refocused

The dealings went on all day had a semi-formal interview where I gave no comment answers. Thankfully I think I can just move on. Alex appears to have smoothed things over. Apart from these guys need better things to gossip about not sure what the fuss was. Thankfully caused me to focus. I am not here to walk dogs or make friends. I took a look at the Certificate test. I could probably pass now but that's not really saying much since everyone passes. If I gradually build up my drill practice and basic memorization should be enough to do well. Thus I can spend teacher time going through Matthew. Easy pace I got nothing to prove.

Have minor contingency plans if the Princess is released this year. Just have to concentrate the meditation and prayer on that keep focused. Nothing else to do. Keeps me busy don't get drawn into other people's business or their suffering. Not sure if I am totally convinced by all is suffering there is that joy above it all but I am with Sri Aurobindo on that it has to be here too else what's the point.

Life is not a rehearsal, it's not merely the moon reflected in water.

So yep if not. After the anniversary symposium this autumn can pick somewhere for another year or three. Oxford isn't too terrible an idea if I can get the 10k scholarship apply to Benet Hall and stay with the local carmelites. Not everyone would be into that and I figure one year as a guest should be ok they only get strange when they get comfortable with you.

Oh yeah it's actually really far more enjoyable for me here if I go wholeheartedly into the independence, which is what the serious ones do here anyway. Just keep working on my own do my drills, do my meditations and minimize interactions to table talk occasionally. I really enjoyed the day today because there was such little contact with others and such there was friendly short chit chat at table. I think the meditation may help with the Princess but I must stay focused on what I truly seek and ignore the rest.

you call this keeping a low profile

So a little mishap this morning but this being where I am it seems to sum up things. So foolishly I decided to take Sam (yeah she has a name right the attack dog they are going to let out at nights only has a name) for a morning constitutional. Now the chain is tied to a rope which is tied to the cage so I carefully undo the knots, boyscout has tied them. Open the door and she bolts. Because she aint got no collar and the chain is not tied to her neck. Luckily she decided pretty much to try to eat the dog caged next door. I manage to lasoo her around her hind legs and gently but forcefully pull her back into her cage. I figure get her calmed down then see how she took to an actual collar which we had bought yesterday.

But this is the thing. There was a racket tops two to three minutes but yep dog was barking I can see how it might upset people. I should have waited for Alex but he is a later riser than I. The thing is not so much that they really want an attack dog. They may or may not have a plan. But for now they want to keep her caged. They feed her and hose down the cage daily this isn't england. For India it's luxury for a dog.

But they gossiped for half an hour in groups in Malayalam. That's the way of these places. All that silence just engenders gossip. And good old Fr Abraham the quietest man of all. Well it's put me off quiet men. He pronounces leave the dog alone. He is Fr Abraham senior patriarch.

As I was trying to explain to young Alex this isn't about my defending animal rights. I'd be happy to walk the dog. They might object they might not. But I want to stay under the radar. I don't want to be the object of gossip and I don't want to fall out with anyone over this. For now it's about respect and showing respect.

By the time the story gets to Sr Delphina it will have grown and I can concede to her desires which will probably just be leave the dog alone, which I think is fairly easy to do. Though I will probably be cited as the root cause of all the dog problems from here on in. Even when I am no longer here.

For some reason Alex seems to think if we talked to the peeps and explained that somehow. He really doesn't understand India at all. They treat the dog well for India. But they don't treat children that well compared to UK. Technically they abuse them but only if UK law applied here. We probably abuse lions and elephants but there you go.

Pity I was looking forward to walks with Sam. I am pretty sure if she got regular exercise she would be but it's never about the thing we are talking about. They need to know that I understand respect. I understand respect. If it came to a choice between Sam and losing another letter from my princess, sorry but you are a dog, I don't want to lose another letter it might be important.

My new friend Sam

I was very dubious about Alex the American's plan to befriend the new guard dog. Especially since my last experience with doggies here. The puppies the priest killed maybe that's why I still complain about him nope it's about the money.

But yeah we walked her. She had been in the cage past few days whining away. I think she is a puppy 3 months about just weaned but not fully grown yet. Tough little thing. She was overexcited on being let out. But she calmed down after we walked about a little. First little dog who came to sniff her nearly got it's head taken off, might have been an overfriendly nip but I think she will kill any small animal that comes near her.

Apart from that bought her some treats a new collar and lead which we can put on her tomorrow. It will end in tears I know for this is India. Things are here that are so beautiful and mystical the like of which the West does not know. And things so ugly and wicked the West does not have. And there be dragons here.

For now I have a new friend amd she is a beauty a German Shepherd/Alasatian cross, only in India does that make sense.

Sr Delphina's birthday

She was 70 today. We got cake icecream and that nice rice with raisins and vegetables and all sorts a sort of pillau I guess. No meat though but eggs. Wrote a complaint about financial abuse in the church to the new archbishop I don't know why but I hope he ignores it I do so hate it when they do that cover up thing but my son I am only trying to help if you can rephrase your complaint in serbo croat of course I will make sure that.
Anyway
Am reading the glass bead game I am at the right age.
Must write to my uncle and the bank. Prayer time call. Best not to ignore those. I am it seems a spiritual man. Not a great or good man as yet but it helps to know where you are.

registered

Finally and in the end we entered an a/c room with two large flags an aquarium and really small tv not even the flat screen type and the SI signed the papers and waived us off. I am now registered pretty much fully with the police and foreign registration officer and I have a residence permit valid till March next year which is for now as much as I would want. Though if I leave India have to go back and do this again. My man Manjoj his trick is to find a time when the SI is not unwilling to quadruple sign stuff. Now forget bribery my mother would now know to thank Manoj with a bottle of spirits so next time he'd remember us and speed things up. But that's not a bribe and though I mocked her ways it works equally well with dustbin men and GPs.

Finally decided to read the glass bead game and got a copy of a patanjali lite for the princess. Be fun if the LIberals came to power in Blighty wow now that would be fun. So dragon alert is cancelled lets see what the smog clearing terrain looks like.

admin

So Admin Man named after our Saint he turns out really helpful today. I was hoping just to use an old letter they had given me but oh no he wants to do a new one taking it all seriously. So an hour later he comes up with a letter that is designed for the DSP foreign cell and about me. So all set have the docs in quadruplicated which admin man wants photocopied I had to restrain him to just the one. Indians need to find an alternative to paper. They already have if you ask the Chinese. So long as you can write on the stuff they sell it as paper. Though sometimes not always that easy to read after.

So yeah then I phone Manoj up and he says no tomorrow come tomorrow phone after ten. If it were up north I'd assume the man was waiting to be bribed.

So no more news on the strike action in Manipur but there have been ferocious storms. hey did you see the pictures of the icelandic one which it almost looks like they are saying will never end but we don't like to use words like never on international media outlets that could affect the financial world. Lightening clouds magma if it were Star Trek there would be an entity within trying to communicate with some species not ours and not having any luck. If the Republicans were in power they'd have tried nuking it already.

