Green

Been noticing that being environmentally friendly actually turns out to be quite heavy on the pocket in the current age. Having at an early stage had the privilege to spend some time with my grandparents in our village, this seemed very counter intuitive to me. Till I started exploring it more.

Take your clothes for example. To be "green", you'd have to wear something locally grown and manufactured - you know less transporting around, less fuel, etc etc. So that would mean growing it on very pricey land, getting the fabric made using very expensive labor locally vs some sweat shop in a 3rd world country. No wonder all the clothes I saw at the "Green Festival" recently were so expensive! And they weren't even made locally! They had just used cotton/hemp - once the cheapest fabric!

Likewise, being vegetarian in India was so easy. With the variety of vegetables available and recipes to cook the same, it was quite natural to enjoy multiple meals without craving for meat. We had meat once a week back in the days. I'm sure that helped cut down on many a "caged farm". Talking about organic/cage free, everyone knows how expensive shopping at Whole Foods can get! And I'm not even sure the stuff there is made locally. Most likely not, just that they ensure "Fair Trade" happens - translate no child labour or sweat shops. Gas still gets burnt shipping across oceans! The flip side of this is that, the places where commodities originate from, have their own issues - they successfully provide the westerners what they want at cheap rates but in the bargain the local situation/economy gets all entangled!

In an environment like this, its very hard to sell "Green". Forget about selling it, I'm not sure I should be talking about it, given my hopes/plans for travel around the world! Have been trying to think differently, and stop looking at things as issues but rather as constructive avenues. And still trying to figure out how to get there. In a world that is so friendly to destroying itself how can one make "green" accessible? Not looking for any blase/pat answers. I guess I'm just trying to collect and make some cohesive meaning of what I've been looking at.

On a different note, I saw this TED video recently on gaming. Love how people have these amazing perspectives! I'm mean about video games?! Admire her for it. You'll see where I'm getting my "constructive" talk from :P
http://www.ted.com/talks/jane_mcgonigal_gaming_can_make_a_better_world.html

Sensibilities

I came across an article today which I thought was totally ridiculous. Not how it was written, but the work its was talking about. Anyway. As soon as I read it, I wanted to share with someone what I felt about it. And opened gmail after copying the link. And started thinking: whom should I send it to?
It all comes down to who shares the same sensibilities that I do and would understand where I was coming from. Seems like there are fewer and fewer people in that list these days. Which is a good thing I guess. A mix is always good to keep one balanced. But just got me wishing there was a default person I could email who understood everything I had to talk about!
For now chose one who would get it, but not necessarily think along the same lines.


PS: for those of you curious about it:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/04/us-cows-emissions-idUSTRE7333YI20110404

instead of cutting down on our own carbon footprint, they are researching how to deprive some poor old cow! :P

Let me know what you think and I might add you to my "to email" list :)

Art

Since I wrote what I did below, I happened to come across a video, an amazing and inspiring one where there was this view about art - that it is something that makes you think beyond what you do on a regular day. Something that makes you wonder. Taking that for my definition now, I have to say I have come across a lot of art thus far, every day, and even though I never defined it as art till this moment, just as a means to transport me beyond my daily drudge, I think it qualifies. After all art is that which enhances life. Or is that just another opinion I have adopted? :)

There is this one exhibit I saw once. It was in a room all by itself. A big room. When I entered it, at first I couldn't see the exhibit. My eye-sight is partly to blame I'm sure. But then as I got in some more, I could make out that there was a beam of light focused on  this particular spot on the floor somewhere to the opposite corner of the room. I walked closer to see what was there. I had to walk quite a bit before I could see it in all its glory. A small cube. About the size of a die.
I have since told the story about this ridiculous exhibit I had once seen. Had quite a few laughs. But then, of all the things in that museum that day, there are only a few I can vividly recall. This has been one. It has made me wonder quite a bit I have to say. But still something stops me from calling it art. I guess the thoughts that come out of the wondering have to be positive in some sense for me to acknowledge it as art.

I rather surprise myself with my perspective sometimes. And maybe one day I will read this post again and realize how transitional it truly is.

