Late, Very Late post on the World Cup

Long time no post. Blogger has been blocked in office, the UPS went for a toss, relatives came over and there was no gas in the tank left after watching the World Cup matches in the night. But I have got some time today.. so here is a late, very late analysis of the World Cup so far.

Whatever happens from now on - this World Cup would be known for all the wrong reasons. The death of Bob Woolmer has brought to light the dark side of the game yet again. It had ceased to be a gentleman's game for a long time now but this was really sad. The circumstances of the death are still not know and I would not speculate on them. I would just like to talk about some images of Woolmer that pop into my mind. My first memories of Bob Woolmer was in the 1996 World Cup in the SA - Pakistan game in the league stages. Inzy was considered among the best batsman in the world and was easily their best player of pace bowling. For Inzy, there were a short midwicket as a catching position even though the fielding restrictions were over. This prevented him from playing his trademark hoick over midwicket with which he had massacred the Kiwis four years ago. Forced Inzy looked for some other areas and eventually was run out cheaply. The next image that stays in the mind for long was the infamous earpiece incident during the 99 World Cup against India which he used to communicate with Donald and Cronje. This person was way ahead of his times. I don't know why they made him apologize for this? The third and probably the most impressive image was during the match fixing saga during the Oval Test of 2006. Bob was also a columnist for Cricinfo.com. He discussed the history of the cricket balls and the reasons behind reverse swing. That one article showed why he was such a great coach - he had immense knowledge about the game and its history and he could communicate it in very simple terms(I tried to find that post but have not been able to find on the cricinfo site). May you rest in peace Bob.

The second and the most obvious topic has to be on India's and Pakistan's early exit. I would write more in a separate post. But I was really pleased that the Indian team went out. Sri Lanka played well and really deserved to win that match after India has so famously botched up against Bangladesh. There was no way India could have competed in the tournament even it managed to get through to the next stage if Bermuda had shocked Bangladesh. Tendulakar failed again which is not very surprising and Murali was just fantastic.They talk about the oldies in India being liabilities. But just have a look at Sri Lanka - Jayasuriya and Murali are running around the park like kids. Their desire to win just shows through in their approach to the game. Just like India, Pakistan too did not deserve to be in the Super 8s. The Irish are playing really well. I believe they might be able to upset somebody in the next round.

The scariest match in the World Cup so far was the Aus-SA match in the group phase. There have been quite a few upsets and some thrillers that Sri Lanka have played. But what made me choose this match was the sheer intensity of the contest till about 75 overs. India Sri Lanka played the previous day. To see this match the next day akin to witnessing a Sampras-Ivanisevic bloodbath on grass the day after you have watched a Muster - Kuerten fistfight on clay. Both Australia and South Africa have 11 extremely fit gladiators. They don't give an inch, don't pull their punches and the cricket was really awesome. They seem to be from a different planet altogether. There were two captaincy masterstrokes in that match - first was the way South Africans bowled during the death - they bowled full and wide in stead of full and straight - the ground was very small straight - but was defendable on the side boundaries. So they bowled all the balls wide so that if they were hit, they were hit to the defendable parts and ended up giving 4s rather than 6s. Not many people credit Smith with brains (yours truly included), but this was a well thought out move. The second was the delaying of the third Power Play by Ricky Ponting - another captain whose skills are under-rated (perhaps rightly so). AB and Graeme Smith were going berserk. In such a huge run chase, the team chasing has to hit all the time. There is no room for a breather, no time to consolidate in the middle. With a huge cushion of runs in hand, Ponting decided to delay the third Power Play in the hope of getting a wicket. It was a huge risk because if it did not pay off, it would just consolidate South Africa's position even further. But the Aussies manufactured a wicket from nowhere and that finished off the game then and there.

The best match so far has been the Sri Lanka - England match. I switched off when Pietersen was dismissed believing that Sri Lanka would go on to win comfortably. But the next day as I switched on the TV to look at the results, I was shocked. I regret not seeing the match now. One thing must be said about Sri Lanka is that they really play as a team. In their case, the sum is much greater than their individual parts. Their bowling is disciplined and the fielding is superb. They gave only 3 extras the whole match - yes your read it correctly. And they did not give any till the 20th over (perhaps even later but I got sleepy after that).

