What was I thinking?

2011-01-31T21:09:00.000-08:00

2010-07-09T23:01:00.000-07:00

2010-04-13T16:41:00.001-07:00

Let your kids help you cook. The messes they make are temporary, the memories permanent.

Got to agree on this.

Also, it comes in handy on having to explain the mess or the cooking that is a near-mess !

2010-03-20T21:13:00.000-07:00

No gifts for me ?

2009-12-21T15:27:00.001-08:00

So, gifts are already appearing under our Christmas tree. Surprising none yet for Rebecca.

We did have intentions of getting our chimney cleaned this year. Just didn’t happen.

No, Santa's not going to do an extra special delivery before Christmas just for you.

That's not fair, she complains. Why don’t I get gifts from people in America?

Can hardly wait!

2009-05-07T07:23:00.000-07:00

This is going to be quite a trip for us. Going Des-ward as a family after almost 4 years. I did sneak a solo trip 2 years back. This one will be different.

I am very very curious to see how Rebecca will take it. She is excited and looking forward to it. Yesterday, I went to her school, and it looks like she's told the whole school about her trip. Of course being there is totally different.

Dreading how Nathan will do the plane travel. Usually, he's prompt with his sleep schedule. Except the last couple of nights. Seems as if he senses the preparation at home, and doesn’t want to miss it!

Almost all the places that we are planning to visit has a long history and several layers of perspective to it. I don’t think I have a strong sense of belonging to any place. That comes out more prominent and obvious, Iam told in the South. So, Iam trying to condition myself not to be a tourist in my own native place this time. All for the sake of the kids L

We are hoping to attend the 'asanam'- the church feast - at my Dad's village. It’s been ages since I last went for that. Hoping to meet several of my Dad's siblings and my 30 or so cousins and their kids. We will all miss my chittapa (Dad’s younger brother) who passed away recently. I don’t think any of us have make peace with his demise. The hardest hit is my father to whom he was a close friend too. For me, the loss is crazy, and I am worried about the effect on my father. He has always been tough, but this is a cruel one.

I miss my Mom tremendously whenever I think of Tamil Nadu in general. Because she's been the bridge for us all the time. Since we visit TN only on vacations and such, the in-between fillers were always my Mom's doing. She followed all the weddings, births and all the general events closely. And so, thanks to her, I guess I know all my clan, even if I haven’t spent much time with all of them. And now that she is gone the gap is getting a bit scary and too real. It is unnerving to say the least.

Apart from seeing close and not-so close family and friends, Iam looking forward albeit with some hesitations the changes happening. Like the last time I visited, I got a kick seeing auto-rishaw guys and maids using cell phones. I stared at them unabashedly. It’s nice to see technology being put to use like that. And then there were well marked trash cans in several places. The malls in Bangalore as hip as the ones here, young twenty-some things (IT, I am sure) zipping past in their cool cars, the consumer market expanding and meeting the quality demand. I am hoping not to see the mad mindless rush to ape the west. Handling break-neck progress while staying rooted has a titillating edge to it.

It’s really not to best time to go home. The intense heat in south and the pouring rains in Goa are not exactly fun. Add to that being wrapped in a sari day long and add to that heavy jewelry and being mindful and watching the kids and... What the heck, I will crib, but I can hardly wait!

Each day...

2009-04-19T18:17:00.000-07:00

Each day a new journey begins

Covered Bridges

2009-04-14T07:53:00.000-07:00

Highway 49 at Oregon Creek, Nevada City, CA

The Bridgeport Covered Bridge in South Yuba River State Park, CA. At 251 feet, it is the longest single span covered bridge in the US.

Autism

2009-04-01T11:17:00.000-07:00

It is very hard for me to distill and organise my thoughts on this subject, because I encounter it through people that deal with it closely. I stand by them.

On a somber morning, I put down what came to my mind, and posted it online.

Here’s my URL for the iReport on CNN

Autism : Why I care

Disclaimer: This is not objective creative writing.

Because I need to put it someplace...

2009-03-12T16:27:00.000-07:00

okay, this has no great significance, no profound purpose. Iam de-cluttering my work space, and here are quotes from planner pages saved. Now I can recycle the pages.

How we spend our days is how we spend our lives -Annie Dillard

Every great accomplishment is at first impossible.

Let him who would enjoy a good future waste none of his present - Roger Babson
Nothing will work unless you do.

My idea of long range planning is lunch - Frank Ogden

When in danger, ponder. When in trouble, delegate. When in doubt, mumble. - Robert F Wagner Jr.

Not all who wander are lost - J R R Tolkien

Good Catch

2009-03-05T19:46:00.000-08:00

Read this at the back of a truck:
Fishing is fun, but my family is my best catch.
Hmm.
You’catch’-ed your family ,Like you had a choice ?

Can I blame you, please ?

2009-02-20T12:50:00.001-08:00

At least, I have never done this before.
Iam mixing my morning cuppa of Joe, stirring in the cream, and the stirrer doesn’t move as easily - hey, what's that in my coffee?
I have a teabag in there!
Where did that get in from?
I look around - my kids aren’t around - so, I cannot blame them for distracting me.
No husband around either - Oh, man can’t blame Dharma either. No colleagues around - now, I don’t even have an excuse.
I try to play back. No avail.
As I gulp (can’t sip that stuff) my mint flavored regular coffee, it strikes me.
I know, I know it is all my doing.
But it's horrible not to have anyone to blame for.
Iam not liking that.

Kung Hay Fat Choy

2009-01-27T07:03:00.000-08:00

Kung Hay Fat Choy - intriguing in its unabashed straight-to-the point wish. Wish you will earn more money - not May you have more money.
Sure, wishes for good health, prosperity follows, but let’s start with money ;)
And why not?
Why beat around the bush -
Some of the customs are so close to those followed in India.
Firstly, the day is based on the Lunar calendar.
It marks a new beginning - 'when firecrackers are let off at the midnight of the New Year Day, whatever was bad and unhappy will vanish without trace'.
The stories, legends, myths, and celebrations differ from province to province - we are like that too.
Exchange of the 'wealth god' in little red packets.
Bright red lucky charms are used for deco.
Traditionally the older folks give coins to kids. These were tied with red string and hung around the neck of the children as a protection charm.
That sounds familiar to me.
Some follow the discipline not to have any meat on the day. The day being auspicious. This one really got me - I am now Curiouser and curiouser.
Celebration involved includes cleaning the house, firecrackers, visitations, money exchange, and great food.
Talking about food - there is similarity again.
Looking at the traditional tray, I see several familiarities.
Is that petha? And that chikki ? Oh, this is a groundnut chikki, and that is a sesame chikki.Lotus seeds coated with sugary stuff. And that - for a thousand sons ;) _ keep away from that one.
Provides enough fuel to start an argument about the origin of the content - Maybe these are really Indian foods, which are so adapted by our dear neighbors. Nah, you copied us, we are the first.
And so the argument continues...till we hit the origin of fortune cookies.

I like reading the messages - they are fun, and I have to know what everyone else in the table got too. I know someone who is very serious about that. She collects them without fail, and I can tell she believe in them too. I think I believe in the ones that agree with me. The not-so-nice ones is stupid marketing, and obscure ones, I gladly forget.
The Joy luck club has a conclusion that the papers contain 'bad instruction' and not wisdom. Lol !!

Dim Sum gives a family style food experience that is friendly, warm and enjoyable. Sharing food across the table, pouring green tea for the people next to you (always before yours). You can be oblivious of the noise around the other tables, and the 'smell' and the fear of biting into a scary food.
And no visits on the 3rd day of New Year - because it can cause arguments.
No sweeping - Brooms, brushes and any sweeping equipments are not allowed to be used after the New Year Eve dinner and during the first day of the New Year, otherwise it symbolizes wealth will be swept away.Don’t want to take a chance on that.
People go to midnight prayer service s.
On the New Year morning, firecrackers were traditionally set off to welcome the New Year. Family members and friends greet with "Kung Hay Fat Choy" (Wish you will earn more money) to each other, in return children and the unmarried receive "Red Packet Money".
And then there is the year of the Ox. And the year when everyone gains a year - intriguing stuff.
Every culture has its traditions. And coming from a rich, diverse one I am glad to partake in from another just as rich. Ok, Iam not grounded in mine. But mine defines me.Just like us, people, everywhere follow rituals and traditions sometimes without getting too deep into the whys.
So, some get rejected, others adapted, and the rest are taken as they are- face value.
The only problem with that is – it is a nagging thought - did the right ones get to the right queue?
How do you detect that ?
No one knows.
But what the heck!
Enjoy the festivity, and if you can share it around, you've rubbed a little cheer.
And the exchange itself helps break done the mental blocks and helps in increasing tolerance levels.

Shilpa's Science Project on "Camouflage in Leaf Butterfly - Diorama

2009-01-27T01:36:00.001-08:00

Interesting project. The only annoying aspects of this is the forced participation of everyone at home. Of course, the result is gartifying.

As the year begins...

2009-01-16T10:45:00.001-08:00

To Blessed to be stressed.

Is it just me, or are these being seen more lately ?

Now that's a thought.

Interesting

2009-01-13T14:49:00.001-08:00

http://www.babelgum.com/index.php

Volunteering - at last!

2008-12-03T11:31:00.000-08:00

I have a whole new respect for teachers now. And the system of education.
The very thought of being surrounded by 20 little brats - eh, kids terrifies me. And then the thought that Iam supposed to engage and teach them - now that's too far to picturize even.
Dharma had done it a couple of weeks ago. He thought it was nice. So, we have given to the school our dues. We could put away volunteering for a while.
Except that Rebecca thinks that it is Mommy's turn now. Today. Okay Tomorrow then.
I thought it is easier to simply go, do it instead of trying to beat around it with her.
kids!

So I emailed and said that I am available. And immediately started to agonize.
It is hard enough handling my own two kids.
Yet I braced myself, and ventured on.
And am glad that I did.
The whole idea is to get involved. And it is a great way to watch the kids. Sure, they amaze you by their questions, and keep you on your toes.
I started out with some paper work, and then watched them as they listened to instructions. The schedule is well packed and dynamically updated. 2 of the reading groups did not have a teacher? No, problem - this is what we'll do.
A problem seems to crop up every now, and then, and an immediate solution to it too.
This is exciting action every minute.
'I know you are Rebecca's mummy- but you don’t look like her at all' I know who you are, and other comments keep me amused.
The homework projects say that parents can fill in for their kids. That sounds like going the length of school all over again. And again, for me.
But this is time well spent indeed.

Note : I wrote this piece long ago, and forgot to post it. Anyway, here it is now :)

தமிழில் வலைப்பதித்தல்

2008-11-30T01:37:00.000-08:00

என் முதல் வலைப்பதிப்பகம்! ம்ம்ம்ம் நன்றாக தான் உள்ளது.

Wonder why ?

2008-10-10T16:47:00.000-07:00

See a picture with 2 people seemingly laughing / smiling, and the caption always says 'joking' ?

Little Flowers

2008-09-30T09:44:00.001-07:00

Beth Barnard wrote a song, Little Flowers, and here are the lyrics.

Little flowers never worry

When the wind begins to blow.

And they never, never cry

When the rain begins to fall.

Oh, it's wet and oh so cold,

Soon the sun will shine again.

Then they'll smile unto the world,

For their beauty to behold.

When the clouds begin to gather

And the storm begins to blow,

Little flowers don't complain,

Though they're tossing to and fro.

Oh, I guess they've learned the secret,

They don't fret because they know,

If it never, never rained,

Then they'd never, never grow.

So, let it rain, let it rain, let it pour,

Little trouble keep on knocking at my door,

If we'll learn the right from wrong,

It will help to make us strong.

Lord, please help us learn the secret,

Even little flowers know,

If it never, never rains

Then we'll never, never grow.

Its ringing in my head

2008-08-21T14:22:00.001-07:00

plan.
set the schedule.
plan.
Set the timeline.
Plan.
set the deadline.
plan.

yuck ! yuck !

Make it happen

not so yuck !

Did you see that?

2008-08-20T14:38:00.000-07:00

Just back from El Novillero for Brent's luncheon. the plate is plentiful there. When you are famished, its a good place to feast on.The sign near the door says - we provide shirts if needed.

hmm !

Do I have to return them back ?

The place is well furnished Mexican style, and somewhere on the lobby wall, there's a tiny ceramic plate that says - '.... now featuring restrooms'

You have to really look to spot that. !

