Down with cold

Down with cold & sore-throat. It's amazing how since coming to US, i've fallen sick only twice or thrice. Thankfully this happened on a weekday. I hope i get better & back to full health before weekend starts ;-)

In Soccer World Cup, France won 3-1 against Spain and now advances to Quarterfinal. It was an interesting game ... and much closer than what the 3-1 score line suggests. Spain was in it with a real chance but they couldn't make most of the opportunity (and they're unlucky to not be awarded the second penalty).

That leads me to think what makes a Champion? What attributes/qualities separate a winner from an almost-there person/team?

My guess is:
1. the ability to stay focussed & calm when there's mayhem around you. The ability to think clearly when every external factor tries to distract/muddle your thought process.
2. the ability to identify when your chance comes along and the courage to take that chance ... convert that opportunity to success (highly dependent on 1).
3. self-belief: the belief in yourself that you're a winner ... that you're the champion and u'll triumph no matter what
4. persistence - never give-up attitude.

Comments / suggestions / arguments welcome.

BattleCry!

That's it Jaggu! ... Jaggu - that's what my younger bro calls me ... that little brat who's more like a buddy now ... but i digress. Lets start over ...

"That's it Jaggu! Enough of this half-assed living. No more half-measures, no more half-assed living, no more languishing aimlessly. From now on, i live my life with more purpose ... not wasting a single moment"

That's my battle cry! A fight with my inner lazy self. Truth be told, i haven't been doing that bad. Long gone is the "aimless nothingness" that i was during the college years. The vigour, purpose and fiery determination with which i lived until 12th grade is returning now (finally! phew!!). I've got most of my life in order; especially the mental aspects of it - how i approach my life ... what i want to do ... what are the things that matter to me ... who're the ppl that matter to me. I however haven't been able to rid myself of my laziness totally and it's hurting me a bit ... putting my carefully thought out plans/goals to waste.

That's what this war-cry is for. From now on ... I FIGHT & I FIGHT TO WIN !

Next post: The Ugly Duckling.
Keep an eye out for that one ... it's the story of my life.

Unfair!

This is totally unfair! Well ... first off ... all this noise is about the India-WI cricket test series going on in the Carribean.

We came very close to winning the first test ( 1 wicket! and that too the WI opener Chris Gayle had 5-6 lives!! ).

So we play the second Test and play really well ... do nothing wrong and are right on top .. needing 9 wickets against 350 odd runs with 2 days of play left. AND IT F***ING RAINS!!! WASHING THE ENTIRE 4TH DAY OFF. In the end, we were 3 wickets short and if not for the RAINING off of entire 4th day, we would've won this one. This is extremely cruel!!! VERY VERY UNFAIR!!! :(

Ok ... now that i've vented it out somewhere ... i feel better. The truth is - Indians did nothing wrong in this Test and despite the inexperience of the bowlers ... we did really well. This team has a great future ahead and with 2 test matches more to go ... i m sure we'll win the series. I am proud of you - Indian cricket team!