So there is a Mr Cheng Cunjie staying trying to learn how to translate Syriac and some clue on an inscription he has brought with him. It's related to the Stele of Xian Fou which was the capital of the Tang Empire.
So only thing it was a bit interesting though I have other things on my mind. He has been chatting to me whenever he sees me and I have been helping with the odd word a reluctant syriac assistant. So what got me today was he brings a photocopy of something closer to the original inscription. First sight it's the whole which way up is this supposed to be. I suggested perhaps it was a mirror image, now various ways that could have happened. But yeah that helps then it looks a bit more like Estrangela. He is saying 5th century CE China.
But some of the letters aren't Estrangela, they look like Arabic, not really my area of expertise but then neither is Syriac. Anyway Fr Thomas we nab over tea and he suggests Brock as you do and also it looks a bit like Mandaic. Now the design over the inscription looks like a lotus leaf with a base. Then looking at Mandaic scripts they fled from Iraq eastwards being manichaean heretics they have a small community in Oz. But this is the interesting thing. They made incantation bowls for the trapping of demons. He wanted to have the inscription read upside down. That would make sense if it were a bowl which it looks like and they laid the bowl upside down to trap the demon inside.
This stuff used to really interest me. Stil has it's charms I suggested he press on. Loads of others here he can hassle and why not. Now back to my Philoxenus of Mabbog for this afternoon. Then I am free to daydream.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
And another thing
Government torturers reeducation chappies are really poorly educated themselves. The ones in literature are so much more civilized and sucessful at their jobs and they do it with a certain style a finesse a panaz maybe not panaz. Snow by Orhan Pamuk or 1984. Classic civilized torturers.
I don't want to blow up what the gel is doing now. Ten years in solitary being force fed is what it is. It's not strick solitary it's just very difficult to get to see her. It's difficult some days to book an ordinary train ticket that's not what I mean.
So her mother was taken to the same hospital a few months back seriously ill. She had promised her mother that she would not meet with her again until or unless AF(SP)A 1958 had been repealed on the grounds that it might weaken her resolve. So they've told her that her mother is dying does she want to see her. And she paces up and down the corridor outside her mother's ward before finally entering her mother's room and her mother says you made me a promise what are you doing here now. And she had no answer.
The heroes of Snow and 1984 are ordinary self-seeking johnnie chappies, they want happiness pleasure, they are curious, they have problems with authority. They don't fit it. But what do you do when you have someone who doesn't really want anything for herself.
For me it presents a challenge to a sophisticated torturer. You don't want a torturer who could be turned. They too can go native on you. Not someone who could be seduced by someone who would appreciate the challenge. And they can take as much time as they please.
It so reminds me of the end of the Emerald Forest which is why I still love that film. The father says to the son come with me, with your family I can protect you in the city. And he says no you can't. And the father knows hey too much money involved no he can't. And the son says we will stay in the forest and we shall be invisible. Because by covering themselves in a paste made from powdered emeralds. And the father says no my son they will see you and they will kill you. And he says we will be invisible do not be afraid.
And in the end she wants me to believe that there are angels and watchers and a God who loves and it's not that I really believe, I know there is no other answer and she believes, I know she believes just simple faith it quietens everything.
In the film he leaves them and they blend into the forest. And some magickal realist nonsense about singing to the frogs so that it rains and the dam bursts. But semtex from his dad the engineer was still a good back up plan
I don't want to blow up what the gel is doing now. Ten years in solitary being force fed is what it is. It's not strick solitary it's just very difficult to get to see her. It's difficult some days to book an ordinary train ticket that's not what I mean.
So her mother was taken to the same hospital a few months back seriously ill. She had promised her mother that she would not meet with her again until or unless AF(SP)A 1958 had been repealed on the grounds that it might weaken her resolve. So they've told her that her mother is dying does she want to see her. And she paces up and down the corridor outside her mother's ward before finally entering her mother's room and her mother says you made me a promise what are you doing here now. And she had no answer.
The heroes of Snow and 1984 are ordinary self-seeking johnnie chappies, they want happiness pleasure, they are curious, they have problems with authority. They don't fit it. But what do you do when you have someone who doesn't really want anything for herself.
For me it presents a challenge to a sophisticated torturer. You don't want a torturer who could be turned. They too can go native on you. Not someone who could be seduced by someone who would appreciate the challenge. And they can take as much time as they please.
It so reminds me of the end of the Emerald Forest which is why I still love that film. The father says to the son come with me, with your family I can protect you in the city. And he says no you can't. And the father knows hey too much money involved no he can't. And the son says we will stay in the forest and we shall be invisible. Because by covering themselves in a paste made from powdered emeralds. And the father says no my son they will see you and they will kill you. And he says we will be invisible do not be afraid.
And in the end she wants me to believe that there are angels and watchers and a God who loves and it's not that I really believe, I know there is no other answer and she believes, I know she believes just simple faith it quietens everything.
In the film he leaves them and they blend into the forest. And some magickal realist nonsense about singing to the frogs so that it rains and the dam bursts. But semtex from his dad the engineer was still a good back up plan
In a week
They have to release and rearrest her. What usually happens is she is greeted by a small crowd of manipuri meira paibi some of whom will have been on a serial hunger strike in sympathy, there are a couple of campaigns coinciding with her birthday on 14th by which time they will have rearrested her. The problem if they don't rearrest her is that her health will gradually deteriorate. I think there is some kind of moral theological casuistry argument which goes something like you still have to demand her freedom because they are arresting her on trumped up charges. Ideally the order would be repeal of AF(SP)A 1958 then she ends her hunger strike and then they have no further grounds for arresting her and detaining her outwith trial. The problem with putting her on trial is that she clearly isn't attempting suicide it's a hunger strike.
I am not clear of the arguments but the problem with colluding with evil if it achieves some short term good is you end up saying yeah sure you can rape and torture her a little if you promise to feed her occasionally and keep her alive. It doesn't make sense. What you demand is that she be given the same rights guaranteed under the Indian constitution that supposedly apply equally to all citizens regardless of race creed or caste yeah oh ok but that's what you keep focussed on. Anyway it's not as if this is a dialogue.
We demand freedom justice and all these fine values and they do what they think pragmatically they can get away with. I am not really sure what their motivation is or if they always are aware of it. These places are being reforged as hell holes, deliberately and planned. It isn't just happening accidentally. And the reason is if you are just motivated by short term gain by greed, then you end up setting some amazingly stupid ways of cheating everyone. The Government of India needs to grow up step up nut up stop pretending it's out of their hands.
Repealing AF(SP)A 1958 would make government troops paramilitaries and police commandos responsible for their actions, it might take the gloss off the 15 lac bribe a man has paid to get the post of SI in the police commandos but that's business. All bribes involve some kind of risk. Why can't they just do what they did in northern ireland. Stop the violence and profit comes. Stop the violence and loads of ferengi businessmen turn up and everyone gets a cut. What they don't want is load of Russian or Chinese mafia turning up because they don't a long enough view of profit to provide the everyone with their cut. What is it with the eastern mafia types, sustainable growth is the buzzword here. Get with the programme.
