Saw this plane going down :(

I usually come home from work to have lunch, leaving at about 11:45 AM. Today was no different, and I was waiting for a green signal at the intersection of Ralston Ave and Oracle Parkway, when I saw this plane going really low.

Usually, these planes taking off from nearby San Carlos airport fly a little higher than this one; and so I was curious. It was not even going fast, somehow seemed very slow to be airborne. Then, it did a sharp right turn, and went further downwards and out of sight behind a building. I remember thinking someone must be feeling very acrobatic, the way the flight looked from below. I came home and found in Mercury News that the plane crashed into the Redwood Shores Lagoon, and folks in the plane died. Here is the article: http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_15975084

Reading about such accidents seems so surreal when you were witness to them. Its an odd feeling.

Missing aircraft

My heart goes out to the 200+ people in the Air France jet that went missing over the Atlantic.

Its difficult to believe that in this day and age, the craft cannot be located. Couldn't they start looking in the location from where the last contact was made ?

Isn't the craft supposed to also work as a glider, if it loses power ? One would think there was the chance to land it over the water and get the people out on floating rafts. The cold water would make it crazy, but there is a chance for survival if rescuers reach there quickly enough.

Makes me a little jittery to think that I will be flying out in 10 days time myself, all statistics aside.

Grandpa

My dear old grandfather, aka bhava, passed away yesterday, August 4th, in India.
His birthday would have been on the 5th. He was 103 years old. I already feel like I've seen so much life, imagine what he would have, having lived three of my lifetimes and then another 13 years. His passing away would mean many things to many many people whose life he has touched. I can only imagine.

We are just back in the US, and it is sad to hear of the event. I don't know whether to feel happy for his long life, sad for the loss, or frustrated at our distance. Just feeling a little numb right now. While events like this happen in everyone's life, it is difficult to go on with normal life after a phone call like this. Yet, one is forced to.

Bhava - you lived a long and inspiring life, and you've taught me many many things. I will miss you. We are lucky, we met you two weeks ago and got to talk to you for so long, and got your blessings.

Scrubs

I am impressed by Scrubs. Difficult, sensitive topics. Comedy. Hard look at life. Hilarious at times. It doesn't leave me feeling mindless, like some of the other comedies on TV.

Today evening seems to be TV time. Cash Cab, Jeopardy and now Scrubs. Oh well.

Blessed

ತರಂಗ (Taranga) is a popular kannada magazine. In my reckoning, it is one of the top two, along with ಸುಧಾ(Sudha). The latest edition carries an article, in which is featured my grandfather ! I had lost track of time recently, but the article reminded me that he will turn 103 in a few days time. So many of my fond childhood memories feature him and Tirthalli, so this is very pleasant and touching. You go, Bhava !

For those who don't read Kannada, here is an rough English translation. The article doesn't really do justice to him, I suppose I would write it differently. But then, he is my grandfather after all.

Translation:

Only 5-6 kilometers from Tirthahalli is a little village called Doorvasapura, also known as Mulubagilu. Mulubagilu is famous for it's advaita Mutt and for the dwaita mutt in nearby Bhimana katte.

There is another reason for it's fame, though. A senior person lives there. Name Sakkare Shamacharya (Born: August 5th 1906). He is now 103 years. Except for some weakened sight and hearing due to his age, no disease has dared come near him. His strong body, straight posture and limited use of a walking stick embarrasses youngsters. His hobbies include making jokes in English.

All guests to his home, whether old or young are treated with the same trust. He always makes humorous talk. He used to work as a teacher in Tirthahalli's high school. He used to teach Kannada and Sanskrit to children. Everyday, he would wear his white kachhe panche and Petha and travel to the school in Tirthalli either on his cycle or by walk. He had gained the trust of the students. Religious, and extremely interested in music. He also used to play the tabla.

Even today, after his daily activities, he has a lengthy session of prayer everyday. A vegetarian meal at around 12, snacks in the evening and dinner at night around 7 or 8. He never tracked the amount of coffee he drank, even from his youth. He still is crazy about coffee.

His house on the banks of the Tunga is a garden home. Until very recently, he used to handle oversight of the lands. Devoid of bad habits, his healthy lifestyle has been the secret of his long life.

In 2006, a function was organized in Tirthahalli to honor him for being a centurion.

The time he has received pension for, has exceeded the time he has spent working in his Government job. Saying that we are all unnecessary burdens on the Government, he displays his social concern. Sakkare Shamachar has a rare personality.