Registration I really mustn't complain

So the Collective no it's the Collectorate. A maze of public buildings. But peeps are very friendly. I found the DSP Office Foreign Cell Fr Ragu gave me a piece of paper with the words on it in English and Malayalam. Paid 20 rupees for the rickshaw I am a big tipper. And 20 for the coconut on the way back did I mention I am a big tipper. I have four pieces of paper to fill in. Well it's actually one piece to fill in four times. Not sure why I can't just photocopy them but there you go. Once it's done he says come back tomorrow it will take him half an hour to get the package together they don't really take bribes this far south. The SI will see me tomorrow won't take long telephone first. Plus bring four photos for the four pages and a letter from the Uni. Well that don't seem to hard. Should be registered tomorrow then I guess. And to be fair I think SEERI have been doing other registrations either that or well anyway loads of pieces of paper are flying about and that feels like good old manly western action.

Oh and more importantly I think I sense why I sense her release is imminent. The strike which I had thought was broken by arresting people and not releasing them and then threatening their families (usually works). The strike is spreading. Different factions joining in today and tomorrow. Central government have told the CM to sort it. Plus the threat to kill all post 1948 immigrants hasn't gone down well with Central. I assume they mean by asking the CM to sort it that they intend to go for direct Presidential rule and then talk about fresh elections in a few years. But they would have to offer something different.

So yep the strike if everyone gets fed up and has had enough. That would do it. Don't need the Chinese or anyone else. I am going to save some emergency funds not stash them away just until Xmas just in case.

Registration with the FRRO

So I get the feeling that no one here actually knows how to register with the FRRO. They did have one student way back in the day who did this stuff but since then only people on tourist visas, OCIs and Indians. It took them a while to get there. Fr Jacob probably has more pull but he won't be back for a while. I think Monday I will head over to a place where it might be good to start asking. And then one bureacracy is pretty much the same as another. So long as you don't mind waiting. I'll take a book, and I still have a week to comply with the registration requirement. How hard can it be.

Plus I get an uncanny feeling that the princess is free. In the sense I started thinking well ok preps take a few months she'll want to see her mother. She should come to Kottayam for a visit probably after the service. Or I could go north Nepal Burma even Assam some of the North East I won't need a permit for. But if she were free today. She should come to Kottayam. I mean I stood by her while she needed to do her whole fast unto death in solitary. She can come support me while I study Syriac.

Asthma and the age of the dragons

Yeah so the hacking cough bronchial infection had gone. Replaced briefly by heat rash. That's theory goes salt deposits left when sweat evaporates clogging the pores. All you have to do is keep showering or some suggest moisturizer to loosen up the salt deposits or nanobytes trained to crawl around the pores clearing the blockages. But then the monsoons started weather temp dropped a little perhaps. Slight wheeze returned and cough. I think this is as good as it gets. Oh well one more shower. Then maybe some Tai Chi. Have some parcels to post but maybe leave that to Monday. No point having a few years of bachelor leisure if I don't make the least of them. Even if she does die and people who see her say she is frail, or weak. She is proud of the fact that she can walk around her corridor ward for two hours a day. The last one said she looked better than she had imagined. She could sit up in her bed and was able to walk a little. Well I intend to do nothing today even if I fail it's a solid intention. Oh yeah the dragon mist around n e europe. Overkill or what.

TVU and the OIAHE

Ok so last month I win a partial upheld thing with the OIAHE against TVU. Basically they accept my fundamental human right of a tribunal within a reasonable time was denied me by TVU so they suggested a refund basically 1500 quid. Now they don't uphold any of my other complaints which I think is wrong but who cares it's only a legal game. So I accept the offer and want it handed to John the Just. I was going to send it to three charities but as it's a token amount I thought easier just to hand it to John the Just at least he stood by me in this. Now odd thing. TVU then reply oh but do you mean John the Just (obviously I gave full name and address) or do you mean something else that you haven't said. Let us know and we will get going. So I told them to stop taking the piss and hand the money over. And I copied the letter to OIAHE.

Now odd thing OIAHE guy says doesn't look like you have accepted the offer and you aren't being very polite and if you don't accept the offer by tomorrow you lose it. So I replied with I want to make a formal complaint of racism against you. Odd though you'd think after two years they'd pay up the 1500 they stole from me and count themselves well lucky.

Oh well I assume I'll get another round of letters from his line manager, the Chief Executive and the Company Secretary saying he isn't racist but I figure that too is the game. Difference in India is there is far less paperwork.

connections and general gripes

Yeah I am having an easy time of it. That bronchial infection that had been giving me a hacking cough with green coloured phlegm well that went pdq in the nights after arriving. Don't sleep all that well but the heat and light is what I thrive on. So yeah one of the irritating dudes on the MA 1st year course strides up as I am trying to surf about a course in Lebanon asking me why I am not attending classes. Not a good way to start with me. But there you go I tried to explain that his attentions were not appreciated. I am not sure why I bothered to explain to the young lad, now they call him reverend brother which means he isn't a priest yet but still wants respect, the classes are in Malayalam. There are no classes in English save the ones I arrange. Then he helpfully suggests but I could stand at the back of the class and ask for translations from time to time. I replied I could but I'm not going to and went on to explain how he really wasn't helping me, I might have told him to bugger off I don't think I am as saatvig and calm as I thunk. He came back later with a real priest on a bogus request which I couldn't help with which was most gratifying.

The course in the Lebanon which I briefly considered as it had taken so long to download the five page pdf costs 2k dollars USD. For three weeks and they give you a certificate if you pass the exam. For 2kdollars I'd want a certificate in advance with gold ribbons and a cherry on top. Bloody Lebanese Syriac Scholar wideboys. It was one of the messages on the Hugoye list which is a peer reviewed syriac yahoo list for genuine academics not newbies who just want to learn stuff. I was so pleased they let me join being as I am a newbie who just wants to learn stuff. There was an interesting discussion on the diatesseron and St Ephrem's analysis of it (should Jesus pay the Temple Tax) all about foreigners and children and kings and priests and being taught by the sea, eastern theology is like french philosophy poetry smoke and pretty symbols no real logic or rational argument. Though the last line from one poster was to the effect that well obviously there is a secret tradition that Peter wasn't Jewish.

I am sorry that's bollocks but not my place to say. It was the last post I'll just wait for someone else to say it's bollocks. That and this new firefox sends everything to DNS and distrusts every certificate. I think I may switch to I dunno Safari or Chrome perhaps. Yep just to avoid the stupid messages though it may have something to do with the dodgey connections here.

So yeah I am more than happy working through the gospel of Matthew typing up stuff here waiting for my trulove's next letter promised via a human rights NGO (commonwealth) worker in Delhi I mustn't tell people to bugger off even when they are being nosey gits and need to mind their own bi'ness. They might steal her letter. These are Caflick priest types no telling what they might end up doing. But apart from that weather suits. Get bitten a bit but it's only blood and a possible skin condition better than the bronchial infection. And screw it I'll start something serious next week. For the next few days read through Matthew on my own. Start some drills learning vocab and concentrate on nouns and plurals for now. Ah I know what I am doing. Just have to learn a bit more patience and tolerance. Oh and get some meditation time in structured. I fear I am becoming lazy.

politics

So while I was out of town, wasn't me Sir, 100 soldiers were killed in an ambush by what they call Maoists in India. By Maoists they mean adivasi, dalits, especially those in villages. The PM considers them the greatest threat to national security. Taking out 100 armed soldiers is pretty impressive.

