May Sports Round-up

May has seen its share of glories and failures in the sports arena. These are the round-ups of my favorite sports.

Cricket : With India's pathetic display against Bangladesh costing it the World Cup, its tour of the latter was viewed with skepticism. But they achieved what they were supposed to, zero loss record and a series victory each in the test and one day series. Dinesh Karthik was the new find, with his excellent batting display. England hammered the West Indies to their greatest test loss ever, in the 2nd test of the nPower test series. Ryan Sidebottom made a memorable comeback with 8 wickets in the match. The West Indies without Lara look pathetic.

Soccer/Football : Several winners emerged in the European football circuit. Manchester United clinched the EPL but with a rather forgettable loss against West Ham United. Chelsea avenged their EPL title loss by defeating Man U in the FA Cup final. AC Milan were crowned European Champions when they ensured that the 2005 final re-match with the Reds was only a memory. Inzaghi scored twice and there was no comeback from Liverpool this time save a lone goal in the end. Sevilla captured the UEFA cup in an all-Spanish final against Espanyol. Real Madrid look tantalizingly close to their SPanish League title, with Barcelona breathing down their necks.

Tennis : Roger Federer started out the month with his worst form in recent times, having gone 4 tournaments without a title. But the master he is, he produced one of the most stunning comebacks, clinching the Hamburg Masters title, beating his clay court nemesis Rafael Nadal , and ending his 81 match unbeaten record on clay. Roland Garros beckons Federer this time more than ever. American men have had their worst year since 1972 Australian Open, when none of them got past the first round in the French Open, with Andy Roddick surrendering meekly.

Formula 1 : Lewis Hamilton has been a revelation and his having a dream debut having finished in the podium in all four of his races, even becoming the youngest ever driver to lead the standings momentarily. Mclaren are facing prospects of a ban after reports suggesting that they had ordered non-compete instructions to Hamilton with Alonso. Bad news and a bad example this is for F1, after the Ferrari debacle when Barrichello slowed down for Schumacher to win a few years back.

May Sports Round-up

May has seen its share of glories and failures in the sports arena. These are the round-ups of my favorite sports.

Cricket : With India's pathetic display against Bangladesh costing it the World Cup, its tour of the latter was viewed with skepticism. But they achieved what they were supposed to, zero loss record and a series victory each in the test and one day series. Dinesh Karthik was the new find, with his excellent batting display. England hammered the West Indies to their greatest test loss ever, in the 2nd test of the nPower test series. Ryan Sidebottom made a memorable comeback with 8 wickets in the match. The West Indies without Lara look pathetic.

Soccer/Football : Several winners emerged in the European football circuit. Manchester United clinched the EPL but with a rather forgettable loss against West Ham United. Chelsea avenged their EPL title loss by defeating Man U in the FA Cup final. AC Milan were crowned European Champions when they ensured that the 2005 final re-match with the Reds was only a memory. Inzaghi scored twice and there was no comeback from Liverpool this time save a lone goal in the end. Sevilla captured the UEFA cup in an all-Spanish final against Espanyol. Real Madrid look tantalizingly close to their SPanish League title, with Barcelona breathing down their necks.

Tennis : Roger Federer started out the month with his worst form in recent times, having gone 4 tournaments without a title. But the master he is, he produced one of the most stunning comebacks, clinching the Hamburg Masters title, beating his clay court nemesis Rafael Nadal , and ending his 81 match unbeaten record on clay. Roland Garros beckons Federer this time more than ever. American men have had their worst year since 1972 Australian Open, when none of them got past the first round in the French Open, with Andy Roddick surrendering meekly.

Formula 1 : Lewis Hamilton has been a revelation and his having a dream debut having finished in the podium in all four of his races, even becoming the youngest ever driver to lead the standings momentarily. Mclaren are facing prospects of a ban after reports suggesting that they had ordered non-compete instructions to Hamilton with Alonso. Bad news and a bad example this is for F1, after the Ferrari debacle when Barrichello slowed down for Schumacher to win a few years back.

May Sports Round-up

May has seen its share of glories and failures in the sports arena. These are the round-ups of my favorite sports.

