Seriously, when do car-makers plan to realize that extra-large boots utterly ruin a car's looks? I've just seen a few of the ghastly new Indigo Manzas on the road, and, as if those weird headlamps aren't enough, the car has a massive boot that's almost as long as a Nano (hyperbole alert!). Needless to say, with its short hood, the car's proportions are all wrong. And, from the rear, the spindly wheels make it look ridiculous.
Some more examples of this short-hood, long-boot recipe for disaster include the old Indigo, the previous Honda City and the Porsche Boxster and Cayman. Just about everyone knows that the best-looking cars have long hoods and short rear-ends, like the Aston Martin DB7, and the Lamborgini Miura. Even mass-market cars like the current Honda Civic have this taken care of.
This is probably due to the current fad of tacking a boot onto a successful hatchback. This has already resulted in the Swift DZire. Tata should have learnt its lesson from the old Indigo. And couldn't they have asked the folks at Jaguar to have a quick look at it? Volkswagen has been in this for years with the Golf and the Jetta, which though not beautiful, is hardly an eyesore. Even Ford made a decent booted version of the old Focus.
Another reason to buy a hatchback then...
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 01, 2010
Happy New Year
Here's wishing everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2010. And the same goes for the 2010s, whatever we wind up calling them.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Look back at 2009 and the "noughties"
So, here we are again at the end of another year and also, another decade. They've been pretty similar to other years and other decades with plenty of ups, and plenty of downs.
2009 has been, in many ways, rather like 2008. A good year for India in sports, some unfortunate terrorist attacks, natural calamities and the continuation of the economic slowdown. We've also seen the clamping down on the major torrent sites and the rise of Twitter.
This decade, belatedly christened the "noughties", has been one of great change. Back in 1999, VCRs were still popular and Apple was a has-been. Encarta was everyone's favourite encyclopaedia, and people generally used landlines.
Today, of course, we're moving past DVDs to Blu-ray, Apple came up with the iPod and iPhone, we have Wikipedia, and mobiles can now do just about everything, as long as you can figure them out and your fingers aren't too big for the new, tiny keypads.
So, once again, we look forward to a new year and decade and hope that things average themselves out nicely.
2009 has been, in many ways, rather like 2008. A good year for India in sports, some unfortunate terrorist attacks, natural calamities and the continuation of the economic slowdown. We've also seen the clamping down on the major torrent sites and the rise of Twitter.
This decade, belatedly christened the "noughties", has been one of great change. Back in 1999, VCRs were still popular and Apple was a has-been. Encarta was everyone's favourite encyclopaedia, and people generally used landlines.
Today, of course, we're moving past DVDs to Blu-ray, Apple came up with the iPod and iPhone, we have Wikipedia, and mobiles can now do just about everything, as long as you can figure them out and your fingers aren't too big for the new, tiny keypads.
So, once again, we look forward to a new year and decade and hope that things average themselves out nicely.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Random factoids about clubs not in the Premier League
Well, the football season finally got under way a couple of weeks ago, and was trawling through good old Wikipedia having a look at some random Premier League history.
Interestingly, the only League champions to have never played in the Premier League are Preston North End, champions for the first 2 editions in 1889 (when they also won the FA Cup) and 1890, and Huddersfield Town, who won a hat-trick of titles between 1924 and 1926. The rest, including, Ipswich Town, currently managed by Roy Keane, have all played in the Premier League.
Burnley, who were promoted this season after 33 years outside the top-flight, have won 2 championships, the most recent coming in 1960. They already look determined to stay up, winning 1-0 in both their home games so far, against a rather limp Manchester United and Everton.
Phew! I've finally managed to get a post up after ages!
Interestingly, the only League champions to have never played in the Premier League are Preston North End, champions for the first 2 editions in 1889 (when they also won the FA Cup) and 1890, and Huddersfield Town, who won a hat-trick of titles between 1924 and 1926. The rest, including, Ipswich Town, currently managed by Roy Keane, have all played in the Premier League.
Burnley, who were promoted this season after 33 years outside the top-flight, have won 2 championships, the most recent coming in 1960. They already look determined to stay up, winning 1-0 in both their home games so far, against a rather limp Manchester United and Everton.
Phew! I've finally managed to get a post up after ages!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Go United, Go!
Later today, or early tomorrow, depending on where you are, Manchester United take on Barcelona in the Champions League Final in Rome. For many, it's a dream final, as the champions of probably the 2 best leagues in Europe will be facing off. Wondering when was the last time 2 league champions faced each other in the final? It was in 1999, when United again, were up against German champions Bayern Munich.
Anyhow, all the best Man United! Keep your heads screwed on, and play well!
Anyhow, all the best Man United! Keep your heads screwed on, and play well!
Monday, March 09, 2009
Long week for cricket
This has been a rather long week for cricket. It started out with the tragic attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore. The 'passing the buck' phase is still far from over as far as this incident is concerned. The Sri Lankan team had a lucky escape, but 8 Pakistani members of their escort lost their lives. For now, it does indeed look like all of Pakistan's 'home series' will be hosted in places like Abu Dhabi.
