Watched a strikingly beautiful shikra in action yesterday from the terrace.
Just spotted two owls hovering around my place tonight. Judging by the calls and the size, they seemed to be barn owls.
Maybe its time to get our locality notified as a biodiversity hotspot!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Sachin Tendulkar
It really doesn't matter what me (or a billion other individuals) think about him, but we cannot but rise and applaud a piece of fine craftsmanship when we witness it. Bravo Sachin!
Have to confess though that I backed Sehwag to get a double hundred more than Sachin. Sehwag's no-holds-barred game seems more suited for such a megalithic knock than Sachin's controlled-aggression approach. But the manner in which Sachin went about constructing his inning yday, a surgeon's scalpel or a sculptor's mallet seemed a more appropriate metaphor than a battle-axe. Achieving such heights of athletic excellence with intelligence rather than instinct, is something new and difficult to comprehend.
Like they say, "Genius does what it must; and then the critics come and analyze"
Now, lets anticipate the chase-down from Sehwag, Dilshan and AB !
Have to confess though that I backed Sehwag to get a double hundred more than Sachin. Sehwag's no-holds-barred game seems more suited for such a megalithic knock than Sachin's controlled-aggression approach. But the manner in which Sachin went about constructing his inning yday, a surgeon's scalpel or a sculptor's mallet seemed a more appropriate metaphor than a battle-axe. Achieving such heights of athletic excellence with intelligence rather than instinct, is something new and difficult to comprehend.
Like they say, "Genius does what it must; and then the critics come and analyze"
Now, lets anticipate the chase-down from Sehwag, Dilshan and AB !
Thursday, February 11, 2010
private note
Met three interesting people over the last one week. An entrepreneur, an intrapreneur and a patent attorney. Meetings reaffirmed how perspectives are tinted by one's personal biases.
The intrapreneur raised several if's about the biz plan, and in general sounded risk-averse. He emphasized the strategy part several times.
The entrepreneur was gung-ho about the long-term prospects, and tended to downplay specific aspects of the roadmap. Emphasized the tactics more than the strategy.
The patent attorney was all in favor of protecting core parts of the concept with IP. A defensive approach, intended to raise money "atleast" by selling IP, if the business doesnt work.
Wonder how tough it is to evaluate advice objectively... Hmm...
The intrapreneur raised several if's about the biz plan, and in general sounded risk-averse. He emphasized the strategy part several times.
The entrepreneur was gung-ho about the long-term prospects, and tended to downplay specific aspects of the roadmap. Emphasized the tactics more than the strategy.
The patent attorney was all in favor of protecting core parts of the concept with IP. A defensive approach, intended to raise money "atleast" by selling IP, if the business doesnt work.
Wonder how tough it is to evaluate advice objectively... Hmm...
Monday, January 25, 2010
blast from the past
When Chappell-gate happened, I had commented that Indian Cricket is in safe hands because nobody wants to kill the goose that lays golden eggs. What I didnt anticipate was that people would conduct genetic experiments on the poor goose, and force it to lay more eggs more frequently until it became a mess.
The ODI & T20 overdose in the BCCI itinerary is raking in the monies, but it is alienating the true cricket lovers. And no, Test series against Bangladesh dont count. Watching the highlights of today's play wouldnt've pleased a cricket lover. All the Indian batsmen struggled against the short ball. Sehwag & Gambhir perished to it, and Dravid fractured his jaw. I dont expect Yuvraj to do any better tomorrow.
Why is all this relevant? Because the greatest sporting moments transpire when two champions compete. And that is what an enthusiast wants to watch, whether its on television or in the stadium. At the moment, Test cricket is the truest test of a batsman's abilities, and blooding our players in this format is currently the best way to distinguish the champions from the journeymen. Which will ensure that the other "masala" formats too preserve their entertainment quotient.
By not playing enough Test Cricket ( or playing against the minnows ), the administration might end up diluting the quality of the other formats too, eventually losing viewership and hence revenue. BCCI has clout due to the revenues it generates. The time is right to convert some of that financial clout to true leadership. For long-term greed, if not out of a genuine concern for the game.
The ODI & T20 overdose in the BCCI itinerary is raking in the monies, but it is alienating the true cricket lovers. And no, Test series against Bangladesh dont count. Watching the highlights of today's play wouldnt've pleased a cricket lover. All the Indian batsmen struggled against the short ball. Sehwag & Gambhir perished to it, and Dravid fractured his jaw. I dont expect Yuvraj to do any better tomorrow.
