Photo Blog #2

Taken from window of a Volvo on E-Way, through my N72.

Photo Blog #1

Last week the Hinjewadi Traffic Police came up with a very innovative idea for avoiding commuters/drivers from running down temporary road dividers and barriers: To protect the barriers using potted plants. Obviously their reasoning was that one will think twice before hitting the small plants.

Obviously they were mistaken. The drivers in Pune won't even spare these poor souls. As a result these plants were moved to a safer place sometime during over the weekend.

Scribble #2: Playing it Safe

The Indian Captain recently drew a lot of criticism for his decision not to enforce a follow on in last test match against England, but

1. History shows that whenever India has gone 1 up in a test series in recent times, it has lost the immediate test after that. This includes a test series against Zimbabwe.
2. People said that the Indian Captain lacked the killer instinct and did not take the necessary risk to humiliate the hosts. But then according to me, it was wise to play safe to ensure a historic test win than an unnecessary show of aggression.
3. Indian bowlers and fielders equally had toiled for a little over 110 overs to get England all out in the first innings. It made no sense in enforcing follow on and getting tired for another 80 overs or so.
4. Batting in fourth innings, on last day, was always going to be tough. Why take chances?!!
5. The same critics would have bayed for his blood if Rahul Dravid had enforced follow on, with England setting a target of 80-90 odd runs and then India failing to reach the target in fourth innings of the test match.
6. Keeping the bigger picture in mind, if Rahul Dravid became selfish, I don’t mind that. A 1-0 win is always sweeter than a 1-1 draw and a lost opportunity to create history.

Well done, Rahul!!!

Scribble #1: Love Is...

Now I am a very big fan of F*R*I*E*N*D*S, and so I am sure are many of us.
But did anyone notice a simple thing in the very first episode of the series?!!
Now we all know that Ross had a very big crush on Rachael earlier in his teens. So obviously he feels something for her when he meets her in the first episode. The scene is question happens late in the night when they are sitting in Monica's living room, and everybody has left. There is one cookie left on the plate, and both of them reach for it at the same time. Naturally both withdraw, and “no no.. you take it”s follow. Finally Ross suggests they should split it and share. Rachel agrees. So Ross splits the cookie and hands her one half. Now it is fine till here, but there is something very intentional – Ross gives her the half with the cream, while he takes the one without. It is a very simple gesture which goes to show how much he cares for her; how much he means to let her have “All the Cream in Life” while he is content with the creamless part. No doubts they had to end up together even after all the foolish things that followed in the next 10 years!!!
I can imagine a Kim Casali comic strip on this gesture “Love Is…”:
“… to let her have the Creamy half”.