On the other side of the world, England are being ground out on a series of flat tracks, as the West Indies seek their first win in a Test series in a a long time. What was expected to be an easy series has been turned into a defeat, largely due to the batting collapse in the first Test.
Australia, on the other hand, look set to inflict yet another defeat on South Africa. The Aussies really have bounced back splendidly, thanks to some excellent batting by the new boys, Philip Hughes and Marcus North, and a rejuvenated Mitchell Johnson. Once again, the South Africans look to have failed when it matters most, though there's still a whole day left in the 2nd Test.
India have put the disappointment of their T20 defeats behind them, and have taken an unassailable lead in the one-day series against New Zealand. The Kiwis, for all their brave efforts, haven't yet been able to overhaul the massive totals set by Indian batsmen.
On the other side of the world, England are being ground out on a series of flat tracks, as the West Indies seek their first win in a Test series in a a long time. What was expected to be an easy series has been turned into a defeat, largely due to the batting collapse in the first Test.
Australia, on the other hand, look set to inflict yet another defeat on South Africa. The Aussies really have bounced back splendidly, thanks to some excellent batting by the new boys, Philip Hughes and Marcus North, and a rejuvenated Mitchell Johnson. Once again, the South Africans look to have failed when it matters most, though there's still a whole day left in the 2nd Test.
India have put the disappointment of their T20 defeats behind them, and have taken an unassailable lead in the one-day series against New Zealand. The Kiwis, for all their brave efforts, haven't yet been able to overhaul the massive totals set by Indian batsmen.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Silent traffic jam
The stereotypical traffic jam generally involves a lot of blaring horns along with engines being revved briefly in expectation of a 3-inch gap opening up. A couple of days ago, I was in a traffic jam on the Old Madras Road in Bangalore where there were a 100-150 cars, buses and motorbikes, yet there wasn't a sound to be heard. Not a single horn honking or engine revving or idling. Definitely creepy!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Weird week for Cristiano Ronaldo
The previous week will probably have been particularly memorable for Cristiano Ronaldo. It seemed to improve almost linearly. Bad start with him crashing his Ferrari 599GTB, improving later on with Manchester United topping the table, and crowning it off with winning the FIFA World Player of the Year award. Must admit I don't feel too bad about the Ferrari, it's not one of their best-looking cars ever.
As far as the Premier League is concerned, Manchester United are in a rather familiar position, top of the table. Liverpool are finally near the top after over a decade of mediocrity. Chelsea are in 3rd, something they won't be too happy about. Arsenal, however, must be fuming, sitting in 5th place 3 points adrift of Aston Villa. The relegation battle is probably even more interesting, though. The 5 bottom teams all have 21 points, and the gap between 12th place and bottom is only 3 points!
As far as the Premier League is concerned, Manchester United are in a rather familiar position, top of the table. Liverpool are finally near the top after over a decade of mediocrity. Chelsea are in 3rd, something they won't be too happy about. Arsenal, however, must be fuming, sitting in 5th place 3 points adrift of Aston Villa. The relegation battle is probably even more interesting, though. The 5 bottom teams all have 21 points, and the gap between 12th place and bottom is only 3 points!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Happy Birthday, Tintin!
Tintin turns 80 today! On this day in 1929, the first part of Tintin in the Land of the Soviets was published in the Belgian children's newsletter Le Petit Vingtième.
Tintin has always been one of my favourite comic books. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading about the adventures of the intrepid reporter, Tintin, and his faithful and very sensible dog, Snowy. Plus, there's also the antics of the bumbling detectives, Thomson and Thompson, to look forward to, along with the dry humour and "foul-mouthed" tirades of Captain Haddock. This alongwith a healthy dose of social commentary that touches upon various aspects of 20th century politics.
The TV series from the early 90s was also good fun to watch. Plus, there's a movie due in 2010, after some delays, to be directed by Steven Spielberg, with Peter Jackson as the producer. It seems it'll be a motion capture 3-D film, though Tintin's role hasn't been cast yet. It should be interesting to see how the movie turns out. Till then, you can always enjoy the books themselves!
Tintin has always been one of my favourite comic books. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading about the adventures of the intrepid reporter, Tintin, and his faithful and very sensible dog, Snowy. Plus, there's also the antics of the bumbling detectives, Thomson and Thompson, to look forward to, along with the dry humour and "foul-mouthed" tirades of Captain Haddock. This alongwith a healthy dose of social commentary that touches upon various aspects of 20th century politics.
The TV series from the early 90s was also good fun to watch. Plus, there's a movie due in 2010, after some delays, to be directed by Steven Spielberg, with Peter Jackson as the producer. It seems it'll be a motion capture 3-D film, though Tintin's role hasn't been cast yet. It should be interesting to see how the movie turns out. Till then, you can always enjoy the books themselves!
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