My Response to "Climate Change" Skeptics and Opposers

Sure people maybe skeptics about climate change... but there are those without voices who FEEL the climate change change. I'm sure if you had no voice and had "NO RIGHTS" things would be different in your mind and your perspective. 

However you are not in that unfortunate position. So you will write to "whoever" the pope or the president and make an issue of how the "climate change" is something we in the here and now shouldn't focus on. 

We don't live in the Poles, or in coral reefs, so delicate and sensitive to the slightest temperature changes. 

Most of us don't live in an area which is affected... extreme heat and drought in the tropics, or melting glaciers.

It's not just about climate. It's more than just climate, its OUR world. 
When we start deciding which species lives or dies based on OUR actions, then we should worry that in the future there is a possibility when humans decide which humans live or die. 

Or are we already there? 

It's more than science. Its understanding, empathy and compassion. 

Perhaps many in our country don't have it - empathy, understanding, compassion...

Many in our country don't know how much worse it can get - yes a warm winter is wonderful and welcomed, but to experience drought, or the loss of land due to floods...


We have it good so far.


Do we care about 10 years from now? 20 years from now? 50 years from now? 100 years? No. We live in the NOW and plan only for OUR futures.

Breathe!

The airs will get polluted, and there won't be fresh air to breath. We can pay for air like we pay for gas now.

Wrote this in 2009 10th Dec... Posting it now!
:-P

Moments ...

My Happy Dog Snoop... once a long time ago. Oh how I miss him! He was my little Daemon.

Adi caught this picture of my in the NYC subways... it's quite the shot!

Good moments in time. These happy moments fill my heart and remember the good, contentment and positivity in life. May I never sway from that feeling.

The Secret.

Hiking and Life - Let's Hike!!!!

so this is not my own story but a business colleague of my dad's from Owen's Corning Dr. Rowland Loh's Son and Daughter in law hiked... and they made a website about their hiking experiences. The "about us" part of their had an analogy between hiking and life. It makes me want to hike more, and start the next few 100 feet elev. of my hike (life)!!!!

website link:  http://www.dayhikesfinder.com/AboutUs/Index3.html
please visit the website!

" An Analogy

Hiking has changed our perspective on life. During a long hike/climb in Oklahoma, I came up with an analogy by comparing hiking with life’s events. I told Mary about the analogy as we inched higher to the summit:

“Just about everyone has goals/targets/obstacles in life, some people aim to be CEOs, some look forward to retiring young, some are working hard to see their children healthy and successful, and some are in the struggle to cope with unexpected illness... These are the mountains we climb; Everest is probably Bill Gate’s inner mountain.

As we start off, the summit appears so distant and unreachable, but we step forward regardless. We assess the few hundred feet of ground before us and accomplish the hike one section at a time. As we continue, we must learn to take breaks, pat ourselves/each other on the back for the accomplishments we have made. We must not forget to turn around and enjoy the views. Sometimes we make it to the top, sometimes we don't. We have no regrets since we already took the 1st step and tried.

If we arrive at the summit, the view is absolutely spectacular, our horizon expanded and we are able to see and experience more than those in the lower elevations. But the views came at a cost, the wind is stronger, the temperature is lower, and the sun’s ray is tougher. We brace ourselves (or hold hands with our loved ones) to endure the elements… so we can continue our enjoyment of the spectacular 360 degree view of the world below us. As we descent, we carry scars of burned and weather-beaten skin down the mountain, along with torn pants and bruised elbows, but it’s now an easy stroll with a beautiful view all the way down. We arrived at the trailhead full of smiles.

At the trailhead, a hiker asked us:” What’s it like up there… is it a tough hike? I answered: ” You bet! There are lots of loose rocks and you need to watch your steps. Some sections have steep drops off on both sides, but with enough resolve, you can make it! The view is well-worth it on top. I can’t describe it; you'll have to see it yourself. Just don't give up! “

So what is your next (inner) mountain, and will you now give up?""


PS: take only pictures leave only footprints!!!!
<3 u all ... merry hiking!!!! and i'm always there to accompany you on hikes!
pictures courtesy google image search: Nanga Parbat and Nanda Devi
last picture is me in Sedona, Arizona on a supposed "vortex" :-)

My First Song - How does your River flow?

H20 - Part 2
by Pree

we begin a new chapter
steps in life's mystery
we know there is never a 'happily ever after'
as we learn from world history

life takes its toll - it carries on
flowing till it reaches the sea
my love it stole - we carry on
until we're absolutely free

how shallow does your river flow?
deep as an endless abyss?
where does it flow?
to hades as the river styx?
together we could steer it away
where northern lights shine
one think for sure i can say
one day we all find our way. (chorus? i need a music person to put it to THIS TUNE OR THAT TUNE!)

could we skip to the end?
or is it a never ending story?
all rivers reach the sea
where do we go from there?

Things Learnt in 2009

Tolerance - i need to be more tolerant of my sister and she of me. we get on each other's nerves. We are poles apart different people. we shared eachother's lives for over 20 years, we know each other best, though we are separate people. tolerance to love each other and hate each other must be learned.