Anyway that's enough thinking on the unedible. She is released, then they rearrest. At least I will know where she is. I am going to try visit her on my return. I have to find a legit tourist agency as they are the only ones who can issue a visa to visit manipur, they arrested some Jap tourist a few weeks back. You can't just drive in and book yourself into an hotel. For now life is simple. She does her thing they arrest her. I learn Syriac. I am 48 I figure I got at least another 20 years of life to live and I quite like slow build ups. I am not fast but I am true. And in a gunfight everyone realizes in the end it's not about being fast but about being true.
I could fast with her if they decided just to release her and see what happens. I think I'd last a month at least before going into a coma. They'd probably kick in then. If meaningfulness is more important than taking pleasure from life. It certainly focuses life onto one meaning. I don't think fasting to death is really as romantic as anyone might think if anyone thinks that way. I guess it's more tiring, sort of like freezing to death but warmer. I just have to go visit her for a while I may be some time sort of thing. Is anything really romantic when you actually do it. Everybody dies. And you choose how you die by the way you live.
I am not clear of the arguments but the problem with colluding with evil if it achieves some short term good is you end up saying yeah sure you can rape and torture her a little if you promise to feed her occasionally and keep her alive. It doesn't make sense. What you demand is that she be given the same rights guaranteed under the Indian constitution that supposedly apply equally to all citizens regardless of race creed or caste yeah oh ok but that's what you keep focussed on. Anyway it's not as if this is a dialogue.
We demand freedom justice and all these fine values and they do what they think pragmatically they can get away with. I am not really sure what their motivation is or if they always are aware of it. These places are being reforged as hell holes, deliberately and planned. It isn't just happening accidentally. And the reason is if you are just motivated by short term gain by greed, then you end up setting some amazingly stupid ways of cheating everyone. The Government of India needs to grow up step up nut up stop pretending it's out of their hands.
Repealing AF(SP)A 1958 would make government troops paramilitaries and police commandos responsible for their actions, it might take the gloss off the 15 lac bribe a man has paid to get the post of SI in the police commandos but that's business. All bribes involve some kind of risk. Why can't they just do what they did in northern ireland. Stop the violence and profit comes. Stop the violence and loads of ferengi businessmen turn up and everyone gets a cut. What they don't want is load of Russian or Chinese mafia turning up because they don't a long enough view of profit to provide the everyone with their cut. What is it with the eastern mafia types, sustainable growth is the buzzword here. Get with the programme.
Anyway that's enough thinking on the unedible. She is released, then they rearrest. At least I will know where she is. I am going to try visit her on my return. I have to find a legit tourist agency as they are the only ones who can issue a visa to visit manipur, they arrested some Jap tourist a few weeks back. You can't just drive in and book yourself into an hotel. For now life is simple. She does her thing they arrest her. I learn Syriac. I am 48 I figure I got at least another 20 years of life to live and I quite like slow build ups. I am not fast but I am true. And in a gunfight everyone realizes in the end it's not about being fast but about being true.
I could fast with her if they decided just to release her and see what happens. I think I'd last a month at least before going into a coma. They'd probably kick in then. If meaningfulness is more important than taking pleasure from life. It certainly focuses life onto one meaning. I don't think fasting to death is really as romantic as anyone might think if anyone thinks that way. I guess it's more tiring, sort of like freezing to death but warmer. I just have to go visit her for a while I may be some time sort of thing. Is anything really romantic when you actually do it. Everybody dies. And you choose how you die by the way you live.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Manipur and the front page of the Hindu
The Hindu it's a national here one of the first bit pro BJP but it's a national sort of like the Telegraph, anyway front page story was the strike in Manipur, even the paramilitaries were going to go on strike for the enforcement of a paydeal. The minister had said it would bankrupt the government to do so so instead he was enacting a strike breaking law and said if anyone really wanted to go to prison over this and leave their families unprotected and he really couldn't understand why any responsible person might with to do so well he'd happily lock them all up for a while. So he broke the strike. Then in another column a minister has been kidnapped by the Kuki hill tribe insurgents with whom there has been a long term ceasefire only this time the ransom demand 150 crore something big was published and the police involved rather than just paying them off. Then they pointed out that the Kuki resistance had taken the government cheques paid as compensation to some hill tribals for land seizure. They had only asked for half but since the tribals said no if we give you half we won't be able to buy enough land with the money they decided to take the lot and apparently people are now saying well why is it a ceasefire if they still get to terrorize the populace and the paramilitaries get to do the same. It just seems to be an agreement that they won't hassle each other any more while continuing to rape murder and extort from the people. It's going to need something special to bring peace and love to manipur. I don't think they respect those who inherit wealth there given that it's so easy to get wealthy just by kidnapping someone and or taking their government uncrossed cheques.
But difference is this time it made the front page of the Hindu.
But difference is this time it made the front page of the Hindu.
Friday, February 26, 2010
and one more thing my oriental stranger friend
And if that is cousin steve only grounds for believing that is you are the only member of my family who reads and write mandarin chinese fluently being a professor of Chinese philosophy and all that could you be ever so kind as to drop by http://campaigns.ahrchk.net/manipur/ and sign up for the wedding entourage.
And if it's the fiendish Generalissimo what's holding up the invasion plans dude, I assume you will be setting the prisoners free as part of the hearts and mind programme invading forces now employ. I think the deal was to end AF(SP)A 1958 and I presume if you boys take over Indian Law even illicit emergency powers via the backdoor will no longer apply and even with her being a woman and all hey a deal is a deal. And frankly if she starts changing the goal posts well. A deal is a deal.
You guys get a greater china I get what I want try not to go crazy over there it's not Tibet these people seem a little more aggressive but hey not trying to tell you how to take over a small country on your borders over which you claim traditional patrimony and may conceal vast tracts of mineral wealth oil and gas and not get one UN sanction imposed. Just as quick as you like. Anytime in the next two years is really good for me and my surviving relatives.
And if it's the fiendish Generalissimo what's holding up the invasion plans dude, I assume you will be setting the prisoners free as part of the hearts and mind programme invading forces now employ. I think the deal was to end AF(SP)A 1958 and I presume if you boys take over Indian Law even illicit emergency powers via the backdoor will no longer apply and even with her being a woman and all hey a deal is a deal. And frankly if she starts changing the goal posts well. A deal is a deal.
You guys get a greater china I get what I want try not to go crazy over there it's not Tibet these people seem a little more aggressive but hey not trying to tell you how to take over a small country on your borders over which you claim traditional patrimony and may conceal vast tracts of mineral wealth oil and gas and not get one UN sanction imposed. Just as quick as you like. Anytime in the next two years is really good for me and my surviving relatives.
And another two weeks looks like we are hitting a matrix node
Well may not be much of a matrix node, but the OIAHE are offering me a provisional judgement within two weeks, not overly impressed with organizations, I guess it's one of those I should think about before answering how very dare you and if they agree with me even partially and offer money that's better than it was before. And if they disagree with me it isn't worse than before. So I dunno. I think that will be 12 March and I should be in Nepal for two weeks I can deal with in while in London I guess.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Press Reports
Sometimes I think journalists just make things up. So Sharmila Chanu has received another award. It was awarded last year but presented today it looks like. According to the Sangai Express http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=5..250210.feb10 she is quite articulate condemning various acts of violence politicians and giving forth on some political views. The Morung Express concurs http://www.morungexpress.com/regional/44074.html. According to the Calcutta Telegraph http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100225/jsp/northeast/story_12146689.jsp about the same event she made no comment at all but appeared overwhelmed by the support and merely smiling sweetly. And according to the Huelyen News Service http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=18..250210.feb10 she made no comment but was in tears the whole time.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Two weeks to go
I should really get ready to go. I don't think I have much to do. Just have to make sure all the paperwork for my visa is with me. Plus all the tickets. I have to get to Bangalore then return to Nepal then off to London but once I leave I don't return till I get my visa. Course starts 6 April so won't have much time to mess around in London.
