I have been playing "The Rise of Nations" for about a month or two, and have not exceeded the amateur level yet. Slow with my moves, and inept with my strategy - I often end up on the loosing side. I embarass my team-mate in a multiplayer game, and it is a gross mismatch of the capabilities of an amateur versus professionals. And what has been my reaction - stay away from the game, and concentrate on other things in life.
Cricket however presents a different outlook. March 17, 2007 will go down as one of the watershed moments in the history of the game. Minnows as they are called, Bangladesh and Ireland have conquered many a mountains by defeating India and Pakistan respectively in the World Cup. India still have hopes, there is a possibility of qualification for the next stage. However Pakistan have been eliminated, with consequtive defeats from the West Indies and now, Ireland.
There was a common theme to both the games, brilliant bowling from the victors, and listless batting from the vanquished. Agreed, the conditions for the Pakistan-Ireland game were favouring bowlers, but Pakistan had enough of firepower of their own to combat the elements, and the opposition. India were facing an ever improving Mortaza, and this was a day when he would have made the likes of McGrath and Pollock proud. India could have made a match of the abysmal total that they put up, but a bunch of Bangladeshi youngsters aged 17, 18, and 19 showed that battles can be won on the basis of committment and application, and not ONLY on reputation and experience.
I happen to be an Indian, but strangely - this loss has not hurt me a lot. That is because over the years I have learnt to appreciate the game, much more than the players. Bangladesh have arrived, and this World Cup they are a lot more prepared than any previous editions of the tournament. Fit and capable players, they showed their mettle by defeating New Zealand in the practice game. India lost to them not just because of its own wayward players, but because Bangladesh dished out high quality cricket. Ireland are just about as new as it gets. With a history of 8 ODIs prior to this game with Pakistan - they probably just hoped to remain competent. However even they gave a glimpse of their prowress in their practice gam, they had South Africa 98 for 8, and tied with Zimbabwe in their first World Cup game. They had lost close matches in the associate nations tournament - and their players are very capable as proved in this game.
I have learnt a lesson in this process - cultivating hope and aspirations while building up capabilities has to mesh with hardwork and effort. And only then will one emerge as a victor. It was a priviledg to witness the victories of Bangladesh and Ireland, as they are today's real life example of the Rise of Nations.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Thursday, March 15, 2007
A tribute to The Better Half of my life
It is just about the right time when I should introduce my adorable sweetheart to my blog. Welcome Lopa, and have a memorable birthday in recent times :-). It has been quite some time since I wanted to jot down a write up about you, but like all good things in life, I guess it all boils down to the timing of events. And what better time than your birthday when you are among your sisters. I wish I could be with you on this occasion, however I will have to manage with listening to your voice only.
The phrase "better half" does not do justice to the extent of influence you have in my life. Much as clay is useless unless moulded into suitable shapes, I wasn't half the man I am without you in my life. This isn't exaggeration - the very fact that I have been able to do my MBA is ONLY because of your motivation. With the best of my efforts, I was not being able to convert anything. My parents, especially my father, always dreamt of big things for me - and I was not doing full justice to their ambitions. Pop you came - and the next thing I know is I had converted my CAT exam finally.
But hang on, this is not just about you motivating me for my career aspirations - this is about your special presence in my life. You were this simple smart girl who had just about all the good qualities one could ever imagine - and the typical flirt that I was, I still could not urge myself to flirt with you. I always thought that would be bad - you earned my respect from the early days itself. And it was not just me who thought it this way - it was the entire department.
Therefore it was an honour when you agreed to come to be the love of my life, it started with adulation and awe - you were this special girl, a diva in her own sense - and I was the idiot who could not possibly get any more lucky. As days passed by, I came to know you more. At times you are like a kid, and I am amazed at the innocence you reflect. And at times you are this over excited girl who loves shopping for her wardrobe! To complement all this, you have shown more maturity than I could anticipate, and have been very adjusting even when I behaved like a jerk.
I feel sorry for myself, how could I possibly hurt you over petty matters? I guess I get insecure - you are too precious for me to loose. But I realize I disguise my jealousy into insecurity and I turn irritable. A bit of jealousy is all right - I will always find other men mean ;-), but I have learnt not to cross your tolerance limits.
