it exotic like the girl did...she's absolutely smitten by him.

Now here I must mention that the Goat is not the average rough and tough Marathi Manoos but rather a well-fed, smooth-skinned eddy-teddy type male...although I'm quite sure it's the stars that got him the girl. Soon enough he's explaining to her the intricacies of star-gazing, about how it's an art that has to be nurtured. He shows her the stars that decide your love life as most girls are suckers for such sappy stuff. And he does throw in a few words in French and Japanese and also tells her about what happened on the 5th of November...and the girl is totally lost...it's her and the stars...stars that twinkle bright.

Soon it's time to part and it’s the Goat that gets her number. Ok...ok...she gives him her email ID but then of course from email to the next step is but a matter of days.

So guys...learn such arcane stuff...never know when it can help you score!!! Jai Maharashtra!!!

Disclaimer: I have used some creative license here. But the bare facts are true…this incident did happen and the Marathi Manoos did score. Also, apologies if I have hurt the sentiments of any faith or religion. As the Goat would say “Gajanan is a non-practicing Hindu and a practicing Christian.”

Also, a big sorry to the characters in this story. I’ve made fun at your expense. So sorry if anything hurt.

United depending on Liverpool...

Liverpool FC...18 league titles and 5 European Cups. A proud club with a great tradition...a club that has always rubbed shoulders with the best of the best. Though this season has been a big let down. After finishing second last season, it was expected they would challenege United for the title. Instead they are fighting to finish fourth and got dumped out of UCL and Europa League as well. So it's strange that they get to play a major role in deciding where the championship goes this season...will it adorn the trophy room at OT or will it go to the Bridge?? Liverpool will decide the fate...

Liverpool take on Chelsea on Sunday just before United go to Wearside to take on Sunderland. Chelsea lead United by 1 point and are way ahead on goal difference (thanks to the massacre of Stoke City). If Chelsea drop points at Anfield and United win, then United go ahead and look likely to win the title. However, if Chelsea win at Anfield, then the title goes to London. No disrespect to Wigan but I can't see them taking points against Chelsea.

If United win the title, then we go one up over Liverpool. The record will stand at 19-18 and Liverpool's long standing record will be over. Would Liverpool fans love to see that? Would they want to hand over the title to United by beating Chelsea?

But the main point is that we are dependent on Liverpool winning the title for us. That in my opinion is the maost shameful thing for a Red Devil...that we need help from the Scousers. We had umpteen opportunities to seal the title by now.

1) Points dropped at Burnley: Carrick missing the penalty that would have got us a point atleast. But we had no business losing this match. Burnley were surely relegation material.

2) Points dropped against Sunderland at home: This was again a match which we should have won. Sunderland played well that day but SAF got the line-up wrong. And there was some shocking goalkeeping by Foster as well...

3) Loss to Aston Villa at OT: Again...we were toothless in this match. Created nothing after giving away a headed goal to Ablongahor. Atleast a draw was needed here.

4) Points dropped at Blackburn: If Valencia had taken that chance, we would have sealed the title by now.

I think these four games have put us in this spot where we need Liverpool to do us a favor. Of all the teams, we need Liverpool to help us out.

We really don't deserve the title. Even if we win, this won't be one of the best titles ever.

GGMU!!

Inter Milan vs Bayern Munich - UCL Finals

So finally Europe's biggest football competition will be contested between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich. No English team in the finals...none made it even to the semis. Manchester United and Arsenal went the furthest but were beaten by Bayern Munich and Barcelona respectively.

For United, this represents a big opportunity lost...an opportunity to make it the UCL finals thrice in a row and a realistic chance to win it as well. I am not saying that Inter Milan are not a good team...they have beaten Chelsea and Barcelona so they have to be good. But I doubt they would have beaten United...

Anyways...we had a good chance to win our fourth European Cup and reach closer to Liverpool's record of 5 European triumphs. Sadly we let it all slip away...an easy draw...3-0 up at home...comfortably winning the tie and then a few moments of madness...

Anyways...best of luck to Bayern and Inter. Both deserve to be there...hopefully it should be an entertaining final and not a dull drab encounter between and Italian defence and German ruthlessness.

Do early morning dreams come true??

