The flags of our fathers ...

Well not really, but I've had terribly long day and its not over yet. So I'm excused.

Meanwhile finally the city has indeed woken up to the World Cup and the small lanes/bylanes of Calcutta have been rendered a Hindu bride's marriage bed with the crisscross netting of small paper flags strung across streetlights, poles, building edges or whatever else could be found convenient. Alongwith a larger version of the same hung at a central position indicating the loyalties of the said locality. Most common are Argentina and Brazil. Chingrighata presently looks like an electoral battle zone with both countries being equally represented vide such said decorations, each one trying to hide out the other only to be hidden by another.

Wnndrrr!

In other news I go to court now. Semi-regularly. However, I love it. Being in court, tedious and sweaty as it is, its still the best part of my working day. There are very few places I've come across where such comic relief and random loose talk about other people - other being everyone but the speaker - is available in such abundance.

Second Wnndrr!

I hope it doesn't fade away though.

Also waiting for friends to land up this weekend. Hope I make it till then. Its a good reason to stay alive.

Romario, Romario tumi-ee shobar priyo ...

The football world cup was my introduction to the beautiful game. Vide its 1994 edition, USA '94. I remember those days as murals filled up the old dusty walls of the city and sometimes even the front side of houses much to the annoyance of its inhabitants. I remember how the para'r chelera would perform ceremonies and pujas and pay homage to their respective idols. Those were the days of Romario, Bebeto, Batistuta, Hagi and Baggio. Good days.

You couldn't find a street crossing or an entire locality that would be devoid of the tournament fervour. It was EVERYWHERE!

My commute within the city has been an extremely restricted one of late. Home to work to chai place to home. Don't feel like hanging out much in the city. However, within this restricted route - which would be a total road distance of around 10-12 kms one way - there is not ONE sign of the world cup happening. In fact nothing has changed during the past one week in the city in terms of its scenery. Especially in terms of its scenery. Its like nothing is going on. As if the world were still the way it was a week back.

Its not, but for once no one seems to care enough. This is whats changed.