These boots are made for walking.

Interesting things happen while you're in Sweden, as I found out today. Let me set the stage for you. 

My weary feet were crying out in torment from every step I took. They were getting more and more agitated that I was not taking 'steps' to sit and rest a bit. Finally, off in the distance, roughly estimated 1.3km ahead, I spotted a nice sitting area in the middle of the street. It wasn't a car driving street, mind you, but a walking, look in the window of the shops street. I think my feet saw the bench first, actually, cause the rest of my body was going in the other direction when my feet turned and headed that way. After re-stabilizing my torso, we headed there at a fast, hobbling walk. Each step taking us closer to bliss and happiness. Or so we thought. As I drew closer to the benches, I noticed that there were actually about three of them arranged in a little circle. They resembled someone's attempt at modern art and were shaped like little tadpoles. I plopped myself down on one of them, immediately receiving a sigh of relief from my feet. My body begin to relax as I sat there watching the people stream up and down the street. It was pretty busy today. My tadpole bench was about 8 feet long and I was sitting about 12 inches from one of the ends. On the other end was a lady resting her complaining feet also. She was facing the other way though and not looking in my direction. There was about a 5 foot gap between us. I only mention this because it's important.

I was just starting to think of leaving my tadpole bench, but hadn't quite figured out how to excite and motivate my feet into action yet. As I was contemplating my plan of attack and method of feet trickery, someone plopped right down beside me. I mean, right down beside me! In fact, looking back on the action, not only was there considerable touching involved, but this person actually sat on me a bit. Who would sit half on the 12 inches remaining of my tadpole bench and half on me? Especially when there was a nice center section completely open! The person's action of practically sitting on my lap, caused my head to turn to assess the situation and a slight body hop and shift to the right to give just a bit more room between us. As I looked, involuntarily of course, the true nature of my perpetrator was revealed to me; a girl! Not just any girl; a young, good looking girl.  She looked slightly Swedish to me, but I couldn't be sure.  I was sure of one thing though; trouble!

This can't be good, I thought. My mind started racing. As boys, we are taught fundamental truths early on in life.  One of these is that girls are troublemakers.  This was not going to be an exception to the rule; I could tell right away.  What was this all about? What's her deal sitting on my tadpole bench? Was she just sitting there for because she wanted too? And why would she want to sit there on that 12 inch space? That's all it took. My mind took the bait and ran with it! I was dreaming up conspiracy theories left and right now. Maybe she was trying to distract me, so that someone could reach into my backpack. Clever, girl! I checked around me carefully; no one around. Hmm. Maybe she thought I was someone else. Yeah, that was it. Someone else. Who else could be traveling around in a bright orange raincoat with a green back-back on. Nope, I seem to be the only one in Stockholm wearing such an outfit. Maybe she is hiding from someone? I shouldn't say anything then, it might blow her cover. I kept stealing glances at her to get a read on the situation. Nothing.

It felt like 10 minutes had gone by since she sat down, but it was probably only about 7 seconds. I turned slightly to look at her again. She kind of leaned into me a little bit, but wouldn't turn to look in my direction. Should I say something??? This was kind of different. Weird. Should I feel uncomfortable? Honestly, I don't really. More curiously, I thought, how this was going to play out? Well, maybe she sat down cause she wanted to talk to me? Ok, then should I say something first? What should I say? “Hi” That's original. Or maybe, “Hi, do you want me to move over a bit for you, so you don't have to sit on my lap?” As I was reviewing different things to say, she broke the awkwardness by saying something in Swedish. “I'm sorry I didn't catch that.” I replied; amazed that I could unlimber my tongue to say even that much. Truth be told, I might have just mumbled something, but at least that's what I thought I said.

This time in English, “the experiment is over, thank you!”

There was human testing going on and it was me?! “What do you mean, experiment?”

“I was doing a social experiment on closeness and physical contact in public areas.”

“Oh, was I filmed? Am I going to be on a show?”

“No, its just a school project.”

“OK.”

We talked for the next five minutes about her social project. I was supposedly the first person that she had tested her little experiment on, so there wasn't any data on previous encounters. I answered her questions as honestly as I could. Then she stood up, smiled and thanked me, shook my hand, and smoothly disappeared into the milling crowds.

I sat there on my little tadpole bench, slightly dazed, confused, and with my mind racing. Was it really an experiment? What are the chances that I was randomly picked amongst the hoards of people for her to conduct her little 'experiment'? What if I had never gone to India? I wouldn't be here, that's for sure. And over in India experienced the crowds, shoving, and lack of personal space given by the Indian's? Would my reactions have been different? Yes, I probably would have acted differently. Hmmm. Did I just skew her test results? This is fascinating me now! Maybe I should write a book on this subject. Oh, then again, no, I shouldn't. There are probably about 200 books out on the subject. The last thing we need is another one.

