Thursday turgidity

It's the first half of the thursday and things are going pretty slow. I am feeling lethargic and I don't want to move my feet. Everything has been still, my hands, my legs my body. I just feel a niggle in my shoulder and knee muscles. Reason for that is I don't do stretching nor work out nor yoga nor gym. You sleep a little more than usual in winter and last night I slept little lesser than usual. For 7 hours only. I think that could be the reason for this hyper inactivity. So to get rid of it I thought I should go to the restroom and unload. I've done that. While on my way back to my seat I spoke to one of my friends as well for 5 minutes thinking that would change the things when I get back to my chair. It did infact. I am moving my hands now so I am able to type.

I did not even take off my black jerkin and black shawl after coming to the office. I am snuggling under the warmth of these two apparels. I took off my black cap and now I am putting it back so passers by cannot see my drowsy eyes. Warmth under my cap as well now. Cricinfo doesn't have new articles today. Feel like closing my eyes, with hands on the key board with heading drooping a little, reclining in the chair and staring into the monitor so no one could doubt that I am sleeping. If someone disturbs me now, the look would probably be like - movie Dons sitting in their King's chair, would glare their accomplices when they say, "Sir today we could snatch two duplicate gold chains, three antique mobile phones and few wallets which contain only photos of their kids, girl friends and visting cards of junk people tightly stuffed in them".

I saw John Rambo last night. I was duped by the reviews, umpteenth time, which said nothing short of tremendous. I am not saying the movie was horrendous. It lacked those actions scenes. The movie was over quite fast as if you were watching a short film. It doesn't have a new story line. It was just a 75 minute movie. I paid 150 Rupees for the show. So it costed me 2 Rs a minute if I work on the math now. The movie is definitely not worth that. But for those who want to see Sly, this is one more opportunity before he hangs up his boots. John Rambo hasn't performed enough action, the shooting - duh-duh-duh -, the rocket launchers, the jumping, the running, in this movie is not much, which will disappoint the fans. We know that he acted to his age. But we are used to seeing movies where the Hero - who is supposedly immortal as long as he is on the silver screen - can kill even every cat and pigeon in the village when he is enraged, who can break a bullet while its travelling at light speed by throwing his knife, where by the bullet breaks into two pieces and kills two persons standing on either side of the river, who with a slight tap on his right thigh makes the trains stop and clouds thunder. No joke. So we want that sort of action man...I guess fans abroad are not as passionate as we are. Come on man, this is no good. Take assistance from our desi stunt directors, dear Sly. There is one line just before the interval which I liked. Pointing his arrow, arrow point on the forehand of the captain of a troop, who refused to co-operate Rambo for exterminating the anti social activists, he delivers a killer punchline which says, Live for nothing or die for something.

King Roger dethroned by Novak Djokovic

What a great day for tennis this has been ! Can't get any better than this. Absolutely riveting stuff from a 20 year old guy, from Serbia, called Novak Djokovic. Mens tennis has been turning out to be monotonous year after year, and people were waiting for a God made person if ever existing in this world who could defeat Roger 'The Majestic' Federer in a Grandslam tournament. And today has been the day. Novak, nick named, Nole, has derailed Fed express in straight sets 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 in the Australian open semi-final of 2008. I was turning sick of hearing the news, slam after slam, that the Magician has been taking to task all the players in the mens tennis circuit. Boy, they experienced consecutive loses like 7-0, 8-0, 10-0 to Fed ex and imagine what would be the confidence of the opponents, when they go for the battle. They would have half lost the battle in the locker room itself. And if there had been any sort of belief that they could snatch a set from the King, it would have been snuffed out, like how you flake out a cigarette stub, crushing under your feet. But today hasn't been the way and people were anticipating this defeat for quite sometime now.

Novak had his chances in the US open final of 2007 in the first couple of sets against Roger and he could not seal the deal. He was magnificent in that match. This evening has been special to the world of tennis. Novak has knocked down Federer this evening and players start really believing now that they can topple Federer any day. It's as if the whole of mens tennis wants Federer to be dethroned of his number one spot, except for his girl friend Mirka. All would breathe a huge sigh of relief that it's not the eternal champion who would be playing in the finals yet again, with a gracious smile and modest raise of the hand after victory.