Patience - to deal with these trying times. to try over and over again for something which will never seem to work out. it seems so taxing and one of the most hardest things to learn. To wait... to anticipate with weary hearts.

Forgiveness - i learnt once from a very close friend that to forgive is like a blessing from a higher force. To cast away one's mistakes but love their very soul is something so deep, and a mystery to many people. Some have mastered it. I patiently try to forgive. To me mistakes involving one's heart and soul is harder to forgive rather than with inanimate objects which don't matter with regard to the immensity of Everything.

Compassion - passion to live life, work hard and make a difference was always my driving force. however compassion is something i lost. I remember working hard on christmas/season's greetings cards one year. I got so few replies it hurt to send any out the next year. Compassion is similar to unconditional love... its all so tricky... to love the right way is skill or some other word like being gifted.

Discipline - To live in moderation. To me this means to take care of my body. I am lucky to have a good one, which is all too damaged yet with injuries, and abuse. So to treat it with care would be my goal. To pursue things that will enlighten me and help me better myself is another goal, this can be done by focusing, limiting and disciplining myself.

Courage - I shrink after every fall, it takes me a long time to get back up. No matter how hard the fall we should never be disheartened, but spring upon our feet and meet life with full force. EVERY TIME. Have a fiery heart and determination to always get back up.

Confidence - believe in one's self and that alone is all the power you need. Do not be arrogant, pretentious or self righteous... but a confidence full of humility. To be humble is tricky these days, but it is a virtue. Confidence can be achieved with humility, however the balance is tricky.

I shall strive for these character qualities which have been diluted through the many days, journeys and trials i have faced these passed years.

ok this is all. I trust it would be a good lesson for most.

Posted by me in Feb 2009 on Facebook

Then

&

Now

The End

The war is over,
the people are dead.
The world is empty,
and so is my head.

- don't know who wrote this, but i heard my sister say it once, or maybe Mark Hartnett (my bro). I googled it and nothing came up. So I'm claiming it as my own. ;-)

Climbing! Climb On!

Climbing is something which comes natural to humans as is breathing, walking, running, swimming and sleeping.
When I was a child I did not know how to swim, or so I thought. I remember I never liked going to my swim lessons at the age of 3 or 4 because my swimming teacher was fat, and she had a weird coffee stain on her swimsuit. I always thought that it was so strange. Anyway she would make me put my face in the water, and it was always very scary because her stained swimming suit was in it too. Years later when I was 11 I learnt how to swim. The swim teacher  to jump into the deep end of the pool and if I didn't I saw what he would do. He would say ok go back to the line, however when you turned around, he would grab you and throw you in. Miraculously you already know how to swim! You'll automatically surface and get to the side of the pool. I think 1 in 15 kids didn't swim and they quit and sank to the bottom, in that case the teacher would cuss, and jump in after the kid. The kid would be fine. I jumped in and swam, my sister was thrown in.
Climbing came naturally to my sister and I. She started it however, she would climb doors, walls, anything that went upward. Her problem was coming down. She would begin to cry, and usually jump into my father's arms. I enjoyed climbing trees and interesting shaped buildings. However one day our teacher told us that it wasn't ladylike to climb. The whole fun of climbing trees was the fruit of the labor - tamarinds, palm, mangoes, coconuts, dates... so much yummy fun!

Years later, I have no more upper body strength, and developed fear of heights. I doubt that I can climb anything whatsoever. I wish and wish I could climb the rock wall in the University of Akron rec center, but I never have the guts to or find a buddy to go with.
Recently though I got the opportunity to at Kendall Cliffs, in Summit County. I have been climbing with my friends Renee and Mark. It has been quite the learning experience. In its entirety it is an exhilarating experience. You get a full body work out with the adrenalin rush, team spirit, trust building, strength building and mentally, physically and sometimes intellectually challenging.
The first few times I learnt the "codes" we are supposed to say such as "climbing" "climb on" "belay?" "belay on", how to tie the No. 8 knot. and to secure the harness. Then how to start the climb and use my arms and legs, following the color.
Recently however Renee/ Mark and Jeff stepped it up a notch, and taught be how to use my belay instrument, tie a few more knots, the secret to trying knots, also new techniques in movements, and holds. It sure made it more interesting and challenging. Realization to how much more I need to work on my core muscles, and arms. Also how we must use our arms and legs together. Usually Renee forgets to use her arms, and I forget to use my legs. So we learn from each other. I realized I trust Renee and Mark for belaying and everyone has different belay techniques. It all takes practice.
I started a new wall, and it was a puzzle and challenging. I would climb up four feet and then slip and fall to be caught by the belay person. Swinging like Tarzan (by mistake) from the rope is actually kinda "whoa". This wall had a very slight overhang and it had different kinds of holds... and now my thumbs hurt. Relearning how to climb again, and its fun and you use parts of your brain that we forget to use. We use muscles we didn't know we have!

Exciting! Intriguing! Believing! Achieving!

