Michael Jackson is no more. Sad. Period. There is nothing I could say that has not been already printed in the last few days. Well, there is something that I believe is not known much about him though. I stumbled upon it, and, it surprised the hell out of me. Michael Jackson holds a US patent to his name. Could you believe it!!!
He apparently "invented" a system for allowing a shoe wearer to lean forward beyond his center of gravity. Scientists at NASA - please take a bow. If you don't believe me - Check out the link - http://v3.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?CC=US&NR=5255452&KC=&FT=E , and, the invention featured in the music video 'Smooth Criminal' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smooth_Criminal#Anti-gravity_lean). I have been working in the field of Intellectual Property for a while now, and, I really cannot imagine Jackson, a "Moonwalking" genius with greatness matching that of Elvis Presley and Beatles, in the mold of say, an Edison. But, boy, the world is full of surprises!
My fondest memory related to him was quite stupid actually, but, i actually derived quite a lot of fun from it. There was this 'Talent Competition for Kids' and some of my friends were performing. One of my dear friends, tried to do a break-dance jig. He tried to moonwalk, but, even Jackson would have found it difficult to moonwalk on carpet (lol). My friend tried and tried and we cheered him on, but he didn't move an inch, and then finally he Earth-walked himself off the platform. He was called "Maika-lal Jaikishen" or "Indian Jackson" after that performance.
Jackson's death apart, the other bad news for me, was India crashing out of the T20 World Cup. I really thought, we had a very good team and we could do some decent damage. But Alas, the only damage that was done.... was to us. Pakistan, winning, (and Younis grinning while Afridi saying that India was afraid to play Pakistan) just added salt to wounds. Forget Pakistan. The way we lost was disappointing to say the least. There is this camp - which is proclaiming - that Indian fans cannot take defeat in the right spirit, or, like Artherton put it - Indian fans are still immature. Damn You, Artherton, you have no clue what it is to be a Indian Fan. For ages, we have lost and there was a while, when we took defeat for granted. So dont tell us about Spirit and Losing. We know much more about either to spank your backside about it. Maybe, you English are content with inventing a game and then just forgetting about it. But, for a million Indian fans, the case is different. When an Indian team like that comes long, you want to see your time in the Sunshine. Forget Artherton too. Some people are of the opinion that Dhoni is not the one to blame. Please, when you receive a pat on your back for a good performance then a kick on the backside for not performing well, is fair enough. If he had not got out, then we would have lost the match to Bangladesh too. Infact, not only was his batting suban-allah, his wicket-keeping was below par (the missed run-out of Dwayne Bravo cost us the West Indies match) and his captaincy super-disappointing too. (I'm fast running out of adjectives here). Then there is this camp which says - the players were tired from non-stop cricket! Hello! Dhoni would have been far fitter if he was not running with Bipasha Basu in Reebok Ads, or, surfing Facebook in Aircel Ads. Coming to think of it, Indian fans really cannot take defeat well (lol). Apologies to Dhoni & Co. Please start winning again. Like in your Lays Ad - it is Dillogical - after all.
Enough of bad news. Its time for some good news. Roger Federer won (I had a sense of deja vu about this one - almost like Goran Ivansevic's victory at Wimbeldon). Kobe Bryant's Salvation with the Lakers victory in NBA was, well, a relief! Both Federer and Kobe, have removed the lingering doubts about their greatness, once and for all. I wish the same for Sachin - some match saving second innings hundreds in Tests, and, a One-day World Cup victory at home - thats all, Sachin (lol).
Finally, a quick word about me. What about me, I have been harmless, lost in my own world. With the terrible heat, traveling is out of question. I had planned to go to either Ladakh or Lucknow. Ladakh option looked awesome - the Enfield bikers trip from Delhi to Ladakh - was always a dream. Unfortunately, 14 days to go riding a bike, is not probably what my boss would think highly of. Then there was this Lucknow option. I always wanted to visit the land of Tehzeeb (culture), Mushairas (literary evenings, and far different from Mujhras) and Kebabs. But, it is roast-oven hot this time of the year, and, i dont want to end up like a kebab myself. So traveling is out of question. Therefore, I am indulging myself in some reading (currently reading 'Predicatably Irrational' - highly recommended) and swimming. I am learning to swim and boy it is not easy. Firstly, it makes you do a thing which is not natural to you - you breathe in through your mouth and exhale from your nose. Second, it is one activity, which appears terribly ungainly at first but amazingly graceful once you learn it. On my first day, me with my arms flailing about and splashing water on every next kid, wasn't very easy on the eyes. But slowly, i am getting into my groove. Michael Phelps - better watch out. What is it about the word 'Michael' - almost like the name is destined for greatness - Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan, Michael Schumacher, Michael Phelps and even Michelangelo (if i can squeeze that one in). On second thoughts - my mom should have just named me - Michael Phene!! Life would have been so much easier!
