Super 8 - April 2007

Sun 1	30th Match, Super Eights - West Indies v Sri Lanka Providence Stadium, Guyana D2 v B1 Lanka. This is a crucial match and Lanka certainly holds an advantage. A loss for the Windies would help seal their fate. After seeing the farce in their selection, I sincerely do not think the Windies have the mental strength to progress.
Mon 2	31th Match, Super Eights - Bangladesh v New Zealand Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua B2 v C1 England. In all honestly, England could be a real contender for the Semi's. She came to the Winides on a high having won the CB series when nobody gave them a shot. It is true they struggled a bit but it is all about peaking at the right time; even Flintoff's determination, Pietersens's talent, and their new action hero, Collingwood, I would definitely be wary of them.
Tue 3	32th Match, Super Eights - Ireland v South Africa Providence Stadium, Guyana D1 v A2 South Africa. Ireland gave them a hell of a scare in the warm-up matches; however, I think SA is unlikely to slip again and would try their best to erase those memories. Also, they may be looking to boost their run rate since they came on the backfoot in the Super 8's. However, given they lost to Australia (to lose those two points), I feel it will not hamper their plans to make it to the Semi's since most teams (if not all) will lose to Australia!
Wed 4	33th Match, Super Eights - England v Sri Lanka Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua Lanka. God, I am biased, no? But seriously, I think unless a few England players pull their socks up, they will struggle. This is mainly because our bowling is a lot better. In fact, so is our batting. Heck, and everyone knows about our fielding. Maybe I am not that biased after all.
Sat 7	34th Match, Super Eights - Bangladesh v South Africa Providence Stadium, Guyana B2 v A2 South Africa. I will stick to my initial assertion; while Bangladesh and Ireland made it thus far, this is the end of the road.
Sun 8	35th Match, Super Eights - Australia v England Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua Ricky Pointing and co. will be looking to avenge their loss in the CB series. The poms may be charged-up due to the history. I think Australia's bowling is susceptible - it is missing Lee (and of course, Warne retired) so it does not look as great. However, it is their batting and also their presence simply intimidates their opponents - and this is truer when that opponent is England.
Mon 9	36th Match, Super Eights - Ireland v New Zealand Providence Stadium, Guyana D1 v C1 New Zealand. They really are playing well and have the bowling attack to make most teams worry. Ireland is not going to pose any challenge.
Tue 10	37th Match, Super Eights - South Africa v West Indies National Cricket Stadium, St George's, Grenada D2 v A2 South Africa. Haiz. The Windies really have a set of issues and they just do not have the firepower to match teams such as Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
Wed 11	38th Match, Super Eights - Bangladesh v England Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados C2 v B2 Poms.
Thu 12	39th Match, Super Eights - New Zealand v Sri Lanka National Cricket Stadium, St George's, Grenada Wow! Now, this will be a cracker. I would think Lanka might have the edge; Malinga has scared them before and by god, going by his four-in-four, he is likely to do it again.
Fri 13	40th Match, Super Eights - Australia v Ireland Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados A1 v D1 What a mismatch. Australia.
Sat 14	41th Match, Super Eights - New Zealand v South Africa National Cricket Stadium, St George's, Grenada A2 v C1 South Africa. While this is likely to be an interesting game, South Africa, to me is still a much stronger team since they have some huge players; New Zealand has never had the big names and I feel the fact that they do not have a Smith, a Lara or even a Jayasuriya could really hamper them.
Sun 15	42th Match, Super Eights - Bangladesh v Ireland Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados B2 v D1 I think this match is of no consequence. I wish the Bangladeshi's win to simply maintain that they are "better than the associate" thingy going for them.
Mon 16	43th Match, Super Eights - Australia v Sri Lanka National Cricket Stadium, St George's, Grenada Call me biased but I think only Sri Lanka really has the ability to unnerve Australia. I am sure we will give them a fight; and for the record, Matty Hayden will fail against us. Even given his run of recent exploits, I just do not see Malinga and Vaas being bullied.
Tue 17	44th Match, Super Eights - England v South Africa Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados South Africa. The poms just do not have the bowling to contain Smith.
Wed 18	45th Match, Super Eights - Ireland v Sri Lanka National Cricket Stadium, St George's, Grenada Lanka. 'Nuff said!
Thu 19	46th Match, Super Eights - West Indies v Bangladesh Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados D2 v B2 Windies. I am going to say this again - Bangladesh can only win against Ireland.
Fri 20	47th Match, Super Eights - Australia v New Zealand National Cricket Stadium, St George's, Grenada A1 v C1 Wow! Coming on the back of those amazing run-chases and the 10-wicket bashing, New Zealand and Australia definitely have some bad blood to settle. I have not done any calculations, but both teams should have sailed into the Semi's if my previous predictions are correct.
Sat 21	48th Match, Super Eights - West Indies v England Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados This match may be important if their is tussle for the fourth place and all that jazz. On merit alone, I would think the Poms.

