Spain flattered to decieve again for the nth time in a FIFA world cup. They always start with a bang and choke at crucial times. I often compare them with South African cricket team that often chokes at crucial moments on big stage.
Probably this is what differentiates great teams from good teams. Big stage brings out the best in great teams.
I was hoping that Spain beat France simply because France has a psychological advantage over Brazil in world cups. Brazil being my favourite team, i want its journey smooth.
Having said that, it won't be easy for France this time, unless Brazil messes up big time. France have been lucky to reach this far. They, with Italy, are the two most undeserving teams in Quarters. But am sure they won't ride their luck very far. Hope Brazil can show them their place.
A great finale would be Brazil-Argentina and an even more great result will be Brazil beating Argentina in final. This is a mouth watering scenario. But if Brazil exits then i would hope for England reaching the finals with Germany. That again will be a classic. Such combination make a great difference. Whatever may be the situation i a hope it is not the repeat of last WC finals , i.e Germany - Brazil. I hope for a unique combination this time around.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Saturday, June 24, 2006
"Impossible is nothing"
Adidas's new ad with the tag line - 'Impossible is nothing' - has caught my imagination. The ad actually has two latino kids "imagining" a dream football team each. They toss and select a player each. They not only select players from different countries but also from different generations. At one end they have Zidane,Beckham and all and at the other end one guy selects Platini and Beckenbeur. And then they start playing till one of them is stopped by his shouting mom to stop playing and come back home.
The ad instantly touched my core. I could relate to it since when we were kids we used to do the same for cricket. For example me and my cousin in the backyard of the house would make two imaginary teams and select a player each and start playing. I would chose australia or england and he would choose Windies or India. And then we would select players and play a 10 wicket game between just the two of us.
After seeing that ad i was reminded of those innocent days. In that sense the ad is so universal. Telling us that sports has a universal aura. And kids all over behave the same.
If an ad is all about sending a message, this ad has conveyed one too many. I must say i was Impressed !!
The ad instantly touched my core. I could relate to it since when we were kids we used to do the same for cricket. For example me and my cousin in the backyard of the house would make two imaginary teams and select a player each and start playing. I would chose australia or england and he would choose Windies or India. And then we would select players and play a 10 wicket game between just the two of us.
After seeing that ad i was reminded of those innocent days. In that sense the ad is so universal. Telling us that sports has a universal aura. And kids all over behave the same.
If an ad is all about sending a message, this ad has conveyed one too many. I must say i was Impressed !!
Friday, June 23, 2006
Ciao
Today is our last day at 200 South Wacker. Our office is moving to a new building in downtown. I liked this place a lot. The building itself, all of 30 floors, is sandwiched between Sears Tower on one end and Chicago union station on the other. Both great landmarks of this great city.
Sears Tower was off course in the news today for the wrong reason.
Just next to this building and between union station and 200 S Wacker is the Chicago river that contours through the Adam and Monroe Streets. It is a beautiful sight, specially in summers, and my wife and me have had lunch along the river side every week-day since summer dawned. I guess we'll be missing that as i won't be walking all the way from my new building to the river.
Hoping that the new building is equally swank, though.
Sears Tower was off course in the news today for the wrong reason.
Just next to this building and between union station and 200 S Wacker is the Chicago river that contours through the Adam and Monroe Streets. It is a beautiful sight, specially in summers, and my wife and me have had lunch along the river side every week-day since summer dawned. I guess we'll be missing that as i won't be walking all the way from my new building to the river.
Hoping that the new building is equally swank, though.
Visa denied? Good.
Javed Akhtar's visa was denied by Pakistan I say good. People like Akthar, Mahesh Bhatt,Shabana Azmi et al form the bulk of the loud mouths in India. They present themselves as the flag-bearers of "secularism" and what not. Their holier than thou demeanour, and the good actors that they are, help them present to the TV audience a face of super-liberals and bleeding hearts.