Problem is the squaddies want revenge now. So all the villages within 5 miles of the ambush have disappeared. They say the people have fled to the forests and if they have they mustn't come back ever. The only murder the army is denying is that of one man who didn't flee after the ambush. The story is the army took their evening meal at this village and then were ambushed the next day. They therefore argue that the village must have tipped off? the Maoists that there was a platoon strength force traipsing through the villages and since they were no match for the actual armed insurgents they beat this farmer to death.

They are claiming no they didn't beat nobody to death he must have been one of the Maoists the brave men of unquestionable integrity the soldiers of the whatever their acronym is bravely killed in self defence the day before. The SI local plod says no one has referred any incident to him. Given that all the villagers have disappeared and there is no one left alive to file a report well never mind. This too is India.

If the adivasi, the tribals whom I sometimes call gypsies given that foreigners tend not to know what I mean anyway these guys if they weren't maoists before doesn't look like they have much option now. If they try and return to their villages they will be killed. The army are looking for them. If the army killed them they tend not to worry about destroying evidence and people seem to believe the Indian army are clueless in the forests, the adivasi are the only ones who know their way around those parts of India. Whose side am I on. Oh there are sides are there.

I'll stick with the People's Liberation Army of Communist China then shall I. Qi Gong Jin you are the only one who can help us.

They come at night

So there is one theory that the whole daywalking vampyres started after 9-11 damn muslim just like the jews they walk among us and you can't tell them apart from normal folks, but of course at the same time they live in ghettoes refuse to mix with normal folks and have wyrd practices that they won't share with us. Apparently psychologists have given such a name not just racists bullshit a proper scientific term.

So no mosquitoes in the day mind and I have checked in with the office they are searching out a form so I can register with the copshop nearby and I chatted to Fr Dr Professor Ragu and he doesn't expect me to do anything apart from self study which is cool with me and now I have asked I am sort of free as the classes are in Malayalam. The classes for the MA are in English but it's still pretty informal everyone passes. Alex my colleague is waiting for an exam but it may not happen. He wants a career and to take things more seriously I am just trying to hide out till I can get married.

Yep did a fine analysis of her picture. I think it means she will be free in about four years. I am still banking on a chinese invasion circa end of 2012 but the unexpected does have a habit of happening whereas the expected just never turns up. Bit like SEERI exams suits me. Oh and i have a four way adaptor plug which means I can plug the laptop for recharging in my room and not have to wander outside. I'll get a printer soon, maybe tomorrow and some paper.

Sorted out the banking it seemed less of a lessness on my return they say I will have a debit card soon. No rush I'll wait for that to get the printer and paper. Tomorrow some books perhaps. It's really nice to be back. I'll treat myself to a faluda later. Mango season is coming soon and then it will be mango shakes. When Alex leaves I'll bump up the download speeds on films for now who needs films.

Nothing else to report for now. No doubt I am missing something essential but no worries.

Back to as close as you can get to home without actually having a home

So New Delhi immigration are really wasting all that money spent on incredible India. They sort of give you the creepy feeling that they aren't a first world nation and don't particularly want to be one. More a third world one where money and connections to a politician/bollywood star counts and others could have electrodes attached to their testicles on a whim. Well he didn't quite say all that more of general prattiness. Delayed me by two minutes trying to claim I didn't have a valid visa because I was entering his country before my two months absence had expired. And to be fair he was just as rude and unhelpful to the white female blonde signwriter whom he called a journalist whom he saw while he was delaying me. Then his supervisor turned up he stamps the wrong page of the passport and I left asking whether he thought that might cause me any problems later and would I need to bribe anyone and he just giggled. This is India.

Back in Kottayam I realize nothing matters that much. I have had another go at that text number ten in Healey about oops getting bitten here so I'll hurry. Yep she wrote back another letter slam dunk. She is hoping that I will gain strenght of mind or something poor thing anyway not to worry, got a picture and a protestation and possibly poems to come.

I may have to visit her soonish.

Nope too many bites gotta put some cream on or get under cover ciao all life continues it's warm here and I gotta do something about these mosquitoes

all set

So nice chappies at the bank told me I really should write a will but they can't assist with that. I have my money now tied up tighter than a nun's corset on three four and six year plans. I have my certificate from UCL plus they will post a transcript with a bow and stuff to make it look more official they understand India. Other countries are being more rigorous they say retaliation I say and they nod. Got my flight back to Kottayam. Got a letter offering payment from TVU so I gave them John the Just's details and told em I'd probably continue with the unresolved complaint of unprofessional conduct and racism via the British Psychological Society but that none need have any concerns now we both understand the process. I am sure things may unravel. Stevie is posting again in Chinese though the Chinese made more sense when they were pointing to porn sites. All's well then

poor at last

My mother knew how to do it Dom Vincent recalled. So I am going to put her money away in three accounts not so much frozen solid as pretty impossible for me to access even if I send them nice letters assuming I knew where to write. Now they might earn decent interest but the key is I won't be able to spend the money on flowers or orphans or lost causes.

Apart from that have enough to get my flight to Cochin. I have to make an effort to see the gel in Manipur but that's a bit terrifying I'd prefer to knuckle down to a marathon pace making run and send her another letter. I have postcards from the TATE to send her was going to send her a microscope but then thought nah she isn't a boy, and then a bop-it but she is a yogin human rights defendor ie she isn't a boy so I dunno if I see something small to slip into the parcel will do but it will have to reach out and grab me.

Otherwise all set, not sure if I care that much where the money goes but making sure I can't really access it. Ok three years or more in Kottayam. I'll leave off travels really till Xmas then I hope Nepal again in a monastery though I did say I'd go to a wedding in Goa but I am not that keen. I have to go to my own don't see why I have to go to any others. I'm sure something terrible may happen but it's too cold I am in lizard mode.

Cuzzins

This does seem to be a continual problem leaching off energy I could better use for the prison break. It was the casual parting shot how is Des when sending an email to basically a family friend letting him know what they intend to do with my money. The irritation is simple. They are waiting for me to die. I am waiting for them to die. They don't talk to me directly as they have no interest in me aside from my death when they get my money. Beyond that they are lying thieves. So unfortunately it would seem I cannot divert all energy to the gaol break. But that's the beauty of magick. I know Stevie will be saying but it doesn't work while at the same time being highly superstitious. Lucky for him he hasn't stolen my money this time. Though there was that carriage clock oh but I am sure you can bring up something from the past too eh stevie.

So Xmas with a Tibetan monastery ostensibly to take the secret initiation of red tara but basically it keeps me out of trouble for 28 days. 40USD for the visa and 500 euro for the VIN facilitation fees. Just have to book return flights and I might learn something if only how to spend time in silence. And if they teach tibetan magick well it doesn't look that hard.

That way dispose of the cousins magickally allowing me peace enough to continue with the plans for freedom. And if we don't get along. Well we can work that stuff out later. First as Ollie-san pointed out the priority paramount is please do not die, then we get her freedom, then we can worry about the more neurotic stuff.

