The Queen (Best Actress) and the lost King (Best Actor) taking out the top Oscars.
Departed and Dreamgirls, two period films about gangsters and motown taking a few Oscars.
Martin Scorcese and Ennio Marconi getting their just rewards finally.
And Sherry Lansing being honoured for life-time achievement.
Who said Nostalgia is not what it used to be.
It is alive and kicking in Hollywood, as witnessed by the top awards at this year's Oscars
It feels very good to see the Academy going back to more entertaining and peaceful times.
The movies that have been recognised are all wholesome entertainment.
Well done Oscars. Thanks heaps for a well-conducted ceremony and the parade of beauties who too looked Royal in their own way.
It is fitting that in these troubled times you have gone back in time and brought back Nostalgia to reign at tinseltown.
Only one question: Who will play George Bush in 15/20 year's time to win an Oscar ?
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Can the Black Caps win the Cricket World Cup ?
Why not?
They have received a tremendous boost from the victory in the Chappell-Hadlee trophy. The run chase was great and the team showed that they can beat the best on their day.
However, they need to look at some changes in the way they play.
First Fleming should not open the innings. It is apparent that he has lost the ability to read the new ball well. He may be better off batting 3 or 4 down when the ball has lost its shine. He is still a great batsman but needs to adjust his game.
Ross Taylor and Lou Vincent should be developed as the opening pair. Both of them play courageously and are not afraid of the new ball. They have good techniques and with better training they can shine in the opening role.
Also Vettori needs a good support with a permanent second spinner. Jeetan Patel should not be dropped from any match. He should be given the time to get into stride and study the various batsmen of the other teams. What better way than to play in all matches and keep bowling, which is probably how Vettori became a great bowler himself. And Patel is an asset on the field as well.
McCullum has cemented his place lower down in the order and should be playing like Michael Bevan did, steadying the innings when necessary and accelerating at the right time.
The team should also have a few team building exercises so they become comfortable with each other.
And most important, they should enjoy their cricket and there should be more fun visible on the field.
They have received a tremendous boost from the victory in the Chappell-Hadlee trophy. The run chase was great and the team showed that they can beat the best on their day.
However, they need to look at some changes in the way they play.
First Fleming should not open the innings. It is apparent that he has lost the ability to read the new ball well. He may be better off batting 3 or 4 down when the ball has lost its shine. He is still a great batsman but needs to adjust his game.
Ross Taylor and Lou Vincent should be developed as the opening pair. Both of them play courageously and are not afraid of the new ball. They have good techniques and with better training they can shine in the opening role.
Also Vettori needs a good support with a permanent second spinner. Jeetan Patel should not be dropped from any match. He should be given the time to get into stride and study the various batsmen of the other teams. What better way than to play in all matches and keep bowling, which is probably how Vettori became a great bowler himself. And Patel is an asset on the field as well.
McCullum has cemented his place lower down in the order and should be playing like Michael Bevan did, steadying the innings when necessary and accelerating at the right time.
The team should also have a few team building exercises so they become comfortable with each other.
And most important, they should enjoy their cricket and there should be more fun visible on the field.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
The Chappell-Hadlee Trophy-Absence of Ponting and Gilly
Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist are not going to be in the Australian Team coming over to New Zealand for the above 3 matches.
I think it is a golden opportunity for NZ to call the Aussies bluff and beat them at cricket. The matches are very important and if NZ can win, it will definitely boost the Black Caps' confidence. They are not doing very bad, but they don't seem to be enjoying their cricket.
It appears that Stephen Fleming has lost his heart in leading and his demeanor on the field shows he is under pressure of playing. It is high time the Kiwis play for the fun and enjoyment of the game. The team is not coming together and Fleming may have a lot to do with that. May be the age gap is too much for him to effectively communicate and mingle with the team.
It may be a good idea to develop Vettori as captain and give him the chance to bring the team together. Also for the coming matches, the coach should announce the team and stick with it and drop his rotation policy. Let the team of 11 or 12 know that they are there for the long haul and individual match performance won't affect their position, in the normal course. Then get the team together for some intense training and team building exercises.
May be they can take the assistance of a corporate consultant for this.
