True to the Blue...

..is my current facebook status.

World Cup Cricket 2011 is on. For those few who aren't too familiar; 14 cricket playing nations participate in the hope of winning the coveted prize, name and fame - World Cup winners.

I've watched quite a few matches this year. Some on my own, some thanks to dude.

I've been watching the games since I was a kid - mum, dad and I would get together, finish all the chores, just in time to settle down to uninterrupted viewing of a 50 over game.

50 overs of positive thoughts, cheering, the occasional under the breath muttering of abuses, yelling and in my mums case, silent prayers.

*smiles* I'd bet my last dollar she still does it too.

Tomorrow's a big game - India vs. Pakistan in the World Cup semi finals.

Again, that's a BIG deal. No points for guessing how far back that rivalry goes.

Every time the two countries play together - it's explosive. The media goes absolutely nuts with the coverage - bribes and match fixing allegations, player backgrounds, scandals, rivalry - the works. It's almost as if the media can't milk the proverbial cow enough.

When I was younger, I was just as gung ho about it. India simply always had to win, win, win!!

A nation of a gazillion people support, whole-heartedly; this team of eleven on the field.

With this World Cup I realised that a lot of us are still like that when it comes to cricket. We Bleed Blue (India team colors). We pray. We support 'the boys' as if we've broken bread with each of them on several occasions. We want them to win. So, so badly.

It's nice to belong to a camp. To feel this crazy one-ness with a nation you belong to, but haven't grown up in. To want to paint three lines on each cheek - saffron, white and green.

To yell and chant and cheer for our boys in blue. To see all the crazy facebook updates, email forwards and sms messages - all supporting the game, the team, the hope of victory.

And like mom, to say a silent prayer.

(God may like cricket right, who knows?)

I'm not too fond of the anti-opposition jibes that are doing the rounds though. Maybe it's a girl thing. If there's one thing I've learnt from watching dude play basketball over the years...on court, it's a World War in the making. Off court- it's all chest bumping, hand shaking, fist thumping camaraderie.

Let's hope that's the way it is with tomorrows game too.

Oh and btw, dude's facebook status - I don't like cricket.

I love it.

Go India.

Till later.

A difference of opinion

It's Womens Day today. Ash Wednesday tomorrow.

And I've been down with the worst flu for the last week.

How does it all piece together? Well, since I managed to catch this dreadful bug, I seem to spend the better part of the day coughing, gulping down medicine, drinking hot water or dozing.

Fun times. *pulls a face*

But I've also spent a lot of time listening. And that's my point.

So many people have so many different opinions about everything. No, it's not something new, but it's interesting to observe and you can get quite caught up in the thought processes that are thrown around. When all you seem to do is pour yourself another mug of hot tea and honey, you learn profound things about the world.

Now, I get why so many people just sit at roadside cafes and watch the world go by. There's so much to see, hear, be a part of, be amused at.

Womens Day. Smile with pride or frown with disdain?

There's the left side of the room who say WHY? Why do you need a specific day to be nice to women and tell them how great they are? Why don't you do that everyday? The rest of the year you treat them badly and then 'whammo' on the 8th of March, you shower them with flowers and praise and what not?

You have to admit, there's a point somewhere in all that.

Then the right side of the room makes some noise. Why not, they ask? Is it such a bad thing to take one day out of the year to honor womenfolk and salute them for all they do? We've all read the mails where women can take more pain, have more heart, be more loving and this and that and the next thing; why shouldn't they get a day that's just for them? Bring on the art exhibitions, the bouquets, the seminars.

It made me think for a bit...as to which camp I belonged to. I sat in the middle of the room on a chair with my knees to my chin, deep in thought. And I realised that that's exactly where I was. I believe that women should be treated with love, respect, honor, friendship. I believe that everyone should be treated that way. 24/7, 365 days a year. I believe that we should at least try to honor all that is good in us...men or women. Trying is good.

But hey, you ain't never gonna catch me saying no to a Womens Day hug, a few flowers at the office entrance or a special song dedication on the radio. We don't celebrate each other everyday...but on this one day....it's nice to see random women in the halls greet each other with a wish for the day that celebrates who they are. It was nice to hear my mums voice this morning; "Happy Womens Day Shan!' It's nice to feel special. So I'm all for it.

Another hot topic has been Ash Wednesday and what are you going to give up for the season of Lent? The room went quite mad on that one.

Again, the same comparisons. Don't give up chocolate, alcohol, meat etc, just for Lent and indulge for the rest of the year. Don't try to be a different person during this time, it's meant to change who you are for life and not for just a month. GOD IS WATCHING YOU!!

Goodness.

Again...it can't possibly be that bad to acknowledge that you want to make a sacrifice, no matter how small.... right? During this time, you may personally choose to give up something you enjoy...and in that silent way, you contribute. Surely, God would not object?

I don't fancy choosing camps on that either. It's all so personal isn't it, these choices we make?

And in this day and age, where we can share our opinions so freely and easily - we can influence so many. My vote goes to just observing first...sipping on the warm tea and paying close attention to everything...and then finally, sitting calmly on that cozy beanbag in your mind...you choose what you stand for. To each his own.

Gosh, who knew what the flu could do.

Till later.

And just like that...

...a new year began.

Sometimes I haven't a clue where the days seem to rush off too. I hardly have time to finish off one to-do list and I'm already crossing the T's and dotting the I's on the next one! (You'd think I'd have learnt more from Pats by now, huh.)

It was a glorious end to 2010. New ventures, warm memories, so many of us together again. Looking back at the year that was; I am thankful. For the good, the bad, the lessons I've learnt.

I wasn't yet done with 2010, but it was done with me and had given me all it had to. I stood at the threshold of the new year and I'll admit - I was scared. Of the unknown, the future, the anxiety of possibilities...yes, I was excited...but sometimes the line between excitement and wariness seems to blur itself out in all the noise we make.

But 2011 has literally hugged me at the door and whisked me in for a cup of coffee and biscuits.

Blessings and friends and joy and good news - as far as the eye can see. And that feeling I recognize creeps up on me again...I am thankful.

It's not that sad or difficult times don't happen. They do.

People die. Friends leave town. Bad news rears its head ever so often. Job opportunities are lost, money doesn't seem to stay where you want it too, you hurt about something...the stuff that happens in all our lives.

But the amazing bit is that when you look at in retrospect a little later...you realize that it taught you something, it was for the best, you have a 'thank goodness that happened after all' moment. It isn't always easy to do...but there you go.

Come by to mine and I promise to share my high tea of 2011 with you. And remember to return the favor when I run out of bourbons and cream tarts.

Till later.