World Cup Fever... or world economic meltdown..

As the World Cup enters it's business stage we can easily say that this has been the most open tournament ever. Upsets jumping out from all corners. Underdogs over-performing. Perennial favourites underachieving.

Who would have thought that France would be trashed by Mexico.. That Italy humbled by Slovakia.. England held by lowly Algeria.. Germany defeated by the gritty Serbs. And to top it all off the mighty Spanish beaten by a country better known for its Banks than for its football.. Switzerland indeed shock victors....

It shows probably a reflection of the financial crisis in Europe.. Spain or Germany they say should win for the better of the world economy. But since when has economy driven the events on a football pitch.

Italy and France.. Two of Europe's superpowers. Both financially as well as in football terms.. Both on the brink of financial meltdown. Probably the disunity in the French ranks and the lethargy of the Italians reflects in their financial system too..

Greece are in the midst of major financial crisis with the strictest of austerity measures imposed.. And yet they rebounded to their first ever win in a world cup. A sign of resiliance i say.

England's government has just come up with a set of budget cuts and austerity programs meant to reduce their fiscal deficit. A farce I say.. Take a look at the players and it reflects.. The lack of discipline.. the need to enjoy the good things in life seriously reflecting in their football..

On the other hand we have the traditional Latin american nations always been good at their football and bad at their economy...
Well.. it seems there is economic trouble everywhere.. so the Messis and the Kaka's are bringing their football to the fore and letting it inject liquidity into this world cup making up for the lack by the European powerhouses..

And then we have a resilient Asia.. Powering on aiming to be world leaders.. The Hang Seng and the Nikkei outshadowing the Euronext and the FTSE... Good performances by South Korea and Japan showing how the gap is fast closing between the learners and the teachers...

They are comparing this world cup to a world war...

I would rather be an economist than a marksman and say maybe.. just maybe... its a sign of how the financial power in the world is going to shift....

A walk in the night

They say a walk in the night is the best thing to get a perspective n life. Confused as i have been over the past few days i decided it was time to take one.

As I stepped out it was humid and not a hint of a breeze anywhere around. The darkest of dark clouds spread across the sky with not a hint of the moon or the stars. It was really really very dark.

As I enter the park a shiver goes down my spine. You could call it fear or apprehension or whatever, but the darkness loomed all around with not even a sliver of the moon to break its shroud.

Anything could happen. one of those characters looming in the shadows could pounce upon me and mug me. A fearful beast might hinder my progress. I had half a mind to turn back, but i really needed the perspective so i steeled myself and soldiered on.

As i walked ahead the landscape seemed to change. Those shady trees seemed to make way and lo behold a lake appeared. A huge body of murky black filled with enough evil it seems to swallow even the Kraken.

The evilest thing i had ever seen suddenly seemed to transform into great beauty. The clouds seemed to part a bit and a sword of silver appeared in the middle of the evil beast stabbing its heart and creating it into the most beautiful sight i have ever seen. A sign of hope.. maybe

I marched on with hopeful thoughts filling up my mind.. things seemed more cheerful now..

A breeze began to blow lifting the humidity and the clouds seemed to part a bit.. the silver lighting up my path making to look almost ethereal. A path illuminated by lamps of hope..

I walk on and the breeze picks up. The black clouds seem to make way for those of a fairer complexion. Sheets of cotton in a midnight blue; those silver rays and flickering lights in the sky.. the night seemed a better place all of a sudden..

There were people all around me now, reveling in the beauty of the night. The aura of love and belonging, of friendship and hope. There was warmth in the air and a joy in the mood. And i looked up into the sky only to see that the clouds had parted and a moon of perfect dimensions was smiling down upon us..

And as I was ending my journey i realised that life may seem dark and horrible at times but brave them and trudge on for hope will always guide you to a better place..