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Had this discussion with a friend the other day and wanted to check what others think..
What does ART mean for you? I guess I'm trying to understand what one is looking for in Art and why some things are artsy for some and not so much for others.

To me personally, I guess I'm looking for something which is aesthetically pleasing. Or maybe something that captures life in a different light. I'm sure if I give it more thought I can throw in more points for what works for me. But one thing remains - I am many times not able to figure out modern art.

Is There a Time for Morals?

I was reading this article about how there has been no looting happening in Japan post the recent earthquake and tsunami. And the opinion of readers is that this is due to the moral standards of the Japanese populace. And the fact that they don't violate those standards in times of disruption. Got to me thinking how strong my standards are. To the most part, I would try to stick to them probably, but then I realized I'm not averse to following the crowd and maybe, just maybe, if I saw everybody dipping into a broken down store and picking up what they liked, I would follow suit.  Would that be out of a survival instinct to stock up for what might come in whatever way possible? Donno.

Its a hard thing to do - sticking to morals at all times. I'm glad I came across this article. Admire the people.

Great Weekends

Met up with some good friends from undergrad and the moment led me to saying "I'm glad I am where I am in life". After the excitement of the weekend revelry and general good times, I realized how true that statement is. I am very happy with who I am. Over the years I have made plenty of choices and some were made for me. I might have chaffed at a few of them and regretted some at the time. But seeing where those very same choices have brought me, I have to say life has been good to me.
Love how happiness permeates into everything in your life - I see a rainbow everywhere right now. They say you are lucky if you can count your good friends on one hand. Then I am beyond lucky.

Corner Coffee Shop

Just about time for people to head home from work. A slow stream of people move in. Occupying the empty tables. Some preferring the ground floor with the smell of coffee wafting all over and some the relative mass of people in the mezzanine. The one burly guy looking at every girl walking in. The one older lady, concentrating with all her scrunched eyes on her laptop and the work she was finishing up - day planner (she had a paper one!) open and stuff strewn around her. The two guys who probably work there part-time - they seemed to know one of the employees. A varied bunch.
Preferring the masses to the flow of people, ended up on the mezzanine too. Darn, all the window tables were taken. One person per table. The kids were busy poring over books; guess its that time of the year - exams. The guy with the ear phones tapping his folded foot to the tunes playing in his ears - oblivious to the crowd. The elegant lady, joined soon by a handsome guy, they were definitely discussing work. The lady at the window, on her phone waving to friends below, she must have been waiting for them - she left soon after. Coffee now cold. like the latte artwork they do - isn't it nice when you expect something and get that bit more than you expected?
And then I. Whiling time till when my yoga class would start. I wonder why I have not been to coffee shops more often...

Awe

Rambling through youtube as usual, today I happened to stumble upon this old video of Susan Boyle's performance from back then when she first made her public debut. All I can say is every time I see it, it never fails to be a hair raising experience. I mean just look at it. When she gets on stage you can see how people react to her presence. The dubious expressions, the rolling eyes, raised eyebrows. This video captures it all. Social conditioning.
And then she sings.

Looking forward to more experiences which shake me out of my perspective.

Resolution for the Year

Send out more snail mail to family/friends - always much more expressive/effective than an email/e-card.

Happiness and Pets

I grew up having a pet. Timmy - named after the dog in Famous Five :) Us siblings were major fans of the series. Actually the series is one of the reasons I ever got hooked onto reading. But that's a story for another time. He was with us for about 13 years. And one day he upped and left and never came back. The gate was left open by some moron who visited our house and we never saw him again. It wasn't the said persons fault really cos Timmy could always find his way back... but yeah, a moron left the gate open that day.

Loud barking nights when he found the odd rat running for cover into burrows he couldn't reach into. Crazy Timmy, never knew when to give up :) I remember how I used to come home from school earlier than the others once in a while to find the whole place locked up. Would jump over the wall, sit on the ledge in the portico waiting for others with keys to arrive. All the while with only Timmy for company. I would rub his thick fur till it was glossy black and my palms sticky black. He would lie his head trustingly in my lap and lap up the attention. I loved doing that. And he obviously loved it. I guess the reason I loved it was cos he did. I hated getting my hands dirty. Do to this day. But loved rubbing his fur and scratching behind his ears.