My mind fog slowly lifted and I looked out over the busy street. Time to leave before I am subjected to anymore experiments, I thought. I slowly stood up and stretched. A couple of my vertebra popped nicely. Felt good. As I took the first couple of steps, stiff muscles protesting slightly, I reflected on what lead me to this tadpole bench in the first place.

At least my feet aren't complaining anymore.

You're getting sleepy....your eyelids are heavy....

I've been thinking again. I should learn not too, but it's a bad habit that I find myself doing on occasion and there doesn't seem to be a permanent solution to resolve the problem. It's not an easy habit to break. Drugs, alcohol, tobacco; those were easy habits to break. This one; not so much. So once again, I've been thinking too much. It's been getting progressively worse the last couple of days and yesterday night, once again, hit another record high. On a side note, it would be fun to graph how much I actually think during the day. Hmmm, wonder if there is a way. Anyway, went to bed late and then couldn't seem to turn off the brain activity long enough to get some decent sleep. My eyelids popped open around 3:30 this morning, and eventually I rolled out of bed at 4:30 after realizing that they weren't going to stay closed anymore. The sky was just starting to get light out and the early morning temperatures are perfect for bike riding, so that's just what I did. I went for a ride.

I made some coffee first. In the process, used the last of my good coffee, so now I'm into uncharted and untested coffee territory. Not sure how this is going to pan out. I might have to make sure that the new coffee is up to standards before an actual coffee need arises. I wonder if Jeannette will let me test coffee today! Walked out the door around quarter to 6 and zipped off. Well, not quite zipped. I was just not feeling it today for the first couple of miles. My legs felt sluggish and my energy level was low. Wonder why, huh! As I peddled down the dusty, dirt roads of Lingampally, with arguably the greatest Christian band in the universe, Petra, pounding out beats in my earbuds, my legs slowly limbered up and my mind kicked into gear: I started thinking again.

Over the last couple of days, I have attended a couple training classes here at work that are specifically tailored for Delhi operations. No official word has been delivered or received, to yours truly, regarding the possible base relocation, but I know that it's a definite possibility. The odds are increasingly good, and improving, that I will be relocated up there. Especially since other guys that have received transfer orders have just turned the company down cold.  Not sure if they are going to keep their jobs now.  My dilemma is that I really don't want to go up there and work. I like Hyderabad; as much as one can like any big city in India. From my conversations and inquiries into the best cities to live, as ranked by Indian's, Hyderabad ranks pretty high. Delhi ranks low. I know from first hand experience, being based in Delhi the first month here in India, not much or a long stretch of time I realize, that I didn't enjoy my time there one bit. Now, granted, I was staying in a hotel, in a depressed part of town, I was fairly new and wet behind the ears, and it was winter time, so those factors have to be considered in my (dis)approval rating of Delhi. The air pollution was off the chart and that's probably the biggest factor. There were days when the visibility was less than a ¼ of mile in smog. Winters are notoriously bad months for Delhi, but the rest of the year still has issues.  I had a sinus infection after being there a couple weeks.  Then there is the issue of noise and light pollution. If I moved there, in order to be within working distance of the airport, I would have to move into town somewhere. I couldn't live outside of the city like I do now. No more bike riding, no more quiet evenings, no more darkness when I need it. Not sure it's worth it. The option that might remain is to resign over the potential relocation. Not something that I want to do either, but is this job actually worth it? Not sure at this point, but leaning towards the "no" side of things.

There sure a lot of Peacocks over here. They peck around in the fields and scrub-brush everywhere. I wasn't aware of this, but they are very shy and flighty; taking flight or running away whenever I slow down to look at them. As long as I'm on my bike and not slowing down to look, they just strut around. I saw close to 20 Peacocks this morning. They must like mornings. None of the male birds spread their tails out for me.  I kept looking and waiting for someone to do that, but no one would. It was hard to take their pictures too. I would try to sneak up on them, but I can never get close enough to get some good pictures. One of these days I'll get lucky and find some that aren't paying attention. I wonder what they taste like......

Another thing that I miss having over here is an oven. They don't have ovens. I imagine you might be able to find one if you really looked for one, but the kitchens aren't designed to hold one. There is no spot in the kitchen for an oven.  During my play (research!) sessions on the internet, I have come across some people using 'solar ovens' to cook things. Looks pretty simple and we definitely get enough sunshine for it to work. I might fabricate something and play around. The ingredients to make a solar oven are simple: foil and cardboard, all which are easily accessible and acquirable here. Then I can start cooking things.  Like one of those little pigs that I see running by the side of the road! Tasty! Actually, ick! I see what they eat, and I would rather starve to death than eat one of those pigs. Might as well just go root around in the garbage pile myself.

Time for breakfast and a morning movie! Talk at you guys later.

Mangos!

