In America

 I brought the six costco chairs, and called Abhi. Abhi came out from the hall with another neighbor, and they took the chairs in. I returned with family - the seats were empty mostly. Abhi was like - looks like we are going to miss people, and not chairs. Looked like the event might be underwhelming - no worries -  the initiative and intention is great, full support and a little less stress of performance.    Noticed Girish - sat next to him, and listened to his audiophile adventures. While these conversations were going on, the hall had all filled up. Abhi came over, and asked us to coordinate with NB on how to start the karaoke. I told him to start the mp3 while I start the video on the phone at the same time, a technique that had worked out on an earlier stage event.     Abhi and Meenakshi took over the compering with easy expertise. The viby, fun language that had come out in the whatsapp instagram messages introducing the artists esta...

 Today at 10:00 AM, we arrived on time for the equal access tour of the elephant seals at Ano Nuevo State Park. Equal access just means that instead of doing the 3 mile loop of walking, we would have a van drive us close to the boardwalk, and then we walk on the boardwalk and observe the elephant seals.  The volunteer guide in the van was a seasoned amazing story teller. Every word that falls off his lips is dense in information and insights. The elephant seals have one hell of a turbulent raw story to tell behind their sleepy exterior. The alpha male maintains a harem of females. Rest of the males do not ever get a chance, and even the alpha males have a very short intense period where it can go with twenty five plus females or so, and then he is done as well.       These sleepy looking elephant seals swim for seven thousand miles or so,  on a feeding frenzy while in the water. This is to put on weight and give himself a better chance at being the alp...