tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3026245059183943132024-03-07T12:23:33.142-08:00vi /home/apurv/blogAnother attempt to try and salvage out somethin' from my seemingly inconsequential existence..@purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.comBlogger166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-87277586188945654332008-08-01T18:24:00.001-07:002008-08-01T18:28:36.616-07:00Oh ho ho..<p>I'm not posting much here - I presume its just normal for me to stop blogging, I just get bored I guess, presumably by the lack of interesting stuff to post. However, this one's a cracker. We all know <strong><em>Freddie Flintoff</em></strong> is back and if you've missed what you did to <strong><em>Jacques Kallis</em></strong> the other day at Edgbaston, you've just got lucky with this clip. For a change, there are a couple of most exciting Test matches going around, but this short stint from the <strong><em>Big Fred</em></strong> is worth more than just a single watch. </p> <div class="wlWriterSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:d3839465-acaf-4684-93e3-51d0dd153088" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px"><div><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/W8tDpv__9OI"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/W8tDpv__9OI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></div></div> @purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-275538896050246512008-07-09T14:04:00.001-07:002008-07-09T14:04:25.988-07:00Relive the magic<p>I can't get enough of the epic final, and fortunately someone had put a high quality series of highlights of the match. For those who missed the magic, like I did, get yourself a second chance. Epics like these don't take place too often, for I haven't seen <em>Federer </em>hit the forehand so hard and yet see a winner fly by him, and for I haven't seen anyone till now who's scurried on grass from one end to the other during a 5 set course. For those who said rallies are only meant for clay (including me), we need to take a break after all. Having said that, I've got to say no one beats Federer in the tie breakers. Even though I've been a <em>Rafa </em>supporter for quite sometime, it would be foolish not to complement how the King played. <em>Simply put, I think either of them would have won against anyone else with this level of play.</em> </p> <div class="wlWriterSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:78b77bf4-b6f7-46c2-ac2c-996d1bd8c885" style="padding-right: 5px; display: inline; padding-left: 5px; float: none; padding-bottom: 5px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 5px"><div><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5B8tJxBNfcI&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5B8tJxBNfcI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></div></div> @purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-35468751038797638752008-07-07T23:38:00.001-07:002008-07-07T23:39:50.858-07:00Magnificent..<p align="justify"><strong><em>This year perhaps is one of the biggest in the Spanish sporting history.</em></strong> As if winning the Euro wasn't sufficient, <em>Spain</em> finally conquered the All England's Club with <strong><em>Rafael Nadal</em></strong> edging out <strong><em>King Fed</em></strong> in what might be described as perhaps the greatest duel in the history of tennis.</p> <p>Tennis had lost its excitement on its most beautiful surface, with Roger Federer nailing Wimbledon five<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/apurv11911/SHMLbUTzXwI/AAAAAAAABZw/5eUNCi03SUs/s1600-h/1%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 10px 10px 10px 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="180" alt="1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/apurv11911/SHMLbtaRACI/AAAAAAAABZ0/k4H7ikoqqVU/1_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" align="left" border="0" /></a> times in a row. But watching the finals last year, it was evident that fortunes might change in the next edition.. and boy did they change amidst some drama! I didn't get to see the finals this year, but was lucky enough to catch what happened to be the last game of the match. The light conditions reminded me of the farcical cricket World Cup final last year in the Caribbean, except that hardly anyone left the stadium during this game. The <em>Cardie King </em>and the <em>Muscleman</em> were still not ready to give the other an inch.. stuff that legen<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/apurv11911/SHMLcBzAWYI/AAAAAAAABZ4/ocyB06W47p8/s1600-h/2%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 10px 0px 10px 10px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="260" alt="2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/apurv11911/SHMLca3jh2I/AAAAAAAABZ8/OXG6NMecZBs/2_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" align="right" border="0" /></a>ds are made of. </p> <p align="justify">Four hours and forty eight minutes, and I couldn't help catching on the highlights. Flair in any game looks beautiful, but determination takes an altogether different stage. <em>Lleyton Hewitt and Michael Chang</em> were perhaps the best on this premise during their days, but I guess we are safe to say that Nadal is in a different league altogether. Critics might have sidelined him only to the clay courts, and how wrong have they been proven. </p> <p align="justify">Normally press conferences are all about light humor and nonsensical stuff, but this time it wasn't the case. The King has been wounded and he left no d oubts in our minds about that through his statements. Terming this loss as a 'disaster', it is apparent that things might only get more difficult for Federer in the future. With <em>Nadal</em> already there, and <em>Djokovic</em> breathing down his neck, it's going to be a war out there. I can't wait for the closing act of the season - <strong><em>'The battle of Flushing Meadows'</em></strong>..</p> @purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-6985359740386320512008-07-07T23:15:00.001-07:002008-07-07T23:15:36.396-07:00Oh the 'dead'lines<p>Been away for a while and I can't remember putting this kind of effort earlier. I was facing a conference deadline and it was all about spending endless hours trying to get the results. Its over and things are much better now.. till the next deadline.. :D</p> @purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-17265490113419885772008-05-18T12:49:00.001-07:002008-05-18T12:49:44.174-07:00At Last..Cricket in whites<p>I was so relieved to read the proceedings in Lords where the 1st Test between England and Kiwis took place. But at the same time, I was a little baffled since the headlines on most websites instead chose to continue putting <strong><em>IPL</em></strong> on center stage. Well, am not against IPL as such or for that matter the cheerleaders, but the fact is that its been going for a touch too long now. Entertainment's good, but only if its within check. IPL is growing or rather being promoted rather uninhibitedly. </p> <p>Well, no doubt that most cricket watchers wouldn't have known about the potential of some of the Indian domestic players without IPL, since BCCI has (in)advertently done all it can to kill the biggest domestic tournament of the country - the Ranji Trophy. Its quite mystifying to think that they were never able to schedule the domestic tournaments at a time when all the national squad players were available all this while, and now they have managed to stitch together a tournament which is dictating the international calendar, which could only be potentially matched by the World Cup. Money can do wonders and perhaps Modi and co. and too busy minting it to take note of that. Accepted.. </p> <p>People are comparing the Packer revolution to IPL - a question which would probably be answered in the time to come. I just hope the answer doesn't turn out to be true, since it probably would prompt all wannabe Rahul Dravids to instead have the likes of Afridi as their mentor. Funny as it might sound. </p> <p>Further, if the folks at the top think that they'd soon be seeing the fanaticism of the crowds supporting their own teams, then I pity the people of other states.. Well, one never knows but BCCI may come up with any team.. the <strong><em>Bhopali Blunders!