Check out this home-video made by a few mallu varsity guys here in ZA...
...its a rip-off a local show where the celeb presenter helps out his fans through his influence... he ends off Jerry Springer-style with wise words of wisdom... Hilarious stuff (for the rest of the audience).
The video has become quite a hit amongst us Gen-Y mallus in ZA.
Traces have started to form... these are the first few strokes.
Mar 30, 2007
Mar 29, 2007
My CWC has started... again!
The first couple of weeks of the CWC is over. Just when you're thinking the tournament is over (cause your favouritest team fails dismally in the first round), few tight matches between teams made up of players vying for their moment of fame on an oval stadium.
(read: not superheros - just players passionate about making a difference)
The Aus-SA match last weekend was turning into a classic encounter before those external forces (luck, weather, luck) changed the match into a rather tame encounter. I was fortunate enough to catch the action in a customised home entertainment centre at an acquaintance's abode. The feeling of being at the stadium during the run-chase was just exhilirating. The opening batsmen for SA played like real heros, made the Aussies look like Bangladeshi's for the first half of the game. With a bit of luck, perhaps the game would have swung the other way. Luckily, it was just a 'friendly' encounter, nothing lost as yet from both sides. But that run chase!? Wow - reminded me of the young pair from India in that Natwest Series final in England.
The SL-SA match yesterday was another special encounter. Lasith's last couple of overs were just exceptional. That ball after the 4th wicket must have missed the stumps by a molecule...
I hear the BCCI is planning a post-mortem on their team to the WC. I think the board should seriously think about bringing in young fielders into the team who can carry the bat and can bowl their hearts out. Team India needs youth, a risk-loving captain, passionate players, and one exceptional bowler.
Movies to catch if you're not entertained enough...
1. The prestige - well-scripted, performace-driven movie from the director that gave us Memento. Excellent cast, great art word. Brilliant story. Must see. Caution: requires concentration till the very end!
2. Salaam-e-ishq - yeah, yeah, say wot you want... This typical Bollywood movie was going strong till the 2nd half (is this a typical Indian thing...? Half-jobs..? Hmm...). The sequences between the couples were well interleaved. The 1st half was never dragging. Maybe it was a mood thing..?
3. The last king of Scotland - haven't finished it off yet, but its looking very good. The editing is quite slick - esp. when we see the close-up introduction of Idi Amin for the first time (with his both hands raised in the air).
4. Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd - Watch it if you're in one of those moods were anything slap-stick goes. Highlights include the spectacular scenery of Goa, the welcome change from your typical Bollywood movie, some humorous scenes, and Kay Kay Menon... Oh, almost forgot - the songs from Vishal & Shekher...
5. Prison Break Series 2 - Got the whole of the series till episode 18. It drags a bit in the middle, but finale looks pretty enticing (haven't reached there yet).
6. Udayon - Malayalam film's superhero Mohanlal in another time-pass double role. Jagathi was klassik as the grave-digging half-brother. He had some really klassic dialogues - "Yeda, mulberry monee..."
(read: not superheros - just players passionate about making a difference)
The Aus-SA match last weekend was turning into a classic encounter before those external forces (luck, weather, luck) changed the match into a rather tame encounter. I was fortunate enough to catch the action in a customised home entertainment centre at an acquaintance's abode. The feeling of being at the stadium during the run-chase was just exhilirating. The opening batsmen for SA played like real heros, made the Aussies look like Bangladeshi's for the first half of the game. With a bit of luck, perhaps the game would have swung the other way. Luckily, it was just a 'friendly' encounter, nothing lost as yet from both sides. But that run chase!? Wow - reminded me of the young pair from India in that Natwest Series final in England.
The SL-SA match yesterday was another special encounter. Lasith's last couple of overs were just exceptional. That ball after the 4th wicket must have missed the stumps by a molecule...
I hear the BCCI is planning a post-mortem on their team to the WC. I think the board should seriously think about bringing in young fielders into the team who can carry the bat and can bowl their hearts out. Team India needs youth, a risk-loving captain, passionate players, and one exceptional bowler.
