Surreal

This post is not intended to either incite or invite sympathy, but only to narrate a surreal experience I  had.

From our recent vacation we returned, I with a mangled left wrist. Immediately upon arrival we contacted an Orthopedic surgeon who recommended surgery to rearrange the broken bones and a titanium plate with screws to shore them up.

Surgery was done under general anesthesia but a regional Blocker injection to a nerve in Clavical area was highly recommended; to lessen the bleeding during surgery and to combat post surgery pain. I was advised that the effect of regional numbing of arm below the shoulder will last for about 24 to 36 hours. I was also told that I will not be able to raise or lower my arm without other hand helping it to do so. I will not be able to feel my arm and/or wiggle my fingers. I went along. Surgery went well.

In recovery room I realized that all that I was told was correct. My arm felt like a total dead-weight. I started to cradle my arm like a swaddled baby. My arm and fingers felt numb and foreign; as if they were not my own limbs.

Stranger yet, in the middle of night, I felt I needed to scratch my operated arm and fingers. Every time I reached out to scratch or feel my numb arm I could not.  I would wake up to see that my good hand was reaching about 20 to 30 degrees away from where I needed to scratch. Not only that, if my arm was entirely numb why did I feel a need to scratch?

Now that was really Surreal!

I began to wonder, is this what a paralyzed person feels about their paralyzed body parts and is this what some amputees describe as Phantom pain; in this case scratch?

I am not a doctor but would like to know if this experience credibly describes sensations of paralysis and/or amputation. 

Anyone?

Post-Surgery

Post Surgery Cast

Jagat-Daksha

Jagat-Daksha

My brother, Jagat and his wife, Daksha spent about twelve days with us. It was a great comfort for me. I hope it was likewise for them. I took their individual pictures and attempted to merge them with the help of Photoshop.

They are loving and are loved intensely. 

Tuber Roses-রজনীগন্ধা

Tuber Roses-রজনীগন্ধা

Yesterday afternoon I received a bouquet of not Roses, but Tuber Roses-রজনীগন্ধা. Then, unexpectedly a Bengali friend who almost never calls, called. I had a pleasant Calcutta moment; several moments; actually, the rest of the day.

It became a very special day.

None of the flowers grown in American hothouses, even Roses, disappointingly, emit the scent they are known to have. Surprisingly, Tuber Rose fragrance has enveloped my entryway. Going up or down the stairs I inhale that familiar intoxicating perfume.

Thanks to all who made this experience possible.

US Postal Service-Part 2

About half hour ago our nice mailman, Mr. W knocked at the door. He handed me the torn Time magazine in "We care" plastic bag and said he is sorry that the magazine is torn. He knew I had complained earlier and if I wanted I can do it again. These days all mails are processed by machines and therefore they do not have control over mail tearing. 

I told him I like to collect magazines and I would like to show him how many issues have come torn. He said he can show me so many torn mails in his truck he is delivering today. He was apologetic. I said to him that it is not his fault and it is not. I asked should we not fix the machines causing the tears? He said he just delivers the mail and I should write my complains to postal service. 

So it seems my complains have gone wayside. Signs of modern services. Wrapper says they care but I do not think they do.

At least mailman personally handed me the mail with an apology.

Should I be satisfied? No, I am not.

US Postal Service

We have been receiving lot of torn mails with plastic covers saying "We care". I decided to visit the post office. After fifteen minutes of wait and couple of pages the person who attended to me said they will look into it. 

Let us see what happens in the future.

Dream or a Nightmare?

Last night I had two dreams. Usually I forget them next morning. But one of the two is retained, though faintly. 

In my laundry room I have double doors leading up to the back yard. The inside door is a wood door with glass window and the outside one is a metal also with a glass window. I dreamed that there was a human being in white clothing trapped between the two doors. On a closer scrutiny I realized it was just a white cloth but had all the characteristics of a human being; almost  "Shroud of Turin" like. It was trying very hard to free itself but could not.

There was such struggle to free itself that I woke up with sweat. I think I will call this a nightmare.

Maharaja

Maharaja Exhibit

We saw an Indian exhibit of Maharaja at Field Museum yesterday. The display was from the period between 1700 and 1800 during when British Raj took over from East India Company. This was the period when Hindu Rajas and Maharajas were manipulated by Britishers into becoming puppet rulers. These must have been petty kings. They were not considered Kings and thus were not accorded due deference by Britishers. Some kings were rebels but their rebellion did not last very long. Also many of the kings were from Mewar and Southern India whose names I had not heard before.

I was mistaken in thinking that this exhibit would include Moghal Emperors ' cache also. But I should have known better. With a name like "Maharaja" it cannot include glory of "Badshahs". Hindu kings were Maharajas, and Muslim were Badshahs. Some small muslim rulers were also known as Nizams and /or Nawabs.