Cricket : With India's pathetic display against Bangladesh costing it the World Cup, its tour of the latter was viewed with skepticism. But they achieved what they were supposed to, zero loss record and a series victory each in the test and one day series. Dinesh Karthik was the new find, with his excellent batting display. England hammered the West Indies to their greatest test loss ever, in the 2nd test of the nPower test series. Ryan Sidebottom made a memorable comeback with 8 wickets in the match. The West Indies without Lara look pathetic.

Soccer/Football : Several winners emerged in the European football circuit. Manchester United clinched the EPL but with a rather forgettable loss against West Ham United. Chelsea avenged their EPL title loss by defeating Man U in the FA Cup final. AC Milan were crowned European Champions when they ensured that the 2005 final re-match with the Reds was only a memory. Inzaghi scored twice and there was no comeback from Liverpool this time save a lone goal in the end. Sevilla captured the UEFA cup in an all-Spanish final against Espanyol. Real Madrid look tantalizingly close to their SPanish League title, with Barcelona breathing down their necks.

Tennis : Roger Federer started out the month with his worst form in recent times, having gone 4 tournaments without a title. But the master he is, he produced one of the most stunning comebacks, clinching the Hamburg Masters title, beating his clay court nemesis Rafael Nadal , and ending his 81 match unbeaten record on clay. Roland Garros beckons Federer this time more than ever. American men have had their worst year since 1972 Australian Open, when none of them got past the first round in the French Open, with Andy Roddick surrendering meekly.

Formula 1 : Lewis Hamilton has been a revelation and his having a dream debut having finished in the podium in all four of his races, even becoming the youngest ever driver to lead the standings momentarily. Mclaren are facing prospects of a ban after reports suggesting that they had ordered non-compete instructions to Hamilton with Alonso. Bad news and a bad example this is for F1, after the Ferrari debacle when Barrichello slowed down for Schumacher to win a few years back.

Innovations for the poor

Many of the world's innovations are stunning and provoke admiration but cater to only  the top 10 percent of the economic strata, says an article in the NY Times. Innovations are needed to make this world a better place, at the same they should be affordable and practicable to the bulk of the society. This article in The New York Times showcases some clever and useful inventions for the poor, such as a rolling water transporter, a drinking straw which filters out harmful bacteria etc. If we go by the Bottom of the Pyramid concept, there is a huge business potential waiting to be tapped, at the same time providing cost effective solutions to millions.

Innovations for the poor

Many of the world's innovations are stunning and provoke admiration but cater to only  the top 10 percent of the economic strata, says an article in the NY Times. Innovations are needed to make this world a better place, at the same they should be affordable and practicable to the bulk of the society. This article in The New York Times showcases some clever and useful inventions for the poor, such as a rolling water transporter, a drinking straw which filters out harmful bacteria etc. If we go by the Bottom of the Pyramid concept, there is a huge business potential waiting to be tapped, at the same time providing cost effective solutions to millions.

Innovations for the poor

Many of the world's innovations are stunning and provoke admiration but cater to only  the top 10 percent of the economic strata, says an article in the NY Times. Innovations are needed to make this world a better place, at the same they should be affordable and practicable to the bulk of the society. This article in The New York Times showcases some clever and useful inventions for the poor, such as a rolling water transporter, a drinking straw which filters out harmful bacteria etc. If we go by the Bottom of the Pyramid concept, there is a huge business potential waiting to be tapped, at the same time providing cost effective solutions to millions.

Never say Die!

High ambitions you always have
Work hard you always do
People grow and fall around you
You stay the same without a clue.
Attempts you lose count of
Shake off failures with a laugh
Studying success too you do
Finding the method to make you the guru.
Cool as a cucumber you need to be
To experience all the glee
Though when you look around
There are better brains abound.
Nobody you need to prove
That your aim is to always improve
Learning is what inspires
Until the last breath you expire.
Hurdles you face head-on
Catch the bull by the horn
Not a hero's impact
But pearls of wisdom gained in fact.
Viewing a threat as an opportunity
Change the way the game is played
Success is a moving target
Each step to discernment is a stone laid.
Live a life with a meaning,
Values not compromised for valuables,
Remember to reach high,
Follow the spirit - Never say Die.

Never say Die!