Movies to catch if you're not entertained enough...
1. The prestige - well-scripted, performace-driven movie from the director that gave us Memento. Excellent cast, great art word. Brilliant story. Must see. Caution: requires concentration till the very end!
2. Salaam-e-ishq - yeah, yeah, say wot you want... This typical Bollywood movie was going strong till the 2nd half (is this a typical Indian thing...? Half-jobs..? Hmm...). The sequences between the couples were well interleaved. The 1st half was never dragging. Maybe it was a mood thing..?
3. The last king of Scotland - haven't finished it off yet, but its looking very good. The editing is quite slick - esp. when we see the close-up introduction of Idi Amin for the first time (with his both hands raised in the air).
4. Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd - Watch it if you're in one of those moods were anything slap-stick goes. Highlights include the spectacular scenery of Goa, the welcome change from your typical Bollywood movie, some humorous scenes, and Kay Kay Menon... Oh, almost forgot - the songs from Vishal & Shekher...
5. Prison Break Series 2 - Got the whole of the series till episode 18. It drags a bit in the middle, but finale looks pretty enticing (haven't reached there yet).
6. Udayon - Malayalam film's superhero Mohanlal in another time-pass double role. Jagathi was klassik as the grave-digging half-brother. He had some really klassic dialogues - "Yeda, mulberry monee..."
Mar 26, 2007
Moneyweb's car depreciation table
Its out... Moneyweb's car depreciation table.
Check it and weep! :(
(i'm off course referring to all the SA readers out there... i'm off to buy a Tazz... at least there's something to be made out of it....)
Check it and weep! :(
(i'm off course referring to all the SA readers out there... i'm off to buy a Tazz... at least there's something to be made out of it....)
Mar 22, 2007
The cricket world cup... too much passion?
The cricket world cup in the carribean started with great pomp and splendor. I managed to catch pics of the opening ceremony. The West Indian people were all smiles and the tourists peppered throughtout the pictures had wide smiles that spoke lots in anticipation of the biggest tournament in the game.
Almost 2 weeks later, and I'm not sure whether I want to see the outcome. How the gentleman's game has been reduced to a political powerplay where money, corporates and bookies have their say in ensuring an outcome. The poor players and coaches in the middle bear the brunt of the struggle. I am off course alluding to the sad state of cricket that could have lent a hand in the demise of one of the better coaches in the sport.
Disbelief was probably the first emotion that went through me when I read the news on my mobile. I was really hoping Bob Woolmer would one day coach India - and transform the team into a group of gentlemen passionate and disciplined enough to lead the game into new territory (the same way I saw him contribute to South Africa's cricket team).
I've always been a fan of Pakistani cricket. The team is (cliche driven - please excuse) definitely one of the unpredictible teams in world cricket. Good enough to beat any team given the immense skill and talent in the team. Inzi's walk back to the dressing room after going out to Zimbabwe in the last Pakistani game was very moving as he walked past the applause from his teammates and the opposition. I wonder if his tears were from relief...
There's now much speculation that team India's early exit from the tournament could cost a lot of people billions. WTF??!! How does a sport progress if there is influence from all sides... Is the sport being reduced to theatre..? If India does make it against Sri Lanka, how can I, and the millions of other able supporters be sure it wasn't influenced? If they lose, would it lead to burning of effigies and stoning of buildings (ala Dhoni)?
Perhaps all sport passionate nations have these pressures, like the South American teams and their football. Feulling passions is what sport is all about. But controlling it before it reaches dangerous levels is something administrators, councils and sport bodies should seriously concentrate on.
On a lighter note, I was fortunate to watch Herchelle Gibbs' 36 run over live. The newspapers here were filled with pics of his spectacular heriocs. One even asked that he run for president...
Talking about SA politics, here's a cartoon from Madam & Eve... The cartoonists are geniuses...
For the non-SA's out there, the health minister was recently in hospital for some serious surgery (not sure what, the media have kept it under wraps). The National AIDS council chairperson was the one and only JZ (Zuma). And the police commisioner has been recently speculated to have links with the mafia.
Aaah.. only in SA..
