Doing what you love or Loving what you do?

Are you doing what you love?
OR
Just loving what you do?

Uncomfortable questions. They can lead you to a journey of introspection. And you might end up with a disconcerting realization - and painful change.

The alternative is to avoid them. Blissful ignorance - makes for a smooth journey. Don't ask tough questions, you won't get uncomfortable answers. Why screw up a peaceful, calm existence?

Which side are you? Do you have the answer or are you just avoiding the questions?

Billion Blues

Our Sri Lankan housekeeper Mary walked towards my brooding frame at the breakfast table today morning and hesitatingly asked, 'Sir, what happen match.....India won?'. Having stayed up all night to witness India's abject surrender, that didn't make for a great appetite.

Actually, all omens leading up to this match were kinda negative. First, the food at Chat Masala was spicier than we wanted and the Mojito a bit sweeter. Second, an office crisis meant we only started watching the match from the 18th over of SL innings. Third, I was watching it at Esh's place - 7 Indians & 1 Aussie in a Sri Lankan's home! And to top it all, Smits - my luck charm for India - left halfway through the Sri Lankan innings : Chamara, Vaas and Russell then took over to guide SL over 250.

I think the 1-tip-catch cricket we played in the intermission defocused us a bit and led to the madness in Uthappa and Ganguly (although Ganguly's bad hair day might also have caused the blood clot that fogged his brain). Tendulkar seemed to carry the burden of a billion Indians on his shoulders and that affected his agility - imagine taking a step forward with all that weight!! Yuvraj confused Tandoori chicken with Headless Chicken (they sound similar, esp. if you're munching Bingo) and lost his wicket in the process - I really want to know what he was running to. Poor Dhoni. He seemed to be in a real hurry to get back to shooting for Green Signal - didn't even wait for Murali to appeal. When Agarkar refused to acknowledge the common sense Dravid was offering for 3 consecutive balls and spooned a catch to mid-on, it became unbearable. I felt a pain in my chest; I think it was the sweet tea prepared by Vidya - hurts to see such affection :-).

I'm now counting my losses. Have to see how much all the airfare of my planned Carribean trip adds up to. Also, what do I do with the leave I have lined up. Maybe I'll go for a Vipashna session to clear my mind Will need that, else I'll have to endure a Billion Blues, thinking about the "if only's" from last night. If only Ganji had not gotten up from his sofa for a cig...........

Don't be misled!! Bermuda victory proves nothing

I was not happy with Sehwag's century against Bermuda. Before you start wondering whether I'm doped or anti-national, let me state my case. My contention is that Sehwag's century will lull him into a false sense of security. He'll think that he has fixed his issue. Dravid will feel vindicated and include Sehwag in the team sheet against Sri Lanka with his chest puffed.

However, if you watched his innings against Bermuda closely, you would have noticed the persistent lack of footwork. It was rank bad bowling that allowed him to get away with it. Sri Lanka is not going to be as charitable. And if Sehwag and Uthappa (who doesn't seem to value his wicket as much as he should) fall early, the veterans will come under pressure, Yuvi won't be able to free his arms and Dhoni will be caught between attacking and defending - something his simple mind can't handle! I shudder to imagine the scoreboard.

My only hope is that his time on the crease would have given Sehwag confidence. He would also have gotten some warmth in his frigid leg muscles - there was some movement in the latter part - during his time in the sun. That just might be enough to turn around his form. At the moment though, its a far hope.

The burden of Sehwag

There goes India's chance of progressing to the Super Eight. Bangladesh is almost certain to get 4 points (with their expected win over Bermuda). Sri Lanka won't be as toothless as India and will beat Bangladesh to get 4 points. India's only hope is to beat both Sri Lanka and Bermuda (which, on yesterday's performance doesn't look likely) and then pray that the run rate is favorable towards them.

But this post is not about India's chances of progressing into the next round. This article is about the old Indian trait of sentimentality over professionalism. Carrying Sehwag around in the team is a monumental mistake. He's at the moment an albatross around the Indian team's neck. He puts immense pressure on the rest of the batsmen by getting out within the first 5 overs. People like Sachin and Dravid have to then focus on steadying the innings vs. play their normal game. We have got to get away from keeping players for their history and choose the best 11 on the day. We have got to send him back to the nets and let him work out the demons in his head. We've got to stop hoping that he'll come good one day. Can we just start with Sachin and Ganguly - one of the most successful Indian opening pairs and let Dravid, Uthappa, Yuvraj and others follow?

My last worry is my planned trip to the Carribean for the semis and finals. I'm wondering what I would do if India crashes out of the World Cup even before the Super Eights. Well, I've heard that the Carribean islands are beautiful. Rum flows freely. The beaches are pristine. And well, catching Australia play the West Indies in the final will take me back to Mohali in 1995 when all of us witnessed Windies' capitulation at the hands of Shane Warne.

Carribean beckons!

Finally, its on!


Am going for the Cricket World Cup in West Indies. 1st Semi Final in Kingston. 2nd Semi Final in St. Lucia and the final at Barbados.

It should be fun. Kashyap is joining from California with his friend Vigyan.

I hope for 2 things -
India makes it to the Semis. At least.
I find an easy way to travel between the 3 venues

Am gonna carry a sleeping bag and most probably, a tent for acco - Just in case there's no hotel or cruise boat available