Miss having a pet.

Last Moments

Eight mile hike with the gang - they made me proud; view/location worth every minute of the drive and hike. Brunches on Sundays. Jazz in NYC - awesome! American Idiot - love Green Day.Dashing through snow. Getting cab rides and over tipping in view of the holidays. Last minute shopping. South Street Seaport - one of my fave spots of all time. Look of determination on a teeny tiny face as he struggles to stand up. Unconscious struggles/wiggles to find the spot in his crib. My darling darling nephew. Horror at my own impatience/irritation that one time. Missed Central Park again. Time with Sis and Cousin. Video chat with more cousins. Sweaters to coats to T-shirt in a matter of days - America you span long and wide! Text messages with New Year wishes. At home in bed on New Years eve :)

Best end to a good year. Looking forward to the new one.

Happy New Year everyone!!

Its That Simple

Next year I will have nineteen paid days off. Which I can technically take any time I want - barring conflict with work. Enough to take one extra day off adjacent to a weekend every month. And then some.
So I have decided I shall go on a small trip every month. Atleast one per month. Explore. All it takes is getting over my laziness, packing my bags and maybe a little bit of planning ahead. In line with these thoughts I will set out today to look for these twelve spots I want to check out next year. Will update this post with the list by eod today. That shall be my first step overcoming my procrastination.

Update with possibilities:

Peru - Machu Pichu & Iguazu Falls(?)
Yellow Stone National Park
Death Valley
Singapore
Kerala

A Weekend of Feasting

Thats what this one turned out to be. Started with dosas, dahi vada, pongal and yummy carrot custard a friends Mom dished out for a bunch of us. And then in the evening a get together at another friends place where I met S's wife for the first time and A is back from her India trip. S and his wife are headed out on that Amazon trip we were all hoping to go on! I guess he got fed up with waiting on us to give him company! :). More yummy food followed by amazing kesar halwa.
Sunday was a day at the city with a beach trip thrown in and some shopping. The beach was surprisingly warm, not the water mind you, which I didn't dare touch, the air was warm and I sat down and watched the surfers for a bit, concluding that they must be manics to be swimming in those cold cold waters. But it looked oh so fun floating on the waves. Went to the shops near Union Square for the first time. Love the daunting man made buildings and bridge. And deals how I hate you - making me buy stuff I never intended to!
Ended up at a friends place for dinner. Another get together. Met everyone after real long. A month (these are people I used to meet every weekend, so a month felt like a loong time). Had more yummy food and ended with the most devine semi-liquid pala kova. Was telling my friend how I always remember what she made for us that very first time she called us over for dinner on her birthday. Its not a trivial thing - me remembering stuff. Her cooking left a mark.
Beyond the feasting it was a great weekend. Got to meet a ton of friends. Walked down the downtown area close to home and saw the holiday lights for the first time. Where have I been these days? Missed out on quite a few of the regular stuff. Oh and talked with another good friend after a long long time. Donno why it took so long there again.
A good weekend.

Fated

It was one of those things that was meant to be. Was running late for my flight - last minute shopping for gifts. Was busy calculating time remaining and alternate options to my green plans while I rushed home to pack finally. I open the door and who do I see? a friend, come visiting to check out the empty room for rent (he didn't know I lived there)! and he was gracious enough to wait while I packed and give me a lift to the airport. It was bound to be. A good vacation.

Met old friends and the new people in their lives, visited old haunts and the new looks they got. And then there were the snow flakes! magically floating down just when we got into the car. Early snow. Another wish come true. And the locked door that somehow opened and gave us access to the environs from days gone by. The lazy campus that would buzz with young blood come Monday.