We never had a chance

Four in four for Malinga. Brilliant stuff and it really shows that this guy is capable.

In a match that Sri Lanka should have won, Jayawardene would have to cop the brunt of the blame.

1. His own form is pathetic; you put your best player at 3 - not the one in the worst patch of form in his life.

2. Why was Murali brought in so late?

3. Malinga is a good bowler but he struggles at the top. I think I would give him a couple - cos his disconcerting pace might get you wickets. If he is going for runs, make the quick changes and bring this guy later in the game. He is so good with the old ball!

4. I still think we are missing a quality bowler in this line-up. I think Bandara is a better bowler than most but we need to play three fast bowlers and Mahroof and Dilhara are not good enough. After seeing Mahroof yesterday, that smuckh Dilhara might be worth a gamble with Vassy. However, it should also come with the ultimatum that if he bowls no-balls, Attapattu, our favourite 12th man, can cut him in the legs - not deep sashes but enough to let him know.

5. Get the batting oder right. Think Sanga should be number three for sure; Mahela and Chamara should share four and five.

6. WTF was with the collapse; while Mahela is not to blame completely I would give those bitches Mahroof, Vassy, and especially Murali a scolding that they would remember for sometime. Man, Murali, is such an arse. He is completely unprofessional when it comes to his conduct while batting; it is very sad that a person who has done so much for cricket does not understand the importance of his role as a bat. Sure, we do not expect a miracle but to get his basics right - jeez Murali, grow up, will you!

Well, it was still a good match and we can be reasonably confident to pull off victories against the Brits, the Windies, the Irish and the Kiwis. We probably give Australia a good fight - and if we beat them - heck, then we will be right on top.

Still think we are well on our way to the Semi's but a couple of surprises and we can kiss our dreams goodbye.

Super 8 - March 2007

Tue 27	25th Match, Super Eights - Australia v West Indies Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, St Peter's, Antigua D2 v A1 Australia. Think the Windies will fizzle out in the Super 8's. Anyways, this makes sense since it is in the favour of the already stronger teams (those that carried two points into the Super 8's). I understand the Windies too have two points; however, I think the four teams to be eliminated from the 8's will be: 1. Ireland 2. Bangladesh 3. Windies 4. England
Wed 28	26th Match, Super Eights - South Africa v Sri Lanka Providence Stadium, Guyana A2 v B1 Lanka. After the bashing from Australia, I think our bowlers should soften them up - much better than Australia. Also Sanna had humiliated Pollock into bowling spin in Lanka - he can do it in the Windies too. However, SA did play really well against us in the Champions Trophy and I am sure plans are in place to make sure there is no repeat. However, both these teams should feature in the Semi's still.
Thu 29	27th Match, Super Eights - West Indies v New Zealand Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, St Peter's, Antigua D2 v C1 New Zealand. Bond is around and the strong middle order can stomach the Windies challenge. Also, this is in line with the "four strong teams theory".
Fri 30	28th Match, Super Eights - England v Ireland Providence Stadium, Guyana Wow. What a set-up for two neighbours. Think England will come through though.
Sat 31	29th Match, Super Eights - Australia v Bangladesh Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, St Peter's, Antigua A1 v B2 The dream comes to an end for Bangladesh. They are going to be bullied in the Super 8 but hey, you did what no other team has done. Sinking a billion hopes; now, that's priceless.

Bon Voyage, India

Thanks for coming, India.

I love that the Lankan team finally matches the talk with the walk. It is a fantastic young side blended perfectly with the experience of the three most noble servants - Murali, Sanna and Vassie. This quote epitomises the new Lankan belief and we definitely have given ourselves a huge boost to repeat 1996.

Extracted from Cricinfo.com.

The proof has been in their play but, just in case it was not emphatic enough, their captain Mahela Jayawardene also talked the talk. "Bangaldesh did not meekly surrender to us," he asserted after Wednesday's wholesome victory, "we made them surrender." And if India "showed us a few things when we were in India, it is now our turn to show them." Few things excite the smaller nations of the sub-continent than slaying the big beast.

