tis the night...

before christmas?

yeah, the radio here has been going on abt xmas for a week now. and i've seen enough christmas trees and glittery decorations to remind me of what this time of the year has been like for me for the last two decades. it has been a little surprising for me, although it's really great to see some forms of multicultralism and fellow-feeling... all those wonderful holiday feelings.

but as we all continue in our quest for political correctness and the non-denominational greetings sweep across n. america, i wish ya all a wonderful holiday.

and if you have snow by now, i hope you're enjoying it!

anyone want to...

buy me this?

milestones

a year later and i'm still writing similar crap. at least i'm not writing exams. ha.

but this is funnier:)

the original

i’ve been reading rumi as it was meant to be read: in farsi. and it is sooo much more beautiful and satisfying than the pseudo translations that take exaggerated liberties.

the main limitation seems to be my obvious lack of vocabulary, but that has not stopped me from immersing myself in the rhythm and the rhyme. despite my language deficiencies there are moments of shear clarity, where i glimpse the ecstatic joy that mulana must have felt. it makes me giddy, but no one in my immediate surroundings really understands...

mandatory meetings

yesterday was a totally maxed out day.

i got home from the restaurant around 11ish and conked out within minutes after bitching about yet another selfish-crazy-unbelievable client for the umpteenth time.

like all other people living in this city i’m juggling work at a couple of diff places and while all of it is challenging in a good way, it’s exhausting. so the whole day was spent in a beautiful conference room with 3 parties, several board members, consultants, engineers, and enough male ego to fuel a space shuttle all the way to the moon. after the careful and meticulous planning, i think our delegation was somewhat shocked by the opening statements (they were not “planned” to say the least). having signed confidentiality agreements and given the fact that this is the internet, there’s no way i can say more in terms of specifics, but suffice it to say that it was the biggest bluff that i’ve seen pulled off, ever. the day was uber productive for the team but i saw once again the reasons why we are soooo behind the other players around the world.

i spent the time before (mandatory) dinner reflecting in the flash garden with a beautiful pool, and lots of beautiful willow trees. i was trying to find solace in myself as i around in the dark and looked over the city lights and unfortunately breathed in the polluted air (which by the way has improved a little bit). the truth is that i’ve been keeping myself really busy but at the back of my mind i have the feeling that i shouldn’t be here. this is not where i am most efficient. there’s a lot for me to do and learn, but all in due time is the response i get from the voice in my head. that, and the regular comments from those around me (including taxi drivers, shop keepers, etc etc) that i should just get used to the way this world is, esp this country… thinking of how much better things can be is only another way to bring painful thoughts to cloud my day.

anyway, i think all the activity and excitement and the hour spent in the chilly garden have taken a toll on my immune system. my throat is itchy. horribly itchy and my body is sore. dad’s going on a trip tomorrow that he did invite me on but i felt there’s too much to do here. so sensible of me.

more smog

true, the smog is aweful and probably killing us: but deciding to shut down EVERYTHING for two days is really not the solution. no banks. no courts. no gov offices. and consequently, many more offices and business are also closed for two business days. i can only imagine that this is causing HUGE economic loss when you add up all the shit that is not going to happen today...

on the other hand, the streets have been eerily quiet today... especially after witnessing the scenes from yesterday's crash. the fact that most of those who perished were journalists has resulted in full-blown coverage of the disaster over the last 24 hours on national tv.

the anger continues to build up...

life planning

i had a sombre-comical conversation with my dad this morning asking what our plans should be if and when there is an earthquake in the city. i mean we have to have a plan for finding each other and getting out of here, if we survive. and that was the reason my dad wasn’t as vested in the conversation. i guess he thinks we are very likely to die. my feeling is that if there is an earthquake in this city, the lucky ones are the ones that die. so anyway, the plan would become way complicated by the fact that i don’t really know my way around this city, it would likely be impossible to move around much amid the mayhem and likely fires burning (there are way too many unsafe buildings and open gas lines), and of course the fact that i don’t carry my passport or any sizable amt of cash around with me (although there would be no flights out of here anyway). so i think his unstated feeling is correct. the lucky will be those who die. the rest will have to bury the dead. the millions of dead...

smogged out :(

my earlier tirade on the suffocating smog in the city wasn’t an exaggeration by any means. the air has been so bad in this valley in the past few days that an official smog alert has been issued, and kids have been given two days off school. but, from what i saw, a large portion of the two million school children are not staying home, as most are using the day to accompany parents on shopping trips and outings.

the current effects of the pollution include: throat ache, sore eyes, dirty skin, and unseen damage to lungs and inner cavaties that are come into contact with the poisionous levels of CO, SO2, NO2 etc.

i’m contemplating wearing a face mask (they are becoming more common) but i’m way too self-conscious…

looking for...

a good p.a. someone whose smart and can follow instructions. someone whose intuitive and doesn't need to ask me a question every other minute. someone to screen my calls, schedule my meetings, pick up some lunch. someone with detailed knowledge of city life, the best eating places, the best shopping spots, the best way to get around. someone whose loyal and honest.

i probably have more of a chance of winning the lottery than finding a p.a. like this. but, in case you fit the description, send me your resume...