And if Fleming does stay as captain, get him to loosen up and be cheerful.The Aussie team is a good example of a group of good players having fun together on the field and in Lou Vincent's words, the Black Caps can do with some pack hunting themselves.
I think it is a golden opportunity for NZ to call the Aussies bluff and beat them at cricket. The matches are very important and if NZ can win, it will definitely boost the Black Caps' confidence. They are not doing very bad, but they don't seem to be enjoying their cricket.
It appears that Stephen Fleming has lost his heart in leading and his demeanor on the field shows he is under pressure of playing. It is high time the Kiwis play for the fun and enjoyment of the game. The team is not coming together and Fleming may have a lot to do with that. May be the age gap is too much for him to effectively communicate and mingle with the team.
It may be a good idea to develop Vettori as captain and give him the chance to bring the team together. Also for the coming matches, the coach should announce the team and stick with it and drop his rotation policy. Let the team of 11 or 12 know that they are there for the long haul and individual match performance won't affect their position, in the normal course. Then get the team together for some intense training and team building exercises.
May be they can take the assistance of a corporate consultant for this.
And if Fleming does stay as captain, get him to loosen up and be cheerful.The Aussie team is a good example of a group of good players having fun together on the field and in Lou Vincent's words, the Black Caps can do with some pack hunting themselves.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Tony Blair- Dishonest and Insincere
I view Tony Blair as a very smooth politician,very insincere and interested in only the image he projects. He has undermined the political landscape in UK and the World by blindly supporting USA. Even that I suspect is to buttress his personal image and to align himself with a more powerful nation. I think he wants to be like George Bush, with all th e trappings of power that comes with it.
He is very glib and gets out of tough questions by asking a question in return, without honestly answering the question posed to him.
I dislike his repeated statements 'let us not focus on what has happened in the past, what mistakes we have made, but let us focus on the present and what we have to do to retrieve the situation, etc'. This has been his standard answer in many forums to questions about his worngful support of Iraq invasion, etc. He should try a more honest tack, admitting the reponsibility and doing something concrete to rectify them and give redressal to the affected people.
I believe he is long on talk and very very short on action.
But with his boyish looks and smooth-talking manner, he has been able to fool the people of UK and some sections of the world population.
I only hope he is consigned to the oblivion he deserves, without being resurrected as a senior statesman or a diplomot or some such thing.
To prove my point Tony Blair is continuing his dishonest and unreliable streak with the latest announcement to withdraw British troops from Iraq. He has once again confirmed by this action that he is motivated to act only to preserve/boost his image and ratings and has absolutely no principle or policy or ideals. He took Britain to an illegal and immoral war, to follow in the footsteps of George Bush, expecting they would win easily and he can bask in the glory of being a top man on the Winning Team. But when that has turned sour, he is now ready to ditch his grand ally across the Atlantic, with the sole aim of restoring his crumbling reputation. He has now shown that he has no guts to stick it out till the end. It is better if he resigns immediately without further damaging the name of Great Britain.
Good luck to Gordon Brown, who inherits a shamble and has to work doubly hard to rebuild a new British image in the international arena.
He is very glib and gets out of tough questions by asking a question in return, without honestly answering the question posed to him.
I dislike his repeated statements 'let us not focus on what has happened in the past, what mistakes we have made, but let us focus on the present and what we have to do to retrieve the situation, etc'. This has been his standard answer in many forums to questions about his worngful support of Iraq invasion, etc. He should try a more honest tack, admitting the reponsibility and doing something concrete to rectify them and give redressal to the affected people.
I believe he is long on talk and very very short on action.
But with his boyish looks and smooth-talking manner, he has been able to fool the people of UK and some sections of the world population.
I only hope he is consigned to the oblivion he deserves, without being resurrected as a senior statesman or a diplomot or some such thing.
To prove my point Tony Blair is continuing his dishonest and unreliable streak with the latest announcement to withdraw British troops from Iraq. He has once again confirmed by this action that he is motivated to act only to preserve/boost his image and ratings and has absolutely no principle or policy or ideals. He took Britain to an illegal and immoral war, to follow in the footsteps of George Bush, expecting they would win easily and he can bask in the glory of being a top man on the Winning Team. But when that has turned sour, he is now ready to ditch his grand ally across the Atlantic, with the sole aim of restoring his crumbling reputation. He has now shown that he has no guts to stick it out till the end. It is better if he resigns immediately without further damaging the name of Great Britain.
