Owen Hargreaves, don't give up!

I'm not sure if clement is the word I don't want to use to describe the weather. But it sure is one of those days when I feel like going back to school. Old school on a rainy day, sitting beside the open window, wearing my sleeveless, navy blue sweater, (out of necessity and not because my shirt wasn't pressed) so I could feel the spray on my face. The perfect environment, dark days of deep, developmental contemplation, especially in the absence of a teacher. Perfect weather for some pondering.

The dots have been laid out by Her, but we are the ones who are supposed to connect them. I believe that Free will and Destiny are connected in this manner. This sure has been a year of realization. It started on that fateful night, the 27th of May 2009, when United lost to Barcelona at the Stadio Olimpico, Rome. Then, we lost Ronaldo and Tevez in the transfer season. What followed was players getting injured at crucial times and inexperience costing us that Champions league encounter against Bayern Munich. (I don't blame refereeing decisions!) And this stupid thought lingers in my mind. I don't suppose it would make sense if I said Manchester United lost the league last year because, personally, I didn't work hard enough. I know it's plain stupid, but sometimes I have this incredulous belief that such an entwining is tangible and not merely imaginary. It has been disappointing, but the return of Owen Hargreaves was something that lit me up. 

I remember that amazing 2007-08 season, Hargreaves' first season at Old Trafford. I remember the fantastic match winning free kick in that crucial battle against Arsenal. I remember his penalty in the shoot-out against Chelsea at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, on the 21st of May, 2008. It's the best penalty kick I've seen, awesome it was.

And then disaster struck. Operations on both knees, followed by a twenty month long rehabilitation program. After being out for two seasons, he made his Premier League return in the 92nd minute of United's penultimate game of the season against Sunderland. I was delighted to see him back in action. He touched the ball only once, but still, he was back!! He's a player who will run his heart out for the team. Yes!

Just when I thought everything was going to be fine, someone just had to pull me back out. Hargo is facing another serious injury setback. He's had to visit his knee specialist again and some fear that it may be all over for him. I've been feeling haunted ever since I got wind of the news. Reminded me of 'Red' Redding saying "Every man has his breaking point." I mean, how much can a man take? Every time he's taken a step forward, he's been knocked back and down. But, but, like I said, it has been a year of realization!!

Now that I think about it, I vividly remember the letter that Andy wrote to Red. Right now, for me, the best thing that could happen at Manchester would be the return of Hargo (and United winning everything :D and of course, City getting relegated :P !!) I hope he makes it back, I know he will. 

Don't give up Hargo!! 

- Raj

Chuism!

Chuism revealed!

Five years ago, I was subjected to some shitty, unholy ritual, which was unfortunately, conducted by the shittiest and crappiest conductor of this ritual you'd ever find. From that day on, I was called Chu Chu. No rhyme or reason, the name was supposedly a cute version of a very popular swear word. I took it in my stride and started this whole thing called 'Chuism equals Infinite Optimism'!
The principles of Chuism are simple:

• Always look on the bright side of life.
• Never lose hope.
• Never give up.

 There have been times when I have and when I haven't stood by my principles.

These are testing times right now. The most important thing in my life is on the line and I am not going to lose hope. Never!

Chu

A Billion, a Brazillion, 736, 32 or 1? Or a continent? The World!!

It's June 2010, but there ain't no dust that ain't dusting around in the you know where while moving through Kashmir! The Monsoon is here. It's been dull and cloudy here in town. But, I closed my eyes and flew up, up and away into the sky, of course I made sure I had clear headway before closing them eyes of mine, and I could see a certain radiance illuminating off of the world. These are the times when you could jump off a cliff and the energy of the world would keep you afloat, metaphorically of course. The sun ain't shining, the weather ain't sweet, but there is a beat, a rhythm out there y'all and it makes me wanna move my dancing feet yah! 

Haha! George Bush is one big time cupper! This one time, Donald Rumsfeld is giving the president his daily briefing. He concludes by saying: "Yesterday, 3 Brazilian soldiers were killed." "OH NO!" the President exclaims. "That's terrible!" His staff sits stunned at this display of emotion, nervously watching as the President sits, head in hands. Finally, the President looks up and asks, "How many is a brazillion?"

Talk football and everybody knows The Pele or a Ronaldo. Brazilians are the kings. They didn't win last time yeah, and I wait to see if a new usurper will rise. Soul Wayne Rooney, for if he loses it he's gonna grow that weird beard of his. Time for some numbers. There are probably a million people involved in organizing the show, billions watching! Partially fulfilled dreams of 736 world class professionals, a few broken hearts yeah and millions more for each one of those broken ones! 736 players, 32 nations. Butterflies in their bellies surely, but who's the one who's going to win it? Mae .. chounoyona mae .. Float .. float like a butterfly! Sting like a bee!

The war begins, but no lives are going to be lost in the making of history. Damn, this reminds me of Andrés Escobar. Sad story his, but probably a one off and something that isn't captured by this spirit. It's just a reflection of that irrational lunacy in humans. Let that never happen again. OK! I was watching the official starting ceremony on TV last night, people shouting 'Africa Africaaa'! It's a beautiful place - the desert, the rivers, the rain-forests, the Serengeti, geographically so diverse much like our own beauty. The message last night was 'Football - connecting people. Education for all.' In spite of the shallowness of my perception of life and understanding of the meaning of things, football for me, and I mean for me, has a very deep meaning! I don't care who wins the trophy, tears will surely be shed in the process. Oh, not by me of course. Watch this video --> Football Heartbreaks! and you'll get what I'm saying. It hurts, especially when you lose in a shoot-out! Part of the dream is taken away from you, that's part of life. Go out and get yourself drenched, play a game with the people and everything is gonna be alright soon enough.

For me though, all of them 32 nations are the winners, Africa is the winner and the whole world too. 'Lose your inhibitions.'  These are the times when we can sing 'Joy to the World!'

Un Diego!!

One Wayne Rooney!

-

   Ju ma pel What? What's so shady?  Joey can't speak French!

   And I'm always on time!

Scan this Wasted Land!

'My Shangri-la beneath the summer moon I will return again.

Sure as the dust that floats high in June when moving through Kashmir.'

Imagine yourself walking through a desert storm or sailing along dire straits.

What exactly would you be trying to find ?

- Jebowski