Mar 5, 2007
Feb 21, 2007
Its MADAGASCAR, my monochromatic friend...
A while back, after some carefree surfing, I came across a tag on a fellow blogger's recent posts that questioned his/her surroundings at the moment (wotz on ur desk?, what are u wearing? etc.)
Now is a perfect time to respond to this. For, my ceaseless reader, I'm currently bashing away from an office. My third day in Antananorivo (or Tana), the capital of Madagascar (Mada-who-ha? ;)) - the 4th largest island and 4th poorest country on earth. On my desk is my handy bottled water (very necessary!) and a packet of vanilla sticks (grown locally in the many tropical forests in Mada). The sweet, pungent smell of vanillya (as its written in Malagasy - the language spoken by the locals here) is very intoxicating and seems to lift the senses to new highs. The aroma is quite strong though, and seems reside in every corner in this floor.
The building is built on one of the steep hills that seem to surround the city. Its cloudy, and looks likely that it will rain anytime. The country this year has had record rainfalls and a number of cyclones. A trio of little children sit outside the steps and sing melodious songs with the aid of a bongo drum. Poverty is apparant everywhere in this city. Little children often run up to us begging in the little French they know. The divide between the rich and poor class is apparant, but not blatant like some other African countries. It was a bit emotional in the beginning walking past the hoards of poor people around, but (like the crime in SA) you sorta get used to it and carry on with your business.
Its very humid here which reminded me a lot of India. Its very green, the people love keeping themselves active - whether its little kids playing soccer and rugby in muddy swamps, or older men concentrating on some board or card game on the street corner. The food here is a major plus. Yesterday, I had the best fish (poisson) dish I've ever had (and I've had lotz, believe me). Anything and everything is cheap here (compared to SA) and we've not even really taken to the streets yet where bargaining is possible.
The French connection is very apparant here through the language, the types of cars around (Citroens, Peugeot 504s), and the types of foreigners frequenting the area. The people here are of a Monglioid descent with characteristics of Indonesian and Negroids. Apparantly Indonesians settled here hundreds of years ago. The people are very friendly, and put a lot of effort to please us tourists.
I've not had a chance to make a trip to the game-parks were the famous Lemurs and Foosas reside. These two animals are indigious to Madagascar and can be found in the wild only in this part of the world. The view from my room was breath-taking with the lake in my short focus with the hills and palace of the kings in the background (a UNESCO world heritage site).
Back to that tag... Its been around an hour now, and the little children are still going strong (they've been singing every morning for all the days I've been here). The clouds have disappeared and its bright and sunny. The vanilla sticks are still doing their job. My bottle is almost empty. My Malagasy colleagues are talking amongst themselves, each of them wear a pleasant smile on their faces.
We're catching the flight back to Jhb later this afternoon. I'm hoping I get a chance to come back to this tropical paradise. Perhaps, next time I'll get to spend more time exploring the jungles of this fascinating country. A couple of days ago, I was totally ignorant of this place (wasn't even sure whether it was Mozambique or Madagascar that constituted that island); now I'm just that little more experienced. Perhaps I should have seeked advice from the Lemur character in the Pixar animated 2005 movie Madagascar - "Its MadaGASCAR not WHO-HA, you Pansy..!"
I heard there's a cyclone brewing between that leg of water on the Straits of Mozambique. Great! Thats right into the flightpath on our way back. More adventure awaits...
Now is a perfect time to respond to this. For, my ceaseless reader, I'm currently bashing away from an office. My third day in Antananorivo (or Tana), the capital of Madagascar (Mada-who-ha? ;)) - the 4th largest island and 4th poorest country on earth. On my desk is my handy bottled water (very necessary!) and a packet of vanilla sticks (grown locally in the many tropical forests in Mada). The sweet, pungent smell of vanillya (as its written in Malagasy - the language spoken by the locals here) is very intoxicating and seems to lift the senses to new highs. The aroma is quite strong though, and seems reside in every corner in this floor.
