Author: Adi

Everyone knows you have a car. You know …

Everyone knows you have a car. You know that you really don’t need to flaunt it anymore.You’ve already been complaining about cold weather, so you don’t need the AC.You’re cribbing about the parking and jams, so driving is only going to be a pain.

Then, why not take an auto for that 5 min drive to the ice-cream shop? There’s no law that says that you can not take an auto after you’ve bought a car. Nor do I think is there a law against taking your young kid and wife in an auto.

If I were you, I’d have taken my bike. Or walked. You aren’t me. Still, that doesn’t mean that you can’t get off your high horse for a bit. Take public transport, an auto. Give your car a rest. Your ego as well. You really don’t have to drive everywhere. Specially when driving is so stressful that even you consider not going a preferable alternative.

#bleh #slytweet

R for Record?

This should have warmed the cockles of my heart. Hasn’t :(

Yesterday, I wrote about how this India-SA test was reminding me of our glory days in the 90s. Well, we’ve got one difference already.

Apparently, Kallis did not applaud Sachin’s century and Smith casted doubts on his commitment to the team, seeing how he didn’t farm any strike on the 5th day leading to India getting bowled out in a jiffy while he managed to stay not out and add to his average.

Now, had we still been in the 90s, numerous effigies of both those SAfrican greats would’ve been burnt and Shiv Sena would’ve banned them from every playing in Bombay again. In modern day terms, this would mean is them getting blasted on twitter, in comments on that article and being banned by MNS from every playing in Mumbai again. Surprisingly, none of this has happened.

In fact, it’s not just the Sachin-defenders who’ve let us down but also the Sachin-baiters who’ve let us down. Another away test match where Sachin tots up the runs while not even attempting to eke out a draw for the country. Such a brilliant opportunity and none of the Sachin baiters have gotten on his case.

What is this country coming to when we can’t even fight over our most successful test batsman (or the worst team-player to ever score 50 test centuries for India, if you’re a baiter)?

Anyway, I won’t let the fond memories of those brilliant 90s down. I’ll do my bit. I’ll be the Sachin baiter that I was all through that decade. So, here it is… my bit:

Every time Sachin gets close to a century, he starts believing that the middle ‘R’ in SRT stands for ‘Records’. It’s only natural he chooses to ditch the team and go for the records – centuries, not-outs, what-nots. The team may go to hell, or a series white-wash, for all he cares!

#bleh

This 1st India-SA test is bringing back …

This 1st India-SA test is bringing back some fond memories. Of Indian cricket as it was in the brilliant 90s.

Team India touted as best ever to improve the away winning record before a tour outside the subcontinent.
Team India’s long & strong batting line-up surrenders meekly in face of fast bowling on bouncy wickets.
Team India’s always-average bowlers struggle to bowl out opposition for lack of any real-pace or spinning wickets.
Desperate hope for rain, fog, bad light and all other possible factors that could help snatch a draw.
The inevitable – Sachin tots up another hundred as India lose another away test match horribly.
Heated discussions between pro- & anti-SRT groups on ‘Sachin only plays for records but can’t win/save a match for India’
Cosmetic changes to the team for 2nd test.
Repeat.

Aloof

Yes, I am.

Grew up in a house where everyone had a greater right to the place than us, the year-round residents. Or caretakers, as I felt of us. A house which was rarely without visitors – friends, well-wishers and, mostly, relatives (well-wishing or not). A weak financial status didn’t help our independence either. And the bullish Punjabi culture around didn’t give much space to our soft, almost meek, personalities.

So, you may understand when I say I value my privacy. That I ferociously protect my private space and time. And I’m very Very choosy about who I call a close friend. Friends, yes, plenty. Close friends I’ll share my heart with on every topic – not even a handful. Yet, priceless.

It may also help you understand why I so diligently maintain my distance from the few close relatives I have in this country. Knowingly or not, they did spoil a lot of things for me while I was growing up. Many more than they could pay for with the gifts they brought on every visit to India. So, when I maintain this distance, I only do them a favour – by not interfering in their lives in a similar manner. Or giving them the faintest of hints that they could interfere in mine.

P.S.: These thoughts were brought out of hibernation by a voice-mail invitation from an Aunt to a year-end family gathering. Interestingly, she called from a private number, asked me to call back and confirm but forgot to leave her number – should I read much into this? :|