Yesterday's match - South Africa vs Bangladesh showed why Smith is not rated very highly as a captain and why South Africa would not win this World Cup - it would surprise me if they reach the semis now. In the final overs, he did not ask the bowlers to bowl a single bouncer when the batsmen were charging all over the place. Nor did the bowlers think of it themselves. He gave the ball the Ntini and Nel when he could have given Kallis a bowl - Kallis (in the absence of Hall) is easily their best bowler at the death. He possesses a lethal in swinging yorker and is easily their most brainy cricketer in their team. And finally Smith was just playing catch up with Mohd. Ashraful during the slog overs. In the beginning of each over, Smith would bring the fine leg in. On the second or the third ball, Ashraful would scoop the ball over the fine leg's head for a four. Smith would change the field and send the fine leg back. The next over the fine leg would be back in the ring. This sequence went on incredibly for four overs !!!

And finally the predictions and wishes - I would like Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the West Indies in the semis (though I guess South Africa might still sneak in). The final wish is an Australia - New Zealand or an Australia Sri Lanka affair and of course Australia to win the cup undefeated.

My Experiments with Truth ... Cigarettes

Last week a colleague from office returned from a short trip abroad and bought a carton of Marlboro Lights for us in the office. I usually smoke Gold Flake (regular size) and have been told by a lot of my smoking friends that it is very difficult (and painful) to change over from your regular brand. So I took this opportunity to check out the other cigarette brands (I tried these brands over the last four days and followed (or preceded) by my regular brand to compare - all comparisons are vis-a-vis the Regular Gold Flake).

Marlboro Lights - I took two packs (of 20 sticks each) from my friend for my personal use. The cigarette is very dangerous in the sense that to regular smokers, it seems that you have not smoked anything even after smoking 4-5 together. Disappointed.

Philip Morris Menthol 100s - Worse than Marlboro - crap. The menthol flavor ruined whatever little taste of tobacco there was. And the longer length of the cigarette prolonged the misery. Pathetic.

Wills Silk Cut - Indian Marlboro Lights - slightly stronger than Marlboro Lights.

Wills Navy Cut - Much better - closer to the regular Gold Flake. I found it a little milder tough.

Classic Milds - Bad - worse than Silk Cut.

Ultra Milds - Worse than Classic Milds.

Gold Flake Kings - Tad milder than the regular one but far better than Milds. I found it a little more bitter compared to regular one.

Returning to the regular Gold Flake today in the morning was absolute bliss.

PS: There are some more brands available in the market prominent among them Insignia, Charms, Capstan and Scissors - would try them out soon.

Breaks (Brakes) at work?

A recent study suggested that smokers waste around 30 mins. in a day taking breaks to smoke while on work. I am a smoker and a heavy one at that - around 20 sticks per day and I am not going to claim that I don't take 30 mins. per day in breaks.

But one must realize that people take breaks to chat with friends and recharge their batteries. People usually take 3-5 breaks during a work day. Breaks reduce the monotony of jobs and help one gather his thoughts alone. In this day and age of desk jobs, breaks are a important source of physical activity - many doctors recommend taking a walk for about 2 minutes after every hour to prevent back aches and prevent stiffness. Breaks are also a time to socialize - catch up with colleagues in other departments who you don't get to interact on a daily basis. Its also a freedom from the vending machine coffee. Even on assembly lines where they have fixed shift timings, there are usually two breaks besides the lunch where tea / coffee and (or) snacks are served.

The bottom line is all employees need, and take breaks during work hours. Whether it is in the form of smoking, chatting or walking should not be of anyone else's concern as long as it does not affect their work or health - physical and mental.

Bandh

Today the Trinamool Congress, Congress and BJP in a rare moment of consensus have called for a Bandh. Essentially what it means is that no one would be allowed to work today from 6 in the morning till 6 in the evening.

This is the second bandh that I am witnessing in Calcutta in the last two and a half months I have been here. During the first bandh, the impact was only on me - my wife was in Bangalore. But this time around, I had some work. I went shopping yesterday.

