Greetings to THE Roger Federer

Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag, Rog!

A very unique birthday for you - 08.08.08 and to top it off, the Olympics have also kicked-off as I am writing this, wow!!! Goodluck for the Games and am sure, you're gonna end up as a champ, alles gute :-)

The traditional German Birthday song goes something like this -

Hoch soll sie leben! (Long may she live!)
Hoch soll sie leben! Dreimal hoch! (Three cheers!)

A Thousand Times Over!

SIN. SACRIFICE. REDEMPTION. Lots of novels incorporate all of the above. In the context of Khaled Hosseini’s novel, I had to give them capital letters. I wanted to warn you that reading this novel is heart-breaking but that term is not strong enough. It is heart-shattering. The author Khaled Hosseini sweetly enhances the story and sweeps the reader comfortably from the present into the past and into another land far away. The story is about the life of two boys in Afghanistan, and is told through the eyes of Amir and what happened to him throughout in his life because of this bond with his friend in Afghanistan named Hassan. This is not the type of story I would have chosen on purpose. What I mean is, that I usually scan the library for something familiar, more in touch with what I think I would like to read. The Afghanistan of today is not a place I would care to venture my curiousity. But from the eyes of Amir, a child in the Afghanistan of yesterday, this seemed a very special place, the Afghanistan of the past. Many times, I wanted to put the book down and walk away so I would not have to witness what was coming next. In the end, I could not do it. These characters have so much at stake. You can’t just close the book in the middle and leave them where they are with only your bookmark to clutch. Khaled Hosseini creates characters that we can cry for, and cry with, but also gives us a glimpse of a world far from ours. Hosseini doesn’t give you the nightly news account version, nor does he give you a map at the front of the book. He just grabs your hand and takes you into Afghanistan, whether you’re ready to go or not. Hosseini includes small details throughout the novel to make you feel like you are in the streets of Kabul or Peshawar with Amir. The pride in his country and its people shines throughout the story. This story was so captivating, haunting and heartbreaking, I sobbed over many passages and thought I really knew the feelings and situations of these boys. Afghanistan is a character in this book as well as the people but Amir and his family experience as much or more turbulence in their individual lives as the country faces with the Soviet and Taliban occupations. I do not, however, want to give the impression that the entire story is under a veil of tragedy. There are beautiful, bright moments of pure joy and love throughout as well. The first trip into Kabul in the early 1970s is wonderful - be it the description of Amir's palatial abode, the picturesque hill, the pomegranate tree or the engraving on the bark: "Amir and Hassan are the sultans of Kabul". In my mind the author and reader was Amir, and this was his story. I was grateful for the discovery that the story was a work of fiction. Still, I know in a way, it is real. I am completely impressed by this book and I recommend it. The quote on the front cover from The New York Times Book Review simply says: “Powerful… Haunting.” That last word is quite accurate. I finished the book a couple of weeks ago but have not been able to put it out of my mind since then; all the protagonists - from Baba to Sanauber and from Amir to Sohrab, are completely etched on my mind. “Kite Runner” also showed me a span of life, of people in a world today I did not want to know anything about. Now I am changed, by a work of fiction!

Why So Serious?

After waiting a few days to let the "dust settle", we grabbed the opportunity to catch The Dark Knight. I don't profess to be a fan of comic book movies, but I am a fan of classic summer movies. And what a summer movie it was! A monday morning show usually does it for us ( monday = official "pichcher" day...or was it the Project day?! ) The Dark Knight follows Batman (Christian Bale) as he partners up with Lt. James Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) to fight crime in Gotham City. The film opens with our first encounter with the Joker (Heath Ledger), but it escalates into something much darker as the Joker gains control over Gotham. And all you late-latifs, miss the starting sequence at you own peril :-P I enjoyed the film for its entertainment value, but I also appreciated its strong acting, thought-provoking themes, and setting. Don't get me wrong; this is not exactly a deep film, but for a summer thriller it goes the extra mile. In terms of acting, Heath Ledger outperformed everyone - hands down! I read somewhere that it was so good, Michael Cane reportedly forgot his lines out of fright during the shooting of the penthouse scene. Cane hadn't met Ledger until this scene, so apparently, he was extremely convincing. Eventually, The Dark Knight is a must-see film...as simple as it gets :-)

While the cat's away the mice play, eh?

How ridiculous to see the others scrapping over your trophies while you're absent, Roger. They're like a pack of desperate vultures. It reminds me of the time after Sampras retired and before you blasted your way onto the scene...

Tennis was just waiting for that spark of genius to set it alight. Then fate/life/destiny/whatever said "Ladies and gentlemen I give you Mr.Roger Federer" and we all jumped with joy. Now we're waiting for "Ladies and gentlemen I give you the new, improved Mr.Roger Federer Part II".

I read somewhere that you were described as being "as smooth as a bar of Lindt chocolate". How true. I look forward to you coming back and putting these Milky Bar kids back in the kindergarten where they belong.

A Letter to Roger - completely heartfelt

Roger,

I’m sure you’re disappointed but you should be really proud to have been a part of such an epic final, and the way you fought and played is exceptional and inspiring.

It’s suiting really that it was a dark day in Wimbledon when you lost, but you’ve got so much to be proud of and your fans are always proud of you…nothing can take away everything you have achieved and you will never be forgotten for the champion you are. You know, it’s been a long while since I’ve watched one of your losses and not shed a tear out of sadness, but tonight I haven’t.

I like to think you have taught me a better attitude towards sport and competition, and a stronger belief in what I do. It might sound corny but that’s all I can think of to say. It’s hard to see you lose sometimes because it doesn’t feel right, but it’s better than not seeing you at all. We’re so lucky to have you around and not surprisingly, we never want you to leave. Never stop, Roger. You are a champion in every way and always will be. I don’t know if my words mean anything to you but they’re true.

Love and Respect,
Rogerhan