About LOTRO

So as some of you may know i play an MMO called LOTRO.

For those of you who are not l33t/ computer game savvy:

MMO = Massive Multiplayer Online Game ... which could include role playing if they wished. there is PvE and PvP (player versus environment and player versus player) game play.
RPG = Role playing game
FPS= First person shooter (which lotro is not)

LOTRO = lord of the rings online.

in this alternate world of middle earth I am known as Eva (short for Evariyun, which is my main character or toon). She is an elf minstrel. She does not look like Liv Tyler as Arwen, however she does have the ears and pale skin. She is a healer, and damn good at it. I have alternate 'toons' as well such as Evastarr a runkeeper who is also an elf. Nausica who is my Elf Loremaster, she can have pets. Right now she has two a raven and a bear. The bear is cuddly! Lusheeta is my Champion, and a human. She hails from the land of Gondor! She deals damage and is fun and easy to play with. Loremasters are tough because you have to do crowd control while fighting mobs (many enemies at one time, whether a pack of wolves, or a 2+ orcs).

In the game you can form a fellowship, sadly not a fellowship of nine. That would be nice. I believe a full fellowship is six. However the story line within the game, and the quests do follow the actual story line written by JRR Tolkien. Questing is the main way to advance in the game, and you can either do them alone or in a fellowship. Some quests can only be completed in a fellowship, but a few daring players have done those solo. A good way to socialize or make new friends is to join random groups or to join a Kinship/guild. I have been in 2-3 guilds, and the one I am in now is called Knights of Numenor aka KoN. This kin is laid back, and close knit. It was once a huge kin, but I think some switched to WoW and some just left the Kin altogether due to drama. Like everywhere in life: ALL kins have drama. Right now and hopefully forever more, there is no more drama, and there won't be ever.

Recently there came a new expansion pack... Seige of Mirkwood. The story in the Two towers and The Return of the King, show that Mirkwood the dark forest (from where Legolas hails) has been invaded by the forces of Mordor, and just basically all the evil in Middle Earth have woken up. In Return of the King (RotK) they try to avoid going through Mirkwood when they (the good guys) travel from Isengard to Minas Tirith (I may be mistaken).

It's a great game, with great graphics, and I love my friends I have made in game. Yes and they are real friends. here are some pictures of my alternate life ;-).

The Men Who Stare at Goats

"A reporter, trying to lose himself in the romance of war after his marriage fails, gets more than he bargains for when he meets a special forces agent who reveals the existence of a secret, psychic military unit whose goal is to end war as we know it. The founder of the unit has gone missing and the trail leads to another psychic soldier who has distorted the mission to serve his own ends." - Rob Harris

This movie was bizarre yet intriguing. It made me think about how ridiculous this Hippie Cult in the army was. How could something so ridiculous be funded by the government? However in the end of the movie I realized to begin with the whole idea of any war is ridiculous. People like fighting, its primal instinct to fight and survive. However humans are conscientiousness beings, that separates us from the animals. Since we have the ability to rise above the "fighting to live attitude"... and we have such great intelligence then why can we not create a peace, rather than create guns and bombs? So although this movie was hilariously absurd in all aspects, it had a deeper message. I didn't get the whole movie until Hrishi pointed out there is a profound meaning in the movie. It's something to think about (for those who wish to ponder) even though it is a laughable comedy.

The Dilemma: Compassion to people ... compassion to animals

So the past couple of years I have been working as a Park Ranger for the National Park Service, then as a GIS intern at the Metro Parks around Akron, now the land planner at the one in Cleveland. I help conserve natural areas, for the enjoyment of people and to help save species of animals. Ohio, may not be a Sundarbans, or great barrier reef, it is a makeshift home to many migratory species. It's waters drain into the Great lakes which eventually drain into the Atlantic Ocean. The environment and the quality of the environment is a shared responsibility. Some of us work more actively in the field than others.

However what is the COST of conservation? In Northeast Ohio people are concerned we are taking away their land. The land which they rightfully own, for some dumb birdies. In India Medha Patkar and Baba Amte stood up for the tribal/village people who would be affected by the dam which was to be built across the Narmada River. Did those people really matter? Did that whole environment really matter? Is not renewable energy for the overpopulated cities of India more important than some people in a village, who farm, they could farm or do whatever they do elsewhere right? Do these peoples' sentiments really matter?

I have been reading this book called "The Hungry Tide" by Amitav Ghosh. I highly recommend it if you have any interest in Indian culture, environment, tigers, culture in Asia, philosophy or just really good piece of fiction. The story is set in the Indian section of the Sundarbans. This is a real area, and all the facts that follow are true. The Sundarbans are the largest mangrove forest in the world. A Mangrove forest is a special habitat created where the river meets the sea, the depositing silt creates temporary and changing landforms, this process gives birth to semi-aquatic flora and specialized fauna. This area is also the humble abode of the Royal Bengal Tiger. WWF, and other such organizations have listed the Tiger as a threatened and endangered species. This animal is subject to loss of habitat, and poaching.