</em></strong></p> @purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-36574018893440941112008-05-18T01:00:00.001-07:002008-05-18T01:00:47.477-07:00Mafia, Drugs, Blackjack, Bank Robberies and Teens..<p>Well, these are just the subjects of the movies I grabbed in the last couple of days. There were tonnes of them that I've missed and I've been trying my best to wrap them up.. </p> <p><em><strong>Denzel Washington's</strong></em> always been one of my favorites and add <strong><em>Russell Crowe</em></strong> to it, and its a super bonanza. At 175 minutes a touch too long, but <strong><em>American Gangster</em></strong> held it up throughout. Mafia movies are always exciting, and this one was a complete treat to watch. The <em>true</em> story of <em>Frank Lucas'</em> drug empire is definitely worth watching!</p> <p>I remember how much I loved watching <em>Good Will Hunting</em> and the rebellious brilliance of <strong><em>Matt Damon</em></strong>. <strong><em>Jim Sturgess</em></strong> definitely doesn't match the former, but the quick paced story of <strong><em>21</em></strong> based on the life of <em>Jeff Ma</em>, an MIT grad is fun to watch. <strong><em>Kevin Spacey</em></strong> and <strong><em>Lawrence Fishburne</em></strong> add to the cast, but there aren't any great acting honors for the taking here. Its just the exciting script about how the best brains in MIT take to card counting in <em>Blackjack</em>. Add to that the popcorn and the regular drink and rest assured, the 2 odd hours spent will not be considered wasted. </p> <p>I completed the hattrick of watching movies based on true stories with <strong><em>Bank Job</em></strong>. For some reason, since I watched <em>Snatch</em> and the '<em>Turkish'</em> character of <em><strong>Jason Statham</strong></em> is still there in the head. I've since watched <em>Transporter</em>, <em>Crank</em> and a few others of his, and Bank Job was no exception. Its not a <em>great</em> flick by any standards, but again one of those which is fun (yet again) to watch. I think what really adds to the fun is the shocking story on which this flick's based. Once I wrapped this one, I hit the <em>Wikipedia</em> to look for the facts. There weren't many listed apparently since this subject is under 'D Notice' which calls for utmost silence on such matters, but all one needs is a hint, right?</p> <p>I hate sweet flicks, but <strong><em>Juno</em></strong> was a revelation. Yeah, this was the fourth one in 2 days! <strong><em>Ellen Page</em></strong> is terrific as a 16 yr old pregnant teen, though I must admit its over the top at times. But there are times, when you don't give a damn to it. How many movies have been made which are comical, but tackling a pretty serious issue at the same time. Juno's the one..</p> @purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-88934030027701800312008-05-17T23:29:00.001-07:002008-05-17T23:29:51.421-07:00Back finally..<p>Another semester went by. I start off with every semester thinking its going to be better than the last one, thoroughly determined to take it easier, but some things never happen. It just always hits hard anyways..</p> <p>It was interesting though at times and not so at others. I hate theory and it was evident by the theory course I took. On the other hand, I just can't remember the last time building so much code for academic projects. It was tough while I was doing it, but looking back, I guess it was interesting!</p> <p>Anyways, back for now and though I guess I'll be a little busy during the summer working over some project, but I guess regular posts will be on my agenda for sure.. </p> @purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-31989828154016908832008-03-14T10:36:00.001-07:002008-03-14T10:37:26.930-07:00TR's Top 10<p align="justify">MIT's Technological Review just released the the list of top 10 technologies to look forward for this year, <em>which they think are most likely to change the way we live</em>. </p> <p align="justify">Even though <em><strong>energy conservation, miniaturization and data mining</strong></em> seems to form the crux of most of these technologies, but its the ideas which are truly revolutionary. <a href="http://www.technologyreview.com/specialreports/specialreport.aspx?id=25">Here's</a> the complete list, and though all of them seem pretty fascinating, the concept of <em>Probabilistic Chips</em> and <em>Modeling Surprise</em> really intrigued me the most. </p> @purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-30570172538751766262008-03-08T14:08:00.001-08:002008-03-10T20:29:51.176-07:00Movies Galore..<p>Yeah, that says it all. Its been a long time since I've seen one. All in all three of them in the last couple of days. Enter spring break.. <a href="http://lh4.google.com/apurv11911/R9MOaITEnRI/AAAAAAAAA-4/LPTebabfSNo/Fountain_poster_1%5B6%5D"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 5px; border-right-width: 0px" height="181" alt="Fountain_poster_1" src="http://lh6.google.com/apurv11911/R9MOaoTEnSI/AAAAAAAAA_A/zK12sPbybsw/Fountain_poster_1_thumb%5B4%5D" width="123" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="justify"><strong><em>The Fountain</em></strong> was pending since long and it lived up to its branding of being a little obscure. Classify it as science fiction or the romantic genre, it stays true to the <strong><em>Darren  Aronofsky</em></strong> brand. It might not have the kind of impact that <em>Requiem for a Dream</em> had, but nevertheless, its a pretty good watch with <strong><em>Hugh Jackman</em></strong> really showing his class. It took me a while to get into the groove after I played it and I won't grade it as supremely entertaining, but definitely worth a watch for it really is a different grade of cinema. What more, it stars <strong><em>Rachel Weisz</em></strong>..