“One minute was enough, Tyler said, a person had to work hard for it, but a minute of perfection was worth the effort.  A moment was the most you could ever expect from perfection.”  ~Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club

Rarely do I disagree with Chuck, especially not on the abovementioned quote. But today, I have to slightly alter my agreement with the statement. Yes, a moment is the most you could ever expect from perfection, but sometimes your expectations could be surpassed. Be prepared to cherish it, if and when it strikes you. Today was one such day for me. I experienced perfection for nearly 2 hours.

To fully absorb the panoramic view of the MCG from the top tier of the Southern Stand is quite a surreal experience, even intimidating actually. Initially it’s scary to stand up without any support for the fear of gravitational pull. The stand is so beautifully constructed that it maximizes the capacity without pushing the field of action too far away even for the farthest spectators, which results in the stand being extremely steep. With far less distance than what an altitude of the top tier typically warrants, you get to have the most stunning view to watch a cricket match ever.  Pigeons are flying below your eyeline. There are only 3 floors of a rather tall Hilton hotel above your eyeline. You look up the sky and look down; you’ll feel a bit dizzy. But keep looking down on the field and it’s absolute bliss.

Add Tendulkar in divine form into the mix. And that straight drive, man….ahhhhhh.

 If that is not perfection, then nothing is.

If Cricket has any bit of relevance in your life, you must visit MCG once in your life and watch a match from the top tier of the Southern Stand. I can’t explain the feeling. I don’t think anyone can. I experienced perfection for 2 hours. Yes, it’s that same damned unexplainable fleeting feeling. But for 2 full hours.