It has now become a fad amongst these limousine socialites to comment and opine about everything under the sun. Javed Akhtar, the crusader of the "poor","hapless","victim" who are being victimised by the "villians" of the nation - namely - RSS / Modi / Bal Thackrey etc.
Truth be told. These liberals live in world of richess and high class that neither Modi or Thackrey has seen. They, in their air-conditioned palaces, procure the good-will of people by their high-handed comments and impress the ever-guillible populace of the nation.
That Pakistan, a nation so much a favourite of these bollywood asses, has denied a visa, is a welcome piece of news.
All that punjabiyat and biryani talk of these bleeding hearts deserve exactly this kind response from Pakistan.
Yes they want relations with pakistan to improve, by "cultural" exchange; whatever that means.I say thanks but no thanks, we do not want their culture. You can bring it to your homes if you love them so much. [BTW the only culture I know that exists in Pakistan is AK-47 and Terrorism]
Don't know but somehow got a kick from this news. Though Akhtar and Pakistan both are not worth talking about.
It has now become a fad amongst these limousine socialites to comment and opine about everything under the sun. Javed Akhtar, the crusader of the "poor","hapless","victim" who are being victimised by the "villians" of the nation - namely - RSS / Modi / Bal Thackrey etc.
Truth be told. These liberals live in world of richess and high class that neither Modi or Thackrey has seen. They, in their air-conditioned palaces, procure the good-will of people by their high-handed comments and impress the ever-guillible populace of the nation.
That Pakistan, a nation so much a favourite of these bollywood asses, has denied a visa, is a welcome piece of news.
All that punjabiyat and biryani talk of these bleeding hearts deserve exactly this kind response from Pakistan.
Yes they want relations with pakistan to improve, by "cultural" exchange; whatever that means.I say thanks but no thanks, we do not want their culture. You can bring it to your homes if you love them so much. [BTW the only culture I know that exists in Pakistan is AK-47 and Terrorism]
Don't know but somehow got a kick from this news. Though Akhtar and Pakistan both are not worth talking about.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Gooooooooooooal !!!
The 18th world cup was kicked off in Germany last friday. For more than a month, more than a billion people will be emotionally involved in this mother of all events. I cannot think of any other sport or for that matter anything that gets so many people come together.
Arguably it is world's greatest show. Millions of hearts will be broken. Millions will cheer. And still millions will feel let down.
USA is a part of the world cup finals, yet you do not see much in general in terms of talk in the media or otherwise. Baseball, NBA are dominating the media space. It is an irony that India which is ranked 117th has more media coverage of Soccer than here in US.
Anyways , considering that most US citizens owe their lineage to Europe, it will surely catch up, specially if US performs well.
I am rooting for Brazil (as always), though i wish England well. They were very unlucky in 2002 and 1998.
The initial round has gone to Germany,England and Argentina. Sweden let it fans down by coming up with a draw with minnows Trinadad and Tobago. It was a moral victory for T & T.
I am sure as we move on their will be many more surprises. Hope this sporting spectacle comes as a welcome break for all who have been depressed by constant bad news coming off in the media otherwise.
Arguably it is world's greatest show. Millions of hearts will be broken. Millions will cheer. And still millions will feel let down.
USA is a part of the world cup finals, yet you do not see much in general in terms of talk in the media or otherwise. Baseball, NBA are dominating the media space. It is an irony that India which is ranked 117th has more media coverage of Soccer than here in US.
Anyways , considering that most US citizens owe their lineage to Europe, it will surely catch up, specially if US performs well.
I am rooting for Brazil (as always), though i wish England well. They were very unlucky in 2002 and 1998.
The initial round has gone to Germany,England and Argentina. Sweden let it fans down by coming up with a draw with minnows Trinadad and Tobago. It was a moral victory for T & T.
I am sure as we move on their will be many more surprises. Hope this sporting spectacle comes as a welcome break for all who have been depressed by constant bad news coming off in the media otherwise.
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