Monday 4 August 2008

Entering the Dragon: Doosra takes Olympic break

Decks were cleared some six months back and here I’m off to my date with the Dragon. It’s official, for the next 20-0dd days cricket would take the proverbial backseat in my scheme of things.

Beijing beckons.

So, I would not rave about Mendis’ bag of tricks, marvel at Sehwag’s apparent brainlessness, rue Dravid’s comatose batting, ridicule county cricket or lampoon Lalit Modi.

Instead, my focus would be on how much punch Akhil Kumar can pack in the ring, if Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore’s gun goes off for glory again and if Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi can create that old magic to finish on the podium.

And I would love to see Sania Mirza proving she is more than just the Czarina of Foofaraw. And hope Anju Bobby George will rise to the occasion, both literally and in the true sense of the term.

A medal might be daydreaming but I would want the women’s 4x400m relay team to give others a good run for their money and medal and plead to Monika Devi, lone Indian weightlifter, that we surely don’t want another doping stigma.

Thanks to a watchmaker, I’m also set to meet the James Bond girls, Cindy Crawford, Alexander Popov and Ian ‘Thorpedo’ – that missing link between man and fish. I guess it makes a heady concoction and retaining sanity would probably my biggest challenge.

So, friends, Romans and countrymen, please bear with me and come back again. I’m not sure if I can post – about Olympics if not cricket – before August 26 but don’t desert me. See you all.

23 comments:

straight point said...

do everything you want there SOM bt don't mention tibbet there...for we want to see yo back live and kicking... ;-))

see you soon...

Anonymous said...

SP, points noted. I too want to be back, alive and blogging.

Gaurav Sethi said...

make them unlearn cricket

Anonymous said...

NC, that would be a tough task. I well know what future has in store. If China decides to do something, they do it with purpose. God save rest.

Soulberry said...

Have a great time, Bon Voyage Som!

Soulberry said...

Bring back more medals for India than last time....and I mean golds! :)

Could you live report from there?

Homer said...

Chinese food every night -tis the life!!

Bon Voyage my friend, enjoy your stay

Cheers,

Anonymous said...

I'm thrilled to know this... whatever you do with your date with the dragon just don't fart :)... will wait for your scorching posts

Anonymous said...

Soulberry, thanks. Surviving still.

Anonymous said...

Soulberry, Wish I cud do live reporting. But I work for a news agency and have to cover each n every sports featuring India. So I just don't have that time. Don't worry, took a lot of Sania Mirza pix, will post them on return!!!

Anonymous said...

Homer, I just had brush with Chinese food but fortunately they r now offering Asian, mediterranean and grill foods. I'm relieved.

Anonymous said...

Don, thanks

Anonymous said...

Try out the authentic chinese food Som... it is truly mindblowing and way different from the ones we get around the world.

Anonymous said...

Scorpicity..thanks for gastronimoc advises. Tasted Peking Duck n it tastes yummy.

straight point said...

keep commenting som for we will know you are there 'shakushal'... :))

Anonymous said...

SP, apart from lack of sleep, I have no other complaint at all. I guess my eyes are tired because I remain wide-eyed all the time. Y'day saw Federer-Wawrinka vs Paes-Bhupathi play in the rain before retreating to change room. Came home at 3.30 am n by 6.30 I'm back in the shooting range in a state of trance. But the best part is, took lot of pix n will post all here.

Meanwhile, Sania's mom is furious with me for doing that opening ceremony dress fiasco n though it feels good to have succeeded in antagonising someone, I don't really fancy facing a spitfire. hahah

Soulberry said...

Hey what a trip man! Bindra bagged a gold...boxers look in for something more useful thn a rip to China. Nehwal was the almost girl.

Maybe you should be the first person to be selected in the Olympic contingent henceforth...we'll have more golds then.

Anonymous said...

Soulberry, amen. Your words come as music to my ears. Hope IOA n Kalmadi are listening.

Anyway, Kalmadi has already told me that he was not pleased with my story on the dress fiasco in the opening ceremony. I work with a news agency and hence it was well circulated.

So I guess I nipped that prospect in the bud. Still I'm proud of my golden debut and expecting 3 medals from the boxers.

straight point said...

first visit and 3 medals!!

when you are entering 'B'ragon...cant wait to see you back with your memorabilia...

Anonymous said...

SP, I made a golden debut! Don't you think I should be made India's lucky mascot? Some of the guys, including my ex (and may I say future) boss, was covering his sixth Olympics!

Though it took hell lot of time getting out of airport -- Vijender and Sushil came in the same flight -- it was nice to see them bask in the glory they thoroughly deserve.

Expect a non-cricket photo-exhibition in Doosra.

Anonymous said...

are u back yet?

Anonymous said...

Yes, back but sort of recovering from overwork. What else you expect from someone who is a veritable lazy bum throughout the year!

straight point said...

som where you...has exiting the dragon taken its toll? ;-))