A thought

2008-08-20T09:10:00.000-07:00

There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it. - Mary Wilson Little

Like laundry, maybe ?

but can I get away with it ? Now, that's something else ;)

Cuil for knowledge , hmm !

2008-07-28T10:36:00.001-07:00

Have you seen cuil yet?
Or better used Cuil to search something?
I think it is neat- check the search results - the results page is interesting. The search engine is still in its infancy - I could spot weird mistakes myself.
But who cares, I like the fact that it is attempting to stand up against biggies.
May the tribe increase :)

I know, the search is pathetic, it is slow, and it is almost silly and sometimes irrelevant and stupid. It seems amateurish. The links are broken.
If you think

Oops! We couldn’t find that page.
Please verify that the URL is correct and try again.

is cute, then you will get several of these all over the site.

The homepage reminds me of the first time I started to use Google. After using yahoo and msn for searches, Google had a clean, almost empty page. It has been quite a thing to see it leap ahead of the pack.

Whether Cuil survives slinging the Goliath of searches is yet to be seen. I am going to watch.

Peace of Mind - Josh Gracin

2008-06-24T10:52:00.000-07:00

There's a hole in my heart
Seems like I've always been trying to fill with the treasures of life
The pleasures of the night but nothing ever will
There's a restlessness deep in my soul
And I know it's ruining me
All these regrets of mine haunt me all the time
They won't let me sleep

[chorus]
Oh but sooner or later I'm going to get some rest
Throw the world off my shoulders
Get this weight off my chest
Oh I know that it won't be tonight
But I 'm going to keep looking until I find
A little peace of mind, yeah

I don't know how you knew just what to say just what to do
To leave but still stay to walk away and keep me hanging on to you
Oh can't you see what your love has made of me
My feet keep pacing
It's you I'm still chasing
God I wish I could sleep

[chorus x2]
Oh but sooner or later I'm going to get some rest
Throw the world off my shoulders
Get this weight off my chest
Oh I know that it won't be tonight
but I'm going to keep looking until I find
A little peace of mind, yeah

Yeah, yeah, Oh, oh
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
A little peace of mind, yeah
A little peace of mind
A little peace of mind, yeah

[Fade]

I went to the woods

2008-06-24T08:04:00.000-07:00

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. - H Thoreau

Octopus, anyone?

2008-06-20T12:25:00.000-07:00

I had baby octopus yesterday.
For the first time.
I do try not to get too adventurous when it comes to food.
But, what the heck!
We were in a Japanese restaurant; the menu had octopus, baby octopus, and jellyfish, among others.
If they are wrapped up in a sushi, they wouldn't bite me, right?
So, I asked for it.
Fish eggs and eel were a challenge for me, last time. I got over it this time.
ew!
I still have to work on enjoying them. It was mostly pick, and gobble, instead of any slow chewing or savoring.
Octopuses are quite another story.
Looks creepy actually, since they were cut and put on top of the sushi roll, instead of inside the roll.
Tastes like rubber band, someone said.
Not bad.
The biggest step is to pick it and put it in your month. Then on, it is easy.
Once you chew, the challenge is already over.
I did it!
Dharma says octopuses are like humans, eating them is like eating a person.
That gets me thinking.
Would you eat people that you don’t like ? or those who give you the creeps ?

Helen Klein

2008-06-04T16:28:00.001-07:00

I heard Helen Klein speak today afternoon.
What an amazing woman. Extraordinary athlete holds several world records....
The fascinating aspect of her story is that she started as late as her mid-fiftes to run.
Maybe when I am that old, I will try something ;)
She starts with a dateline clip of her 1995 Eco Challenge.
That is a 300+ miles of mountain biking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, canoeing, and rock climbing and running.
Phew!
She was 72 then.
Watching the clip with her in the room, I thought - this lady lives in my neighborhood, and maybe I have passed by her some where on the American river trail. Just didn’t know she was this accomplished.
So, I came back, looking for her on the net. Surprisingly, couldn’t get through the complete picture.
Tried Wikipedia- drew a blank.
So, I think I'll start something there for her.

Read what Norman says about her in the last paragraph.

http://www.in-forum.com/articles/rss.cfm?id=127213

May 30th, 2008

2008-05-30T13:45:00.000-07:00

We are human beings, not human doings.
Our hearts and souls shine through when we let passion and purpose lead our lives.

- Lisa Hammond

A Scary incident

2008-05-22T23:16:00.000-07:00

I have to write this down.
Yesterday, after we finished with our dinner and stuff, we all went upstairs to retire. I came down a bit later to get some water and mid-night snacks.
Switched the kitchen light, got the water, and then I heard it.
A strange muffled noise.
I froze.
Is someone in there? I looked around. Maybe the garage? Or was it by the backyard? I tried to play it down - maybe I was simply imagining.
Then I heard it again.
No!
This time I am sure it was a languishing noise.
Was it a floating eerie thing?
So, I called out to Dharma.
When he came down, I doubted whether he would hear the same thing.
Maybe this was something only I could hear; maybe something was trying to communicate (or scare) to me alone.
Thankfully, it came again.
This time - a series of giggles, and then a child's voice.
The giggles were scary. Then we laughed with relief.
It came from Rebecca's laptop.
Her online games were still on. And that was the source.
Phew!
Lesson learnt - Never leave your applications on.

Words that wonder around...

2008-05-08T22:15:00.000-07:00

Pet words – every one has a few.
They change over time.

Words or phrases that simply pop up repeatedly.

Phrases are easy to notice.

Some times intentionally, otherwise just so. They get so habitual, that are you would not even notice it.
Unless someone points the peculiarity of the usage.
Or maybe years later, it strikes you back. You could be amused even embarrassed, thinking about it wondering why that was lingering on.

Specially, teachers and bosses and preachers and the limelight hoarders – their words are easy to notice.

You would notice the peculiar ones, point it out, tease and laugh or even mimic someone effectively --simply by observing the words that they generally use.

I find them wander about my head, randomly. And so, I fish and utilize them randomly.
Sometimes, I find myself using words even when I know for a fact that they don’t fit exactly. Yet, I fish them again.

Why?

Heck, its convenient – why bother to hunt for some, when you have a few others ready, already?
Its part of the jargon.
Others use and understand them too,
They cool.
Whatever.

I try to consciously keep away from very common phrases simply because they were too common.

Like ‘timepass’ .

Eww!! – can’t stand that. That’s sounds too shallow and wasteful.

‘Rocks’ – don’t like that either.

Or ‘cute’

Don’t know what I had against cute- its seems okay now.

‘Bekaar’ – I don’t like, yet I use it.

‘Eccentric idiot’ ‘nutcase’ – Ah! Haven’t used that in ages. I have to find someone to use it against . Ha ha !!

‘Nut’ – overused it too many times to count. Currently in the archives.

I use ‘occasionally’ ‘obviously’ ‘absolutely fine’ ‘good so far’

That were sometimes peculiar lingo to

But then, what the heck, who cares?

Time and again, I think – What was I thinking?

I think Obama uses the word ‘notion’ while Hillary uses ‘motion’ quite peculiarly.

Heard that?

Jim

2008-05-06T21:28:00.000-07:00

That’s all right, he would have said.

I don’t think so.

The year so far

2008-03-21T14:19:00.000-07:00

The year's been heady so far.
A new baby
A new home.
Losing the baby weight rapidly.
Back to work in 7 weeks.
A new neighborhood, longer commutes.
Eating marundu koulumbu day after day after day - this one isnt charming.

Well, 10 mins more commute isn’t much, and not having to cook is fun, but I just have to crib, so I do.

Nathan’s been an easy baby so far. It is a joy to see how Rebecca perceives and talks to Nathan.

Huge changes.

Mother of two kids, ha!
The other day, when someone asked me how are the children doing , I almost shot back – what children ? I only have one child.
No, no, no – I now have two.

People with two kids are supposed to responsible, in control, organized, apt jugglers - dropping a few balls, but overall doing it all.
Aren’t they the ones that are forever tired, forever hurrying, and grouchy? Either bragging or complaining about their kids.
Ouch!

I can see myself running after my kids. But I don’t feel any different.

Yet I know my life is in for a bigger swing.

Buying a home and then moving is a lot of work too.
Getting into those tasks within 3 weeks of giving birth is something else. Not a super feat, but I feel blessed to be able to do it.

We had a couple of surprises too – like stumbling into a much larger, better home than we hoped to.
Planned to buy just the bare basics for our home, and just in time, surprise - we got a good deal of furnishing to fill it.
Having a pity party for being excluded in the appreciated pool. And then getting included. How’s that for a surprise.
My brother diversifying his business has been another pleasant surprise. Whenever he ventures into a risk area, knowing how cautious he is, we all are. We like to think that he is predictable, yet he has pulled in a few big ones.
I feel great, and then bad news hits.
I cringe and I flinch.
Recurring cancer for a colleague.
This was supposed to be done with.
Yet it was returned and threatens to loom large now.
The words that come to my mind are - unfair. Insane. Rude joke. Thoughtlessness. Unthinkable. Why? Why? why ?
I have experienced the harshness of the disease just a few years back.
I am not ready for this.

A few thoughts of others

2008-03-21T11:24:00.000-07:00

Fear is a question: What are you afraid of, and why ? Just as the seed of health is in illness, because illness contains information, your fears are a treasure house of self-knowledge if you explore them.- Marilyn Ferguson

Our friendship is like a bank account - growing in propotion to the amount of interest we pay.- B J Gallagher

The phrase "working mother" is redundant- Jane Sellman

http://www.epinions.com/kifm-review-5109-70B0375-39FF0F7A-prod1

www.thinkexist.com

August 2007

2007-10-25T22:28:00.000-07:00

August this year has been an insane month for me. It has been such an excruciating time emotionally, and I could actually feel the effects of stress physically. It is useless trying to tell yourself to calm down and arrest the stress, it does not happen that way. Your body doesn’t listen if your mind is whirling.

How do you soothe your mind ?

Sure, lots and lots of people go through similar crisis. It is a fact of life, Things happen this way. You aren’t the first person experiencing this. And so on.

Yes, I know.

The facts are – It is hurting, yes, it will hurt, and time will heal, and you will learn to get through this.

Like hell that helps.

Looking back, I still can remember just after chatting with my father, the thought came to my mind, that it was a good thing that he is healthy and leads an active life. Although it means staying away from home for months, at least he is engaged in his work, and busy enough to keep way from the worry we all shared at that point. As a family, we have fretted, worried, and worried about this just not happening the way it should in spite of all our endeavors.

And the next thing I know is that he is the hospital.
How did that happen?

I felt relief hearing it was not an accident. It cant be bad, I tried to tell myself. He is generally fit, he is aware of his diabetes; he will be out of this in a jiffy.

If only.

It had started just like that for my mother.
She too had felt discomfort, and didn’t know that she was having an attack.
And then we lost her within two years.

Does it have to happen when I am pregnant?
I don’t see the relation, but then it has been both the times. How can I not be aware of it?
And fret and feel miserable.

From a small discomfort and a visit for a general checkup, I couldn’t accept that it was just a minor heart attack.

And then how about an Endoscopy ?

No this more serious than that.
Oh, by the way, go to Bangalore, Panjim isn’t the right place.

Let’s go for a bypass. That will be the right solution.

Just one ?

No, He needs four.

Couldn’t help but wonder if this nightmare is rerunning all over again.

No, it can’t be.

As I listed reasons why it can’t the overwhelming fear lingered on.

Well, the things that you count on as being reasonably intact and in control, when they turn unpredictable, they shake you so.

Its times like this that everything that you believe in and trust takes a beating, and the fleeting-ness of life stares at you.

Thankfully, I could fly home and spend some time. See for myself how things are.

October is almost ending now, and I am just beginning to breath easily now since things are slowly getting back to 'normal'.

At least it seems so now.

Two things I have learnt from this
Be grateful for the life and health that you have.
Not so charmingly, I can separate genuine well-wishers from the rest.

I hoped desperately that family and friends we counted on would stand by us during this difficult time.

It’s been a mixed bag so far.

Superfruits

2007-10-10T21:49:00.000-07:00

Superfruits? Acai. Jujube. Seabuckthorn. Goji. Mangosteen. Pomegranate. Blueberry. Raspberry.

some good links

http://www.superfruits.org/

http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/104/107640.htm

The dreadful ER

2007-07-24T07:55:00.000-07:00

It has been a really long time since I bragged - eh, wrote about something in this blog.

So, here goes...