We wont be hearing that mellifluous talk thanking all the balls boys to the lines men to the sponsors after the final. That has been the routine for the past 4 years now and I hope it's not anymore. Novak and Tsonga, who are the finalists in this Australian open final are not quiet personalities. They would go for their shots and it's a ripping final on the cards. They are chest thumping people and it would be absolutely dramatic to watch them. The two most deserved contestants are playing for the title on Sunday at the Rod Laver arena.

I had been watching tennis for 16 years now whenever I can, especially the Wimbledon and Goran Ivanisevic has been my all time favourite. That's no secret. The man from Croatia is my man on any day. A great character is Goran. I am not supporting Novak as I did support Goran in my heydays, but Novak is one player that I would be supporting every Grandslam. A bright talent is Novak. A great impersonator is Novak. A super character is Novak. I still have his videos to the right side bar of this blog's homepage supporting him. Eventually he has made the tennis world proud, all the Serbians proud, and his fans immensely proud.

There is a sign board in Wimbledon lawns saying, God made Roger Federer. Roger has bailed himself out of trouble at crucial junctures in many matches, with his much improved serve, taming the opponents and coming up with terrific passing shots. Today the script has been different. With what tactics and determination Roger steps onto the next Grandslam tournament would be fascinating stuff for a tennis lover. He is hurt and he keeps this loss in the back of his mind for an eternity and yet he keeps smiling, as if nothing has happened. He might stitch the critics mouth with every title he claims from now on. We all know how dangerous can be a wounded tiger.

Next step for Novak is to dethrone Roger from his make shift home like tournament, at the Wimbledon lawns. He should definitely have his sights over it. He can be supremely confident of his ability now. Novak Djokovic has got all the potential to become the number one in the mens circuit. He has changed the script today from the start. Desperate prayers by people who want to see a new Grandslam winner have been answered. A new champion has been produced. Celebrations are here to be continued. Roger has been the new King after defeating Pete Sampras at the Wimbledon lawns. Novak has to give it back to the King what the King has given to Pistol Pete. And what better venue for the vengeance than the Wimbledon lawns. Novak is the youngest player to make it to all the four grandslam semi-finals consecutively. If his Grandslam semi-final consistency is anything to go by, there would be a repeat of todays clash in London, but on a different surface. Can Novak make the wounded tiger eat it's own grass at it's own backyard like tournament? The answer is a resounding yes. Because, God also made Novak Djokovic !

Eking life

It's not even a month since the new year started and I am quite early into my cribbing ways. But again, this text pad, I mean blogging, is one wonderful medium to vent your spleen. Few might look for comments on their posts and few write for their own sake. I think I am preferring the latter now. Also I am enjoying the sadistic pleasure of moderating my comments. So this moderation eliminates Anonymous posters out of the equation. Why people moderate their comments is one debatable topic and I am not going to bang my head over it. Protecting your blog from spammers is one genuine reason for comments moderation.

With the ongoing Test series and Australian open going all round the day, I think I would be occupied with one thing or the other while I go home. This weekend will put an end to both the contests and shall find alternatives to kick start things. Try searching for an apartment so that we can move sometime next month. That's only a plan, let's see how it pans. Atleast an apartment does give us a chance to eat home made food and not worry about our intestines and problems that might arise later in life, for eating outside food.

For those one or two readers existing in this world, reading my posts sincerely, my thanks, sincerely again. I was reading Ana Ivanovic's blog yesterday. Quite an old blog of hers. Latest happenings can be found in her website. I did not check her site yet, so I did not put the link. She is the Australian open finalist this year. Considering the form Maria Sharapova is in, she might thrash Ana this year. But I am getting fascinated by Ana's charm and the gorgeous smile she flashes on the screen. It looks very genuine and she is one good character in the womens circuit. Captivating is the word. One website even went further and said, she can be the brand ambassador for the United Nations, for her globally accepted features. She does not put on make up while she is playing. Then I wondered, do women put make up even while playing? That is the reason why cosmetics are expensive ( presuming ) . She is neither a blonde girl nor a bond girl. But she is my current interest now. Should Novak Djokovic derail Fed express in men's semi final, I am not far away from my next post.