Good luck to Gordon Brown, who inherits a shamble and has to work doubly hard to rebuild a new British image in the international arena.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Michael Cullen doing a Allan Bollard
Michael Cullen the Deputy PM of New Zealand holding the Finance Portfolio has suggested that a levy on the mortgage interest rate is an option before the Government to cool the housing market and bring down the value of NZ dollor, all with the idea to help exporters and driving away foreign investors who are dumping their funds into New Zealand, attracted by the high interest rates.
Looks like Cullen is attempting to do what Bollard tried and failed, that is talking up a scare and hoping this will have the desired effect of cooling the housing market. He should know better. If this is a threat, does Labour have the political will or majority or support to deliver on the threat? They don't. He is going to cut a sorry figure as did Trevor Mallard in the waterfront stadium fiasco.
The stock market here lacks depth. The movement in prices are limited to a few cents. There are lack of good investment opportunities and what good pickings are there, they are tending to be bought up by Aussies. Unless the country's stock market really delivers by giving a good return like the emerging markets of India, Brazil, Russia (which seems unlikely in the near future), there seems to be no good alternative investment prospects.
The government should encourage individual savings in designated instruments by giving tax breaks and let the fund gatherers mop-up the money and invest wisely to give an equal return as the housing market. They may have to invest all over the world. The success of Cullen Fund which is managing the superannuation/government surplus funds is a good example.
Also the surplus of the government can be used to subsidise house-buying by first-home buyers, who may be given an interest-principal holiday at the government's cost. Though it will initially raise the demand for house prices, once the scheme is stabilised, people may be confident of utilising the scheme when required and this may flatten the housing boom-bust cycle gradually.
Another good investment opportunity is to privatise University Education and allow opening of more Universities for special programmes like medicine, nursing, software development, etc. Many countries have used this route to make Education a good investment opportunity and at the same time increase the level of expertise in chosen fields. We require more doctors and nurses, etc and it would be a good idea to get more of them qualified and trained here itself to work in the health sector here at good pay scales.
Such schemes may divert surplus funds away from the housing sector and will benefit the country in other ways. It is really not a good idea to scare away foreign funds. Instead they should be channelised into infrastructure and development oriented projects so the long term benefits would be more and will help in growth of the New Zealand economy consisitently. This is an art that our politicians and money-managers should learn and practice better.
Looks like Cullen is attempting to do what Bollard tried and failed, that is talking up a scare and hoping this will have the desired effect of cooling the housing market. He should know better. If this is a threat, does Labour have the political will or majority or support to deliver on the threat? They don't. He is going to cut a sorry figure as did Trevor Mallard in the waterfront stadium fiasco.
The stock market here lacks depth. The movement in prices are limited to a few cents. There are lack of good investment opportunities and what good pickings are there, they are tending to be bought up by Aussies. Unless the country's stock market really delivers by giving a good return like the emerging markets of India, Brazil, Russia (which seems unlikely in the near future), there seems to be no good alternative investment prospects.
The government should encourage individual savings in designated instruments by giving tax breaks and let the fund gatherers mop-up the money and invest wisely to give an equal return as the housing market. They may have to invest all over the world. The success of Cullen Fund which is managing the superannuation/government surplus funds is a good example.
Also the surplus of the government can be used to subsidise house-buying by first-home buyers, who may be given an interest-principal holiday at the government's cost. Though it will initially raise the demand for house prices, once the scheme is stabilised, people may be confident of utilising the scheme when required and this may flatten the housing boom-bust cycle gradually.
Another good investment opportunity is to privatise University Education and allow opening of more Universities for special programmes like medicine, nursing, software development, etc. Many countries have used this route to make Education a good investment opportunity and at the same time increase the level of expertise in chosen fields. We require more doctors and nurses, etc and it would be a good idea to get more of them qualified and trained here itself to work in the health sector here at good pay scales.
