Lost World!

As Russia takes on Spain in all important semis of Euro,’08, I somehow can’t help myself supporting Russia over European giants (although a fan of Real Madrid). It is not as I have a special affinity towards the Russian or some hatred towards Spain, but I still can’t figure out the reason behind Russian penchant. To add on to the confusion I was supporting Spain against Italy just a couple of days ago and now with all pretense of supporting Spain I just can’t. 
In retrospect, with few exceptions (when India is playing) I have always supported minnows(though India itself is a minnow in most of the cases). I have always cheered for David over Goliath, no matter whatever the odds were. Looking back and searching for reasons behind this empathy of mine towards underdogs I could come up with only one explanation that I myself am an underdog or an underachiever. I was always one who promised more but never delivered. The one with report card carrying taglines ‘Has potential, needs improvement’, but never with brilliant or outstanding remarks.
I can confidently (without any shame) say that I have never topped in my life. Never ever! Not even in any class test or in an individual subject. I have never received distinction of reserving a seat in the bottom half of class as well. I have always remain somewhere in the middle carrying a tag of above average student. A student who is neither liked nor loathed by teachers. A student who is very quickly forgotten and does no exceptional thing (not even something antisocial) to leave an impression behind. 
I’m not saying this for gathering any sympathy, but somehow I realize history has been very unfair to average. One does find mention of extraordinarily bright and dull, Mahatama’s and thugs even for that matter marauders, rapists and murderers but never of a serene ordinary man. A man lost in his own world, which may not to be of any good to anyone but would not cause any harm to anyone as well. 
Every pre placement talk I attended I was lectured upon the remarkable abilities of recruiters making it different from the rest. Although I could hardly see the difference of other than presuming innovative, often meaningless company name. Interviews followed Ppt’s which were even more hallucinating. The very first question: ’Tell me about yourself’ needed a reply which demonstrated me as a child with unique abilities. Ironically the only reply which came to my mind was that I am a normal homosapien with 206 bones (almost) with no special abilities and would not add anything special to your company. I had to weave (memorize) 3-4 lines hailing me as Albert Einstein, knowing that the person sitting across the desk is no Einstein himself and knows I’m faking. I had to convince him of my great elocution skills, my leadership qualities, my sporting talent and academic excellence. Although the job required none and nor did I possessed any, still I rated my leadership qualities second to none. Though it still baffles me that if every one would be leader then who would be lead.  
Although it is the mediocre’s against whom toppers and nadirs are benchmarked, but still it is the common that gets lost in wilderness. Rubbing salt on wounds even girls also don’t opt for mediocre. Notorious ones would be seen roaming around with the beauties with average disillusioned and biting his nails. 

As I long for recognition I am reminded of lyrics of Unforgiven by Metallica:

Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee UNFORGIVEN