I have never seen a market so empty at 7 in the evening - I have not seen many markets on 7 in the evening but still. The fish market was a misnomer. My wife got some fish in 10 mins flat. Next stop - vegetables - more crowd here but still done within 15 mins. Finally the milk booth. Got a liter of milk and we are back.

While shopping for vegetables a group of CPM party workers passed shouting down with Mamata and urging all the shop owners to open shops during the bandh. I could make out that they were saying that Mamata is making a big thing out of this and that she would not be paying these shopkeepers for the day - does the CPM give when they call a bandh. Yes they do. W. Bengal is a quaint place because the trade union backed by the ruling party also calls a bandh against the policies of the government!!!

Just like me, offices have also made provisions so that the effect of the bandh is minimal. Call centers have asked the employees not to go home and have provided free beds and food to the employees. IT companies too have booked rooms in the hotels nearby so that the workers can come to office and the business is unaffected. Many of my colleagues had stayed to with relatives near the office yesterday so that they can come to work today. CBSE has rescheduled class X exams in Bengal only so that the students are not put under extra pressure.

When I got up in the morning today, the roads were empty and my dogs loved because it seems that the street dogs too have participated in the bandh. There were many more people in the park than one usually sees on weekdays and the children had got up early to play.

Now to office - I was surprised to see autos plying - no taxis of course. It seem the auto driver's union is with CPM while the taxi drivers are with Mamata. Folks who drive to work wanted a bandh everyday as they came to office in record time. I walked to office today - four cigarettes and I am there :). I passed the post office on the way. The office was closed (of course - there is no way we would let go of an opportunity for not working even though my family has voted CPM for the last 30 years). But I could hear the sound of 'Kaise Katega har pal har pal har pal' ('How would this moment pass') playing loudly inside the building. Some poor chap had showed up for work today and was stuck with nothing else to do.

So who is affected by the bandh the most? Its mainly the daily wage earners, the shop keepers, the auto, taxi and rickshaw drivers who are the most affected. They don't get anything out of this. The last time I took a cab early in the morning. The cab driver told me what it is like in a bandh. Even if you do not agree to the reason for the bandh, you cannot ply on the roads as the mobs would damage the vehicle or worse even kill you. The police does not provide protection against the mob and most of the vehicles are off the road just as a preventive measure - so much for a free country.

The only saving grace is that tomorrow is a weekend so we are having and extended weekend today :)

No Onions Nor Garlic - Review

I read the review by Jai Arjun and was tempted to read the book. To be honest, I was sceptical in the initial pages thinking that the book would be too "Tamil" for my liking even though I have lived in Madras for four years and it is my mother tongue. But after the first chapter, the book you don't feel it.

The book shows the travails of a PhD student Sundar who also happens to be a Tam Bram. His mother tries to inculcate the ideal Tam Bram behavior in him but his father (who is a former Naxalite and a trade union leader) is completely opposed to Poonal (the sacred thread) and the associated Brahmin superiority.

During a play organized by his PhD guide Prof Ram who is the founder of TamBramAss (Tamil Brahmin Association), he falls in love with a Dalit girl Jiva. What follows is the side splitting comic interplay of caste, arranged marriage, love in the time of Mandal and college politics. Sundar is torn between his heart and the responsibilities as the leader of TamBramAss protesting against the unveiling of an Ambedkar Statue in the college.

Especially funny is the meeting of the parents of the Sundar and his would be which is likened to a football match with scores and all. The travel to a Jiva's village with his future bride and brother-in-law (Chunky) where Chunky gets drunk on half a pot of toddy and has to answer the call of nature during a village play. Sex is shown in typical Bollywood style - two birds meeting each other and the screen blurring. And the end is a satirical take on the typical Indian movie.

Rating - 8/10 - I would highly recommend it - especially if you have lived even one or two years of your youth in Chennai.

Sports and War

George Orwell likened sport to "war minus the shooting". He would be smiling when he sees the commitment of the players and the fans. They are ready to lose limbs just to be a part of the spectacle.