My semi-finalists:

1. Sri Lanka
2. Australia
3. New Zealand
4. South Africa

Of the eight in the Super 8, two of them will simply fizzle out - Ireland and Bangladesh. That means, I am assuming England (assuming they go past Kenya today) and West Indies will also get knocked out.

Some pictures from the recently concluded match with India...

Cha-Cha-Cha-Chamara Silva - in the form of his life!

One more time. It is 1996 all over again!

What Dravid is thinking? "Frick. I am so so so screwed." =(

Jajah is screwed

The big one is on Friday. This is so silly. This idea is great except if India loses!

To be honest, it should be a good game. However, I want to list down five reasons why a billion people will be disappointed going into the wee hours of Saturday morning.

1. India's 11

This is the core of the problem. Great on paper. However, they match it for stupidity. They are playing three openers and Shewag, barring Bermuda, is an utter failure. He will open and fail - and this will lead to India going into their shell.

Uthappa is a new talent; he is like an Afridi. If it his day, you are going to find that he scores. However, with this hit and miss approach, I expect a miss due to the pressure of the big match. Especially if he comes in at a fall of a wicket, he will try to be cute and defend. Bad mistake.

2. Vaas / Malinga

The fast and the Furious - Malinga. He is bound to give any batsman a run for his money. And Vaas - need I say more - this man has served Lanka well and it will be nice to see him pitted against his old nemesis - Ganguly.

3. Lankan Top Order

The Lankan top order looks really solid. It is hard to see us failing; and at two down, we have Chamara Silva, who is in incredible form.

4. Momentum

Lanka has the momentum. It has registered wins averaging more than 200 runs against Bermuda and Bangladesh. I am sure all the players are pumped up at the idea that they knock India out. It is a temptation too difficult to resist.

5. Pressure-cooker situation

The pressure will be too much; Indian fans are essentially engaging themselves in a self-fulfilling prophecy.

a. They players have a bad game;
b. They react violently;
c. The players are distracted
d. Go back to a.

Well, these are my predictions and it is going to be awesome awesome awesome!

How to deal with auditors?

I have been dealing with Auditors for the past few auditors. Here are some of the more effective ways in dealing with them.

1. Play the ignorance card

Try to act really stupid like you had no idea about what was going on.

Common phrases:

i) Really... Ahh...
ii) I see... I did not know you needed that.
iii) Sure, I will have it to you by the end of the day.

2. Tai-ti

This is very useful when they contest you on your findings/workings. My favourite and most effective: "What do you think?". Keep it simple and stupid.

3. Anger

They ask you stupid questions. Make sure you scold them because this will mean they will probably be discouraged from asking the right questions too.

4. Bargaining Chip

Try to ensure that if they ask you to do something easy but at the last minute, wriggle out of some difficult requirement. This needs tactical nous. There are some items they can let fly.

5. Befriend them but try to keep the upper hand

They are humans too. And they really are able to help. Sometimes. Make sure you use them carefully and they may assist in your work and might even get things done your way.

The show must go on

The fixtures from March 19th to March 25th. And my predictions.

Mon 19 12th Match, Group B - Bermuda v India
Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad

India. The interesting thing to watch is India going for a massive win to boost their NRR. I am assuming that India will want to win the toss, bat first, get as close to 400 and try to dismiss Bermuda for as least as possible. Good stuff =)

Mon 19 13th Match, Group D - West Indies v
Zimbabwe
Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica

Wow! Even this match might be interesting but it should be West Indies.

Tue 20 14th Match, Group C - Kenya v New Zealand
Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia

New Zealand. It will be interesting to see how they play and if my predictions and if recent results are anything to go by, NZ will reassure its fans that its well on its way to be making another semi-final.

Tue 20 15th Match, Group A - Scotland v South Africa
Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts

South Africa. The only question is by how many runs or wickets.

Wed 21 16th Match, Group B - Bangladesh v Sri Lanka
Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Lanka. This might be interesting if Bangladesh brings in some of the intensity shown in the match against India. The way I look at it, it is difficult not only for Bangladesh but for any team to maintain that amount of intensity. I mean, if Jayasuriya and Tharanga get going at the top, Bangladesh bowling will start to look ordinary again. And I might be pushing it here, but we simply will not make the same mistakes - especially given the advantage of hindsight.

