Last week, a Fedex packet arrived at home for me- it contained 8 Cricket World Cup tickets. To say I was thrilled was an understatement. Before the tickets arrived, I was wondering whether I should go; after I saw them, there was no question, especially as my wife backed me all the way. Since that night, I have been like a small kid- looking at those tickets again and again, checking for flights to Antigua, checking out the right hotel to stay in, checking out restaurants, reading up on Antigua, checking out the maps to see exactly where it is- its been wonderful and I just cant wait...
Its been four years since the last one, and four years since India lost the finals to Australia, something we would be out to avenge this year. The fact that Australia have been the most dominant team in the interim doesnt matter, they have lost five of the last six games they have played and they have given everyone a lot of cheer. One perpetually strong team that has always choked under pressure in the World Cup have been South Africa. I would love to see them in the Finals- and for India to beat them of course. Australia's recent slump has thrown the World Cup wide open- and thats what would make it fun. Pakistan has a strong, but mercurial side, Sri Lanka can beat anyone on its day, New Zealand and England have both beaten Australia recently, South Africa have been beaten both India and Pakistan in recent series- it just seems like nobody is a real favorite going into the cup. Based on current form though, South Africa have a slight edge over the rest. Despite India's unpredictable performances, I am a strong India backer- its a balanced side, good blend between maturity and youth and in Rahul Dravid, we have a terrific leader who can take us through the roughest times. Just a matter of hitting our stride in the next couple of months.
Whatever happens, here are my hope. I hope Australia does not win the third time around. There is much to be admired about that team, but continuous dominance by one team is never good for the sport at large- it makes for boring viewing plain and simple. I would back any underdog ahead of Australia and no surprise I would back India. (wonder why.....huh..) I also sincerely hope that all the logistics work out just right- enough has been said about logistical nightmares in the Carribean but I have enough faith that it will all work out...just like my tickets to Antigua!! May the best team win...(and did I mention that the best I think is India....)
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Friday, February 16, 2007
The controversy surrounding American Idol
This season's American Idol has generated controversy in the early weeks for two reasons. One- some of the comments by the judges were particularly mean. Second- it is claimed that the show exploited the way it portrayed the talent or the lack of it for some of contestants, particularly the not-so-good ones.
While I personally did not enjoy the early episodes, it amazed me that people with absolutely no talent whatsoever would show up for the auditions. Worse, they would actually believe that they were good singers. Even for a lay person like me with little musical talent, I cant believe how some of the worst singers would actually get distraught when they would be told the truth. Are people really so deluded? Have they got no idea about where their talent lies? Even if people did set them up, how did they come to believe so strongly that they had musical talent when clearly, a lot of them were tone deaf! Some of the comments from the judges were admittedly mean, but if I was listening to a hundred auditions day in day out with 97 of them extremely poor, at some stage, my patience is going to wear thin too. Secondly, people volunteer to be on the show. And it is the sixth season, not the first, so they should by now get used to Simon being mean, Randy being honest and Paula being .....incomprehensible and unpredictably sentimental...so people to act surprised about the initial episodes is a surprise to me. Some of it made for good TV and clearly, some people who didnt make it made it to other shows, so they can leverage their 15 seconds of fame to whatever heights they want to take to.
The show is a success because of the stars it produces- from Kelly to Clay to Carrie- it has taken raw talent, made them go through a rigorous process that hardens individuals to face the realities of the music industry, gets the public to vote so that we are an integral part of the success of these individuals. My wife and I watched the Grammys and werent as kicked about the success of Dixie Chicks as with the success of Carrie Underwood, who would have been singing in a church in Chicotah but for this show.
The show in a lot of ways encompasses what reality really is- life is not always fair, but if have talent, work hard, are willing to take the knocks and stand up every time, you are bound to succeed. And the sooner you know you dont have the talent in a particular field, it is better to exit and try something else rather than chase a mirage.
I am excited now that the field has been whittled down to 24, excited both about watching the show every Tuesday and Wednesday and also the conversations amongst my friends that happens straight after the show about who was the best. American Idol community lives on....despite all the controversy.
While I personally did not enjoy the early episodes, it amazed me that people with absolutely no talent whatsoever would show up for the auditions. Worse, they would actually believe that they were good singers. Even for a lay person like me with little musical talent, I cant believe how some of the worst singers would actually get distraught when they would be told the truth. Are people really so deluded? Have they got no idea about where their talent lies? Even if people did set them up, how did they come to believe so strongly that they had musical talent when clearly, a lot of them were tone deaf! Some of the comments from the judges were admittedly mean, but if I was listening to a hundred auditions day in day out with 97 of them extremely poor, at some stage, my patience is going to wear thin too. Secondly, people volunteer to be on the show. And it is the sixth season, not the first, so they should by now get used to Simon being mean, Randy being honest and Paula being .....incomprehensible and unpredictably sentimental...so people to act surprised about the initial episodes is a surprise to me. Some of it made for good TV and clearly, some people who didnt make it made it to other shows, so they can leverage their 15 seconds of fame to whatever heights they want to take to.
