Friday, December 26, 2008

Predictions 2009

After making such lame predictions the previous year, I have decided to bore you again with some of my predictions for 2009. The fact that most of my predictions for 2008 failed remains and I believe I have found out the reason for that also.

I have noticed sometimes, particularly when I am watching cricket, that when I predict something and believe whole-heartedly something will happen, it definitely doesn't happen. And when I predict something and then pray a lot and think that this cannot happen, this is so impossible, then comes the jolt, it actually happens. To comment on my predictions when watching cricket, I certainly thought and believed Tendulkar will win it for India in the 1996 semi-finals of the world-cup, but alas, he got out and we were stranded with Kambli to cry and Kumble to walk out. So this time around I am going to be radical in my predictions.

Some of my predictions are very radical and may hurt somebody who is reading it. I specifically think these stuff might happen, but also think they are mostly impossible to happen.

1. War of India & Pakistan - again this is in the brink. If the actual countries are not in war, they will be in war in the cricket arena. Of course not in the field, but off the field for controlling the major share of ICC. Everybody already knows that England/Australia/WestIndies/ etc., are on warpath with the Indian cricket's money power (everybody hates IPL). Hence, this can hasten a little bit further. And one more, the Indian money power will vanish just as Honda is almost vanished from F1.

2. Congress loses General Elections 2009 - Well, if there was no war and general elections are held, the congress will definitely lose the elections and will have to settle for a hung parliament again. All regional politicos still ruling roost and decreasing congress' power in a congress government. I don't predict BJP for a win, because they are too lame to politicize everything and hence, will be left out as the only party who will be opposition, but their statements will definitely be unheard off when compared to Left (who though they don't have many seats, will act like they are ruling the nation - as usual).

3. Sensex (Lock, Stock & Dumicule) - Sensex can play like a joker, it will go up one day and go down another day. Not based on all chaos which is happening in the country and the world, but based on all unnecessary stuff like, a. private reservation, b. lay-offs, c. actually nobody is buying what we produce (just like the 3 big American auto makers), d. realty (up because of this, as in our land - land prices know only one route and that route is up, 'coz we are not America yaar, we still need our basic accomodation).

4. Cricket - finally Dravid will himself retire, not before Laxman ofcourse. I believe they will both retire at the same time. Dhoni will learn how to speak about team when they are losing, he has started that with the draw in the Mohali test, where the batsmen were pathetic in the scoring rate.

5. Tamil Nadu may get divided into two different regions, north & south. As two of the power centres in Tamil Nadu determine its fate in general elections 2009 (if it happens). Not far behind will be the tussle of the power centres to be transferred to the union cabinets - two of DMKs loyal servants will hold key posts in the Union Cabinet. And there's also Anbumani as an added dose for some more headache with the Medical administrators. Now, all the flyovers are open, one is about to open this monday. Hence, that prediction came good. Planning to throw out all the cable connections and buy a DTH connection, but you never know how you get trapped in these money-making schemes, after you are in, you are just paying up.

6. Economy as a timebomb will recover, try to recover, look like recovered, but still waiting when to go sky-high (kabloom). This economic timebomb and its unpredictibility will cause a lot of distress for companies, employees, employers and everybody else. They won't know how to fix this, whether to fix this or is this fixed. They will be trying out new things, existing solutions and will only hope some miracle happens. Some will even pray to their hearts fullest. Just like dreams cannot come true unless you work towards it, all false promises will fly out and all definite promises will also dangle in danger. Wherever you are tough times need tough decisions, and tough decisions mean even tough to survive those decisions. Be resilient and work on your morality and ethics at this moment. As it is not the short-term gain which will protect you. But, a long-term resilience, hard work, loyalty and honesty will carry you through. Even if not in the current crisis or environment, but for your entire life.

Predictions for Jai & Family - As I informed you last year itself, it is life as it goes. This year (2008), I have faced a lot of issues which I thought I would never face. Solved a lot of problems which I thought are unsolvable. Even thought some funny stuff which are not standard issue. Had great fun with the family and friends and not the least to be mentioned the work. Made tough decisions when they had to be made. Ignored bad moves, tried to hide some errors I have done. But overall this year was highly distressing. Not the very best of year as was 2007. But surely a mixed bag. As we try to grow up we would always get some idiotic ideal to follow and try to hold on to it. But the fact remains I haven't got any and that means I am still living an irresponsible life. GOK (God Only Knows) when I will become what I was meant to be, as the destiny for Jai is still not clear. Least of it all, I turned 30, damn that ugly number.

Death - a Feeling

Is death a feeling ?

I fully believe that death is not the end. It actually continues the journey of our soul (just not in this world - we know off). Nobody can try to understand/explain that feeling until it is felt. And nobody has explained it to anybody. I strongly believe that somebody who has felt death has never actually lived again to tell about it. I don't believe in somebody saying that they saw their GOD, loved one or somebody else waived at them at the brink of their eternal sickness(end of the tunnel) and all (BTW, I call these stuff delusions).

At any moment of time we can die. I can die tomorrow, day-after tomorrow. My wife can die tomorrow, or 10 years later. My parents can die in future. My baby girl can die. Everyone has to undergo this unexplained feeling in this life journey. So how does one prepare for death. Can I save for my family such that they can survive my demise. Can I try to accomplish my duties to the best of my abilities as soon as possible. Can I try to be remembered as the best father, husband, son, fellow employee, programmer, human. What can I do to prepare for my demise. There should be something I could do to avoid death as long as I can to accomplish all of the above (greedy !!). Can I ?? What should I do ??

The fact is you don't prepare.

What ?? Why ?? How can you say this ?? This is lame !!.

Or is it ?? Actually it is not. You should not prepare. Do you actually prepare for a feeling ? Did you prepare to feel your mother's womb ? Did you prepare to be born ? Did you prepare to eat your first apple (you have to talk about eating now, don't you ?) ? Did you prepare to be joyous ? Did you prepare to fall in Love ? Did you prepare to be sober ? That's why I believe you shouldn't prepare to die.

When you don't prepare for any other of your feelings, how can you prepare for death. Death is a feeling. You have to feel it as it comes. Just as you drank your first drop of milk. Just as you sat alone in your class. Just as you felt very proud to be a parent. You have to just let it sink in. You shall not prepare for it. You shall not fear it. Its just another feeling.

I believe I am right, am I ?