World Cup News - I
So we spent quite some money and effort in getting the dish in place for the world cup. During all the confusion, I sometimes thought whether all this was worth it..

But now after the first match - its all different.

I could not have asked for more. Lara century, Klusener on the rampage, a nailbiting finish and a Windies victory! My predictions could all end up in a soup but I dont care as long as cricket is this entertaining!

Made my day!! Waiting for the Aussie - Pak clash!! :-)

Feeling sleepy though, so bye!

Andre.. Andre.. Andre..
On the topic of repartees and ripostes, heres what happened at the Australian Open last weekend.

Agassi reaches the podium to get the trophy after demolishing the German newbie. By now, it was no secret, that Agassi - by winning the Open, has won the bet he had earlier with Steffi. The bet was that Steffi should play the French Open mixed doubles if Agassi manages to emerge 4th time victor at Melbourne!

So Agassi did win it and along with it the bet!

During his speech at the podium, he thanked various people and finally remarked "I really dont know what more to say here"

Someone in the audience yells - "Lets talk about Steffi.."

Agassi looks over at that part of the crowd and shoots back - "Hey I dont talk about your wife, right?" (a brief pause) ".. atleast not as far as you know!"

:-)

Right and Wrong -Reloaded..
There is this common thread that never ceases to amaze me.

All beings in the universe (as far as I have seen) seem to have a sense of fairness (the sense that makes them distinguish good from bad, right from wrong).

Makes me think if all this is just a big game and the above is just one of the unwritten rules of the game - which we, as players, follow without realizing..

Predictions..
Here are some predictions for the cricket world cup that's starting soon..

* Australia will realize what it means to play a world cup without the Waughs!
* South Africa, Pakistan, India and Australia will make the semi-finals
* Pakistan will defeat India for the first time in World Cup history!
* South Africa will win the Cup!

Lets see how good I am at this..

Right and Wrong..
The following theory seems to be correct.. surprisingly...

The sense of "right" and "wrong" is absolute!

So let me accept this without much ado..

God..
The following theory should be wrong..

Uncertainity of future is the only thing that makes us assume the existence of a supernatural force (sometimes called GOD!)..
If, in the course of evolution, Man progresses to a state where he can accurately determine future, he wont need the assumption of GOD..

I need time to think and explain why this should be wrong.. And I dont seem to have that!

Anybody's guess?
My English is bad..

Does "anybody's guess" mean something thats an easy guess or something that is so unpredictable that no one can guess??

Modern Panchatantra

(Imagining a situation when I am left alone in the company of a goat and I have nothing to do. The goat, interestingly can talk, and that makes me curious. The following is an excerpt from one of the conversations that I had with the goat)

Goat: Let me ask you something. Do you think you are superior to me in anyway? “Superior” – within quotes, like mini me does in Austin Powers!

Me: Oh yeah I do! But very well, after you mentioned you are fan of Austin Powers, I may have to rethink the whole thing. *sheepish grin*

Goat: Now you thought that was funny? Can I ask you why exactly do you think you are superior?

Me: Well if you are giving me a choice there, I would opt for you not asking! I am not really looking forward to an intellectual argument with – of all things in this far and wide world – a GOAT!

Goat: Don’t ever dare you say that, dimwit! You don’t think you have two horns extra, do you? For the fact of it, I do! *proud laughter – something that goes muhaahaahaahaa*

Me: Aargh! I never imagined a goat could laugh that way. Or for that matter any way!

Goat: And before you skip the point, and this time I don’t give you a choice – c’mon tell me what makes you superior?

Me: You know something – now this is so ridiculous! I mean, I don’t understand why I have to answer this!

Goat: I will probably explain why at the end of it all, but first answer me – you Bozo!

Me: *frustrated and helpless* Well then, if that is what it is, let me try some inspired guessing. Goatie, you can’t drive a car and I can! Simple eh?

Goat: Duh – and you talk about training! Has anyone ever tried training me to drive a car? Try doing that and I bet I will learn quicker than you! Not to mention the bribe you gave to that officer to get your license *blurp!*

Me: Now look here! I know I am throwing arrows in the dark. But do you really think we have something to debate here? I mean this is so outrageously obvious!

Goat: I don’t think so! So better get serious on this!

Me: Okay then! * a brief pause for some gasping * Now this is serious! I mean, serious trouble!!

Me(again): I can sum up a huge list of numbers and tell you what the total is – atleast approximately – if you know what I mean! Believe me, I have never seen a goat do that! Uh!! * sense of relief *

Goat: Same thing again. Teach me how numbers work and what you mean by “summing” them up and I will do the total for you! Accurately, for that matter!

Me: Hmm.. playing smart eh? Don’t know anything and blame it all on me? Am I committed to be some kinda life long coach for ya? I have other things, you bet!!

Goat: Now gimme a break! I thought we were debating this on paper! I ask you – theoretically – what is it that makes you superior than me? See if you can answer that! Don’t complain on training issues – and by the way, I can find better trainers than you – if at all I choose to get trained! * evil grin *

(And as the argument reaches fever pitch one Mr. Alan Turing passes by the wayside! Being the eternal supporter of the human race, he inquires me what’s the trouble! I cry out the whole thing to that guy. He smiles gracefully (though I didn’t seem to like it) and whispers a solution in my ears. And here I go.. )

Me: Ok you goatie demon! If you think it is all about training and experience, let me tell you this! If you and I were born at the same time; And if you and I were given similar training to walk talk and do things; And if you and I – after sufficient training – were presented with a maze which we had to solve; And if that maze was an impossible maze – in the sense that it did not have a solution – and we were never told that; I claim that after sometime, I will come out with a decision and announce in all glory that this maze cannot be solved; While you will still be trying to solve the impossible maze!!

* punching my fist and hugging Alan Turing *

Goat: * In deep thought *

Law of conservation of wealth?
Wealth can neither be created nor be destroyed. It can only be transferred from one container to another..

Is this true?

Dynamite..
Thats Virender Sehwag.. He lives by the following simple principles..

- Batting is about making runs.. no matter what situation you are in..
- A ball from a great bowler is same as any other ball..
- When you hit, hit hard..
- What happened last ball has zero significance..

With these basic principles, he goes in, stands and delivers..

My new hero..