The building is built on one of the steep hills that seem to surround the city. Its cloudy, and looks likely that it will rain anytime. The country this year has had record rainfalls and a number of cyclones. A trio of little children sit outside the steps and sing melodious songs with the aid of a bongo drum. Poverty is apparant everywhere in this city. Little children often run up to us begging in the little French they know. The divide between the rich and poor class is apparant, but not blatant like some other African countries. It was a bit emotional in the beginning walking past the hoards of poor people around, but (like the crime in SA) you sorta get used to it and carry on with your business.
Its very humid here which reminded me a lot of India. Its very green, the people love keeping themselves active - whether its little kids playing soccer and rugby in muddy swamps, or older men concentrating on some board or card game on the street corner. The food here is a major plus. Yesterday, I had the best fish (poisson) dish I've ever had (and I've had lotz, believe me). Anything and everything is cheap here (compared to SA) and we've not even really taken to the streets yet where bargaining is possible.
The French connection is very apparant here through the language, the types of cars around (Citroens, Peugeot 504s), and the types of foreigners frequenting the area. The people here are of a Monglioid descent with characteristics of Indonesian and Negroids. Apparantly Indonesians settled here hundreds of years ago. The people are very friendly, and put a lot of effort to please us tourists.
I've not had a chance to make a trip to the game-parks were the famous Lemurs and Foosas reside. These two animals are indigious to Madagascar and can be found in the wild only in this part of the world. The view from my room was breath-taking with the lake in my short focus with the hills and palace of the kings in the background (a UNESCO world heritage site).
Back to that tag... Its been around an hour now, and the little children are still going strong (they've been singing every morning for all the days I've been here). The clouds have disappeared and its bright and sunny. The vanilla sticks are still doing their job. My bottle is almost empty. My Malagasy colleagues are talking amongst themselves, each of them wear a pleasant smile on their faces.
We're catching the flight back to Jhb later this afternoon. I'm hoping I get a chance to come back to this tropical paradise. Perhaps, next time I'll get to spend more time exploring the jungles of this fascinating country. A couple of days ago, I was totally ignorant of this place (wasn't even sure whether it was Mozambique or Madagascar that constituted that island); now I'm just that little more experienced. Perhaps I should have seeked advice from the Lemur character in the Pixar animated 2005 movie Madagascar - "Its MadaGASCAR not WHO-HA, you Pansy..!"
I heard there's a cyclone brewing between that leg of water on the Straits of Mozambique. Great! Thats right into the flightpath on our way back. More adventure awaits...
Feb 15, 2007
The Island
After a bout of deep discussions with single souls about life, wealth and all that exists in between to take that away from you, I despondently came back home and tuned the TV to the national pay-channel and eased precariously on my half-wrecked 'sofa set'.
Just in time to catch Michael Bay's The Island with Ewan Mcgregor (who, incidently, I bumped into in a hotel in Malawi last year), Scarlett Johanssen (pretty as ever) and Sean Bean (I think thats his name) as the antagonist. Its a clever take on the issue of cloning in the 2050s where replacement tissues are 'cultured' in a secret government-backed (so cliche!) initiative to extend the lives of those living in the world. The clones are programmed to believe that their existence in their cozy underground warren was fortunate due to a contamination that happened in the outside world. An Island has been created in another part of the laboratory where a selected few are randomly picked to procreate in a Utopia. The hero challenges the system and his pursuit for freedom and the revelation of the lab forms the progress of the film to its conclusion.
How'd I do so far...? Did I need a spoiler warning..? :)
I felt this film was a major dissapointment, considering the extent that Michael Bay goes to form a movie. The plot was weak, the theme was apparant, and the actors were clinging to strands to make the film work. The characters of... can't remember his name... the giant from The Green Mile... wait... got it! Michael Duncan Clarke (I think) and Djmon (something - too lazy to google it) were wasted. The sets though were quite believable - credit to the art team.
Its a good time passer, but not really a film that can make a mark in filmdom. The opportunity to work on a sensitive theme was wasted, that was the major dissapointment in this film.
I wanna check out the director's next venture... saw a few trailers on tv in Germany. The S-FX look good.