There were only about 200 plus peices of exhibits, mostly paintings with some jewllery, furniture, saries, thrones, musical instruments etc. While I did not expect it to be so, it should have had many more pieces  for display. The two dimentional paintings were mostly of Durbars, Royal Courts and Royal hunts.

With a long history, a rich and interesting one no less, India has never developed a sense of collective history and therefore no sense of preservation. The United States of America on the other hand which has only two hundred plus years' history is enormously conscious of preserving things. Michelle Obama's 2013 inauguration gown will be preserved for posterity to see sometime in the future!

They were playing beautiful music on a CD. It was called Collection of Traditional Indian Lullabies-Vatsalyam- by S. Jayashri. I would have bought it but they were sold out. While I did not find it on YouTube I am inserting here a very soft and soothing lullaby.

Outlook for E-mails......

is misbehaving...........................

Have called an expert..............

Playing waiting game............

Life of Pi and Lincoln

We made the best use of our fourday long week-end. We saw  two movies; Life of Pi  and Lincoln by highly acclaimed directors, Ang Lee of Sense and Sensibility fame and  Steven Spielberg of Schindler's List acclaim.

Life of Pi, though visually grand and in many ways enthralling was not quite satisfying movie.

Lincoln, on the other hand, was riveting. I predict it will win Best Direction, Best Actor, Best Screen-Play and Best Make-up Oscar awards in February. I think this is Spielberg's best yet movie.

Highly, highly  intelligent  and thought-provoking.

I want to see it again; and my husband says, I shall.

Skyfall

We saw Skyfall on Saturday. 

 I felt, movie is made wholesome in the sense that there was less of nudity, less of sexual inuendos, less of gadgetry, less of brutality and less of chasing around.

The most attractive features were Adele's singing, Music and Titles.  The James Bond music has changed over the years. My favorite was the original score. At one point Bond is using his old Aston Martin. Since it was like going back into history they played the old score which I thought was a great touch.  

I still believe, Titles is one category that Oscar Committee has overlooked throughout its history. I vehemently say it has its place in cinematic art and should be so recognised.

Adoption in Reverse

Before I consider adopting her, I call Kitty, she adopted me. She visits me at least once a day. I give her warm milk. She wants to linger on in our warm house but I will not let her. Because she is wild and a hunter.

When she visits she puts a smile on my face.

Kitty 1

Kitty 2

Party

I had little too much fun at a friend's Birthday party last night.

Can I blame it on the new brand of Gin I imbibed? I think I will.

Last ten days.........

have been, food, drinks, party, laughter, discussions with friends and house guests.

We got to hear a very old song from a very talented  singer... "Ayega, ayega, ayega anewala..." from Mahal.

I hope to hear her again, someday.

Pursuant to previous post.....

During my primary school days in Calcutta, celebrating Rabindranath Tagore's (রবীন্দ্রনাথ  ঠাকুর) birthday was something every school in the city did. One and the only year I was asked to recite one of his songs at the celebratory function.  I was told by Monju Choudhury, my math teacher who was very active in the organization of the function, to recite " Pagla Hawar Badol Dine..(পাগলা হাউয়ার বাদল দিনে....)."

The day arrives. I am about to go on to the stage. She calls and asks me to recite the song before I go on. As I began she says, no! no! no! that is not how you do it! Did anybody not teach you how to recite before? I said, no.

There was no time but to go on. I went up; I began; and next thing I know, someone is sprinkling water on me, somone is fanning me. A crowd had gathered around me. I had fainted. I was embarrased.

Needless to say, Stage was not my calling.........

Beyond my grasp

Defies my humanly grasp.......


http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=BfL2U0BJ48g&vq=medium#t=81

Aida-an Opera by Giuseppe Verdi

Story:
An Ethiopian princess, Aida is a slave in  service of an Egyptian princess Amneris. Aida and Amneris both, love Egyptian soldier, Radames.  Radames loves Aida only. Without giving away too much, the king of Egypt offers Amneris' hand to Radames in marriage. How will true lovers handle it...................... 

Cast:
Except for dancers and priests' synod, only six cast members and they vary by performances. It was only singing; there was no acting per se just to emote pain and suffering.

Music:
I do not have musical ears but they all sounded good, especially Aida when she really belted it out. The songs were in Italian but they translated them on the screen for people like me. Orchestra was good too.

Venue:
Lyric Opera House of Chicago. A huge stone building built in 1928. Facade is old, I believe, and of Gothic style. Well maitained exterior.  Interior walls are ornate and decorated with gold foil. The theatre sits almost two thousand in audience, if not more.