This is a repost - it was posted before my blogs were deleted on 02 Mar 2007

The advantages of being a Vegetarian

I am a vegetarian - well mostly.

I found its a non-violent way of leading life. Here is a chef's point of view.

This is a repost - it was posted before my blogs were deleted on 28 Feb 2007

Budget 2007

Happiness for my dogs.

But I am taxed or am I?

Life seems to be a zero sum game :)

This is a repost - it was posted before my blogs were deleted on 28 Feb 2007

Eat, drint and make merry

I have never been to a dance bar - so I don't know how it feels. Maybe like this.

This is a repost - it was posted before my blogs were deleted on 28 Feb 2007

Sins - Review

"Guilt is a rope that wears thin" - Ayn Rand

This almost entirely sums up the movie. Sins released in 2005 created a furore because of the depiction of an affair of a Catholic Priest. The movie though fleetingly, touches upon the fact that passions cannot be held ransom by rigid moral laws.

The plot is simple - William (Shiny Ahuja) is a pastor in Quilon, Kerala who meets Rosemary (Seema Rahmani) in a freak accident. Since Rosemary has to go to an exam urgently, William offers to give her a lift. Once she passes the exams and with some assistance from William, Rosemary gets into a nursing college. When she comes to thank him, they quickly become good friends. As the days go by, the friendship becomes more and more passionate and they end up making love. Devastated both of them seek atonement for their sins. They visit priests in other regions under changed identities and confess to their sins.

But after the period of penance / abstinence, they can't resist each other and a full blown relationship develops. They make excuses to meet each other and give in to their burning passions. As time passes, William is no more guilty of his conduct. He become more bold and almost publicly demands seeks Rosemary. To avoid losing his well paying job, he conjures up a scheme to ensure that society does not come in his way. He convinces Rosemary to marry Graham with the condition that they would be man and wife only on paper and he would have all the rights on Rosemary.

Vinod Pande (the director) unfortunately is trying to please too many people. He is torn between what he wants and what the audience supposedly want. He tries to please both and ends up with a mess. There too many love scenes that are neither aesthetic nor gel with the rest of the story. They just eat away screen time.

The saved time could have been used up to show the transition of William from a God fearing priest to a debauch hedonist. The way a man loses his guilt and gives up a celibate life for pleasure. A man torn between his job and his personal life - leading two lives - celebrating his freedom and constrained by his societal position at the same time. A man emboldened by ignorance of his actions by the society deciding to dictate the lives of others for his own pleasure.

Rosemary is given a raw deal. She is a puppet in the hands of William. Even when given a chance, she does not quite measure up. She shows her body more than her acting skills. There are lot of scenes where she could have done much better - especially when overcoming her guilt of making love to a priest, the guilt and the subsequent reconciliation with William.

The performances get louder and predictable as the movie progresses and it stumbles upon a very ordinary ending. The use of Malayalam to depict Kerala is jarring at best. Better would have been to shoot the movie in Malayalam, Hindi or English completely rather than trying to artificially prop up the image of the place. I don't know how many Fernandezes are there in Kerala. Rosemary and her mother look more Goan than Malyali - especially in the way they dress and the way they speak in English.

One final comment on the religious undertone of the movie - while the movie does touch upon the restrictions of a particular religion, it should not be construed to be derogating that religion. In fact William's religion actually restrains him from going all the way by retaining the last shred of guilt in him. He tries to talk to various priests to help him. The same story could have been depicted in any other religion as all the religions have some restrictions or the other on the personal lives of the priests. Christianity might have been chosen because of location (Kerala), the original screenplay or perhaps because the community is construed to be much less volatile compared to Hinduism and Islam (which actually seems to be the holy cow in India).

Ratings -
Shiny Ahuja - 6/10 - has put in a lot of effort but the fact that this was his first movies shows - there are scenes where a less hysterical performance would have done much better.
Seema Rahmani - 3/10 - wooden - someone with better acting abilities at the cost of reducing / eliminating nudity should have been chosen.
Overall - 4/10 - The film gives a feeling that much more could have been accomplished.

This is a repost - it was posted before my blogs were deleted on 27 Feb 2007