Yesterday night was dramatic, and I still have not made peace with the medical emergency system in this country.
Like everyone else, I want to keep away from it as much as I can.
Rebecca woke up after midnight crying, she would not stop with all the cajoling that Dharma and I could muster.
Seemed like she was having stomachache. Therefore, we gave her prune juice, cookies (?) - Why cookies - because she wanted that. So, I gave her. We were at our wits end, so anything to stop the tears.
The crying was not stopping, so we suggested about going to the doctor.oh, she was eager to go see the doctor.
Funny how kids are -If only they knew - how do you convince them that is not so great to be so enthusiastic.
Go on, believe.
The emergency room - it is the most punishing of all places that I have been to.
It is annoying, slow, painful, and whole lot of equally disturbing emotions.
As a parent, its one of the last experiences that you want to be in when your child is in pain.
Then, this is still, and this is how it works here.
As we pulled in the entrance, it was almost 12:40, and the waiting area had two parties waiting.
Phew! What a relief I thought, maybe a late night visit is not so bad - I had no idea how wrong I was then.
I was breathing well, when we signed in at once, Rebecca was excited about her 'bracelet' - the hospital tag that they tie on the patient’s wrist.
The emergency Room is just the same night or day - you check in, and you wait - and wait - and wait some more.
You wait until your patience nears its end, you wait until you resign and admit your helplessness and hopelessness. That is what emergency rooms are to me - these are effective breaking grounds.
Therefore, we waited for a good hour and a half, although graciously we were told that we will be called anytime soon, and they are just shifting patients around.
Of course, we truly believe them - when they say it will be fast.
Enough to turn me cynical.
Mercifully, Rebecca was sleeping peacefully.
In fact, her sleep was so deep, that she did not even realize when I peeled off the stickers that she had on her cheeks. That day Evangalina had given her four stickers 2 for her cheeks, 2 for her palms. She did not want them off while have a bath. Now, I could take them off.
After us, only one other party checked in.
Then they called us in, got a bed.
The doctor comes, and checks and suggests to either have a urine test - just to confirm her diagnosis - or simply go the Motrin way- give Motrin, if it persists then your pursue else forget it.
I think this really was the best part of our visit.
It is a huge relief that nothing is wrong indeed.
Equally reassuring is the experience that doctors and the nurses give us in our interaction. Just coming across as competent, involved people dispels our fears.
We decide to get the test done so that it is out of the way.
Okay.
The chart on the wall says 30-60 minutes for a urine test result.
Does not seem like an overly busy night around here. Still, we know our wait will more closely to the 60 minutes rather than the 30 minutes.
With our luck, hmm that is more likely.
I guess I have no reason to grumble - after all nothing is wrong with Rebecca - she is sleeping well - and isn’t that a blessing and reason to be grateful about?
Stop cribbing I tell myself.
I think it was almost 30mintes past, when we hear conversations about the test being refused in the lab, and could you insist on a test nevertheless?
Was I simply being optimistic too quick, why did I think we’d get out of this place without events? Or delays?
It was almost 3am.
Oh, we cannot sleep anymore - it will be too difficult to wake up in 4 hours.
3:37am - I cannot stand this anymore - I want to know if the results have come.
As I approach one of the nurses - no, she says the result haven’t come - the doctor will come to you, if it does - she quickly dismisses me.
Of, course- what was I thinking really?
I was going to complain to Dharma, when the other nurse comes with the papers.
Thank you for your patience, she reads from it.
Indeed!
3:45 - checked out.
Maybe it’s just me - I am focusing on the negative more than the positive.
But 3 hours? Even when it wasn't a rush night?
To get ‘emergency’ care?
The only way to get fast attention is to be in graver shape I guess.
You shudder at the very thought. Can’t wish that for anyone.
Why keep everyone one waiting on the edge while waiting for beds to be available. Just like Rebecca, there must good percentages who don’t need to be admitted. How about screening the cases, so that patients like Rebecca can make way for the others. Why not improve to make the waiting torment shorter? So, that people can come and move in or out instead of waiting watching the remoreness of a hospital room.
Is there no way??
That is hard to believe.
If ever- with the emphasis on the IF – this system improves, a whole lot of unnecessary stress will be out.

Serenity

2007-05-08T06:58:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, I was generally grumbling about the fact that this weekend has been so boring; maybe we should have planned more exciting things to do.

Along with that came a thought.

I listed back what we did do

Friday night

After work, simply lazed around, read the mail, watched kipper with Rebecca
- Late night called some friends over to a newly opened udipi restrauant, then spent time with them till midnight.

Saturday

- Of course woke up late, cleaned the house, hearty lunch - I cooked this one.
- All of us snoozed for a 2 hour afternoon - it was supposed to be a 15 minute nap - what's the hurry? Nothing except that the sun will set soon.
- went biking over the river, eating strawberries & oranges. Just a different detour and the river look so serene. Saw some deers and rabbits.
- did the laundry...Got to register for the swimming...
- Wanted to watch Warren Betty's Reds - it’s too long for tonight, some other time...

Sunday
- did the groceries,
- Met Heidi - she wants to visit India. Iam not sure, but I am excited about teaching her some Hindi. Got to figure that out.
- went out to dinner with yet another set of friends late night. Why so late, cos that's when we remembered that we have to have dinner, he hee! Trust us. Surprise, Rebecca got new outfits... The weekend is over

Hey, wait its all over? That’s so quick.
Over all it seems time went by in a breeze, we didn’t really do anything except eat and laze and yap.
And some.

By definition the mundane is boring because it is dull and repetitive, Amazing how just the fact that nothing is 'out of order' but simply ' in order’ has the danger of seeming mundane. And how the small things that add a charm of life – strawberries by the river, just spotting the deers watching us across the road – these things are enjoyed but almost go unnoticed in the list of the ordinary.
Other privileges – simply to be in good health, being about to spend time with family and friends, laughter, small gifts - privileges by definition - are worth a celebration.

It is Monday already, off to work. Sparkling cider for someone's 17th year with the company just as the day's over. Back home.

Made a list for Costco, REI and Toys R Us. Got to pick a thing or two for the next weekend trip. Groan… Not today, maybe Wednesday, no maybe Thursday or so…

Oh, got to discuss that camping trip right now. So, off to another friend's place for yummy food and yes, to finalize the trip details.
Some restrained conversations.
Went over the checklist. Let’s check the tent.
We wrestled trying to set up a tent without its manual. Almost gave up, when Dharma figured we are missing a piece that joins all the poles. Hunted the garage. How do you spot a 5 inch something in a 3 car garage packed with stuff?
No point. Let’s do this or let’s do that. We’ll figure. It is getting late. So, let’s just pack up, and let tomorrow come.
Ha! Found it, the 5 inch star – in the bag as it was.
Less than 10 minutes to pitch the tent.
So, now that we are done, did we end the day sooner?
Eh, no? What the heck... with so much to chat about, chat, chat, chat some more. Off to bed just by midnight.
Again?
Yup.

I think I’ve read this more place, that only when the water is disturbed say, by a stone the calmness of the water body is appreciated.
The simple regularities of life give a sense of contentment.
Things in place, the mundane hum on.
The mundane threaten the calm.
It is a blessing indeed to have friends - people whom we can simply call, visit, and yap and share food with. Ah, yes the food helps... lost some sleep there, over two days in a row now. Got to catch up that now.

It is worth living...

Can't see ?

2007-04-30T15:07:00.000-07:00

“But the eyes are blind. One must look with the heart.”

- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, aviator and author of 'The Little Prince'

A nice read - Ten Rules for Being Human

2007-04-24T11:25:00.000-07:00

I stumbled on to this

http://www.bluinc.com/free/human10.htm

Ten Rules for Being Human
by Cherie Carter-Scott

1. You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it's yours to keep for the entire period.

2. You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called, "life."

3. There are no mistakes, only lessons. Growth is a process of trial, error, and experimentation. The "failed" experiments are as much a part of the process as the experiments that ultimately "work."

4. Lessons are repeated until they are learned. A lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you have learned it, you can go on to the next lesson.

5. Learning lessons does not end. There's no part of life that doesn't contain its lessons. If you're alive, that means there are still lessons to be learned.

6. "There" is no better a place than "here." When your "there" has become a "here", you will simply obtain another "there" that will again look better than "here."

7. Other people are merely mirrors of you. You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects to you something you love or hate about yourself.

8. What you make of your life is up to you. You have all the tools and resources you need. What you do with them is up to you. The choice is yours.

9. Your answers lie within you. The answers to life's questions lie within you. All you need to do is look, listen, and trust.

10. You will forget all this.

Travel

2007-03-01T22:13:00.000-08:00

This is from the Sierra Club magazine's outings page (about travel)

Extend your peripheral vision. Travel isn’t just about going places. Done right, it transforms us, expands our capacity to care, and changes our perception of what's possible back home. We believe that responsible .... tourism dismantles stereotypes and helps create a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world. See for yourself on one of these ... unforgettable journeys.

A simple story

2007-02-26T16:41:00.000-08:00

I heard a simple story yesterday that is so very thought provoking. It's been on my mind the whole day today. The person telling the story says that he heard it years ago, and he will never forget its message.

It is the story of a grandfather who went across a field after a night of hevay snow. he calls across to his two grandsons, saying the one who makes it to him in staright paths first will win a reward.
So, one focuses deligently on his step, correcting his path every now and then was checking on his garndfather.
while the other focusses his garndfather completely, and simply runs towards him, making a single straight line.

So, who's the wiser of the two ?
apart from winning the reward, the second chap got his approach right.

If you focus on your way - the details, and the nitty grityy, it will consume you and can easily divert you. you'll spend more energy.
the smart way is to focus on the goal, and you will figure the way !

Pretentious ?

2007-02-01T22:47:00.000-08:00

Indian movies, I mean a mainstream Indian movie is so pretentious.

A regular movie has the staple song and dance, the 'item' number, a mix of everything irrespective of relevance to effective film making - romance, tragedy, blah....more blah.
Even twisted logic to justify the character .ew!

So what if it is for just 3 hours long? We have all the time in the world.

Amateurish acting attempts by the stars.
Stars tend to put up their star value instead of working sincerely towards the role.
Are these actors? No sire, these are istars, and they rule.

No one seems to care that there are glaring mistakes. Who cares of details? See the bigger picture - the pristine landscape, and the dashing clothes – that’s wow. Who cares of relevance?

Film makers while claiming to make 'family pictures’, tend to forget that people with some reasoning are watching too. Are we all teenagers to be impressed without substance?

Of course, this calls for a debate on 'substance'.

A regular teenager will carry more attitude without speaking a word, while our charming actresses have to actually tell you that - hey, look at me, I have attitude. And then you will know that the character they are playing has attitude. Otherwise how will you know? No chance lady, we wouldn’t have known, and while we might giggle, you won’t be bothered to 'act' out an attitude.

Method acting, subtle nuances, anyone? Nah! That is for serious (read boring) actors.

while the 'character' actors take the pain to delve beneath the skin that they play, the main actors will not be bothered to even speak with a different tone, they are more often than not, mere good looking.
While some will have screen presence and striking looks, they seem to shy away from serious relevant acting. Why bother ? when neither the film makers nor the audience is demanding ? ah! That is smart indeed.

Watch a movie, hear a tune, and you can more often than not catch where that came from - oh, no not another Hollywood idea :((

We love to bash westerns and portray them as weak, characterless sorry folks, just to contrast them with our spotless, lovable superior (in some or the other) folks.

After all this is a creative field, and while cinemas of other countries prove that there are a million ways to creatively portray a story, we are stuck with a dozen or so permutation and combination of the run of the mill formulas.

Maturity ? oh no, don’t even go there.

It beats sense , logic, cinematic creativity.

A nation of a billion people cannot be wrong , no ? of course, we are polite not to mention that the class of the mass. No, no that would be politically incorrect.

Yet we love them.
For people like me, who am so far off, watching Indian movies is a means to connect back. It reminds me of college days ( when I started to watch movies) and the smart-alec comments and the fun that came along.

and so even if we crib and cry over pretentious craft, we will still watch most of what bollywood dishes out.

We will watch what the best cinema of the world offers - amazing acting, and incredible performances, and we will watch our own ostentatious fare too, are we poor souls or what ?

You there ?

2007-01-02T14:08:00.000-08:00

If you're not following your heart, you're living someone else's dream - Lyn Christian

Yuletide

2006-12-21T12:23:00.000-08:00

December is a hectic month.

Thanks to the holidays.

What holidays? Celebrations?

Thanksgiving is just over. Creative and brilliant lights, tastefully decorated Christmas trees, huge discounted sales, rush to gift everyone on your list, parties that you are invited to.