I recommend trying out Hoodwinked. Hilarious, clever and on the ball through out. A must-see for anyone interested in the animation industry. I forsee this industry moving strides in the movie industry.
Just in time to catch Michael Bay's The Island with Ewan Mcgregor (who, incidently, I bumped into in a hotel in Malawi last year), Scarlett Johanssen (pretty as ever) and Sean Bean (I think thats his name) as the antagonist. Its a clever take on the issue of cloning in the 2050s where replacement tissues are 'cultured' in a secret government-backed (so cliche!) initiative to extend the lives of those living in the world. The clones are programmed to believe that their existence in their cozy underground warren was fortunate due to a contamination that happened in the outside world. An Island has been created in another part of the laboratory where a selected few are randomly picked to procreate in a Utopia. The hero challenges the system and his pursuit for freedom and the revelation of the lab forms the progress of the film to its conclusion.
How'd I do so far...? Did I need a spoiler warning..? :)
I felt this film was a major dissapointment, considering the extent that Michael Bay goes to form a movie. The plot was weak, the theme was apparant, and the actors were clinging to strands to make the film work. The characters of... can't remember his name... the giant from The Green Mile... wait... got it! Michael Duncan Clarke (I think) and Djmon (something - too lazy to google it) were wasted. The sets though were quite believable - credit to the art team.
Its a good time passer, but not really a film that can make a mark in filmdom. The opportunity to work on a sensitive theme was wasted, that was the major dissapointment in this film.
I wanna check out the director's next venture... saw a few trailers on tv in Germany. The S-FX look good.
I recommend trying out Hoodwinked. Hilarious, clever and on the ball through out. A must-see for anyone interested in the animation industry. I forsee this industry moving strides in the movie industry.
Jan 29, 2007
I Amsterdam
"Been there... done that..."
Amsterdamers love bicycles. There are very few over-weight people there.
If there ever was a list must-see PG-13 guide to Amsterdam, I'd probably be able to answer with that unmistakable phrase. One weekend was definitely not enough to explore this city of contrasts - the deep historical cultures and modern expressionisms, the aristocratic and the sleazy, the order and chaos, traditionalists and liberalists. This city has just about everything for everyone in this world.
One of the over 7000 canals in Amsterdam
We rolled our way into Amsterdam after a 3.5hr train journey from Aachen. Have I complimented the public transport system in Europe yet? I wanna stress again how efficient this system is... trains, buses (and Amsterdam's trams and canal boats) arrive and leave exactly on time. One can almost synchronise one's watches to this system. The city greeted us with a dready low lights and a chilly wind. After scouting around for possible accommodation, we eventually chose a slightly dingy hotel with common toilets (managed to set a new record time in colon block during my stay in Holland). For budget tourists like us this was perfectly fine.
Madame Tussards in Amsterdam. The tram rails were everywhere...
We hit the streets after dumping our stuff in our rooms. Though the intention was to check out the place, the general vector was towards the infamous Red Light District (called RLD from now on to minimise the shock factor). We had to see what all the fuss was about... :) A few hours and space brownies later, all was clear. Window shopping has never been this mind numbing. The brownies took their time but the effects were evident. The city comes alive in the night. There was a gentle mix of races, genders and ages in the RLD. The area was clearly demarked with raised platforms with red LEDs. The smell of weed that floated lightly in the air was mildly intoxicating. I remember gentle hallucinations while catching up with sleep that night… :)
The Dam built during prosperous Amsterdam. The Dam square is popular with street soccer in the night.
We spent the Saturday soaking in the culture of the city. Visited the Rembrandt and Van Gogh museums. It was refreshing to find the art museums filled mostly with young people. The Historical museum provided a fascinating insight into the history of Amsterdam. The first true entrepreneurs of the world were the Dutch East India Company (VOC) – their vision and influence in the world and in their company at the time can be none other than inspirational. Rembrandt was a meticulous artist who served the rich traders of the Netherlands and lived and died following his genius in art. Van Gogh was a demented genius who couldn’t break out of the mould around him and thus resorted to personal affliction to define his journey in life. 2 ‘stars’ of the cultural city that is Amsterdam.