The show is a success because of the stars it produces- from Kelly to Clay to Carrie- it has taken raw talent, made them go through a rigorous process that hardens individuals to face the realities of the music industry, gets the public to vote so that we are an integral part of the success of these individuals. My wife and I watched the Grammys and werent as kicked about the success of Dixie Chicks as with the success of Carrie Underwood, who would have been singing in a church in Chicotah but for this show.
The show in a lot of ways encompasses what reality really is- life is not always fair, but if have talent, work hard, are willing to take the knocks and stand up every time, you are bound to succeed. And the sooner you know you dont have the talent in a particular field, it is better to exit and try something else rather than chase a mirage.
I am excited now that the field has been whittled down to 24, excited both about watching the show every Tuesday and Wednesday and also the conversations amongst my friends that happens straight after the show about who was the best. American Idol community lives on....despite all the controversy.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Confusing times
One inspirational nomination, one bizarre end to an odd life and an insipid musical extravaganza is what caught my attention over the last week. It also pretty much characterized the state of the US at present- confused, looking desperately for direction and searching for hope. Obama is the media's darling- at least for the moment. He made his nomination for 2008 presidency public, not on Oprah as a lot of women had hoped, but from the Illinois state house that had the symbolism that Obama represents- a good working class ethic, meritocrisy and egalitarianism and a strive towards excellence, equality and prosperity. I am a huge Obama fan, but my gut says that he will trail in the polls, come second to Hillary, who will ask him to be a Vice Presidential nominee- not sure whether he will accept but being a Vice President for four years could just be the right platform for him to gain diplomatic and international exposure that his resume currently lacks. So for me, its Obama, the Vice President for 2008, President in 2012, and who knows beyond that!
Another news story of a different kind that is dominating tabloids is about Anna Nicole Smith. A bizarre end to a bizarre life made more bizarre by how many prospective fathers are showing up for the five month old daughter. The less said on this topic, the better America will be for it, but I suspect the tabloids have their story, at least to take them through the first half of the year. Until Jennifer Aniston ties the knot that is. My tolerance for such stories is sub zero. Filthy lives of the rich and infamous dont interest me and thank God never will!!
And that brings to the Grammys and to say that I found the show all over the place would be an understatement. Learn from the Oscars please- have a host that can weave things together. Also, the awards just seem to have a favorite for the year and the rest can just go home for all they can care. This year, if you were not Mary J Blige or Carrie Underwood or the Dixie Chicks, you might as well have stayed home. Dixie Chicks got the award for the best country album- need I say more!
Confusing times for sure, but the key thing is still that the economy is stable, New England has had a reasonably pleasant winter and Jay Leno continues his satirical commentary of the country on the Tonight Show, and frankly, those things keep my sanity- apart from my wife and kid of course!
Another news story of a different kind that is dominating tabloids is about Anna Nicole Smith. A bizarre end to a bizarre life made more bizarre by how many prospective fathers are showing up for the five month old daughter. The less said on this topic, the better America will be for it, but I suspect the tabloids have their story, at least to take them through the first half of the year. Until Jennifer Aniston ties the knot that is. My tolerance for such stories is sub zero. Filthy lives of the rich and infamous dont interest me and thank God never will!!
And that brings to the Grammys and to say that I found the show all over the place would be an understatement. Learn from the Oscars please- have a host that can weave things together. Also, the awards just seem to have a favorite for the year and the rest can just go home for all they can care. This year, if you were not Mary J Blige or Carrie Underwood or the Dixie Chicks, you might as well have stayed home. Dixie Chicks got the award for the best country album- need I say more!
Confusing times for sure, but the key thing is still that the economy is stable, New England has had a reasonably pleasant winter and Jay Leno continues his satirical commentary of the country on the Tonight Show, and frankly, those things keep my sanity- apart from my wife and kid of course!
Monday, February 05, 2007
Its Peyton Manning and the Colts!
In my last post, I had written about the spectacle that is the Super Bowl. All of America comes to a standstill in these four hours- and what are people really watching for?
