Travels and Travails

Right, so here's another one of those short quick updates. Between then and now, on expected lines, things changed, times changed. Some found greener pastures and moved on. Some continue to seek the same and await their turn to get there. Somewhere in between, there's yours truly who has obstinately stayed put, firmly planting his revered backside on a black leather couch somewhere around this place with a (de)famed laptop on his person - remaining a static nodal point in an otherwise dynamic world around him.

Sometime in these past few months, Florida happened - a technical conference and a short visit to the beaches being the highlights. A big guy and his spooky labmate had a reunion with an old mentor and pal, and made new friends over icecreams, geektalk and joyrides in amusement parks. Presentation aside, discussions revolved, for most part, on how the vibrations industry remains shaken up, and what might be needed to excite the field again (clean harmless puns for modal analysts partly intended, double entendre not so much). Economic constraints meant iPods and digicams were replaced by t-shirts and notepads as game bounties and raffle prizes.

Joyous over winning one such freebie, yours truly returned to dear ol' Cincy in time to celebrate V-Day in joyful SADness. Free entertainment was provided from the other end of the globe by this not-so-gentle man and this not-very-gentle-either woman, as oppressed(?) youth in Bharat found a..err..fitting.. response, in pink chaddis, to the moral policing of self-proclaimed guardians of Indian Hindu take-your-pick culture.

A little further down the timeline, Puerto Rico beckoned with open skies for an escapade to the Caribbean Islands. With biomechanic works behind one's back, figuratively and literally, binging sessions took over early evenings and went on till just short of daybreak. While some let the Margaritas and Martinis kick in, some downed lemonades and virgin Dragon Punches with equal fervor and greater sobriety. Liquor or no liquor, this exotic island managed to have both kinds floored end of the day. With a fun company around, arguments chitchats in dingy bars, flashy pubs and streets lasted all nights as profound thoughts were exchanged on infidelity, marriages, moralities, alcoholism and social orthodoxies in cultures across the globe - whowuddavethunk fluids could be so potent?

Efforts were expended in trying to pick up enough of Español to be able to order vegetarian foods and to strike conversations with random females - turned out it took a lot more than Spanish to accomplish either of the two around there. A day was spent exploring the historical Old San Juan. Known for its port and old Spanish forts, this lively town marked by narrow cobblestone streets and colors from across the palette stands in stark contrast to the more urbane landscapes of the capital city of San Juan. Activities off the seas included a small hike through the El-Yunque tropical rainforest. Ears were craned to hear the Puerto Rican Parrot sing, and eyes struggled to catch a glimpse of the Coquí, species native to this island. Somewhere during the stay, a night was spent by the rocks and the waters; the waves spoke for long, a bat listened - mutely and intently for once - and returned home wiser.

Bitten by the travel bug harder and deeper, a yearning for idly-vadas translated into a visit to the Big Apple and the wild Buffalo. A week was spent exploring the city that never sleeps and all its skyscrapers, parks and bridges. Bigcity fastlife was re-lived on the commute as New York City was criscrossed over red, blue, green and yellow lines. In the crowds, in the rush, in life and activity bubbling all over the place, Bangalore.. Bengalüru was remembered, as were words a friend penned. A weekend by the more serene and humbling Niagara signed off a memorable stay amidst friends - a personal highlight of the visit being a partial conquest over fear once exhibited for the canine species. Fear of the feline and the feminine continue to rank high on the list, on an sidenote.

Back to Cincy, back to the couch, back to the occasional labwork, back to the coffee, cream, sugars and biscuits, and to a much-abused companion in a laptop that holds its head high while lesser builds crash. Back to the home away from home. With a nest to come back to after the skies are explored, the travels and travails in life continue unabashed.

A smile a day. A cup of coffee spent over laughter.

A new place to visit. A new avenue to learn.

A penny earned, a penny saved, a penny well spent.

A good deed done.

A dream to chase. A dream to live.

To good times, now, always.

The world remains my oyster.