The Sundarbans is also home to a very popular species that inhabits the earth: Humans. So two great predators occupy this dense jungle, or whatever is left of it. As the humans make way for more homes, the tigers fight for survival... the people who live here are mostly refugees, living in abject poverty, poor, fishing in the little streams and rivers that form this vast delta. Who has rights to this land? WWF and people from our class are all for SAVE THE TIGER. The tiger is dying. However, where will these people go? Do they matter?

Then again there are people like me who work hard but for no great compensation, to protect these areas, quoting the book (at this point two characters are discussing the difference between conserving habitats for animals and keeping animals in captivity): "the difference (...) is that is what it was intended, not by you or me, but by nature, by the earth, by the planet that keeps us all alive. Just suppose we cross that imaginary line that prevents us from deciding that no other species matters except ourselves. What will be left then? Aren't we alone enough in the Universe? And do you think it will stop at that? Once we decide we can kill off other species, it will be people next. Just the kind of people you were speaking of, people who are poor and unnoticed."

This made me think that perhaps preservation does draw the line from us killing off the earth and then killing each other for more of it. When we create preservations, reservations, conservation areas... It is because we acknowledge the fact that this is a place that must be shared not only with humans but reserved for animals who would otherwise have no home. WE as a species are selfish and greedy, taking the best and leaving the rest to the lowest. Some might call it survival of the fittest, but most of us are more than fit. So since we are the dominant species and class why not help the "less fit" more often.

However there is still the line between helping poverty stricken people and helping the environment. When the Narmada Bachao Andolan (Medha Patkar and Baba Amte's non-government organization) began a movement against the dam, it aimed at preserving habitat (trees etc) and people. Then there is an area like the Smoky Mountain National Park, which preserves a small portion of the smoky mountains and is home to the Cherokee Indians. So how do we find a balance in countries countries in Africa, South America, and South Asia to strike a balance between helping the poor, but helping the animals too. Maybe even separating the two. We can not afford to lose the earth's second greatest predator (being the Big Cats). However can not ignore poor people and cast them aside. However conserving the nature is my job at the moment. There are both sides of the coin, which can go hand in hand. Which side of the coin are you? and what have you done so far?

Under The Stars

Man creates his own world; dazzling and glamorous. Cities bustling, filled with pop-culture, entertainment, foods, music, cars, technology... its full of life. In the process we, mankind, miss out on the entire universe. When I mean the Universe, I mean the serenity of silence, the vastness of it all, what are we in the big picture. The Universe is glamorous, larger than life, too great to behold... but the little bubbles we create for ourselves, we never step out from it, we forget to look up and understand our place in it all. We are out own universes, we our own gods. We live a lie.

We went to the Allegheny Mountains and camped in the Allegheny National Forest. It was my first time. We camped Minister's Creek trail to a camp site. There we set up camp, and made our own fire pit. It was very nice. We collected fire wood, and it is something which came very naturally to me. I was born to do this.

At night, the embers glowed dimly in the dark, and the other campers around were quiet and settling down around their fires, or their tents for the night. I stepped out of mine to look up and be caught by the magnificence of the sky. I stood stunned by the glory of it... the stars.

Have you ever seen the milky way? The entire milky way... in the silence of the night?

I froze and did not account to how much time passed, I think I said "OMG it's amazing!" Many times. It was as though someone had shut out all the light in the world by draping a thick black cloth over it. However someone had made holes in it... and through that the light shined - bright. Like jewels on black leather it was beautiful, anyone could have cried. That's how the sky should look, but many of us do not know it can look that beautiful from earth itself. Standing there I imagined, if it looks so beautiful from here, Imagine the other wonders out there.

There are so many beautiful things to see in the Universe... and even on our planet. And truly they surpass human beauty, and material things... waterfall such as the Niagra Falls, wonders such as the Grand Canyon ... just to name a few. They are there for a reason, and we miss the message.

That night I realized looking out my window with city lights shinning up, it wont ever be the same. Another time when I had seen that kind of beauty was when I went to Sedona and saw the rock formations there. It was unbelievable.

The National Parks program is on PBS this week, and it should remind us all that there is the beauty of America and the World which we have to live for. There's so much to see, it truly is a beautiful world a beautiful life... once we see the bigger picture.

lesson learned

Life is precious, life is beautiful, and this planet may be the only planet with life out there in the universe. Life can be done away with in a flash. Paramedics and doctors save lives. Yet we squander life away... smoking, eating unhealthy, being totally callous towards our bodies... then there is the fact we kill each other for the most DUMBEST reasons in the UNIVERSE. Yes killing in the name of _______ be it religion, resources, or jealousy are just DUMB reasons.

So I realized I could have been close to death when a normal, uneventful but sweaty +/- 25 mile bike ride became a day to remember, for those people in my life. We were riding STOMP (which is a biking program organized by the Summit County Metro Parks (which I am also a former employee of) on 5th Sept 2009. I had my brand new $400 Diamondback - Clarity - A Performance Hybrid Bike. light weight and built for speed. I was wearing a helmet because STOMP requires you to.