High ambitions you always have
Work hard you always do
People grow and fall around you
You stay the same without a clue.
Attempts you lose count of
Shake off failures with a laugh
Studying success too you do
Finding the method to make you the guru.
Cool as a cucumber you need to be
To experience all the glee
Though when you look around
There are better brains abound.
Nobody you need to prove
That your aim is to always improve
Learning is what inspires
Until the last breath you expire.
Hurdles you face head-on
Catch the bull by the horn
Not a hero's impact
But pearls of wisdom gained in fact.
Viewing a threat as an opportunity
Change the way the game is played
Success is a moving target
Each step to discernment is a stone laid.
Live a life with a meaning,
Values not compromised for valuables,
Remember to reach high,
Follow the spirit - Never say Die.

Never say Die!

High ambitions you always have
Work hard you always do
People grow and fall around you
You stay the same without a clue.
Attempts you lose count of
Shake off failures with a laugh
Studying success too you do
Finding the method to make you the guru.
Cool as a cucumber you need to be
To experience all the glee
Though when you look around
There are better brains abound.
Nobody you need to prove
That your aim is to always improve
Learning is what inspires
Until the last breath you expire.
Hurdles you face head-on
Catch the bull by the horn
Not a hero's impact
But pearls of wisdom gained in fact.
Viewing a threat as an opportunity
Change the way the game is played
Success is a moving target
Each step to discernment is a stone laid.
Live a life with a meaning,
Values not compromised for valuables,
Remember to reach high,
Follow the spirit - Never say Die.

Gratified !

I was extremely bored and was feeling my grey cells were really 'greying' . My incessant attempts at thwarting this boredom led me to taking an IQ test, by the International High IQ Society , the second largest IQ certifying organization in the world ( Mensa International is the largest, but does not allow free online IQ tests). The test involved 36 questions each to be answered within 90 seconds, covering 6 sublets such as verbal reasoning, mathematics, factual knowledge etc. They invite those who score above 124 in these tests (above the 95th percentile) to become their full-time paid members. I got 135.

Gratified !

I was extremely bored and was feeling my grey cells were really 'greying' . My incessant attempts at thwarting this boredom led me to taking an IQ test, by the International High IQ Society , the second largest IQ certifying organization in the world ( Mensa International is the largest, but does not allow free online IQ tests). The test involved 36 questions each to be answered within 90 seconds, covering 6 sublets such as verbal reasoning, mathematics, factual knowledge etc. They invite those who score above 124 in these tests (above the 95th percentile) to become their full-time paid members. I got 135.

Gratified !

I was extremely bored and was feeling my grey cells were really 'greying' . My incessant attempts at thwarting this boredom led me to taking an IQ test, by the International High IQ Society , the second largest IQ certifying organization in the world ( Mensa International is the largest, but does not allow free online IQ tests). The test involved 36 questions each to be answered within 90 seconds, covering 6 sublets such as verbal reasoning, mathematics, factual knowledge etc. They invite those who score above 124 in these tests (above the 95th percentile) to become their full-time paid members. I got 135.

A buy-out with all the drama

The 'Barbarians at the gate' movie based on the book by the same name, is on the leveraged buy-out of cigarette major RJR Nabisco. The CEO Ross Johnson wants to buy out his company but is rivalled by the king of buyouts - KKR. The movie moves interestingly showcasing all the drama and the run up to the price wars to buy the company from both ends. James Garner as Ross Johnson portrays the enterprising and daring CEO well, so does Jonathan Pryce as the stoic Henry Kravis of KKR. Some scenes when customers test RJR's new smokeless cigarette 'Premier' are amusing. To explain some terms including the LBO, there has to some some finance 'un-savvy' person who asks the questions, and it is Ross's wife who fits the bill. The film is a good watch for those who like corporate themes, such as 'Wall Street'.

 

 

A buy-out with all the drama

The 'Barbarians at the gate' movie based on the book by the same name, is on the leveraged buy-out of cigarette major RJR Nabisco. The CEO Ross Johnson wants to buy out his company but is rivalled by the king of buyouts - KKR. The movie moves interestingly showcasing all the drama and the run up to the price wars to buy the company from both ends. James Garner as Ross Johnson portrays the enterprising and daring CEO well, so does Jonathan Pryce as the stoic Henry Kravis of KKR. Some scenes when customers test RJR's new smokeless cigarette 'Premier' are amusing. To explain some terms including the LBO, there has to some some finance 'un-savvy' person who asks the questions, and it is Ross's wife who fits the bill. The film is a good watch for those who like corporate themes, such as 'Wall Street'.

