Friday, November 25, 2005
A VISIONARY
Now, I know a good many peers, adversaries and others who have been implicitly or explicitly envious of my vision, my outlook, and perspective. I had hitherto shrugged this off as a harmless approbation of another’s visible superiority.
I was served a rude reminder of the pettiness of my cohabitants of this planet when a worthy made off with the equipment that contributed to this vision, and rendered me temporarily unfettred by the tunnel-vision that so trammels thought and sight these days.
Only hitch, I was unable to fully appreciate the pulchritude of those whom I passed by, which might have piqued them a bit.
I am due to attend a seminar beginning soon, which might go like this
What do you think about Point 3 on the slide ?
Huh, you’ve put up a presentation. ? Dunno, can’t see it
Have you analyzed the case given as homework ?
Nope, cannot see it.
Can you summarize the points on the marker board ?
Uh, no, I cannot see ‘em.
So how can you contribute to this discussion ?
Hmm, I can smell that lunch is ready.
Small mercies, I have always read without them, and I have never really watched TV in the last few years.
PS—The South African team visited Saharanpur last week, a full year and a half after its most loyal son set sail. Life is cruel !
Now, I know a good many peers, adversaries and others who have been implicitly or explicitly envious of my vision, my outlook, and perspective. I had hitherto shrugged this off as a harmless approbation of another’s visible superiority.
I was served a rude reminder of the pettiness of my cohabitants of this planet when a worthy made off with the equipment that contributed to this vision, and rendered me temporarily unfettred by the tunnel-vision that so trammels thought and sight these days.
Only hitch, I was unable to fully appreciate the pulchritude of those whom I passed by, which might have piqued them a bit.
I am due to attend a seminar beginning soon, which might go like this
What do you think about Point 3 on the slide ?
Huh, you’ve put up a presentation. ? Dunno, can’t see it
Have you analyzed the case given as homework ?
Nope, cannot see it.
Can you summarize the points on the marker board ?
Uh, no, I cannot see ‘em.
So how can you contribute to this discussion ?
Hmm, I can smell that lunch is ready.
Small mercies, I have always read without them, and I have never really watched TV in the last few years.
PS—The South African team visited Saharanpur last week, a full year and a half after its most loyal son set sail. Life is cruel !
Friday, November 04, 2005
THE LAST OF THE MALEEVAS
Magdalena Maleeva retired from competitive tennis last week, a straight sets loss to Patty Schnyder at the Zurich Open signalling the end of a twenty-two old passage of play on the WTA Tour in which at least one Maleeva featured.
One of three Maleeva sisters coached by mother and former player Julia, between then they practically reinvented the sport in Bulgaria, which has had a chequered past in international sport, with insider jokes like the Bulgarian weightlifting team having three clean and four “jerks” .
Magdalena Maleeva retired from competitive tennis last week, a straight sets loss to Patty Schnyder at the Zurich Open signalling the end of a twenty-two old passage of play on the WTA Tour in which at least one Maleeva featured.
One of three Maleeva sisters coached by mother and former player Julia, between then they practically reinvented the sport in Bulgaria, which has had a chequered past in international sport, with insider jokes like the Bulgarian weightlifting team having three clean and four “jerks” .
Before Magdalena, elder sister Manuela- clearly the most accomplished, tallest and successful of the lot had ploughed a lonely furrow through the 80’s and had crossed paths with stalwarts like Chris, Martina, Steffi and Monica with moderate success—three Grand Slam semis, before retiring after marrying Frank Fragniere and settling in Switzerland.
Katerina, like most middle children was a comparative underachiever, who nevertheless managed ten singles titles. They achieved a first when all three were seeded for a Grand Slam, and were in the Top 15 in 1993 and also when all three reached the fourth round of the French Open.
Magdalena won ten Tour titles herself but reached the quarters of a Grand Slam just once ( US Open 1992 ) although she managed quite a few trips to the fourth round. But her vicarious claim to headlines was when her opponent in the QF of the Hmaburg Open in April 1993, Monica Seles was stabbed by a Graf fan and effectively ended a stupendous career. A gregarious and outspoken interviewee, Magdalena has been the Spokeswoman of the WTA twice.
Does this affect me greatly ? I think so, players who began playing long after I started following the game are now riding away into the sunset. This year should be the likes of Davenport, Raymond, Frazier, Likhovtseva, Bjorkman and Agassi-Wayne Ferriera has already gone.
Mortality is a painful thing, and I remain a sentimental fool (Ed- An old fool !)
Magdalena won ten Tour titles herself but reached the quarters of a Grand Slam just once ( US Open 1992 ) although she managed quite a few trips to the fourth round. But her vicarious claim to headlines was when her opponent in the QF of the Hmaburg Open in April 1993, Monica Seles was stabbed by a Graf fan and effectively ended a stupendous career. A gregarious and outspoken interviewee, Magdalena has been the Spokeswoman of the WTA twice.
Does this affect me greatly ? I think so, players who began playing long after I started following the game are now riding away into the sunset. This year should be the likes of Davenport, Raymond, Frazier, Likhovtseva, Bjorkman and Agassi-Wayne Ferriera has already gone.
Mortality is a painful thing, and I remain a sentimental fool (Ed- An old fool !)