Wed 21 17th Match, Group D - Pakistan v Zimbabwe
Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica

Haiz. I hope Pakistan beat Zimbabwe and play convincingly and show the world that Woolmer did change them - both in his life as a coach and his death.

Thu 22 18th Match, Group A - Netherlands v Scotland
Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts

Who cares? Anyways, since the dutch have been beaten black and blue, maybe they should win something. On the other hand, the scots wear kilts. Funny people should win something. Wow! Now a dilemma...

Thu 22 19th Match, Group C - Canada v New Zealand
Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia

New Zealand. God! Its like this group is damn easy. With the English drunk and Canada being match practice...

Fri 23 20th Match, Group B - India v Sri Lanka
Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad

"Ramega to Harega" :P Haha! Come on, Lanka. Let us send the Indians home, eh? This is going to be an awesome, charged up match. It is do-or-die for both although it is definitely bigger for India since even the NRR thing is against them considering Lanka has a huge advantage already and Bangladesh will know exactly how much they need going in to their final match. This is why the India v. Bermuda match is interesting. If you find that you understood nothing, read this.

Fri 23 21st Match, Group D - West Indies v Ireland
Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica

Ireland all the way! I mean, I really do not care much for the fact that the Windies is more experienced all that jazz. I only know that the Irish played some good cricket and with their small contingent of beer drinking fans, it is contagious! And they brought us The Cranberries, U2 and The Corrs. "Nuff said.

Sat 24 22nd Match, Group A - Australia v South Africa
Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts

A cracker. Jeez! Bragging rights, ego and talent. Gosh! This is going to be an awsome freaking weekend especially given being a Lankan, I will be hung over with joy that India is going home. Touchwood! :P

Sat 24 23rd Match, Group C - England v Kenya
Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia

The Poms. The more interesting part of this entry would be to investigate why they are called the poms. Click here.

Sun 25 24th Match, Group B - Bangladesh v Bermuda
Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad

If India has lost to SL, then this match is futile. If India has won, then Bangaldesh, if they look to get ahead of either India or SL, would hope to not only win but win a by a margin that propels their NRR beyond either one of the Lankans or Indians.

Woolmer saves Pakistan

Bangladesh did win and Ireland too shocked Pakistan. However, all that seems so useless now. Pakistan's coach is dead - Bob Woolmer. An event - of life and death - seems to change everything and Woolmer's final act was to save Pakistan - by giving up his life.

I am at a loss for words. While I am a cricket enthusiast, it has never crossed my mind to think that the stress and pressures could take a life.

May god bless your soul.






Pictures courtesy of Cricinfo.com / Getty images

On the edge...

India is in trouble; they have been bowled out for less than 200. Certainly, it cannot be granted that Bangladesh will win. The positive for India is that they are still playing Bangladesh. The same team to whom they have lost only once in 14 previous occasions; and Bangladesh has never really tasted a lot of success - they just do not know how to win. But by god, I hope India loses.

I have good reason for hoping they lose; firstly, I know I do have a inclination to always wanting them to lose but their strategy was full of loopholes and probably a touch of arrogance where they thought much less of Bangladesh of being a worthy opponent. First and foremost - why play Shewag and Uttappa? Shewag is so out of form and he is solely making the cut based on political reasons as opposed to merit. And then even stupider, you send a half-cooked opener (Uttappa) one-down? The most coveted position in one-day cricket. Dravid should be at number 3 - noone else.

Apart from this, they dropped Sreesanth - erm - makes no sense to play two openers and leave a wicket-taking bowler out? I am lost for words.

On the other hand, Bangladesh deserve it. They played out of their skins; the fielding and bowling was exceptional and the intensity was there for all to see. If I have one gripe, it is that they should have got six wickets for two runs when India were on 159; instead India got 32 more and only time (to be specific 5 hours) will tell how costly the last partnership between Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel is.

Alright - off to sleep. Hope to start my Sunday morning with BBC Entertainment and news of two big upsets on one day! =)

Sorry Bermuda

Wow. A 243-run thrashing. Sri Lanka are known to be minnow bashes and we did not disappoint as we ran Bermuda over. I doubt Bermuda would have enjoyed the game but they did take some good catches in the outfield. Unfrotunately, however, they dropped some sitters which resulted in Mahela stroking himself into some semblance of form. Mahela has had a torrid run even while the team enjoyed a roller-coaster ride. In a way, I thought it would be OK since Mahela is too good a player to continue suffering from this demise in form - he will come back to form and the World Cup would be an ideal stage.