Costume and sets:
Seemed authentic for the Egyptian and Ethiopian antiquity. Lot of usage of Indian brocaded silk and glyphed pillars.

Duration:
The show ran for three and a half hours.

Audience Demographics:
The theatre sits perhaps more than couple thousands. It was packed. Based on my unprofessional estimation, seventy to seventy five percent were baby-boomers and older. Same percentages for Jewish attendees. Six to four ratio between females to males. Fifteen to twenty in a hundred were orientals. A hundred or two blacks. And Indians.......two; two of us. 

Etiquette:
I saw only six children. All well dressed and well behaved. Show started right on time. Once the show started, pin-drop silence in the theatre- not even a random coughing sound. During intermission bathroom queue for females moved fast and in orderly fashion; no pushing, no shoving or elbowing.


All-in-all, a satisfying cultural experience.

Meson Sabika-A taste of Spain

It was a long drive; to a restaurant in an upscale neighborhood. The menu did not have appetizer category. Because Spanish food is served in appetizer size portions called Tapas. Many people do not like the sizes but I like them. That way you can try many items from the menu; and still do not waste much if you disliked something. Tapas can be cold or hot.


We ordered from:

Wine menu: 
Sangre De Toro-     A bottle (Rich complex Mediterranean aromas with exuberant notes of spices and         blackberries)


Dinner menu:
Tomate Y Queso-       Vine ripened tomatoes and Mozzarella cheese with balsamic vinaigrette
Patatas Bravas-        Spicy potatoes topped with Manchengo cheese
Empanda de Buey-    Beef puff pastry
Champinones-           Stuffed mushroom caps
Vegetariana Paella- Seasonal vegetables


Each item was tasty and was happily washed down with the wine.

When I selected the wine I did not pay attention to the name, only to description. When our very pretty and very efficient waitress brought and opened the bottle at the table she handed me the token it came with. A toy 'toro' (bull). Of course, then it clicked, Spain is renowned for its bull fights. Sangre in Spanish means blood. So the wine was "Blood of Bull". 

First couple of sips were not very impressive. But after the poured wine "breathed " a little, taste changed drastically. It became delicious, or was it that I felt too good to notice the difference!! Regardless, three glasses went down very smoothly.

I plan to buy a bottle for ourselves.

A dialogue

The group of four split up into two by two, conversationally.

A: I am so tired. I had a "club" meet this afternoon and came here right after there.

I:  So you belong to the "club". How long you've been a member?

A: About a year.

I:  How long does the meet last and how many members are there? Do you like it?

A: We are eight members. Usually, club organizers provide the lunch and drinks in their houses. But today there were no drinks because member does not indulge in alcohol. Including  lunch etc. it lasts for about 3 to 4 hours. And yes, I like it.

I:  What is the age group of the members? How often do you meet?

A: They are all my age. Once a month.

I: Can I join your club?

A: I do not know. I have to ask others and will let you know.

Suddenly, I realised it was a polite non-committal "no". More seriously, I did not wait to be asked; instead, I put someone in a spot by impinging on someone's freedom to choose or not choose me.

Hijdas-Transvestites

They descended unceremoniously outside the gate on two boys' Threading ceremony. I saw them over the crowded room through a window. Not recognising any one of them I dismissed them as someone I have never met. I did not know many guests gathered in the room.

Slowly I began to hear some ruckus outside. I heard loud clapping. I noticed, the individuals looked like men but were dressed in sarees with long plaited hair contorting their bodies in a sexually inviting manner.  The noise got louder. The men were saying the boys are Princes; they look like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and many other Bollywood stars; they will be blessed with all good fortunes provided they are paid handsomely. 

Family members  resisited to pay. It got ugly. The men began to crash in the gate with abusive and foul language; cursing the boys. Hosts and  invitees were embarassed.

Finally someone paid them the money and they left. They started with a demand of 10,000 Rupees but left with 1,000 Rupees.

I had never witnessed such a scene, even when I lived in India. I was told that these "Hijdas" (Transvestites) descend on households with any kind of event celebrations. They make exhorbitant demands and will not leave until they are paid. I do not know whether it is true only in Gujarat or all over India.

Their demands are based on the facts that they will never get engaged, married or have children. Nor, anybody will hire them for a pay. How are they supposed to survive?

Beats me!

By the way, they have a code of honor; once paid no other Hijda will descend on  celebratory house for that occassion again!!!

My Cotraveller

I met a  fellow traveller on my flight from Chicago to New Delhi. She works for a Pharma company in a managerial capacity; young, pretty, soft-spoken and pleasant to boot. We talked small talks.

I want to thank her for the company she kept me. Most of all, I want to thank her for allowing me to use her cell phone to make two long distance but important phone calls. I offered to pay but she very kindly refused to accept.

Thanks my flight companion!