My Homage to Andy Roddick

Before I imprinted (this term the Twihards will know the most) on Roger Federer, I was madly in love with Andy Roddick. I was bowled over by his boyish charms and his witty answers to each and everyone.

I was distraught for Roddick when he lost the first Semi final in Wimbledon (first of the many matches that came later) to his nemesis Roger in 2003. I was heartbroken for him. I even though who is this Federer guy. How dare he beat Andy (Can u believe it?). But the final of 2003 turned it totally around. I am digressing here. Though I still cant think about anyone who can rule my heart from tennis fraternity the way Federer does, I still cant forget my first love. They say that first love is always the most cherished memory and I agree.

Why I was drawn to Andy Roddick is a mystery to me. His original game was centred mostly around his Booming Serve and intimidating opponents. His initial play was centred on being stayed at Baseline and sometimes serve and volleying to get quick points. This is not my type of play honestly. But something about Roddick always lingered on in mind even after the game. Over the period of the decade, he has continuously improved his game to suite the new emerging style of play. Along with Federer, he is the only player to have stayed in top 10 for 9 consecutive years. That's a big big achievement.

A-Rod as he is affectionately called many times, is known for his On-Court tantrums as well. He has  to his name some famous melt downs and verbal abuses to the umpires. This is the only thing that's like a dark mark on his tennis career. Sometimes his body language is so childlike when he is losing a match as if he gives a Da*mn about the outcome. because of this he can come across as giving up on the matches. But that's one of the big misconception about him. Of the court he is always witty, sometimes taking the press off guard with outrageous answers. He is famous for doing imitations of Djokovic, Hewitt, Sharapova and Serena Williams.

They say he is unlucky as he is born in the era where Federer is playing and they have an ounce of truth in it. Except the 2003 US Open final which he won(Not Against Roger), all the other 4 GS finals he played 2004,2005,2009 Wimbledon and 2006 US Open, his path was blocked by Roger. I wont even go to the 2009 Wimbledon final. I think that was the only final I would have been OK with If Roger would have lost.

You would have imagined that this would turn him into Roger's biggest hater in the world but on the other hand these two share a rare camaraderie. Roddick defended Roger vehemently in 2008 which was the most disappointing season for Roger according to many people. He said "You guys are brutal. Absolutely brutal. The guy has only made two Grand Slam finals this year. I would love his bad year. I would love it."

I had a privilege to take see him twice in 2009. Once when we were roaming around in Paris, he came across the road walking. Unfortunately we were resting that time and by the time I got up and ran he was already gone. I tried to shout  "Andy" but I was too speechless to make any sound.

This is the most I could Capture Andy In Paris

Second time I was more lucky. In 2009 Barclay's ATP Masters in London, Roddick had to withdrew due to the knee injury but he came to watch a match in the O2 Arena. When people recognised him in the stands many of us queued up for his autograph. and I got it :)

Finally Got an Autograph

So you must have got the point from all my blabbering that Andy Roddick holds a special place in my heart. When he declared he will be retiring after this year's US open, I was sad and teary eyed like him and his numerous fans. He has carried the burden of being America's top Tennis Men's player for too long. He is the most under appreciated player in tennis I believe.

Andy Wishing you all the best for your future and I am going to really miss you..Though I did not love you as you deserved nonetheless you have always been part of my love for Tennis. After you are gone, that part will remain unoccupied and that void will always remain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Live the Life You have Imagined

This is the article one of my colleague have shared in our organisation and I just loved it..So just sharing it here.

Once upon a time, at a large mountainside there was an eagle nest with 4 large eagle eggs inside.

One day, an earthquake rocked the mountain causing one of the eggs to roll down to a chicken farm, located in the valley below.

The chickens knew that they must protect the eagle egg. Eventually, the eagle egg hatched and a beautiful eagle was born.

Being chickens, the chickens raised the eagle to be a chicken. The eagle loved his home and family but it seemed his spirit cried out for more.

One day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a group of mighty eagles soaring. ”Oh,” the eagle cried, “I wish I could soar like those birds.”

