Like anyone our business must continue to learn and change.
Maybe it’s time for a new cycle tour. 🤭
Innovation
Elite Skating
Adithya the coach of elite academy
has been a fantastic help with Kaveri.
Kaveri has changed to a ‘day’ school, spends alternate weeks at mysore bed and breakfast, can therefore now attend the academy on a regular basis.
Today we were at the heats for state races.
Kaveri got a silver.
And was able to spend quality time with friends.
Kaveri has shown she can concentrate, focus and achieve through her time at the academy. I needn’t have worried.
Factoid
In her final race she gestured for her friend to pass her for third place, as she hadn’t been placed before. That’s my girl.
ayudha puja
It’s the ninth day of the ten day Dasara festival, the biggest event in Mysore’s calendar.
Today we follow a hallowed tradition of asking the goddess to bless our weapons for battles over the next year.
Nowadays we put forward our tools, mainly our vehicles.
So after a fair amount of faffing about (careful preparation) we do the required Pūjā.
We had a team of two knowledgeables namely Sowbhagya and Kaveri.
The ‘has-been’ well he’s always been a spare part.
But I’m — Not the only one getting lost.
Big surprise today. The red peril, her highness ‘the radical’ enjoyed her first flyover.
Next stop: Siddarthanagar
I collected Kaveri from her grandmothers and brought her home with me for the week.
It’s Dasara school holiday and I’ve already buckled down to help with her homework.
Today we visited the flower show and the food mela. 
Yesterday
Too clever by half.
AI comments on my Facebook posting. I am impressed.
Except it’s obviously AI operating in India where there’s often confusion between he and she.
Art again and again
As part of the festivities we attended a fabulous art show at the Art College just across the main road.
Our no 1 pull was to see Pravalika’s wonderful piece of art.
With tons more to appreciate.
I stopped myself from buying anything. There’s already too much to fit into the new house.
But how about a bird for the tree?
What’s the difference between illness and wellness?
I asked AI
No no no
I was looking for something simpler and entertaining.
Now that’s much more interesting.
But still a bit boring.
So what is the difference between I and We?
I think it’s a fun question that opens up possibilities, it’s serious and a joke —- as per from a Brit (NOT Britisher as the school text books ram down our throats)
It helps question and challenge our preoccupation with the I, the individualism that’s default in our economic system and societies.
I do believe that more shared and collective approaches are healthier for us individually and collectively.
So it didn’t come from Malcolm
Maybe this next one is true.
…
Or then again AI might have made it up.
It’s a great lead in to valuing community and challenging individualism.
Whatever …. I often use it in presentations, on guided tours or in the midst of my daft conversations.
It also relates to one of life’s disappointments but that’s another story.
Homework
Kaveri returned to my home yesterday after a week with .. grandmother (aka mummy), grandfather, and the very pregnant Radhika (auntie aka sister)
Followed by dinner with Florian
Next day— the ordeal of homework with me (helping!)
It was the usual basic facts but the bit I didn’t know was Mahavira’s Jain teachings….
It’s pretty cool.
Mysore Moments.
I find myself in interesting situations.
That’s the nature of India.
Meeting women from famous families, telling stories at events, Hindu/Muslim mixed marriages, life is a rich mix of experiences!
Especially at the moment with our annual event
Attending Kaveri’s Dad’s (he’s deceased) nephews Muslim wedding. Kaveri is Hindu.
I shared a love story but got no photos.
Awards Ceremony for Asha my yoga teacher.
…
I missed taking photos of the women.
Daughter of a Kannada novelist known as Triveni and sister of the founder of a change-making low cost airline.
Pitru Paksha arrives
The team puts it all together….
Photos and flowers all lined up …
Lucie with collar
and Ina with Momo.
Favourite sweets, jewels, nuts, crunchie, alcohol (shh), clothing, fruits,
Biscuits for Lucie (the shop insisted sugarless is best, let’s not get into the detail that it’s for her spirit), Momo for Ina (her favourite, she has great Tibetan links)
All make their appearance …
But where’s lunch?
Next
Sowbaghya has cooked it, Satish, serves it out. It’ll not be for the crows (sometimes food is placed on the roof or beside the river for the crows to eat ) as they represent the soul of the ‘departed’.
Time for the idler to get dressed in his wedding outfit.
We help their spirits on their journey to whatever’s next.
We then leave the house for their spirits to visit, eat and drink, making lots of noise, as we return, so they know to leave and not get caught out.
I’ve told MAnjula we’re moving to a new house. She’ll be with us.
Factoid
It’s now over six years that Manjula continued her spiritual journey. Each year on her birthday and death anniversary we do puja to help her on her way.
From this year we’ve decided to honour all our departed family members on Pitra Paksha, when everyone does the same.
Me and MYCycle 