validation

The feeling of validation, of people out there hearing and seeing the truth, of having even those not directly effected willing to speak up - that is what brought me to tears this morning.

savage detectives

If anyone has read The Savage Detectives by Bolaño and understands the point, speak up now.

Although I must say that without the last 10 pages of the 500+ page book it really would have seemed aimless. I enjoyed the first 100 and last 100 pages. It was the 300 in between that I didn't think took you anywhere but round and round in circles.

happy new year

Sometimes you just don't have any words.

Here's to a fresh new start! HNY!

video deluge-ation

To explain, I have recently embraced all things iProducts and so have figured out how to make video clips of an upload-able size with little effort. As a result, I've added a number of videos for your viewing pleasure.

Many more to come.

India - Tibetan monestary

India - bull temple

India - the village

upper west side sidewalk

*

*

* not staged

closeted

A friend of mine yesterday said -

Arab women live their lives like closeted gay men.

That about sums it up.

India - the city

super tall

I go on auto pilot sometimes and end up responding in weird ways. On the telecon to introduce us when we dialed in, I said - Hi, it's Jennifer and Heather. Only it was Jennifer and Rana.

Once someone asked me my height, and I said six ten with a completely serious expression. Demographics wires got crossed. It cracks me up still.

India - the country

name change

An Indian colleague just came from getting married. He mentioned his wife needs to go through the process of changing her name on official documents, ie passport, before she gets her visa, etc. What's interesting here is that she is not only changing her surname, but also her given name. He mentioned that there was even a name changing ceremony.

So, of course, I googled it. And found confirmation on wikipedia (what better confirmation than someone I know telling me they had experienced it, but still - if it can't be googled it doesn't exist):

In some more traditional families, a new bride might change her full name to one her in-laws prefer.

I'm not talking about an -ova being changed to an -iva either - these were 2 completely unrelated names (legal note - character's names have not been disclosed to protect the parties involved).

osho

For those I've spoken to recently, it's likely I mentioned Osho. For those I haven't been in touch with, Osho:

Freedom is the ultimate value. Even love is not higher than freedom. Freedom is the ultimate value; next to it is love. And there is a constant conflict between love and freedom. Love tries to become the ultimate value. It is not.

Remember, be true to your inner voice. It may lead you into danger; then go into danger, but remain true to the inner voice.

first grade

Yesterday was Rawan's 7th birthday. The following is an excerpt from the conversation.

Aunt: happy birthday! are you a teenager yet (there's history here- see footnote)?
Niece: nooooo! how can I be a teenager? I'm in the first grade.
Aunt: how is the first grade?
Niece: the first grade is like a dreeeeeam.

Footnote: when my cousin was visiting them a couple of years ago, they were on the side whispering: go ask him, no you go ask him, no you go ask him.
Niece approaches and asks: are you a teenager?
Cousin: yes.
Nieces: cooool.

India - signs

Blow OK Horn. (confirmed with driver that this means it's ok to blow the horn if you want them to get out of the way. an invitation to have horns blown at them, if you will)

Stick no bills.

Incase of faillure of electricity amount cannot be refunded.

The body of Tippu Sultan was found here

Plastic free zone

One of our chimp has learnt to occasionally throw things toward zoo visitors. This happens due to excited reaction, he gets from public.

Please do not shout, mimic, feed or tease. Please watch the animal silently.

Do not bother other visitors. Let them enjoy the way they like.

If you fall, animals could eat you and that might make them sick.

Spitting all around and leaving behind eatables is prohibited.

Giant squirrel

If you feed us, I will get sick and I may die!

Don't shout.

Don't shout.

Do not tease animals. Avoid mimicking at animals.

Big Bull Temple. Digital signage.

Prohibited - Spitting

Do not litter.

Please do not pluck the flowers. They are for viewing pleasure of everyone.

In the Buddhist tradition, circumambulating religious objects like stupas temples etc... clockwise with faith. generates a positive energy bringing about happiness & peace of mind.

Don't touch and damage (key word here is AND)

Counselor & Therapist

past life reggression

Brazil IIa

Brazil II

piscinas naturales

Brazil

At the airport in Rio.

Bun-Bun

Click to play again.