Did I miss the carol singing, the nativity and the rejoicing?

Ho ho ho Santa.

Dress your fun or festive winter best, watch the nutcracker or some other play, eat, and eat as much as you can.

At my workplace, almost the entire month is casual-wear (which is holiday dress code, a Santa hat goes well with anything!), some one or the
Other is always sharing delightful food.

Hanukkah, Christmas, Kaazwan all following Thanksgiving evokes excitement all around. You cannot miss it.

Got to love it.

Either that or grumpy emotions by the whole fuss.

Hey! Why’s the fuss?

Grumpy - is it because they have no family to celebrate with? Or choose not to be thrust into a family? Wonder if it invokes sad memories

A BBC study says that less than half the children don’t associate Christ's birth with Christmas.
Wonder that percentage it is here? Why are we surprised?

I am all for harmonious living, we've got to appreciate and respect others. I understand the implications of rigidity and non-tolernace.

But.

But must we confuse one with another? Must faith be 'secularized' in order to be legal?

So, what are we celebrating? Black, red and green of Kwanzaa and white, red and green of Christmas?

Celebrating a birth that made a difference? Goodwill towards men? A festival of lights? community? Who cares?

Ho ho ho Santa.

We’ll party till we can.

An Evening in December

2006-12-04T16:12:00.000-08:00

This years theme - a few toys' tale of their worth.

Simple yet a thought provoking powerful theme.

About a few 'has been' toys, that are dysfunctional and hopelessly unattractive in front of the current hot models.
So, they are in the discounted heap.
A pilot scared of heights, a ballerina who cannot dance a clown who cries...all feeling worthless and low.

Oh! Who will buy these toys? What chance do they have?

Except the action guy who's been the previous two years' top toy.
Discounted this year, yet the one toy who believes in his worth.
Perfect.
Just as the toy maker intended.

He persuades the rest, to reach out and look beyond their imperfections to the perfection they were intended, to their ability to bring joy to a child.

How one person can make a difference in the face of obvious odds.

I got this in a fortune cookie months ago in a Chinese restaurant, and still carry it around in my purse - Think highly of yourself, for the world will take you on your own estimate.

Sorta self appraisal.

That’s what it is worth.

lasagna

2006-11-09T13:28:00.001-08:00

A friend wants to know my secret recipe of weekday lasagna. I directed her to Kraft’s Chef to the rescue site with features cat Cora's dishes.

Of course she lost the link, and so here it is. I have changed the recipe to the way I made it.

1 lb. ground meat
2 cups chopped green peppers (about 2 peppers)
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped (add olives, carpers tried with chopped jalapeños & mushrooms)
1 jar (26 oz.) spaghetti sauce
1-2/3 cups water (go easy on the water, I used 1/4 cup only)
1/4 cup Zesty Italian Dressing
12 lasagna noodles (I remember the BelAir cooking demos mention that you can bake with uncooked noodles, otherwise do the routine for the noodles before you start)
1 cup Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese (Or the 3 cheese mix for a Mexican flavor)

BROWN meat in large (4-qt.) saucepan on medium heat; drain.

ADD peppers, garlic, spaghetti sauce, water and dressing; bring to boil.
Stir in noodles;
Reduce heat to medium-low.
Cover.

COOK; stirring occasionally, 10 to 15 min. or until noodles are tender. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover; let stand 5 min. or until cheese is melted.

Stir 1/2 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Ricotta Cheese into noodle mixture before sprinkling with shredded cheese.

Alternatively, start with layering and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.

Traditional lasagna can take up to 2 hours to prepare. This one only takes 28 minutes. You save over 1-1/2 hours!

Quote

2006-11-01T15:30:00.000-08:00

In a full heart there is room for everything, and in an empty heart there is room for nothing.
Antonio Porchia

Halloween 2006 @ work

2006-11-01T15:05:00.000-08:00

The Monster book

the Harry Potter casts

McGonagal with Dumbaldore
Death eater at Agaggog's dark forest

Hagrid by his cottage

Hypogriff

snapping the pirate

Jack in the family

Cowboys and Cowgirls

the dressed up crowding for the elevator

with Snape outside

Hogwards library fireplace

six word stories

2006-10-26T15:36:00.000-07:00

http://wired.com/wired/archive/14.11/sixwords.html

Tattoos

2006-10-11T10:16:00.000-07:00

Iam a big fan of epigrams.
Bumper stickers, graffiti.
Writings on the wall, on the car, on your t-shirt.
Even if yours says, 'Duh!' or ‘STOP STARING AT ME', I will crane my neck to read it.

what is our oil doing under their soil ?

yes, this is my truck. No, I will not help you move.

still wild (this was on a very sophisticated lady's car)

Want to know if there is life after death? Touch my car and find out!

life is like mail,somtimes you just don't get it ( I read this on Orkut).

Mercifully my penchant to figure out tattoos is gone.
In a not so charming manner.
We were taking about tattoos, when a colleague without warning, buttoned down his shirt, and showed off his chest tattoo.
Ew!
With so people walking all over around us in the cafeteria, I was terribly embarrassed by the action.
So, no more tattoo peering for me.

2006-10-06T10:40:00.000-07:00

I have a hundred things running in my head, but as I write my head is empty as a drum.

I have read that some place long long back, cant quite remember where.

well this week,checked on a not so impressive windows Vista & office 2007 .

the ribbon frame in the office pack was a turn-off.

parental consent

Spot a scooter

2006-09-27T22:25:00.000-07:00

Everyday I see at least one scooter on the road. No, not the kiddies’ bare-bone ones.
Actual motorized 2 wheelers like vespas. In downtown.

Iam excited. There needs to be more.

Have they been around always but I am noticing them only now?

I don’t know.

Zooming past, well, actually just sharing the road with the cars.
Along with the occasional biker, these days are cool.

I hold my reservations to the motorbikes. Possibly am even prejudiced. There is something brutish about the average motor-biker.
The slickest of them are yet bulky, invariably either perfectly fit or hefty people with a mean look.
In their smiles, they still seem better off at a distance. This is in spite of knowing a die-hard biker very well.

With the way the gas prices are shooting, it makes sense to ride motorbikes, eh scooters or even bikes.

Economical that is smart, sensible choices.

Especially in downtown.

The freeways can be rash; I would like to see them in smaller roads too.

Accepted this is California, the roads here are wide, and everyone owns a car, and this is not Europe to mind the old narrow streets.

I guess that's why it is a refreshing sight to spot a two-wheeler.

Sensibility over grandiose.

Definitely more charming than a Hummer, for instance.

Halloween, already ?

2006-09-22T15:45:00.000-07:00

I’m not a Harry Porter fan.

Apart from the good it did to Rowling, the only person to become a billionaire by writing children's books, in fact I’m bewilded what the sudden fascination to fantasy is all about.

Did watch a couple of porter movies too.

But nah, haven’t got any more interested.Till now that is.

Nor does Halloween interest me.

Boo! Hoo!!
Scared??
Spooky?
Eww! Don’t bother me!

Apart from the treats, Halloween is not exactly an enjoyable day.

Yea, people dressing up, kids in their costumes are all watchable. But not exactly something to look forward to, or get excited about.

Things might just about change though. I’m so very keen now. Not in it’s entirely, but definitely in a couple of characters and in the story line too. Harry potter’s that is.

Cos that’s the theme this time.

I actually said yes to participate in this years Halloween. It’s a big deal in my workplace. The planning and execution is elaborate, the enthusiasm overflows and yea, I’ve jumped in too.

Yoo-hoo!!

I've gotta read the books, got to seee the movies.

Sure, it’s too early for Halloween, but what the heck!

I am excited. I think I'll enjoy it too.

The human touch

2006-09-18T21:48:00.000-07:00

This is so much about being individualistic.
To each person his own.
I make my decisions. I live my life. In my terms. If I mess up, it’s my problem.
Half the world lives like that.
Kids pick it from their parents. That’s’ the way to live, but more so because they don’t have a choice, I think.
What are my choices?
Not that anything is wrong with that.
After all, it is your life, and eventually you alone are accountable to your life.
Where is the family? Somewhere, someplace. Even if they live within a mile of each other, the distance seems so far. Grandparents make no bones of the nuisance grandkids can be. So, it is rationed visits, rationed hugs.
There is the no warmth, no closeness felt and shared without reason. Just like that is a non-issue .except in mutually decided days of the year - like
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and a few other.oh, I love my family.
You lead your way, I will lead mine.
What’s wrong with that?
No, nothing!
After all ayn rand was right too about objectivity.
I don’t think there's anything wrong with that, except that people like me who come form a different planet, are astounded by the matter-of-fact aloofness. And the precise measure of distancing people, irrespective of who they are.
Movies, book and soaps reflect a different perspective though. People yearning for love from their family, lessons taught about valuing people not things. Use things, not people. Not the other way around. All normal values, any where in the world. The basics of human living.
That a surprise why?
Beneath the exteriors, aren’t we all the same? Emotions, longings, need to identify with, to belong, and to be loved and accepted uncondiontally?
I have been thinking of this lately.
Beats me still.

Recently I dined with a fairly big group and my dining experiences where we shared the food, gave me a subtle shift.

I have never been a big fan of Tortellini with its creamy sauce, but dining at San Francisco’s Buca di Beppo sure changes that. Someone else had ordered that. Or the 9 layer Lasagna for that matter (I cannot accept any lasagna as good, since the one I make comes out soooo bad. booo hoo!)

Someone else had ordered that too.

Generally too cheesy, too saucy, too Italian for me. I try to pair it with forkful of salads.
But this time the Lasagna was simply yummy. This is the only place where I can have meatballs and spaghetti without burying them in parmesan cheese or Pepper.
We chatted, and started with freshly made warm garlic bread with vinegar and olive oil, and went family style lunching. ordering large portions and sharing across the table.
This was a wee bit of surprise for me. Yes, this is a family style old Italian restraunta, and this is the way to eat here. Still.
I know all the people in my group for at least a year. I lunched a zillion times together.
Even shared home cooked food.
Yet.
Don’t know why.
The sharing of food, of simply sharing out of the same dish somehow gave me a surprisingly closeness. Couple of them mentioned it too.

What a nice way to have a meal. I think, apart from the great food, everyone likes it for the family experience it gives, simply sitting together and
Sharing food.
Yum.
And chatting
The restraunt was not serving any spinach at all due to the E. coli bacteria scare.
What if it’s well cooked, that should kill the bacteria?
Someone said, sure, it’ll kill the taste too!

The interesting feature of these restraunats is the old home-like setting and hangings on the walls.
With so many photographs occupying every inch of the wall, I simply had to crane my neck to see them better.
Most are harmless old pictures of life in supposedly southern Italy or the US. Kids with their families, boys with their bikes and cars. Women in the
50's swimwear, bright smiles. Families dining together, celebrity dining, and a few prominently placed naughty ones.
Among the chains, Olive Garden and The Old Spaghetti Factory are other favorites, but the experience here is the best.

We went lunching to another fine dining place for a birthday - frank fats.
Great food from Peking, Szechuan, sanghai and Cantonese cooking. Another nice to place to dine in with a big group. This time, all twelve of us
ordered different dishes and shared. We passed on plates, piling some of all the different dishes on our own.
Even the Ma Po tofu tasted good to me. We shared long beans, mango ginger chicken, scallops & shrimps with garlic minus the spinach again, honey walnut prawns among others. Sipping green tea all the while. I asked for the roast duck noodle.
Does sharing food get us together?
Is it just me, or just moments like these bring us closer?
We even shared the birthday ginger ice cream. Small pieces of freshly sliced ginger in creamy ice cream.
Sounds yucky, but tastes yummy. Really.
I think irrespective of what our societies do, and they way our lives are being driven, basic human contact does give us simple pleasure. Not fun. But happiness. The difference between the two is can be so deceiving at times. But not at times like these.

We are people who struggle to look beyond our noses for our happiness, yet that is where it is.

Look, look

2006-09-18T12:51:00.000-07:00

Knowledge will not always take the place of simple observation - Arnold Lobel.

Eternity ?

2006-09-14T06:51:00.000-07:00

I walk into the elevator, nod to the people already in.
Yes, I know them. People I work with.
There’s interesting talk inside, a bright – good morning,
A compliment – nice skirt, a smile,
A witty remark, smart repartee, a juicy gossip - hey, you know Clara’s broke up yesterday.
I wish the elevator took longer to reach.
And yet at times, just silence.
No conversations, no small talk all the way to the 16th floor.
Silence.
Checking the floor numbers.
Seems like an eternity. Anywhere else but here.
Enclosed and no place to go, although there are people I know in with me.
The door opens, I dart out.
That seemed like eternity.