Such schemes may divert surplus funds away from the housing sector and will benefit the country in other ways. It is really not a good idea to scare away foreign funds. Instead they should be channelised into infrastructure and development oriented projects so the long term benefits would be more and will help in growth of the New Zealand economy consisitently. This is an art that our politicians and money-managers should learn and practice better.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Ajay saved me today
Today I had an accident at Raglan when I almost drowned. We had gone to Raglan with a friend Ravi and his family, wife Geetha and sons Ajay and Arun, 13 and 9 years old.
After reaching there , we took a couple of kayaks. Ajay was in one and I was in the other. That was my first Kayaking expedtion, though I have rowed boats and can pretty much manage it well. The Kayak lady, Candide, explained how to use the paddle and advised how to react should we tip over. She emphasised that the kayak or we would not drown and it was quite easy to upright the Kayak and climb in. She warned though that for young boys it is easy to climb in and adults have to actually contort their bodies the right way to get in again. She said 'don't panic, you will be alright and won't drown as you will have the life-jacket on'
We got into our respective Kayaks and rowed under a couple of bridges enjoying the scenery. After about 30 minutes, I started feeling uncomfortable with a pain developing in upper torso and feeling very tight around the stomach and chest. My legs went sort of wobbly, started feeling pain around the knees and upper thigh. I knew something was wrong and told Ajay that I was not feeling okay.
We started to row back. I still felt unwell and wanted to lie down on my back but could not. I felt that if I loosten the belt I might feel okay. But I forgot Candide's remark that there was no belt and they deliberately do not strap people in. While extending my hand sideways to search for the imaginary clasp on the imaginary belt, what do you think happened?
I tipped over into the water, upturning the Kayak. The water was deep , but we were not very far from the bridge. But I panicked and went down into the water, with the life-jacket weighing me down a bit and took in a bit of water. One hand holding the kayak, I could sense my spectacles fall into the water and instantly became blind, as my the prescription glasses are high-power and I can't see very well without them. My panic went up several notches, I shouted to Ajay. He immediately jumped into the water and came to help me. Though I know swimming and could have left the kayak and swam to the shore, I lost my presence of mind. I did not know how well Ajay could swim and I got scared that I was putting him in danger. I still did not release the Kayak, may be thinking I was responsible for returning it to Candide.
Ajay came near me and we both pushed the kayak upright, he climbed in, but I could not. It was too much for him to pull me in.
Meanwhile I went into the water a couple of times, stupid of me and felt I was having a heart attack. I requeseted Ajay to shout for help and both of us started shouting. We had slowly moved towards the bridge and could see cars driving on it. We shouted some more, all the time pulling towards the shore, thanks to Ajay who kept his cool and almost dragged the Kayak towards the bridge, with me clinging on and beating my legs in some kind of swimming motion. I still can't figure why I could not think of letting go of the Kayak which would have enabled me to swim. May be my chest pain was increasing and clouded my thoughts.
A couple of cars stopped and people started coming down the banks. We had by this time reached the rocks under the bridge leg near the shore, and Ajay pulled me up part way. But then I collapsed as my lower body and legs refused to co-operate and I was out of breath, with salt water irritating my throat. I just leaned on the rocks and let the people who came down carry me up the bank to the grass edge.
Somebody had already phoned for Ambulance which showed up shortly.
Roynie the para-medic (I think I am right) slowly walked me to the ambulance and checked my pulse, heart-beat and breath and declared I was gradually returning to normal. After checking my story and my condition, she suggested that though I was not in any immediate danger, I should consult a doctor and offered to take me in the Ambulance to Waikato Hospital.
Meantime we had telephoned my wife who brought the car over. Initially I did not tell her the full story on the phone, but after reaching the scene, she took in my condition.
We debated for sometime and then decided not to go to the hospital straight-away, but take rest at Raglan and recover, which is what we did.
I wish to thank Mark from Auckland and the passengers of other 2 cars ( I could not get their names, but one of them is a Maori couple) and also the gentleman who rowed the kayaks from the middle of the backwater on to the grass.
Ajay played a major role in rescuing me. He kept his cool, did not panic, remembered the instructions of Candide and guided me correctly to the shore. It must have been physically a tough task for him, but he did it somehow.