I had a really beautiful dream - atleast in a very long time - today morning. I know the chances of this dream getting realized are pretty slim but what the hell...I'll keep faith.

Then & now...

I am right now watching the movie "Waqt". Not the new one but the older one...the one where Raj Kumar makes his most famous dialogue "Jinke ghar sheeshe ke hon, woh dusron par pathar nahi phenka karte"...

The scene is where two of the heroines are playing badminton dressed in salwar kameez. Rajkumar, Rehman and the heroine's dad are playing snooker. Then, they all get together for tea. I was thinking how that same scene would be shown today.

The heroines are playing beach volleyball in bikinis. Rajkumar, Rehman and the heroine's dad are playing poker. After the game, they all sit together for some vodka...

How Indian cinema has changed...

Summer of reversals...

It looks like a summer of reversals...

And worse is that the summer has just started...

Surfing TV randomly, I came across Dil Chahta Hai playing on some channel. My favorite scene wasn't on (that is when Aakash cries on the phone with his dad) but the scene playing is also a memorable one...

Sid is strolling along the beach and comes across Deepa. He tries to help her with her problems...she's in a one-sided love affair with Aakash and can't accept the fact that if she's so good, then why can't she get Aakash...Sid's explanation is really intense...

"Aisee umeede hi nahi karni chahiye jo..."

"tum iss ret ko dekh rahi hon...jitni koshish karo isse jyaada pakadne ki...utni hi ungliyon ke beech se nikal jaati hai"

Does it ring any bells Mr. Nabar???

The tarrot reader speaks her mind...

The 7th wise lady is a tarrot card reader...and more importantly she's the only married lady in this series so far. Ergo, her opinion carries a lot of weight...

"when u expect...its based on u PRESUMING that the one oppo understands u...

but in both case....it is based on u trusting on some level the person opposite u..."

She then proceeds explain her views with an example...all engineers do that. They have to back their theories with examples.

"like a new born baby....
it come to the world with no expectations but a whole lot of wants
which si why when it hurgy and wants food...it CRIES
it expects the same food on the table without saying a word"

"i think relations start with wants....and move to expectations
but the line is grey"

I thought she was done but she took a timeout and then came up with this:

"expectation is what u keep from your parents
and want is what u keep from your boss"

Maybe she's correct...maybe not.

Change...

I can feel change creeping towards me...I can feel it's presence...everyday I see it seep into my life bit by bit. Wise people say that you should not resist change...that you should accept it...embrace it

But why embrace something which I don't want??

Past, Present and the Future...

I tried to look into the future to see what it held for me and I saw nothing...I look at my present and I see there's no future...I looked at my past and saw the glimmer of a good future (implying a good present)...

Somewhere in the transition from my past to my present, I messed up my future...

6th wise lady speaks out...

The 6th wise lady is very forthcoming. When asked if she is wise, she replies "No...I am not at all wise."

However, I think otherwise. She's a voracious reader and a very good reader too. The books she reads always have an exotic name and are by exotic authors. I always feel ashamed in asking her what she's reading because:

1. I've never heard of the book or author
2. I will never be able to read that book
3. I struggle to pronounce the author's name
4. Reminds me of how shallow my reading habits are

So...to get to the chase, she classifies as a wise lady...and here's what she had to say:

"for me expecting something is where u know that particular something is bound (u have a right) to happen but in wanting u r not sure coz u do not have any right over it.."

Quite rightly said...

El akela is shahar mein...

Sometimes even in a crowd you feel all alone...it's a feeling that hits you really hard...it leaves you numb.

Reminds me of the song Ek Akela Is Shahar Mein...

Rafael DaSilly..

Rafael DaSilly is a silly boy. A very silly boy indeed. His stupid act of petulance has cost us a place in the semis of UCL.

While his second yellow card is explainable, he should have been sent off for the first one itself. Such stupidity and at this level is not acceptable. But hopefully it should make him a better player. Beckham learnt from his mistake at the '98 WC. Hopefully Rafael will do the same.

About the game...well over two legs Bayern deserved to go through. They showed tremendous spirit to come back after conceeding goals and getting the required results. Their play was not really attractive or flashy but was effective and got the job done.