That said, I think Lanka will have to work harder against Bangladesh and the game against India will be amazing. The Lankan bowling is the best I have seen in some time - real pace by Malinga, Vassie brings in loads of experience and tremendous success with the new ball, Murali is the best spin bowler (especially since Warne retired) and Mahroof - inconsistent but he really is like a pendulum. I particularly do not fancy Dilhara and I feel Malinga Bandara should be given an outing on these slow tracks.

It is our batting that seems to be fragile but there is tremendous experience and promise - Jayasuriya, Tharanga, Chamara, Mahela and Sanga.

In any case, this holds for a fantastic world cup and we have to use all the games to build momentum and set-up the route to the semi's. And then do it all over again!

Cricket week in review

Tue 13 1st Match, Group D - West Indies v Pakistan
Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica

West Indies. It should be an interesting match but I think WI have the edge; home ground and expectations should motivate them. Pakistan, while without their spearheads, remain to be dangerous. Floaters but definitely my money is on Pakistan.

Wed 14 2nd Match, Group A - Australia v Scotland
Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts

Erm. Australia. 'Nuff said.

Wed 14 3rd Match, Group C - Canada v Kenya
Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia

Who cares? I am sorry but I could care less if Bermuda won when Canada is playing Kenya. Fine, if you still want a prediction, my money is on Kenya.

Thu 15 4th Match, Group B - Bermuda v Sri Lanka
Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Sri Lanka. See "Australia vs. Scotland".

Thu 15 5th Match, Group D - Ireland v Zimbabwe
Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica

Argh! Ireland.

Fri 16 6th Match, Group A - Netherlands v South Africa
Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts

South Africa. It will be nice, however, if they are given a scare. They are reading too much into their "Number 1" status and another scare by a minnow would serve them right.

Fri 16 7th Match, Group C - England v New Zealand
Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia

Woot! This should be an awesome match! The resurgent England with the recently rejuvenated New Zealand. I predict Oram and co. to carry NZ through.

Sat 17 8th Match, Group B - Bangladesh v India
Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad

Bangladesh. OK Fine. India. =D And erm, Bashar, shut your gap. If you really have something to say, say it by performing on the field.

Sat 17 9th Match, Group D - Ireland v Pakistan
Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica

Yawn! Pakistan. Why are they scheduling boring matches on the weekend!

Sun 18 10th Match, Group A - Australia v Netherlands
Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts

Australia.

Sun 18 11th Match, Group C - Canada v England
Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia

England.

The start...

Today is the first huge match - West Indies vs. Pakistan.

And what a way to celebrate it - is this not the coolest?

Thank god for Nescafe

This is good stuff. Two thumbs up!

Now we are free

From the soundtrack of Gladiator. This song makes me want to watch the movie again. Enjoy =)

Parking Lot Pimp

You should check out the local band - Parking Lot Pimp. I have two tracks - "A Letter from Dreamland" and "Blow". Another regional hit is the band from the Phillipines - Rivermaya with their hit "You'll be safe here". Fantastic regional talent!

The aftermath...

From: Zakirhusain, Mustansir
To: Chandhana Dias-Abeyesinghe; 'Shavanka Ratnayake'
Subject: You guys are precious...

Hey both,

The recent tremors made me realize how short and unpredictable this life is. It also made me doubly sad since it is only yesterday that I opted out of the NTUC and MediShield schemes.

In any case, it also has made me understand how great our friendship has been and I just wanted to say… OK! Enough of this =P

I got some ice cream from Swensen’s; it is in the fridge. It will last as long as I can hold out the temptation to eat it all myself – which is very little.

So help yourself to it. =)

Cheers,
Mustan

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Note:
In the event I do have sensitive readers out there, I did not intend to belittle the earthquake and the repercussions of such in Indonesia; I was simply amused at the reaction here in Singapore where people were evacuating buildings, making phone calls to their loves ones and so on.

Essay 101

I just hope nobody ever decides to cheat by looking at this kid's papers. The only thing positive is that they are original. Very very original.

History

1957. The first day of Dorothy Counts at the Harry Harding High School in the United States . Counts was one of the first black students admitted in the school, and she was no longer able to stand the harassments after 4 days.




January 12, 1960. A second before the Japanese Socialist Party leader Asanuma was murdered by an opponent student.




1963. Thich Quang Duc, the Buddhist priest in Southern Vietnam, burns himself to death protesting the government's torture policy against priests. Thich Quang Dug never made a sound or moved while he was burning.




