Tiger Woods "Trick"

You mention Tiger Woods and his “trick”, people immediately think it is something of a juicy and raunchy news. They would make sure kids are not around to hear what is going to be said.

Believe me there is one “trick” by Tiger Woods that is completely innocent and cool. People can talk about it in friends circle with kids present. Please take a look at it.



Mark Ingram is 21 years old and a Junior (3rd year) at the University of Alabama. He is a famous College level (American) football star in USA. Last year, he won the Heisman Trophy. Heisman Trophy is awarded to the best college football star in USA. Once he graduates, he will certainly become a professional with a multi million dollar contract.

(Yes, professional football in USA requires people to graduate from college before they are eligible to become professional. Some people have successfully challenged that rule. If that rule in applied for cricket, at least 50% of the current players would not have become professionals.)

Mark Ingram can imitate the Tiger Woods “trick”. Please view this.



What do you think?

The Traffic Jam

You thought the worst traffic jams in this world are in countries like India, Egypt, Japan, and Russia. If you see what is happening in China, traffic is a breeze in these countries.

Thousands of vehicles were bogged down in a more than 100-kilometre (62-mile) traffic jam leading to Beijing that has lasted nine days. It does not mean it takes 9 days to get through the jam. It means the jam has been there for nine days. This highlights China's growing road congestion woes. Take a look at these pictures.


The traffic jam between Beijing and Jining City has created a new economy. Merchants are selling water and food items at inflated prices. Capitalism strikes again in this communist country.

All of a sudden too many cars and poor infrastructure. You have to crawl before you walk and walk before you run. The Chinese took off running before they could crawl.

If you want the fastest growing economy in the world too fast, you will end up with these kinds of problems. Beware India, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa. You can be proud of being invited to attend the G-8 Summit. But you will end up like China (another invitee to the G-8 Summit) in traffic jam.

Opus

Famous Los Angeles Architect, Steve Hermann, has built a home in Montecito, California. The home is called the “Glass Pavilion”. All walls are glass. Mr. Hermann calls this as his “opus”.

The lot is 3.5 acres. Built in area is 13,875 square feet. 5 bedrooms. 5 ½ bathrooms. Kitchen. Wine Room. Art Gallery. It took him 6 years to build this home.

He originally built this for himself and his family. But now changed his mind. It is for sale now. The price: $35 million. Anyone interested to buy?

Front

Front (another view)

Living Room

Dining Room

Car Park

Leadership

More than 2200 beaches from Louisiana to Florida were closed because of BP’s oil leak. Since then clean up operations have been undertaken and these beaches were declared safe.

Businesses that are dependent on tourism were hurt. President Obama is visiting that region to jump start the tourism industry. What did he do for the tourists to come back?

Did he visit that area in a helicopter and declared the beaches are clean and safe? No. Did he stay in a mansion surrounded by secret service agents and declare the beaches are safe? No.

Obama said his family planned to "enjoy the beach and the water — to let our fellow Americans know that they should come on down here.” To reinforce this message, he and his daughter swam in the Gulf’s waters on Saturday. Please see this picture.

Some people might say it is a publicity stunt. Yes, it is a publicity stunt to bring back the tourists to this region. How many leaders in other countries will go for swimming with his family to prove the beaches are safe after the oil spill? That is called leadership by example. Not just Obama. Any U.S. President would have done this.

Funny Quotations

We often read funny quotations. We just smile and move on. Some is so funny we remember them. Here are a few funny quotations I remember:

Albert Einstein: Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.

Franklin P. Jones: The trouble with being punctual is that nobody's there to appreciate it.

John Peers: Never stand between a dog and the hydrant.

Oscar Wilde: Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same.

Whitney Brown: I am not a vegetarian because I love animals; I am a vegetarian because I hate plants.

Will Rogers: Be thankful we’re not getting all the government we’re paying for.

Samuel Goldwyn: Coffee isn’t my cup of tea.

Robert Benchley: Drawing on my fine command of the language, I said nothing.

G. K. Chesterton: Art, like morality, consists in drawing the line somewhere.

Katherine Hepburn: I don’t care what is written about me as long as it isn’t true.

Homer Simpson: You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is 'never try'.

Mae West: Good girls go to heaven, bad girls go everywhere.

Groucho Marx: I never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception.

George W. Bush: Rarely is the question asked: is our children learning?

Jeanne-Marie Roland: The more I see of men, the more I like dogs.

Revolutionary Freedom Fighters from South India

Many Indian history books forget to mention the contributions made by South Indian Revolutionary Freedom Fighters. When we read any history book about Indians who fought the British, we see only the names of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, Shiv Ram Hari Rajguru, Subash Chandra Bose, and a few others from North India.