 

 

A buy-out with all the drama

The 'Barbarians at the gate' movie based on the book by the same name, is on the leveraged buy-out of cigarette major RJR Nabisco. The CEO Ross Johnson wants to buy out his company but is rivalled by the king of buyouts - KKR. The movie moves interestingly showcasing all the drama and the run up to the price wars to buy the company from both ends. James Garner as Ross Johnson portrays the enterprising and daring CEO well, so does Jonathan Pryce as the stoic Henry Kravis of KKR. Some scenes when customers test RJR's new smokeless cigarette 'Premier' are amusing. To explain some terms including the LBO, there has to some some finance 'un-savvy' person who asks the questions, and it is Ross's wife who fits the bill. The film is a good watch for those who like corporate themes, such as 'Wall Street'.

 

 

Unputdownable

It has been a while since I picked up a good fiction novel and Arthur Hailey's 'Detective' was the chosen one. It was probably one of my fastest reads in recent times. Unlike other 500+ page novels, where the author deliberately uses 'fillers' in between the main story, disrupting the flow, 'Detective' is a page-turner. Hailey's detailed descriptions of the modus operandi of the detective Malcolm Ainslie along with the other characters is comprehensive and not verbose. With the characters gradually appearing, the reader is always kept guessing of their importance. With the protagonists intertwined in their own relationships and with duty beckoning, the story moves at break-neck speed leaving no stone unturned. 'Detective' is a great start to the holiday season.

(P.S : If you ask if this book is worth a read, my nods could be confused with head-banging)

Unputdownable

It has been a while since I picked up a good fiction novel and Arthur Hailey's 'Detective' was the chosen one. It was probably one of my fastest reads in recent times. Unlike other 500+ page novels, where the author deliberately uses 'fillers' in between the main story, disrupting the flow, 'Detective' is a page-turner. Hailey's detailed descriptions of the modus operandi of the detective Malcolm Ainslie along with the other characters is comprehensive and not verbose. With the characters gradually appearing, the reader is always kept guessing of their importance. With the protagonists intertwined in their own relationships and with duty beckoning, the story moves at break-neck speed leaving no stone unturned. 'Detective' is a great start to the holiday season.

(P.S : If you ask if this book is worth a read, my nods could be confused with head-banging)

Unputdownable

It has been a while since I picked up a good fiction novel and Arthur Hailey's 'Detective' was the chosen one. It was probably one of my fastest reads in recent times. Unlike other 500+ page novels, where the author deliberately uses 'fillers' in between the main story, disrupting the flow, 'Detective' is a page-turner. Hailey's detailed descriptions of the modus operandi of the detective Malcolm Ainslie along with the other characters is comprehensive and not verbose. With the characters gradually appearing, the reader is always kept guessing of their importance. With the protagonists intertwined in their own relationships and with duty beckoning, the story moves at break-neck speed leaving no stone unturned. 'Detective' is a great start to the holiday season.

(P.S : If you ask if this book is worth a read, my nods could be confused with head-banging)

Call it Dragon

No comparisons, Please. You cant even talk of Eragon and the Lord of the Rings together. The movie has a very thin storyline and poor acting (the dragon shows better emotions). But what makes it watchable is the excellent visual effects and the scenic beauty of the virgin mountains panned through excellent cinematography. Save the last half an hour, there is hardly any action and the movie is unusually slow. Watch this on a holiday afternoon to savor nature's beauty.

Call it Dragon

No comparisons, Please. You cant even talk of Eragon and the Lord of the Rings together. The movie has a very thin storyline and poor acting (the dragon shows better emotions). But what makes it watchable is the excellent visual effects and the scenic beauty of the virgin mountains panned through excellent cinematography. Save the last half an hour, there is hardly any action and the movie is unusually slow. Watch this on a holiday afternoon to savor nature's beauty.

Call it Dragon

No comparisons, Please. You cant even talk of Eragon and the Lord of the Rings together. The movie has a very thin storyline and poor acting (the dragon shows better emotions). But what makes it watchable is the excellent visual effects and the scenic beauty of the virgin mountains panned through excellent cinematography. Save the last half an hour, there is hardly any action and the movie is unusually slow. Watch this on a holiday afternoon to savor nature's beauty.