Formula One 2012 - Schumacher's toughest battle - Blog 2

Hello all my blog readers

First come first wishing everyone the best of health and spirits.

This year according to me would be toughest ever for Micheal Schumacher in his entire F1 career .

The Mercedes powered F1 W03 (as seen above in launch picture) seems to be good and quick as per the winter testing analysis and there would be no more hiding in the shadow of last year mediocre car. Last year it was comparitevely easy for Schumacher to start quite down the grid and with Kers power and pace of Mercedes and with no real compeition in between it was bound to happen that he is behind Roseberg. Sometimes though due to shear race craft skills he was ahead of him. No doubt.

This year the field would be quite tighter as it seems now from winter testing plus we already know Schumi is not as fast in qualifying as Roseberg is the fact endoresed by Mercedes team principle Ross Brawn as well. Therefore most probably in likelihood he would start the race behind him. If in the first few corners he is able to overtake him and others then Mercedes would focus there race strategy on him and would give second preference to Roseberg. However if he is not able to then we know the outcome.

From 2011 season certain things are clear:

1. Schumacher is not fast over a single lap of qualifying and he has understood that qualifying is really not his cake right now and he better channelize his energies and focus on race setup.

2. He looks like an ordinary driver when he is riunning down the field however whenever his car is running up in top 6 or 7 we have seen enough glimpses of flashes of brilliance.

3. Schumi has perfected the art of race starts and his mind was more focussed on it in developing and visualizing startegies of starting and taking lines and attacking corners in the very first lap. His overtaking skills were also honed up here as well as the art of defending.

4. Schumacher major problem is too many accidents and fast degradation of tyres. If he can manage the tyre degradation this year which according to Ross Brawn might just play into his hands we may see a different Schumacher.

For 2012 Season certain things which Schumi needs to look into:

1. My careful analysis says that his starts in race and the first few laps is what according to me would define the year for him.

2. He needs to up his qualifying pace by few tenths so that he doesn't start too many places behind. This will ensure atleast some assurance of clean first few corners and less chances of accidents.

3. Finally I believe a driver of his class has to use all of his experience and manage his tyres better.

My guess is that if above 3 problems are taken care off slightly we may actually see a different Schumacher and he may just be the real schocker this year provided F1 W03 proves to be fast.

Schumacher real battle is not against Nico roseberg but against Schumacher of 2010 and 2011.

What's your opinion?

Formula one 2012 - Predicting Pecking order - Blog 1

Hello all my blog readers

First come first wishing everyone the best of health and spirits.

Finally the wait is over and in few days the Formula one 2012 season is going to unravel and many questions will be answered. Some of the questions which personally I am interested in getting to be answered are:

1. Six world champions in 4 different teams - How they are stacked up in order and which of them has the chance to win the driver's title?
2. What is the pecking order?
3. Will Redbull be dominant as much as in 2011 with there outright pace?
4. Where does the Ferrari stands finally or let me put in a way how bad is Ferrari really is?
5. How big is the step forward by Mercedes GP from 2011 and will it be closing on big 2 teams and finally be a podium contender?
6. How is the mid field battle shape up - who has gained and who has lost?
7. Will Schumacher finally improve upon in qualifying and move up initially on Roseberg?
8. Real Dark Horse both in Driver and team?

We will be able to get the answers to above questions only on Saturday qualifying or perhaps a little bit in Friday practice sessions however for now its the that time to predict and see if the prediction based on some knowledge and reactions falls correctly or not.

I have followed up for the first time very closely the winter testing this season and read many a blogs and analysis. I have tried to read in between the winter test timings as well in order to draw up some conclusion of my own. Well here are my predictions on above questions so far:

1. Lewis Hamilton is my favorite for driver's title followed up by Button, Vettel, Schumacher, Alonso and finally Kimi. The logic is Redbull does not seem to be very fast than others and race craft and aggressive overtaking skills of fired up Hamilton.
2. Redbull , Mercedes and Mclaren with Merc with slight edge, Ferrari, Lotus, Sauber, ForceIndia, Williams, Torro Rosso and rest
3. No - Field is much closer - seems to be like 2010 season for Redbull
4. Not very bad - expectations are not met as they should have been - I would say same as 2011
5. Yes - seems to be very innovative car and they have taken a step forward - seems to be the team to sandbag massively
6. Sauber and Force India to look out for
7. Don't think so he would beat Roseberg in qualifying - But I would hope he does. First two races I think he would be rustic and I expect Nico to perform better but we never know he might just surprise us.
8. Heart says - Mercedes and Schumacher are the real dark horse this year.

Lets wait and watch on 18th March. I would be back again with race post analysis to see how things shape up.

Thanks for reading.