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.google.com/apurv11911/R9MObYTEnTI/AAAAAAAAA_I/Prt72XD9T9Q/Rambowallpaperkr8%5B5%5D"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 5px; border-right-width: 0px" height="196" alt="Rambowallpaperkr8" src="http://lh3.google.com/apurv11911/R9MOb4TEnUI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/uRFd_-n5MfE/Rambowallpaperkr8_thumb%5B3%5D" width="133" align="left" border="0" /></a>Pure unadulterated action was what I expected from the latest <strong><em>Sly Stallone's John Rambo</em></strong>.. Plenty of blood in it, but somehow it doesn't really invigorates as the earlier editions. But then, even if you are a Sly fan, you can't let this one go, for even at 60 this man can rip the enemies apart. :)</p> <p>I don't know what drove me to watch <strong><em>The Notebook</em></strong>. Perhaps a high rating on <a href="http://www.imdb.com"><em>imdb</em></a> was the catalyst and though it was pretty decent, its not for me. I avoid watching such flicks, but then at times I do fall into the trap. <a href="http://lh6.google.com/apurv11911/R9MOcoTEnVI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/GTW_YGcbMg0/VM._SY400_SX600_%5B4%5D"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 5px; border-right-width: 0px" height="145" alt="VM._SY400_SX600_" src="http://lh5.google.com/apurv11911/R9MOdYTEnWI/AAAAAAAAA_g/vDEe5zx6Gyo/VM._SY400_SX600__thumb%5B2%5D" width="164" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="justify">That was it for me, radically different genres to get the ball rolling. I've heard <strong><em>10,000 BC</em></strong> is a drag, and I wonder how can the makers of <strong><em>Independence Day</em></strong> screw it up. But then I do remember <strong><em>Godzilla</em></strong>! </p> @purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-34530072204214376432008-03-03T11:58:00.001-08:002008-03-03T17:35:49.534-08:00Finally, it arrived..<p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.google.com/apurv11911/R8xYaob7KGI/AAAAAAAAA-o/MVtQ86K4fPk/87854%5B3%5D"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 5px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="87854" src="http://lh4.google.com/apurv11911/R8xYbIb7KHI/AAAAAAAAA-w/o2MChPrthD0/87854_thumb%5B1%5D" width="189" align="right" border="0" /></a> <em>..it indeed did.</em> Nine years is a long time, but then when it came, it was all the more sweet. Few would remember that the last time <strong><em>he</em></strong> hit a ton in a winning final was against the Zims in 1999. He's been there all this while, scoring runs at a scorching rate, but when it came to the finals, it looked as though the law of averages seem to catch up with him. Perhaps it did him this time as well, probably this time the other way around, since he hadn't scored many in the earlier games. </p> <p align="justify">Fantastic knock, which was not as imposing as the one Hayden played earlier in the day, but it was balanced. Talk about cricket being played as much in the mind as outside. There weren't many outrageous punches off the backfoot or the booming straight drives, instead what we saw was creative batsmanship at his best. This was mind over matter and no brownie points for guessing who won. </p> <p align="justify">Being an ardent fan that I am, I was literally praying that India wins the toss and bats first at the SCG, since I've hardly seen teams chasing successfully on that ground. The pitch gets a lot slower and lower as the day progresses, and although the ground is at its magnificent best under the lights, it has more often than not been a burial ground for the chasers. But at last it changed..</p> <p align="justify">A great game all in all - the Aussies showed why they are the best fielding side in the world yet again which meant that the Indians had to chase an extra 25 runs. They did and with the master there to see it till the end, it was all the more beautiful. I'm not saying that the Aussies are past their prime or anything else. There's still daylight between them and the others, but its good to see a few teams at least take the game by the scuff of the neck and give them a fight. After all any game needs two 'teams' to make it a contest. </p> <p align="justify"><strong><em>I really expect Gabba to be everything but SCG in terms of the pitch. Indians are one up, and the Aussies are a bit wounded. Some fellow Aussie bloggers want their team to hit the deserts once again as they did when John Buchanan was the coach to strengthen them up. Interesting.. all I have to say is ask Stephen Waugh first - he'd have some scary stories about the desert storm he witnessed way back in the summer of '98 at Sharjah!</em></strong></p> @purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-38467946444542212182008-02-28T14:05:00.001-08:002008-02-28T14:05:09.398-08:00Adios Stage6<p>A one stop for most of us, if not all to find a high quality video. Be it the movies or the TV shows, <a href="http://www.stage6.com">Stage6</a> has always been there. As expected, it was a shocker when news broke out that these folks are closing it down due to lack of funds. The detailed letter has been put over <a href="http://www.stage6.com/blog/108/">here</a>,  and sadly it wasn't supposed to be a prank. :( Now that stage6 would be closing down today, I hope it gets reincarnated in some form. Damn, so many movies have been made on this formula, I'd love to see it come true at least once!</p> @purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-14809348695932497482008-02-27T07:45:00.001-08:002008-02-27T09:36:16.909-08:00Mission: Destroy Earth<p align="justify">Space science has always been one of my favorite pastimes, to an extent that I dreamt of becoming an astrophysicist till a few years back! Well, an eternal optimist that I am, I won't really rule out that possibility, but the probability of that happening are as good as the you being able to destroy earth using any of the ways described <a href="http://www.livescience.com/technology/destroy_earth_mp-1.html"><em>here</em></a>. Its as insane as it can get, but a terrific read. This is probably thinking along the fourth dimension. :D</p> <p>                     <a href="http://lh5.google.com/apurv11911/R8WFmuSVCKI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/TqSqEPj9S6E/HF_DESTROY_EARTH11%5B2%5D"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="166" alt="HF_DESTROY_EARTH11" src="http://lh6.google.com/apurv11911/R8WFm-SVCLI/AAAAAAAAA-g/edvZDQs_iMM/HF_DESTROY_EARTH11_thumb" width="244" border="0" /></a></p> @purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-90907378633053476892008-02-26T12:34:00.001-08:002008-02-27T09:37:01.670-08:00Brett Lee-ing all the way..