I finally scored my hit. Only now I'm more addicted and already looking for the next one. The walk over the bridge, the heave of cars rushing past below us. The crimson Sun blazing out in glory - silhouetting the skyline. The yummy food, the multitude of people. The hunt for new boots. Meeting old friends, making peace with the past. The train rides, the maze of the subway. Insane hours and even more insane night sounds which just cannot keep you from falling to sleep. Hot air blowing out of the road, keeping you warm on the long chilly walks the city has to offer. Beautiful bridges over energetic waters. Streets throbbing with life. It is one place I will never get enough of. New York, New York.

PS: Thanks to my friend who magically appeared on my flight back home and circumvented the long journey from the airport and got me to work on time.

Out There

For a while now I've had a hankering for being out there - in India experiencing the monsoon, the thunder, the breeze, the slush, the.... you get the idea - Nature. Even today I was sitting in front of my desktop looking at pictures of people scuttling in rains and hoping that was me. And then I realize, its not about where I am. Its about how I get around!

While at school I traveled by bus to and from school and home. Same was the case for under-grad and grad schools. There was a lot of walking involved too and inevitably one ran into "bad" weather under those circumstances. Only now that I have a car parked about 30sec dash from where-ever I am, I never run into "nature".

So in a bid to bring comfort to my soul, I have decided I shall take public transportation to work at least once a week. And seeing as I have early morning (come on, I sleep late!) meetings on Wed, Thur, Fri, I guess it shall have to be on Mon or Tue. And maybe I should walk to the farmers market every so often on the weekends too...

A Wall - Update

Since I don't have walls to paint on - I did the next best thing. Painted on a T-shirt! It was a lot of fun. Hoping to do more of it.

A Wall

This past Thursday was the best weather I have experienced in a while. It was absolutely sublime. Cleared out the woozies in one swell sweep. Nature has this way of setting things, doesn't it? Anyway since then I've come across a couple of pics that are sooo awesome that I've decided - the next time I rent (can't at current place) I'm so dedicating a wall to painting. Maybe more than one wall. Bring some fun into the room.

Antsy

Thats my current phase. Everything feels wrong and then not so wrong. Decisions feel oh so right only to be followed by regret. Thoughts don't last. Opinions keep changing. Work of course is slacking and thats not helping.

Tried music, not helping - not even Mozart (though I might like it when not in this mood maybe). What am I looking for? Home beckons? Wish I could make that trip to India! If only for a change of scene.

But then things are not so bad either. Found new food I like. And a new clothes store I like. And new activities I'd like to work more on. Hmmm lets see where it all ends..

Oh and vegetarianism - still not happening. Though I feel bad every time I eat meat.

Winter

I've been having this craving for a cold winter! I'm sure within a week I'll be wanting to get out of it, but till then I shall crave. Its wonderful how pristine a snowy day is. The soft flakes gently floating down. Best time for that movie day/night.

Here in CA with the good weather we have all year long, it feels like a waste to spend a whole day indoors. Guilty almost. But then on the east coast, it would be the oh so natural thing to do - spending a snowy day in front of your TV watching re-runs, sipping hot stuff, eating yummy fried snacks.

What can I say, I have a craving. And I might say anything to justify it.

Ambience

Was just rising from the haze of sleep, when I heard the whistle of a train. And was surprised that I heard it - its all of a mile away. And then out of the haze, I wondered why that should be.

Back in my grandparents village the track is quite a bit further away and the train whistle is one of the things to tell the time of the day by (and be right on the rare days the train runs on time). Cynicism aside, that is how people there boarded the town bus too - they would wait for the driver to sound the horn and then scramble to the bus stand at the very edge of the village.

In my current environs most sounds are absorbed by the surroundings - a busy, chugging & churning commercial city; I rarely notice them. But maybe one day I'll go back to my village and cleanse my system of the ambient noise levels I'm used to (and ignore) and once again start hearing that gentle breeze rustling through trees.

So...

The deed is done. I had lamb chops tonight. What can I say... I guess with the bad health I had all of last week, there was 7 pounds lesser backing up the will, and it crashed.. But have been feeling much better today and hope to build up that muscle behind the will soon. Till then, all ye living things on two legs and you unsuspecting poor lambs, watch out!