Go Spain all the way! - (Torre)sensational match!

It seemed a gala time for the Spanish nation as it witnessed a terrific victory!...

Last night, I watched one of the world's most sensational tournament - EURO 2012.. It was a spectacular match needless to say!!

Although ,initially for the first few minutes it seemed a dull start, it picked its momentum very quickly. The Azzuries got a psychological blow in the fourteenth minute when Spain's mid-fielder Silva opened the account with a neat header. The first goal was enough for Spain to bring down Italy. Having defeated Germany in the semis, the road to finals was not easy for Italy. & so was for Spain winning the semis only through a penalty shootout against Portugal.

What went wrong for Italy?

Italy looked a positive side more after an emphatic victory over the Germans!. Was it enough to win a world title? The answer is certainly No. When the match began, it seemed Italy had more possession than Spain. Later, I guess their mental fitness started to go down after the save from Casillas & Spain's first goal. Fatigue and injuries took a great toll on Italy. Poor Italy's task became tougher and tougher as every single opportunity to convert in to a goal was efficiently stopped by the goal keeper. The paralysis came to Italy in the form of team shrinking down to 10 players when Motta pulled off an injury. The team could have worked on converting passes to goals.The team did build some crucial blocks; but they were not enough to get converted. Italy's attacking was more erratic. And above all, the Lady luck did not prove in favor of Italy!

What did Spain do differently?

Spain started off amidst tight controversies that their game is boring!.. It is tough to start a finals with that note.. Undeterred, the mighty Spanish armada started off with absolute conviction .

There is a saying.. "Little things make big difference".. Exactly!. The tiki-taka (quick -touch passing & slick combinations) passes that got its name after Euro 2008 helped Spain in a great way!. The Spaniards continued to impress with their incisive forward passing and above all the coach's trust on their team. The key to their victory is their trademark passing & more so, using it as a lethal weapon when required.

Spain made a historic treble trouncing Italy 4-0. Winning Euro 08, WC 2010, Euro 2012, the Spanish wave is here to continue for some more time and entertain us with lovely football. Felicitaciones España!

Hope the defeat will give Azzuris a great lesson & will help them become a stronger team!. It was an interesting match at the end of the day!

My 2 cents worth!

Signing off,

SPH

Happiness - the search within

I listened to this very short story today and felt worth sharing..

Socrates ( great Greek Philosopher) used to go to shops in the streets of Athens, not to buy anything, but to do window shopping.. This went on for a few days.. His friends observed this and asked him - "You go to shop every day, but seem not to buy anything!. Why a philosopher should do that?".

Socrates replied, "When I look at all the things displayed, I realise that there are many things I can do without."

Many of us, seek happiness from external sources like wealth and we are constantly engaged in the search.. any happiness that an external source can bring is short lived.. according to Ramana Maharishi, ther is perpetual source of happiness that can be seen / visualised only if we know how to tap it!!

I have found happiness sharing this small story.. Hope you also enjoyed reading it!..

Signing off,

SPH

Crab, Waves & Friendship!

Once there was a crab living near the shore... Everyday as it ran on the seashore, its footprints were removed & cleared by the approaching waves. The crab got angry & upset. It waited for a couple of days.
The waves cleared the footprints daily.
The crab went up to the waves & asked in a raised tone... "Why are you clearing my beautiful footprints?"
The waves smiled & replied, "When you run, you leave your footprints.. The fishermen sees this & follows your footprints to catch you.. That is why I cleared it off in order to protect you."
The crab realized this & thanked the waves.


"Good friends are always there to protect you from any danger!!! - How true it is!."


My mother listened to this somewhere & shared this very short story with me.. Interesting isn't it!.Too short story, yet a great one!


Signing off,
SPH

A-Z of Acquiring Abundance with Zeal

As we bid adieu to 2011, here's my note welcoming and wishing everyone a great new year. Let this year bestow us with:

Abundance of good health!
Beautiful minds!
Cherishing moments!
Determination to chase your dreams!
Ecstatic moods!
Fantastic times!
Great year!
Happy health!
Immense wealth!
Joyful months!
Kindle to achieve your goals!
Lovable life!
Melodic moments!
Nice happenings!
Outstanding performances!
Penchant for learning!
Quiet times!
Raving appreciations!
Sane thoughts!
Trail-blazing research!
Understanding heart!
Victory at work!
Wonderful friends!
eXpress yourself!
Young heart!
Zeal to succeed!

Signing off,

SPH

படித்த பாசுரத்தில் பிடித்தது - 1

என்னப்பன் எனக்காயிகுளாய் என்னைப்பெற்றவளாய்
பொன்னப்பன் மணியப்பன் முத்தப்பன் என்னப்பனுமாய்
மின்னப்போன்மதிள்சூழ் திருவிண்ணகர் சேர்ந்த அப்பன்
தன்னொப்பாரில்லப்பன் தந்தனன் தனதாள் நிழலே!

This paasuram is by Nammazhwar and he perceives the Lord as Ponnappan, Maniappan, Ennappan, Muthappan and Vinnagarappan.
The presiding deity in this kshetram is Lord Oppiliappan who is considered comparable to none.
The meaning is like this:
He is my father... He is my sevili-thaai (mistress / one who takes care).. He is my mother...
He is my gold.. my pearl and the pupil of my eye..
He is the one who is in ThiruviNNagar and who glitters and is surrounded by golden ramparts...
There is no one equal to him..
He has given me shadow of his Lotus Feet (Lord has given shelter for him under His Feet) for my redemption. There is nothing for me except taking refuge under his Feet!