All day I was complaining about my helmet and how dumb and stupid it was. I had my camelbak for water/powerade. I had my cell fone in the back pocket of my bicycle shorts. There were a lot of hills on the ride. Riding with me were Renee, my close friend, her boyfriend Mark, and Paul. We started sometime after 9:30 hours from Howe Meadow, Cuyahoga Valley National Park. There were a lot of Uphills. Considering I helped Mark plan this new 25 miles route in 2007 when I was the GIS/Planning Intern there, I should have seen the hills coming. What goes up must go down... and what goes down must go up... so there were many such hills, very very tough hills. Sometimes we walked up the hills. The Maple leaf Mascot took a picture of me!

We met at all the "fun stops" and had refreshments. We were on out last hill, and coming down I knew we would be at the end. 26.5 miles done, .5 miles to go. I was thrilled... and then down this great finale of a slope I lost control of the bike. 26.5 miles and 26+/- miles per hour down this hill!!!!I was just very excited to be done, and the speed was exhillarating. That's how we should live life! It was brilliant, like the triumphant note of Mozart's masterpeice... and then I felt my bike wobble...and wobble again, until I could not control the wobbling anymore. I braced myself for whatever impact I would encounter...

and then I opened my eyes.

For all great feats, deeds and things there is a fall... so I fell but after a few seconds, I realized I was still alive then Paul was by my side. (13:20 hours) He asked me if I was alright. He told me not to move... but i got up and out of the middle of the road. I asked him if I could lay down, and he said yes. At this point I must have had a TON of adrenalin pulsing through my veins. My cell fone was intact. I told Paul to get my bicycle out of the street. He was awesome. He was there for me a lot. Poor boy. Then we were deciding who to call. He told me to stay awake and not to fall asleep at all. I was just laying there analyzing my body and state of affairs. I have NO idea what my health insurance covers, I was very reluctant to call 911, but it seemed the right thing to do as I felt the right portion of my head swell into a big bump. But the Science Fiction nerd that I am I thought I was Morphing into the ALIEN that I am! :-)

Paul called the shots, but I was lying there and decided I could bike back to Howe meadow. That he would NOT stand, and called some special number and then came some paramedics or CPR trained people, who felt my whole body and asked me a TON of questions. Then the park rangers came, and I was looking at all the people around me, as everyone told me to stay still, and I noticed a recognizeable face. It was Chief Shepard from the Summit Metro parks Rangers!
I said "I know you"
He said "She might be delusional"
I said "No I was the intern last year for Mark."
"Did you see Dave then at the field?"
"I didn't reach there, did I!"
"Yeah, I'd ask how you're doing but ..." and he smiled.

Then the EMS team showed up and asked me a ton of questions, and I was very tired of spelling my name. Very. Paul contacted Renee and Mark and told them about the situation! I love Renee! She arrived and said "Priyanka now what did you go do?"

There was then the decision of going with Renee and Mark, or With the EMS. I was sitting up now with an ice pack on my head. The ice felt good. To Ambulance, or not to Ambulance, that is the question..."

Hamlet's Soliloquy in Hamlet Act 3 Scene 1 shows how I felt with that decision... my life lay in the hands of ME and my decision of to trust the EMS, or trust myself and go with my trusty friends. In the end I was dizzy sitting, so I figured with the EMS. Also he said I could get paralyzed, I could Die etc. And Paul and My dad told me later that they thought of some actress who died because she did not go to the hospital for a head injury during skiing. I know not who this actress was.

The EMS guy LT. McCain! was a sweetheart, but his sidekick did not KNOW WHERE INDIA WAS. :-o And I'm an Indian laying on the stretcher there! It was nice meeting McCain however, he did not look, talk or act like John McCain at all (that can not be said for Lt. Tigh from BSG who looks, talks and acts like McCain). Ambulance rides are NOT fun, and it is NOT fun being strapped down into the stretcher thing, I could not breathe, I could not move.(around 15:00 hours)

Akron City Hospital was nice, I got my own room with a view of a fake sky. I had to pee and I was so Hungry. 26 miles later, and a hospital bed, no food, no bathroom for me until I had my catscan done. IT WAS VERY BORING. After the catscan My dad was there. I went to pee! I was so happy! and then Paul was there! I felt so good and I was so happy! I was ready to go. I had chocolate, crackers and nuts. I didn't get any water, or food out of the hospital... :-( H1N1... I wanted to get out of there ASAP!!!

Dr. Davis pronounced me alright to go, with mild concussion, and hematoma (sp) on my head, and abrasions. I did have a headache.

In the end of it all it was all worth it. Although I did wish I breaked all the way down, however I won't forget it. I realize I have one life, and I can't sit here and wait for death to grip me... I want to GO OUT AND LIVE IT UP. I love everyone!!! Thank You all for your well wishes... but remember Live life with positivity and love. Have faith in yourself and the Universe and all is at peace. Remember to live and do things which you would never do. Do try new things... remember Safety First!
However focus and be a steward of nature.

H20

I am a river,
deftly i flow.

No one can hold me back
breaking all dams i go.