Plus I'll need to pack a small bag for my travels with some clothes and one Syriac textbook for peeking at. I can get some travel clothes when I arrive and in London I think John the Just kept some of my warmer clothes so I'll visit him too.
One important person or something like that to hassle each week. Then I can write to her send her something small. She doesn't want things but I doubt I can corrupt her with the complete works of Lewis Carroll and a little red kurta and I shouldnt' want to.
So life is simple just have to wait and pray. As I said once in a non-mystic sense when on a weekend course it's like a holiday for me no one is going to ask me to clean the toilets or check the guttering or move 150 chairs to another location and back, and with no lauds little hours vespers and compline, without prayers it's a long day. So I'll say little prayers for her.
Oh and they just hit the 300 on the petition. Pretty soon we'll be up to Platoon strength. I'll write to David Steel next week. He is a patron of the Burma something which is just next door to Manipur and I'll remind him that he had a meal once made by my mother and he summoned the Tanzanian Ambassador when my Uncle Wolf was detained, it was a long time ago and I haven't contacted him since and although I know God is in charge and mengaoubee is doing all that needs to be done, hey did you know the ninth avatar of Durga is also called the Fair one, but ah I want to do something other than stand wait and pray. Even though it might create more of a mess. Perhaps I need to find beads or some way of focussing.
She is right though about predictions, the demons use it to feed your fears and doubts. Better to trust in God and wait and pray. I should finish the St Ephraim in praise of Bishop Abraham but I have time. I'll write to her and get her something small from Deepika books. I have to tell her something.
Plus I'll need to pack a small bag for my travels with some clothes and one Syriac textbook for peeking at. I can get some travel clothes when I arrive and in London I think John the Just kept some of my warmer clothes so I'll visit him too.
One important person or something like that to hassle each week. Then I can write to her send her something small. She doesn't want things but I doubt I can corrupt her with the complete works of Lewis Carroll and a little red kurta and I shouldnt' want to.
So life is simple just have to wait and pray. As I said once in a non-mystic sense when on a weekend course it's like a holiday for me no one is going to ask me to clean the toilets or check the guttering or move 150 chairs to another location and back, and with no lauds little hours vespers and compline, without prayers it's a long day. So I'll say little prayers for her.
Oh and they just hit the 300 on the petition. Pretty soon we'll be up to Platoon strength. I'll write to David Steel next week. He is a patron of the Burma something which is just next door to Manipur and I'll remind him that he had a meal once made by my mother and he summoned the Tanzanian Ambassador when my Uncle Wolf was detained, it was a long time ago and I haven't contacted him since and although I know God is in charge and mengaoubee is doing all that needs to be done, hey did you know the ninth avatar of Durga is also called the Fair one, but ah I want to do something other than stand wait and pray. Even though it might create more of a mess. Perhaps I need to find beads or some way of focussing.
She is right though about predictions, the demons use it to feed your fears and doubts. Better to trust in God and wait and pray. I should finish the St Ephraim in praise of Bishop Abraham but I have time. I'll write to her and get her something small from Deepika books. I have to tell her something.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Too hot
April is the really hot month they say but with global warming, might be cold in London but it's too hot here. I tend to sleep a lot more it's very oppressive but I can have the fan on all night and no asthma. Just finished watching the Justice League which is great fun but I don't get cartoons if I were the last of the martians I would feel it my bounden duty to go off with the gel at the end of the film maybe it's a martian superhero thing.
Been spending far too much time on line. I am looking forward to London and before that Nepal just try to stay off the computer then. For now I have Alice through the looking glass and some films bit depressing ones and a few pages of Richard and Zala Aldin not as interesting as I had hoped but I think I should be able to manage it over Monday and Tuesday. It's too hot to do anything too serious.
Aha and as it was Sunday I took a falooda. I'll have another one next Sunday or maybe two milkshakes. Now for a meditation I think then prayers.
Been spending far too much time on line. I am looking forward to London and before that Nepal just try to stay off the computer then. For now I have Alice through the looking glass and some films bit depressing ones and a few pages of Richard and Zala Aldin not as interesting as I had hoped but I think I should be able to manage it over Monday and Tuesday. It's too hot to do anything too serious.
Aha and as it was Sunday I took a falooda. I'll have another one next Sunday or maybe two milkshakes. Now for a meditation I think then prayers.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Forlorn Hope
Ok Plan E. No letter came. Usually I'd be slightly worried with the insane hope thing that people are thinking hey isn't this guy a little insane to be hoping. But I figure ok so I got a feeling that perhaps they release her once a year beginning of March it's some kind of legal technicality lawyers live for stuff like that. They'll rearrest but she will be able to leave and send a letter. Ok maynot be her number one priority but all she would have to do is give someone a letter and say could you post this for me. And then she can do her thing and get arrested again.
So I figure I'll get a letter when I return if the visa pans out. For now the six entity team is clearly insufficient. So I have recommissioned a forlorn hope regiment. Some kind of dutch term which is meant to turn the tide. It's definitely what is needed. This is going to take a while. Maybe work on regular presents.
Best thing for me and for now if I completely misunderstood well it's just going to be a little embarrassing and that's that not that bad. If I am right it's more insanely hopeless but still worth it.
So I figure I'll get a letter when I return if the visa pans out. For now the six entity team is clearly insufficient. So I have recommissioned a forlorn hope regiment. Some kind of dutch term which is meant to turn the tide. It's definitely what is needed. This is going to take a while. Maybe work on regular presents.
Best thing for me and for now if I completely misunderstood well it's just going to be a little embarrassing and that's that not that bad. If I am right it's more insanely hopeless but still worth it.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Seven Year Plan
So first part of the plan I will receive a letter today. Ok usually with plans better to rely on stuff you can do intrapsychic stuff yeah but only for wester rationalist choice based but anyway first the letter which obviously could change everything but probably won't even if it does come.
So then First part of the seven year plan is the two year plan. M A Seeri, I make money so long as I don't work. Odd that but that's how it is for now. Not much money but I'll probably start losing money if I start working too soon.
So after the two year plan. I think it's simpler to press ahead with a three year plan. The PhD at SEERI, now I appreciate westerners don't really rate eastern PhDs a translation of an hitherto unknown text into English with footnotes and my my don't I talk perty if I want to so yeah can do that. And I quite like the idea of translating something I'd be interested in adding footnotes and not be hamstrung by what a bunch of ignorant dead white folkes said about it bloody orientalists. Oh excuse me for being so unscholarly you white racist imperialist scum language desi.
Then the third part of the seven year plan might involve working at that point might be able to earn more money then I spend in working and I'll have five years pretty much left to do my thang and not really being a burden on anyone. Plus should get to travel around the area maybe north first Nepal then Burma bound to be able to see Manipur and the seven sisters in that time.