Oh and yeah whatever they are claiming they will send I can save. God knows what they are doing with the rest of my money they are talking of Bonds. I am guessing 2% fixed. At least they can't lose the capital but if all they want is the capital then it really was their idiocy the first time around. Oh yes just have to curse them dead. I think honesty has a virtue. I do so despise the two faced bastards. Perhaps I could wound one with sores but one has to be so very careful of the karmic backwash which is why we do the Tibetan course first. So tell them they are safe till Xmas eh Stevie.

movin on

Had a really nice lunch with Ollie-San. I have sent off two parcels to Sharmila. I was tempted by the Science Museum's offer of a hover UFO mystery science project for only ten pounds. Thank God for Amazon. It's a frizbee attached to some fishing rod string. People were gonna complain to the Trading Standards. I was impressed with the flitter fairy but apparently that's the same thing except you attach a doll to the fishing wire instead of a frizbee hence it costs 15 squid. But the in store videos looked really good and some americans were pleased with the purchase.

No wonder they got annoyed with Gallileo Gallilei. Scientists. You do know that he argued that the earth must be going around the sun because how else can you explain tides. If you rolled a bucket of water around your head really fast the water would not spill but it would slosh around the bucket like the tides. Scientists. If you attach a frizbee to some almost invisible thread you can give the appearance of it floating in space. Hmm. You wouldn't get away with that in India. Fair's fair he'd come back with some bros and pour acid all over your sista.

So maybe it still is better here. Peeps are complaining to Trading Standards.

I hope that wind up radio and lantern works. Hey but I tried the lantern in the shop. And I dunno can an AM crystal radio work without batteries. I guess Sharmila will find out about British shopping too. Indian Malls are reliable but you pay western prices.

So yeah hope to return to India. Lay low for a while. Apply to visit Sharmila, if I get turned down ask HE the British High Commissioner Sir whoever to intercede. Hey the Hindustan Times came out with Manmohan won't try to have AFSPA changed until he has the army on board. I did point out to the Hindustan Times that India isn't Pakistan and why should Manmohan care whether the army are on board or not he is the commander in chief or is it technically Pratiba. But I left my comment with the conciliatory at least the army official they quoted was too cowardly to leave his name. Indians.

I shall revert to magick and the Chinese People's Liberation Army please no more pornography until I can get back to riding snow leopard. Next Xmas I shall spend a month in a Tibetan monastery and try to work on Mandala offering and the initiation into Red Tara. Mainly coz I have a book on Red Tara initiation. And it's a bit like Durga and She is the way forward.

No point in waiting for politicians. At least they admit they are scared of the army. That's something.

Mobiles

My mother had an irrational phobia over phone costs. Last ten years of her life I am pretty sure I paid for all the phone bills, I think it was something to do with getting my name on a utility bill for marriage anyway I digress. Even then she would tear up if I used the phone over the cost.

So I could give all sorts of DSMIV diagnostic criteria but if there is anyone reading here who seems to think that giving me a mobile number is a handy way to keep in touch it will cause irreparable damage to my limited relationship with Dendo the Magnificent with whom I am currently staying. Luckily I don't think I need to see anyone desperately. Stuff will happen. But please stop offering me a mobile number to telephone. I am sure back in the real world that's how people chat to each other I had a vague idea some mobile numbers are free for some of the time.

I don't have a phone. I don't want a phone. If anyone really wants to see me it can be arranged. I don't intend to be in London for long enough to bother those people whom I know don't wish to see me. So this morning I'll visit Oliver looks like Avatar may still be on. And although he would probably allow me to use his mobile to phone the man with my warm winter clothes I don't have his number to hand and it seems too much of a faff.

I phoned him from the Ealing Abbey to let him know not to come to the Airport as I had arrived on a much earlier flight. He then telephoned the Abbey helpline but they don't really know who I am. It's clothes not sure how important they are for me. Actually thinking about it. If he does stroll up the day before I leave with warm winter clothes what on earth am I going to do with them aside from drop them off at a charity shop coz no way am I taking warm winter clothes to Kottayam with.

And then John the Just suggests meeting up about handing over control of some of my money. But since Rick the Healer won't be back till 30th no point in my phoning him. His land line now I do have, John the Just but no point hassling him till they are both in the same country. Then they will either hand over my money in a smooth signing ceremony like SALT III or they will say it's gotten very complicated and maybe I should be more patient in which case I'll take another loan from them to pay for my flight to Kottayam and leave them to it.

Now today it does look like Avatar may still be on. But screw mobiles my plans would not be any more fixed if I had a mobile I'd just have loads of conflicting text messages listed with a few missed calls. Interestingly one of Dennis' friends turned up unexpectedly from the north with a tale of romance foiled involving mobiles. When do you text and when you do you call and when do you just wait. I think the romance was foiled because although she had waited the correct time 2 hours she texted when she should have phoned. As if a romance can be foiled on protocol. The mobile just moves the battlefield.

I haven't written my amazing novel trilogy because I can't find a suitable fountain pen. And then when I get the pen I'll need the right type of ink. I think I'll just wash some clothes and not bother with the guy i don't know and the warm winter stuff especially as it doesn't sound right. He lives a few minutes away but hasn't been able to get in touch with me. If I were his drug dealer and he needed to score he'd have found me by now.

Stevie is pissing me off mind. Show yourself you wannabee chink.

So Okay

Rev Fr Dr Jacob of SEERI emailed me and said if I stayed till he arrived in London for a conference he would talk to the High Commissioner and get me a longer visa but he says it's standard they'll renew every year not to worry and definitely don't apply to Oxford no need to go there. And who wants to it's not for the weather. Well ok then I'll not be precipitous. I'll take the visa settle my finances here for a few years I hope. And head of to Kottayam start the Syriac really seriously and then plan trips to Manipur. Not waiting till the 10th if I can leave before, emirates perhaps a stop over in Dubai is well worth the extra anything to avoid an Indian domestic terminal.

Also Bhupi-ji from VIN emailed asked how it all went. I guess he felt I was a wanderer not sure if I took enough from VIN. Oh but I'd like to return and endure a monastic experience. Obviously I want the secret Lama initiation of Red Tara but the way these things go a month at a Monastery sounds like a good retreat. I am not there to help the poor. Playing with the monks chatting in English and basic lessons sounds fine. And if I get a good monastery loads of courses in English on esoteric tibetan buddhist magick/meditation esotericism and it's all free for volunteers.

Got an Avatar day almost set and a lunch. Have to reschedule Vinnie and will now purchase a wind up radio for she whom my soul loveth. There is probably going to be a surprise attack soon coz things look too good Kipt'n

Oh lets not be hasty

So the High Commission peeps here will offer me a one year student visa renewable annually. It may just be for the rather substantial 65 pounds and fifty pence visa fee they may now harvest annually, which is 5000 rupees I think in mickey mouse money. But I dunno I am going to apply to Oxford to read for the MSt in Syriac unless I can find somewhere sexier and you'd think they'd be somewhere in the East SE Asia somewhere warm close to Manipur that I could finish the masters or that would let me stay for a few years to faff around in Syriac studies.

