Three Cheers...

to team India for reaching the finals of first Twenty20 international tourney. And to think that they have beaten the likes of England, SA and Australia on the way is just amazing...

I know a lot will be written about this. But I could not stop myself from jotting a few lines myself as this is something to be cherished...

The best thing about this team is the talent on display. I was sceptic about the future of Indian cricket once the big 3 retires from international scene. But I can heave a sigh of relief as there seems to be a constant in flow of talent nowadays. And a victory in this tourney final will make so many others to take to cricket which will keep a steady inflow of talented youngsters...

No matter what happens in the final, this has opened up another money minting machine for BCCI to cash on. These victories have sort of injected a fresh interest for many in the game. For me it was always steady. But this tournament will bring back a lot of fans who stopped following cricket after the world cup debacle. People will even forget about that tournament...

Bring it on, Team India!!!

Here we go!

I don't know why I gave such a title to this entry. But I really don't know where I am going to start this blog and where I am going to end this...

Today was a day for movies. I saw three movies today, my favourite pastime here in US. And I don't remember a day when I have watched three movies in a row and all in the afternoon. The movies were, "Sideways", "Traffic Signal" and "Swades"...

And all these three movies had some serious themes that they dealt with. But all the three had beautiful love stories also weaved in between...

Well, I don't know if it is me or is it the age I am in. Nowadays, I am increasingly able to 'feel' the romantic side of characters a lot nowadays, their thrill, their pain and above all the peace of mind and comfort that they receive in being with each other...

I mean, I don't know why I am writing it here. But I had to say this to someone or write this down somewhere, and where better than this blog of mine where I can write down whatever I want without a trace of shame...

"I wish, I was in Love!!!" :-))

I think that should do it for now. I should be able to sleep well now ;-))

THE SONG OF WANDERING AENGUS

WENT out to the hazel wood,
Because a fire was in my head,
And cut and peeled a hazel wand,
And hooked a berry to a thread;

And when white moths were on the wing,
And moth-like stars were flickering out,
I dropped the berry in a stream
And caught a little silver trout.

When I had laid it on the floor
I went to blow the fire a-flame,
But something rustled on the floor,
And some one called me by my name:

It had become a glimmering girl
With apple blossom in her hair
Who called me by my name and ran
And faded through the brightening air.

Though I am old with wandering
Through hollow lands and hilly lands,
I will find out where she has gone,
And kiss her lips and take her hands;

And walk among long dappled grass,
And pluck till time and times are done
The silver apples of the moon,
The golden apples of the sun.

by: W.B. Yeats

Show or Spirit?

Being a mallu and being a sports buff means that I follow all the actions of a Malayali sports person. I even google and read about Chitra Soman, Ranjith Maheshwary etc. So it's but natural that I follow the rise of S Sreesanth in international cricket...

I used to follow him from the time he became the first cricketer to take a hattrick for Kerala in Ranji trophy. I used to check the score board whenever there used to be a match for Kerala and was very glad to see that he used to take atleast 2 wickets in everymatch. And I wished that somehow he gets to play at least one international match for India.

But my wish was more than fulfilled when I see him get a man of the match award in South Africa. And I was very glad. I liked him for his bowling, but did not like his other antics in the field. May be I am a meek person who likes to get on with the job in his hand. But here was a guy who had an eye for camera, who was trying to show off or glorify things. And the hero hungry media also helped by pouring oil into fire...

But other than that, I like the enthusiasm with which he approaches the bowling crease, the energy that he has on field etc...

I like to think of it as a trait common to Mallus. They love their sport. And I have seen more enthusiasm in a Mallu for sports than anyother person in India. They may have passion for one particular sport, but loving all the games and sports alike, that can be seen only in a Mallu, I think. I know I am making a tall claim, but I believe so...

And this reflects in the enthusiasm that is displayed in School sports. Kerala's school athletic meets keep churning in potential champions every year. In which other state can you see people so much interested in Athletics. That is a healthy sign to prove the tall claim that I made previously...

But most of these stars seem to fade out as time passes. I guess this is because of the inherent mindset of Indians that there is no future in sports. If you want to lead a good life, leave sports and go for a normal job. I am not criticizing this attitude, as I for one, also is one with same mentality. Although I was not great at any sports, I always had this passion for sports... But I was never ever confident enough to follow my dreams. Instead I went for safety first...

And I salute all the big stars of Indian sports who came out of their comfort zone and did something that they liked. And this is one good reason to respect Sreesanth more than dislike him for his eye for limelight... Bravo Sree, keep it going...

Reach for the stars and inspire a generation!!!