Why Are Things Expensive

Good Crystals, Dimonds, Glass Ware, Mont Blanc Pens, Rolex Watches.

What emotions do they evoke? They are often connected to richness and are expensive to buy.

Apart from the brand, have we thought why are they expensive? Until about a week , i was of the impression that these items are outrageously expensive to buy .

In the past week i have seen two documentaries that have changed that perception . These items are not expensive because they need to be but because of the skills that are involved in hand crafting the items.

I saw a documentary on Mont Blanc and one on world class glass ware. You would just not believe what it takes to make a quality wine glass or a top notch mont blanc pen.

Believe it or not , when you next visit a star hotel and hold a wine glass in your hand , think that these are hand crafted and there are about a dozen technicians who have worked to make that happen from just sand.

It is amazing to see how much it takes to make one and how much patience and interest is required to get it to the quality that warrants those prices.

Well these are worth their prices . Some may not agree. If you do not , well try and watch the documentaries that come under the title "How it works" in Discovery channel.You will know why iam saying this.

Its been a good learning week for me.

Ego Plays Even at the Highest Level

So football is going great guns and fans are out in the thousands to cheer the world cup.

That's one part of the story . What i find incredibly hard to digest is the politics and the ego's that play within many teams . Best examples being Les Blues i.e. the French team . Just couple of years ago , they were a treat to watch . Beautiful spirit and wonderful game .

Just see what a shamble the team is in . Is it to be blamed on Raymond Domenech the coach or the football association for keeping him long.

Just a while ago , the news is that he has sent Nicholas Anelka home for some spat during the 2-0 defeat at the hands of mexico.

That's just ridiculous, he brings a player and for whatever reason , he just sends him back home.

Whatever has happened, he is the boss and should have sorted it out amicably. You could say, some times tough medicines work but Anekla, lets agree is a world class player and Domenech would need his services if France are to progress to the next stages in this world cup.

I just don't get my head around how even people at this highest competitive level have big ego's. As a manager he should handle such things , am no expert but even a manager at a small company is expected to solve people related problems and be the nucleus of the team, well Domenech for all reason's isn't one.

It was obvious even looking at the body language of the coach during the match .

Lets hope team spirit wins and let not egos cast a shadow on this brilliant sporting history.

Its Back Again

Its the 19th Edition , this event did not take place only twice in its history . The event has seen some of the best sporting actions, great legends were born.

You have guessed it right, the world cup football fever is back . Just about a week for the first game to kick off.

Adidas have made the "Jabulani" , the world cup official football but not without its fair share of controversy.

The great thing about this editions world cup is that , for the first time ever this is going to be held in the African Continent and that too in South Africa which showed the horrors of Apartheid to the world and also one which produced one of the greatest leaders in Nelson Mandela.

Its only fitting that South Africa hosts this prestigious event.

I seriously hope that this tournament brings in the much needed assistance to Africa. I have already seen that FIFA is banking on this tournament to develop football in the region and also to assist in various other humanitarian programmes as well.

I and the whole world expect that south africa would make this tournament memorable and show the world what potential a region often connected to poverty and Aids has.

May the best team win and let this be the window of opportunity for Africa.

I just cannot wait for the games to begin. Its going to be a cracker of a contest.