Eyes are the gateway to the soul, hers is old
Sunday, November 26, 2006
To polish or not to polish...
While exploring Bangalore I came across a man on the curb stitching a pair of shoes. Upon further review I noticed that he had all the tools for a proper shoe polishing. I glanced down at my well traveled boots and they looked thirsty. I impulsively decided to get them polished. The man handed me a pair of flip flops to trade for the boots and once that transaction was complete he began his craft. I sat next to him on the curb and watched the transformation. When he was finished I admired his work. Suddenly the coin was flipped, my mood shifted… I began to miss the look of the boots prior to polish. They had character, a roughness and openly expressed who they were and where they had been. Even though beneath the surface they were the same, I felt their truth was hidden.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Sitar and Tabala Concert
Last night I was privileged to attend an amazing musical performance. Indian classical music is well known and appreciated for its complexity and resonating sounds. The sounds of the sitar and tabala are like chocolate cake and red wine; a perfect complement. During the concert I lost track of time and space as the music had a meditative and trance like effect on me. Check out this link for a taste...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTMxx8gLkeQ
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Recent Reads
Below are some books I have read in the past few months that I would recommend:
Holy Cow- An Australian women moves to India and struggles with the transition, life and the Indian culture. During this time she travels throughout the country looking for answers and meeting interesting people along the way. If you coming to India this is a good primer
Shantaram- This book rocked my world. Read it!It was one of the 1st I read while in India and despite its intimidating size it, I promise it flows effortlessly. Roberts paints an amazingly vivid and accurate picture of India. Soon to be a Johny Depp movie.
Age of Kali- Kali translates into Destruction and this book takes you on a trip throughout different states within India via the eyes of a British journalist. The book drags at points but if you want to learn about some fascinating history and states of India it is worth your time.
The Greatness Guide- Robin Sharma is a life coach and author of many bestsellers. This is his latest and if you are looking to take your game to the next level it has a lot of worthwhile tips in it.
The Monk who sold his Ferrari- This Sharma book is a cheesy, yet tells his story of leaving his legal practice to find himself in the Himalayas.
Catch 22- A book based World War II, Heller clearly has ADD as he jumps around more than house of pain...In spite of that it is a great book.
Leadership Presence- When you see it you know it...This book describes how the field and skills of performance arts can be incorporated into everyday life to fuel your fire.
The Tao of Physics- East meets West and the links and connections are fascinating. Capra talks about how science and eastern philosophy are very similar. Bland at times but a good book to skim.
Running with the bulls: From Wharton to Wall Street- This book describes the life of a student at the #1 Undergraduate Business School in the country. It is interesting how intense these young people are...
Great Expectations- Its a classic and Dickens writing style can be challenging to follow.
Many Lives Many Masters- A doctors reflections on a his work with a patient doing past life regressions.
The unbearable lightness of being- A Great book about a man's search for love, connection, himself and how fate twists.
The Manuel of the Warrior of Light- Written by the author of the alchemist, this book is a set of quotes that I find empowering.
The Rules of work- A real quick read for those of you playing the corporate game.
I would love to get a few recommendations from you!
Holy Cow- An Australian women moves to India and struggles with the transition, life and the Indian culture. During this time she travels throughout the country looking for answers and meeting interesting people along the way. If you coming to India this is a good primer
Shantaram- This book rocked my world. Read it!It was one of the 1st I read while in India and despite its intimidating size it, I promise it flows effortlessly. Roberts paints an amazingly vivid and accurate picture of India. Soon to be a Johny Depp movie.
Age of Kali- Kali translates into Destruction and this book takes you on a trip throughout different states within India via the eyes of a British journalist. The book drags at points but if you want to learn about some fascinating history and states of India it is worth your time.
The Greatness Guide- Robin Sharma is a life coach and author of many bestsellers. This is his latest and if you are looking to take your game to the next level it has a lot of worthwhile tips in it.
The Monk who sold his Ferrari- This Sharma book is a cheesy, yet tells his story of leaving his legal practice to find himself in the Himalayas.
Catch 22- A book based World War II, Heller clearly has ADD as he jumps around more than house of pain...In spite of that it is a great book.
Leadership Presence- When you see it you know it...This book describes how the field and skills of performance arts can be incorporated into everyday life to fuel your fire.
The Tao of Physics- East meets West and the links and connections are fascinating. Capra talks about how science and eastern philosophy are very similar. Bland at times but a good book to skim.