And what is more I had to redo my photos, I guess I must have been just too damn sexy in them and they have a deal with Kodak so another 6.50 on uglified photos. Or maybe the reason was national security. The real reason tends to be because I said so but you tell them that and they get offended and I figure. Hey Desie you will have a passport with a one year multiple entry visa be able to apply to visit Manipur and Oxford isn't all that awful if push comes to and with the whole EU scholarship fund available it's an extra 10gees in real money which will take the edge of the ridiculously priced course they offer and then perhaps Kottayam for the PhD though sans doubte they will still want the visa renewed annually. Sod them. It's annoying. But the only problem with giving up british nationality and claiming indian nationality is yeah you can stay pretty much but if you are local the police gang rape after you get married, I dunno must be an Indian thing although the locals are a bit upset about that. I mean fair enough unmarried people getting raped by the cops they were probably asking for it but newly married well all a bit rum.

Yeah not sure if I like Indians all that much more of a Sharmila fan.

So off to Dennis and some lunch I think. I have rice and kurd just need some grapes or something.

Dem Tom Hanks days

FYI technically you don't need a visa if you are transiting through a country via another country and have all the air flight tickets. But when people say technically they mean yah. So I get out of Katmandhu riding high, got a fantastically beautiful secret initiation handpainted better than a mandala part of the secret vajrahana (whatever the breakaway school of mahayana is in Tibet) with book for Dom Vinnie, left VIN quite pleased with them. Yeah they ask for money but it's not very much and they use it to build toilets actual toilets and help actual kids and I doubt there is as much leakage as with a christian or standard western NGO group.

So yeah when I get to Delhi they say you ain't going nowhere son, and there is no possibility of any action. All a bit too american so I reverted to Desi and said that's fine if you can find a way to get rid of me I'll go else I shall start wooing you and win your heart sir and I can be very alluring and once I had met his mother. So it went on for a while then their immigration expert hits on the idea that the stupid airline companies had a duty of care get them to sort it for the chappie and then keep him in the transit passenger or what they called the transfer lounge. There is no way Hanks could have made a living or fallen in love or pretty much anything apart from sit still and learn to appreciate impermanence and the nature of suffering.

So on reflection I probably wouldn't have tried to get the attention of any actual worker from BA or Jet. I think when the time came when the atmosphere was ripe with tapas and perhaps I may have appealed a little to the Lama Vajrasatva and his consort Dorje anyway but in the end instead of paying a shed load more of money to return to blighty I got an earlier flight which they exchanged for me. Oddly the travel agent had said you can change the flight but it will cost you 70 squid each time which is the main reason I didn't change it and explored the forgotten hills of Katmandhu which I rather liked. I am definitely going back for karmic debt repayment and to do some courses on Tibetan Buddhism. Those kids were really nice. All very insane made me feel right at home. And definitely not long enough for me to fall out with any of them.

Apart from that all goes well must get to the high commission tomorrow. Plan is still to return free princess live happily etc. So if you did wonder get a transit visa even if they say you won't need one, because sometimes you need to understand the layout of the terminals before you can really know if you need one and having one doesn't really hurt.

Four days in Nepal

So I now feel I enjoyed the ride. Well only really after I had completed my ablutions got into bed and the mother of all hail storms had begun and I could sleep for several hours.

T'was my all own fault mea culpa mea culpa mea maxima culpa. No working debit cards. No cash so plan B at Katmandhu airport was to do a Tom Hanks for 12 days. I figured even without water I should still make it back to Bangalore for my return flight. And the one thing I did right was to plan ahead and trust in VIN. Their job pick me up from the airport and drop me back in 12 days.

So far it has worked out. Was meant by a really sweet Aryan/Mongol mixblood. They tell me there are only two races really here and they are pretty much Hindu or Buddhist here. So Sumad I am probably mispronouncing her name she is quite captivated with my constant banter. The only downside was it took me over an hour to explain the actual problem. That I couldn't leave the airport till I paid the 25 dollar visa fee and it took me a while to figure out that a chappie in the airport was hanging on to my passport while I looked for a working ATM. She borrows from the taxi driver meanwhile Bhupi the boss strolls up by this time I have paid the visa fee got my 15 days and explained the slight hiccough to Bhupi but unconcerned he has Sumad take me to the Tibetan Peace Guest House which I quite like it's budget but I like it now more so now I sleep in a rather good penthouse room.

I discovered the illusory nature of money. All I needed was someone who knows I am good for it to send on a further well it's 400 dollars I asked for 500 dollars to cover the 12 day stay here. I have a friend in need on standby but don't want to spend the joker emergency get out of gaol free card when Rick has already sent over dosh. And to his credit he eventually sent the cash over but grumbling. He who gives quickly gives twice so grumbling it's just the basic 500 less hidden charges. They seem happy enough that was done today I arrived on the 12th so they have been patient.

The only other excitement was the asthma was beginning to play up well that and my problem around toilets. They have a toilet building scheme here and it is admirable two white peeps came down and began 7 toilets working for four weeks. Usual grumbles of white volunteers and I do begin to find them a little wearing. But my problem was not so much an outside toilet as it's in the sort of living area of the house. There's a semi-covered fire for cooking then rooms surround. And in this sort of courtyard where people dance and sing and the dog and cat rest there is an outside semi-automatic toilet. No one seems to make a fuss no one sings we know where you are going but I couldn't bring myself to do anything more than pee.

Eventually nature would prescribe action however in the intervening period the village is up on the hills. So temperatures really drop at night. First night wasn't too bad. Second night I began to feel the cold. After the third night the asthma began to dig in and I realized I wasn't going to last more than a few more nights. Bit irritating to receive emails about how my attorney a simple preacher was going above and beyond giving me from his own largesse. Mainly because I was getting very uncomfortable not so much from constipation as asthma. I just really wanted a warm bed to sleep in I would willingly have spooned with two chubby prostitutes and if my beloved couldn't understand that it was to keep warm and survive well I dunno.

But he gave the money today. You would have thought he knew I was good for it since he is sitting on half the house sale but people get funny around money. It's a powerful illusion but not as powerful as the cold, asthma or constipation. The people here really are very friendly. How I had hoped Indians might have been. Very sweet not as yet irritated by my banter I have a day out on community visits with the health care worker tomorrow. I don't think I have really annoyed even the volunteers. I feel a lot better now having warmed up slept had ginger tea and momos done a little admin work for them and will sleep again after some reading. The booker prize novel on nepal inheritance of Love or something.

This is a really beautiful place to visit with my beloved. It sounds like Manipur only less beautiful and no lake but far less violence kidnapping extortion rape and murder. I don't really want to travel around without her. But if the gang organize a day afore I leave I'll go. She is a Valley Chick and I prefer the Valley to the Hills at night though I am sure with triple duvets and a comfy partner even the hill nights are manageable.

Oh yeah I could say a lot about the style here but basically they are into self-empowerment conscientization it used to be called. So instead of experts sorting out the problems like the Grammeen Bank way of microcredit the idea is to sort out the paperwork encourage the women to save and make the women company directors investing in the best ideas of the village. Same for the toilets there are quicker ways to do it if say we were in London though having witnessed many kitchen constructions I don't think London is all that efficient and perhaps Japan or America is better but that's the point. This is Nepal. We come to help yes. But we are guests in their country, their homes, their houses and if white people would stop complaining that they are only helping rich nepalis (because of the self reliance the schemes require hefty percentages of self-funding) and just got on with it I'd be more calm. The people themselves yep beautiful dancers. Much more graceful than the Lambadi but they only seem to know one song, and one dance.

