Talking Cricket

I miss talking and discussing about Cricket. I hardly watch it now. It's more of learning the perspective and appreciating the fine art of batting by watching the videos of yesteryears.
It's surprising how well some people are able to articulate their views. I like listening to Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton, Kumar Sangakkara about their experiences and what they think of the game. I appreciate the commentary of Richie Benaud. Sometimes I watch Youtube videos just to listen to these commentators instead of actually watching the game.
This honest expression of opinion is not going to happen in India where every cricketer lives in the shadow of powerful BCCI.
Maybe that's the general nature of the country where one can't speak truth to power.
Sanjay Manjrekar stands out though. I never understood the hate that is directed at him. He seems to be one person who doesn't mind sharing what is going in his mind - even if it's negative feelings.
I would like to read his book - Imperfect. I am somehow able to relate to the stories that I have read about his career that he has discussed in his book. It presents a much humane side of his personality as against those who have always been politically correct.

Eleven Years

Still there
Still there

I have changed aplenty in the past one year. Much more than I had ever thought I would.

I have become a much more private person - I hardly speak to anyone

I don't travel or go out.

I don't socialize.

I don't read books

I don't watch as many movies.

The above activities used to take up most of my non-office time. Now I don't indulge in any of them.

I have also become wary of my online presence. To come to think of it, someone having access to passwords of my 3 accounts -Google, Facebook, and Amazon can know a lot more about me than I would care to divulge. 

If I were to eat beef, would I be found out by government toadies and hacked to death?

If I made a casual remark about Bal Thackrey in my private chats with a friend, would I be beaten on the streets of Mumbai?

I think online privacy is a far more important and worrisome issue than it is being heeded to. 

****

I watch a lot of Jon Stewart clips on Youtube. What an amazing guy he was!!

Why can't we have someone like him in India who can speak truth to power?

कुछ शहर के लोग भी ज़ालिम थे
कुछ हमें भी मरने का शौक़ था 

Art

is what you live for 

A Poison Tree by William Blake

I was angry with my friend;
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I watered it in fears,
Night and morning with my tears:
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night.
Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine.

And into my garden stole,
When the night had veild the pole;
In the morning glad I see;
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

I first read it here 

Normalcy

should not be taken for granted

should not be undermined

might not be a reason to celebrate
but plenty to be thankful for