The last leg - Bodie, Ancient Bristlecone Forest, Buttermilk country

2006-09-13T22:36:00.000-07:00

We woke up leisurely the next morning. Had to pay for the firewood. Six dollars.rammaged through wallet, counted all the quarters and cents, had only
five. And a twenty. Should be just put in the five?
Or the twenty?
Maybe the $20, and take another two stacks.
Rummaged through bags, finally got the dollar.
We ate muffins, noodles and had tea.packed up, the next destination was buttermilk country, just spend an hour or two, and then we'll be on our way.
Buttermilk country is popular for bouldering, rock climbing and off-road. Its at the base of the eastern sierras, the best part was the drive that
gives a fantastic view of Owens valley and the white mountains, the high-desert landscape, Mount Humphreys, Mount Tom and the Eastern Sierra
Mountains. It got its name from the fact that a dairy, known among miners for its buttermilk, was once located along this route.
This place appeals to all abilities of climbers, has a diverse range of rock types and climbing styles, and all in driving distances.
So, off we went.
I was a bit reluctant as usual.
Of the sports and recreational activities, rock climbing appeals the least to me.
What’s the fun of climbing a rock? And scrapping a knee? Some fun that.
Anyway, we went since Dharma enjoys it, and Rebecca seems to climb without fear effortlessly. I thought I'll give it a shot too.
The dirt road takes us to the area; we drove 3 miles almost to the end and parked, and walked up to a group of easy looking rocks. I felt better.
The sign said that green flags marked areas that to being restored, so off-limits for now.
We drove away to a spot, and Dharma disappeared by the time Rebecca and I got out of the car.
I looked in all directions, and we shouted out to him.
No reply.
He looked down from the top of a pile. How did you climb? Why didn’t you reply back?
He was too excited to reply.
Rebecca did a neat climb, and I stumbled along. Not bad I had to admit. These rocks are definitely worth climbing.
No more stops we decided, now straight back home. Drove a couple of miles, a sign said Indian tacos. Its almost lunch time, lets get some. So, we drove into a smaller street and finally saw a home with the same sign.
Native American tacos and Indian fried bread - basically thick fried bread with minced meat, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions and sour cream. Homemade
It tasted really good. We ate some on the way. We drove into Bishop, we noticed the tri-county fair tents, the parking was a bit too far from the tents, so decided to skip that.
No more stops, I said.
A vista point, the freeway sign said. So, off we went. Grand view of the mountains and the valley, benches put for visitors, and a couple of boards with some details of the mountains. With gang graffiti sprayed in black.
Idiots. Thoughtless idiots.
Can they find some other place to announce their insane presence?
No more stops, I said again.
Dharma suggested the Inyo craters. It’s on the way.
Oh, sure I said.
The Inyo craters or mono-Inyo craters are a group of volcanic craters; the mammoth scenic loop takes us there. A short mile hike through pine trees brings us to the craters. There are no signs or boards about the craters. When were they formed and noticed? How big are they?
The carters are small, of course much smaller than the Ubehebe Crater in Death Valley which is the biggest. Trees have grown in the edges and even within the carter, a pool of green water at the bottom.
Hump, I grumbled about the lack of information about the craters.
No wonder many people don’t visit such places. What’s the point of taking a diversion form their travel, hiking a mile in the forest, and just seeing a hole in the ground with green water? And no information of its existence?
Anyway, we drove on till our next stop back on 395 to the day area again. Splashed in the river one more time. The trash cans were full and overflowing with the long weekend visitors’ trash.
We had spent almost an hour there, no more stops, we said again.
But stop we did.
Again by the river, parked the car, and again fought the shrubs and plants to find a way down.
A neat quite place with not a soul around. Splashed around in the cool waters, and drove on.
No more stops.
Back home, content with the trip. A weekend well spent.

LaborDay Weekend - Bodie, Ancient Bristlecone Forest, Buttermilk country

2006-09-12T19:29:00.000-07:00

After visiting the state park, the road sign said 13 miles to Lee Viking - very rough road.

Should it be back the same way we came 3 miles on rough road, or 13 on very rough road?

Of course, we took the very rough. The rough road seemed not-too-rough, so the very rough maybe be just about rough. What’s the point of an SUV anyway?

Indeed the road wasn’t bad at all - dirt road, but wide enough, and plain. Plain not smooth. That was the rough part.

We passed by cars braving the road.

Stopped after the while to let the tire pressure low.

Rebecca has dozed off by then, and we managed to get lost. The directions led to a ranch with fiercely barking dogs, and then a road that seem to go

for ever. We could see 395 running parallel far away. So, weren’t back about 2 miles and then took another route. The sun was setting, and we wanted to

Set up camp before dark. Mono lake as usual looks splendid and serene. It looked wider to me than I remembered. 40 feet below its original level, it

Waters Los Angeles. Stopped by for coffee and air for the wheels. Decided to set up camp before hunting dinner.

Bishop is at 4000 odd feet elevation, and further Big pine is at 7000 odd feet, while the bristlecone forest is at 10,000 feet.

Ideally it is good to acclimatize at a slightly lower altitude before moving to higher ground.

Actually that would be a sensible thing to do.

Of course we weren’t so concerned.

We drove past Bishop, bright lights, and shops. Galen and Barbara Rowell's Mountain light gallery on the main street. Wasn’t Bishop a small town that

Friends of ours who had earlier lived complained about. Didn’t look small to me, there's a big casino, signs of parks and campgrounds, hotels and shops.

Signs of the tri-county fair. We even spotted the fairgrounds, small tents all shut down for the night.

Nah, we want to go to the mountains. Hoping we would get an empty spot.

The bristlecone forest is high on the White Mountains off 168 easts from Big Pine which is about 15 miles from Bishop. The difference is in the

Elevation. But then who cares with the destination being so close?

We noted a county campground board, but decided to check the White Mountains first.

Stopped off the turn for the visitor information center with a Hugh American flag.

Rebecca woke up, and soon we drove off.

No services for the next 57 miles the sign warned. We crossed the road that diverts to 75 miles off to Death Valley. Taken that road 3 years back, but

is still just as exciting.

Harsh weather places that you need to be overly cautious about as you travel. Fuel, food, importantly water.

We drove with an occasional car in the opposite direction in the canyon. A part of it is very steep - steep canyon that is. Most trees looked like small

Shrubs or even dwarfed trees.

I was concerned about the temperature drop and the dreaded winds I had read about. Didn’t want to wake up in a windy tent in the high mountains.

We drove in silence in the dark. The moon was up and bright, highlighting the canyon walls. Rebecca was unusually quite. Dharma mentioned acute

Mountain sickness that he had read about in the visitor's center. I wondered if the darkness around and the shadow of the canyons and the trees in the

Moonlight bothered her.

We reached the 10,000 ft elevation but seemed to drive forever. Where did the 3 campgrounds go? Where they unmarked to discourage too much traffic?

We drove back and located the Grandview campsite. This was supposed to be the best. When we wake up, the bristle cone would be right there facing us in

the sunrise.

It was hard to figure if there was an available spot in the campsites. Were the stumps marking the sites? Should there be numbered spots? We stopped at

at least 3 stops in confusion and looped back to the entrance. Dharma got out to check on foot, and Rebecca was just happy to get out of her car seat.

She moved to the drivers seat and promptly threw up and cried. In the silence of the place, her cries were magnified loud and clear through the night air.

We decided this was just not right, and drove down immediately. I sat with Rebecca making her talk. Forget camping, let’s check in a hotel, and get her

to recover and comfortable, forget camping. We drove to all the hotels and motels we could see on Bishop. No luck. All rooms booked for the tricounty

fair. The family campgrounds in Big Pine were crowded and revolting. We stopped by the casino parking lot, the camping guide said try the county

Campgrounds further to Bishop, and so off went back and mercifully found it just the place we wanted.

Already the altitude difference was great.

This is a big campsite with fewer compspot, so each spot was spacious and just right. We pitched the tent, and went to sleep. Streams of water was

running closely. The sounds lulling us to sleep.

We woke up early, Rebecca in good spirits. The White Mountains seemed tall and hugh right in front. Everyone else seemed to be part of the southern

California Ford Broncho club. hugh RVs, tough looking men and women, with a hint of a smile and their mean machines.

We made tea, took our time sipping it with marmalade sandwiches and packed back the tent.

No more rush.

Let’s just relax and keep a steady pace. No rush.

The plan was to drive to the ancient cove, hike a short one, and come back to the lower altitude.

No hanging around at 10,000 ft.

In the bright morning light, the drive seemed altogether different. We were relaxed and refreshed keeping a close watch on Rebecca. Any sign of

Difference in her behavior, and we would call off the hike.

Mercifully she was happy and chirpy as usual.

What a great relief. Children can be a nuisance with their energy levels, yet it is a million times better than an unusual quietness. The silence can be

deafening, the mind fears the unspeakable.

The sun was bright, and day was brilliant. Deep blue skies, white brilliant clouds, the air clean and the breeze and temperature just right.

Wow, is that wonderful or what. Just for a slice of sheer perfection in the mountains.

I shot a prayer of gratefulness. For the simple pleasures of living. For the health to travel and to enjoy the incredible.

We stopped by the picnic area, there was piñon , duglous fir and bristle cone trees all over. Beautiful spot, finished lunch, and decided to go for a 1

mile self-discovering nature trail.

Another car stopped by, and a boy, maybe 12 years old darted out. He spotted a cactus plant in excitement and shouted for us to see it too. over

Enthusiastic brat I thought, I couldn’t see his parents anywhere.

We put back out stuff, and started the nature trail. It is a challenge to keep Rebecca on the trail; her excitement takes her off to collect grass,

Stone, leaf, branch. The soil is dry and loose; the terrain is rough yet almost fragile. A short walk brings us to the open mountain facing the sierras.

far away, yet imposing and majestic. A little snow on top.

Miles away from home, ten thousand feet high up; it’s a great place to be.

We walked by reading the posted information on the native plants and interesting fact, passing another cactus, and then the Mormon tree plant. The

tea plant has bright green straight thin pipe like leaves, and looks like a bunch of green threads tied at the bottom. I picked a tiny bit and smelled

it, wonderful aroma. idea for a smoothing cuppa. Guess what the puiate Indians drank the tea since it could cure colds, rheumatism and kidney problems.

Whoa!

Wise natives knew its usage well.

Another was the pinecone, the Indians roasted them so it was eerier to break, and you needed to break open the cone, to remove the seeds 9 or nut. The

cone is hard, and has somewhat sharp edges; I have a whole new respect for the pine nut now.

and then comes the boy eagerly asking ' Have you seen the beaver tail cacti?

Oh, so this is a cactus seeker I thought.

How shallow first impressions can be.

He walked with a HP digital camera around his neck, his father carrying a bulky hogen tripod, and a contax camera. Started with, have you seen?

Beaver tail anywhere?'

What?

Beavertail cactus - you know the stems are flat resembling the tail of a beaver, that's why it’s called so. Have you seen any?

Nope, have you?

He went on rapidly about the two we had in fact seen earlier.

We chatted for a while on the native plants, the weather, and survival classes in France. About growing up in Netherlands with British English and

American accents, the French castles.

in these places, you should always wear shirts with full sleeves, and full pants, and a hat. the UV rays are very strong, and you can be bit by a

Scorpion. If you are in the middle of a desert, and don’t have water, then cactus can save you. Just cut the stem, and drink the liquid. you will live.

Oh, there are poisonous cacti in Death Valley, don’t touch them.

If you don’t know whether a cactus is poisonous or not, dig a shallow hole on the ground, cut the stem, and pour the liquid inside the hole. leave it

like that till the next day, the water will distill, and you can drink that.

Phew!

Interesting kid.

Very friendly. He showed me his pet hamster pictures.

It’s always a pleasure to meet kids like that. The world in their radar, confident and curious instead of the burdens of peer pressure and video

games.

We read and noticed Indian rice grass, Mormon tea, Utah junipers, piñon and firs, wrapped up the walk, and drove to Schulman grove. Dr. Edmund

Schulman discovered the bristle cone pines east of the Sierra Nevada, and the grove with he oldest bristle cone is given his name. These are the oldest

living trees on earth. The trees survive in the poorly nourished, alkaline soil with a minimum of moisture. In fact, the trees longevity is linked to

these inhospitable conditions. The younger trees have softer tissues, and may not live as long as the older ones. The forest is eroding away instead of

decaying. The 4,723 year-old Methuselah tree is the oldest. The biblical Methuselah lived only 900 plus years, and was the oldest man on earth.