Another spectacular palace on the banks of the River Amstel
We visited a few other museums (;)) and did the canal-boat tour of the city. The houses and canals that connect its residents to each part of the city were the most striking parts of the tour. We rounded the long day, avoiding speeding electric trams and cold winds, with a visit to the Dam amongst many other places…
Amsterdam's RLD. An intriquing mix of beauty and sleaze.
Sunday morning was spent collecting souvenirs and planning the trip back to Aachen. Calf muscles and the skin on the tip of my nose were worn out, and my back was aching, but this trip will always be in my mind. I will definitely come back to this city of contrasts. Amsterdam has without doubt left a mark in me. I Amsterdam.
The bicycle shelter next to the train station. Probably around 500, maybe more.
Watching the Daily Show with Jon Steward on Comedy Central - the host has hilariously slaughtered George W. Bush's state of the nation address last week... These guys are just brilliant. Three cheers to Freedom of Speech.
Jan 23, 2007
In Aachen, Germany!
One of the many types of beers on offer in GermanyEventually the Gods smiled upon me, and I managed to pry out a company-sponsored trip to Germany (the real reason's M-PBN training). The training is happening in the company's training offices in Aachen, Germany. This little town is situated around 15 mins from the border to Netherlands in the old West Germany, further west of Bonn and Koln (Cologne).
The weather has been a tad different that the warm, sunny 20 degrees of Johannesburg, with the average temperature around the 2 degree mark. The locals describe the weather during the last few days a little chillier than usual with snow expected anytime soon.
Dusseldorf Flughawen bahnhofWe landed in Dusseldorf on Sunday afternoon with no idea how to get to Aachen around 2 hours away. The signs weren't really helpful, and colleagues had warned us against the attitude of Germans against foreigners. Our first experience wasn't that that great with the irritable Hofbahn information operator directing us to a German ticket machine with no option to change languages. I remember being quite angry but after reflection, I'm now thankful he made it difficult for us, 'cause its how we learnt how life works around here...
I now enjoy 'conversing' with the Germans. My mixture of Afrikaans with the few German words I've learnt seem to do the trick. We all have a big laugh after our conversation wondering how on earth we managed to get our points through. The people seem to warm up to tourists attempting to join them in their daily lives.
A massive gate in Aachen - remains of a fort around the cityA funny moment happened earlier this evening when we stopped for supper at the many 'Doner Kebaps' (hugely popular Persian/Turkish eat-outs that serve varieties of schwarmas and wursts) - I was trying to explain to the waiter that I was looking a typical German dish (he was light-skinned and had a typically Persian look). First attempts at Afrikaans and English failed to put the point through, so I resorted to sign language. All this while he and I were exchanging laughs at our attempts at understanding each other. Eventually he said something in German and I managed to pick out the words 'Indian' and 'sprekend'. I assumed he wanted to know if I speak any Indian languages so I started with Malayalam and moved on to Hindi (...nothing was working so what the hell!) A bit of broken Hindi seemed to do the trick as I discovered he was Pakistani. After attempting all the languages I knew, it seemed the least obvious one did the trick. He recommended a really delicious dish and gave us complimentary Turkish sweets (really delicious, may I add)...
A side of a cathedral in Aachen - don't let this poor pic fool u, this building was huge!I'm really enjoying this country and town. There's a lot of history in this place, and the culture and people just add to the charm. Many really massive cathedrals, gates and renovated palaces. The weather is unfortunate but there are too many positives to even think of that. The machine that is the public transport system is truely inspiring.
Hoping to do Amsterdam this weekened. More on Germany later (hopefully better quality pics too)...
Jan 11, 2007
FPS in Javascript
Found this cool site with links to First Person Shootout code in Javascript... nice!
Dec 22, 2006
Dec 11, 2006
Ramblings on Lobola and Apocalypso
The courts here in SA recently legalised same-sex marriages amidst a furore from religious communities in SA. In light of this, I found this M&E cartoon extremely funny and satirical.