Commentary:
-Was he born in 1906 ? The article is factually incorrect, it seems. If I remember right (ya, right!) he was born in 1905 !

- The last few times we talked, he has been talking to me in English. Apparently, he must think the US has made me forget Kannada, and the little bit of Sanskrit he had taught us.

- He also apparently played the mrudangam. In fact, he gave me his to practice, when I was learning the instrument long ago.

- Bhimana katte is so named for a reason. There is a large carving in the rocks, in the form of a mace resting on the ground. Folklore has it that Bhima rested his mace there, and caused the impression. So, folks from all around worship the place. No, really. So they called it Bhimana katte.

Hunger

I used to be hungry and eager. I used to feel fearless.

What happened to me?

Pat on the back !

Ah, I am feeling very clever now. Pat pat pat, if I may do so myself.
Nothing like a good intellectual challenge being solved.

CNN politics

That tumor is in deep trouble. I would be worried if I were it.
Senator Dodd, speaking about Senator Kennedy's malignant brain tumor, dramatically making a point that he is a fighter.


He is like a mosquito in a nudist colony. Everywhere he sees is fertile territory to attack.
- CNN commentator, talking about Obama's situation wrt McCain and his various weaknesses.

Oh I love political coverage on CNN, even if Amy Holmes isn't on.

It is a weird feeling to live in my silly little world of bugs, meetings and emails, of excess food in the fridge and money in the bank, when thousands of people are dead / dying from Nargis and from the China earthquake.

Is there any method in all this madness ?

Meetings

I don't really like meetings at work. The anticipation of a meeting in half an hour's time is the worst part, the meeting itself will probably go quite smoothly.

Somehow, it seems I am getting into more and more meetings nowadays.

Blossom

The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You can spend a lifetime looking for it, and it won't be wasted. - Hashimoto (Ken Watanube) in The Last Samurai.

Taken just outside Palo Alto's main public library. I couldn't but stand, admire and reminisce the scene from the movie.

Vanity

Makes me want to fix it anyway, when my good American friend in QA writes to me:
It is not 100% reproducible. Will keep Sri Sri posted.

Ah, vanity!

Cool places to travel

It's interesting, how my laptop gets to travel to cool locations, which I myself haven't managed to visit. She's already been to Shanghai in China, Anchorage in Alaska and Indianapolis on her journey towards me. And I bet she will travel to a couple of other nice places before coming home.

I wouldn't mind visiting any of those places. Never been to mainland China, would be fun. Alaska sounds very distant and exotic, and Indiana could give me a chance to see Obama. Darn.

Obelix says: Toc Toc Toc, these Fedex guys are crazy.

Referrals

Oh, but I come up with these fantastic referrals. It is like the candidate was made for the position. Or, the position was made to fit the candidate's resume.

The elegance of it all is stunning. Wah.

Mad hops !

We had our final game of the league today. The mad hops are runners up in the intermediate league. We all got T shirts to show off, and our picture will be posted on the Oracle gym walls.

Fantastic memories and friendships. Sorry to see the injuries to some of us. Very happy to have played with you all - Kathy, Rajiv, Yimin, Charles, Robin, Jen and Sridhar. And oh, Charles' daughter.

I feel a little sad it's all over. 

Sixty seconds of distance run

I feel unbelievably busy the last few days. Work. Life. Travel. Shopping. Driving. Volleyball. Logistics. All of them await my attention, but I only seem to do just enough before something else comes up. I am thrashing, it seems.

It feels like I am filling the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds of distance run. Maybe Kipling is happy.

Reminiscence

A few long running mental threads seem to have come to an end, taking with them the fish out of water anxiety and the niggling feeling of the onus of action upon self. I haven't felt so peaceful in a long time.

I suppose Tarang is right when she says Everything is fine in the end; if it is not fine, it is just not the end yet.

Insight

This seems so insightful, I had to record it.

ध्य़ायतॊ विषयान् पुंसः स्ंघस्तॆषूपजायतॆ
संघात स्ंजायतॆ कामः कामात् क्रोधॊभि जायतॆ
क्र्धात् भवति संमॊहः संमॊहात् स्म्रुतिविभ्रमः
स्म्रुतिभ्रम्यात् बुद्दिनाशॊ बुद्दिनाशात् प्रनश्यतिः

- from Chapter 2, Verse 62 of the BhagawadGita

philosophy

Inaction can be a terrible thing. Not know what to do can be worse.