Back to work

I am back to work after Pongal vacation. It's also called Sankranthi or Makara Sankranthi. Good thing about this harvest festival is, we get to eat feast on couple of my favourite dishes. The telugu menu in our house is called" bobbatlu and pulihora" . That' s what I've got used to eating on this eve, the traditional stuff you can call it on our side, since childhood. This is the first festival of the year and it's a nice festival for people to get together. Ofcourse we do that whenever possible. But more so, younger lot will find this occasion the next sought after, after Diwali. Seeing a movie is a must for many families on this day and when all your relatives are living in one city, and if you all can get together for the evening then there is no better way to relax than to rush to a movie for a late night show, whatever be the casting at whatever ticket price.

So my prayers were answered by the air hostess in the flight. I was given a feedback form about their flight, during my onward journey. Make no mistake, only me. Or atleast I haven't seen her giving a feedback form to anyone else. Big deal eh? Not really. I am just trying to say air hostesses are also human just as everyone. I noticed that people got used to flying so frequently in India that, they do think twice to approach air hostess for any assistance. Few airline carrier air hostesses do walk in air even while flying at 30,000 feet. So at any given point of time they are always couple of feet over the public. During my return journey our flight was delayed due to a computer display glitch. I was seated in the second row and I saw both the captains coming out of the cock pit allowing the maintenance staff to get the problem fixed. The Captain, the senior fellow, wasted no time in wooing the cabin crew. It was pretty obvious that he was trying for the head of the cabin crew. I was taken aback at his leniency while talking to her.He was a foreigner and I overheard him saying, I've been flying for 27 years. And this poor girl has no other go but to talk to him and if interested, commit to him. Women wont be left alone even at such heights. They can take men to such unreached heights and quickly ground them with minimum fuss.

I also happened to visit one of my friends wedding, at Vizianagaram, which was also my birth place. I took few pictures there. This is the clock tower of that town. The Big Ben of Vizianagaram. The hospital and the house where this insanely poised beautifully wise blogger was born were still intact. My favourite Ram - Lakshman temple in that town, which is few metres away from where we lived is still present. We used to come to this town and celebrate festivals whenever we can, with our grandparents. The experience was nostalgic as usual.

The holiday hangover is finally over which began at the start of this year. Now I've got something to work and this month end is the first deadline. It's also time for me to learn something and get moving. Australian open has begun in Melbourne. India has begin it's third test match at Perth, to stop the Aussie juggernaut from attaining their 17th consecutive test match victory, with a jittery start. And I am here raising my head over the monitor, staring at one corner of my cubicle corner to give a quick deep thought of what could possibly happen this year from January to December, which I am looking forward to with some interest. Bill Lawry says, It's all happening.

Frequent flyer

There was an astrologer who said, that I would be flying Del - Hyd, back and forth like a pigeon. Sounds ridiculous that I believe an astrologer. No I don't. Ok. Let me put
'we' into the scenario so that I don't have to be the only scapegoat who believes in astrology. We are ashamed to accept the fact that we believe in astrology. We like to say sometimes yes, and sometimes no. Smarter people believe only the good things that's said by astrologers. But in the past 4 months I've flown home 3 times. May be he was right.