The chickens roared with laughter, “You cannot soar like those. You are a chicken and chickens do not soar.” The eagle continued staring at his real family up above,

Each time the eagle talked about his dreams, he was told it couldn’t be done.

That was what the eagle learned to believe. After time, the eagle stopped dreaming and continued to live his life as a chicken.

Finally, after a long life as a chicken, the eagle passed away.

This is a perfect example of what many of us go through. The society around us is bound by certain ideas. It might not be their fault but they do have limited vision most of the times. Its up to us how much we want to live the life we have imagined. The one thing that's sure is it wont be rosy always. If your ideas don't match with that of society's you will have to fight your way through it but i think if at the end you look back and say 'yeah I have lived my life the way I wanted' it would be worth it. Don't you think?

Harry Bosch's Single Bullet Theory

         When I was reading one of the Michael Connelly books, I come across a theory (Called single Bullet) which the hero of the novel firmly believes. Harry Bosch has been in love with his ex-wife Eleanor Wish.

"I'm a believer in the single-bullet theory. You can fall in love and make love many times but there is only one bullet with your name etched on the side. And if you are lucky enough to be shot with that bullet then the wound never heals.Roy Lindell might have had Martha Gessler's name on a bullet. What I do know is that Eleanor Wish had been my bullet. She had pierced me through and through. There were other women before and other women since but the wound she left would not heal right. I was still bleeding and I knew I would always bleed for her. That was just the way it had to be. There is no end of things in the heart."

I don't know why I felt like sharing it. But this is kind of poetic so thought will put a quick blog on it.

London Paris New York

I am back after a longggg hiatus. There was no plan to take such long break from blogger but was just having writer's block due to some personal issues. Anyways that's done and dusted and here I am. I thought a lot on what i should write about. There are many topics in my head but the urge to write about them was missing

I thought these days I am missing something in my life and when I watched this movie I realised what it was that I am missing. No its not about a guy please...I am missing London desperately. I went to London in 2008 March and it became my city. May be it was my first international travel, may be because it was more like Mumbai, may be because London means Wimbledon and Arsenal, whatever is the reason but I fell for this city real hard and fast. London is beautiful in Surreal way. London with its Victorian architect, its crazy weather (it can rain anytime in London. You better carry your umbrella everyday), good food, pulls you in its charm. Whenever I land at Heathrow, I can smell that different London air. It has an identity. I am not kidding..and then I feel yes I belong here. In London I met many wonderful people. My office team, some of my closest friends I discovered in this city. I have loved and I have lost the love too in this city. When I was struggling big time in my personal life I ran away to London where I found some peace. Every walk from tube station to office or to home has always have some memory attached. The Buses, Tubes,Costa Coffee,Pubs, Oxford street, Waterstones, Hagen Daz, Chillango, Crispy Cream, CineWorld ohh I miss it all and most importantly I miss that time in my life. Now its just has become a memory and I am trying desperately to grasp at that lost time. This movie tugged and pulled at my heart strings and have compelled me to write about it. The movie has captured London very nicely and it fits in the story as a third Character.

The second city in the movie is Paris..My dream city. I didn't like the Paris I saw in this movie. I have been to Paris twice. Once in winter and once in Summer and loved the city in both times. And its truly a romantic city. I cant explain why but in Paris you always miss that special someone when you are there alone. Paris is fun, Its colourful, Its always awake and ready to party. I had the most amazing wine in Paris. and Chocolate Crepe are awesome..Disneyland, Eiffel, Louvre, River Seine. Everything about Paris is Romance. Everything about it creates a longing in you and that's why this city tops the chart. But I am not sure how Paris will treat you if you stay there for a long period and not just holidays. I think the mystery of Paris is best experienced for short term. I am afraid I might not like it if I stayed there for long. But whenever I will get a chance I would love to go to Paris and I hope at least in one of these trips I will have that Special someone with me to share my joy :)

Now to the third city of the movie..New York..this city we have seen so many times in Karan Johar movies that it feels I have already been there. But I feel that city is calling me.. Its waiting for me..Its not my dream city or I don't have a compulsion that I have to go there once etc. But somehow I feel that I would definitely be there one day.I don't have any picture of New York in my mind. So it would be a true mystery to unravel
Just praying that life will give me a chance to at least try to solve that riddle.

