DISQUS

Congratulations! Two boys - that's _awesome_! Yes twins can drive you crazy. I speak from experience :-)

It's one of the best pleasures having to pry open the folds on the arms and legs just to keep them clean :-) ... they grow up _way_ too quick.

The fools in the broke ICC and the super-wealthy BCCI are only feathering their own nests or ensuring their longevity. It's only a matter of time before someone (will it be Subhash Chandra?) makes it fun again for the spectators and makes a killing in the bargain. Hopefully Zee TV can sign on Lara, McGrath, maybe Shane Warne to lend credibility. And if he can enlist the big Indian corporates to sponsor the teams, that could be the magic sauce. If the silly BCCI blocks him, I hope he takes it the distance and sues their pants off in the Supreme Court. Hopefully he can do for Indian cricket (and cricket in general) what he (i.e. Zee TV) did to Doordarshan, and what the private telcos and airlines have done to their government-owned counterparts in India.

While the Catholic religion may adapt to the demands of the market (a bishop in the Vatican Bank remarked that the Bank was not run on Hail Mary's) its theology moves at a glacially slow pace. The idea that unbaptized infants who die don't necessarily go to hell (oops Hell) is still mind-bogglingly silly. The Catholic Church is well aware of its markets - the US "contributes a lot" (Irish-descent in Mass., Hispanics, Filipinos), Europe "contributes", India is ummm ... still "missionary" :-). Its interesting though, that the people in Catholic countries are poor compared their peers in Protestant countries (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, much of South America).

Hinduism is most laissez faire. Has no "Hotel California clause" like Islam has :-) ... (You can check-out any time you like, But you can never leave). No active proselytizing means it won't grow though.

Glad to hear everything turned out OK. Quite a harrowing experience.

Hmmm ... I suddenly *detest* working :-). "Office Space" captures the thought perfectly. In response to "what did you do yesterday?", the lead guy says, "I did NOTHING. And it was everything I dreamed it would be!".

Thanks for the excellent coverage. Yep, hope the Lankans go all the way. Need a change from the Aussies.

The English fans are a far cry from the "tea with lemon and cucumber sandwich" crowd. You may even have needed some of your karate skills :-)

Z security for Chappell till he quits and reaches Australia please.

I'm sure the bookies are not going to be happy about this ...

I'll identify myself to the owner of the blog. Hope that's OK with all the rest.

I'm an Indian man - we have one kid through an IVF (2 years old) and have 2 more(!) on the way (again IVF). We (i.e. my gutsy wife!) did the usual IUI thingee which did not work out well. We are testament that things _do_ get more difficult once you cross 30 and gets progressively more so.

If IVF is the chosen route there are ways to "manage" costs: meds from Canada (or better still, India, if you can swing it); treatment in India if you can work it (typically costs about $3000 per cycle if you don't have additional procedures like ICSI - and can be done in as little as 2 weeks - of course timing is everything). Anyway ... the end result is awesome - worth the emotional and financial turmoil when it works.

Thanks. Was in India (Madras and Bombay). Got blown away by all I saw.

Brilliant. Just brilliant!

The kid's a cutie. Is this the making on another internet phenom?

The solution to such mediocrity in the midst of big money is a private cricket league - like the NFL - think Kerry Packer on steroids. India currently funds cricket all over the world. The audience pie is certainly big enough to support the useless "national team" as well as some hungry private teams. I'd bet that private teams will do the management and "national team" what Reliance, Airtel, and Hutch did to BSNL and MTNL, or what Jet, Sahara and Air Deccan did to Indian Airlines/Air India.

As a complete contrast to those fat losers in the Indian team, management and babudom, watch what Pete Carroll has done with USC football - a case study for continued performance while facing continuous challenges.

Shripriya: The Medela "Pump in Style" does the needful, and is very portable. Works well - we're happy customers - at least my kid was - can't say the same about my wife :-). Babys R Us should carry them.

The picture definitely over-promises - and that includes the smile :-). That girl's either in the best shape ever, or some surgeon's been working on her. The best pump we've used was rented from the hospital, is 25 years old, is not available on the market any more, and has sufficient power to haul a crane. Not good if mom-to-be expects to travel, but works like a charm.

Truly funny - especially the guy who says "Obama is a threat not just to the US but the entire country" :-)

Definitely agree that GOOG is the new MSFT. They'd better enjoy their moment in the sun though. Folks aren't quite that afraid of GOOG as they were even 6 mo. ago. The Youtube acquisition is a tacit admission of middle age - however GOOG and the street might spin it.

Good question. Charlie's answer nails it. It truly is amazing what you can do for $1000 these days. Am discovering this as I embark on something new.