That's the plan I can't see a viable escape plan emerging from the astrology chart and I can't read the political scene I haven't seen enough bollywood or local soap opera to really get my finger on the pulse. That's the plan and maybe build up for our next incarnation. Though if she is released well that works too. Just throw away the plan.
So then First part of the seven year plan is the two year plan. M A Seeri, I make money so long as I don't work. Odd that but that's how it is for now. Not much money but I'll probably start losing money if I start working too soon.
So after the two year plan. I think it's simpler to press ahead with a three year plan. The PhD at SEERI, now I appreciate westerners don't really rate eastern PhDs a translation of an hitherto unknown text into English with footnotes and my my don't I talk perty if I want to so yeah can do that. And I quite like the idea of translating something I'd be interested in adding footnotes and not be hamstrung by what a bunch of ignorant dead white folkes said about it bloody orientalists. Oh excuse me for being so unscholarly you white racist imperialist scum language desi.
Then the third part of the seven year plan might involve working at that point might be able to earn more money then I spend in working and I'll have five years pretty much left to do my thang and not really being a burden on anyone. Plus should get to travel around the area maybe north first Nepal then Burma bound to be able to see Manipur and the seven sisters in that time.
That's the plan I can't see a viable escape plan emerging from the astrology chart and I can't read the political scene I haven't seen enough bollywood or local soap opera to really get my finger on the pulse. That's the plan and maybe build up for our next incarnation. Though if she is released well that works too. Just throw away the plan.
St Nino
So had the 37th one day seminar at SEERI they are quite informal affairs. This one by the Georgian lecturer on Assyrian Christianity in Georgia and St Ephrem. Loads of interesting stuff too many factoids, she hunched up and read through her notes basically knuckle down and keep going, then one slide show and some films. Too long perhaps. But after the first hour we got some tea and I managed to stay awake.
Who knew from the kingdom of Colchis the golden fleece and the robe of Christ, to Sebastopol and St Nino Equal to the Apostles very popular name for gels to this day. A legend she replied when I asked about her. Either a slave gel or a relative of St George and daughter the Patriarch of Jerusalem the one from the following century.
The men dance on pointe. There was a feast of a meal afterwards though now it is teatime and I am hungry again. Oh Jose responded I am sorry I have bad news. I am not going to see my letter. He was a bit vague why. They lose mail over Xmas not many staff around and the brother in charge says if I had got something he would have remembered and he doesn't recall. He still suggests we can stay friends keep in touch but I don't want to be rude just thanked him for doing his best and left it there. Hope he takes the hint because I don't want to be rude to the man. It never helps really.
Struggling through the Barhebraeus and Richard/Salah el din. Hey this is my kind of story I must knuckle down but it really is very hot these days. I need to find something thinner to wear.
Who knew from the kingdom of Colchis the golden fleece and the robe of Christ, to Sebastopol and St Nino Equal to the Apostles very popular name for gels to this day. A legend she replied when I asked about her. Either a slave gel or a relative of St George and daughter the Patriarch of Jerusalem the one from the following century.
The men dance on pointe. There was a feast of a meal afterwards though now it is teatime and I am hungry again. Oh Jose responded I am sorry I have bad news. I am not going to see my letter. He was a bit vague why. They lose mail over Xmas not many staff around and the brother in charge says if I had got something he would have remembered and he doesn't recall. He still suggests we can stay friends keep in touch but I don't want to be rude just thanked him for doing his best and left it there. Hope he takes the hint because I don't want to be rude to the man. It never helps really.
Struggling through the Barhebraeus and Richard/Salah el din. Hey this is my kind of story I must knuckle down but it really is very hot these days. I need to find something thinner to wear.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
a new day
So for lent there is this forty bow routine, though it seems more than that. We usually bow for the trisagion. Holy Gody Holy Mighty One Holy Eternal One Kadisha Aloho Kadisha Haleitono but this set midday prayers which appear to have started, more like an aerobic workout. Or more if you were already doing an aerobic workout you wouldn't really mind too much. Not so much out of breath but it's a lot of bowing with the chanting. Must be doing something.
So off to a flower shop Jenny flowers a Dubai based keralite who might deliver to Manipur it's not too far to walk I shall try after tea. Because nobody walks in the day time here. They'll start calling me the Daywalker if I am not careful. Oh ok no they won't.
All set for the end of Joshua the Stylites chronicles. Four texts to go. But I must press ahead with the pearl. No world from Jose about the letter. I'll drop him a line at the end of the week but they say best attitude as with hostage rescue assume that they are dead and if there is anything it's a bonus. Otherwise when he sends you a half eaten envelope with nothing inside you get all upset whereas the better attitude was I had nothing now I have a half eaten envelope and that is something more. Praise God.
I was going to send her a night light lamp thing. They draw insects but trade off. During the powercuts better than nothing.
So off to a flower shop Jenny flowers a Dubai based keralite who might deliver to Manipur it's not too far to walk I shall try after tea. Because nobody walks in the day time here. They'll start calling me the Daywalker if I am not careful. Oh ok no they won't.
All set for the end of Joshua the Stylites chronicles. Four texts to go. But I must press ahead with the pearl. No world from Jose about the letter. I'll drop him a line at the end of the week but they say best attitude as with hostage rescue assume that they are dead and if there is anything it's a bonus. Otherwise when he sends you a half eaten envelope with nothing inside you get all upset whereas the better attitude was I had nothing now I have a half eaten envelope and that is something more. Praise God.
I was going to send her a night light lamp thing. They draw insects but trade off. During the powercuts better than nothing.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Demonic and other harmful entity attack
Yep under siege here, but apart from that food seems to be holding up, though there are only 50 days in Lent pretty sure that means Sunday is always a feast day so I am getting my icecream falooda allowance then for sure. Oh internet erratic but I have twoo romance downloading they say it's rather.
Oh yes the demonic thing, usual stuff these beggars have pointed out I have always been duped by wimin and mainly my own fault that. First you give them the knife then you turn your back and then I know. And they pointed out only reason this one might like you is she has never met you. And other things like even if she does like you you are never going to see her she will die in prison if you are both lucky.
And on, well you see first thing about demons, they are not as stupid and ugly as some film directors make out. They have some reasonable points, some good points. Never engage in logical disputation with your enemy, Jesuits taught us that one rool M101 the basic rule of dealing with heretics witches warlocks demons and other malevolent entities. No what you do is you pretend to listen to them while Igor creeps up behind them and slashes with holy water and consecrated oil and while they are burning then you pile in with psalmodic cursing and finish them off with. But never engage in logical rational reasonable dialogue with anyone who doesn't really wish you well.
So that problem sorted I have decided I shall take the rest of the day orf to do her chart in the glowing pen fizzle colours that maybe Indian Kitsch but so what I is Indian and it will be perty. Plus found out her aprox time of birth, hey that Googol pays off if you are persistent. I make her to be Libra Ascendant go figure. And as the time puts her bang centre of Libra it's good for an hour either way and any understanding is but an ever closer aproximation ask Professor Mandlebrot. No he is not a character from that sci-fi series with Marvin the paranoid android. He was a mathematics professor for IBM before the Chinese bought the company (they liked it so much).