<p align="justify">I don't know why he's nick named <strong><em>Bing; </em></strong>he doesn't resemble his namesake <strong><em>Chandler Bing</em></strong> even an inch. Not by his features and definitely not by his antics. But <strong><em>Brett "the threat" Lee's</em></strong> definitely a show stealer, much akin to the popular soap <strong><em>Friends</em> </strong>character. </p> <p align="justify">Though this year's <strong><em>Allan Border</em></strong> medal had quite a few phenomenal candidates as always, but perhaps no one deserved it more than Lee, who's taken the mantle of leading Australia's attack with utmost ease from his ever so glorious predecessors. <strong><em>McGrath</em></strong> and <strong><em>Warne</em></strong> formed the lynchpin of this champion side but once they left, there were question marks all over the place over who's going to carry them forward. Brett Lee's been there for almost a decade now, but what we've seen from him in the last couple of seasons has been nothing short of exemplary. Ask <strong><em>Ricky Ponting</em></strong>, and he'll let you know that the first name that comes into his mind whenever they need wickets is just one. The most brilliant part is that he delivers.. and does so invariably. </p> <p align="justify">70 wickets in the last year, he's not given an inch whether it comes to the longer or the shorter format of the game. He has perhaps never been so consistent and he knows it. There have been times when others have been pretty ordinary and there's a tendency o<a href="http://lh4.google.com/apurv11911/R8R3xuSVCII/AAAAAAAAA-I/VwhWZ4_A6Cc/brettlee_wideweb__470x336%2C0%5B3%5D"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 5px; border-right-width: 0px" height="176" alt="brettlee_wideweb__470x336,0" src="http://lh3.google.com/apurv11911/R8R3yeSVCJI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/qP3B2sCUvrw/brettlee_wideweb__470x336%2C0_thumb%5B1%5D" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a>f the senior pro to be reduced to a <em>workhorse</em>. Rest assured, when it comes to BL, all you can expect is 90 odd miles an hour boomerangs being delivered and some twitchy nerves among the guys facing him. Talk about being <em>right on the money.</em></p> <p align="justify">When he first emerged onto the scene in the Boxing Day Test against the Indians in 1999, there was this guy who had some serious pace, but with a doubtable action and nervy temper. Though he bagged a fiver in his first match, but troubles with his action and fitness never really let him take off the way he would have liked. But champions never really 'say die' and his second transformation has been an absolute revelation. He uses his artillery much more wisely and is not just about throttling half trackers at the tail enders. Pit him against a <strong><em>Sachin Tendulkar</em></strong> and you won't probably find a bowler who can bowl better. </p> <p align="justify">He wasn't known to be shy of hurtling beamers on the batsmen when things weren't going well, but in the past few years, he's perhaps gained the honor of being the most well behaved Aussie on the field. Perhaps both the sides need to take a cue from <em>their </em>mate, who knows exactly how to mix aggression and the game without creating a lump. Temper's fittingly taken the backseat and now we see a player who thoroughly enjoys the game even when the chips are down. </p> <p align="justify"><strong><em>Admirable, Athletic, Super Fit and Exciting.. This package has definitely all the ingredients to be amongst the best.</em></strong></p> @purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-2225498671813597722008-02-20T22:52:00.001-08:002008-02-27T09:37:42.039-08:00Wishy Wacky..<p align="justify">At times one needs bust the stress and there are a few movies that at times manage t<a href="http://lh4.google.com/apurv11911/R70fpeSVCEI/AAAAAAAAA9o/V55DnBua6qY/402px-Crank_final%5B4%5D"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 5px; border-right-width: 0px" height="237" alt="402px-Crank_final" src="http://lh6.google.com/apurv11911/R70fp-SVCFI/AAAAAAAAA9w/zzpG0bhWlmQ/402px-Crank_final_thumb%5B2%5D" width="160" align="left" border="0" /></a>o land up in that category. Quality might not be the epitome of such a movie, but who cares. Sometime back I had written about Clive Owen's <a href="http://apurv-wakes-up.blogspot.com/2008/01/tzp-shoot-up.html"><strong><em>Shoot 'Em Up</em></strong></a>, which was one of the most outrageous movies I had seen in the recent past. A couple of days back I saw <strong>Jason Statham's</strong> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0479884/"><strong><em>Crank</em></strong></a>, and must say that it matches up to its title - it had eccentricity written all over it. A wacky plot and insane build up, but as I said who cares - Statham's exploits in Snatch and Lock Stock.. made me watch this, and though critics might have absolutely debunked this flick, it made for some pretty good entertainment. :) C'mon how many movies are based on the premise that a certain Chinese poison would kill you once your heart rate drops below a certain level. As again, one of those flicks where you need to keep your brains on the table to enjoy it. <a href="http://lh5.google.com/apurv11911/R70fquSVCGI/AAAAAAAAA94/ll2WPzkU0TA/Bucket_list_poster%5B3%5D"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="Bucket_list_poster" src="http://lh4.google.com/apurv11911/R70freSVCHI/AAAAAAAAA-A/7N65rxLipgk/Bucket_list_poster_thumb%5B1%5D" width="167" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="justify">If Crank was <em>whacky</em>,  then <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0825232/"><strong><em>The Bucket List</em></strong></a> was <em>wishy</em>. A pretty intriguing premise again, where a couple of terminally ill chaps escape from the ward and head off to complete off a list of To-Do's before they die. Anyways, plots carry little meaning when you have the stellar combination of <strong>Jack <em>'the eccentric'</em> Nicholson</strong> and <strong>Morgan <em>'the unamused'</em> Freeman</strong>. Its a nice and easy watch flick, though a rating of 7.8 on <em>IMDB</em> is probably a little high for it.   </p> @purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-8801918406609631752008-02-18T09:07:00.000-08:002008-02-18T09:21:17.527-08:00Micro-hoo! An interesting PerspectiveComputer Science at Grad school at times can really beat the hell out of you at times. A similar thing happened last semester and I grew increasingly inconsistent in my blogging life. The tech facet has already been almost non existent here, since I hate talking tech all the time. Grad life already takes care of that! :) But sometimes it gets really interesting as well, such as <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/18/technology/18integrate.html?_r=1&oref=slogin">this</a> article by New York Times on the Micro-hoo! episode. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Well, its not the usual 'whether-or-not' thing, but gives an interesting perspective of 'what-if'.. </span></span>@purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-81735858302180151372008-02-05T19:12:00.001-08:002008-02-27T09:38:27.625-08:00A Few Wise Men..