He apparently "invented" a system for allowing a shoe wearer to lean forward beyond his center of gravity. Scientists at NASA - please take a bow. If you don't believe me - Check out the link - http://v3.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?CC=US&NR=5255452&KC=&FT=E , and, the invention featured in the music video 'Smooth Criminal' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smooth_Criminal#Anti-gravity_lean). I have been working in the field of Intellectual Property for a while now, and, I really cannot imagine Jackson, a "Moonwalking" genius with greatness matching that of Elvis Presley and Beatles, in the mold of say, an Edison. But, boy, the world is full of surprises!
My fondest memory related to him was quite stupid actually, but, i actually derived quite a lot of fun from it. There was this 'Talent Competition for Kids' and some of my friends were performing. One of my dear friends, tried to do a break-dance jig. He tried to moonwalk, but, even Jackson would have found it difficult to moonwalk on carpet (lol). My friend tried and tried and we cheered him on, but he didn't move an inch, and then finally he Earth-walked himself off the platform. He was called "Maika-lal Jaikishen" or "Indian Jackson" after that performance.
Jackson's death apart, the other bad news for me, was India crashing out of the T20 World Cup. I really thought, we had a very good team and we could do some decent damage. But Alas, the only damage that was done.... was to us. Pakistan, winning, (and Younis grinning while Afridi saying that India was afraid to play Pakistan) just added salt to wounds. Forget Pakistan. The way we lost was disappointing to say the least. There is this camp - which is proclaiming - that Indian fans cannot take defeat in the right spirit, or, like Artherton put it - Indian fans are still immature. Damn You, Artherton, you have no clue what it is to be a Indian Fan. For ages, we have lost and there was a while, when we took defeat for granted. So dont tell us about Spirit and Losing. We know much more about either to spank your backside about it. Maybe, you English are content with inventing a game and then just forgetting about it. But, for a million Indian fans, the case is different. When an Indian team like that comes long, you want to see your time in the Sunshine. Forget Artherton too. Some people are of the opinion that Dhoni is not the one to blame. Please, when you receive a pat on your back for a good performance then a kick on the backside for not performing well, is fair enough. If he had not got out, then we would have lost the match to Bangladesh too. Infact, not only was his batting suban-allah, his wicket-keeping was below par (the missed run-out of Dwayne Bravo cost us the West Indies match) and his captaincy super-disappointing too. (I'm fast running out of adjectives here). Then there is this camp which says - the players were tired from non-stop cricket! Hello! Dhoni would have been far fitter if he was not running with Bipasha Basu in Reebok Ads, or, surfing Facebook in Aircel Ads. Coming to think of it, Indian fans really cannot take defeat well (lol). Apologies to Dhoni & Co. Please start winning again. Like in your Lays Ad - it is Dillogical - after all.
Enough of bad news. Its time for some good news. Roger Federer won (I had a sense of deja vu about this one - almost like Goran Ivansevic's victory at Wimbeldon). Kobe Bryant's Salvation with the Lakers victory in NBA was, well, a relief! Both Federer and Kobe, have removed the lingering doubts about their greatness, once and for all. I wish the same for Sachin - some match saving second innings hundreds in Tests, and, a One-day World Cup victory at home - thats all, Sachin (lol).
Finally, a quick word about me. What about me, I have been harmless, lost in my own world. With the terrible heat, traveling is out of question. I had planned to go to either Ladakh or Lucknow. Ladakh option looked awesome - the Enfield bikers trip from Delhi to Ladakh - was always a dream. Unfortunately, 14 days to go riding a bike, is not probably what my boss would think highly of. Then there was this Lucknow option. I always wanted to visit the land of Tehzeeb (culture), Mushairas (literary evenings, and far different from Mujhras) and Kebabs. But, it is roast-oven hot this time of the year, and, i dont want to end up like a kebab myself. So traveling is out of question. Therefore, I am indulging myself in some reading (currently reading 'Predicatably Irrational' - highly recommended) and swimming. I am learning to swim and boy it is not easy. Firstly, it makes you do a thing which is not natural to you - you breathe in through your mouth and exhale from your nose. Second, it is one activity, which appears terribly ungainly at first but amazingly graceful once you learn it. On my first day, me with my arms flailing about and splashing water on every next kid, wasn't very easy on the eyes. But slowly, i am getting into my groove. Michael Phelps - better watch out. What is it about the word 'Michael' - almost like the name is destined for greatness - Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan, Michael Schumacher, Michael Phelps and even Michelangelo (if i can squeeze that one in). On second thoughts - my mom should have just named me - Michael Phene!! Life would have been so much easier!