And today, I was listening to TZP songs. Monday is our festival, Pongal. Song has nice music, especially the guitar. I thought, why don't I just check the airfare, anyhow I am not going to fly. If I like a song, I think I listen to it like 10 times the first time without following the lyrics. Makemytrip is using most of my plastic money. I was entering debit card number in place of my credit card and was beginning to get rattled. So I checked the airfare and to my surprise, it was couple of hundreds cheaper as compared to my last week's trip. The circled dots at the top corner of Mozilla are rotating, not fast enough and I get a message that the bank has declined my transaction. WTF. I decided to go home at the spur of the moment. Monday is a holiday. If I take a leave on Tuesday, I have three days. Airfares were affordable, but not the taxes. I don't care at this point of my life. I have my credit card in my wallet fortunately. So why the hesitation? I am just a click away from being home which is 1500 kms. I am leaving to Hyd tomorrow early morning . Alternate sentences would make better sense in this paragraph. I wrote as if I was directing a movie. Show a present scene and a future scene. Whack. I am gone.

So here I am now with my tickets done and sitting prettily to give a surprise visit to my mom. It's good once a while to throw these surprises. Pleasant ones I mean. Not something like, your house owner sends you a notice to vacate your house in one week's time, after you just returned from a splendid vacation. That's not on.

I don't claim that I am a frequent flyer. But still, this frequency of flying is frequent for me. Also, I am missing no chance left unused to go home. That's one advantage having good connectivity to your city. Whatever be the mode of transportation. I am making most here. I may not be visiting as frequently as I am doing now, probably few years down the lane. Importantly you do most of the things to bring a glee on other's face. If they remember or not, we are not bothered about that.

Ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seat belts. Put your seat upright. Please turn off all your electronic equipment. Incase the cabin pressure drops, oxygen masks drop automatically. Pull them closer and cover your nose with them. Incase the flight lands in water, life vests are located under your seat. Blow air into them and wear it. Tighten it. Then help your neighbour. I am coming baby. Please help me.

Happy New Year

Yeah, a delayed and subdued new year wishes to all my readers, fans, foes and friends. I was never a party freak especially on 31st night. The same happened this year as well. And whatz worse, I was on my way travelling from one city to another. My friends ask me, the inevitable question - What did you do on new year ? I was travelling. Travelling? Oh, so your 31st night was wasted ha? As if they had a blast of an eve with Monica Belluci or Carmen Electra. Half the people get excited to do something on 31st night and fall down even before dusk sets in. Remaining 25 % will go a little further and enquires about the night club tariff's only to say, whatsa big deal in that special guest to throw such a hefty price ? And they drop. Remaining 20% do plan something and return rather unsatisfactorily to their homes, citing - oh too much crowd ya. It was chaotic. I din't expect that there would be so many people you know? What did you think? You and your darling would be given a five star treatment with acres of space in front of you to play golf? The last 5% are the ones who really have a blast of a time and make their 31st night to be memorable ushering into the new year. Cheapest, simplest and the widely observed phenomenon - go to your friend's place, have a get together, scream your lungs out, disturb your neighbours, call your ex-flings to patch up relationships and back on the bed at say, around 2 am.

To me specifically, this year is more important than one reason. 1. I made two new year resolutions. 2. I don't want to break my first statement. One resolution of mine was to have a hair cut. And yes, I did it. My heart dint ache as I thought. I'm back to my school boy, student looks now. A relief for many. My mom was very relieved to see my long locks off. Boy she had one of those beaming smiles, for my hair cut, which I've seen after quite some time. Colleagues in my office also appreciated the change. They were more inquisitive as to why I got rid off them. Few people said, I am looking smart. Wink. Beyond everyone else, I am liking it and probably looking couple of years younger for sure. One resolution is achieved. Well begun is half done. Don't take a guess at my second resolution. Washing my faded jeans? No, not that. I for one, don't believe in new year resolutions. This is the first time I am adopting, the simplest ones.

It's only today I gathered some energy and in a position to type without feeling any strain. This damn first week of 2008 was a bad start to my health. Was on bed four days flat with flu. Low food intake. So the week long holiday that I took, was spent on my bed in my home rather than going anywhere out. Today I'm able to see what is what. I am recovering. Daddy says, take pills regularly. I say, too many pills is never a thrill. I don't like taking pills. I am recovering little faster because of pills. Okay. I don't like taking bitter pills.