Mumbai to Chennai

Running in Mumbai on Wednesday January 7th was a memorable experience. The previous day we had gone by the Taj Hotel and Gateway of India- the location of the terrorist attacks of 26/11. I got up early and went out for a run at 6:00AM. Went by the Taj, looked at it, then cut across towards Nariman Point. Went for quite a while and then turned back. It was a great run, and it was fascinating to see Mumbai in motion at the early hour of dawn. Many people were cleaning the streets, vendors were setting up stalls, people were waiting for buses. Came back to the hotel around 7:30AM. Showered up, went down for breakfast to the Tamarind Restaurant on the first floor. Mala, the travel guide showed up at 9:00AM.

Alarmel Valli and Bharatanatyam

Thanks to Youtube one can now watch videos of Alarmel Valli performing Bharatanatyam.
She is a pure joy to watch, and brings back the romance of the classical South Indian dancing.

Looking back to Looking Ahead

As I went out for a run in the cold weather today I reminisced about the year gone by. It was a strange year, on the romantic side. One person I got close to played me like a violin but let me hang to dry. Another person claimed she was a professional but wanted a man who would be running after her and be at her beck and call. Funny that people say they want prompt responses but never bother to do it themselves. This person texted me to let me know she agreed with me that we were not a good fit- she did not have courtesy to call and let me know.

I am optimistic that a real woman of substance is out there somewhere, who is right for a man of substance, one who thinks. I have to refine my search algorithms to find this woman.

A "Flood" of Emotions....

We have had a lot of rain this past week, on top of the few feet of snow piled up on the ground. With all the water, rivers have been flooding. I took the following pictures with my mobile phone while I was out running by the DuPage River. As my thoughts turned towards the romance of the year that is almost over. After serious emotional involvements in 2007 and 2008, I am looking forward to next year, when I can accomplish more intellectual work.

Running through the Fog

Today was a very foggy day in Chicagoland...Midway airport was closed in the evening because of poor visibility.
I went out running in the evening, and tried to cut through the junk fogging my brain. Sometimes it is hard to do, when one's feelings are involved. But one needs to keep moving on, and perhaps take a fall or two.

Where are you, when the Sun comes down
So far away from me...

Dire Straits.

Feminine Intuition- Does not make the market go up

In March 2007, I got acquainted with a nice Indian woman from New York. We had a fun, romantic relationship that lasted just three months. Unfortunately we broke up while I was in Hawaii for a conference- needless to say that I did not particularly enjoy the beautiful location.

After my return I was talking to her one day and said that I had shorted the S&P 500. She, being a former CEO and a capitalist who made a ton of money through stock options, warned me to close my position because being short was rather risky and not warranted, according to her. Even though I told her my longstanding views on the market, my short position only confirmed her view that I was a very risky (foolish) person financially.

When I look back today, and see where the market is, I would have to say that my bet and my confidence in myself have been well-justified. Feminine intuition can be wrong, sometimes!

To this friend's credit, she did take me to Central Park so that I could run around the Jacqueline Onassis Reservoir and take in the sights. Thanks!

RND- Running, Nurses and Doctors

Yesterday I had to go to LMC to see an ophthalmologist. The nurse, Sara, was excellent, and in the course of conversation told me she went to NU, which is my Alma Mater too. She is also a runner, and her brother has run 5 marathons. The doctor who eventually saw me, is also a runner, and has run half marathons but not a full one.
It is always a pleasure to meet health professionals who keep fit. Gives one some confidence that the person knows how to take care of his/her body and also the mind.