Take(ing) diversions

Whenever I come across these words,"Take Diversion", I am so reminded of Vivek's dialogue in a Vijay movie. I have wondered if it would even happen!. But, surprisingly I witnessed it today.

My sister and I wanted to do a small bit of shopping in Pondy Bazaar. We decided to get in to a share auto(!) due to time constraint. Traveling from West Mambalam to Kasi Arcade( Pondy Bazaar) it took us 60 minutes. Wait a second!.. Did I say One hour. Yes, I am right!. It took us solid one hour to reach there... It was not because of the

- traffic jam

- mad rush/crowd wanting to shop in the city's shopping base - T Nagar.

Thanks to the traffic Police(festive season, election galatta). The diversion from Duraiswamy subway was a real DIVERSION!. Yes, just to go to Pondy Bazaar, we got(!) the privilege of traveling for one hour passing- Rangarajapuram, Kodambakkam, United India Colony, Mahalingapuram, 2 overpasses ( just a few minutes away from my office), North Usman Road, Panagal park...huh... I am tired... finally reached Pondy Bazaar. When the driver took a turn and looked for alternate routes, I began to think if he is by any chance crossing my area... so much detouring..

Poor driver - he had so much amount of patience!..

By the time, we reached there, our interests levels crashed and we started wondering when we will get back home!.Guess, this is how T Nagar is going to be or even worse in the years to come!

Ads, adverts and Advertisements!!!

Recently, I happened to watch an advertisement clipping where guy#1 reports of tummy ache after eating Ladoo ( wonder how!!!) and worries what will happen to his family if anything negative happens.. The guy#2 gives a piece of advice to invest in an insurance... Although the message of taking a wise Insurance plan is conveyed, was just thinking if the storyboarding and plan was strong enough to convey the intended message.

This gave me a good thought of how the advertisements in the late 80s and early 90s used to be.. The products that was advertised might have had a full PLC and the product slowly might have faded in the market or been bought over or underwent many changes. A portion of the product branding lies in the way it is advertised. If done correctly, it definitely is a rewarding, but if done incorrectly, it could cost a huge investment. Advertisement agencies have come a long way in creating stories revolving around any product. Some advertisements seldom create an impact in the minds of the prospective customer. Some are remembered for their real creativity and hence could result in 'top of mind recall' while some are really remembered for their negative visualization or poor picturization. Just when I realized this, I was reminded of advertisments that appeared in Television a time when television itself was just emerging. Some of them are shared(not necessarily in thsi order though) - TOP OF MIND RECALL:

1. The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of a TVC (TV Commercial) is Lalita ji!. the ever green(blue) SURF - Surf ki kharidhaari mein hi samajdhaari hi!.Even after 25 - 30 years, you like to see it again right!! - Artist - Kavitha Choudhry

2. Cinkara tonic (wonder if it is still there) - Hamdard ka tonic Cinkara.- When Javed Jafrey is overloaded with work and is just about to faint, he sees a pile of files kept on the desk... The secretary hands some more papers.. (All Voice overs.. bechara kaam ke bojh ka maara!. Inhein chaahiye Hamdard ka Cinkara!. He drinks and breaks out of the glass and hands over the report!.. HAMDARD KA TONIC CINKARA!

3. The famous Pan Paraag featuring Shammi Kapoor ( I was reminded of this advertisement when I heard he passed away) and Ashok Kumar meet to discuss on one thing that Shammi Kapoor and his wife (girl''s parents) forgot to tell AK and his wife. They meet AK, his wife and SK says, "hum aapse ek baat kehne ke bhool gaye". Puzzled AK looks at his wife, and SK says "Ghabrayiye nahi.. Hume kuch nahi chaahiye. Hum to sirf itna chaahthe hain ki aap baaratiyon ka swagat Pan Parag se kijiye!. Relieved AK laughs and says "Humein kya maalum tha ki aap bi Pan Parag ki shaukeen hain".. PAN PARAAG PAN KA MASALA PAN PARAG!

4. The wonderful Godrej Shaving cream advertisement - I think it is Vivek Vaswani(not sure though) approaches a clean shaven guy in a neat suit and asks Which Shaving cream do you use?

The man says, "Godrej"with a confident smile. VV: Why?

He responds quickly in a rush "Great Shave, Cologne Fragrance.. Wife loves it"

He approaches another in the elevator and asks "What shaving cream do you?"

The man with a beard says, "Me?"

The phrase says "The one bright spot in a man's morning" - I am reminded not because of the product but a person who is interviewed reminds me of a family friend!

5. Liril Advertisements - Subliminal message

6. Lijjad Pappad - Hain hain hain .. the rabbit

7. Vicks- Father, daughter combo.. Excellent one.. and the daughter pretending to cough for Vicks..Vicks ki goli lo..kich kich dhoor karo

8. Dinesh suiting - many models..

9. Vicco turmeric - the underline message has never changed.. Vicco turmeric - nahi cosmetic!..(ad featuring Sangeetha Bijalani)

10. Washing Powder Nirma Doodh se yi safedi Nirma se aaye ..... sab ki pasand Nirma

.....and many more..

Somehow none of the present days advertisements like hair being so strong to pull something, and total dandruff control, age miracle, fairness creams never impact because the product per se can not guarantee them and many other factors contribute! It is a very evident factor that advertisements play a very crucial role in creating an interest in the minds of viewers.. Getting the attention, and kindling interest and desire will mostly yield in action - purchase - Clear AIDA model.. Readers, share which advertisements that has impacted you strongly!.

Hope advertisement agencies come up with wondeful storyboards and impress the viewers to use the product..

My 2c worth!

Signing off,

SPH