Thoughts and Non Thoughts

I was supposed to be in Mumbai, staying at the Taj Hotel, flying in Nov 26 and checking out Nov 28. I would have been in there, maybe my room in flames as the terrorists attacked while I was asleep. But my trip was cancelled. Just one of those things. I shudder at the thought of what could have been. But I was saved. Maybe it's my guardian angel, or my mother and mother-in-law who are now in heaven watching over me. Or my wife's nightly prayers heard. I'm at a loss for the meaning of all this. Sometimes one of those things is not just one of those things.

A terror attack on hotels in Mumbai. The Bangkok airport occupied by protesters. These are unusual times. Or maybe it's just that it's a different world. Or maybe I'm just getting older. These may be the same thoughts or nonthoughts of people during the French Revolution, or during 9/11, or during the Philippine People Power. Maybe the world is not really that normal after all, but people tend to think it is. Or need to believe it is. Until reminders like these. The world in not pretty.

How I wish I could use this camera more often... there's something about mechanical cameras that makes it a different experience.

So far, so good.

42+46 Thanks in large part to my new driver, the TM R7 cgb , I hit almost all fairways. Six putts for birdie and not one made, tsk tsk... Happy Golf , remember?

The sun sneaks out of the day, its rays sliding through the blinds, like the footsteps of a thief just ahead of a closing door. I see a concrete water tower frowning at me from beyond the fence, hiding a rainbow, dominating the sky. I wonder if its mood would be as dour were it a lighthouse throwing beacons to wanderers seeking a shore. It is another day of trees competing against concrete for the light, of the second hand beating the minute hand in a race. But the light of day outruns them both. Tomorrow, I wonder if the sun will extend its rays through my curtain to caress my cheek. Will I run out to meet it? Or will I remember it sneaking out on me today? Two days, and it can make it up to me.

43 (started with the back 9) + 47 (too bad I had a double bogey on the 9th). It feels good to have those consecutive pars. :)

Newly launched Omega Seamaster James Bond Limited Edition Add caption Very nice. I like the black face. Personally prefer it over the blue face of the old Seamaster Bond. But I wished they didn't stamp the 007 logo on the face... The Planet Ocean, I like except for the arrow hands... What to do? Get this before they're gone.

Two months since this was announced. With the economic crisis rearing its ugly head, this looks like a luxury. I want one... but should I hold on to my cash?

It's been more than a year since I've had this classic tube power amp in my system. There is really something magical with tubes that I couldn't get from my Musical Fidelity AC3R. Yes, the MF had loads of dynamics and a powerful bottom end coupled with extended high frequencies. But that midrange, the timber and the tonality -- that make instruments sound real and vocals lifelike! Compliment of tubes: 12ax7: Tungsol new production 6SN7: Tungsol GTBs (NOS) EL34: Svetlana

The election of Barack Obama as the next President of the USA is truly a historic event. Not only is he the first African-American to be elected to this office. He is also the first candidate in a generation to bring back to the national psyche the idealism of the founders of the American nation. It has given the USA a chance to regain its respect among the community of nations, if not endear it to some of its former friends. His acceptance speech epitomizes the message and demeanor of his candidacy. It is poetic and deeply moving to those who still believe in the American ideal. I think there is one word to describe his voters: lovestruck.