40 centuries. Phew!

The trees live in harsh surroundings. High mountains, lots of snow, winds at high speeds, and they are fragile and irreplaceable.

We chose to hike the 4.5 mile trail, and the initial mile was the steepest.

A couple of young boys ran the trail, leaving their parents behind. We crossed each other every time either they or we took stopped for a while. Apart

from them, there are 2 more couples we met or saw on the way. No one else in the vast forest.

The first 2 miles were okay, till Dharma noticed slight discomfort in his knee. Since the trail was narrow, and the mountainside was steep, we didn’t

want to let Rebecca down. went slow the nest mile, and then let her down the last mile and a half. She walked with excitement.

The trees are twisted, exposing their roots and stem, standing in dignity as time passes still living, their shape polished by winds, snow and sand.

The soil is very dry, the views spectacular.

as we hiked, the scenery was wonderful, across us, the sierras looked shorter, although they stand more than 2000 ft higher. looked to the valley far

way, was that a dry lake there?

Away from the maddening crowd.

You need to be there to experience that.

high up in the White Mountains, it does have a kinda spooky feel, inspite of the clear sky and the wonderful weather.

We made out way back to the car, satisfied to finish the hike. Dharma's knee was aching a bit more, it was almost 5 o'clock, and we drove off to camp.

filled the tank at Bishop, and decided to camp in the mountains further west instead. 4000 ft was still warmer than the 10,000 odds.

The tall trees campground was closed, we wondered if we would have to drive back all the way again. Mercifully the next one was a small and still

mostly unoccupied. We quickly set u-p the tent, and started the charcoal fire starter.

Struggled to get the fire going, the paper caught on, but the charcoal was still stubborn. It was getting dark.

Waited, watched and tried everything, no avail.

Our neighbor campers proved very helpful. When dharma went over to ask them if firewood was available anywhere closely, the man came over leaving his

dinner immediately. The cut the wood pieces with his small axe into smaller twig sizes, rolled newspapers, placed the small pieces over, and lit. Whoa!

That was quick, the fire was roaring high in minutes. His wife came over, and we chatted for a while.

Thanks to him, we grilled our stuff.

Small mercies that make a difference.

I had emptied the veggies in my refrigerator, so we had grilled asparagus, zucchinis, tomatoes, white onions, corn

along with the marinated lamb.

Sleep was easy as we were totally tired.

September 11th

2006-09-10T22:58:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't completed my Labor Day travel yarn. But then it is already September 11th.
I choose to ignore the date as if it is nothing.
Five years have gone by, and I can still remember it is it was yesterday. I had just woken up, when our maid came rushing home without buying the milk that morning. My mom and she switched were watching the TV news, as I walked in, I glanced at the screen, showing the towers in flames. I thought it was some movie running.
Cheap shot I thought.
Over ambitious simulation of some amateur film maker.
What are you watching? I asked.
This is news, its happening!
Cannot be.
How could it?

Now, I think you now?
Is the US immune to the wars?
While the world burns in ethic violence, ethnic cleaning, intense hatred and such, how can another nation, particularly on ein prominence escape.
When pictures of the suspects came up, I wished it wasn’t true, fearing the backlash the religion will face.
Innocence facing the wrath of ignorant radicals.
Not again.
Yet this also will pass.
The pain is too raw and too wide spread to simply ignore, yet this will be another blimp in mindless hatred history soon.
When will man stop hating another?
Will it ever be perfect?
Wishful indeed.
I wish it were just a cheap movie.

Pictures - Bodie, Ancient Bristlecone Forest, Buttermilk country

2006-09-10T21:34:00.000-07:00

Bodie, Ancient Bristlecone Forest, Buttermilk country

2006-09-06T23:44:00.000-07:00

The long weekend comes, oh how we look forward to it!
As usual we planed the places we wanted to visit and wanted to leave on Friday night, come back by Monday evening.

Packed our stuff, read the maps, checked the weather, re-checked our stuff.
Still the camera bag wasn’t ready Dharma's various cameras and his lenses and their million accessories, what about the tent, sleeping bag, should we take the chairs too?

What the heck!

This weekend pleasure trip not a business drill.

Let’s slow down.

We’ll pack slow, relax, enjoy.

So, we packed our stuff leisurely and slept of. Slept as long as we could. Till Rebecca got up, and wouldn’t lie down nay more.

And off we went.

We started well, and drove on 50, got a glimpse of Lake Tahoe high up, hmm not very blue right now.

395 is a scenic route. It looks beautiful every time we travel by.
We stopped by the river for a short break; let Rebecca play a little, snacks and stuff.
Parked on the shoulder, and walked down to the river. Searched for a safe route down, finally walked by the shrubs and made out way.
The water was cold as ever. Kicked off our shoes, splashed the water, had our snacks, and lazed around.
Spent 2 hrs there instead of 20 minutes.
So far so good.
The weather was cool and just perfect. Next stop was for lunch at a day use area by the Walker River. We have stopped here almost 3 years back, and I can remember the place as if I visited it yesterday.
Dharma went to the river, and I was just getting Rebecca out, and she punked.
Again.
Cleaned her, distracted her with the squirrels , the chirping birds and the pine cones.
She seemed okay, we sat down for lunch, and yet another splash in the river.
Beautiful day and we set out to look for a campground.

We have wanted to visit Bodie every time we have traveled 395, but just haven’t been able to. Next time, we'll make it.

This time, we hadn’t planned Bodie, and yet as we approached 167 on 395, we made the turn.

Worthwhile.

Bodie is a ghost town - the largest presently that flourished when gold and silver was found in the mountains. In its hey days, the population was close to 10,000.
This is the year 1878. William S. Body found gold here in 1859. The mining camp grew slowly from 1860 to the mid-1870s
and then declined after the lure was somewhere else, several fires, World War I, and finally the fire of 1932, and that was the last straw indeed.

Today, about 150 well preserved buildings remain (about 5% of the original) thanks to the efforts of the state park. This was a large town, no city by its day’s standards.

There is the Methodist Church, saloon, school firehouse, Bodie hotel, several homes all frozen in time.

And the empty mines.

Too bad the firehouse had clogs and bad maintence issues and couldn’t save much.

All of them are in arrested decay - preserved but no restoration will be done -as they were after the fire, as the residents left them.

Homes have the wallpapers peeling away, beds, dressing tables, dining tables, kitchen with the utensils still in place. The Carriages and tool boxes are still intact. With layers and layers of dust. The materials are slowly tearing away and fading.

As you walk by each home, it is as if you are indeed visiting a home that has current residents. The current poor shape seems to diminish, and it’s like you can actually imagine life thriving among the deterioration.

You can walk into some homes, others are locked, yet you can peep through the windows to look in.

Interesting to see the sizes of homes then.
Small.
Much smaller to an average American home today.

so, we walked past homes that had the only best green garden in the town, home to the town sheriff's father, home of the family that ran stagecoaches, home of the man who brought lumber to the town.

Yet well decorated and well equipped.

The saloon, bars and shops are well stocked and still have the merchandise on the shelves. pool tables waiting for the putt.

In spite of the harsh weather, high on the sierras, the treeless terrain is dry - summers are punishingly hot, winters bring good amount of snow, gold and silver brought people here.

I can imagine dance halls, saloons and the church with folks gaily going about their lives.

This was a bad town too.
'Goodbye God, we are going to Bodie' - the prayer of a little girl wrote says it all. Legend has it that she prayed as she learned her family is moving to Bodie.
Crime thrived here just as any place where gold was discovered. Stagecoach holdups and murders.

The Wild West.

Bodie state park is more different than what I had read and imagined about. This is bigger and in better shape.

The best way to visit is to spend 2 to 4 hours.
Slow down.
Think and let the surroundings take you to a different time in the same place, listen and see.
It is worth the while.

spicy pistachios

2006-09-06T21:33:00.000-07:00

spices - chipotle sauce, lemon baked with the shells on.
To eat, break open the shell and eat the kernel.
what's the point ?
the spices are on the shell, the kernels are plain.
lick the shell and then eat the nut ???
eww!

2006-08-30T14:12:00.000-07:00

The State Fair

2006-08-30T10:16:00.000-07:00

I love the California annual state fair held each year in Arden.

Mostly because it reminds me of our melas back home.

The crowds and the noises, the smell and the near chaos.
Bright colors and lights.
Exotic and fun foods like corn on a stick, hot-dog on a stick, old lady's hair, apple caramels, fudges, freshly squeezed lemonades,
Frozen lemonades on a stick, steaks, kettle corns.....
The food looks great, but tastes yuck! (Well, not always, there are some delightful surprises)
The lemonades, corn and Texas bbq are our regular.
The prices are either ridiculously cheap or steep.

Fair price!

The bright lights

Interesting toys, and stuffed animals everyone seems to have won.
The joolas, the ferris wheels, the Russian circus stall, haunted house are all just the same as back home.
Stalls for the usual jewellary, local crafts, Native American crafts, appliances and stuff. There are stalls of DMV, county stalls
promoting local products and tourism.
All sorts of shows - cook shows, Hollywood move production show, safety shows, baby shows...
Each year there is at least one stall with Indian stuff invariably manned by a snooty chap. wonder why?

The differences are in the rodeo shows, the petting zoos, the animal races and the live music.
The zoo has domestic animals like cows, sheep, llama, pigs and even deer and kangaroos. This is a great attraction for kids of all
Ages, since they come in contact to pet these animals. Seems silly seeing these animals, but then this is one of the few chances
that kids here get to know these animals.

How excited can you get to see a cow or a donkey?? after seeing them all over the place in India.

Rebecca was excited, and she just as the other kids went about happily petting and laughing.
Hey, sheep come here! come here, donkey !

She rode a pony too, all smiles and totally carefree. What surprised me more is the confidence that she went with all by herself.
Takes after me, Iam sure ;)

Seems they used to have elephant rides along with the horse rides earlier.
I like the sky rides and the monorail too. The sky ride is a wench that moves on wire, it’s a view from the top. The monorail is a
rail that rides up the sky throughout the whole complex, giving an aerial perspective of the fair.
and the rides.
oh, the rides, this time I went for the free-fall among other extremes. Ohhh! Fun.
Still cannot get myself for the ones that turn upside-down in mid-air or even higher at relatively fast speeds, that is truly
Freaky.
Nah! So, far this is thrill enough for me.

We look for the home-made dip stall, an elderly couple selling dip ingredients. We meet them each year, chatting a bit. They have
moved to Texas now from San Francisco to be closer to their grand kids. Good dips too.

The finale is fireworks each night at 10pm. Beautiful explosions in the sky.

Worth it.

We did not attend Paul Dhinakaran's meeting.
Too busy.
Too lazy
Just didn’t want to go.
He’s not worth all that trouble.
No one else's interested - cos it's on Sunday evening. Saturday or Friday night might have been a different story.
All of the above excuses
Beats me though, how Marysville, a tiny town could arrange for a meeting where the speaker would only come for a crowd of 500 or more, while Sacramento could not.

Where's the heat ?

2006-08-27T22:43:00.001-07:00

This year, winter was around till summer started. Where did spring go?
And summers? One week was killer heat; the rest has been pleasant, sometimes cooler, and sometimes even cold!
Funny thing is I went to buy swim-wear for Rebecca in the beginning of August, and zilch; there are none in the shelves.
Why?
Cos summer is over, we now carry our autumn collection.
Hey, August hasn’t ended yet - so, summers' not done yet. And no, this isn’t an haute couture store; it is an old navy store.
I need to get her a swim suit.
Go; try Wal-Mart or the like.
I cannot stand Wal-mart. Its business methods are despicable. I don’t like that store!
Well, the cashier shrugged charmingly.
I didn’t find it funny at all.
I stormed out of the store - summer is over, eh?
How come it is blazing hot out-side? Autumn indeed!!
Mercifully, Target had one - just one swim-suit her size. I grabbed it. No way was I hopping stores to see what they thought of the seasons.

So, this time around, officials are urging people to reduce electricity use to avoid blackouts as a heat wave strains power
Supplies
Someone else says this is Global-warming-on-your-face. We should have seen this coming. All over the globe, the climate has turned
harsher than normal. We are actually noticing the change.

Time to get radical.

Isn’t this what movies like A.I. Artificial Intelligence & The Day After Tomorrow have tried to depict?

