Freezing Thoughts

'Expecto Patronum', (The Patronus charm) is a spell used in J.K.Rowling's wizard world. This spell is a focused positive energy, obtained from happy memories a person possesses. It is used to drive away Dementors, foul creatures that torment human beings with despair and negative thoughts. In our real world, we don't have inimical creatures to trouble us with negative energy. We are capable of tormenting ourselves with despairing negative thoughts, which range from 'I am useless and pathetic...' to 'I am doomed for eternity, whats the point of living anymore?'. Each time, an internal or external factor sets things right and we manage to come out of the negative mindset and continue with our life. What is this 'internal or external factor'? Isn't it a Patronus charm of our own, that gives us hope, makes us believe that things will be alright and assures us that it is possible to attain the happiness that seemed a lost cause earlier? Think abou...

There are phases in life when you feel so useless and so good-for-nothing, its times when you have nothing to do or nothing exciting is happening around you. Not now though, we have the knockout stage of FIFA World Cup, Wimbledon's exciting 4th round (as I type this, Maria Sharapova Vs Serena Williams match is going on !!), Natwest series ODIs going on in England and for ardent cricket fans, South Africa Vs West Indies Test series in West Indies. India has reason to cheer as well; Asia Cup victory after 15 years, Saina Nehwal's hat-trick victory and a Test series coming up in Lanka. The most important thing is the excitement and the 'Wow' moments these events have in store. Roger Federer almost losing in Wimbledon first round, India-Pakistan ODI in Asia Cup and England's nail biting victory in the third ODI against Australia, were all instances where the element of uncertainty was gripping and one couldn't help admiring the beautiful cruelty of life, where a sma...

Finally, I've got rid of writer's block !! (I can hear many of you murmuring 'Eww, you think you are a writer, please !'. But people, please, let me have this one small pleasure !) And what helped me to write(or type!) again ? India's nail biting victory against Pakistan in Asia Cup, an innocent status message I put in Facebook and a friend's encouraging comment for that ("...u better become a cricket reporter or commentator....", was what he said ! Thanks Vasanth !). After humiliating defeats in Zimbabwe and traveling to Sri Lanka (again!) without Tendulkar and Yuvraj, its great to know that we are through to the finals (against Sri Lanka again !). It was important to identify the right squad combination and thanks to some sensible and bold selection, the team looks well balanced. That's all folks, I am just slowly overcoming 'writer's block'. Hope Indian team overcomes 'finalists block' and win the title. Good luck guys. (For ...

I was fortunate to be present at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences today, 8th December 2009, to attend lectures by this year's Physics and Chemistry Nobel laureates. According to the Nobel Foundation statutes, the Nobel Laureates are required to 'give a public lecture on a subject connected with the work for which the prize has been awarded'. Nobel Physics prize winners: Charles K Kao, Willard S Boyle and George E Smith Kao, a Chinese, won the award for his contribution in the field of optical fibers. His lecture, titled ' Sand from centuries past, send future voices fast ', (an innovative title, which highlights the importance of Silica in optical fibers) was delivered by his wife, who did a wonderful job in explaining even technical aspects of Mr.Kao's work. Boyle and Smith shared the prize for their work in the area of CCD (charge coupled devices), which form the very basis of digital imaging techniques and play an important role from a tiny 2 megapixel...

"What happens when The Unstoppable Force meets The Immovable Object" is a classical paradox question, where one disproves the presence of the other. But ask the Sri Lankan cricket team, and they will promise that both of them exist. They have faced and suffered from the hands of an unstoppable force, Virender Sehwag and an immovable object, Rahul Dravid at the CCI ground in Mumbai. And when they realise tonight that they will again be encountering the duo tomorrow morning, hmm, they have absolutely nothing to motivate themselves and well, one can only pity them. Earlier M.Vijay, fresh from some beautiful knocks in domestic cricket, showed he truly belongs to the big stage. His stance, bat speed and flow (esp. the fluent cover drives) are amazing. Add to this his superiour fielding abilities, oh boy, he sure is a player to watch out for ! Coming back to Sehwag's innings, its his uncomplicated approach to batting which makes him a big threat to bowlers. Try asking him abou...

Its five months since I blogged. Whoa, its exactly five months, my last blog date is 14th March and today its 14th August. Some connection I have with the number 14 ! So folks, I am leaving to Sweden for MS in 2 days. I hope to share my travel experiences here. Hope I get the time and importantly, internet facility to blog.

"Thoranai", starring Vishal and Shriya is being shot near my place. Here are some pics of Shriya I was able to click before I was shooed away and asked not to take photos. Anyway, no harm in uploading a couple of pics I guess.