I am an ocean,
I know all lands.

I am as vast as the skies,
bounded by the sands.

I am the rain,
tears of the heavens.

Everyone's pain,
washed away with goodness.

I am the lake,
still and calm.

Waiting for time,
Rippling in storm.

I am the Waterfalls,
powerful and strong.

Overwhelming at times,
Pleasing for all!

I am water,
Cool and changing.

No one can hold me,
Yet giving life to all!

Worth it?

Is it even worth it?

- to write this blog - does anyone read it?
i write to satisfy myself, but it would be nice for people to read it and get some input.

- to plan trips to places?
and know you could have invested in something you may use over and over again instead.

- to have awesome experiences?
but no one to share it with at that moment.

- to live life in a safe little bubble?
when the whole world just passes you by.

- to love and lose loves many times?
and in the end realize you loved them all and can still find someone else.

- to fall down and get up again?
to know you will fall again probably harder.

- to sleep and dream?
only to wake up in the morning, knowing you'll face the same shit on a different day.

IS IT ALL WORTH IT?

- or is it better to be a monk and realize this is all temporary and we shall all transcend to whatever...



i bet it all boils down to douglas adams' "life, the universe and everything."

by popular demand

So some of you have been reading my blogs regularly, which is surprising and nice!

I was walking through the zoo today and Christina (my co-worker) and I always make it a point to walk past the primate and cat building every afternoon. It's good exercise plus we take advantage of the fact that we work in the zoo. Yes, we see the huge tortoises, the cheetahs, the kangaroos, wallabies, and then walk up a fairly graded hill, which we all call "the hill" up to the primate and cat building. There we pass the snow leopard, the mandabay monkeys, the red panda. Then comes the Gorillas, my favorite!

The tortoises are fairly active, and they actually lift their heavy shelled bodies off the ground and crawl about, curious about the visitors. They have these brown wise eyes, I do not know how old they are, but they look very old in their wrinkly skin. They are quiet and calm!

The cheetahs pace forever, but on very HOT days (very hot is relative in Cleveland), the cheetahs lounge about staring into the distance. Their eyes have a look of longing for open open Savannah which they could run their max speed, stretching their legs one last time.

Down in the valley, after walking down the boardwalk, we come to the zoo's version of the land down under! The Kangaroos are always lounging about, one can imagine them leaping across Australia with all the force of their strong legs, and heavy tail. They are cute, yet powerful in their own way - large bunnies with pouches. I once read in a fact section of the Young World in "The Hindu" newspaper, that when the British made port in Australia, they saw these large animals jumping around. They asked the Aborigines. " what are those?" and the Aborigines not understanding them said "ganga- roo, ganga-roo" which apparently meant "I don't understand you"!!!! Down Under they have a lot of cool terms and phrases much liek slang here in US and other parts of the world. However the Aussie slang is waaay cooler than anything i ever heard (all respects to Steve Irwin, and the term "Crickey Mate"!!!).

Moving on to the snow leopard, he always hides behind a rock, however today he was laying ontop of the rock so we could see him! The monkeys are always active, and there are many more monkeys inside the building, but it is usually crowded and noisey so we stay out of there! Then some the Red-Pandas. They are small and red ofcourse, and UTTERLY adoreable like stuffed animals! THEY LOOK LIKE TOYS!!! Recently they gave birth and the youngen are in a safe place, out of human sight.

Finally are Mokolo and Bebac. The Gorillas. I love these guys, they are huge, stealthy in the jungles of africa, yet powerful and deadly. One swipe of their hand could knock a grown man out cold. Their Palms vs. our measly hands, its amazing! Yet we are a like and eerily so, though their eyes are filled with sorrow, longing and boredom. I feel they need female company, for both are male. I feel for them so much, and I have grown to love these beastly men. The children always go to the cage and make fun of how ugly they are, or yell "hoo-hoo-hoo!" at them while mimicking ape gestures. I feel resentful toward the children - if it were them inside there, it would not be too funny then. I'm sure if Mokolo or Bebac could talk they would say you ugly filthy kids, didn't your w*@#$% mother's teach you any @!#@%$ manners!??! If mankind hadn't sought to take control (and whether it is natural order or not, HUMANS ARE GREEDY B@$%@#!$), the Gorilla's would be happily abound and not in cages, there wouldn't be such severe issues of endangered and extinct species.
Whatever, I never thought I would be a Gorilla Lover (as Polloy put it!) but you can't help but realize how much like us they are, but more emotion, they are just spewing it all over. At least I feel it.

Whether you share the views or not, I just want you to know, Animals are beautiful people too. Look deeper, and you'll see it. They are not different from Human babies, except they do not grow up and speak and work. However their hearts seem to be in the right place, except labradors which suffer from constant gluttony! (just kidding!)

(I think this needs editing, too much raw passion. Seems amateurish. What do you think?)

Image courtesy of National Geographic - Picture of the Day - Michael Nichols

Loves Life Laughs

We live, we love, we laugh... I think these are the most important things we do.