As for United, we deserved what we got. We lost the plot the moment Rooney scored in Munich. A hint of complacency set in and we came undone. A silly handball by Neville gave away a cheap freekick and a goal. Then Evra got caught cold by Olic. But the worst was the first goal we gave at OT. I can't believe Carrick was so easily outmuscled by Olic. And the red card then settled everything.

Overall, I think this is a season where SAF needs to rebuild bigtime. It's time we got in a midfielder who can create and not just drive the team forward. And we really need a 20 goal a season striker.

GGMU!!!

5th lady calls back...

The 5th lady immediately calls back...and with proof in her hand. She lets rip into the opinions of the other four wise ones, especially the 4th lady who is simply shown no mercy. The rest get a few ounces of respect...

She then refers to her impeachable source, quotes certain excerpts, and without waiting for me to infer anything she declares that she is correct and the rest are wrong. "That's it...I'm correct and I've got corroborative evidence to prove that I'm right. The case is led to rest." What follows are giggles and I can picture a mini-jig as well...

I'm muse whether I should end this series here itself and she concurs but I'll continue the hunt...

Clarifications from 5th wise lady...

...and I'm back, rather the Wise Ladies are back.

This time it's a very pretty lady who mixes beauty with brains...a very potent combo. Here's what Ms. Moneypenny (is that a clue to her identity??) has to say (she dictated this the first time at ultra-high speed over the phone...then when I asked her to slowdown, she really went slow):

"to expect something from someone...it conveys an idea of legitimacy or having reasons for expecting that...whereas when you say you want something...it's a need...the reason maybe fickle or justifiable or just an urge..."

She is adamant that she is correct in her opinion because she has quoted an impeachable source i.e., the Dictionary. Meanwhile I'm running out of wise ladies...

5 day work week...

This Monday there are extra blues...because a 5 day work week awaits me after a long time.

How I wish every week had a mid-week holiday!!!

Happy New Month!!!

It's a new month...a new financial year!!!

A long time back I made a pact with someone that on the 1st of every month we'll ask each other a question. And a true answer is required...

I asked my question...but no answer is forthcoming.

Clarifications from 4th wise lady...

I'm running out of wise ladies...but here's another one. And she really is a wise one...

"loads of difference
expecting means u implicitly want it without actually expressing it.
and if u get it u wud feel good
but if not u have a way of telling urself that u expected it but maybe expectations didnt materialize
but wanting something is clear cut
u want it means u want it
there are no 2 ways about it"

I thought when she started out, she would have the same opinion as mine...but alas!!!

Clarifications from 3rd wise lady...

I guess you guys have guessed it right...clarifications on the same old post. This time it's my good friend from school. When told that this was for my blog, she demanded that I give her credit for the opinion she has given. According to her it's morally incorrect that I refer her simply as a "wise lady". Yeah..whatevaaa..

Well...here is her wisdom.

"expecting something means u r hopeful bout something and wanting something means u desire it.. expecting has more probability of happening while wanting may happen may not happen"

Note the use of the word "probability"...

Change of Home...

My best friend is changing her home...her 14th home in her entire lifetime. That's like almost a new house in every two years. To put that in perspective, I've stayed in one house for all my life...all my memories are in one place...

So many memories...of childhood, of school days, of college life...I hurt my head in this house for the first time and I rode my first tricycle in this house. I used to leave at 7 for school and get back at 4...knowing that my mom would be waiting for me back home. I remember how afraid I was to come home when I had my first beer...

In college, I would leave in the morning and come back late at night. I remember studying for exams late into the nights...walking around the house from one room to another. I remember the house getting renovated twice...the smell of fresh paint...the smoothness of marble. This is the place where we fought against my father's illness and where he died...

I've never been away from home for a long period of time - the maximum being two months for my internship stint with American Express in Gurgaon (that place still gives me jitters).

My house does not talk to me like it does to some...but I have memories in every corner.

Clarifications from another wise lady...

Got some more clarifications from another wise lady on the "expecting" and "wanting" post...this is what wisdom she imparted...

"u might not want what u r expecting...it might still happen...i am expecting bad news....but i dont want it"

"expecting is what mught happen..it has prob of happening or not happening...wanting..u want it with prob =1...wanting is stronger than expecting"

We MBAs have a habit of using such terminology...probability and so on.

