Archive for October, 2005
October 27, 2005 at 5:54 pm · Filed under Ramblings, Thoughts
I’m alive.
Yep, Hurricane Wilma lingered around the Yucatan, threatened South Florida for days, and then before I could even wink she sliced us. I have no power, thus no place to keep perishable foods, and on top of that, everyone is on edge. Cabin fever!
Hurricane Katrina really opened up my eyes as far as which category hurricane my condo can handle. Katrina was a Category 1 hurricane and my sliding doors were shaking so hard I thought they were about to come loose. I was invited to stay by my friend’s parent’s house in Aventura for the duration of the storm, again. I’ve been going there to take cover from these hurricanes for about a year now and I feel like I am part of their family already! I’m an honorary Jew. ï
Although Aventura isn’t really getting out of harms way from the storm, her parents did install hurricane proof windows, glass so thick even a sledge-hammer can’t break ‘em. They are well prepared with food, water, supplies, everything. I have my own room there, and her parents are just plain amazing people. Kind of reminds me of my family in certain aspects. Family values, togetherness, caring. I can go on. This environment makes me miss my family a lot. I want to go home, NOW.
So, four days later, I still don’t have power at my condo, we don’t have power at the house where I am staying and food and gas are becoming scarce. I drove around for an hour yesterday looking for something to eat and found nothing. It’s really bad over here and I don’t think people understand that it’s going to just get worse if power doesn’t come back on anytime soon.
I went back to my condo to assess the damage to the building and there is crap everywhere. Trees down, light poles, power lines, tennis courts are torn up, nothing outside survived. I took the only working elevator up to the fourteenth floor and before I even stepped out I could smell the damage. Almost every condo on the South side of the building had their windows ripped out and had lots of water and wind damage. The apartment across the hallway from mine had their hallway door ripped out. Yes. I am talking about the door in the hallway 2 feet away from my front door. Scary. Condo survived. Food didn’t. Still no power.
So, I’ve been reading a lot and listening to a lot of music. I finally got a chance to see “The Terminal†and “Million Dollar Babyâ€. Things I’ve been putting off for a very long time, I finally got done, without power. I’m enjoying this power outage. Back to the caveman days, cooking on the grill. Oh yeah, did I mention that when mom was here she cooked for about a month and froze the food? When I went back to the condo, everything in the refrigerator was thrown out, and everything in the freezer was defrosted perfectly. Took it over to the house and we grilled all of the Indian food and made the daal rotis on the side burner. Never thought a grill would come in handy! Now there’s a thought, grilled Indian food. Paneer bhaji, Channa, Gobi bhaji, YUM!
This has been a nice break away from it all. The fast paced internet driven lifestyle I seem to have wrapped myself up in. Let’s hope everyone stays safe and recovers from this blow.
Mother Nature is extremely pissed off.
October 26, 2005 at 10:41 am · Filed under Astrology
“Any serious writer hopes that the best of his or her product will contribute to the larger store of hope that has continually been accruing in this form, the written word, since the dawn of literate civilization,” wrote Dennis Holt in his newsletter, “Operation Green Candle.” “Good writing is hopeful,” he concluded. Your next assignment is inspired by this theory, Aquarius. Whatever your special talents are, act as if you have a duty to use them to inspire hope–to feed people’s dreams, engender visions of glorious possibilities, and honor everything that’s working really well. Halloween costume suggestions: Johnny Appleseed, Oprah, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Helen Keller.
October 19, 2005 at 10:02 am · Filed under Astrology
You cannot possibly accomplish anything good by force right now. Your strengths may temporarily become liabilities, and you’ll have to exercise your talents with profound humility in order to keep from going astray. To achieve success, you’ve got to renounce all your definitions of success and open your mind to previously unimaginable new definitions. You also must become as fluid as a water snake, as sensitive as a psychotherapist advising a beloved patient, and as free as a woman who has just given birth.
October 18, 2005 at 7:52 pm · Filed under Thoughts
It’s been so many years since my dad passed away and I still find it tough to believe that we lost him at such an early age. I think it’s because of this that I have such a tough time talking about my experiences with him and have those memories locked inside of me somewhere special. When mom was here last week, I started reminiscing and then realized halfway through my story that talking about this is easier than keeping it locked up. Also, it makes her smile, could there be a better reason to do it than just that?
I’ve started swimming again.
I’ve lived in Florida for about 9 years now and have hardly taken advantage of the sun and fun right in my backyard. Recently I started swimming because running has not only gotten a bit monotonous but also tough on my knees and lower back. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not quitting running, just adding variety to my workout routines.