I have lived but 26 years, and so far I loved so many people, animals, places, things... I love so much that sometimes it feels like that my heart may burst. However there are times when I stop out of sheer fatigue and its like the doldrums when there is just me loneliness, and all I feel is "Comfortably Numb". However this short piece is on Loving and that feeling. I love my family. but as Richard Bach said in Illusions- The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof." and "Don't be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends."

I keep that with me in my heart, because "friends are a gift you give yourself", so i love my friends dearly is what I am trying to say. I can only hope they love me as I love them.

I realised I loved him when I met him after years, by then it was too late. I had had my opportunity to do something about it, but nay I had lingered, doubted and let it pass. So now I must wait, for a different lifetime perhaps. Perhaps it was never meant to be? Was it meant to only be a friendship? I guess I will find out in the end, but is there an end at all?

Another One. We loved each other, or so we thought. We were young and said our "I love you"s, all for naught; less than 9 months and he was gone. Gone just as the waves splash upon the beach and leaves it high and dry as it recedes into the low tide. Years later I have a strange "knowing" of him. The familiarity feels good, and there seems to be a connection, but i am not sure what. I did question him regarding this, but I can't figure it out. Thus those memories, those moments, or just him whether he has changed or not... friendship lasts forever, even though time moved on leaving "us" in the dust.

Bonds can be unbreakable; perhaps even so unshakable than "marriage". Thus it goes to show that even man can't make up and "institution" of marriage and MAKE it last forever till death do us part. Real bonds show test of time and change, (did i miss something?). I can vouch for that.

My best get-together was with the boy I loved in high school. I always truly thought I loved him despite all his faults, despite his lack of care towards me, the way he thought I was nothing compared to him. I resented him at times, but then I always knew I cared for him after ALL we had been through. YEARS later we stood on a beach holding each other, and he just said "You are one of the sweetest person I ever met". I think that's when I knew my patience, and care had paid off. I can't even begin to remember the number of times I had told him I loved him no matter what. He would always laugh about it, and say he just didn't feel the same way. I guess I shall always love that fool, through thick and thin. And I'll never regret it. We're friends deep down. Although who knows, he might deny his side of it.

Strangely some of my good friends so far I am yet to meet. I have been there friends through the internet so long, it feels like I know them, but then I think back, and wow I have never met them in person. Lately I met one such person in real life, and we have much more appreciation for each other now! It felt great, and although it was just a few hours, it makes up for ALL that time we missed out on. He was lovely. I plan to meet my other 2-3 friends soon!!!!

Love Love Love ... All you need is LOVE!!!

Image Courtesy National Geographic- Picture of the day. Mick Tsikas. International Photo Contest. 2008.

I'm starting with the person in Mirror

So the world is in shits... but the only way to make it a better place, is just as Michael Jackson sang it in the "man in the mirror". You have to start with yourself.

So my dear friend Chris once told me to watch this movie called "The Secret" this was when it first came out and wasn't too big. Then the book came out and someone told me to read the book. Then many people told me to read the book.

Finally I began reading it this year after I returned from India. I felt very very hopeless, and nothing was looking up, especially with the Economy in the doldrums and all.

I began practising the first part of the book: Ask the Universe. Visualize. Positivity. and have NO DOUBT.

and that's when it began. I realized I had used the secret in the past as well. We have all used the secret and have not realised that we used it.

Read the book. and share your stories. Will add more to this blog in the future.

does time stand still as we go through life?

When I was a child I remember thinking I will never be a grown up, because a whole day took forever to pass. However days would pass on bye, and thus our childhoods seem as a shadow, barely in memory by the time we are 30. I held on to those memories for the sake of contrasting and better understanding of life. As a child I was very aware of my thoughts and feelings. I would question who I was and why I was who I was, and similar profound thoughts.

Now I find myself in my mid 20s and I wish I could go back to those years and wish Time would slow down. Now I find myself looking for time to do things I love doing, spending time with friends, time to travel. I blink my eye and another week flies by without me accomplishing things I wish too.

Is the human body so finite to be able to accomplish as much as we dream too? Or is it energy? How much can we handle? How much can we push ourselves?

I spent my teenage years pretending to be grown up, and now that I am here I wish I had the energy of my youth to spend now!

My earliest memories must be when I was 2. I remember looking at this book, which had pictures of sheep, very nicely drawn. It seems like a dream now, but sheep calm me down a lot.

I remember our backyard and the living room. I remember sleeping with my parents when I was an 2 or 3. I would wake up while they were sleeping and play with imaginary elves, pixies and fairies. Come to think of it, it was so long ago that perhaps they were real. They came out when my parents would be asleep, I would wake up because the pixies and fairies were so noisy.

I remember looking at plants and flowers. There was so much to see. Curiosity for all things. Grown up things were so plane. Children's books were so detailed, or perhaps their minds filled in a lot of things. When children grow up into people they paint details in words and other complications to make up for detail and richness in life.

As carefree as a child. What do we keep ourselves busy with now? Will we ever be carefree again?

