IPL 2009- First Impressions

Telecast: I watch it on TV and Set max is doing a bad job. It had at least 5-7 ad breaks between the opening ceremony, which in any other sport or say in Olympics or FIFA world cup would have got nonstop coverage. Sony rather than showing the cricket is more interested in getting the ad buck, which is unfortunate.

Uncertainty: Both of the last years finalists got drubbing. And the not so good teams from previous season did better this time. This paves way for an exciting IPL season two. Every team has a fresh chance t o do well this time and mend their position as of last season.

Pure Cricket: Dravid while receiving his man of the match trophy for his scintillating 66 for Royal Challengers against the other royals, the Rajasthan Royals from Jaipur indicated that this time the game is tough and the better players like (rightly so) Dravid will have good chance of performing. Unlike the Indian pitches which are batter friendly and give scope for innovative joker play these South African pitches are evenly balanced and the chance to the bowlers to win matches.

Old Guard takes Guard: Today we saw, Sachin, Dravid and Kumble performing. While the first one still playing the other two have retired from the short and both forms respectively. This is a welcome sign where the shortest form of game is giving opportunity to the old world players a chance to show the world who the masters are.

New world: Being in South Africa gives IPL a chance to explore the possibility of looking forward to more international venues. It’s undoubtedly a good idea to showcase the Indian might of Cricketing skill world over and promote the game in new locations. Who knows this game can be played in Brazil next season

About being a Devil

It is so much better being a devil’s advocate then being a devil later. One should express one’s opinions then and there when they feel though it hurts momentarily instead bitching about an incident later.

Shore Temple - Mahabalipuram

The shore temple at Mahabalipuram. Last time when I visited there I could not see it as we went there in the after hours.

And then the fight started...

Source - E Mail Forward

My wife sat down on the couch next to me as I was flipping channels.

She asked, 'What's on TV?'

I said, 'Dust.'

And then the fight started...

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My wife was hinting about what she wanted for our upcoming anniversary.
She said, 'I want something shiny that goes from 0 to 150 in about 3 seconds.'

I bought her a weighing scale.

And then the fight started...

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When I got home last night, my wife demanded that I take her someplace expensive...

So, I took her to a gas station..

And then the fight started...

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My wife and I were sitting at a table at her high school reunion, and my wife kept staring at a drunken man swigging his drink as he sat alone at a nearby table.

I asked my wife, 'Do you know him?'

'Yes,' She sighed, 'He's my old boyfriend.
I understand he took to drinking right after we split up those many years
ago.'

'My God!' I said to my wife, 'who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?'

And then the fight started...

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I took my wife to a restaurant. The waiter, for some reason, took my order first.

"I'll have the strip steak, medium rare, please."

He said, "Aren't you worried about the mad cow?"

"Naaah, she can order for herself."

And then the fight started...

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A woman is standing & looking in the bedroom mirror.
She is not happy with what she sees and says to her husband,
'I feel horrible; I look old, fat and ugly. I really need you to pay me a compliment.'

The husband replies, 'Your eyesight's damn near perfect.'

And then the fight started..... .

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I tried to talk my wife into buying a case of Miller Light for $14.95.

Instead, she bought a jar of cold cream for $7.95.

I told her the beer would make her look better at night than the cold cream.

And then the fight started....

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I asked my wife, "Where do you want to go for our anniversary?"

It warmed my heart to see her face melt in sweet appreciation.
"Somewhere I haven't been in a long time!" she said.

So I suggested, "How about the kitchen?"

And that's when the fight started....

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When our lawn mower broke and wouldn't run, my wife kept hinting to me that I should get it fixed..
But, somehow I always had something else to take care of first:
the truck, the car, e-mail, fishing, always something more important to me.

Finally she thought of a clever way to make her point.

When I arrived home one day, I found her seated in the tall grass,
busily snipping away with a tiny pair of sewing scissors.
I watched silently for a short time and then went into the house.
I was gone only a few minutes. When I came out again I handed her a toothbrush.
'When you finish cutting the grass,' I said, 'you might as well sweep the driveway.'

And then the fight started...

Charminar - Hyderabad

When you visit Charminar, the first thought comes to mind is – is this all? Well there nothing more to see than the Charminar, which itself is an ordinary structure. Ladies will find the shopping very enjoyable.

Kalyanamandapam - My Wedding Place

View Larger Map

This is the place where I will be getting married on the 11th March 2009. To reach here just click on the thmbnail above and find your way to this place.

York Town

These are York Castle walls

The way to the left leads to York Brewery

It was a chilling Saturday evening and could not take many pictures as my fingers were freezing. 

It's a hotel building. Nice isn't it.

This guy is a very famous attraction in York city centre. BTW the city centre was smaller compared to Leeds and I felt like I was in a 18th century English town, just as seen in the TV.

National Railway Museum (NRM) - York

I went to York on the advice of the Pakistani cab driver who took me to visit the Leeds city center the other day. I kind of had to go there because back in India everyone will ask where all you went when you went to UK and, though it’s a miserly 5 day trip, will have nothing to answer. The only place I visited inside was the National Railway Museum in York, because the entry fee was nil. I know it’s a cheap trick but I promised to myself next time it’s going to be better.

This is Rocket, the first train ever built, or close to it.

This is Mallard, the first train to cross 100 mph mark.

Station names.

I guess it was some royal train.

Thse are the train nameplates. 

York Ministry – York

The York Ministry was an enormous structure. And the main draw to the town. York is around 20 min train ride from Leeds, it costs around £ 9 for the return ticket. The Pakistani cab driver advised me and said it’s got old type buildings and a good visit near to Leeds. 

Leeds City Museum

Went to see the York Museum today since I was finished with my work today early. The cab driver was a Pakistani fellow and we spoke in Hindi/Urdu. He advised me to go to York and said it has old type buildings. I decided so be it for the coming Saturday.



The tiger represents India, Indian Sepoys to be precise, the woman with the sword is Britania, and the dead female and child are the innocent English who were murdered by brutal Sepoys. Reality check anyone, One Two Three…




That is a rock that looks like a bread and a cutting knife, symbolizing hard times

Maa Kali, could recognize instantly, depicting the modern woman.

Union Jack made of rubbish.