So anyway got lost on the way back to the guest house almost gave up and wanted to return to the office and ask for directions when I saw a couple of angels, my own folly, got into the room before the Hail storm and now am fully warmed up and ready for a new day.

Also on the way into the office decided to try the ATM those machines here aren't really connected how are they gonna know if my card was cancelled or not they just work erratically and often dont have any money in them.

Got 10gs am all set can repay my loan and no need to spend here really so the illusion of money triumphs but I am warm and have access to a toilet. I may indeed purchase some soap later.

Safely in Bangalore

Ok I am spending far more than I ever have in India. It's all right but I am happier when I am spending less. I shall not display the figures else you will think me a cheapskate but that's not the point. I have enough dosh and as long as I have dosh it's better than a visa and a lot better than OCI. And I get a whole day just to kick back with very erratic internet connection and HBO plus Hindi songs. Going to have a meditation another warmish bucket bath thing and then dinner oh and maybe finish my book on the Mother and the Occult. A couple of lecturers signed up for save Sharmila the Georgian might have mentioned her. Alex has now got a confirmed place at Oxford in October so he will be leaving in May. I have entrusted him with a parcel to post for Sharmila as the PO was on strike as I was leaving.

Tomorrow morning fly to Nepal if BA strike I can do that tom hanks film in transit. Otherwise back in Blighty in a couple of weeks. Get my visa watch Avatar at the IMAX and return to Kottayam. Then try to arrange a visit with Sharmila. I figure she is a caged bird, if it works out then that's my future and if not well she was a caged bird. And I figure let's say she is freed it wouldn't stop her from flying free I was only suggesting marriage not solitary confinement, I dunno. One step at a time.

She was freed

So three reports from E-Pao and Kangla-online two local rags. She was freed on the 8th but they call it Tuesday it would have been Monday evening. She joined her Meira Paibi the women torch bearers of the Sharmila Kanba Lup they have a serial fast going on in solidarity with her. She is as safe as you get in Manipur and they expect in the morning the police will rearrest her and begin another year's detention. But I guess I'll get the report tomorrow though I'll try fishing around Tehelka might know it's the main investigative journal in Manipur. Not that it makes any difference. This is the process.

Yesterday in Manipur

I couldn't discover whether they had released and then rearrested her yesterday the Manipur Bar Association went on strike over the shooting of the Advocate General. He is a former High Court Judge who while in the same car as two ministers was shot by one of them with a licensed firearm. The CM has decided it was an accident so there will be no need for an inquiry.

The other news was that the CM suggested there was no need for migrant workers to be concerned about the Quit Manipur directive given by one of the insurgent groups. They intend to ethnically cleanse Manipur of all immigrants who settled after Indian takeover 1949 though they are providing exemptions for some temporary visitors. The article in the Hindu ended with migrant workers were taking the CM's assurances with a pinch of salt following the recent killings of migrant workers.

On the other hand I have discovered two short texts by biographers of the Mother on the Vedas, Sri Aurobindo particularly believed the Rig Veda contained a secret understanding of the soul's transformation and the world's transformation. So instead of becoming a Rishi and going to heaven you become a Rishi and transform the earth, make heaven on earth, yeah it doesn't appear to be going all that well.

But this is the story from the Vedas, the Sun is stolen with the herd of the Sun. It is hidden in a cave beyond some hills. The Gods rescue the Sun with some human help. So on one level it predicts the successful prison break of soft what light from yonder window breaks tis the East and Sharmila is my Sun, and also the rediscovery of the hidden Sun within the depths of my material body, and the transformation of both, becoming a Rishi and the establishing of a New Heaven within the New Earth.

So glad that something is going according to plan. Now about the senseless killing and violence in Manipur. Yep still banking on a Chinese invasion for now, or perhaps an invasion of spiritual light that transforms devils into angels. Hmm. Obiwan Kenobi you are the only one who can help us. Having said that people still pray to St Christopher and since the Vatican took him off the list they say yeah you can still pray to him of course because he has at least as much existence as Obiwan.

All Set

Finally got my visa application to email. I have my appointment for 26th may 8.30AM be good to get it out of the way early on. As soon as I get it I can fly back. She should have been released today but I have not heard Googol can be a bit slow. If not today then I think tomorrow else they are in violation of a legal technicality and legal type really hate it when that happens I used to work in the courts they were very pernickety about things like that. They would release a serial killer if someone messed up the paperwork.

All I got was another two papers noticing she got the Mayillama Award. I got her quite a beautiful Rosewood Govinda Radha piece. It has been growing on me. I have been oiling it with Sandalwood, Rose and Jasmine Oil obviously the Sandalwood wasn't pure. One more coat of Sandalwood then I'll let it dry off a little before posting it to her on Wednesday.

I'll be travelling light. Oh the Russian Circus was sort of interesting but so was the seminar on manuscript preservation. I think I'll miss this place. I have avoided major conflicts. I think they want me back. I hope things stay that way for the two years. And I hope we can be together by then.

All I have to do is increase the Tapas. And she must have amassed some tapas by now it can't all be going to winning awards that she doesn't want. Oh the Maharaja of Tripura a sister state visited for a Kuki Tribal Conference and asked to see her to offer his support but he was denied access. You have to fill in two applications and it takes a few weeks and even then. It's really odd what the Man is doing here but he is the Man that's why we don't like the Man.

All set have three tubes of mosquito repellent a maestro card that usually works at least once wherever I go and enough Indian rupees to take me to Bangalore and last till my flight on Friday oh I should email the Katmandu NGO and remind them when I shall be arriving. Well quick meditation before bed time just to build up some tapas and then tomorrow I'll relax well not even pretend to try to finish the Syriac and just oil my icon. Wood likes to drink oil. Ooh and there is the possibility of an IMAX avatar experience. Not sure if life really does get better only different or as they prefer here differently.

Endings

I haven't finished the last text from Healey a short passage in East Syriac, Thomas of Marga on church history, lots of names, should be fairly easy to finish but at this rate I will not finish in time to have the last session with Fr Thomas here. Ah well classic avoidance no harm there. I haven't completed the on-line visa yet but that shouldn't take too long so I'll do that once I finished the shopping and getting of money and stuff. The priest I set to arrange a farewell tea now Alex suggested I tells him I likes tea I pick lados very well and they get some pouris and coffee so I did but he seems quite keen on a small gathering of elite priests for dinner. I think it's more of a big deal for them. It'll bump the price up but not by that much. From a few hundred to a few thousand rupees but I figure not a time to haggle if I am going. I mentioned my preference and left it to him. It's so easy to offend peeps here. Last wash in the process of spinning it takes about five hours for a cycle. Tomorrow is last full day so I should start tidying up now. I have all the paperwork I am going to take packed. Just need to sort out the desk in case anything important is thrown away before my return. And stack text books neatly. Hey I can start on that now. I don't think I shall finish the tenth text so might as well stop worrying about that. Ok bit of tidying another shower and off to the shops and bank where I shall try to limit the stress. If they won't let me take out some of my money I have the other account which sometimes works. And if that one gives up in Nepal I can worry about that there.