<p align="justify">Watching live games on the ground is a <em>helluva</em> experience for a few, but for the unfortunate rest, the only savior is the television stacked in the corner of the room. But for them, blessing comes in disguise as they are not just able to view the happenings in the middle, but also listen to the thoughts of some of the best people who have been involved with the game. I didn't use the phrase <em>who have played</em> the game at the highest level, since there are some brilliant exceptions. I've been thinking on posting this since quite a while and it was long due. So here's my list of whom I really love listening to, the guys who can turn even some of the most boring games into pretty entertainers.. here are a few wise men - </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.google.com/apurv11911/R6kmma9L7mI/AAAAAAAAA9A/d0YTUSCNqG4/cc%5B3%5D"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 90px; border-right-width: 0px" height="202" alt="cc" src="http://lh5.google.com/apurv11911/R6kmnK9L7nI/AAAAAAAAA9I/GNQr9xu1nmQ/cc_thumb%5B1%5D" width="289" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="justify"><strong><em><font color="#000040">1. Mark Nicholas -</font></em></strong> <em>"By Heaven"</em> doesn't sound even close to being blasphemous when he says that. For me, he's just the best in the business whether it comes to expressing elation or regret. The fact that he's the only commentator in the Channel 9 team who's not played international cricket pays a testimony to the respect he gathers in that pretty exclusive group. Watching Lee bowl to Sach with MN behind the mic is an absolute treat. Sorry for you fellas who see the game live at the grounds.. </p> <p align="justify"><strong><em><font color="#000040">2. Richie Benaud -</font></em></strong> Well, I'm sure most of you would put him on the top spot, but for me he comes at a close second, just a little behind Mark Nicholas. The absolute pundit of the game, who ones famously said, "Captaincy is ninety per cent luck and ten per cent skill, but don't try it without that ten per cent". Without a doubt, the most respected cricket commentator, few would argue his credibility on passing any judgement. He's been one of the best Aussie skippers and been there, seen all.. </p> <p align="justify"><strong><em><font color="#000040">3. Tony Cozier -</font></em></strong> No one probably knows Caribbean cricket better than him. I still believe he could have been the best of 'em all had he been involved with say, the Australian cricket. The decline in West Indian cricket, both in quality and interest probably attributes more than anything else in him dropping to the third place. I loved his comment, "Even God would have found it difficult to play that", when <em>Malinga</em> nailed <em>Vettori</em> with an absolute toe crusher. </p> <p align="justify"><strong><em><font color="#000040">4. Tony Greig -</font></em></strong> Needless to say, one of the most animated commentators around, he can even inject excitement into a Aussies-Kenya encounter! Not many would forget him during the Sach twin blows in Sharjah against the Aussies. It was at times difficult to comprehend whether TG himself was hitting them all over the park. The one who was was offered the 'job for life' by Kerry Packer as a commentator for Nine's cricket coverage, he's really carved a place for himself as one of the best ever. </p> <p align="justify"><strong><em><font color="#000040">5. Michael Holding -</font></em></strong> A quite man with an extremely good insight into the game, he's more different than anyone else in the above lot. Doesn't crack too many jokes and with the least of animations, its just a pleasure listening to him, since you know that he just won't make any blunders behind the mic. To the point and often accurate, he still stays true to his 'quite stealthy' run-up before delivering the knockout punch. </p> <p align="justify"><strong><em><font color="#000040">6. Geoffrey Boycott -</font></em></strong> Controversy's the name of this man, and some of the stuff that he says might seem outrageous to a few and humorous to the rest. Yorkshire's accent has never been this famous before. His 'momma' still takes most of the catches and hits most of the runs and we often see a 'poof' of dust when she's playing. Some characters are made for this game. He might have been one of the dullest around with the bat in his hand, but he's an absolute rock star with the microphone now. </p> <p align="justify"><strong><em><font color="#000040">7.  Ian Chappell -</font></em></strong> If Michael Hussey's the Mr. Cricket on the field, he's the same off the field. As his twin, he craves for perfection, but balances it just about perfectly with humor. Probably one of those people who know the game as good as anyone else, he doesn't shy away from hitting the nail on the head when it comes to passing his comments. I've never found him going over the top and he really forms one of the core pillars of the Channel 9 club. </p> <p align="justify"><strong><em><font color="#000040">8. Bill Lawry -</font></em></strong> I'd include him just for the energy.. just for the <em>its all happening here</em> and <em>bang and Its a ripper.. </em>If excitement's the sole criterion, he'd rank on top of my list with Tony Greig a close second. There are times, when I find him really going over the top, at times pro Aussie, but whatever, Bill still goes for the kill.. </p> <p align="justify"><strong><em><font color="#000040">9. Barry Richards -</font></em></strong> No list can be complete with the great Barry Richards. He falls into the same category as Ian Chappell - perfectionist. The best thing about him is that I've never found him biased in his comments about the game. Indian Protean encounters for some reason lack a bit of fizz in the commentary box, but for Barry Richards, who makes you sit up and listen to him. </p> <p align="justify"><strong><em><font color="#000040">10. Ravi Shastri -</font></em></strong> Well, some might argue that <strong><em>Sunny Gavaskar</em></strong> should have been there, but my pick would be RS. The way he's becoming increasingly good at his job as a broadcaster is commendable. The fact that he's so close to the Indian players help him immensely in passing judgements sitting in that air conditioned box and with his accent and control over the language, he's bound to appeal to the english speaking audience sooner than later. Brilliantly humorous, I'm sure he'll rise up the ranks in the years to come. </p> <p align="justify">Sadly, I decided to limit my list to just ten of them. There were a few others who really were very close to being included but then, it had to be just 10. <strong><em><font color="#000040">Harsha Bhogle, Mike Haysman, David Lloyd and Mark Taylor</font></em></strong> were some of them. <strong><em>Bhogle</em></strong> for his sincerity as a broadcaster and his trivia about this game, <strong><em>Haysman</em></strong> for the Bill Lawrish excitement, Lloyd for his humor and <strong><em>Mark Taylor 'tubby'</em></strong> for analysis. Well, this is it.. These gentlemen behind the microphones are as much as a treat to listen to as watching one of those Warnie <em>rippers</em> or Sach's <em>maximums!</em></p> <p align="justify">Share your list, and in the meanwhile, here's what Bill Lawry's has to say on an absolute <em>ripper</em> of a catch.. </p> <div class="wlWriterSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:1d610ae2-9581-47b7-8912-bdbf854231ec" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px"><div><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tOiRQHr271Y&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tOiRQHr271Y&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object></div></div> @purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-27226708553004069592008-02-03T23:49:00.001-08:002008-02-05T12:55:24.386-08:00Indian Sports Journalism.. trenched..