Yep I'll have to tell Fr Thomas I wish to cancel class but first I'll try hammering away at Simon Stylites because well only have a few weeks left of classes not really a good idea to cancel coz he'll definitely want the Friday off and it's Tuesday today. And if I cancel today I'll probably cancel Thursday Ok I'll hit the book then.
Oh yes the demonic thing, usual stuff these beggars have pointed out I have always been duped by wimin and mainly my own fault that. First you give them the knife then you turn your back and then I know. And they pointed out only reason this one might like you is she has never met you. And other things like even if she does like you you are never going to see her she will die in prison if you are both lucky.
And on, well you see first thing about demons, they are not as stupid and ugly as some film directors make out. They have some reasonable points, some good points. Never engage in logical disputation with your enemy, Jesuits taught us that one rool M101 the basic rule of dealing with heretics witches warlocks demons and other malevolent entities. No what you do is you pretend to listen to them while Igor creeps up behind them and slashes with holy water and consecrated oil and while they are burning then you pile in with psalmodic cursing and finish them off with. But never engage in logical rational reasonable dialogue with anyone who doesn't really wish you well.
So that problem sorted I have decided I shall take the rest of the day orf to do her chart in the glowing pen fizzle colours that maybe Indian Kitsch but so what I is Indian and it will be perty. Plus found out her aprox time of birth, hey that Googol pays off if you are persistent. I make her to be Libra Ascendant go figure. And as the time puts her bang centre of Libra it's good for an hour either way and any understanding is but an ever closer aproximation ask Professor Mandlebrot. No he is not a character from that sci-fi series with Marvin the paranoid android. He was a mathematics professor for IBM before the Chinese bought the company (they liked it so much).
Yep I'll have to tell Fr Thomas I wish to cancel class but first I'll try hammering away at Simon Stylites because well only have a few weeks left of classes not really a good idea to cancel coz he'll definitely want the Friday off and it's Tuesday today. And if I cancel today I'll probably cancel Thursday Ok I'll hit the book then.
An oddish day
Spoke to Ollie-San and saw his face and a west cornish beach then I got a little depressed but twas nothing but the first pangs of Lent. Had a fine Syro Malabar qurbana of the Ashes a pep talk on staying optimistic pessimism is from the one whose name we don't mention worse than Voldemort. So saw the three burials of Melquiades Estrada which is not bad really impressive from TL jones there well done that man.
Oh and got a buzz, did the on-line petition thing a few days ago so ok the VP bounces back his emails immediately. It's a sinecure post no one told him he was supposed to do anything for it. But then today a couple of days later the CM of Manipur bounces his email back
The following message to was undeliverable.
The reason for the problem:
5.4.7 - Delivery expired (message too old) [Default] 451-'4.2.1 mailbox temporarily disabled: cmmani@hub.nic.in'
Reporting-MTA: dns; vastu9internal.nic.in
Final-Recipient: rfc822;cmmani@hub.nic.in
Action: failed
Status: 5.0.0 (permanent failure)
Remote-MTA: dns; [192.168.1.70]
Diagnostic-Code: smtp; 5.4.7 - Delivery expired (message too old) [Default] 451-'4.2.1 mailbox temporarily disabled: cmmani@hub.nic.in' (delivery attempts: 76)
So the Morung Express which announced the email campaign on line also lets you comment so I added the comment about symbols being transparent and saying isn't this a more powerful symbol of the current status of Indian Democracy.
Not that it matters they are really shameless in a way that is quite admirable. You could publish photos of the CM murdering his opponents while paying off the rebels and would he look bovvered. Truly amazing lack of shame. But at least this paper published comments.
Getting another parcel together and had a great meal of abstinence. They got that right any catholic meal of abstinence will have some scrummy ingredients that you are only offered during Lent. Chicken is really overrated here in India, but that veg curry with chapatis I had to resist taking my sixth chapati and just settle for the tangerine as pudding.
Long live Sharmila Chanu.
Oh and got a buzz, did the on-line petition thing a few days ago so ok the VP bounces back his emails immediately. It's a sinecure post no one told him he was supposed to do anything for it. But then today a couple of days later the CM of Manipur bounces his email back
The following message to
The reason for the problem:
5.4.7 - Delivery expired (message too old) [Default] 451-'4.2.1 mailbox temporarily disabled: cmmani@hub.nic.in'
Reporting-MTA: dns; vastu9internal.nic.in
Final-Recipient: rfc822;cmmani@hub.nic.in
Action: failed
Status: 5.0.0 (permanent failure)
Remote-MTA: dns; [192.168.1.70]
Diagnostic-Code: smtp; 5.4.7 - Delivery expired (message too old) [Default] 451-'4.2.1 mailbox temporarily disabled: cmmani@hub.nic.in' (delivery attempts: 76)
So the Morung Express which announced the email campaign on line also lets you comment so I added the comment about symbols being transparent and saying isn't this a more powerful symbol of the current status of Indian Democracy.
Not that it matters they are really shameless in a way that is quite admirable. You could publish photos of the CM murdering his opponents while paying off the rebels and would he look bovvered. Truly amazing lack of shame. But at least this paper published comments.
Getting another parcel together and had a great meal of abstinence. They got that right any catholic meal of abstinence will have some scrummy ingredients that you are only offered during Lent. Chicken is really overrated here in India, but that veg curry with chapatis I had to resist taking my sixth chapati and just settle for the tangerine as pudding.
Long live Sharmila Chanu.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Some good news I think
Ok I have been emailing a medical doctor epidemiologist and he seems to think that apart from the sideeffects that are known and that it's really not much of an existence in a small cell in solitary for ten years but apart from all that if they gave her a balanced and healthy diet ok bit of an if, and given that she was young and healthy to start with that she shouldn't die necessarily or that she could conceivably live for a while yet.
That's not the good news I just have a feeling that, yeah but that's the thing with hope. But I feel or I want to believe that things will change. Anyway got another parcel together we are up to the first century of names if it continues at this rate it will be a few thousand by her birthday but I assume it will grow exponentially because then it will be a bigger number and either way God will decide these things coz if you push him he really can't say it's out of his hands. With all due respect and all being the supreme ruler of the universe with absolute power don't start with the free will I am saying I don't see how the matter can be entirely out of your hands. So we still trust the big guy. Because it's better to trust him than not to trust him but he seems to want a lot to be taken on trust.
Anyway still feel good got one parcel done I'll send her How to Talk about Books you haven't read. by Pierre I quite liked it in the end it was worth reading. I did a review of King of Kong arguing it was a leitmotiv representation of the stolen US elections. And I think I was quite convincing of course the yanks might kick off just because I haven't actually seen the film, but the distance gives me more perspective.
That's not the good news I just have a feeling that, yeah but that's the thing with hope. But I feel or I want to believe that things will change. Anyway got another parcel together we are up to the first century of names if it continues at this rate it will be a few thousand by her birthday but I assume it will grow exponentially because then it will be a bigger number and either way God will decide these things coz if you push him he really can't say it's out of his hands. With all due respect and all being the supreme ruler of the universe with absolute power don't start with the free will I am saying I don't see how the matter can be entirely out of your hands. So we still trust the big guy. Because it's better to trust him than not to trust him but he seems to want a lot to be taken on trust.