Viable Plan

Before the occultation of Venus ends within two years by increasing tapas the invasion of India by China might be a possible way of gaining her freedom. They believe Arunachal Pradesh is historically part of China, because it is historically part of Tibet. The fifth Dalai Lama was incarnated there. Once the Dalai Lama dies he has said he will not reincarnate in Chinese held Tibet, if he did then it would make things simple for them they already have hte Panchen Lama in the party. The alternative is to hold elections maybe a bit too western or to incarnate in Arunachal Pradesh where there is still a large Tibetan monastery with unbroken succession which religious folk like.

But to hold Arunachal Pradesh it would be easier to take the line to the chicken neck a small border between Nepal and Bangladesh far easier to defend. The reason for taking Arunachal Pradesh is to reclaim what was theirs before the British arbitrarily divided up the nations. The reason for the liberation of Manipur is that they have come on the invitation of the people. Ok so the law is repealed she is released and we get the hell the out of there.

America and Russia will then surprisingly ally with India to foil the invasion they get to play with all their new weapons and at the end Tibet and the northeastern states arise as independent buffer nations bit like Yugoslavia. The key is to raise tapas. So now to meditate. Now this is the most viable plan I foresee plus only two years.

3 1/2 hour seminar on manuscript preservation

Finally worked out why university librarians have become such arrogant rude and unhelpful peeps. Library science has moved from the dissemination of information to preservation and conservation of books. I know people steal and hide stuff that's not new what is new is the theory that they should be treated like rats or silverfish or bookworms which are any insects at larval stage. And 3 1/2 hours no break well that stopped me asking any questions and the desire just to keep my head down I am here for love and romance I don't really need to access the library to pass this course. And by the time they decide you are really important they ask you to check out the special books coz no one else can read them.

I must have a go at the visa. I think I have all the documents I need. Then pack a few light clothes after last wash now I have discovered the washing machine that will be easier. One more small shopping trip for fun stuff for her rearrest. I assume she will be freed monday then rearrested within a few days. It takes about 6 days for speedpost to get to me from her it should only take two days if it were just city to city but it isn't. If I post the next package on 10th morning day I leave Kottayam that gives the authorities 8 days to rearrest her. And if she is still free then her health will start to deteriorate.

I am going to get something to eat, in fact when I am with her she is going to eat well too sod all this magickorealist suffering stuff, suffering comes because I am part Russian I am human don't need to go adding to it. Some sweet snacks some savoury and some chili peanuts so I can watch the end of Ponyo in peace. I should finish the tenth text in Syriac, it's really quite easy and flows once you get stuck in the inertia though prevents my restarting it.

Oh the petition looks full at 340 might get some more she never gets more than a few hundred each petition this is just one of about four I can trace on the Web. I am still hungry after that morning seminar I should have made breakfast it makes it a lot easier for the rest of the day. But the heat is so draining. I have yahoo to compare temperatures so I think it's getting warmer in London. It says 4 but it's only 8am it's 31 here because it's cloudy. It'll get hotter in April and start cooling in May or June I think. Anyway gotta dig in start thinking long term. First get the MA from Syriac and then seriously think of doing some kind of Masters in Kaslik if I can get the money sorted. Fr Abdo is more of a beach and skiing priest monk if I can persuade him that really I am more into chanting simple monastic life and not really into shopping maybe I can get a better deal than the $100 per day which he thought was really reasonable. I think my budget is around $5 per day plus other expenses so I think some negotiating needs to be done else I stay on at SEERI and go for the three year PhD follow on. If she isn't released in five years maybe I should talk to her or something. You know what i mean. Or not what's to be done maybe I'll be more indian about it by then.

Preparations

I always feel it's better to prepare in advance even if nothing goes to plan. So the Bank when I strolled up and asked them if they would be ever so kind as to provide me with an uptodate statement. Well that set them off. After about half an hour they had frozen the account then said no you can use cheques but they want the card back. And I am thinking if they can get the right name on the new card that would nice. But anyone they say it's a simple clerical error and I as pointed out to them really more their problem not mine and no I had no intention of returning with the deposit account details and photocopies of my passport visa pages unless they wish to hire me because my understanding. And then they got someone more chatty to chat to me and the compromise we came to because I really didn't see any point leaving without a statement or some record of how much money I had in the account so I could use it to get the student visa. Was that I would return in April with any forms they wanted but I had no intention of spending my last days in Kottayam trying to assist them with their clerical errors.

So later I should fill in the visa application I just need to have all the details to hand and then set the appointment for sometime after 25 march.

Plus I got denied access to a european Manipuri group but I wonder if they are into secrecy maybe it's not really my group.

But good news mind, John the Just has inherited this foreign tourist disease mind, I always pay a bit more for me coconut water and tender coconut. Mainly because I have only eated dessicated coconut in the west with tinned coconut milk. 20 rupees I pay thats a 5 rupee tip at todays rate I dunno bit less than 40p. But the thing is so today he say oh no sir ten rupees. Well the first guy does I like coconut water it's fresh and better than bottled. So yeah having said John the Just suffers from the tourist disease of haggling over five p savings with the poor I really got a buzz when the guy gave me a discount plus let me have the tender coconut. Of course I accepted gotta give the man respect plus I got a buzz. I wouldn't haggle with him over it though.

The Economist

I have been reading back issues of the Economist. They do write about Manipur and the north east from time to time about eight or nine solid articles over the last few years. India it says has a remarkable ability to maintain long term low intensity civil wars without causing outrage or dissent in the majority general population.

What I had heard is the ruling classes of Manipur otherwise termed the Upper Middle Classes, these people must be embarrassed by the use of Caste titles, presumably because the rich wish to be considered Western approve of Government policy have made their money through it and don't really like my gel. One woman commented ah well she is only on hunger strike over the shooting of a so called boyfriend but kudos to her. Small college in the north west studying liberal arts where she gets to study with other rich kids and then return home to do occasional work for charity possibly in Goa, where she won't get hassled and can aslo enjoy the beach life. She had been rebutted by another suggesting she need not be suaded by hearsay and perhaps to get an education rather than a lifestyle choice in america (though that's more my summation of the undertext) he suggested her comments were a little callous.

And good news they have managed to reduce HIV from 6% to 1.6% over the last several years. The Government policy of subjugation the Economist believes will be successful it just takes a very long time and the Indian Government believe they have as much time as they want. HIV stats can be dropped by a mixture of preventative education which tends to mean use a condom stupid. And if you take anti-viral reducing the bad stuff in your blood (hey googol it if you like science) you tend not to infect others unless you contract another untreated STD. With antivirals one pill a day now HIV is a controllable disease more like Syphillis.

Apparently american protestant missionaries do get visas to practise in the North East, they have the hill tribes she is from the valley and they bring in millions of dollars each year. Perhaps those are the foreigners seen in the hills. Someone said oh we just stop journalists if you aren't a journalist you can get a permit to visit Manipur, and didn't even blush, though they like the title biggest democracy in the world. I am certain if China becomes democratic they will become totalitarian because all they want is the title biggest they don't really care at what.

They because I am not that kind of Indian.