The catch is - I was attracted to you because you were this special human being, who has never been on the wrong side of things - ever. Perfection is no more a dream when I think about you - and it makes all other things so very insignificant.
By the way - you have the best dressing sense among ALL the women I have ever seen, and you carry yourself amazingly well in ALL possible occasions. Dearest Lopa - I love you like I never have, you are the prettiest woman in this world, and I adore your persona and your style! Happy Birthday once again :)
P.S - How much over I tried, the date of the post remained 15th of March, but it is already 16th out here in Singapore, and it is today that I posted this. But Blogger follows U.S timings, which means the post seems to be posted on 15th :(
The phrase "better half" does not do justice to the extent of influence you have in my life. Much as clay is useless unless moulded into suitable shapes, I wasn't half the man I am without you in my life. This isn't exaggeration - the very fact that I have been able to do my MBA is ONLY because of your motivation. With the best of my efforts, I was not being able to convert anything. My parents, especially my father, always dreamt of big things for me - and I was not doing full justice to their ambitions. Pop you came - and the next thing I know is I had converted my CAT exam finally.
But hang on, this is not just about you motivating me for my career aspirations - this is about your special presence in my life. You were this simple smart girl who had just about all the good qualities one could ever imagine - and the typical flirt that I was, I still could not urge myself to flirt with you. I always thought that would be bad - you earned my respect from the early days itself. And it was not just me who thought it this way - it was the entire department.
Therefore it was an honour when you agreed to come to be the love of my life, it started with adulation and awe - you were this special girl, a diva in her own sense - and I was the idiot who could not possibly get any more lucky. As days passed by, I came to know you more. At times you are like a kid, and I am amazed at the innocence you reflect. And at times you are this over excited girl who loves shopping for her wardrobe! To complement all this, you have shown more maturity than I could anticipate, and have been very adjusting even when I behaved like a jerk.
I feel sorry for myself, how could I possibly hurt you over petty matters? I guess I get insecure - you are too precious for me to loose. But I realize I disguise my jealousy into insecurity and I turn irritable. A bit of jealousy is all right - I will always find other men mean ;-), but I have learnt not to cross your tolerance limits.
The catch is - I was attracted to you because you were this special human being, who has never been on the wrong side of things - ever. Perfection is no more a dream when I think about you - and it makes all other things so very insignificant.
By the way - you have the best dressing sense among ALL the women I have ever seen, and you carry yourself amazingly well in ALL possible occasions. Dearest Lopa - I love you like I never have, you are the prettiest woman in this world, and I adore your persona and your style! Happy Birthday once again :)
P.S - How much over I tried, the date of the post remained 15th of March, but it is already 16th out here in Singapore, and it is today that I posted this. But Blogger follows U.S timings, which means the post seems to be posted on 15th :(
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Tremors
Things have changed significantly for me over the past 24 hours or so. I finally got placed - after getting rejections for Mindtree, Cognizant, TCS, Zensar, Patni, and Frost & Sullivan. I was selected for the next round of Kanbay, but HCL Technologies offered me a job. And it came when I was not expecting it at all. The interview for HCL was one of the worst that I have given in recent times, not because I could not answer the questions asked - but because I was given a very rude treatment from the interviewer. It was probably a stress interview of sorts, and I did all but hit the man in front of me. But all's well that ends well - and I am mighty relieved!
This morning Mother Nature seemed to share my happiness with the entire world. Already there have been two significant tremors felt at Singapore. I live in the 6th floor and it did cause a fair bit of anxiety all around. One almost felt like being given slight push in the cradle, or it was like slight waves rocking a tiny paper boat in a placid pool of water, or like the feeling one gets when the swing is just about to stop - you sway in a gentle motion. So much so for an earthquake - life is rocking literally!
This morning Mother Nature seemed to share my happiness with the entire world. Already there have been two significant tremors felt at Singapore. I live in the 6th floor and it did cause a fair bit of anxiety all around. One almost felt like being given slight push in the cradle, or it was like slight waves rocking a tiny paper boat in a placid pool of water, or like the feeling one gets when the swing is just about to stop - you sway in a gentle motion. So much so for an earthquake - life is rocking literally!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)