Can we find a day where we can squeeze looking at a flower, dancing, running around the house for fun, jumping on the bed, going to the grocery store, the bank, and to playschool, gymnastics, drawing, listening to stories and watching cartoons, smelling the kitchen as mom cooks... and much much more in to ONE DAY? and then sleep as soundly as a baby listening to the fairies at night? WHY MUST WE RUSH THROUGH LIFE?

Images: Courtesy C. Deepti; Rebecca Chakraborty; and Aditya Banerjee

Birding

I must say running in the park has become an awesome way for me to unwind no matter how exhausted i am at the end of the day. There's nothing like rolling hills, wetlands, and open areas where birds flit about. Listening to and watching the birds.

I saw a Indigo Bunting the other day while running with Cricket! It was a fabulous sight. I had seen it in the picture in the book and it was "eh" like not too great. But when one sees these birds in real life in the wild. What a sight! Quoting Birds of Ohio author Stan Tekeila "Actually a black bird, as it doesnt have any blue pigment in its feathers. As with the Blue Jay, sunlight is refracted within the structure of the Bunting's feathers, making them appear blue. Appears iridescent in direct sunlight."

It was in direct sunlight and appeared utterly marvelous. "They are seen on woodland edges, feeding on insects. Males often sing from treetops to attract mates." and this is exactly how i saw it. edge of woods on a large tree by the wetlands, singing at intervals. Beautiful voice.

Birdwatching has so many perks and is such a lovely activity. combined with running, well there we have health, relaxation, enjoyment and excitement all in one!

(Location: Buckeye Woods Park, Medina Park District, Medina, Ohio)

Environmentalism and the economy

The solution for this "economic crisis" is not more oil/drilling in alaska/giving money to auto industry
but we should: give money to education; let people educate themselves.
money for research in HOW TO BE GREEN; green technology; green products; green lifestyles
its the future.
if we destroy the earth now... because we want to live like fat-fast food eating-vehicle driving mushrooms then sure. why not.
but if we want to be healthy-active-and live in a beautiful planet then we have to WORK for it.
Green living will create jobs.
sure most people may argue. but some of you will agree it is the right way to go.

Image: courtesy of National Geographic - Pictures of the day- Boza Ivanovich. International photo contest 2008. Thank You! But now we know what we need to work towards. what we need to save!

Raj Dadu's Life Stories

Raj Dadu and Adarsh Dida are visiting, as well as my grandparents, not to mention the other visitors we have day after day. You may be one of them! glad to have you, but i must tell you, my mind tires after a week of work, driving and other things that are a part of life. Weekends are when i just flop about the house. In other words, my language will be casual here, Im jsut super excited to hear these stories and I WANT to write them down.

So i wake up relaxingly at 12pm this afternoon. Delight to see my sister back from her interview in DC, and Raj dadu already sipping on his beer! Adarsh dida and Maya dida relaxing around the house.

I begin listening to the stories my elders (who have seen much more of life, the world, and time than I have) have to tell. Raj dadu comments on my music, photography, and movie collection. I tell him how much i admire his book collection... somehow the conversation winds its way to the fact that he had Dennison Berwick staying at his house!!! I just got his book "a walk in the clouds" a few months ago, it is out of print and hard to come by. Apparently a few months ago Mr. Berwick had visited Raj Dadu. This man lives in his boat on the oceans, and travels the world. I wish that were a life i could lead. Well About Mr. Berwick, not only did they take him to visit a very crowded Durga Mandir (temple for godess durga), but they went out digging, a amateur archeological venture. What fun!

We all dream. (the secret: beleive in that dream. see it feel it.... and you will have it).

Then he talks about how Hilary stopped by once. So i ask Raj Dadu, "Which Hilary" and he says "edmund ofcourse". Ofcourse I am astounded, I admire and aspire to be like these great travelers and adventurers. There is nothing more I'd love more than to see the world i most love and protect with all my life. So Sir Edmund Hilary hung out at Raj Dadu's dig on the Ganges on a trip up to the himalayas via jet boats!

They had 80+ bottles of beer with them and did not have the privacy to drink it the entire trip, until then. They were just staying for lunch, but lunch lasted till 4, so they shacked up there for the night! AMAZING! Going back to the story of the jet boats, apparently a Yogi came over, and the Hilary crew had a tug of war with them! I need to get the book and read this! For all who are new to these places and people, just know one thing: India is beautiful, India is an Adventure, India grows on your heart, India is where you go when you want to learn more about yourself.

Raj Dadu and Dida are pure vegetarians, no meat whatsoever, maybe egg, but no MEAT! (although dida loves fish).

Here's the story: a long time ago (i think he said in the 60s) they went to Paris, France. There the host was invited to the best and very famous seafood restaurant. Ofcourse there was nothing vegetarian to eat there. The salad had herring in it. Raj Dadu has never tasted meat in his life, however he doesnt not want to eat herring, and it would be distasteful to suggest a different restaurant. So what he does is order a plate of raw oysters. dipps them in lemon and butter and swallows them whole. Thus he says he has NEVER tasted meat in his life. :-)