Meanwhile, my doubts still remain...

22 minutes...

22 minutes...

Clarifications from a wise lady...

Got some clarifications from a wise lady on the "expecting" and "wanting" post...this is what wisdom she imparted...

"hmm wanting is only from ur perspective...hmm technically speaking not much of a dif

"expecting u ...shift the "whtever" on someone else...so if the thing doesnt turn out to b ur way u always hav someone to blame...but wanting u dont"

Deep!!!

Scholes or Zidane...who's better??

Quite honestly this is a no-brainer. Zidane was and always will be the definitive creative playmanker of his era...he won't just be remembered for his headbutt but for the way he would dictate the game...and make things happen.

But honestly, Scholes is not far behind. You look at what he has achieved with United over his career and that speaks for itself. But it's not these achievements...he has never been a publicity starved player...how many times have we seen his interviews??

But a look at his game and you know why he is definitely one of the finest playmakers in this era. Neat one touch short passes...and ability to pick out wide players with unerring accuracy...a mean stinging shot...and an immensely gifted footballing brain. That he can't tackle just adds to his skills...no player can be that perfect.

Is he better than Zidane?? I would say he is on par...definitely up there with him

Expecting and wanting...

Is there a difference in "expecting something from someone" and "wanting something from someone"?? I really think these two things are different...

When you expect something, it means you are taking it for granted that the other person will do it for you. When you want something, it's just that...you just want it, you don't feel bad if it does not happen...unlike when something you expect does not happen...

Agreed there's a thin line...but they are two different things in reality

Aye zindagi...

Aye zindagi gale laga le...

Humne bhi tere har ek gam ko gale se lagaya hain...

Hain na??

Somehow can't stop playing this song right now...

Back to childhood...

I spent a better part of my weekend going through my childhood pictures...I don't know what made me do that...it was so unlike me...even my mom was kinda surprised...

As I was going through them I realized that somewhere in this maddening rush to be something in life, I had consigned my childhood memories to the deepest recesses of my mind. I forced myself to grow up without ever really growing up.

I now realize that I still am that kid who was afraid of darkness...

Manchester United vs Liverpool - Old Trafford

Finally we've had our revenge. It wasn't a real classic nor did we drub them but still...we were very much in control of the game except for maybe the first 5 minutes and the last 10 minutes.

Both teams had an incentive to win...Liverpool needed to win to cement their 4th place while we had to win to go top of Arsenal. Massive motivation for both sides. But no surprises when the line-up for both teams was 4-5-1. Fergies prefers this line-up now for the big games and in Europe, while I was a bit surprised to see Rafa go for 4-5-1. Liverpool needed the win more than us I would say.

The opening was smashing and gave us a hope that the game would be a classic. Torres showed just why Fergie made a mistake in not signing him. He continued his run...drifted in behind the defence and then smashed in a superb unstoppable header past van der sar. Shocking defending.

We got our equalizer soon - ofcourse aided by some astonishing luck. There'll be controversy whether it was a free-kick or a penalty since the tackle started outside the box. But what was Mascherano thinking when he did that...and what was Agger doing. He just let Valencia glide past him. Rooney netted the rebound...massive luck there again.

From then on till the next goal, the match was a simple chess game. Both teams just tried to work openings, although United were definitely more aggressive in the second half. The second goal was well worked...Neville overlapped...Insua just hesitated and Fletcher delivered the cross any stiker would love. And Ji-Sung Park hit a brilliant and brave diving header.

Thereafter Liverpool chased the game and should have equalized when Torres got the ball in the box but fluffed his lines.

Not a classis at all...in fact I'll soon delete the recording as well. But 3 points and some respect got back. For Liverpool, 4th place looks difficult...I honestly can't see Gerrard and Torres playing Europa League again.

Man-of-the match: Ji Sung Park. United's big game player alongwith Fletcher. He was everywhere on the pitch...attacked...defended...scored. 9/10

A beautiful dream..

I had a strange dream last night...I dreamt that it's a Barcelona vs Manchester United UCL final (could become a reality seeing the draw!!!) and I miss the first 25 minutes as I fall asleep...