<blockquote> <p><em><strong>“Generally speaking, the best people nowadays go into journalism, the second best into business, the rubbish into politics and the shits into law”</strong></em></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><em><strong>                                                                    - Auberon Waugh</strong></em></p> </blockquote> <p>Well, no offence and I don't intend to be disrespectful to any law folks and instead through this post I'll contribute my bit in elevating them at least a step, 'coz I think that <strong><em>some</em></strong> of the sports journalists in India are giving them a tough fight for the last position. </p> <p><strong><em>Heroes and Gods one day and Villains the next.</em></strong> Sometimes its hard for me to remember and dig deep into my brain cells to remember when was the T20 World Cup?  Was it really last year? It wasn't too long when the team was being lauded and loaded with all kinds of metaphors for winning the championship. This was in the year when India earlier failed miserably on the South African tour and the big names in the team were being constantly asked some serious questions. A breath of fresh air comes in with the T20 and suddenly the Indian Press found new Gods who "<i>should</i> have been" long back drafted into the team. <strong><em>Insane celebrations followed and instead of putting in some critical happenings around the world on the front page, all that followed were interviews.. not just of the players but also of their families! Cut short to early 2008 now.. </em></strong></p> <p>The same team arrives in Melbourne and finds themselves out of place after being skittled out for a paltry 74.<em> </em>Agreed it was disappointing, but what followed from the Indian media was just over the top. The news and the websites were flooded with columns degrading the same bunch of players whom they adored just a championship back. All of this is just so insane and uncalled for? <strong><em>They blew it over the top the first time when they won and now they just bury them a million yards deep when they fail. All of this - just to grab attention! </em></strong></p> <p>The silliest part of all this is that most of the writers of such columns don't seem to know a damn about the game. The <a href="http://www.indiatimes.com">Times of India</a> was considered to be one of the newspapers that defined the new India, but its sports section is unbearable.  The ever increasing number of news channels aren't helping the cause and in fact are sometimes even embarrassing to watch. I just wish that in such a vibrant country where sports is a passion, some sense is restored to these wannabe journalists. I still visit the <a href="http://www.smh.com.au">Sydney Morning Herald</a> or <a href="http://theaustralian.com.au">The Australian</a> or for that matter <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/">The Times</a> to catch up on the likes of <strong><em>Peter Roebuck, Peter Lalor and Simon Wilde</em></strong>. How I wish, I didn't need to do that! But looks like its still going to take quite sometime before the guys doing the job get their heads straight. </p> <p>Good 'ol <strong><em>Sportstar</em></strong> has always been my ultra favorite for its articles.. sad I just don't get enough time to read them now. </p>@purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-41317445491695375312008-01-27T00:01:00.001-08:002008-01-30T22:54:20.478-08:00Adios Baggy Green Number 381...<p>The two formats of cricket have often led to players being tagged as a 'one-day' specialist or a 'test match' specialist. In the past we've also seen radically different teams and even different captains for the t<a href="http://lh6.google.com/apurv11911/R5w6cq9L7kI/AAAAAAAAA8M/HKtXkUxROJM/85755%5B10%5D"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 5px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="85755" src="http://lh4.google.com/apurv11911/R5w6dK9L7lI/AAAAAAAAA8U/4uWfXg1I5mc/85755_thumb%5B8%5D" width="194" align="right" border="0" /></a> wo versions. However, for some players it just doesn't matter. Further, some have even gone a couple of notches ahead and through their incredible actions have managed to bridge a bit of a gap between the two. <strong><em>Fewer belong to such an exclusive league more than the man who's donned the baggy green 381 - Adam Gilchrist. </em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>'Gilly'</em></strong> or <strong><em>'Church'</em></strong> as he's also known, has probably been one of the greatest all time cricketers to have played the game. <strong><em>Without a doubt, the best wicketkeeper batsman of all times, he's redefined the position of a No. 7 bat in the team.</em></strong> No more can an opposition breathe a sigh of relief when they get the Aussies 5 down, coz' they know that the next man taking guard probably hits the ball harder than anyone else in the game. For the purists, he averages almost 48 with the bat. Did I mention his strike rate? It stands at 81.97 (courtesy <a href="http://www.cricinfo.com">Cricinfo</a> stats). To drop a comparison factor, his skipper <strong><em>Ricky Ponting</em></strong> strikes at 80.68 in the <strong><em>ODI version</em></strong> of the game!</p> <p>Almost everyone falls into the trap of labeling him as a batsman-wicketkeeper rather than a keeper-batsman, which baffles me to no extent, since here's a chap who's recorded the maximum number of dismissals in test cricket. Now, if he still belongs to the latter category, that's quite a hefty bonus, isn't it? They say that <strong><em>Warne</em></strong> could bowl a different delivery every over - leg breaks, zooters, wrong 'uns, flippers, fizzers, whatever. Realistically speaking, if its difficult for a batsman to pick them up, how 'bout the wicketkeeper who even has to anticipate the various edges of the bat that the ball can brush. Yes, he might have dropped a few, some even sitters, but that's what this sport is all about. <strong><em>In fact, to call him one of the chief architects of the Australian juggernaut in last decade or so wouldn't be outrageous at all. </em></strong></p> <p><em><strong>Ian Healy</strong></em> was good, perhaps one of the greatest glovesman to have played this game. Filling his boots wasn't easy and now when <strong><em>Brad Haddin</em></strong> sees Gilchrist's boots, I'm sure he'll find them even bigger! </p> <p><strong><em>Thank you Adam Gilchrist, for it was an absolute privilege watching you play, be it  behind or in front of the stumps, for you never ceased to entertain us with the way you played the game. We've seen  you in whites and in the funky yellow, but its the the sight or your <font color="#0c5109">baggy green</font> that will be sorely missed. </em></strong></p>@purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-71826801721062957432008-01-24T13:42:00.001-08:002008-01-24T18:29:14.370-08:00The 39th Roar..<p><strong><em>The first international match I watched live at the grounds was during the WC '96, when India played Sri Lanka in Delhi.