Anyway still feel good got one parcel done I'll send her How to Talk about Books you haven't read. by Pierre I quite liked it in the end it was worth reading. I did a review of King of Kong arguing it was a leitmotiv representation of the stolen US elections. And I think I was quite convincing of course the yanks might kick off just because I haven't actually seen the film, but the distance gives me more perspective.
Friday, February 12, 2010
On line petition for the immediate release of Irom Sharmila Chanu
http://campaigns.ahrchk.net/manipur/
Drop by if you have time it started today and closes on her birthday 14 March. And if that is a current photo of hers and I think it might be, then she is still a fox. This one is technically an on-line petition but I think just sending a huge long list of names is pretty ineffective so what it does is sends five emails to the various federal and national heads of state in India with your signature and email address, then it logs a record of your details and adds them to a list. We are currently at 32. I think originally there were 40 just men it's the number Abraham is told must be around in Sodom and Gomorrah for God to spare it.
Hey I recall someone telling me that she thought I was brave and right and everything but could she send a letter with a false name in case she ended up on a no fly list. We choose which world to live in and I have decided to live in a fantasy world of hope. The rest of you can worry about no fly lists if you want.
I am like those liberal MPs of Lord Steel now returning to my constituencies to prepare for ok well maybe not as ridiculous as them but wow if she is released. Well it's a whole new life. I mean real life. Rock and Roll.
Drop by if you have time it started today and closes on her birthday 14 March. And if that is a current photo of hers and I think it might be, then she is still a fox. This one is technically an on-line petition but I think just sending a huge long list of names is pretty ineffective so what it does is sends five emails to the various federal and national heads of state in India with your signature and email address, then it logs a record of your details and adds them to a list. We are currently at 32. I think originally there were 40 just men it's the number Abraham is told must be around in Sodom and Gomorrah for God to spare it.
Hey I recall someone telling me that she thought I was brave and right and everything but could she send a letter with a false name in case she ended up on a no fly list. We choose which world to live in and I have decided to live in a fantasy world of hope. The rest of you can worry about no fly lists if you want.
I am like those liberal MPs of Lord Steel now returning to my constituencies to prepare for ok well maybe not as ridiculous as them but wow if she is released. Well it's a whole new life. I mean real life. Rock and Roll.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Shopping
I dunno all I wanted was some balloons, yeah to go with the hats, the paper hats, and some party poppers but in the end settled for balloons. And so while the guy is counting them out 2 rupee a balloon I could have gone for the 1 rupee balloons but hey I am a big spender what can I tell you and he is offering me two free ones and says but look around. So in the end.
Well I got a huge birthday card and a duck un pelouche not a real one though they eat ducks up north though not her she is into Ahimsa in a big way. And I saw another statue of Govinda and Radha maybe it's common but I saw it and it wasn't that big or heavy. So another parcel sent off.
I like the line from Adaptation, my love is my love, whether it's laughed at rejected, my love blows where it listeth and changeth me and giveth me a lithp. W H Auden said the same more negatively that love poetry is narcissistic. And heck since I get to choose I shall project confidence not fear. What use is fear to me Drill Sergeant get me some more confidence.
Hey you know the odd thing about Manipur, they extended AF(SP)A to the local police commandos so do you know how they recruit the local police commandos. You pay 5 lac rupees to be a riflement rising to 15 lac rupees to be a sub-inspector. Then having doshed out all that money. Although the supreme commander of the cops admitted to 20% bad eggs who needed to be retrained.
They have this odd system because the insurgents charge last time I heard a 38% tax (why 38 why not 40 are they just innumerate or is it some kind of significant number to do with the fibonacci series) on all new projects so if a militant group only taxes Instutions and leaves shop keepers and ordinary traders untaxed by them they are regarded as real Robin Hood and brotherhood of the black arrow types. Oh there might be a problem if she insists we don't pay people off, well it seems to annoy them and it's nothing personal but if they make an exception for us, perhaps I could go behind her back nope she'd find out, ok let's not worry about dealing with insurgents the Manipur mafia and all the other daily problems of Manipur, sufficient indeed are the evils of the day. Tell me about it.
So I got another parcel wrapped up. Sent some poetic thoughts then sent a postscript for the lack of poeticness of my thoughts, hey I am a westerner my love is my love as Whitney so eloquently sang it.
Oh managed about half the Aphrahat it seems to impress the second years that I can translate that well, and it was a good idea coz Fr Thomas wants a break tomorrow so next class Monday and if I had cancelled he'd have still wanted his break and this way I keep the momentum going. And I am well placed to crack on during the weekend. Ramsho prayers soon, I have some light films to watch. Maybe I'll try make Sapro prayer and Qurbono tomorrow then off to the postie and then I can catch a nap before hitting the books. I feel good again and Jose replied and I think he might try at least to get my letter sent to me he seems sympathetic. I feel good dadaddadada da
Well I got a huge birthday card and a duck un pelouche not a real one though they eat ducks up north though not her she is into Ahimsa in a big way. And I saw another statue of Govinda and Radha maybe it's common but I saw it and it wasn't that big or heavy. So another parcel sent off.
I like the line from Adaptation, my love is my love, whether it's laughed at rejected, my love blows where it listeth and changeth me and giveth me a lithp. W H Auden said the same more negatively that love poetry is narcissistic. And heck since I get to choose I shall project confidence not fear. What use is fear to me Drill Sergeant get me some more confidence.
Hey you know the odd thing about Manipur, they extended AF(SP)A to the local police commandos so do you know how they recruit the local police commandos. You pay 5 lac rupees to be a riflement rising to 15 lac rupees to be a sub-inspector. Then having doshed out all that money. Although the supreme commander of the cops admitted to 20% bad eggs who needed to be retrained.
They have this odd system because the insurgents charge last time I heard a 38% tax (why 38 why not 40 are they just innumerate or is it some kind of significant number to do with the fibonacci series) on all new projects so if a militant group only taxes Instutions and leaves shop keepers and ordinary traders untaxed by them they are regarded as real Robin Hood and brotherhood of the black arrow types. Oh there might be a problem if she insists we don't pay people off, well it seems to annoy them and it's nothing personal but if they make an exception for us, perhaps I could go behind her back nope she'd find out, ok let's not worry about dealing with insurgents the Manipur mafia and all the other daily problems of Manipur, sufficient indeed are the evils of the day. Tell me about it.
So I got another parcel wrapped up. Sent some poetic thoughts then sent a postscript for the lack of poeticness of my thoughts, hey I am a westerner my love is my love as Whitney so eloquently sang it.
Oh managed about half the Aphrahat it seems to impress the second years that I can translate that well, and it was a good idea coz Fr Thomas wants a break tomorrow so next class Monday and if I had cancelled he'd have still wanted his break and this way I keep the momentum going. And I am well placed to crack on during the weekend. Ramsho prayers soon, I have some light films to watch. Maybe I'll try make Sapro prayer and Qurbono tomorrow then off to the postie and then I can catch a nap before hitting the books. I feel good again and Jose replied and I think he might try at least to get my letter sent to me he seems sympathetic. I feel good dadaddadada da
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
The procedures
Thing is people often mistake procedures as the important thing. The joys the hopes the fears and the sorrows are the same whereever you are, whoever you are. But the procedures I have identified as follows
Once you have worked out that this is what you both want, and how do you work out these things. I have no idea for certain. People do, and there's no saying how or why. The ones that shouldn't work out do the ones that look like shoe ins well behind closed doors when pretences are dropped and we see each others nakedness I have no idea ok so we'll skip that part for now but the next stage in the procedure is termed
The Hinaba
This is more it seems like an invitation to treat accept if you are going to have a Hinaba then the first part will have been tackled so it's already a done deal what we would do from here on would be manage procedures. So the Hinaba would involve representatives of my family given I am an orphan I was sort of hoping well we can get to asking people to travel to war torn civil war states when the Hinaba is closer to being arranged. So for that they visit, nothing too heavy exchange astrology charts and pay the necessary for any adjusting rituals to compensate for imbalances in the chart though if my representative was on the ball they might have pre-paid to have the charts highly compatible already. I hope this doesn't sound cynical but I think it's more romantic to prepay for a compatible chart others might feel differently.