Apart from Greenpeace.com and http://www.sierraclub.com, here are a few other worthwhile sites www.futureforest.com
Greenpeace urges you to join in with an 'either defend the planet or the planet will defend itself' warning option. Sierra club
gives you a cute ‘Iam here to defend the plant' button.

http://www.carbonneutral.com/
http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ta_activist

keep your cool

2006-08-24T15:34:00.000-07:00

Over a 100 deaths in cal due to the heat wave this year, another hundred or so across the east coast.
a small no considering the numbers in developing countries and in lands of extreme weathers.
nevertheless,there are interruptions which open up alternatives to conserving energy.

Here are a few random rumbling on keeping cool

- Turn on the fans and keep large bowl filled with cold water all over the home; the evaporation form the bowl will cool the place. Even if there are no fans, the effect is still good.

- Put water in spay cans (make sure the holes are tiny), and spray fine water in the air all over your place - restaurants do it too It gives a great cooling effect.

- Think iced tea and Jumba juice.

- Freeze bed -spreads! Weird as it may sound - this is from a friend who actually does it. She puts clean bedspreads in plastic bags and keeps them in the freezer for 20 mins or so, and then viola, it’s an invitingly cool bed.

- Eat water melon, English cucumbers, lettuce salads, and fish.

- Lick popsicles, sherbets and ice-creams.

- Go jump in a pool or a lake.

Summers used to be so intense in my childhood home in Jamshedpur that we used to pour buckets of water in our bedrooms in the evening. The old English bungalow that my family lived in had bedrooms that were slightly lower than the rest of the rooms, specially the storage-room. So, we poured water, and allowed the ceiling fans as well as the air-coolers to help evaporate and turn the rooms cool.

Day2 - Fort Ross, Russian Cove

2006-08-23T13:28:00.000-07:00

We had put up the cover for the tent. Lessons learnt from the cold of the previous night. Cannot see the stars now, but

then decided comfort and rest were more important than gazing at the night sky. besides we were too tired and slept off immediately.
No alarm clocks to wake us up.
Rebecca did.
about eight-ish. I crept out to check on the others.
Joe and family were on already their way home. Seemed to be in a rush. Smiles and good-byes.
??
No one knows. Wonder why.
Anyway, the others were slowly waking and moving about. Breakfast and getting ready.
We folded the tent, cleaned, packed and cleared the site, made tea, drank it slowly, and went across to join the rest.
The kids were off to the playground, I went to the swings to push Kirti , Kitchu and Rebecca.
Higher, more higher!
Swinging 3 tiny kids and I am getting a good morning work-out.
Angel akka made good quesadilla - Mexican pizza of sorts and we had some. The orange juice pack had leaked and the ice was

all orange-ish. I poured the remaining juice and passed it around.
Chatted around, everyone had finished b'fast and were packing. We helped to put down a couple of tents and packing too.
The check-out time was noon, and it was too soon for lunch. So, leaving after lunch was ruled out.
We decided to drive for an hour or so and then stop for lunch.
Fort Ross sounded good to everyone.
How about parking in the day-use area, spending some time there playing, lunching and then driving straight home?
Hmm, sounded good to me, but everyone else seemed to be on the move. Tomorrow’s monday, need to fix things for school, work etc.
Stephen and family decided to leave immediately. Reeve didn’t seem to do well at night. So, we packed lunch for them and sent them off too.
Rebecca spotted an alphabet-caterpillar as we wondered close to the Gualala River. It didn’t work. Maybe needs new batteries.
The river bed was dry and wide with lots of pebbles; it looked like a narrow stream.
Still beautiful with the high trees and greenery around.
We drove up to Fort Ross state historic park for lunch. Lots of vehicles around, and we found picnic tables close to the parking lot.
The kids ran to climb branches of cypress trees, and we took a few pictures.

Lunch was quick, and the question was whether to go down to the beach or visit the fort?

Fort Ross is an Old Russian fort built in the early 1800s.It was established for Russia's tsarist government exploration,trade and settlement in the North Pacific, and for establishing permanent settlements in Alaska and California.

It still has a gun blockhouses and sentries on the two corners without blockhouses, a well, chapel and warehouse filled with provisions for the fort; a barracks and three officials’ houses...

Already Sheina had thrown-up within the hours drive, Jamela akka had developed a headache, and Gigi and John was on the verge. We finished lunch, took a few pictures, and said good-bye to all. there was first day of school on monday, Vallejo
shopping on the way etc. We talked to the fort with Santhosh and Nithila along the eucalyptus trees. Bright red and orangish-brown leaves lay on the ground.

It’s a very short walk, and we immediately realized that we could have driven to the fort's gates and parked instead of the parking lot. That way, we could have used the picnic tables inside, and everyone would have visited the fort itself.

Too late. The fort is a small rectangular enclosure, and we quickly visited all the standing structures and also the well.

We let santhosh decide whether to go the beach below. He had a small leg sprain form the previous day's cricket. He said,yes. Nithila's was an immediate yes too. So, we walked out of the fort towards the ocean. The skies were downcast, and it was windy and bit cold. We walked to the edge, and looked below; the beach is a crude downhill walk. We lingered near and decided not to go down.

Dharma wanted to go the Russian cove and the Armstrong state park on the way back. So, we made our way to the cove. drive on CA1, the cove looks inviting. We parked and walked through a short over-growth of shrubs and trees to the open full of

big smooth pebbles and strewn logs. Dharma pulled a few logs together to mark the place we got out of the shrubs. Rebecca was all excited seeing the stones, and started and her collection, stuffing them to her jacket pockets.

We strolled lazily to the beach, carrying the stove and stuff to make lemon-tea by the beach. Dharma set up the set on the rocks by the waves, and boiled water. It was a while before we realized that it was a bad spot with too much wind, so we

moved the stove to the rocks behind. A nice small cave like enclosure of rocks. This looked like a popular spot, since it had a lot of trash on the ground. I made the tea, and we sat on the rocks to enjoy. Rebecca was busy stuffing pebbles in her pockets.

It was getting late; we moved out and drove back. Stopped for dinner at a nice Mexican restaurant, and all home-ward bound. Normally, we would put sort out clothes, shoes etc and put things back in their place before sleeping. It was

already 11:30 when we reached home, Rebecca was asleep and we dumped the things from the car, and zzzzzzzz. It was almost 3 days later that all the things went back to their places!

Over all a good trip, much better than what we anticipated. Just a few things went out of sync, here and there, otherwise everyone enjoyed it. sign!

some pictures

2006-08-22T10:57:00.000-07:00

Day1 - Beach and BBQ

2006-08-21T15:17:00.000-07:00

We walked to the rocks by the left, and the sandstone rocks were slopping and had holes as if to facilitate rock climbing.
This was easy enough for me too! We hung on the rocks for a while, and then came back to join the others.
Are you ready to go the lighthouse?
We had discussed about visiting the Point Arena Lighthouse after the beach. That would be further up north, about hours
drive.
The lighthouse is about 1 mile into the ocean, and a fabulous place.
What? Another long drive on the winding road?
I have never heard CA 1 being referred to with such disdain, and I flinched.
I checked myself, this is their trip, and not ours, so I better keep my mouth shut and go with the flow.
A few were very keen; others were outright not interested to go see a light-house at all, no matter how spectacular.
The sun was out, bright and I must admit, it was tempting to simply laze around.
The lazy lumps won.
Some one came clutching a flat piece of wood, 'how about Cricket?’
The idea got the men and kids up, and soon the game was on.
What’s cricket? How do you play?
Cricket is Indian baseball.
A bloke throws the ball; you hit it hard and run for a run. If the ball is back before your reach the stumps, well then
You are stumped.
It was nice to see the game, everyone played for fun...
Most of the women were under the umbrella, chatting, closing their eyes. This is relaxation indeed. I was busy watching the
game as well as keeping an eye for Rebecca.
Aunty wanted to go for a stroll. So I went along with uncle, and shanthi akka.
went for a while, and Dharma signaled to wait to Rebecca who had followed us.
We collected colored pebbles for Gigi and Rebecca was busy picking her pebbles and conversing rapidly. We came back, and
Jean akka wanted to go for a walk, Dharma wasn’t keen to join us, and so Off I went for another walk.
Soon, it was time to leave.

We reached the campsite, and Dharma went in to pay for the registration, Rebecca was fast asleep, and we were waiting by
the fish-wash at the entrance, listening to abalone divers talking of their day's catch. Interesting talk about
restrictions for smaller than 7 inch abalone, and the like.

I put Rebecca down in Santhosh's tent, since our tent was way off; we were going to hang around the others. We started
with the BBQ preparations. I just realized that I was terribly hungry.
So, I gobbled up some baklavas. Yummy! Hunger makes the sweets even sweeter!
The evening was great. The fire was soon up, with Dharma, Jeba anna tending, Denix joined in to grill. The camp bbq was
actually a small shallow fire-pit with stone around. The grill was a flat rectangular grill bought at the camp store.
Too small to feed the army.
It might have been nice if we had brought our table-top grill too.
So, we took out the marinated meat. Mine was a cosco pack of 3 types of marinate - teriyaki, garlic-herb and Mediterranean.
The others were freshly ground garlic, and marinated chicken. Mine was still frozen in the ice-pack, we sliced smaller
Pieces.
Started with the hotdogs and burger patties..for the kids. I was still hungry, soon the party begun.
I fixed a burger for myself, and went to check on Rebecca. She was awake and crying in the tent.
Aavi ! It hurts!
She pointed to her knee and shin. I could make out nothing, so I picked her and walked. She was crying even louder, so
Dharma got out of grilling and took her. It worked. Grape flavored tiny candy.
Maybe she was exhausted after the whole day in the beach. Maybe she fell, and didn’t realize it..
We sang songs, passed on plates, fixed burgers and hot-dogs, grilled some corn, and it was soon 10pm.
Everyone seemed to enjoy the bbq. Good. Gald the Costco stuff came out pretty well.
Already?
Camp quiet time.
There were more riddles from the kids, jokes and performances, time to call it a day.
Some on remembered the smores. Smores are actually short for some more whatever that is. And with each occasion of smore,
comes the differces in how it is eaten.
Girls - Place Hershey bars on graham crackers, Toast marshmallows, Place toasted marshmallows on Hershey bars to melt
Chocolate, eat as a cookie.

While Boys
Eat Hershey bars, Eat marshmallows, Throw graham crackers at other boys.

Good day.
End of day1.

Day1 - day on the beach

2006-08-18T13:15:00.000-07:00

It must be 6:30, cos my cell phone alarm went off. loud and clear.
Shucks!
Who follows routines and alarms while camping?
No way was I going to get up and turn it off, too much bother, besides it was too cold out of the sleeping bag.
So, it just rang and rang.
Our neighboring campers were anyway up, so I wasn’t worried about disturbing anybody.
Rebz woke by 7:15, and I crawled out by 7:30, and went to check on the other tents. Mary aunty was busy heating water, and making coffee.
chatted for a while, and ppl were already taking showers and getting ready.

Good enthu.
All the kids rushed for b'fast of bagels, cereals, and such and then ran to the playground closely.

Normally, I would have turned my nose on the playground - hey, you are supposed enjoy things other than your routine, what’s' the point of
sticking to normalcy? But, this time I was gladly relieved - keep the kids busy and happy, you can relax better ;)

We chatted, lazed around, got ready, gathered lunch from those responsible for lunch, got our stuff, and hey, where are we going?
Consult the experts - Dharma, where are we going?
has annan.
But, you know the places here.
Hmm, not really, Dharma said weakly.
Aunty promptly put in a Tamil proverb something like among a group of blind ppl, the person with one eye is the king.
I put in 'just because everyone thinks you are the expert, don’t think that really are one’!
pssss, the air in the balloon went off. ha ha !!

Finally decided on the Gualala Point Park in Sonoma County.
I love that beach - it has the Gualala delta - the river flowing into the ocean. So, off we went.
The directions was simple, make a left here, and then a right.

The beach is a not so short walk from the parking lot. You can see it, but it looks as if it is way beyond. Thankfully, everyone was excited, and so pulled out their beach chairs, toys, lunch stuff etc and started the march.
I handled the first-aid kit to Rebecca to carry, she was excited and walked briskly first, and then went slowly lost her tempo, dragging her feet, allowing everyone else to walk fast. Nithila picked her and walked the rest. We walked on and claimed a spot close to the logs.

This is a long beach with great waves; the river flows in on the right, just below the road. The town of Gualala looks like a medditerean village across the road on a hilly terrain. The sand is almost black, and as you walk closer to the ocean, the pebbles are tiny multi-colored gems wet and sparkling. The left end is a bit rocky, and has a few rocks on the beach too. The sun was almost hiding behind in the skies, and breeze was a bit cold, just great.

