The meat safe and the study desk

Just around the same time, the sporting world has experienced the stunning acts of two sportsmen who have gone well past their youth, but still have the burning desire to do well, to dominate and to be successful. Andre Agassi’s semi-final clash against fellow countryman James Blake made me sit up and say, Gee, How the hell did he do that!! I couldn’t catch that match live, but made sure I watched the highlights of the match the next day. Those who did see the match, live or otherwise, would agree with me when I say that Agassi played out of his skin, in the final set, to win the match and go through to the US open final at the age of 35! Read that again, 35 years old, when some of us would be settling into our couches at home, watching our kids toddle around, when some of us would be content with morning jogs/walks or a 45 minute workout at the gym. This guy has played a match of the highest intensity for over three hours, with the whole of America watching. Unbelievable, hats of to him.

Just a few thousand miles east, another man was weaving his magic against the age old rivals, England. As I write this, England has won the Ashes, but to see Shane Warne bowl at the English batsmen this series has been quite something. Look at the difficult circumstances under which he came into the series, questions being asked about his age and his constant inclination to his public image, more importantly, and the end of a 10-year old marriage. With all this at the background to be able to produce the goods, like he has done, I can only term his efforts super-human. The stats tell the story, 40 wickets over the 5 test matches; his batting in the lower order was responsible for the totals Australia achieved, and his catching and constant cheering up of his team mates. What a man! As I watched the presentation ceremony last night, I thought Michael Atherton said it right. The England coach Duncan Fletcher had named Shane Warne the Australian Man of the series, while Atherton addressed him as ‘The Great Shane Warne’. Yes, that’s what he should be called.

Both these guys, 35 years of age, have shown that while age may actually be a deterrent in physical capabilities on the field, the mental determination along with the hunger and love for the game can achieve much more than one can think. Usually, it’s in the 20s that stars are identified and made. Remember Tendulkar and Lara? Tendulkar was a great batsman, a master, who has played some wonderful innings for the country, while Lara, the prince who has reinvented himself during his twilight years. I would like to believe that Lara is also in the same category as Shane Warne or Andre Agassi, performing brilliantly time and again, while Tendulkar is yet to produce some late-in-the-day magic. Who knows it might just happen. But for now, let’s applaud the final acts of these wonderful sportsmen.

A group of us friends had been to the new hotel, Raintree in St. Mary’s road. This is what we came out with, other than a pretty good meal and a great time with all the guys.

P S: This is the second time we have met Surya.

Top 10 Signs That You’re Dating A Tester
10. Your love letters get returned to you marked up with red ink, highlighting your grammar and spelling mistakes.
9. When you complain about him spending too much time with you, he replies that he’s in the middle of a soak test.
8. He keeps asking for a “spec” so he’ll know how his “harness” should “interface” with you.
7. He’ll always do something wrong twice so he can provide accurate repro steps.
6. When you tell him that you won’t change something, he’ll offer to allow you two other flaws in exchange for changing this one.
5. When you ask him how you look in an outfit, he’ll actually tell you.
4. When you give him the “It’s not you, it’s me” breakup line, he’ll agree with you and give specifics.
3. He won’t help change a burned out lightbulb because his job is simply to report that it’s burned out.
2. He’ll keep bringing up old problems that you’ve since worked out just to make sure that they’re still gone.
…and the number one way to tell you’re dating a tester…

1. In the bedroom, he keeps “probing” the incorrect “input.”