Why is all this relevant? Because the greatest sporting moments transpire when two champions compete. And that is what an enthusiast wants to watch, whether its on television or in the stadium. At the moment, Test cricket is the truest test of a batsman's abilities, and blooding our players in this format is currently the best way to distinguish the champions from the journeymen. Which will ensure that the other "masala" formats too preserve their entertainment quotient.
By not playing enough Test Cricket ( or playing against the minnows ), the administration might end up diluting the quality of the other formats too, eventually losing viewership and hence revenue. BCCI has clout due to the revenues it generates. The time is right to convert some of that financial clout to true leadership. For long-term greed, if not out of a genuine concern for the game.
private note
Finally got the numbers sorted out. Feel that the hard part is taken care of.
Implementation is going to be complex, but looking forward to it.
Anyway, we think today that it is doable, so making a note to be revisited later.
Implementation is going to be complex, but looking forward to it.
Anyway, we think today that it is doable, so making a note to be revisited later.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Dear Diary ##1
Trying to be my own boss has been surreal so far. Unless you are a particular kind of individual, the minuses far outweigh the plusses.
1. The buck stops with you. There is no scope for "covering your a$$" and shifting blame. Actions have consequences and they are direct.
2. Time is always shorter than the outstanding work.
3. Being organized and meticulous seems to be paramount.
4. The opportunity seems unbounded one moment and non-existent the next.
5. Originality/Creativity is slightly overrated. Execution is more important.
6. Competition is a moving target.
The positives I've seen so far -
1. Starting at ground zero is liberating. Having no safety-net works wonders on your focus.
2. When you start getting answers in dreams, you are officially obsessed with a problem. Feels kinda good.
3. "The only rules that really matter are these: what a man can do and what a man can't do" - Cap'n Jack Sparrow. Reinforced on a daily basis.
1. The buck stops with you. There is no scope for "covering your a$$" and shifting blame. Actions have consequences and they are direct.
2. Time is always shorter than the outstanding work.
3. Being organized and meticulous seems to be paramount.
4. The opportunity seems unbounded one moment and non-existent the next.
5. Originality/Creativity is slightly overrated. Execution is more important.
6. Competition is a moving target.
The positives I've seen so far -
1. Starting at ground zero is liberating. Having no safety-net works wonders on your focus.
2. When you start getting answers in dreams, you are officially obsessed with a problem. Feels kinda good.
3. "The only rules that really matter are these: what a man can do and what a man can't do" - Cap'n Jack Sparrow. Reinforced on a daily basis.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
More dreams
I have a problem with dreams/nightmares, in that I rarely have any. And when I do have a dream, its invariably one of two genres - An action adventure with me as the protagonist or just about me floating in the air/flying.
So yesterday I read a post on a friend's blog about some strange dream she had, and predictably enough, I had a dream yesterday night. And what was it about? An action adventure on the lines of "The Mummy". I find a secret entrance to an elaborate labyrinth of subterranean passages underneath my Engineering College. And it turns out that it houses priceless antiquities from a bygone era, while also serving as the headquarters of an ancient secret society/cult whose members are adept at paranormal practices. And I have gripping encounters with these guys and finally manage to save the day. I actually woke up with the muscles in my limbs taut, as would happen if I had been watching a gripping movie. I really should've penned it all down while I still remembered every detail of my paranormal thriller dream, because now I remember little outside the broad plot outline.
Note to self: Read more about people's dreams, dream more often and along exciting storylines. And get it all down and documented. Who knows, it could well be the next big book/movie/merchandise franchise, a la a certain Monsieur Potter. I need to find a good ghostwriter soon. And I'm thinking Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif and Irrfan Khan for the movie franchise.
So yesterday I read a post on a friend's blog about some strange dream she had, and predictably enough, I had a dream yesterday night. And what was it about? An action adventure on the lines of "The Mummy". I find a secret entrance to an elaborate labyrinth of subterranean passages underneath my Engineering College. And it turns out that it houses priceless antiquities from a bygone era, while also serving as the headquarters of an ancient secret society/cult whose members are adept at paranormal practices. And I have gripping encounters with these guys and finally manage to save the day. I actually woke up with the muscles in my limbs taut, as would happen if I had been watching a gripping movie. I really should've penned it all down while I still remembered every detail of my paranormal thriller dream, because now I remember little outside the broad plot outline.
Note to self: Read more about people's dreams, dream more often and along exciting storylines. And get it all down and documented. Who knows, it could well be the next big book/movie/merchandise franchise, a la a certain Monsieur Potter. I need to find a good ghostwriter soon. And I'm thinking Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif and Irrfan Khan for the movie franchise.
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