Approaching 31 - Last Week September (A Way forward is to look forward through the eyes of backwards) (Expressions vj.10)

Hello all my blog readers

Perhaps a bit late as second week has already started of October but as they say nothing is late than never which I believe inspired me to come up with this blog.

Last two weeks have been kind of emotional roller coaster ride of many kinds. Firstly a happy feeling of 31st birthday being wished by all special ones, then a sinking and fun feeling of Goa trip, then came in almost sad feeling of how Sports complex design progressed in my absence, then again came a shocking feeling of demise of Steve Jobs which I took several hrs to overcome and then finally I somehow energized myself back to work and to resolve sports complex design for good.

Firstly special thanks to all those who wished me on my birthday,
thanks to Amita for wishing me good as always and gifting me a worthy gift and
a very special thanks to a rare gem and humorous KP, Tomboy and a friend Tanu, Maverick and my oldest priced possession Ashish, Lovely Devika and grounded Nishant for making my day as one of best. It could not have been better if you all were not there. Thanks again.

and lastly
a special thanks to Vinish as well who have always tried to understood me in any situation and have been forgiving to me.

Well moving on....

“I am probably the only dinosaur left in the office who still uses a drawing board rather than a CAD system,”. I suppose I’m a creature of habit. As the computer generation comes along, I wonder if I can catch up to new technological callings and even if I am able to would my forte which is design basically can benefit from it. Well only time will tell. But I am sure I won't let go off my hand sketching design habit soon as this is something which I enjoy and connect to. I guess if I leave this habit I won't be able to call myself Architect anymore. I have always maintained that hand, eye and brain co-ordination is a must for any sort of good design to come through. I have always felt that brain thinks and powers eyes to visualize and sends signals to hands to move pencil in certain directions subconsciously sometimes somethings which even eye can visualize it in retrospect.

People say
I have been lucky both work wise and financially at this point of time as well as always till this time. I would say I arrived in the field with far more theoretical knowledge than others and was well placed, through my studies, to capitalise. I guess I was in the right place at the right time with my persistence and confidence in my abilities to power on.

As they say
The perfect storm - at least in Architectural field

There is a quote from Calvin Coolidge

“Press on. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; there is nothing more common in the world than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

People also say
When do you get time for yourself? I have never understood this question but somehow never managed to clarify as well. Perhaps all of time spent with special ones and Architecture is time for myself - that's all I have to say. If I am not busy doing Architecture then I am busy enough not to be have time for myself.

out of nowhere now....read this below

certainly
Judge me not by my talent,
certainly
Judge me not by what I have done so far,
certainly
Judge me not by where I am coming from,
certainly
Judge me not by my appearance,
certainly
Judge me not by me ambitions and attitude as well

but
certainly
Judge me by what am I thinking
and
perhaps by what am I dreaming

Perhaps you would know me better

I guess I have written it well......what do you have to say on it....I have always been trying to improve upon with each of my blog....haven't I

Lately I have been observing my growing sensitivity in observing and understanding the design intents, detailing, and evolution of design as a wholesome in Architecture especially on trips perhaps signalling my intellectual and personal growth. It carries forward in my dealing with people around me as well. I am sure I am not as harsh and hard with people anymore.

Looking back at how the life has unfolded in past in a sequential way I have no doubt in mind that I understand now why I am here, what am I today and what I have today. When I connect the different circumstances and events of my life I can understand there necessity to occur in my life whether I want them or not. I would not like to change even a bit of my past life if given a chance as I would not be the same today otherwise. Perhaps at this moment I am in love with myself more than ever I was.

A way forward is to look forward through the eyes of backwards....

Lets try

Approaching 31 - Week - 3 September (The Best of is and the best of was and the best of ever will be) (Expressions vj .09)

Hello all my blog readers

As the week ends its highlight was to hear from someone like Mr. Khosla that you seem to be having a great team. Obviously he is referring to the output of one of the projects for presentation to clients. Quite honestly and obviously and obviously and honestly it was one of those moments in which I can obviously steal some pride and feel good.

In formula one they say
"Never say Never"
perhaps that is what inspired Schumacher back into racing action after a three year retirement in pursuit of another of those world championships.

And then there is this synonym

"The best of is and the best of was and the best of ever will be......"

Well this is one statement I have been listening now for last 20 years to say the least and I guess I should presume all of you know to whom this statement belongs to. Its a kind of statement which says it all and inspires me to be my best every second of the life.

I always said that there are two kind of peoples leaders and followers. Taking this further leaders always exists to be best while followers just exists. "If you aren’t busy trying to be the best then you’re not busy doing anything,". That's what I fundamentally believe in and would continue to be in whatever small way I can.