</em></strong> I was lucky enough to be a ball boy in the game and unlucky enough to see Indians lose against a blinder of a counter-attack by Sri Lankans. It did hurt me, though just a little, for I had already witnessed a majestic 137 from Sach's blade. Its one thing to see the batsman murdering the opposition on the television, but radically different when you see it happening in <em>strict </em>real time from the boundary lines. I still can't forget his flick shot off Murali which just made the ball disappear somewhere over the deep mid-wicket fence. That experience of watching the master play barely a few 60 yards away (yeah, Kotla's pretty small) was quite unbelievable. Perhaps thats the reason he gets a standing ovation at whatever ground he plays on, and its all the more awe inspiring to see that happening when India is having an away game. <strong><em>Its the sheer joy and pleasure of watching this guy bat and play the way he does, for it so often results in a 'Whoa, beautiful" in unison from folks around you.</em></strong> </p> <p>Adelaide was a belter of a pitch, the moment I saw the first ball, I knew that winning the toss and batting first on this beauty of a track was an absolute bonus. I know that teams in the past have posted huge totals batting first and yet faltered in their second stint. Last year's Ashes pays a testimony to that. But then, that was England, isn't it? ;) Collingwood did hit an incredible double ton, but the question pops up again - would you pay to watch a Sach ton or a Collingwood double? No offence to C'wood, but I'm sure the percentages would be tilted for the former and the great Sir Don Bradman would have been one of them. That's what he brings to the game - <em><strong>unbiased people who just want to watch him bat, even though it might mean getting runs scored against their own team.</strong></em></p> <p><em>Yeah, </em>the fact that<a href="http://lh5.google.com/apurv11911/R5kGPK9L7iI/AAAAAAAAA78/P9ayZxyVByw/85606%5B21%5D"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 5px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="188" alt="85606" src="http://lh3.google.com/apurv11911/R5kGPq9L7jI/AAAAAAAAA8E/VHPSpFHW4GQ/85606_thumb%5B19%5D" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> his average of low 16s against the Aussies in the second innings is quite ordinary and that he should have indeed batted the Aussies out of the game at Perth and even perhaps saved the one at the SCG. Underachieved.. well, I have to agree on that. That's the perhaps the only blemish on an otherwise quite a <em>'wow'</em> career and which might make the difference in him being called Sir Sachin in the future after all. But that doesn't matter at times like these, when you see a chap who's played and survived 18 years of international cricket, still come down the track and absolutely hammer that one on top of the sight   screen. I hope this is not his last hurrah down under. Its quite unrealistic and perhaps unjustified to ask this man to perform time and again and how often does he come out with flying colors. <strong><em>Biased or foolish or absurd, whatever, but I just don't want to see the master hanging his boots.. not now.. not this year.. perhaps never.. </em></strong></p> <p><strong><em><font color="#000040">There are not many things that give me goosebumps. The national anthem with the flying tricolor would be one. Guessing the other is a little difficult - the choices being his trademark on drive.. or the tiptoed punch of the backfoot through cover point.. I guess I need more time to decide on that. </font></em></strong></p> <p><strong><em><font color="#000040"></font></em></strong></p>@purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-30927555225814393132008-01-20T17:24:00.001-08:002008-01-20T17:24:52.734-08:00"I Dream of Bangalore"<p><em>Well, not literally true for me</em>, but these are the words of a song by Kevin Maney of <a href="http://www.portfolio.com">Portfolio.com</a>. <a href="http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/the-tech-observer/2008/01/17/i-dream-of-bangalore-moving-up-the-charts">According</a> to him, <em><strong>"In case you haven't heard it, it is truly a song of its time"</strong>, </em>which puts it as a candidate for being perhaps the only love song about outsourcing. And for the records, its doing great off late, by climbing as high as #84 in the rankings, courtesy <a href="http://www.garageband.com">GarageBand.com</a>.</p> <p>You can listen the song <a href="http://www.garageband.com/song?%7Cpe1%7CS8LTM0LdsaSiZlOwam8">here</a>..</p> @purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-34920141329706712802008-01-19T01:23:00.001-08:002008-01-24T09:40:12.580-08:00Requiem for a Dream..<blockquote> <p><strong><em>To unpathed waters, undreamed shores.</em></strong> <br />                                                          <em>William Shakespeare</em></p> <p>It took me a hard time to really nail down to this particular quote to define what I feel. If cricket was at its crossroads a week back and it was only a dreadful dream of landing up at the WACA, Perth and losing it well within the stipulated end of a Test match. Well, the game did end well before 5 days, but wait.. did someone say that Australians 17th consecutive win would be a walk in the park! </p> <p><em><strong>Whacked at the WACA or call it the Perth Punch</strong></em>, I'm sure they'll be tons of phrases which would be framed soon before the final test gets underway at the Adelaide Oval. But, for now, let's just live in this dream, for its not often that the hunters become the hunted in their own den. </p> <p><strong><em>Comebacks have always been a style statement, Irfan Pathan</em></strong> couldn't have asked for more, with a supremely confident 46 in the 2nd innings and his effort with the ball. The swing seems to be getting back and the consistency graph is on the scale upwards. The best feeling a new ball bowler can have is when he can make the ball really talk. The <strong><em>big 3</em></strong> failed miserably when it mattered the most, but the <strong><em>Very Very Superspecial</em></strong> guy always reserves his best against the Aussies. There weren't any demons in the pitch and neither was the big <strong><em>Curtly</em></strong> firing those red cherries, but it still worked. That's why I call it a dream. I won't dare say bring on Adelaide, perhaps 'coz I don't really give a damn.. <strong><em>atleast for now..</em></strong></p></blockquote>@purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-88828024349030220162008-01-17T14:48:00.001-08:002008-01-17T14:48:16.766-08:00WACA and the Three de Bruijns in the Countin'<p><strong><em>Just </em></strong>an interesting <a href="http://www.cs.queensu.ca/~dawes/coins.html">analysis</a> about the dice sequence problem that I came across. Long but worth a read, since its bound to wake up a few dying cells in your brain. </p> <p><strong><em>Further,</em></strong> its an interesting day's play today at the WACA and it remains to be seen if India will <em>finally</em> seize the advantage against the Aussies or squander it away as it so often does. Call it paranoia, but I still can't count the Aussies out of this game. Even though they might be trailing by 170 odd, but how often have we seen this bunch assert themselves out of nowhere. No matter what happens, but leave all your bread and butter and stay glued to the television sets, coz its not too often that the wicked heat of Perth gets to the Australians. Rest assured, if its 41 degrees in the city, its way higher out there at the center. Somehow Sehwag seems all so crucial in this game and I'm not sure if Lee's faced a tighter test in the past year or so before. With WACA gradually getting close to its pacy prime and with virtually no hopes of an Indian win prior to the start, it'll be interesting to see if Lee delivers or the pressure of performing gets to him. </p> <p><strong><em>Whatever said and done, the game has been a surprise to most.. and a exciting one for me in a pleasant sense. :)</em></strong></p> @purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-72628738335989352672008-01-13T20:09:00.001-08:002008-01-13T20:09:59.627-08:00TZP.. Shoot 'em up!