Brown Motion

 Amid the gloom and havoc of 2022 in different spheres; from plummeting asset prices to RSV infections ailing many to an all out war between people in the Russo - Ukranian geographies there were good things happening. We completed a full year (as in four seasons) of living in the Carolina region of the eastern United States after a long stint on the left coast and balmy days (which had started turning to embers and ash more often toward the end). Having enjoyed the spring, summer and fall this winter came with much needed rain in the area.  As the year winds down we continued our ongoing exploration of the culture and peoples of the area with a trip to a boat parade on a local marina; to an art museum in a former Mint; to some roller coaster fun with lights and Christmas Decor and finally a trip to visit a local estate that hosts a brilliantly lit garden and markets its Christian message.  It is property that was once owned by the Evangelist and Minister called Billy Graham. Below are

 Back in California I remember we once visited Orange County to witness people with boats light them up and parade them on a waterfront. Probably on the Pacific.  I think it was somewhere near Newport. Now in the Carolinas we got to see the spectacle more at length and up close. On the lake. As part of the culture here people socialize through various mechanisms and while it is cold and dark outside they have found ways to keep active and engaged. Thus the boat parade with lights and Santa and other inflated suspects /subjects to deck their decks. Families come out in droves. Both the boat owners who hand out candy to passersby while moored in the dock and the passerby visitor public who are there to sit by bonfires and have a good time. As newcomers to the area we were drawn by the excitement like moths to the flame.  Had good time chatting with locals, some who religiously come each year and some who drop in every so often, even from 100 miles away. As dusk turned to night the lights

 Walking the woods near the house one morning I happened on this fella. Life was peaceful at that moment. It had rained the prior night so the air still had a mist like quality.  Sun just trying to break through the branches devoid of foliage. The stream in the woods was now a brook.  Babbling to an extent. Slight breeze to knock off what few leaves there might be trying to hang on for who knows what.  Those were the only sounds. All was right with the world.

From North of Davidson to the South End.  'NoDa' as locale acronyms go to geographic markers for cities around the country. That was our domain this long weekend in America. We ate and ate and ate some more. What good is life if you cannot live in it to eat?  Our family motto! Last night was Korean inspired cuisine in south end of Charlotte at Bonchon. Shrimp Shumai Chicken Tacos (spicy) Pork sliders means 'my home' This AM was spicy chicken southern kind.. with pickles and a side of cheesy sweet potato dumplings. Place was Haberdash. juicy thighs! Later some strolling amid fall color and abundant sunshine inhaling CBD centric vapors all around.

 Among Carolina's many wonders are a multitude of water bodies. Some horizontal in the form of lakes, one we are lucky to live by and some vertical in nature. The latter was what was on this Thanksgiving day agenda.  We drove north some 100 miles to witness a 200 foot long cascade flowing down a million year old granite face. Not huge in terms of gross tonnage it makes up for in its sheer tranquil surrounds and a gurgling that can lull you to sleep.  It is a steep hike down the hill made easy by our state funding the wooden stairs to take customers down gradually and safely. Stone Mountain State Park is on the south fringe of the Blue Ridge Mountains that run up the spine of Virginia State.  Our visit was on a day when roads are largely empty and so are the parks.  There were some families making most of the wonderful fall day but it was largely quiet and picture perfect. cascade at Stone Mountain We then traveled south to see a former mill town called Wilkesboro with a charming hi

 So say today's headlines in America's business newspapers or journals or channels.  The headline refers to Bob Iger making a comeback as CEO of the venerated consumer brand Disney.  He ran that company in the chief role for a decade or so if I remember till Covid hit. Then wrote a book about leadership or some mumbo jumbo and blabbed about never going back to that role ever! Also on the way out hand picked a successor.. as far as succession plans go.  Coincidentally another Bob.  This version without any hair on his dome.  Supposedly a veteran at entertainment.  Two years after. Gone. And Iger is back baby.  Florida does that to people?  Remember Brady?  When Robert becomes a Bob is another question nagging me for sometime now but let me try and focus. This hilarious premise of making returns does tickle my funny bone or scratch where I itch. See, America was my first hand experience in the idea that customer is indeed king. This when you are buying a product or service and we

 This weekend kicks off with attending a jam session with local musicians in Charlotte area. The instruments being used are percussion. Specifically the West African originals called Djembe. Much similar in sound to dholaks of India or bongos or large drums these are made by a hide stretched over a specific type of wood shell' a log that is turned into large goblet shapes. These are people from various day job/ profession that come to my neighborhood club and just hit it for a couple hours.. form of meditation for some.. similar vibe to a Durga Puja ambience with its rhythmic dancing along with with Dhaak drums in eastern India. Below some pictures of the instrument and the way they are used. Reminded me of an old Richard Jenkins film called 'The Visitor' about an African immigrant who plays this drum. It was a fun hour of rocking to some serious vibrations.

 Title might suggest a blog for a local school in the Denver, CO area. It is about anything but. A recent work visit took me back to this city located a mile above sea level at the foothills of the Rockies. Named after a 19th century Governor of the Kansas Territory, James Denver, which included the land mass we know today as Denver. Denver is now a fairly large metro area and state capital of Colorado. Not many American capital cities are as prominent. Atlanta, Santa Fe, Honolulu are some of the other exceptions. This visit happened as fall was giving way to the onset of winter. Evidence was felt in the mercury barely making it past the high 40s by mid day and a chilling wind would often accompany the deceptive sunshine. That said, it was a worthwhile adventure. I got to visit with a former colleague from my days in San Francisco. She seemed to have adjusted after moving herself to this weed infused rarified atmosphere from the sea level breezy locale she was accustomed to. We met in

 I associate myself with that color not because my genetic disposition provides me with a skin tone that sort of resembles it but because the global language has evolved to differentiate our species, Sapiens, in this manner to sort and count and report on. That said we live in a world of whites, browns, blacks unless you had an adverse chemical reaction with an unknown drug or allergen then you might exhibit other shades of the spectrum.  There is also green with envy or just feeling blue but that is for another blog. So why you ask this pontification on the color brown.  I will tell you why. These brown version of our species have started to get in the limelight in a big way is why.  On this earth that we inhabit the leaders in positions of power, government and industry alike were largely borne out of former colonizers, explorers et al.  Thusly they were of a white skin tone oft referred to as the Caucasian, as in of European origin. Well the axis has forever shifted.  If a lad of In

 A favorite song of mine has been 'Can't help falling in love' by UB40 a British reggae band. But I digress.  I am referring to the fall season now upon us here in North America. The vegetation on the eastern seaboard is of a kind that largely falls off from the tree hence the season.  Fall also called Autumn.  Before the onset of winter.  Maples, Oaks, Magnolias and many species I know not the names of are shedding leaves a plenty.  They turn from this shade of green to varying shades of yellow, ochre, red and orange.  Blazing colors when the sun hits it right. Over the weekend I went exploring into the central part of the state in the largest state park in NC.  South Mountain State Park has an altitude of a 1,000 feet that you can hike to and also witness a 80 ft waterfall along the way. It was truly enriching to get there early and avoid the crowds and enjoy the gurgling brooks and cascading water as it rushed down large granite boulders left behind from a rockfall years