The definition 'lobola' can be found here. Contrary to the Indian custom (dowry) where the bride's family contributes to the wealth of the newly weds, the southern African custom of lobola works vice-versa. The husband (and perhaps his family) shows his commitment to the wedding by paying the bride's family.
I've tried researching the history behind these customs, but haven't really had any luck. It would be quite interesting to see how (and more interestingly, why) these traditions came about. I'm surprised lobola didn't work out the same way as the dowry system (the flow of payment, I mean) given the male-dominated culture that was inherent in early native African life.
I'm really looking forward to Mel Gibson's film Apocalypso. Its based on the ancient Mayan civilisation that existed for almost 1000 years, but suddenly (given the time frame) ceased to exist with ancient Mayan religious sites and pyramids the only proof of their existence.
Theorists blame the geographical and political catalysts behind their sudden disappearance. Mel's apparantly attempting to highlight similarities between this and the USA of today.
Hmmm... Can't wait to formulate an opinion... :)
Dec 8, 2006
1000 hits..?? wahoo...!
This blog's hit the 1000 mark... yeah...!
Heartfelt thanks to my regular visitors, friends whose arms I've twisted, and the search engines of the world...
Comments are welcome... please go ahead; make my day.
On that note, here's a link to the latest addition to a kiddie terrorist's weapons arsenal:
http://www.newslose.com/2006/12/07/laughing-infection-a-new-war-excuse/
Heartfelt thanks to my regular visitors, friends whose arms I've twisted, and the search engines of the world...
Comments are welcome... please go ahead; make my day.
On that note, here's a link to the latest addition to a kiddie terrorist's weapons arsenal:
http://www.newslose.com/2006/12/07/laughing-infection-a-new-war-excuse/
Dec 4, 2006
Pics from the Pro20 match on Friday 1 Dec
Some pics from the 20-20 match last weekend...
The view from where we were sitting. The clouds were ominous throughout the game.
The gang... some of us anyway...
The poster... (came on TV during the post-match presentation... yeah!)
More of the poster...
The view from where we were sitting. The clouds were ominous throughout the game.
The gang... some of us anyway...
The poster... (came on TV during the post-match presentation... yeah!)
More of the poster...
Nov 30, 2006
After yet another forgettable performance by the Indian cricket team yesterday against South African in Port Elizabeth, its with sheer exuberance that I scribble something on the wonderful bunch out here.
After almost a month here, certain cricketers have certainly helped lend a hand at creating a post on the their talents both on and off the field. This post is a follow-up on a previous one on certain members of the SA cricket team.
Ajit Agarkar: Namade Ajit... He is proof that it takes a lot more than fragile stature and flappy ears to bring down a batsman. His reasoning at bowling a slow bouncer in the last over of a tight match has been referred to in various textbooks on Unexplained Human Behavior. Peter Jackson's S-FX team had contacted him for the role of Gollum in LOTR, but it was subsequently rejected due to lack of enthusiasm (apparently namade Ajit didn't know Liv Tyler was taken).
Virender Sehwag: The case of Missing Wickets has been filed against him is reportedly being referred to the Police commissioner of SA. Complaints have come from fans about the various ways he manages to lose his wickets. Cricinfo's chief statistician has been given the go-ahead to start a new stat on the number and various ways a single batsman has gotten out. Our Virender apparently leads the table (followed closely by the Royal Canadian Mounties cricket league's standby 11th man). A gangwar is currently brewing among members of the Mumbai underground on who's playing the Sehwag card.
Mohammed Kaif: Quite possibly selected due to his experience in the ODI squad; this tactic backfired because selectors didn't realise at that point that the experience was actually for the betterment to the bowlers that bowled against him. Cricinfo's chief statistician has not yet recorded a shot off the middle of his bat. The 8th annual Gum-Maker's association convention tabled 'sticky gloves' on the top of its agenda after realising the possibility of making enormous amounts of moola from selling gloves to him. Due to the slow advancement of technology, the gum is not yet strong enough to ensure the bat stays still in his hand, hence sticky tape and genetic technology is being considered.
