Moving forward?

Wow! It feels like AGES since I've been back and I've ALWAYS been thinking to myself that I need to blog about my travels and experiences, about a real pain-in-the-neck Captain, back-breaking hours ...

But all that was forgotten when I was in Kerala the weekend that the terror attack was carried out in Bombay. T'was in a panic that I tried calling up people who I knew were in and about V.T. Most were fortunate. They were in their respective hotels which weren't in the terror zone. Others... well, at first I couldn't get through them. The next day I found out they were at V.T. station and were caught in the firing. God bless their souls. I wanted to say so much more but ...

There has been immense fury at the complete apathy towards the situation and the insensitivity of the politicians while trying to push themselves as the good for the people.

Yesterday, for once, there was a united front expressed by our politicians at the Lok Sabha session. Will it last? Time will tell.

Been trying to follow what I could on the blog front concerning the attacks and the feedback from the 'aam aadmi'.

I liked what I saw on the 'Rebuild India' Mission. Will it last? I don't know. It's a start. I'm following it up regularly. Recommendations and opinions were collected from a lot of bloggers. They've now moved to an online survey which is intensive as it is thought-provoking.
'Rebuild India' Online Survey is an interesting move and I would request all those who care to just give it a go. It might just see the light of day.

Finally back here again!

10 months later and here I am...
Another ship, another trip round the world, different countries and new experiences.
Now ain't that something...
Came back on the 10th of October. Since then I've been busy literally travelling about.
Ain't complaining though. Does help keep the mind occupied.
Let's see... and short introduction on where I've been the last few months...

Signing-on flights: Goa - Mumbai - Dubai/Fujairah

Ship: Fujairah - Goa(yeah I went home within 10 days!!!) - Singapore - Lanshan(China) - Adang Bay(Indonesia) - Pagbilao(Philippines) - Battangas(Philippines) - Haypoint(Australia) - Cosipa, Santos(Brasil) - Tubarao(Brasil) - Hamburg(Germany) - Murmansk(Russia) - Port Bury, Wales(U.K.) - Kamsar(Guinea) - Las Palmas(Spain) - San Ciprian(Spain) - Tubarao(Brasil) - Point Lisas(Trinidad & Tobago)

Signing-off flights: Port-of-Spain(Trinidad & Tobago) - Caracas(Venezuela) - Charles-de-Gaulle(France) - Mumbai - Goa

Phew! Over 7 months on-board Giovanni Della Gatta and half that time under a not-so-pleasant Italian captain can be a very very long time.

Since I've been back, I've spent the first weekend at home. The next weekend in Bangalore, the next at home and the one after that was spent on meeting friends as it was the Diwali weekend and people were coming down for the extended weekend. Since then, last weekend I was in Pune and this coming weekend might in all probability see me in Delhi with the next 2 weekends seeing me in Kerala. And I say I get bored! Jeez! Talk about making EVERY TRIP planned at the last moment!
But there's always a fun element in a last moment put-together trip huh?

Whaddya say?

Political Farce

Goan politics comes to the fore once again. The musical chairs scene has started once again. Rumour has it that the government is to fall because the Chief Minister is scrapping the SEZ while his detractors have much to lose from that decision. Big money staked on the constuctions by the builders... damn this gets dirtier and dirtier.
Will the government fall? Will the NCP support the government again? The people just don't want to go to polls again... what is it with switching political alliances at their whim and fancy?

Tidbits

Attending an oil tanker course in Bombay for the last week and it's running this week as well.

Lecturer gives out a few anecdotes while trying to make the class interesting.

Guy 1: When I wake up in the morning I feel totally invigourated. I have a hot shower and after that I feel rosy all over.
guy 2: Please introduce me to Rosy. I too would like to feel her all over first thing in the morning.

He was explaining about the catwalk on the oil tankers. "Don't mix it up with the fashion catwalk. That's a totally different type of pussy... sorry, cat."

Of course, he seems to have a soft corner for Mallika Sherawat. Keeps on bringing her up while interjecting the lecture with anecdotes. Today, we asked him why not Bipasha. Someone asked about her age. Another responded with "somewhere in '79". He shot back with "you talking about date of birth or size???"