Thursday, September 07, 2006

Small things that can make a day

I was wondering the other day as I stepped out of the bed with my sprits higher than usual, about what makes a day happy. I figured out that all it takes are few moments of joy, moments when you're at peace with yourself.

It could be the sight of raindrops accumulating on the edge of a leaf or the soft sunlight on your face when you open the door in the morning. The familiar black butterfly with large white spots or the lemon yellow and orange one, or that little squirrel which follows you for a while before running up a tree can have the magical effect of turning a lousy day into a bright one. The smile on a kid's face or his laughter can help you shrug off that bad mood. Nothing like music to make a day. It could be one of your favourites or something you've never heard before, with the power to provide you those moments of bliss. It could be a poem, a quote or a small story. Even that tiny comic strip in the newspaper can do the trick. The memory of a loved one, an old friend or someone special. A phone call, an email or that rare letter, or just a look at that photograph which is right there in front of you, but which you hadn't really noticed for a long time.

I hope you find that little thing today to make you happy. It is out there, just keep your eyes open.

Saturday, September 02, 2006

Forgive my sin

I know I'll have to repay for this sin when the account of my life is settled. It will be written in big bold red letters in the debit column: "inf", particulars: "DISLOYALTY". But I am helpless. My dedication as a Fed fan has failed the test. I have jumped the line.

Before you start forming any opinions, let me clarify that I've not joined the Nadal fanclub. I'd rather commit suicide, or better, kill him.

But for this year's US Open, I'm on Agassi's side. I sincerely hope it doesn't turn out like the Wimbledon where he was shown the door a day after I wrote a post wishing him luck.

As he takes on opponents almost half his age the only things he'll have in his favour are his will-power and the crowd. The question is, can he defeat his age, his chronic back problem and focus in spite of the emotions surrounding his last tournament before retirement and emerge truimphant against the likes of Federer and Nadal?

If he does, it'll be a fairytale ending to a fascinating career which saw him change from the long-haired, denim shorts clad, defiant and wild teenager who preferred his style of clothing over the Wimbledon to a meticulous and valiant fighter. He became tennis's first true glamour boy.

He resurrected himself from 142 ATP ranking to the top 10, toiling through tier 2 tournaments where there are no ballboys, leave alone any other facility. He pushed himself to the limits in the last year's US open quarter final to overcome James Blake. He sadly lost in the semifinal to Federer.

If he wins, it would be an effort greater than Jimmy Connors's run to the semi-final in 1991 at the age of 38. More than anything, it will be a fitting farewell to a great tennis player. I just wish he does.