Kudos to the the worlds greatest invention and of course to Al Gore we must sing our undying praises for his invention: the internet. Without his invention in use over in this country, I would go crazy. It seems like I haven't done anything really for the last 4 weeks except 'surf the net' and sleep. Actually, looking back on things, I should have gone somewhere and spent my time worthy of living. However, the paperwork that I have been waiting for could show up at anytime. Literally anytime. No one really knows the time or date that the authorities will authorize things. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason behind the time delays. So it might seem that I have been flitting away my time, and I really have, but only for good reason. And it's not completely true that my productivity is nil. I have been working on company procedures and things of that nature. Stuff that they will never use, but want anyway. Boring and tedious stuff.

Jeannette and I have been watching some old Charlie Chapman movies as of late. They are pretty interesting I must say. It's amazing how you can convey stories and thoughts in a silent movie by using music and acting. We also were noticing and commenting on the living conditions of the citizens of the US during the 1920's, by looking at the condition of the buildings, streets and people in the movie. I know that it's just a movie set, however it does portray a similarity of the condition of the union at that time. I can't help but draw some similarities to the conditions here in India. A quite a few of the living conditions are remarkably similar to those portrayed in the these movies. I can briefly conclude and surmise that India is stuck in the early 1900's. Crazy thinking like this, cause the Brits were here into the 50's, so how can this be? It would appear that India has actually regressed a bit! A big difference between the US and India though, is that the people of the US successfully strove to improve their living conditions, were as here, not so much. There isn't a display of the drive and motivation that was so evident and prominent with the rise of the US.

But they have good mango’s!

Blend this.

My vacation has been extended. Going on 3 weeks now. Not quite sure when I will be able to get back to work either. If you can't tell, I am just dying to return to the salt mines! Actually, the shear boredom of sitting here day after day, waiting for the paperwork to be processed and the phone call telling me that I'm free to cause havoc, is weighing me down. I feel lethargic and lazy all day long. Jeannette is good about making me go to the gym and work out. Otherwise, I would just sit around and surf the net. Thank goodness for that otherwise I would go crazy. I would love to go outside and play, but there is just one small problem. We are currently in the hottest months of the year. It gets up to about 115 in the afternoon. The early mornings are nice though. The temps are right about 85 and then just climb from there. By 10 it's too hot for me to be outside.

I was going to buy a scooter over here. Talked myself into it and everything. Yes I know that it's dangerous, but to get around town it would be nice. Total reliance on a tuk-tuk is frustrating to say the least. Anyway, I won't be buying on this month. Maybe next month. For the limited amount of time that I have left over here, 7 months, I'm not sure that I need one. I'm still weighing the pros and cons. Not sure I want to go home in a pine box. That seems to be the biggest con and surprisingly carries a lot of weight. It seems to trump my pros nicely.

Jeannette and I have joined the gym and pool club over here. It's been great so far. The evenings are the best to go to the gym. I tried mornings and it was packed! No thank you! So I'll stick to the evenings for now. Once I start working again, I probably will not be able to pick my time of attendance, but for now I can. 

In other boring news, I am currently drafting a copy of some new operating procedures for the company. Hopefully some of my work can be useful and not in vain. I've spent quite a few hours pecking away at the keyboard. I think it's good, but it will probably get shot down at the higher level. In order to get off the computer, last time at the store, I picked up an artists pad and some pencils. I think I might try to get back into sketching again. I have the time for sure. 

Since being here I've realized that I need to spend my time differently when I return back home. I've realized that I need to spend more time away from home doing other things, spending time with others, and making my time count. But the funny thing is, as I sit here and think of all these things, I think of things that I need, or want, to do back home. Then I make lists of things to do! Crazy. So once again I have lists of things to do back home. I have toned down though and realize that I need to be a little more realistic in my approach to projects. I simply do not have enough time to do everything. Sad, but true. If there was a way to clone myself or figure out a way to survive on less sleep......

I just love funny events and there is no shortage of them here.  We went to buy a blender the other day. They had close to 15 display models out for viewing. We cruised around looking at this one and that one. Then we found one that we liked and asked a store employee, that was conveniently hoovering 13 inches away from my face, how much it was. “That's not for sale,” he said.

“What do you mean, not for sale?”

Head waggle and then again “that's not for sale.”

“OK, yes this one in my hand, but how about one in a box?”

“No, Sir.”

“There isn't one in a box somewhere?”

“No, Sir.”

“Is there one in the back, that's in a box, that I could buy?”

“No, Sir.”

“Well, are they not in stock right now?”

“No, Sir”

“Well, when is it going to be stocked?”

“We don't stock those anymore.”

“Ever??”

“No, Sir.”

“So this one in my hand is not ever going to be stocked here in the store again, ever?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Then why is it out here?”

Head waggle.

“Can I buy this one since it's the last one then?”

“No, Sir.”

“Well why is it out here then?”

Head waggle.

“OK, can you please show me one that you do sell then, instead of looking at the ones that you just have on display for fun?”

They had about 6 actual blenders for sale.