When I wake up the score is 11-2 to Manchester United...Barcelona have Xavi, Pique and Puyol sent off in the first minutes itself as they all wrestle Rooney to the ground...

Scholes has scored 7 of the 11 goals...

I could not get the remaining stats as I woke up to my mom screaming at me...

DO early morning dreams come true??

It's not just football...

For me, the weekend game of football is not just a game of football...it's a way to release pent up emotions of the week gone by. A way to truly, if only for an hour or so, be myself...express myself...

There's an insane joy in running with a football at your feet...the sudden acceleration as you try and get past your marker...delaying the final pass until the final moment...or playing the perfect pass that leaves the entire defence stranded...the one-on-one with the keeper when each of you is trying to figure out the next move...it's pure unadulterated joy.

Wish I were a kid again...

The Germans are coming...

Old foes get re-United...it's been really long since we played Bayern Munich in Europe. Who can forget those two minutes of madness way back in 1999 at the Nou Camp...and this one promises to be another spectacle...

Bayern Munich might not look intimidating to most people. Actually most people are predicting a United win and an easy route to the finals at the Bernebue...but I believe Bayern are gonna be tough...Germans are always tough to beat. They will approach the game with discipline and good tactics.

Tough game...can't really pick a winner.

GGMU!!!

United's soul is never sold, so proudly wear that Green & Gold.

We'll never wear our famous Red, till Glazer's gone or dead.

So set that ancient standard high, by Green & Gold we'll live or die.

That day will come for sure, when we can wear our Red once more...

GLORY GLORY MANCHESTER UNITED!!!

Lucky to be living in an era of Legends...

I feel privileged to have been born in an era that has witnessed some grand sporting spectacles. I’ll just list a few of them below…mostly events that I’ve seen actually and about sports that I’m passionate about.

1. Sachin go past 194:

I remember watching Saeed Anwar bludgeon India in Chennai…since then I’ve only wanted one man to break that record. And he did it today.

The 200 was merely a by-product…for me and millions of Indians, it was imperative he pass 194.

RESPECT!!

2. Sir Alex knocking Liverpool off their fucking perch:

When Sir Alex joined United, his first job was to “knock Liverpool of their fucking perch”. The Scousers were then the ultimate team in England…and United were the underdogs. Fast forward to today and we are level on 18 league titles though lagging in European Cups.

But we’ll get there too…soon enough.

3. Manchester United do the Treble:

We beat everyone that came in our way…in England and Europe. We played some champagne football (8-1 Nottingham) and some horrible stuff as well (3-0 to the Arsenal).

And we always scored in the dying minutes…always.

4. Ryan Giggs breaking Sir Bobby Charlton’s record for United:

When he walked out on that rain-soaked pitch in Moscow, he became United’s most capped player. And no one has deserved to break Sir Bobby’s record more than Giggs.

Pure class…pure passion…pure professionalism.

Ryan Giggs for Knighthood!!

5. Leander Paes winning the Bronze at the Atlanta Olympics:

For a nation of 1 billion, our performance at the Olympics has been dismal. Until Leander came along and showed how it was done. I don’t remember much about this match except that I saw a young man play with pride and passion for his nation. And he’s been the same till now.

Sania Mirza should learn a few things from him.

6. Zinedine Zidane’s headers:

Three bullet headers separated by 8 years in time. Two hit the back of the net and one hit the front of the chest. All had one hallmark…Zidane’s class and power.

7. Roger Federer go past Pete Sampras:

I honestly feel they should simply put Federer into the final of every Grand Slam. And then make the rest play to decide who should play him in the final.

8. Michael Schumacher win 5 straight Championships:

The ultimate driving machine. The Rain Master. One of the finest exponents of wet race driving. A true symbol of German efficiency.

And now he’s back at the age of 41…

9. India beating Australia in Australia:

When India went Down Under in 2003-04, everyone predicted a white-wash. I was sure of an absolute rout. But we bucked the trend. We refused to lie down and let them roll over us.

10. Liverpool vs. AC Milan 2005 UCL Final:

AC Milan were 3 goals to nil at half time. Liverpool were down and out. It seemed a matter of how many more...

And then came 6 minutes of madness…