Running with the bulls: From Wharton to Wall Street- This book describes the life of a student at the #1 Undergraduate Business School in the country. It is interesting how intense these young people are...
Great Expectations- Its a classic and Dickens writing style can be challenging to follow.
Many Lives Many Masters- A doctors reflections on a his work with a patient doing past life regressions.
The unbearable lightness of being- A Great book about a man's search for love, connection, himself and how fate twists.
The Manuel of the Warrior of Light- Written by the author of the alchemist, this book is a set of quotes that I find empowering.
The Rules of work- A real quick read for those of you playing the corporate game.
I would love to get a few recommendations from you!
VINO!
A simple pleasure I miss and cannot acquire in India is a good bottle of wine. One of my last stops before leaving for the airport was a local wine shop. I carefully picked some bottles and then strategically wrapped them in one of my suitcases. I knew that the legal limit into India was two bottles and decided to risk it…As I was filling out my customs sheet and throughout my flight I wondered if my booty would be confiscated or not. After about 24 hours of travel time at 2:30am I lifted my (weighed down with wine) bags off the conveyor belt o
nto my cart. I took a deep breath and walked smiling up to the final security check. The man looked at my bags, me and my customs sheet. At the last second he looked down at my bag pointed to some white chalk on my bag that said “LBS 7” and said “you need to go to the left and talk to a customs officer”. When I arrived at the counter, I was met by an older man with a crooked grin on his face. He pointed to my bag and said: So you have 7 liquor bottles in your bag (LBS 7), this did not include 3 others I had bought which were in another bag. We volleyed our cases back and forth like Sampras and Agassi until I served up the question he was waiting to here: What’s it going to take for you to let me keep my pirates treasure? There was a twinkle in his eye as he said “as you wish”.
As you wish is how Indians hedge their bets. Without any context they force you to give much more than you should for tips/bribes or if you don’t they let you know…in a way”as you wish” sounds like your royalty and they are at your beckon call, not that they have you by the Family Jewels…
Hearing this before, tired and feeling feisty I said, As I wish huh…, well how about you let me pass out of the kindness of your big and warm heart…He laughed and repeated “As you wish” and pointed to the right. I looked to where his finger directed and surprise, surprise right next two the customs security is a ATM (yes, bribes are a integral part of Indian culture). A few minutes later we were both happy as we created an Indian “win win”. The security guard who originally would not let me pass got the signal from my new friend and let me pass without a hitch.
nto my cart. I took a deep breath and walked smiling up to the final security check. The man looked at my bags, me and my customs sheet. At the last second he looked down at my bag pointed to some white chalk on my bag that said “LBS 7” and said “you need to go to the left and talk to a customs officer”. When I arrived at the counter, I was met by an older man with a crooked grin on his face. He pointed to my bag and said: So you have 7 liquor bottles in your bag (LBS 7), this did not include 3 others I had bought which were in another bag. We volleyed our cases back and forth like Sampras and Agassi until I served up the question he was waiting to here: What’s it going to take for you to let me keep my pirates treasure? There was a twinkle in his eye as he said “as you wish”.As you wish is how Indians hedge their bets. Without any context they force you to give much more than you should for tips/bribes or if you don’t they let you know…in a way”as you wish” sounds like your royalty and they are at your beckon call, not that they have you by the Family Jewels…
Hearing this before, tired and feeling feisty I said, As I wish huh…, well how about you let me pass out of the kindness of your big and warm heart…He laughed and repeated “As you wish” and pointed to the right. I looked to where his finger directed and surprise, surprise right next two the customs security is a ATM (yes, bribes are a integral part of Indian culture). A few minutes later we were both happy as we created an Indian “win win”. The security guard who originally would not let me pass got the signal from my new friend and let me pass without a hitch.
Homecoming
After living in India for five months I returned to the US with A concert tour like schedule. DC, Colorado, Delaware, New Jersey, New York City, Orlando and Atlanta were my destinations over the course of three blurry weeks. I immediately became aware of how organized, calm and clean the US is; on the surface. Highlights of the trip were reconnecting with family and friends, my good friends Tom and Becky’s wedding, enjoying the Falls kaleidoscope of fleeting colors, getting to indulge my senses in simple pleasures not available in India and co-authoring the 1st two chapters of what 
I think will be an amazing story ….There is a intense battle of tug of war between my heart and head as I think about my future and choices to be made.
Comfort is calming, Chaos is Challenging, which path would you take?
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