3 things I think-
a) The Football game itself- this time, it was about whether one of the legends of the game, Peyton Manning to win the elusive Super Bowl and get the monkey off his back regarding his performance in the Big Game!
b) The Half Time show- Remember the wardrobe malfunction and the furore that followed. Everyone forgot about the game- I don't even remember who the winner was. This time it was Prince, and by all accounts, he acquitted himself well, and thank God for no malfunctions there!
c) The Commercials- This is place where companies showcase their big commercials and it seems like Budweiser won it by a mile, not just in terms of having more than half a dozen commercials there, but also the quality. Beer and football just go together, somehow!!
So how did the game end? Thankfully, with Peyton Manning and the Colts winning the coveted title. I still cant get over the title of being World Champions. Could we include one more country to give it that credibility please, even if that is as close geographically as Mexico or Canada. At least, that way, the "world" will have a larger connotation than the borders of the US.
Onto the baseball season now!
3 things I think-
a) The Football game itself- this time, it was about whether one of the legends of the game, Peyton Manning to win the elusive Super Bowl and get the monkey off his back regarding his performance in the Big Game!
b) The Half Time show- Remember the wardrobe malfunction and the furore that followed. Everyone forgot about the game- I don't even remember who the winner was. This time it was Prince, and by all accounts, he acquitted himself well, and thank God for no malfunctions there!
c) The Commercials- This is place where companies showcase their big commercials and it seems like Budweiser won it by a mile, not just in terms of having more than half a dozen commercials there, but also the quality. Beer and football just go together, somehow!!
So how did the game end? Thankfully, with Peyton Manning and the Colts winning the coveted title. I still cant get over the title of being World Champions. Could we include one more country to give it that credibility please, even if that is as close geographically as Mexico or Canada. At least, that way, the "world" will have a larger connotation than the borders of the US.
Onto the baseball season now!
Sunday, February 04, 2007
The Super Bowl- a uniquely American event
In just over 12 hours, all of America will stop working and be glued to the television- either at a bar, or a friend's place or at home or with the extended family- all to watch who wins the Super Bowl, the final championship game of American football. Prince will perform at half time, and we hope that there will be no wardrobe malfunctions, a la Janet Jackson! Over the last two weeks, I have been asked what I am doing for the Super Bowl. Presumably, I should have big plans but I don't. First- because I dont quite understand the nuances of the game. Second- cricket excites me more than American football. Third- as far as a ball game is concerned, soccer world cup for me is a much bigger event, especially when you consider the countries who play it. And so when Italy met France last year in the World Cup Soccer finals, I was glued. I am not sure whether I will be this evening.
But I shall watch nevertheless. Because it is a uniquely American event and to miss means not just missing the game, but the thrill and joy that comes with living here. Its not just about the half time show, its not just about the new commercials that will be launched, its not just about whether Peyton Manning will get his Superbowl ring that he so richly deserves, it is about enjoying everything that is unique to this place and makes it different. I am amazed that the champions will be called the World Champions, as the "world" extends not an inch beyond Florida and Alaska, and if you ask anyone outside of the US what they think of the skills of Tom Brady, they are likely to think you are asking them about Tom Cruise and I daresay, Baby Suri is more well known in the world than Tom Brady!
But America will celebrate as it should. Sports truly represents popular culture and American football represents everything that makes this country what it is- excellence, hard work, competitiveness, celebration of excess and also, its amazing insularity!
For sure, I dont understand the nuances of the game, but I have followed it enough to know that Peyton Manning winning it tonight is equivalent to a Sachin Tendulkar winning the World Cup cricket- individual genius waiting to lift the collective team to lift one of the most coveted trophies in the game, or should I say the 'World"!!
But I shall watch nevertheless. Because it is a uniquely American event and to miss means not just missing the game, but the thrill and joy that comes with living here. Its not just about the half time show, its not just about the new commercials that will be launched, its not just about whether Peyton Manning will get his Superbowl ring that he so richly deserves, it is about enjoying everything that is unique to this place and makes it different. I am amazed that the champions will be called the World Champions, as the "world" extends not an inch beyond Florida and Alaska, and if you ask anyone outside of the US what they think of the skills of Tom Brady, they are likely to think you are asking them about Tom Cruise and I daresay, Baby Suri is more well known in the world than Tom Brady!
But America will celebrate as it should. Sports truly represents popular culture and American football represents everything that makes this country what it is- excellence, hard work, competitiveness, celebration of excess and also, its amazing insularity!
For sure, I dont understand the nuances of the game, but I have followed it enough to know that Peyton Manning winning it tonight is equivalent to a Sachin Tendulkar winning the World Cup cricket- individual genius waiting to lift the collective team to lift one of the most coveted trophies in the game, or should I say the 'World"!!
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