baggy green and valour?

Aussie cricket has always been known for its exemplary behavior both on and off the field. One more aspect that stands out has been their courage.

For the ignorant, the Aussies have boycotted numerous matches in Srilanka and Pakistan "due to security reasons". Add to this a cowardly whirlwind tour of Zimbabwe in 2006.

In the 1996 world cup, the Australians did not play a single match against Srilanka because of the LTTLE problem. On the outside it might seem sensible but a little thought can show you how paranoid and crazy the kangaroos were.
The LTTLE is an insurgency problem and unlike the Jaish or Lakshar do not target "white skins". Their only attack is Srilankans. One might argue that in the ground Srilankas might also be present, but there was enough security provided which proved to be insufficient for the Aussies. It was at this juncture that (i dont know which commentator) famously asked the Australians to wear bangles.

History repeated itself in 2008 when the Aussies unceremoniously cancelled the Pak tour citing security reasons which would have made the PCB incur huge loses. What beats me is, when George Bush and Condoleesa Rice or even an LK Advani can tour pakistan without fear, why cant the Aussies? I cant find a reason why Lakshar or Jaish or any other organisations would prefer Aussie cricketers as targets over political leaders. Well agreed, there are people who hate the Aussie team more than they hate Bush (yours truly included) but no, not enough to provoke detonators.

Australias future commitments and some comments:
2008
India (away series)
There is so much inflation and that is a big security concern. No we banned logical thinking long ago.
2009
Pakistan (at home)
Mohammad Asif is a drug addict

South Africa (away)
We have many horny players and we DONT want them infected with STDs.

Ashes(away)
There was a minor burglary in rural southampton.

2010
Zimbabwe and Kenya (it no longer matters home or away)
NO WAY. havent u seen blood diamond?

USA(new entry into test cricket)
Their president's name sounds like Osama. We better keep away.
2011
West Indies
Kids no longer play cricket :(, those who play have migrated to India to play in the IPL.

whai oh whaai?

A thriving businessman was spending his well earned holiday in a secluded resort just by the river overlooking the hills far away from the bustle of the city, one with nature. And as all trendy people do he went out fishing to the river where he met a man, a peasant man, dressed not-so-smartly fishing too.
Being the hardworking guy that he was, he was irritated generally by these people who lacked foresight, never had any ambitions, never worked 18 hrs a day, never Ever deserved a holiday. All the pent up anger came out on the stranger in a jiffy. He wanted to ask a million questions. How he could waste his life. How he could not do anything worthwhile whole day?How he could be such a loser in life.
The peasant just smiled in reply. He enquired as to what his "motive in life" was. The business man oh so confident replied as to how he wanted to build a huge empire, become really successful, earn so much so that he never needed to worry about his Grey days, so he could come out on more such fishing expeditions.
The peasant said "aint I doing what your planning to do every day"?
So goes a popular story
Another one in this vein is that of a hare who saved all the nuts he earned so he could eat them all together in his old age and later found he didn't have teeth.

I do think of these crazy things time again, atleast they inspire me to not work hard and live in the present. Short as life is, my philosophy has always been to not work too hard.And yea have oodles of fun.
Always found it crazy how people go to these 18 hr a day jobs 360 days a year far away from family, with a computer to call as a buddy. Lots of parents of friends, my parents too although just sometimes. Whats the point? The ones i can think of are the following
1) it gives lots of power and (wo)man has always had a HUGE fetish for power
2)Some just work because they are afraid the society might not approve of a fun loving jolly kinda guy.
3)oh yea ambition. To get maximum out of life.
But at what cost? People do believe they are having fun doing what they are currently doing. That much needed one week with my family once in two years. That day i spent with my wife, oh was it about a dozen years back? My son's in 5th oh no 6th std, oh wait hes in boarding school, I give the best for my son :D.
Neighbours-oh those people on either side of my house
friends- i had loads back then, but being the ambitious man i am, have lost contact with most.
Weren't those people in the earlier centuries a million times happier? Having a lot more fun. Speaking to live humans.
Its a talent to balance fun and work, to satisfy your ambitions, do something useful as well as make sure there are no regrets on those lost days that would never come back.
I hope I choose an occupation where I ll enjoy myself, would probably never compromise myself for that extra penny.
I would probably earn just enough to lead a nice life have lots of fun, lots and lots of fun, trust me on those dying moments I would have a lot more pleasant memories marqueeing past me. I ll die with a smile

the autorikshaw angels of mumbai

For the chennaites: The following events are true however unbelievable they may sound.
Night 11pm heavy rains and we had to get back to our hostel, a distance of about 700-800 metres.
The rains in mumbai can have a big impact on ur head and till you get used to it you will just go nuts and not know what to do. 3 classmates of mine and me decided to take an auto.
Born and brought up in Chennai I knew I would be paying about a 100 bucks. anyway 25 bucks per person sounded fine.
We called an auto, he immediately asked us to board, and turned the meter on. I wouldnt take something as atrocious as that, and I told him in my broken hindi that I did not trust people who use meters as they are all heated up(sooduvechufied) and usually show the price of the autorikshaw. He assured me nothing of that sort was going to happen.
5 minutes later, after an eventless journey he asked me NINE rupees. I was sure that either "now" in hindi no longer meant nine or he was referring to ninety.
My friend handed a ten rupee note and that bugger hands 1 rupee back.

Dont autorikshaws in mumbai charge triple because they carry four people?
What about the heavy rains?
And comon the petrol prices have been hiked.
They might not get a passenger at my destination so i have to pay for return fare also?
Oh and what about the one-way lanes in the middle?
What about rounding off the one rupee? or even a 10 rupees above the meter?
In a daze i walked back to my room as a lot of things crossed my mind.

1)in chennai we are being HARASSED by autos very very unfairly
2)Their point that the cant afford it is utter nonsense. They charge exponential fares.
3)ITs high time we did something together, started calling 100 everytime we face this bullshit.

Please do tell me your views its not often that i write sense ;)