While commenting on my blog post Kerala Boat Race, Catherine led me to learn something new.
New Zealand’s Maoris too have similar boats called Waka. You can learn all about them here.
Tag: New Zealand
Do You Believe In Magic?
I think that Shackman, who has suggested this topic for this week’s 2 on 1 Friday post, asks about the supernatural variety and not the other kinds like illusion, the Indian rope trick etc. I shall therefore restrict my response to this area only. Please do go over to Shackman’s blog to see what he has to say on the topic.
If I have to write about the supernatural variety of magic, naturally it leads us to Miracles.
My post therefore is a simple short one. The answer is an unqualified “No”.
If that is so, what is the explanation for something like this? I believe in The Theory of Karma and this clearly brings about five lives who come together in this birth to experience the effect of some causes caused by them in either this earlier lives or past lives. I have simply not been able to come across any other explanation for such occurrences that take place with unbelievable frequency. Some with positive outcomes and some with negative ones.
I however believe in this kind of magic.
You sigh, the song begins, you speak and I hear violins, it’s magic
The stars desert the skies and rush to nestle in your eyes, it’s magic
Without a golden wand or mystic charms,
Fantastic things begin when I am in your arms
When we walk hand-in-hand, the world becomes a wonderland, it’s magic
How else can I explain those rainbows when there isn’t rain? It’s magic
Why do I tell me myself these things that happen are all really true
When in my heart I know the magic is my love for you?
How Old Is Old? II And Let’s Twist Again II.
Cathy from New Zealand is normally a sedate commentator but suddenly can come up with a googly or for my American readers, a curve ball.
She has given a link to a blog post that is simply amazing. Suddenly, New Zealand is beginning to look very interesting. They reached the finals of the ICC World Cup Cricket tournament last week after a remarkable pre finals matches. In fact, my bet was on New Zealand winning the cup but Australia was simply too good.
I tried to buy the film on DVD from Amazon India without success but shall try and get it one way or the other. Maybe by even getting my niece from NZ to buy it locally and to courier it to me.
Thank you Cathy. You are incredible!
Education III and Donkeys/Asses.
My post Education was a light hearted approach to a serious problem and Education II was a very serious one on the same subject. Now this post is a combination of both seriousness and comedy with the quirks of English and American English playing a role too.
Cathy from New Zealand, while commenting on my post Education has this chilling personal tale to share with us.
“Education such a funny sort of thing err object… I always wanted to go to University, I finally got there under special admission when I was in my mid 50’s. I had it in my mind it was somewhere I could feel at home and be able to assert my difference. Well, “my difference” took such a battering that it’s a wonder I managed to actually get my BA majoring in Art History and Asian Studies.
I remember telling various people that “this dumbing down was getting to me” – each professional lecturer/tutor couldn’t quite grasp it all…and would say “dumbing down????” Often I wanted to run away but I had set a goal and I stuck to it.
When I was done, and I wanted to return, maybe I could get with “me thoughts” – I’m 3 papers shy of a GradDip in another arena. I was hoping to return this year but a couple of comments on one of my final essays has put paid to returning, methinks. Apparently, I should be confining my words to what said lecturer knows…all I did was criticize the author of the book review – included evidence…
My education must be tailored…to their expectations. Considering that most of them are much younger than me I find that hilarious. Of course lecturers et al, do not live in the real world 🙂
Instead I’m doing something that allows me to show a difference, my Mentor gently guides me and encourages me to move in the art-making world…lots more fun for sure :-)”
So, the problem with Education has no national boundaries!
Here is something that should bring a smile to your faces to start the new week off. Americans use the word ass to indicate both the four legged animal and derriere. So, when some comedy is called for it becomes quite easy. Instead of the Donkey of the Nawab’s story, we now have American asses. Please click on the image for a larger resolution.
Gratitude List – November 12, 2011.
Saturday gave some tense moments when a consignment urgently needed by one of my clients did not arrive on time. I had to chase the carriers in three different locations to see that it was delivered before my client ran out of stock and his machines stopped. He was very happy, but not as happy as I. He immediately placed another order for a fresh supply and that was worth all the tension of the morning. Modern telecommunication has its uses.
Another client too was happy with the service rendered last week to him and placed a fresh and larger order.
Ranjan gave me a wonderful massage. Total bliss and I went off to sleep during the process!
Our young friend Mitali came over for lunch on Sunday and stayed on till late evening entertaining me to the best of her ability. Weather being peculiar with changing temperature and humidity, I was quite uncomfortable and her presence was like a balm.
My cup over flowed on Monday. To start with, Dilesh who I had known since he was a troubled teen-ager and his lovely wife Deepa landed up unannounced from Mumbai. I attended their wedding on a day that is written in blood in Mumbai, it was the day of serial blasts in 1993 and missed being blown to smithereens by a whisker, when a bomb went off just after I had passed where it was planted. Dilesh outgrew his teen age problems and has progressed well enough
to have just been made Executive Director for the Indian arm of a global investment bank. To celebrate the occasion he bought a brand new car and came to show that off, inform me about the promotion and to take my blessings. It is always a pleasant experience to see young proteges do well and this was no exception. Their 17 year old son has just got admission to a prestigious College of Engineering and that was another cause for joy. Deepa and Dilesh stayed for lunch and to add further joy to me, from the car, Dilesh sent me this message.
“It was really nice seeing you after such a long time. You always have been & are my most respected person who has inspired me and influenced me in many ways. Tks for all Sir:))”
Gratitude and respect for elders has not disappeared completely among the young. Here are two photographs of the three of them during their recent vacation in New Zealand. Young Shivu had his dreams fulfilled when he went on a sky dive and a bungee jumping binge.
Next came a very practical advise from another unexpected source. Another young person, all the way from Dublin. Thank you Elly. I am overwhelmed with your affection and concern.
My father was sitting minding his business in our veranda and when it became dark, moved back inside to discover that he has been bitten by some insect on his ankle with a great deal of swelling. He urgently wanted some medicine, and my ever willing neighbour Susan, luckily shopping near a medical stores, promptly bought it and brought it over for him.
Tuesday had me cooking again. Two dishes, one cooked by me and one cooked under my supervision both turned out well and both the critical consumers at home had generous helpings while the younger one complimented me. Tuesday also had me book another substantial order from a client. This month promises to be good for business.
Wednesday morning, my garden presented me with the first Hibiscus flower of the season. It was also a momentous day for me. For the first time since I came back from the hospital, I left home to take an X-ray. I was able to manage the three steps by supporting myself on Ranjan’s shoulder and got in and and out of the car without any difficulty. I was also able to hobble about 100 Mts up and down to the X-ray unit in the hospital on my own.
Our neighbour Susan surprised us with a home baked pie specially made for me with vegetables as she knows that I am a vegetarian. It was out of the world.
I kept my appointment with the surgeon for post surgery follow up, on Friday. The good news is that I have made good progress in the six weeks since the surgery and the bad news is that I have some more to go before he will let me do the jig. I have to meet him again by end of December. Till them, while some restrictions have been removed, I have been cautioned to to easy on putting weight on the operated leg for some more time.
Majiree came over and brought some very welcome chocolates! She also saved me from some blushes before she left. I found out what she had done after she had gone and when I woke up remembering the chore I had to do and which I had not. Thank you Manjiree.