Some settled down in their chairs, and others looked around. The kids ran to the water, and I followed suit. A clear distinction here - those wiser clutching their jackets tighter, sitting comfortably and watching, and the carefree, footloose running to the teasing waves. The Pacific is cold, the coldest ocean in fact. The sun was stilling not out, and so it was getting colder. Rebecca’s' terrified of the ocean waves, and was not willing to come close. So, Dharma took her for a walk and pebble collecting.

I wanted to go further, looked around; no one else seemed to think the same. Hmmm... Let’s give then some time.
So, I hung around, watching the kids frolic and shout with glee. This was fun. The ocean is always a wonderful place to be, albeit this particular beach is a lil wild, exploited and therefore presumably dangerous.

Gigi and Jean akka moved closer, the rest dipping and moving away. My flip-flops were old and loose, I was debating whether to leave them on the sand. I just wore them.

Mistake.
I lost them - to the ocean!
Boo! Boo! They weren't in the best of shape, but I’ve had them for more than 6 years, and what the heck!

We splash around and played with the waves. Rebecca wasn’t interested at all, I could see why. Nithila and I went in a little further and laughed, the waves were high, but lost their force and height as they reached us, so we had then by about our knees. The water was really cold. I could feel as if my feet were getting numb, my flip-flop almost coming out. I put them back on every time, as the water receded. Occasionally, we got a big wave and we laughed and turned our backs. Rebecca and Dharma were wandering by the logs and pebbles, the boys and Stephen and family hung closby, Eva and Santhosh were coming and going out. Uncle and David anna were by the kids. Only Nithaila and I were in the water. As I turned around to avoid a full splash, I lost balance and fell. Ohhh, that was cold, I was totally drenched, and still laughing another big wave came by.

Watching the waves at that height gives you a different perspective - as if the whole white foamy ocean is thundering and rushing to you. No wonder Rebecca didn’t want anything to do with the waves.

I was totally wet, but loved it. What’s the point of traveling, going to a beach and then not getting wet?
Hmm, cold or not, I hadn’t had enough. So, we went a few steps further in. Akkad and Gigi walked closby , but stayed out of the water. We called Santhosh and stood our ground. I was thinking abt getting out and taking off by flip-flops and walked a few steps away, and there came another wave, this time I lost it. The ocean took my one slipper!

I lost a slipper, but it was great fun. We hung around for a while, and then started back for lunch.

Let’s have lunch.
Oops! Some one had forgotten the plates in the car!!
Oh, no! What are going to have without plates, eh?
Hmm, no prob, I asked Dharma to get them, but then David and Juba anon went off. I was terribly hunger. We had a few fruits and water. Eventually, we finished lunch, and then the sun came out.

Wow! how it changed things.
The Ocean changed to the deep bluish-green hue, and sparkled. The beach looked incredibly beautiful.
With fun in the tummy, and the sun shining brightly, everyone got energized and also drowsy and lazy.
We walked to the rocks by the left, and the sandstone rocks were slopping and had holes as if to facilitate rock climbing. This was easy enough for me too! We hung on the rocks or a while, and then came back to join the others.

A camping here we go...

2006-08-15T14:33:00.000-07:00

We went camping to Gualala (wa-LA-la as prounced by the native Indians). This was a lot different from our usual trips since we went with another 7 families (!), none of whom had camped by themselves prior to this.

Aiy yiy yo !!
Are we asking for trouble? Now, wait a minute, how did we get manage to get in like this?
Camping by ourselves is one thing, camping along with other campers is another, but to 'lead a
bunch of our own people to camp' , boy ! That’s asking for trouble.

Not that we have any issue with any folks, we dearly love them - just but the idea by itself overwhelmed and scared us. We arent good organising large groups, and
Most of the families have lived long enough in the US, to know how to enjoy themselves. Problem was at least that’s how we perceived them - are not outdoor types, and cannot live without the comfort and convience of homes and hotels. the idea of Camping was what others did, not them.
But then when you show a bit of inclination, maybe they could discover the simple pleasures too.

Oh, come on, we need to be better sports helping interested freinds with their first camping experience.
That should be fun.

We had our doubts.

EEw ! Can we escape this? Maybe work out a convincing excuse.
How about if we give detailed instructions to all, lists of things to take along, precautions etc,.and sure they can go by themselves. Cant them?

Nah! Gualala is in an incredibly almost unexploited part of CA1, along the Pacific, and it was too tempting to let go.

So, we let our concerns fly, and this was going to be our freinds trip not ours,
So we will go by their pace and their flow, and decided to pitch in. Turned out, that was a great decision indeed. Iam glad we did this.

Dharma was unanimously elected as the 'camping expert' eh huh.
By default I tagged along in the ‘Dharma and Mary are experts; you can ask them '...

He hee - did good to flatter us, and we had our our own laughs at the presumed titles.

Understandably it was a great excitement to all, specially the kids.

Yippee! We are going to live in tents.

There were worried moms ,and tons of questions - Will I be able to sleep? Are the restrooms clean?? Is it safe? Do psychotic killers roam the campsites killing people in their tents randomly? , and so on apart from what should I bring along? What's the weather like?

Come and find out yourself. I was excited myself. Camping is always fun espacillay if you go to a good place like this, and its always ncie to spend time with friends.

We travel in style when in groups with our pots and pans, cooking rice and microwaving stuff for meals. everyone takes turns to help out with the food and final cleaning. Everyone loves the fresh food, but invariably someone is tied up. We wanted everyone to experience the difference, and suggested minimum cooking. Of course, campfires, BBQ and smores are necessities. So, Mary aunty divided the
food stuff among the families and Dharma and David annan provided a detailed list of things to bring etc. beg, borrow or no Don’t steal, buy the tent .

So, we were well prepared.

Mary Aunty and a few others went on Thursday, seemed the site was off-limits to mobile coverage. Others started earlier by afternoon on Friday to drive the 3 hrs and reach before dark. We had no such concern, We started after work on Friday evening, loaded the car with our stuff (had packed the previous day ), bought ice for the ice-box, and then headed to REI by 6pm I think to pick a tent for a friend. Then, we started on 160 to downtown, to reach I80.

The sun was setting, and I was hoping to hit CA1 before it got dark, fat chance!, took comfort that we'll drive back by day. The surprise was in 116, Sebastopol off Bodega bay- most scenic drives are by beautiful forests, rolling hills, rivers are the like , generally not thought historic towns. This in Sonoma county is a historic resort and logging area along the Russian River. A delightful little town, we stopped for gas and food. It was cold, had burgers in a tiny
shop, excellent taste.
Made notes - to visit Armstrong Redwoods State Park on the way back. It was almost 8:30, and getting dark.

We reached Gualala by 11, and Dharma asked directions somewhere near the campgrounds at a bar - it was amusing to watch the group of people were jolly drunk, and still quite confidently gave some vague directions. So, we turned, and stopped by a patrol vehicle, the officer cautiously turned up his lights, as Dharma approached him, and confirmed the way.

This a private family oriented campground, in a Redwood grove, was still lively and active as we entered. It was full of abalone divers and Rvs.

We drove past to our registered sites, Rebecca was asleep, and ours was a little way from the rest.
We reached out stop, and Dharma asked me to set the tent, while he helped Santhosh. I started with it, and then eww, I had few campers around, but didn’t feel comfortable to set it all by myself.so, I picked Rebz and walked over to watch the rest. The REI tent was a bit tricky, eventually we set ours and watched the stars in our tent, and slept off by 11:40.

It was colder , and great to watch the redwood tree tops and a few stars.

Good start.

2006-08-09T16:15:00.000-07:00

Met your affinity yet ?
Hmm, eh ? what ?
yes, you have I guess, I see a ring on your finger.
ha , oh that.
That is my affinity ?
yup ! Have a good day!
Thanks, you too!

This is a conversation I had in the elevator today.

Beat the heat

2006-07-26T18:49:00.000-07:00

"oh, you wont like this place", they said then I first came here, almost 3 1/2 years back.
Why not?
cos the summers are way tooooo hot and dry, the heat is punishing and tiring, it averages 96 !
he he I thought
Can’t be that bad, I have lived in hotter places, surely this won’t bother me.

That conversation has played on my mind time and again, especially when I’m ticked-off by the weather.
Of late, the re-runs have been too fast and furious.
Recently, the mention of the great California power blackout of 2001, caused a shudder in the group.
It was a rude shock, it disrupted life, and no one knew what to do without power.

Life is so dependent on the basic grid.

Ha ah , no biggie that one.
Come on, - you guys are fussing over a single power cut?

But, this is silly.
You need to be in India - doesn’t matter what part, to know what power cuts are.
Oh boy, we have cuts without warning, any day, any time and life goes on...
How we take electricity for granted and appreciate it as well.

Too hot? Just gulp some tamarindo, or hochata or whatever and get going.

Some deaths across the US in recent days are being linked to the heat wave
And the risk of rolling blackouts still remains.

The mercury notched up 110 F last weekend, breaking the summer all time high record in July. That was crazy simply too much for me to handle, and I’m already worrying about dehydrating and sun burns.

To beat the heat, we decided to go swimming to the river. Friends were not so surprised knowing us.

‘Should be insane to go out in this heat’, they muttered.
‘Not us, it’s the heat that's insane’.
‘No, thanks, we'll turn the AC full speed and watch a flick’.
‘Hey, the grid might trip’!
‘No worries, we'll take the risk’, they said.

Some friends!

So, my husband and I with our daughter in tow, just to be 'cool-er' we drove up to the foothills where the snow melts and flows down in streams.

'Sun, stop it !', my daughter shouted with indignation. 'Go away' ! If only Mr Sun was listening, we rolled our eyes .
Sure enough, the water was cool and inviting, and we soaked around for as long as we could.
Ah, that should do it we thought. Now we are cool and can relax.
But a minute out of the water, and I kid you not, the sun were beating on us. We walked faster to our car, and drove off.
The swim was refreshing and fun, yet we wondered should we have stayed home sipping our Avocado es teler ?

Nah ! The river was too good, the air was still hot, and we did our 2 bit for not straining the California power supply.

2006-07-21T15:45:00.000-07:00

2006-07-21T15:34:00.000-07:00

kids..

when I was one, I wondered why grown-ups always complain about their kids. Why are these ppl so miserable ? aren't kids cute, and the joy of their lives?wonder why I wanted to grow up fast , and be less and less of a kid. how did they manage to entice me? No, i didnt want to complain, or be miserable, but being a grown -up sounds so cool. It beats being kiddish.and now I have one.phew ! how they spend your energy, and then still have plenty more. How does some so tiny manage to spin you so effectively ?

No ! - Invariable that's the word they learn to use, and use well.They behave well with you, but turn out absolute brats when you least expect. Brag about your kid to someone with a pest, and invariablty your own kid proves you wrong , right there, right then.

you see other ppls kids put up tandrums and fits ,and you decide that yours will never do that. wishful thinking indeed.sure, kids are fun, cute, smart,innocent and a rare and pure joy, but why is the torment factor so strong ?cos they are kids.

I am so done for life.

makes me wonder, why do sane people knowingly choose this ??? was I not an angel to my parents when I was small ?( Iam not asking you to answer that ).

Like the bumper sticker - If you love wildlife, have kids !

I have been warned and cautioned of the terrible two's by almost everyone I know, yet I am bewildered !!Being a parent myself has changed my perspective on every other parent. I trully am kinder, sympathetic and and ohh so miserable ..oh no..Iam bracing for my sanity , learning to be more patient, and to talk slow, and repeats the same instruction ten thousand times without raising my voice. I think I'll be a saint once I master these easy virtues.

wont I be a better person when I grow up ?

Someone asks me how I am doing - Iam doing fine, considering the fact that my life is ruled by a 2 yr old !

chatting with collugues- we share notes of our offsprings' torment.

Kingkong was good , untill the ending scenes, and I thought that was boring and too predictable.could it end any different ? One person's greed to 'make it' leads to such mindless dectruction, affecting so many.

A quote reminds in mind '.. he destroys that which he truly loves...' that doesnt make sense.

Dont we nurture and protect what we truely love ?or do we?

I would recommend Crash to be watched by everybody, after all arent we all prejudiced in some way or the other? I liked the twists the characters take after the incident specially the racist cop reveals that he's a regular joe.

2006-07-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

Hi,
This is the first time Iam logging in, after creating .. I already have one in Yahoo 360, and wanted to see how this goes.