P.S. - About the movie, its one of the fresh  movies I have seen in sometime. The actors have done a very good job and I think its one of those mature movies. Most of the situations in movie can happen real life too.and of course I loveeee Ali Zafar :P

Sporting events and ME!!!

The last Monday I thought about writing this post when I was telling a friend why I didn't watch Arsenal match over the weekend..My another friend was shouting at me for not picking up her calls few days back.She thought may be I had this vrat or something before Australian Open not to talk to any friends so Federer will win..though it was nothing like that but I agree that its a possibility with me. Whats with me and my favourite teams...

Yes I am toooo superstitious when it comes to matches for my favourites...be it Arsenal game or Federer match or Sachine inching towards his 100. I get soo touchy and fidgety..There was a phase when I had stopped watching Federer play live cause I have taken it to my brain that when I see the match he loses..So the Aus 2009 Final I had just heard. Can you believe it. I was in UK.So I had gotten up at 6 to follow the match. Though the live streaming was ON on my laptop I had opened BBC's live text update link and along with the commentary from the live stream I was following the match on BBC. For more than 4 hours this madness went on. Still Fed lost and thankfully now I watch all his games.

When Sachin is playing I don't move from my place. During 2003 India Pak match I actually had cramps in my leg due to sitting at same place when Sachin made his 97.

Still for Arsenal it has happened that when I don't watch the game they mostly win :P the only exception is when I watch the game at Emirates..Then they do win.ha ha ha.Today too I was at home. Star Sports was showing the game live. Still what did I do..Opened BBC again and put on music channel..Now watching the highlights and feeling very warm inside for the performance..C'on you Gooners. If you are winning I don't mind watching only the highlights at all.

Gooner for Life

Love of my life ;)

Always wait for this moment

People say I am crazy..Yes actually I am about sports and this madness doesn't help either..Though I don't regret this at all. I love Federer, Sachin and Arsenal too much to care :):)

Aaj Socha to...

I thought I will write a blog today..its been pending for a long time now..there were many things I wanted to right about..Many thought crowding my head..But when I started writing, its not the topics which I was thinking about writing. Its about a song which caught me offgaurd and made me come to terms the feelings which I was so consciously avoiding.

Yesterday I wanted to watch the program Jagjit Singh Tribute to be aired on TV at 10. I Switched on the TV and suddenly was assaulted by this song which I try not to listen much. Don't get me wrong. Its one of my favourites. But it always open up the old wounds which I so try to close. The song is "Aaj Socha to Aansoo Bhar Aaye" from the movie Haste Zakhma. This song is the ultimate combination of Lata Mangeshkar, Madan Mohan and Kaifi Aazmi. The only issue with this song is Priya Rajwansh. I wish they would taken someone else with expressions.

This song was from that generation where the lyrics of the songs used to pull the heart strings. This was the Era where many of the greatest songs (music/lyrics) wise were made which we still listen and can relate too.

"Reh Gayi Zindagi Dard Banke, Dard Dil mein Samaye Samaye"

Anyways, this song always takes me back and make me relive my past. I should ideally hate this song for all the pain it causes but somehow I cannot. This song shows me that its my decision where my life is currently and I have got to be strong if I want to have it that way.

Home Sweet Home

wow..I mean wow....I really don't have words to write this post...Finally after all the search I have booked a flat in Pune. It was a longggggggggg wait and still have to wait a long time before I can actually set a foot in my home. But the feeling of having a house of your own is exhilarating. It has been my dream for so long.It was one of the biggest items on my 'To Do' list before I turn 30. Now the long process of getting a loan, keeping track of the work being done at the site starts..

I really hope this will give me some stability and peace of mind that I have been searching for a long time..

Ohh I am so happy. Thank you God!!!!