Jumping in the pool for the first time after so long sparked a memory, a memory which seemed to be hidden so deep down under an undiscovered coral reef. I was at the Aquatic Center in Barbados, must have been about 9. I remember mom and dad had signed up to learn how to swim. They brought me along one day to see if I liked it so I could start as well. How thoughtful my parents were to teach us how to swim. I mean, coming from India, Dubai, wherever … they really went out of their way and knew EXACTLY what to do for their children. I hope I’m as good as a parent as mine were/are to me.
At the end of the class the instructor told everyone to tread water in the deep end of the pool for as long as we could, and that we should at least hit the 5-minute mark. I remember competing against my dad. Although, I’m not sure if he was competing with me or not, I was trying really hard to win. My arms and legs moved faster and faster under water as the time went by, I kept watching my dad to see when he would stop, when he would give up. He didn’t. He was in great shape for a man his age. He never drank, smoked, nothing. An occasional glass of wine maybe but nothing more than that. Eventually my dad gave in at about 6 minutes I think, and I felt like a champ but I kept going. My dad cheered me along and did his typical Sindhi “Wha Wha!” translating into “Look at that, that is awesome! Good job!”. I went on for about another 4 more minutes and then gave up, exhausted. I felt victorious; “I’m better than my dad at this.” I thought.
So today, I dove into the pool after so long and did my laps. I found myself in the deep end of the pool and smiled at the memories this simple space sparked. I started treading water. Treading for life as though I had a point to prove. I couldn’t do it. I’m not 9 anymore I thought. Also, I’m not completely healthy at this moment either. I smiled, my dad was so amazing.
I miss him.
October 13, 2005 at 11:54 pm · Filed under Thoughts
Artist: Bob Marley
Song: Waiting in Vain
I don’t wanna wait in vain for your love;
I don’t wanna wait in vain for your love.
From the very first time I rest my eyes on you, girl,
My heart says follow t’rough.
But I know, now, that I’m way down on your line,
But the waitin’ feel is fine:
So don’t treat me like a puppet on a string,
’cause I know I have to do my thing.
Don’t talk to me as if you think I’m dumb;
I wanna know when you’re gonna come - soon.
I don’t wanna wait in vain for your love;
I don’t wanna wait in vain for your love;
I don’t wanna wait in vain for your love,
’cause if summer is here,
I’m still waiting there;
Winter is here,
And I’m still waiting there.
—
/guitar solo/
—
Like I said:
It’s been three years since I’m knockin’ on your door,
And I still can knock some more:
Ooh girl, ooh girl, is it feasible?
I wanna know now, for I to knock some more.
Ya see, in life I know there’s lots of grief,
But your love is my relief:
Tears in my eyes burn - tears in my eyes burn
While I’m waiting - while I’m waiting for my turn,
See!
I don’t wanna wait in vain for your love;
I don’t wanna wait in vain for your love;
I don’t wanna wait in vain for your love;
I don’t wanna wait in vain for your love;
I don’t wanna wait in vain for your love, oh!
I don’t wanna - I don’t wanna - I don’t wanna - I don’t wanna -
I don’t wanna wait in vain.
I don’t wanna - I don’t wanna - I don’t wanna - I don’t wanna -
I don’t wanna wait in vain.
No, I don’t wanna (I don’t wanna - I don’t wanna - I don’t wanna -
I don’t wanna - I don’t wanna wait in vain) -
No I - no I (I don’t wanna - I don’t wanna - I don’t wanna - I don’t
Wanna - I don’t wanna wait in vain) -
No, no-no, i, no, I (I don’t wanna - I don’t wanna - I don’t wanna -
I don’t wanna - I don’t wanna wait in vain) -
It’s your love that I’m waiting on (I don’t wanna - I don’t wanna -
I don’t wanna - I don’t wanna - I don’t wanna wait in vain);
It’s me love that you’re running from.
It’s jah love that I’m waiting on (I don’t wanna - I don’t wanna -
I don’t wanna - I don’t wanna - I don’t wanna wait in vain);
It’s me love that you’re running from.
October 12, 2005 at 4:22 pm · Filed under Forwarded Stuff
He was 50 years old when I was born, and a “Mr. Mom” long before anyone had a name for it. Dad did so many things for me during my grade-school years. He convinced the school bus driver to pick me up my house instead of the usual bus stop that was six blocks away. He always had my lunch ready for me when I came home - usually a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that was shaped for the season.
As I got a little older and tried to gain my independence, I wanted to move away from those “childish” signs of his love. But he wasn’t going to give up.
In high school and no longer able to go home for lunch, I began taking my own. Dad would get up a little early and make it for me. I never knew what to expect. The outside of the lunch box might be covered with his rendering of a mountain scene (it became his trademark) or a heart inscribed with “Dad-n-Angie.” in its center. Inside there would be a napkin with that same heart or an “I love you.” He always had some silly saying to make me smile and let me know that he loved me.
