Update On Stuff

Shisha Cafe at ABC Farms in Koregaon Park, Pune

We have collectively sat on our asses for the majority of two months. That's just the nature of our work. Sit at a computer and tinker away at code, or debug errors in code that was written by someone else, or do a little of this and a little of that. I've had enough time to learn the entire material for three of my classes that I'll be taking next year and one that I won't be. I've got a running route that I made, and I'm working my way to being able to do a saddle planche pushup. I'm planning my journey home after my work is done, and I'm hoping to have time to climb the mountain once again, with Mark perhaps this time.

Poisionous perhaps, spider at NCRA.

Today, I decided to run my route backwards and in doing so got lost and ended up doubling the length. Luckily it wasn't too hot out and didn't rain. The hardest part about doing anything here is trying to plan it around the rain which happens sporadically and is usually not very hard or long. Sometimes it pelts buckets for hours though and I don't want to be stuck outside in the middle of a forest when that happens.

My ping-pong is on a completely new level. That's the only fun thing they have in the recreational hall. I'm working on my curving serve of destruction! It's a modified version of the regular serve of destruction. I'm still not sure if I'm any good because Mark is the only measuring device to compare myself against.

When in the field I usually walk barefoot.
Mud is much more manageable when is
only on your skin.

I've learned to touch type! This is probably the most awesome achievement I've made in a long time. It's so nice not having to look at your fingers (or the screen for that matter) and being sure that your fingers are not making any mistakes. It certainly makes this blog more of a rambling diary since now I can just let my thoughts wander and type whatever pops into my head. I must be around 50 words per minute.

My German hasn't improved much sadly. This is because I haven't had much time to practice in truth. I wanted to try to increase my vocabulary while here but it's a little difficult when all my materials are back home in Canada. I have had time to think about my imminent journey to Germany though. It is going to be one of the most unique experiences ever. I know that when I come back I will be fluent completely in a new language that most of my friends and family don't speak and I'll be able to start learning a new language.

I know for certain that I'd always like to be learning a new language so long as I can. I think the next one will be musical scores. I'd very much like to be able to sight read music and transpose this to my guitar in one fluid motion. I've never fully developed this skill and sadly I may have forgotten everything I have learned about music theory. Incidentally, I fully understand how sound works and how musical instruments function. A trade off I'm not too sure I enjoy.

Shots at the Hard Rock Cafe, and more importantly, burgers!

After musical scores I will tackle French. This is one language that I feel should be easy to learn and it is one that I should not have been given the option of not learning. Its so very common for children in other countries to be spoken to in several languages by their parents. It adds an extra layer of communication.

Doing field work.

I want to eventually become a rare hyperpolyglut. That is, a person who is fluent is six or more languages. after French it is a tossup between Mandarin, Spanish, again something I wish I had paid more attention to in class, and Russian. I feel that Mandarin would be the most useful and Russian the most difficult to learn. This is all at least five years from now in any case.

Drinking on the roof of the GMRT one night.

By far the best thing I've read in a long time is Moonwalking With Einstein by Joshua Foer. If you've never heard of mental athletics before, or of a Memory Palace, then I highly suggest you look up the Rhetorica ad. Herrenium and perhaps learn the most useful technique you'll ever encounter. I'm certainly using it to learn German now, as well as learn 4 courses worth of material. (hint: It is the ancient technique of memory loci used to memorize vast sequences of images in your mind)

I've been dreadfully sick again. I woke up one morning at the NCRA, having spent the day before giving a talk to some astronomers, and was so sick (well I was sick all night really so there was no definable waking point). At some point I decided I should try to brush my teeth, so I got up and found Mark was already brushing his teeth. All of a sudden I felt faint and the next moment I was on the floor with a pounding head and Mark was looking down at me asking me what I was doing. I've never fainted before without blood loss.

One night at the Wine Bar.
A little bit of the after dinner table top.

Mark bought me some sort of pill and the next thing I knew my whole immune system was obliterated by the potent anti-botics I had just taken, which then allowed some sort of disease to overtake me for the next few days. But I got better very quickly somehow.

The next time I was in Pune at the NCRA I was listening to a talk instead of delivering one. I went out for steak at lunch, and for supper went to the Hard Rock Cafe! I was ultimately the best decision I've made since coming to the GMRT. I finally was beginning to get a feel for the layout of Pune city and I feel that I could navigate it on my own now.

The team when Ue-Li was there.
Me, Mark, Ue-Li, Tabitha, Hans, Nidhi, Connie, Viktor.

As of now Goa is off my list of things to do. It is just the wrong season to go there. And since I wouldn't even be able to catch a full moon party I can't see spending that much money to do it. Rather I think I'll spend the last of my days in India in Pune moving about the city looking for some interesting situations and places. I will have nearly a week there (4th - 9th).

The significance of this picture is perhaps clear to Jacob.