<p>Well, first things first. I'm not comparing these two flicks at all. <strong><em><font color="#000040">Taare Zameen Par</font></em></strong> has set standards which will take a lot of work to go past. All the brilliant and supremely intellectual directors step aside, lets roll the red carpet for AK. Looks like most of the people would have seen it and few would actually question the sincerity behind it. Be it the dialogues or the music or the lyrics or the direction or the script or whatever, it was all first rate and to top it all, it was first rate entertainment. AK, Take a bow!</p> <p><img style="margin: 20px 10px 5px 0px" height="261" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0e/Shoot_em_up_ver2.jpg/405px-Shoot_em_up_ver2.jpg" width="176" align="left" />Sometimes, insanity also calls for brilliance, and when the two strike in balance, they call for a <strong><em>wow!</em></strong> Folks who've seen <strong><em><font color="#000040">Shoot 'em up</font></em></strong> might differ in their opinions but it was great fun for me. Not since Kill Bill, have I seen such insane action and blood spattering with a subtle topping of humor. Action, which can't be described in words, but you've gotta see it to believe it. All in all, great entertainment! Never knew carrots could be that dangerous.. ;) </p> @purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-28021052369150293262008-01-13T19:17:00.001-08:002008-01-13T19:19:24.644-08:00The Great American Vacation<blockquote> <p><em>"College is the longest vacation you will ever take"</em></p> <p>                                               <em><font color="#808080">- Dan Indante and Karl Marks</font></em></p> <p>I guess I would agree with that more often than not, but then during the semesters it can tend to get a touch too tedious and demand an actual vacation away from it. It didn't get off to the best possible start, but then as it turned out to be, it's been one of the best vacations I've had till now. </p> <p>I've been <a href="http://lh4.google.com/apurv11911/R4rUS5H2NAI/AAAAAAAAAxk/ZWpMbDwPhvA/IMG_02064"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="156" alt="IMG_0206" src="http://lh5.google.com/apurv11911/R4rUTJH2NBI/AAAAAAAAAxs/V4T6_S0845M/IMG_0206_thumb2" width="207" align="left" border="0" /></a>to a few places up north in India in the past and seen some snow, but <strong><em><font color="#000040">Madison, WI</font></em></strong> was a different experience altogether. Not that I'm comparing the two, but the scenes there were right out of some of the Hollywood flicks I've seen so far. White Christmas - well, I did indeed get to see one!</p> <p> </p> <p>From up north here to the Gulf of Mexico the next da<img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 10px 5px; border-right-width: 0px" height="162" alt="IMG_0565" src="http://lh3.google.com/apurv11911/R4rUTpH2NCI/AAAAAAAAAx0/SK3c51E583Q/IMG_0565_thumb2" width="215" align="right" border="0" />y, and I landed up at <strong><em><font color="#000040">Corpus Christi</font></em></strong>. Though, its not the best time to hit the beaches 'coz of the cold weather, but nevertheless, it turned out to be a fairly good drive down there. Mexico remains one of my cherished destinations, but haven't been this closer to being there. </p> <p><a href="http://www.microsoft.com">Microsoft</a> entertained me for the interviews at just the right time, and I did get to hit <strong><em><font color="#000040">Seatt<a href="http://lh5.google.com/apurv11911/R4rUUJH2NDI/AAAAAAAAAx8/Y9zaXebRPSg/IMG_06744"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin: 10px 10px 5px 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="163" alt="IMG_0674" src="http://lh6.google.com/apurv11911/R4rUUZH2NEI/AAAAAAAAAyE/CQ8h1Bo3CnQ/IMG_0674_thumb2" width="216" align="left" border="0" /></a>le </font></em></strong>the very next week. It did refresh my memories of my stay in Assam, India where it rained almost every other day.  But then, it didn't really stop me and a friend of mine from having fun out there. Well, if nothing more, but I guess it would take a lot to forget one of the best chocolate desserts and drinks that I've had in a very long time. </p> <p>Well, though time to get back to the <strong><em>Spring Semester</em></strong> now and lets see what its got in store for me.  </p></blockquote>@purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302624505918394313.post-33106482943988901132008-01-13T11:54:00.001-08:002008-01-13T19:19:44.235-08:00'Cricket' at Crossroads<p>India arrived down under and its been a while since I've been so glued to the happenings since their arrival there. After all, it would perhaps be the last time when the great Indian middle order (at least on paper) would be taking on the baggy greens at their soil. Expectations were huge and fireworks beckoned and man.. have we seen them!</p> <p><font color="#000080"><em><strong>Benson-Bucknor, Roy-Bhajji, Kumble-P<img src="http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/inline/content/current/image/329382.jpg?alt=2" align="right" />onting</strong></em></font> et al - looks like the stars of this flick called <em>'Not cricket, but everything beyond'</em> was a cracker, in literal terms, to the extent that the fissures and the cracks made to this game during the first week of this brand new year are bound to have the most defining repercussions the game has ever seen. Did I say <font color="#404040"><em><strong>fireworks</strong></em></font>? Try finding a better term!</p> <p>The cricket was pretty exceptional with the majestic wrists of Lax and Sach providing to be an entertainment unmatched by any blockbuster. Lee continues to add on to my admiration for him and we all saw what Stuart Clark can do. Well, forgive me for not mentioning Hussey or Symo for the obvious reasons.</p> <p>More than a week since the Sydney test, but the drama continues to unfold. Didn't I write earlier that the ICC have been increasingly getting better at writing scripts and they continue to do so. </p> <p>Rewind the tapes to Oval last year when Pietersen was given out caught behind when the wicketkeeper claimed the catch when it clearly bounced before. Pietersen walks and the Sky Sports flashes the entire replay in slow motion from various angles that very instant, prompting the umpires to call him back. I wonder what was Channel 9 doing here! The walk from the center back to pavilion at SCG is a pretty long one, isn't it? </p> <p>Anyways, how great it would be if India gets back really hard at the WACA..I wish Aerosmith's <em>Dream On</em> turns into Tony Greig's <em>Its All Happening here!</em></p>@purVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02593099531722801944noreply@blogger.com0