Stage 2
Ok maybe stage one is more important because at the end there is some sort of agreement to proceed I think financial agreements are also set here so that's why you need to have representatives involved someone who will talk turkey sort of like pre-nuptial agreements but not so mercenary. Anyway once the deal is struck stage 2 is the Yathang Thanaga.
This is the formal consent of the affianced parents to the marriage going forward. That's it they give consent.
Stage 3
Now there seems to be some movement happening. This stage is termed the Waroipat Puba for this stage my representatives I think with me bring loads of food, including betel leaves and nuts to the affianced mother's house. And the date of the engagement party is arranged.
Stage 4
The engagement party termed Heijapot or Heijingpot. Everybody meets for this food is exchanged the Brahmin sets terms and conditions this should be two days before the wedding because the next day you get the formal invite to the wedding the day after
Stage 5
The Wedding. Just have to sit still for about four hours (they can condense it to four hours these days) not smiling or changing asana or mudra. How hard can it be.
Something involving a yellow four poster bed but these things are never what they seem.
Stage 6
The Mangani Chakaouba which is five days after the wedding is the feast for the bride's family given by the groom I believe there may be a smaller feast given by the bride's family for which I have less details a few days before.
Ok so I think I have the procedures covered but it is more than likely I have completely misunderstood everything. Oh she gets to wear the rasleela dress the dancers wear and I'll be in a white dhoti and turban kurti thing. Black suits me better but I believe that's more for the hill tribes.
So I guess I'll keep you informed as soon as I know anything for definite.
Once you have worked out that this is what you both want, and how do you work out these things. I have no idea for certain. People do, and there's no saying how or why. The ones that shouldn't work out do the ones that look like shoe ins well behind closed doors when pretences are dropped and we see each others nakedness I have no idea ok so we'll skip that part for now but the next stage in the procedure is termed
The Hinaba
This is more it seems like an invitation to treat accept if you are going to have a Hinaba then the first part will have been tackled so it's already a done deal what we would do from here on would be manage procedures. So the Hinaba would involve representatives of my family given I am an orphan I was sort of hoping well we can get to asking people to travel to war torn civil war states when the Hinaba is closer to being arranged. So for that they visit, nothing too heavy exchange astrology charts and pay the necessary for any adjusting rituals to compensate for imbalances in the chart though if my representative was on the ball they might have pre-paid to have the charts highly compatible already. I hope this doesn't sound cynical but I think it's more romantic to prepay for a compatible chart others might feel differently.
Stage 2
Ok maybe stage one is more important because at the end there is some sort of agreement to proceed I think financial agreements are also set here so that's why you need to have representatives involved someone who will talk turkey sort of like pre-nuptial agreements but not so mercenary. Anyway once the deal is struck stage 2 is the Yathang Thanaga.
This is the formal consent of the affianced parents to the marriage going forward. That's it they give consent.
Stage 3
Now there seems to be some movement happening. This stage is termed the Waroipat Puba for this stage my representatives I think with me bring loads of food, including betel leaves and nuts to the affianced mother's house. And the date of the engagement party is arranged.
Stage 4
The engagement party termed Heijapot or Heijingpot. Everybody meets for this food is exchanged the Brahmin sets terms and conditions this should be two days before the wedding because the next day you get the formal invite to the wedding the day after
Stage 5
The Wedding. Just have to sit still for about four hours (they can condense it to four hours these days) not smiling or changing asana or mudra. How hard can it be.
Something involving a yellow four poster bed but these things are never what they seem.
Stage 6
The Mangani Chakaouba which is five days after the wedding is the feast for the bride's family given by the groom I believe there may be a smaller feast given by the bride's family for which I have less details a few days before.
Ok so I think I have the procedures covered but it is more than likely I have completely misunderstood everything. Oh she gets to wear the rasleela dress the dancers wear and I'll be in a white dhoti and turban kurti thing. Black suits me better but I believe that's more for the hill tribes.
So I guess I'll keep you informed as soon as I know anything for definite.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Today
So the Deccan Chronicle which I used to read avidly back in Andhra came out with an article today entitled Oh Manipur and it was sort of upbeat suggesting now things had reached the turning point and AF(SP)A might as well be repealed which means she will be free, and the timescale it slipped in at the end was three to four years with benign direct Presidential rule and elections to follow. I dunno. It was hopeful though. About AF(SP)A that was a godalmighty failure. It doesn't make sense as a law. It's an emergency provision that has lasted over fifty years and applies only to the north eastern states, ah why talk as if this is a rational thing.
Hey first time I read it I was really hopeful. So choose Hope then. I tried writing a poem then I realized I could only write poetry when I didn't mind writing bad awful poetry and then just needed to get things to rhyme or sound sweetish. Now with age and an understanding of what good poetry sort of looks like, it's feel well I have lost the bravado of embarrassing myself. I don't think I am at the stage of writing doggerel again. Maybe I should hmm. Nope can't see a way around this one.
Oh Serge Valentinovitch left for the airport just now. A small gathering was outside to send him off. He decided to sit in the back of a taxi I guess people still do that. It is very Serge Valentinovitch. Even if it were a handsome cab most of us would prefer to sit up front with the driver on shotgun. But it is very Serge.
Now at least I may watch films as I please. I have the Messenger with Woody Harelson and one with Nick Cage that is highly recommended, Adaptation. Ah strange films after syriac studies is what i need. Pity about the not being able to write decent poetry but it's better to know your limitations it then helps focus on what I can do. Ok maybe not what I can do still working out pretty much the things I am not really able to do but haven't quite realized yet.
Hey first time I read it I was really hopeful. So choose Hope then. I tried writing a poem then I realized I could only write poetry when I didn't mind writing bad awful poetry and then just needed to get things to rhyme or sound sweetish. Now with age and an understanding of what good poetry sort of looks like, it's feel well I have lost the bravado of embarrassing myself. I don't think I am at the stage of writing doggerel again. Maybe I should hmm. Nope can't see a way around this one.
Oh Serge Valentinovitch left for the airport just now. A small gathering was outside to send him off. He decided to sit in the back of a taxi I guess people still do that. It is very Serge Valentinovitch. Even if it were a handsome cab most of us would prefer to sit up front with the driver on shotgun. But it is very Serge.
Now at least I may watch films as I please. I have the Messenger with Woody Harelson and one with Nick Cage that is highly recommended, Adaptation. Ah strange films after syriac studies is what i need. Pity about the not being able to write decent poetry but it's better to know your limitations it then helps focus on what I can do. Ok maybe not what I can do still working out pretty much the things I am not really able to do but haven't quite realized yet.