Dinesh Mongia: A major mystery nagging the Indian cricket selectors and the general public has been how Dinesh managed to make the ODI squad. Many suspect diplomatic involvement - apparently Dinesh was included because this move would inevitably lead to SA taking a series white-wash, and thus would ensure continued inter-government ties thereby ensuring lasting Indian investment in Africa. The possibility of few other moles have not been discounted. The Chinese are crying foul, and are considering sending their rugby team to SA.
The rest of the players seem to have played their hearts out, hence their roles will not be brought to light (not just yet)...
(Disclaimer: the above post can be considered as the lamentations of a proud, but unimpressed Indian supporter. Any remarks against a reader's hero is purely uncoincidental and intended).
After almost a month here, certain cricketers have certainly helped lend a hand at creating a post on the their talents both on and off the field. This post is a follow-up on a previous one on certain members of the SA cricket team.
Ajit Agarkar: Namade Ajit... He is proof that it takes a lot more than fragile stature and flappy ears to bring down a batsman. His reasoning at bowling a slow bouncer in the last over of a tight match has been referred to in various textbooks on Unexplained Human Behavior. Peter Jackson's S-FX team had contacted him for the role of Gollum in LOTR, but it was subsequently rejected due to lack of enthusiasm (apparently namade Ajit didn't know Liv Tyler was taken).
Virender Sehwag: The case of Missing Wickets has been filed against him is reportedly being referred to the Police commissioner of SA. Complaints have come from fans about the various ways he manages to lose his wickets. Cricinfo's chief statistician has been given the go-ahead to start a new stat on the number and various ways a single batsman has gotten out. Our Virender apparently leads the table (followed closely by the Royal Canadian Mounties cricket league's standby 11th man). A gangwar is currently brewing among members of the Mumbai underground on who's playing the Sehwag card.
Mohammed Kaif: Quite possibly selected due to his experience in the ODI squad; this tactic backfired because selectors didn't realise at that point that the experience was actually for the betterment to the bowlers that bowled against him. Cricinfo's chief statistician has not yet recorded a shot off the middle of his bat. The 8th annual Gum-Maker's association convention tabled 'sticky gloves' on the top of its agenda after realising the possibility of making enormous amounts of moola from selling gloves to him. Due to the slow advancement of technology, the gum is not yet strong enough to ensure the bat stays still in his hand, hence sticky tape and genetic technology is being considered.
Dinesh Mongia: A major mystery nagging the Indian cricket selectors and the general public has been how Dinesh managed to make the ODI squad. Many suspect diplomatic involvement - apparently Dinesh was included because this move would inevitably lead to SA taking a series white-wash, and thus would ensure continued inter-government ties thereby ensuring lasting Indian investment in Africa. The possibility of few other moles have not been discounted. The Chinese are crying foul, and are considering sending their rugby team to SA.
The rest of the players seem to have played their hearts out, hence their roles will not be brought to light (not just yet)...
(Disclaimer: the above post can be considered as the lamentations of a proud, but unimpressed Indian supporter. Any remarks against a reader's hero is purely uncoincidental and intended).
Nov 29, 2006
Nov 28, 2006
Thattukada in Gabarone
The sign outside a resturant in Gabarone:
I recently had to visit Gabarone, Botswana for work, and was really not looking forward to the bland food on offer at the hotels. But, I was blissfully surprised when my friends took me to a South Indian resturant in Gabz...
We had Kappa and fish curry with fish fry as a side dish... Just loved it! Its times like this that make being a Mallu so kewl... The possibility of enjoyin my favourite South Indian dishes a couple of km's away from my hotel is one of the many joys of this beautiful country...
Yesterday I had the most succulent fillet of steak I've ever had.
I recently had to visit Gabarone, Botswana for work, and was really not looking forward to the bland food on offer at the hotels. But, I was blissfully surprised when my friends took me to a South Indian resturant in Gabz...
We had Kappa and fish curry with fish fry as a side dish... Just loved it! Its times like this that make being a Mallu so kewl... The possibility of enjoyin my favourite South Indian dishes a couple of km's away from my hotel is one of the many joys of this beautiful country...
Yesterday I had the most succulent fillet of steak I've ever had.