We are grateful to Ajay and Mark, Roynie and others who were there today to bring me back.
And a big sorry to Candide for messing up her peace of mind for a long time today.
Thanks heaps guys and I wish you all the best forever.
After reaching there , we took a couple of kayaks. Ajay was in one and I was in the other. That was my first Kayaking expedtion, though I have rowed boats and can pretty much manage it well. The Kayak lady, Candide, explained how to use the paddle and advised how to react should we tip over. She emphasised that the kayak or we would not drown and it was quite easy to upright the Kayak and climb in. She warned though that for young boys it is easy to climb in and adults have to actually contort their bodies the right way to get in again. She said 'don't panic, you will be alright and won't drown as you will have the life-jacket on'
We got into our respective Kayaks and rowed under a couple of bridges enjoying the scenery. After about 30 minutes, I started feeling uncomfortable with a pain developing in upper torso and feeling very tight around the stomach and chest. My legs went sort of wobbly, started feeling pain around the knees and upper thigh. I knew something was wrong and told Ajay that I was not feeling okay.
We started to row back. I still felt unwell and wanted to lie down on my back but could not. I felt that if I loosten the belt I might feel okay. But I forgot Candide's remark that there was no belt and they deliberately do not strap people in. While extending my hand sideways to search for the imaginary clasp on the imaginary belt, what do you think happened?
I tipped over into the water, upturning the Kayak. The water was deep , but we were not very far from the bridge. But I panicked and went down into the water, with the life-jacket weighing me down a bit and took in a bit of water. One hand holding the kayak, I could sense my spectacles fall into the water and instantly became blind, as my the prescription glasses are high-power and I can't see very well without them. My panic went up several notches, I shouted to Ajay. He immediately jumped into the water and came to help me. Though I know swimming and could have left the kayak and swam to the shore, I lost my presence of mind. I did not know how well Ajay could swim and I got scared that I was putting him in danger. I still did not release the Kayak, may be thinking I was responsible for returning it to Candide.
Ajay came near me and we both pushed the kayak upright, he climbed in, but I could not. It was too much for him to pull me in.
Meanwhile I went into the water a couple of times, stupid of me and felt I was having a heart attack. I requeseted Ajay to shout for help and both of us started shouting. We had slowly moved towards the bridge and could see cars driving on it. We shouted some more, all the time pulling towards the shore, thanks to Ajay who kept his cool and almost dragged the Kayak towards the bridge, with me clinging on and beating my legs in some kind of swimming motion. I still can't figure why I could not think of letting go of the Kayak which would have enabled me to swim. May be my chest pain was increasing and clouded my thoughts.
A couple of cars stopped and people started coming down the banks. We had by this time reached the rocks under the bridge leg near the shore, and Ajay pulled me up part way. But then I collapsed as my lower body and legs refused to co-operate and I was out of breath, with salt water irritating my throat. I just leaned on the rocks and let the people who came down carry me up the bank to the grass edge.
Somebody had already phoned for Ambulance which showed up shortly.
Roynie the para-medic (I think I am right) slowly walked me to the ambulance and checked my pulse, heart-beat and breath and declared I was gradually returning to normal. After checking my story and my condition, she suggested that though I was not in any immediate danger, I should consult a doctor and offered to take me in the Ambulance to Waikato Hospital.
Meantime we had telephoned my wife who brought the car over. Initially I did not tell her the full story on the phone, but after reaching the scene, she took in my condition.
We debated for sometime and then decided not to go to the hospital straight-away, but take rest at Raglan and recover, which is what we did.
I wish to thank Mark from Auckland and the passengers of other 2 cars ( I could not get their names, but one of them is a Maori couple) and also the gentleman who rowed the kayaks from the middle of the backwater on to the grass.
Ajay played a major role in rescuing me. He kept his cool, did not panic, remembered the instructions of Candide and guided me correctly to the shore. It must have been physically a tough task for him, but he did it somehow.
We are grateful to Ajay and Mark, Roynie and others who were there today to bring me back.
And a big sorry to Candide for messing up her peace of mind for a long time today.
Thanks heaps guys and I wish you all the best forever.
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