Monday, February 8, 2010
I is back and badder as ever
Seven years you say. Hmm. Time to recruit more imaginary beings then, ah but are you really recruiting them or only saying you are hmm. The next member of our team, a mirror man, not the tabloid version or the man of la mancha antagonist but similar. Basically we need someone like a feral hound, there to intimidate but not much use if it kicks off. Mirror man can multiply hisself look like a small platoon of troopers and this might dissuade whoever from checking with their superior's to the validity of the signed release form. After all we have a duly signed release form a small donation to the water for tea fund and what looks like a platoon of support workers.
Ok let's Dibs him then next. He may not be free for a few months but as the schedule is now did you say seven years. I'll be 54 if I live that long. Yeah and your point being. Ok great but it might be sooner, yes sooner or later nothing has changed in that respect, sooner later never or forever. Pick one.
Then I'll dibs sooner. Good call.
The Syriac studies is going rather well. I have another session with Fr Thomas 2.00pm he is not only regular but one of the nicest teachers here. Even Serge has noticed and he never says anything nice about India or Indians. He really is both charming very educated, very knowledgeable a polyglot and really generous in spirit. Always complimentary a very helpful teacher. All the others seem intent on letting me know how clever they are and showing how rude they can be. So I like to prepare properly for his class. And I could always prepare better. Forgot at the end of last session on the sole letter we have from Jesus to Abgar a minor king of modern Urfar (Edessa) he digressed on the Mandylion. Hey what's not to like about the guy.
The little book of short stories will I hope be mine only for another week. Once I get my letter from Jose of DVK then I owe him a letter and I'll pop in a cheque for 1k rupees and his being shrewd and everything I am sure he will take it as at least his due. But for now I have cracked the layout of the book. The vocab is in West Syriac script even for the East Syriac and not all the translations are there. Nor all the vocab but it's definitely got a system to it. I'll make the most of it. Not a book to dwell upon it's far better to have a deadline.
And the hymn of the pearl is not to be forgotten. About to tackle line 65. Which means only 41 lines to go, and about a month of days to do them in. Two lines a day would be enough but I must be regular. Be good to finish these three projects then oh.
I discovered some local ex canadian who does tours of the North East mainly Assam but he ventures. I think he is my contact for a Manipur visit. He has these recommendations on site which say how wonderful he and his family are. To balance he has added an experience of foreigners the like of whom I am familiar with. They say he is a slimy indian even if he is from Canada all he wanted was money, they will give him what they agreed reluctantly and all sorts.
Embarrassing. His version is he was down to 600 rupeees a day wages something like that because he ended up making donations to the guides and paying for petrol and stuff because even at cost price these journos were complaining. But that's what foreigners are like here. They complain that everything is dirt cheap low quality and that they are being ripped off for another 27pence by some greedy local.
I may not be a fcuking indian but I ain't no fcuking foreigner. I am a Zanzibarbarian, and if you will believe non-human I'll settle for that. I hope he replies just wanted to make initial contact with the guy. He sounds ok.
Another parcel I is sending off today. I'll just send them when I get them packed no particular time frame. And Fr Jacob says funds transfer at the bank is easiest as we are at the same branch. Once I have a letter saying I have paid my fees I'll start the process for the student visa. Hey I know no one reads this stuff that's not the point, have you never read the story of the Grovelhog or Cupid and Psyche or probably even me and the nurse. Siblings always get together and gossip and say of course we are happy for you that's not the thing, but how much do you know of this guy and why won't he let you see his nakedness. Has he got something that other men don't got, but there is no way around the poison, you just have to realize that it all works out in the end. At least if there is poison you know things are going to plan, if there is no poison we will be in unchartered waters gentlemen, perhaps we should recruit that mermaid/siren being and the earplugs. Are you sure it's safe. Safe if we went safe we shouldn't stand a chance. Recruit her. That's four picked two more and we oh yeah still 7 years -1 day to go.
Ok let's Dibs him then next. He may not be free for a few months but as the schedule is now did you say seven years. I'll be 54 if I live that long. Yeah and your point being. Ok great but it might be sooner, yes sooner or later nothing has changed in that respect, sooner later never or forever. Pick one.
Then I'll dibs sooner. Good call.
The Syriac studies is going rather well. I have another session with Fr Thomas 2.00pm he is not only regular but one of the nicest teachers here. Even Serge has noticed and he never says anything nice about India or Indians. He really is both charming very educated, very knowledgeable a polyglot and really generous in spirit. Always complimentary a very helpful teacher. All the others seem intent on letting me know how clever they are and showing how rude they can be. So I like to prepare properly for his class. And I could always prepare better. Forgot at the end of last session on the sole letter we have from Jesus to Abgar a minor king of modern Urfar (Edessa) he digressed on the Mandylion. Hey what's not to like about the guy.
The little book of short stories will I hope be mine only for another week. Once I get my letter from Jose of DVK then I owe him a letter and I'll pop in a cheque for 1k rupees and his being shrewd and everything I am sure he will take it as at least his due. But for now I have cracked the layout of the book. The vocab is in West Syriac script even for the East Syriac and not all the translations are there. Nor all the vocab but it's definitely got a system to it. I'll make the most of it. Not a book to dwell upon it's far better to have a deadline.
And the hymn of the pearl is not to be forgotten. About to tackle line 65. Which means only 41 lines to go, and about a month of days to do them in. Two lines a day would be enough but I must be regular. Be good to finish these three projects then oh.
I discovered some local ex canadian who does tours of the North East mainly Assam but he ventures. I think he is my contact for a Manipur visit. He has these recommendations on site which say how wonderful he and his family are. To balance he has added an experience of foreigners the like of whom I am familiar with. They say he is a slimy indian even if he is from Canada all he wanted was money, they will give him what they agreed reluctantly and all sorts.
Embarrassing. His version is he was down to 600 rupeees a day wages something like that because he ended up making donations to the guides and paying for petrol and stuff because even at cost price these journos were complaining. But that's what foreigners are like here. They complain that everything is dirt cheap low quality and that they are being ripped off for another 27pence by some greedy local.
I may not be a fcuking indian but I ain't no fcuking foreigner. I am a Zanzibarbarian, and if you will believe non-human I'll settle for that. I hope he replies just wanted to make initial contact with the guy. He sounds ok.
Another parcel I is sending off today. I'll just send them when I get them packed no particular time frame. And Fr Jacob says funds transfer at the bank is easiest as we are at the same branch. Once I have a letter saying I have paid my fees I'll start the process for the student visa. Hey I know no one reads this stuff that's not the point, have you never read the story of the Grovelhog or Cupid and Psyche or probably even me and the nurse. Siblings always get together and gossip and say of course we are happy for you that's not the thing, but how much do you know of this guy and why won't he let you see his nakedness. Has he got something that other men don't got, but there is no way around the poison, you just have to realize that it all works out in the end. At least if there is poison you know things are going to plan, if there is no poison we will be in unchartered waters gentlemen, perhaps we should recruit that mermaid/siren being and the earplugs. Are you sure it's safe. Safe if we went safe we shouldn't stand a chance. Recruit her. That's four picked two more and we oh yeah still 7 years -1 day to go.
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