The Sasquatch Experience

This weekend, we took the kids to 6 Flags - Great Adventure Park in Lake George, NY. We had return tickets and wanted to use them before it gets too cold. It was in the low-50's when we started at home in the morning. But once we reached the Park, the weather was very pleasant.

The kids enjoyed the rides, shows, pizza and characters walking around. We had a pic taken by the professional photographer outside the gate there - just in case. I was thinking, 'taking the pic is free - we can always say NO when the time comes to buy the pics'.

There are some adventure rides there, and Sasquatch was one such, introduced this year. I thought of trying that out - and I am glad I did. Usha tried to pull me back saying - you never tried these things, may not be good for the heart etc. etc. I thought - 'okkasaari fix ayyaananTE naa maaTa nEnE vinanu' :) and went ahead.

The ride up was abrupt, my head got pushed away from my body (which was secured by the restraints), I got lifted up into the air (whatever clearance was left between the seat and the top restraint. Before my thoughts reached a point of panic, the descent started - and a sense of relief started to occur when I realized I am still in the air, with my bottom still in the air, didn't know when I will sit down in the seat; how I will sit - will I be thrown down? will it hurt? should I keep the eyes open or close them? Did I secure the restraint latches well? Or will they open up with all this pressure? Oh my god. where am I now? when will this end?

Well - folks were already opening up their restraints before my thoughts subsided and at the end it didn't feel as bad!

All in all, an exhilarating experience indeed! I am glad I went for it!!

BTW, we ended up buying the photo package on our way out :))

Swasti!!

Kiss a Pig?

I am for adventurism, not all out but to some extent. May be 51%, just to tilt the scale. But when I was reading a piece the other day on different fundraising ideas - I came across this. Kiss a Pig. (http://www.stepbystepfundraising.com/kiss-a-pig-fundraiser/)

Kiss a Pig?! What the heck is that?! Apparently, I learn, it's a big hit with Americans and fundraising. As conspiracy theorists have been writing, these kinds of events are probable causes of the outbreak of Swine Flu. May be it's true after all!

What else are you guys kissing out there?! Gosh!!

Save Humanity!!

Swasti!!

R I P Y S R

Setting aside political and ideological differences, my heart goes out to the sudden and tragic demise of the Chief Minister of A.P. - Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhar Reddy. Here is another avoidable tragedy that could have been easily averted, if only politics is simplified and power is decentralized in India; and political leaders are not looked upon as demi gods beyond questioning. My heart also goes out to the pilot, co-pilot, Chief Security Officer and YSR's Secretary (IAS officer) who went with Dr. YSR.

I can't help but think at this juncture that had the various govt. departments been allowed to work independently, with authority, the meteorologists/security personnel/pilots could/would have forewarned and refused to fly the chopper taking into consideration the grave weather conditions. But given the power structure in India, nobody can dare dictate what a CM can or cannot do, despite clear evidence/facts available otherwise.

In any case, that argument aside - it pains me deeply at the circumstances in which Dr. YSR met his end - untraced, unattended and un-covered - in that hostile weather in the open for more than 24 hours. For someone who transformed himself into a people's person over the course of the past 6-7 years, leaving his radical/violent past behind, he deserved a lot better. However, destiny is so powerful and its ways so mysterious, one cannot fathom any rhyme or reason.

Despite the political differences, I appreciate some of his good qualities - thinking big, dynamic leadership, going after what he thought is right - being a few.

May his soul rest in peace. May the others' souls rest in peace. May their families find strength in God in this hour of sorrow.

Swasti!!