If I am not trying my best to be myself then I am not justifying myself - as simple as it could be. I have never understood the fact why there is so much difference between what people are and what they are actually trying to be or to portray. Perhaps only if I could get into them and understand what kind of pleasure they derive out of it.

I still remember those hands who pulled me out from the line of speeding bus - Its time to respect them as much as possible by being the best and giving it back in some way whatever I have got so far.

Moving on....

I am constantly being accused of being arrogant and insensitive human being for the simple reason of not being able to answer calls every time and being hard on work. Perhaps I could ever explain that is is not intentional. Perhaps my mind understand the gravity of the situation and take the person for granted that I would always call those back sometime later and explain my situation. Its just that I am in midst of something or the other and don't want to break that feeling and moment. Its in no way being arrogant or being irresponsible to anyone but if any one does feel that way then my apologies.

If only people could have understood me....

And

As far as the work is concerned well I don't have to be hard enough if only people would have responded in responsible way. Responsibility is something which could not be given away but has to be taken in. Well I have understood it comes with the package of being a leading Architect and would have to live with it. My job certainly is not to keep everyone happy. I also know with time I am only going to be harder as the fresh ones coming though certainly bring a fresh creative appeal and awareness but at the same time lacks passion, vision, attitude, and certainly lacks knowledge. In my past seven years of job rarely I have seen people who can make use of whatever knowledge they have. Wisdom seems to be completely missing......perhaps what am I talking about ....most of the them does not even know meaning of wisdom. Its 10 to 7 job for most ones. If office timing was 11 AM I am sure young ones would be coming by 11:15 for sure. That's doing job at its best. Everything else seems to be priority for them except the culture of Architecture.

If only people could have understood me....

And

Then there are apologies to be made to those special ones who were with me in those times which shaped my life and I never acknowledge them in there way. Perhaps apologies won't serve any purpose but very soon at least once I have to reach each of them and explain my situation.

If only people could have understood me....

And

Then the life sometimes put us in T-junction where there is that decision to move forward in one direction which seems impossible to be taken. Both the roads have something to offer and to take away. Its those of times when you don't want to leave behind any road but you can't travel both of them. Perhaps it seems the best is to wait at the junction till the gates to one of these automatically closes but then the life is not that gracious also.....

If only this time life could have understood me better....

Well you all would be wondering why the hell is there a 3rd blog on approaching 31. What is so special? Well there is nothing special. Its another day as usual. Being 31 would be just a number making up. Its just that I am taking this to my advantage of writing my feelings.

I wonder sometimes if there was a robot friend who could be programmed in such a way as to understand and learn with us and moreover grow with us from the childhood times......

Signing off

Bodyguard record opening and Ra 1 screen stats raises few questions

Hello all my blog readers

First come first wishing everyone the best of health and spirits. Now Its that time to hit break and have some movie dose from 'HONEST CONVERSATION WITH A SELF CONFESSED MAVERICK'

Few days back a research done in USA stated that Indian market should have 1 lac screens as against 10000 currently. Phewwww.... grossly undershot. Almost every few months now a days we see a movie breaking the opening the records by few. Analyzing it in detail its clear why this happens.

Well that's what all is required for a movie to register record breaking box office collections on opening day
* A fever like craze building up to the release of the movie at right time
* releasing on as many as screens as possible
* getting ticket prices to be raised if possible
* A few chart buster songs, mass and fresh appeal
* Best part en cashing on a super star last block buster
* if possible release it on a holiday

Basically its the package which works rather than a just a star's popularity, movie production house credentials or any solo thing. Other than above India is a youth country and as much as day by day the children are growing up and screens are increasing records would keep on breaking.

However still Ra 1 stats (I have heard that RA 1 is going to be released on 3000 screens maximum so far beating 2799 screen count of Bodyguard) and Bodyguard opening does raises a few questions:

1. What is the actual ratio between single screens and multiplex screens territory wise?
2. In reality in how many screens of 10000 so far in India a bollywood movie with all ingredients of mass appeal can get release?
3. What is then the occupancy levels both multiplex and single screens wise of one day of those nos of screens provided all shows goes house full?

Honestly and obviously and obviously and honestly
I have always believed that occupancy levels of a movie whether life time or openings matter more than actual business in declaring a movie hit or flop. Agreed that profits do matter but it matters only to producers and distributors. To us bollywood fans what matters most how many of us have actually seen it.

4. What is the maximum potential of a movie to gross in opening day or for life time again both in single screens and in multiplexes?

If we can have answers to these and have a new system to describe opening levels of a movie and declaring a movie hit or flop in terms of percentages of collections and occupancy of it against its potential it would be more prudent and justify. When I say its potential I always meant against its potential of target users.

What is your say on this?
Until next

Signing off