Meet Kuku...

Flute

Today, after a very long hiatus, I took the flute out and played the only set of notes that I can readily play. She, as expected, demanded that I give the new toy to her. I handed it over. She positioned it awkwardly in her lips and tried to imitate me. Then gave it back to me and signaled that I play again.

I did.

As the tune went past the first few notes, she started a sort of slow dance and continued on till the music ended. So far I haven't seen her dance like that - slowly, trying to maintain synchrony with the slow music. As she danced, she was nodding towards her mother with raised eyebrows as if to say that she appreciates the music and expecting the nod back in appreciation of it.

It was such a moment.

Murali

Murali has this to say about his ex-captain Arjuna Ranatunga...

Q: Who was the most influential person in your cricket career?
Murali: Arjuna as my first captain and he did a lot of things for me. During the difficult times in Australia he protected me a lot. If he had not be as strong as he was I may not have broken the record today.

[From cricinfo]

Arjuna will have tears in his eyes... He's earned it...

Osman Samiuddin

Even in a simple bulletin detailing out the day's events, Osman Samiuddin shows his class. One of the few good writers at Cricinfo and very few good ones around the world.

By the way, the breed of cricket writers is growing (and the good ones diminishing) at a rapid pace.

Laxman, then Ganguly

It should be Laxman, then Ganguly. Not the other way round like it is now.

Laxman is a better stroke player. Ganguly can shepherd the tail better.

So...

Update: Following my expert opnion, in the test match that is happening, Ganguly has been sent ahead of Tendulkar in the second innings.

BSNL

I did not pay the bill on time for BSNL last month. After a while, all outgoing calls were blocked. Talked to a few people around and they said it might be a big hassle to get things working again.

After some delay and worrying about the consequences, I thought of taking corrective action. As a start, I decided I will pay the bill. I went to the automated BSNL pay station and paid the bill.

Next day, was discussing with my wife on how to go about requesting that the facility be turned-on again. How can I bring things back to normal with our telephone. Etc, etc.

Lakshmi said she will just check anyway if we are able to make outgoing calls now. Only if we are not able to, we need to do something.

I laughed. We paid the bill last night. Do you really think there is some magical program that runs overnight and releases all lines checking if we have paid the bill. That too, when we have paid it this late?

She tried calling. And she got through.

Yes, BSNL.

Kirsten and Prasad

It is quite ironical that there is the possibility of Gary Kirsten and Venkatesh Prasad together being coaches for the Indian team in the near future.  Gary Kirsten was once Venkatesh Prasad's bunny (atleast according to Prasad) when the latter was one of India's top seamers.  :-)

Tata's 1 Lakh Car

The 1 Lakh Car had to create all this buzz. For a car maker, targeting the 2-Wheeler market in India must well and truly be a remarkable idea. The concept has a few other things going for it too. Like the "gearlessness" and supposed fuel-efficiency. All of this is pretty much in-sync with what the today's Indian Bajaj Scooter owner is looking for to upgrade to.

But, they say they have a "high-end" variant of this car with power windows. Who would want a "high-end" "cheap" car with power windows?

Restart...

I think it will feel good to be blogging again...

Kadavul Vandhirundhar

Indus Creations presents Kadavul Vandhirundhar...