There is a long list of South Indian revolutionaries who fought the British. I will mention a few of them here.

Vanchinathan (1886 to 1911)

Vanchinathan was born in Shenkottai, Tamilnadu. He obtained his masters degree from Thiruvananthapuram. As a youth, he participated in the freedom movement of India. He could not tolerate the atrocities committed by the British. He wanted to take revenge on them. On June 17, 1911, he assassinated Ashe, the District Collector of Tirunelveli. He shot Ashe at point blank range when Ashe’s train stopped at the Maniychi Junction on the way to Madras. The British response was brutal. He committed suicide to avoid capture by the British.

Tiruppur Kumaran (1904 to 1932)

Kumaran was a revolutionary who participated in the Indian freedom movement. He was born in Erode district of Tamilnadu. One day he participated in a freedom march in Tiruppur. He was holding the Congress flag. The police ordered him to drop the flag on the floor. Kumaran refused. The police beat him to death in the street in front of hundreds of people. Finally he died unable to withstand the beatings from the police. His body fell down on the street. His hand was still holding the flag high.

Alluri Sita Rama Raju (1897 to 1924)

Alluri Sita Rama Raju still remains an inspiring model of people who fought oppression. He led the Ramba Rebellion. Raju raided many police stations in and around Chintapalli and killed many British officers. Despite having fewer weapon and men, he exacted tremendous damage to the British. The British campaign to arrest him lasted more than one year. He was finally captured in the forests of Chintapalli. He was tied to a tree and short dead with a rifle. British were proud of their justice system but followed the law of the jungle.

Rani Channamma and Sangolli Royanna

Rani Channamma, the Queen of Kittur, refused a surrender offer by the British and instead attacked the enemy surrounding her fort. The Queen and her small army put up a heroic fight but was eventually defeated. She was imprisoned.

Sangolli Royanna, an employee of Kittur State, gathered a considerable band and carried forward the fight. He was later overpowered, arrested, and hanged in 1830.

Pazhassi Raja (1753 to 1805)

Pazhassi Raja was known as the Lion of Kerala. He was a prince from the royal dynasty of Pazhassi Kottayam. Pazhassi Raja resisted British imperialism from 1793 onwards till his death in 1805. He fought two wars to resist English intervention in domestic affairs of his kingdom. On November 30, 1805, the Raja and his assistants were camping near the stream named Mavila. Raja and party were caught by surprise and an intense but short fight followed. Six rebels were killed. One of the earliest rebels to be killed was Pazhassi Raja.

Captain Lakshmi (Born October 24, 1914)

Captain Lakshmi participated in the Indian Independence Movement. She is a doctor by profession. At the end of World War II, she joined Indian National Army, an armed force formed by Subash Chandra Bose. Captain Lakshmi served as the Commander of the Rani of Jhansi Regiment of the INA. She was also a Minister in Subash Chandra Bose’s Azad Hind Government. She was taken as a prisoner in Burma. (Even though she became a Lt.Col., at the time of her arrest she was a Captain. Therefore, this title for her became popular.)

On this Independence Day, let us salute these revolutionary freedom fighters.

Another Reason to Split

Bo Wyble and his girl friend Sara Saco-Vertiz went to a professional baseball game. Their favorite team Houston Astros was playing that day. A ball hit by the batter came their way. Bo ducked. The ball hit Sara in the right elbow. Please see this video.



They took it jovially. They went home. Sara started to think about the incident. She thought if her boy friend could not protect her from the oncoming ball how is he going to protect her in life if they get married.

She told a reporter that her pain was a 6 out of 10.

Bo said he would do things differently if allowed the chance. If the ball again came their way, he'd let the ball hit him "probably in the back."

Many people feel Bo was a real wimp for not protecting her. If the guy bails over a foul ball, just imagine what he'd be like in a real crisis. She's better off without him.

Therefore Sara told Bo she is splitting from him. Now they are separated.

What do you think? Did she do the right thing?

Soccer-Tennis

Looks like there is a new game being developed internationally. It is called Soccer-Tennis. You play on a tennis court with a tennis ball but no rackets. You play with your feet and head ala soccer style.

This week, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic played an impromptu tennis game with their feet. (This video looks nice if you watch on full screen.)




These two players put their footwork, dexterity and quickness on display with the quick game, which appears to have been won by the team led by Djokovic (on the left).

I am impressed with the heading abilities of Rafael. He could have strengthened the Spanish Soccer Team in this year’s world championship. On the other hand, they did not need any help this year.

Funniest Small-Town Names

I have come across some small towns in USA whose names are very funny. Here are some of them.

Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

This town is located half-way between El Paso and Albuquerque. It is well known for its geothermal springs.

Boring, Oregon

This town is located half an hour from Portland. There are lot of activities here and you will never be bored.

Cool, California

This town is located in the foothills of Sierras and about one hour from Sacramento. It is famous for its annual bicycle race.

Uncertain, Texas

This town is located along the Texas Louisiana border. Caddo Lake, Texas’ only naturally formed lake is the main attraction.

Carefree, Arizona

This town is located just north of Phoenix. This resort town is famouse for golf, spas, and other outdoor activities.

Last Chance, Idaho

This town is located about 30 miles south of West Yellowstone. It is a nature-lover’s paradise. Fishing and hiking are popular pastimes.

Accident, Maryland

This town is located 2 hours from Pittsburg. This town’s biggest attraction is the historical Drane House.

Normal, Illinois

This town is located about 120 miles from Chicago. Children’s Discovery Museum is the main attraction here.

Like Dad Like Son

Dan Quayle was Vice President of United States. While he was a VP, he did and said some stupid things and became the laughing stock of the entire world. These are not made up stories. For example:

He went to an elementary school. Asked a student to spell potato. The student spelled it P-O-T-A-T-O. Dan disagreed with the student and taught him the "correct" spelling P-O-T-A-T-O-E.

In a speech to the official delegation from El Salvador, Dan said: We expect them (Salvadoran officials) to work toward the elimination of human rights.

His famous speech in California: I love California. I practically grew up in Phoenix.

Now, Dan’s son, Ben Quayle is now running as a Republican candidate for U.S. Congress from Arizona. American voters like a candidate who is a family man. That is a wife, two kids and a dog. Therefore, Ben sent a mass mail to all the voters in his constituency along with a picture of himself, his wife, and two daughters.

The only problem is Ben and his wife have no children. Therefore, he borrowed two kids from his relatives and asked them to pose as his children.

Now the story is out. Originally they said the two kids are relatives of a staff member in his campaign. Later we are told these two kids are Ben’s nieces. Ben claims these two kids are part of his extended family.

OK Ben. Now the picture is sort of misleading than totally weird.

Unreasonable

Sometime ago Apple computer company came out with a famous advertisement called “Think Different”.

I will transcribe the voice-over for you:

“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do”.

These people are also called unreasonable people. The human race would not have progressed this well without these unreasonable people willing to push forward.

Some of the unreasonable people come to my mind are:

Albert Einstein

Mahatma Gandhi

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Valentina Tereshkova (first woman in space)

Pablo Piccaso

Maria Callas (greatest opera singer of the 20th century)

Dr. Joseph E. Murray (performed the first successful kidney transplant operation)

Amelia Earhart (aviation pioneer)

Yuri Gagarin (first human in space)

Roger Bannister (first human to run a mile under 4 minutes)

Muhammad Ali

John Lennon

If you want to add any unreasonable person, please include his/her name in your comment.

Amazing Catch (Spiderman Style)

Many people outside the United States and Japan do not follow Baseball. It is somewhat similar to cricket. Therefore, I would like our friends to see this amazing catch by a fielder.

In a match in Japan today, the batsman hit the ball. The ball was about to go through the fence for a home run (Cricket term: sixer). The fielder climbed over the fence (Spiderman style) and caught the ball. The batsman is out. Here it is. Enjoy. The commentary is in Japanese.


EMBED-Spiderman Style Baseball Catch

Act Young

Michelle Pfeiffer (52) - Always young and beautiful

You think you are getting older? Don’t worry. Help is on the way. I can give you a list of ways for you “not to act old”.

1. Do not wear shorts and socks together.

2. Do not take pictures of your flowers.

3. Do not be a racist or tell racist jokes.

4. Do not be afraid of porn.

5. Do not listen to the sorry old songs.

6. Do not try to be so chic.

7. Do not say the words “web”, “surfing”, “chatting”, “cyberspace”. Say “I am using Twitter”.

8. Only one pair of glasses at a time.

9. Wear tattered or sagging jeans. (Suggested by a friend)

10. Listen to hip-hop and R&B. (Suggesed by a friend)

11. Use words like 'cool', 'yo', 'dude' more often. (Suggested by a friend)

12. Sleep late and wake up late. (Suggested by a friend)

13. Do not fear the F word.

14. Learn to text with your thumbs.

15. Don’t put your car in cruise control while driving long distance.

16. Quit bossing everybody around.

17. Don’t give advice to others unless you are asked.

18. Don’t talk about the same subject again and again.

19. Don’t count exact change when paying.

20. Stop using EMail.

If you have any more suggestion for “not acting old”, please let me know.