Who thinks this is a bad idea? Raise your hand.

So I just finished my first two days of instruction.  Not instruction given to me.  No.  Instruction that I give to some other poor soul.  When I first got my flight schedule at home I had these little codes in the “special instruction” box. I couldn't figure out what they meant either. I didn't think much of it and honestly really didn't care that much to ask about it. So it was a little surprising to show up for work only to realize that I was training someone. No waiting till I'm good and ready, noooooo.  Just throw the new guy into the lion's den. Does anybody except me see the hazards here?  Honestly, it probably could've turned out to be kind of exciting and you'd like it too, if you're into the panic and high blood pressure thing. I personally am not, but everyone is different. Personally, I was really hoping to have a little more time to adjust to the system over here, but that's obviously not going to happen. I did give the guy the option of backing out and waiting for a real instructor.  But he thought that we could handle it. Boy was he in for a rude shocker!  Ha!  Putting it mildly: the first day was a real cluster and I'm surprised that it went as well as it did. I crashed out that night in Chennai, cursing the career choices that I have made. The next day I was determined to be on top of the situation, so I spent the morning prepping for the flights and that helped enormously. It actually went rather smoothly and I think I might have actually figured out some of the radio calls on my own.  Of course it helps that I am just plain good. But that goes without saying. So much so that I have to remind people to tell me.

OK, for the last week or so, whenever I would type on my computer, I would sometimes get this little prickly feeling in my wrists as they rubbed, ever so slightly, on the edge of my laptop. Drives me crazy. Feels like a little sliver of insulation or a really fine wood splinter. I hate that feeling.  I'll pull my skin off just to stop the itch.  Every time that I check for something though, there's nothing there. Really bothers me.  This imaginary sliver.  Kind of like the imaginary spiders that run across my bed while I'm sleeping (another story all together). Well, tonight I figured it out. Been figuring out a lot of things, this is just one of them. So as I was typing, I kept feeling the sensation and so I watched very carefully as my wrists rubbed the computer case. I noticed that surrounding my computer is a very thin piece of metal. I think its aluminum or something. Probably there to help my computer from getting banged up. It's also a great conductor of electricity!  Yep, as I look, there is a tiny little spark that arcs from the computer to my wrist, giving me the little prickly sensation! Of course I then realize that nothing is grounded here, except my bare feet on the marble covered concrete building that I live in. Sure enough. I raise my feet off the floor; no arc. Put my feet back on the floor; nice little arc forms. In addition, it's only when the laptop is charging. Easy fix; wear socks or unplug the unit. Done. I'm on a roll.

Still haven't decided if I'm going to get a scooter or not. I think that I might, but I still need to do some checking on the whole license thing. Plus, I don't know if I have to buy a registration for it or not. It would be fun to have one. Opens up a lot more territory that you can cover in a day or two.

I am looking out my window at the busy street that runs through the place called Nanakramguda. The night is alive with music, dancing and the sound of generators howling away. I guess that there is a wedding tonight. Every once in awhile a bunch of firecrackers will pop off and I'll hear shouts and yells. As I drove through the streets on my way to my apartment, it actually looked like a lot of fun. Everyone was all dressed up in their traditional outfits and were parading around. You would never imagine that they could get so dressed up for events like this, especially if you saw them during the week in their regular clothes. Its neat to watch. I'm happy that they are happy.  There is so much sadness here. I would imagine that for some, this is it. This is the highlight of their week, month, year, or maybe life. We should be so inclined as to take the opportunities given us. Who knows what tomorrow holds in store for us.  I don't for sure. Should we even care and does it really matter?  Live today.