Answer in the Dream

I woke up to a small joy today. I was trying to remember where I had kept a really important document all of yesterday. It had really bothered me, and after searching high and low, still couldn't place it.

Needless to say, I slept a fitful sleep. And then I had a really weird dream. I'd heard of something like this happening to someone else but never me before. In the dream, I was talking to a small boy who kept asking me to look under my bed.

I woke up, looked under the damn bed, and wasn't disappointed. There it was. It was the perfect small joy to begin the day. Have you had any surreal experience like this? I'd sure like to find out!

The Perfect Script

Yesterday's day for Indian cricket ran on a perfect script. And yes, winning 2-0 against the aussies isnt a small joy, its an exceptionally big one. (btw- read my earlier blog Told ya! for amateur predictions coming true, gloat gloat).

In this beautiful end to Ganguly and Kumble's careers, there were two moments of small joy. I'm sure every cricket lover spotted them. Both showed Dhoni's heart shown to anyone who wasn't convinced that he was a special one, indeed.

Dhoni relinquished his captaincy for Gangs, for 5 odd overs, and gave him the thrill that he'd always wanted: captaining India again and beating Australia once more. He called Anil Kumble to the podium and shared the trophy presentation with him: something that the old soldier had always coveted.

Head full of dreams, but feet on the ground. That's our new captain.

A Game of Patience

Have you tried playing this age old card game? You know, the one where you have to try and get rid of all your cards by getting two of them to add upto ten?(sorry, if you dont, I dont think I'll be good enough to tell you how to play it)

But if you know, try one today. And if you dont know, try finding out about it(am sure wikipedia has it). I sure enjoyed playing the game for the past few days.. it takes the edge of you.. and makes you realise what a weird life it is in any case. (Not kidding. Once you try to get a perfect game in and dont succeed, you will get philosophical!)

When life is dull make daal. I'm no haiku poet though!

Common Wealth

Hey, the Youth Games in Pune are done and dusted for some time now. And while everyone's a Punekar- Critic of all the things that have gone wrong :), I thought that Pune's roads have become somewhat better (especially the ones that lead to the stadium) and some "Common Wealth" has found its way to where it is needed.

So I think there's some good coming outta all that- just makes me wonder why we need a Youth Games festival to spruce up our roads in extra quick time.

The lord must be working in strange and wonderful ways.

Funny thing I've noticed

Its been more than two months. Two months of identifying small joys whenever they happen and sharing the fun I have with you. I've noticed that when I started to look out for small joys, I've received more of 'em. Or is it just that I've being cognizant of what I used to earlier take for granted?

Sure, my themes so far are around cricket, food, nature,personalities, films and whatever else my life revolves around currently. Of course, there are some small joys yet to find expression, but here is where I can use a little help from you. What small joys do you think I'm missing out on? What do you think is a small joy waiting to be written about?

Let me know!

Starring Kumble as Amitabh Bacchan

Didn't Anil Kumble remind you of an Angry Young Bacchan , hands on hips, steely glare at some unfortunate fielder and making batsmen quake in the process? Well, that show just got over and a I shed a little tear that those 619 small joys(the wickets he took) isnt going to increase anymore.

Hmm. Another one bites the dust. The way I'd like to remember Anil Kumble is the way he told us disarmingly, when he was quitting the game that he's still trying to bowl legspin properly. But Kumble's wickets were always a small joy. No big turn, no theatrics, but... a quick lbw or caught and bowled.

All those small joys, however, added up to him being India's biggest matchwinner. Not bad for a spinner who couldn't spin it at all!

Go(a) when its Diwali

This year, we thought we'll do something different. True, the joy of Diwali at home is something else, but for a change, even if its for a year, I recommend going to Goa.

Not because it has a tradition to celebrate Diwali, I guess that would be Christmas. But its a very good time since everyone else stays at home! (less tourists!)
You dont put on those extra pounds eating all those Kaju katlis and chaklis.(You put them on drinking beer and eating fish, but who's complaining?!)

And here's the clincher- no pollution, just the clean ocean and green surroundings. Very relaxed and peaceful. Its when you start getting poetic about the sea and compare it with the brew in your hand is when it becomes totally worth it..