When the lights go out.....

...I take a trip to the dark ages (and so has this blog). Which is quite often in Pune.

So, Vivek and I took a break from our "at-home-on-weekend-24*7" rule and ventured into some crazy stuff the past 2 Saturdays. Tried Go-Karting and Boating. My respect for Schumacher has increased manifold since. Last weekend, we drove to Aamby Valley City, with a bunch of Vivek's friends. The trip was great fun but the place is all hype! Thanks to some amazing photography, celebrity endorsements and breathtaking views in the ads. The only thing to appreciate is the clean environment and great engineering on top of the mountain. There's nothing more to it. It stops right there.

2006 Bahrain Grand Prix - FERRARI is BACK

It was racing at its best at the 2006 season's first race at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Reigning World Champion Fernando Alonso of Renault clinched the victory followed by Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen taking the second and third places on the podium.

With the scarlet Red Ferrari's occupying the front row, Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa made an impressive start leaving no trace of the dismal 2005 season. Massa rose to the challenge acting as a barricade preventing Alonso from inching towards Schumi. However, it was not to last for long as the Spaniard cleverly maneuvered overtaking Massa and was behind Schumi's tail in no time. How I wish Massa had hit Alonso on the eighth lap.

What changed the race was lap 39 when Alonso went in for his second pit stop lasting a precise 7.7 seconds. As he emerged out of the pit lane, Schumi's Ferrari and Alonso's Renault were looking at each other. Schumacher had to back off and that sealed the race with Alonso never looking back easing his way to the Chequered Flag.

However, the true star of yesterday's race was Kimi Raikkonen. You got to give to this Finn. It takes nerves to start from the end of the grid and make it to a podium finish. Call it pit-stop, refueling strategy, call it team work, call it whatever you want. But this is one driver who has never let down the McLaren's and puts up a fight making his way through the pack of cars from 22nd to 13th position within 3 laps. Makes you wonder, if it really matters to him where he starts from!

It was a mini race of sorts for every position with Jenson Button, Kimi and Montoya vying for the 3rd,4th and 5th places. Rosberg and Klein for the 7th and 8th spots.

This season looks promising as we have 4 strong teams - Ferrari, Renault, McLaren and Honda. Williams is not too far either. Unlike last year, it is a competitive season with good reliability of the machinery of all the 4 teams, fast cars, great strategy and amazing drivers.

What/who to watch out for in the Malaysian Grand Prix:
Nico Rosberg

I hate to admit that it was a mixed feeling last evening to see Schumacher not winning. But I'm happy for Ferrari and Schumacher. They have made an impressive comeback. Go Ferrari!

Categories: grand prix, formula 1, bahrain

Related Posts: 2006 - Formula 1 countdown

2006 - Formula 1 countdown

The 2006 Formula 1 season begins in Bahrain tomorrow. For the past few years, Australia was the privileged one to start the season. And it used to be the first week of April at Bahrain.

I can't tell you in so many words how bad I'm feeling to be not able to make it to Formula 1 this year. All because of my oversight and poor planning. Never realized it was already March and too little a time to let Dad get us Visa. So I've been pleading with him to fill in for us today at the qualifiers and tomorrow. He gets free tickets through ALBA. According to him, not many people are into Formula 1 in Bahrain, so the spectators are usually Europeans! If dad did go, I will post a few pictures!

The countdown is on and I can't wait. Precisely, 1 day,10hrs and 25 mins for the race to start. A lot of changes in the teams and their drivers this year. New teams, old drivers in new teams, new drivers in old teams. 11 teams in all with the addition of Super Aguri.

BMW-williams - Williams
BAR Honda - Honda
Sauber - BMW Sauber
Minardi - Toro Rosso

It would be interesting to watch Barichello drive for Honda. India's Narain K is no longer a driver for Midland (earlier Jordan). Anyways, our loyalty to Michael Schumacher hasn't shifted. Go Schumi! We would love to see you and Ferrari get back the championship title this year.

Why do I love Simon?

Simon, who? Simon Cowell - one of the three judges on American Idol. We started watching American Idol for the first time ever, this season from the Chicago episode. And surprisingly for someone not into watching reality shows at all, I got hooked onto the show week after week. Thanks to Simon.

Some people suck at singing so much that it is a torture to the ears. Invariably I mute the TV after listening for 5 seconds for every performer, well except Taylor Hicks and the baldie - I forgot his name.

I am sure there are a lot of you out there who like SC too. Are we mean people who rejoice when he says absolutely mean things to nice people on TV like "You should book a plane ticket to home" or "I would turn off the radio if I were listening to this" or "you gave me a terrible headache" ? Which is further accentuated by his amazing facial expression. I guess I like him because he is honest partly and doesn't use sugar-coated words to tell you are bad. Its fun to watch his comments at the end of a performance and you are left to wonder whats wrong with him if he appreciates 2 in a row. For Pete's sake, Paula tells almost everyone that they are good and a great performer. The chemistry he shares with some is cool - like if you sing a Frank Sinatra number or someone as crazy as Brenna was. I doubt if I would watch American Idol if Simon was not there!

Certification in Banking

100 questions. 2 hours. Last Friday, I took the Fundamentals of Banking Certification - an internal exam. An exam after 5 years tested my mettle to sit patiently through the 2 hours test. The last exam I took was the Sun Certification (SCJP) in 2000. With decent preparation for about 2 weeks for this exam, I scored a modest 72%. An official claim that one indeed knows the basics of Investment Banking, Investment Management and all about Capital Markets. My next goal is to clear the next level in Securities and Investment Management exam in May. Lets see how that one goes!

Categories: banking, work, certification

Mercury Rising

Temperature in Pune has been steadily soaring since mid-Feb. There is no respite from this heat until April. Over 3 hour of power cuts every morning just adds to the misery. Unlike summers in Bangalore, the heat here is weird and quite unhealthy leading to a very dry feeling with almost no sweating at all. So we've been staying indoors and keeping ourselves cool with loads of water melons and lemon juice.