And a lovely article on the Sangai dancing deer, now that is how to write magickorealist journalism. It mentions the reason the deer were thought extinct was the damming of the lake Loktak. It's waters used to rise and fall annually so the grassland which floats at high water used to sink to the earth reroot gain strength at low water and then rise again. It's called a homestatic balance, a life cycle, Disney understands it. So the Indian Government who advises these ok they are only deer the guy says in committee, they are deer who are you someone from the Disney corporation. If we build the dam we can produce umpteen gigowatts and loads of money. Ok the land will rot the deer will die, but we solve the energy crisis. The alternative is build loads of nuclear power stations but I know what you gonna say about that. So if the fluffy bunny objections have been dealt with.

The deer developed their dancing gait because they prance about on this soil that is stable-ish because of its annual rise and fall. They were thought extinct. When half a dozen were discovered on a small island in Loktak it was made a national park they are now at 100. But after the dam the land is rotting, and there are still continual powercuts, the energy is funnelled into the national grid to support the now 8.25% GDP annual growth. There was a plan once to shut down the dam for a month a year to allow the cycle to return, but now it's too late. Hey and it's like the story of the emerald forest but without the shamans claiming they can be invisible. There was a short piece on the local shamanesses. Marup something he called it. And so the article ended with yep you could put the deer in zoos and they would survive but then they wouldn't be Sangai, they wouldn't be wild.

Tell you what we could take some red deer from the new forest who know how to walk on solid ground would that sort the disney fluffy bunny crowd. I really don't understand how when you put all those clever people in a room together they end up doing incredibly stupid things but if you leave really stupid people to do their thing in the fields for centuries they don't seem to do much harm at all.

Mixed News

So the Economist has produced an article on Manipur. Beauty of this one is people with money to invest read the Economist. Money talks as Spinaltap's agent put it. And I finally managed to post a comment there too.

Her petition page groweth daily http://campaigns.ahrchk.net/manipur/ although it appears the cheap viagra spammers are now the main contributers I assume they will be filtered out from the final count and poor HE Pratibha Pratil ah no it would have been brilliant if they had allowed extra comments to the politician's emails because then she would have been drowing in offers of cheap viagra for the modern busy woman about town, worth it's weight in Economist articles.

Stop the presses: So someone has their eye on the ball the petition dropped from 351 to 330 and all the cheap viagra adverts have been removed well done that AHRC administrator. If they get a million then the Indian Government says ah but a lot of these petitioners are unverified, and if they get less then they say we are the largest democracy in the world but as you can see you have only minority support for your views which we will certainly consider respectfully etc etc as Yul Brynner put it.

Oh I finally got the draft determination from OIAHE ah well 1500 squid and no gagging order so it goes to a memorial for John Fernandez late brother via the Legio Mariae with an inscription at least Racism Pays! and I was hoping for something like compulsory donation from the racists of TVU, they say all publicity is good publicity.

Plus I got to give feedback to the OIAHE and I was very restrained public school debating style, once I had decided that I was giving the award away it gave me freedom to be equanimous in my dealings with them. But it is a farce. They can't look into racism because the main grounds were marks on essays of 10%. How can you give 10% on a University marked assignment in the West they give you 20% for putting your student number on in the right place. And some inconsistencies in the argument some of which I addressed purely to help them with their professionalism.

But since she is my dream what do I care about TVU and the OIAHE. I shall study in the Lebanon where the key is to take Fr Abdo out for occasional meals and not to get all interfaith friendly with the Muslims because no they are not Arabs they are Phoenicians well just so long as we know where the tickle lines are meant to be. Don't cross that line I have no intention of crossing beyond sir, more seductively weaving around it I mean if I have to explain the principle of tickling oh yeah unless I get married then it's lose at golf and oh that article you wrote praising St Cyril father. Marvelous. Are you sure the sex is as great as they say, yeah yeah spiritual love completement fulfilment but I feel like that gunman who dies in Yul Brynner's arms so tell me was it a gold mine or diamonds what were really fighting for Chris.

So how come

Bernard Kilroy gets a one year visa no questions asked issued over Xmas when the rest of us only get 3 month visas. He says he isn't MI6 but I doubt he is just visiting kurumasala because he has an amateur interest in liturgical chanting but no musical ability. Also some story about import exporting indian dancers but with no profit so far which I think means he hasn't paid taxes.

Fine so long as I get mine. But it seems a bit rum if you ask me.

visiting the north east

I had come to a minor obstacle in my plans to visit Manipur. As far as I can tell there is a ban on foreigners visiting Manipur that's what a restricted access area means. You can apply for a ten day Permitted Access Permit you specify point of entry and exit and agree to visit only set areas. What used to happen was there were tours organized by tourist agencies and they got the permits for you. At present nobody is running tours to Manipur it would seem.

So looking at the legislation, technically you only have to travel in groups of four with a travel agent in open areas. If I agree to stay in my hotel room for the ten days and then visit her when accompanied by the SI of the JN Gaol then presumably I don't need to be accompanied by three other foreigners. I'd love to go in April but it takes a month for them to approve the visit so maybe May then. I also apply to the two departments to visit her. And if I get to see her that's good and if not I got close if only an hotel in Imphal.

There is a slight problem if we did marry. I would still not be allowed to stay more than ten days and then only with the same permit. I guess if the law isn't changed we could meet for ten days in Manipur whenever I got the approval and she of course would be free to travel to neighbouring countries and the rest of India where the restrictions don't apply. Apparently gaining OCI wouldn't make a difference for the purposes of restricted areas within India overseas citizenship of india isn't citizenship you are still a foreigner. It's more of a pay once and for all multiple visa for India.

Ah it's all working out I had been asking travel agents what the cost would be for a four person trip to manipur but just going directly to the FRRO or whatever they call themselves once I have my student visa well that seems a more direct option.

Had a simple dream

I was at some hotel retreat centre and it was the last day and I overheard a guy saying how he was going to use his small fishing vessel to pick up a survivor and they tell him you can't ever get close to anyone the more you try the further away they get and I agreed with that, but he kept saying it was only a small fishing vessel and just the one survivor, I guess they have to learn on their own anyway I was in a rush getting my things together. I best get the paperwork packed if it's all there then no probs but if I have to look through my well filing heap well yes might take a while. Some other things about leaving a tip for the cleaning staff wow dreams can be specific.

Just over 300 in the enfants perdus regiment, though it seems to have slowed mainly goans and adverts for cheap viagra. Both with mainly symbolic force. Oh she won another award, Kindle magazine in Calcutta has named her as one of the 25 women in India who well it can't be get arrested and detained without trial on indefniite satyagraha but it's definitely a good list. I know she says she doesn't want any more awards she wants AF(SP)A 1958 repealed but given that they haven't I still think it's better than not winning awards. Sort of like being given the choice of curtain colours in the cell. It's not freedom but it's something. It's an award.

Held up with Philoxenus of Mabbog Fr Thomas has been rescheduling. But it looks like today or soon. Then there is only one text left in Healey and I really should just knuckle down and finish the pearl. Take the Robisons with pack later today and I have been shown a washing machine here and that is a great help. And I think I'll get another letter afore I leave which is on 10th I think best check, it's next week in the middle I think. Friday to Nepal then 12 days later to England. Oooh I should also make the visa application on line before I leave so I have an appointment to attend.

So first pack, then make visa appointment. Don't think there is anything else over which I have much control.

Mandaic incantation bowls

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.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.