I used to hide my lunch so no one would see the bag or read the napkin, but that didn’t last long. One of my friends saw the napkin one day, grabbed it, and passed it around the lunchroom. To my astonishment, the next day all my friends were waiting to see the napkin. From the way they acted, I think they all wished they had someone who showed them that kind of love. I was so proud to have him as my father. And still it didn’t end. When I left home for college (the last one to leave), I thought the messages would stop.
I missed seeing my dad every day after school and so I called him a lot- I just wanted to hear his voice. We started a ritual during that first year that stayed with us. After I said good-bye he always
said, “Angie?”
“Yes, Dad?” I’d reply.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too, Dad.”
I began getting letters almost every Friday. The front-desk staff always knew whom the letter was from - the return address said “The Hunk.” Many times the envelopes were addressed in crayon, and along with the enclosed letters were usually drawings of our cat and dog, stick figures of him and Mom, and if I had been home the weekend before, of me racing around town with friends and using the house as a pit stop. The mail was delivered every day right before lunch, so I’d have his letters with me when I went to the cafeteria.
It was during this time that Dad became stricken with cancer. When the letters didn’t come on Friday, I knew that he had been sick and wasn’t able to write. He used to get up at 4: 00a.m. So he could sit in the quiet house and do his letters. If he missed his Friday delivery, the letters would usually come a day or two later. But they always came. My friends used to call him “Coolest Dad in the Universe.” And one day they sent him a card bestowing that title, signed by all of them. I believe he taught all of us about a father’s love. I wouldn’t be surprised if my friends started sending napkins to their children. He left an impression that would stay with them and inspire them to give their own children their expression of their love.
Closer to his end he didn’t recognize who I was and would call me the name of a relative he hadn’t seen in many years. Even though I knew it was due to his illness, it still hurt that he couldn’t remember my name.
I was alone with him in his hospital room a couple of days before he died. We held hands and watched TV. As I was getting ready to leave,
he said, “Angie?”
“Yes, Dad?”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too, Dad.”
October 12, 2005 at 10:35 am · Filed under Astrology
When I traveled from San Francisco to Amsterdam with Maureen some years ago, we arrived at our hotel in a state of radical sleep deprivation. The concierge told us our room wasn’t quite ready, and suggested we go kill some time at a nearby tourist attraction. We took his advice, walking a few blocks to the History of Torture Museum. There we found devices like the Judas Cradle, the Heretic’s Fork, and the Chair of Spikes. Being horrified and grossed out helped keep us semi-awake, which was good, but we kept nodding off and dreaming of being tortured, which wasn’t so fun. And yet soon we were back at the hotel, safe and sound, catching up on our lost rest. I predict that in the coming week, Aquarius, you will have a series of experiences with an uncanny similarity to ours.
October 7, 2005 at 6:19 pm · Filed under Travel
A standby list is like Area 51, you know it exists, but what’s in there is one big top-notch secret. Right now, at this very moment, I am apparently on the standby list for the 6PM flight back to Miami from Boston, wait, it got delayed ’til 7:50PM, ahhhhh the agent JUST changed it to 8:35PM. Is my luck running out? Am I living in a Tom Hanks movie, tempted to walkup to the Chilis to go stand and ask for an application form.
There is no sense in getting all flustered about it, God has it all worked out. Right? I mean, everything happens for a reason. You sit next to someone on a plane and end up realizing that you two have more in common than you ever thought. Who woulda thunk it that two random people destined never to ever be sitting next to each other on the same plane, somehow get their flights delayed, and one gets upgraded to First Class, and sits next to the other and end up being really great friends. This happens everyday, around the world, but has it ever happened to you? Not yet? It won’t be the same sappy story but some other morphed version of it, I promise. Just keep your eyes open, and believe.
Right now I am lacking sleep and think I am seriously delusional. Sitting in this uncomfortable plastic chair at gate B36 is making my ass sore. Not enough tushie cushion in the world can save this ass from the 4 hours I’ve been sitting here. I guess eating a chicken quesadilla and a “famous†lobster roll for lunch wasn’t too good an idea either.
We all have our moments of insanity where nothing in the world makes sense, but then we remember we have our friends and family to lean on to regain that guidance.
October 5, 2005 at 9:51 am · Filed under Astrology
This would be an excellent time to escape every boring routine that is sapping your life energy. And when I say “escape,” I’m hoping you don’t settle for a trip to a Wal-Mart in a city 50 miles away. The more dramatic and complete your break with habit, the better. Would you consider exploring the Outback of Australia on the back of a camel? Or how about rafting down Tibet’s “River of Golden Sand,” or reconnoitering Botswana’s Okavango Delta, Africa’s most beautiful oasis?