1962. A soldier shot by a sniper hangs onto a priest in his last moments.




1965. A mom and her children try to cross the river in South Vietnam in an attempt to run away from the American bombs.




1966. U.S. troops in South Vietnam are dragging a dead Vietkong soldier.




February 1, 1968. South Vietnam police chief Nguyen Ngoc Loan shots a young man, whom he suspects to be a Viet Kong soldier.




1972. After South Vietnam planes accidentally drop a bomb on a town.




1973. A few seconds before Chile 's elected president Salvador Allende is dead during the coup.




1975. A woman and a girl falling down after the fire escape collapses.




1980. A kid in Uganda about to die of hunger, and a missionaire.




February 23, 1981. Colonel Molina ve military police seizes the Parliament building in Spain . The photographer did not expect the scene, and hid the films in his shoe.




1982. Palestinian refugees murdered in Beirut , Lebanon .




1987. A mother in South Korea apologizes and asks for forgiveness for his son who was arrested after attending a protest. He was protesting the alleged manipulations in the general elections.




1989. A young man in China stands before the tanks during protests for democratic reforms.




1992. A mother in Somalia holds the body of her child who died of hunger.




1994. A man who was tortured by the soldiers since he was suspected to have spoken with the Tutsi rebels.




1996. Kids who are shocked by the civil war in Angola .




2001. An Afghani refugee kid's body is being prepared for the funeral in Pakistan.




2002. Soldiers and villagers in IRan are digging graves for the victims of the earthquake. A kid holds his father's pants before he is buried.




2003. An Iraqi prisoner of war tries to calm down his child.

The Hit List - part 1

Sri Lanka - Warm up matches schedule

05 March, 2007 Sri Lanka vs. Scotland - 3Ws Stadium, Barbados
09 March, 2007 Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand - 3Ws Stadium, Barbados

Mind you, these are only warm up games for the big event, and the group stage match schedule for Sri Lanka is as follows.

Sri Lanka is placed in Group B of the ICC World Cup 2007 groupings, along with India, Bangladesh and Bermuda.

15 March, 2007 Sri Lanka vs. Bermuda - Trinidad and Tobago
21 March, 2007 Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh Trinidad and Tobago
23 March, 2007 Sri Lanka vs. India Trinidad and Tobago

Courtesy of: A Voice in Colombo

Finally... Video on iPod

After the longest time, and my boring song list, where 23GB of random music has me ultimately fast-forwarding all the way to work and back and all day during office, I have finally taken the pain-in-the-ass measure of encoding Futurama and a few music videos so I can actually enjoy something on my Pod.

Such a pain 'cos I have to use this software Super by eRightsoft (thank god it is free) to convert all the videos. Yes - in that Creative is easier since it is drag 'n drop. But ewww... a Creative player. Ewww. Shudder! (Their speakers rock though! =p)

Stuff that I am listening to...

And you should be listening to as well =)



Zombie - Cranberries



Rivermaya - You'll be safe here

Cricket World Cup 2007

The Evergreen Park household has subscribed to Starhub's PPV - channels 110 and 111. It is going to be fun to watch the World Cup matches! Hopefully, a crowd will gather for the big matches - that is when it is most fun! =)

Matches start on the 6th of March - but the real meat is in mid-March.

HR Lingo

What they really mean when they say...

“COMPETITIVE SALARY”
We remain competitive by paying less than our competitors.

“JOIN OUR FAST-PACED COMPANY”
We have no time to train you.

“CASUAL WORK ATMOSPHERE”
We don’t pay enough to expect that you’ll dress up.

“MUST BE DEADLINE-ORIENTED”
You’ll be six months behind schedule on your first day.

“SOME OVERTIME REQUIRED”
Some time each night and some time each weekend.

“DUTIES WILL VARY”
Anyone in the office can boss you around.

“MUST HAVE AN EYE FOR DETAIL”
We have no quality control.

“CAREER-MINDED”
Female Applicants must be childless (and remain that way).

“APPLY IN PERSON”
If you’re old, fat or ugly you’ll be told the position has been filled.

“NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE”
We’ve filled the job; our call for resumes is just a legal formality.

“SEEKING CANDIDATES WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF EXPERIENCE”
You’ll need it to replace three people who just left.

“PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS A MUST”
You’re walking into a company in perpetual chaos.

“REQUIRES TEAM LEADERSHIP SKILLS”
You’ll have the responsibilities of a manager, without the pay or respect.

“GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS”
Management communicates, you listen, figure out what they want and do it.