Yahoo Mail Beta ...

Yahoo has introduced a the new version of Yahoo! Mail - it looks and feels just like a regular email client like Thunderbird, except that it is still web-based. I thought the implementation of this one is pretty darn cool ... I love the way you can manage your email.

Check it out here.

Mumbai bomb blasts

In regard to the bomb blasts in Mumbai earlier today, anyone looking for help can check on Mumbai Help

Its an excellent resource especially if you are in the US and need help trying to check on your friends and family in Mumbai ...

Boneheaded ...

This was supposed to be Zidane's moment of glory - a World Cup triumph to cap off a great career. Then came the boneheaded play of the game in the 110th minutes - the headbutt that got him thrown out of the game, bringing a shameful ending instead of a fairytale one. What exactly transpired is not quite clear - but it seems that he may have been taunted, racial slurs perhaps. But whatever the Italian player might have said to provoke him - the headbutt was simply the stupidest thing to do, and the red card was certainly well deserved. This will go down in the annals of soccer as one of the most bizarre events in World Cup finals history - one that might have cost France their World Cup.

Here is a compilation of Zidane at his best - some unbelievable moves - the ones that made him a star! no boneheaded plays here .... all class!



Only one thought comes to mind - if only he had resisted the rush of blood, perhaps the World Cup final might have had a different outcome

On a totally different note, it was interesting to note the difference between the Wimbledon presentation ceremony earlier in the day, and the World Cup ceremony. Literally seemed as far apart as a quiet black tie dinner and a rowdy party at a dance club. Wimbledon (and tennis presentations in general) are a lot like those in cricket - the losing finalist is well taken care of - quite a civilized affair overall ... a far cry from the ceremonies in the US (NBA/NFL etc.) where the loser is literally banished from the site to brood over his loss while the celebrations begin.
"The winner takes it all, the loser standing small " - not quite true IMHO ... the loser certainly desrves better.

Artful Roger ...

It certainly lived up to the hype ... Federer overcame his nerves, his own demons and a resilient Rafael Nadal to win his fourth consecutive Wimbledon title ...

Indeed the FedExpress has delivered again on grass, but Nadal certainly didn't get blown away by Federer's reputation, streaks and the skidding grass courts. The US Open folks are probably glad that Federer won - the last Grand Slam of the year just became the center of increased attention as the tennis season moves to the hard courts. And much as I would like Federer to win, I am inclined to pick Nadal on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows. Fed's backhand will get pounded again and again and the topspin balls will rise to shoulder height - increasing the chances of mishits from Federer.

But till he is dethroned - Federer continues to be the king of tennis!!
p.s. Amelie Mauresmo and Justine Henin-Hardenne produced a great women's final - some superb strokes, angles and great points - way better than the 'dhobi ghat' stuff from Serena/Venus/Sharapova etc. it was great to see Mauresmo overcome her demons to win the title - no one will ever call her a choker again ...