Gettin on in March

Wow. A spinning spike ball. I like it, its like our ever expanding universe - always moving.

Happy March 14th to everyone - a couple days late but better late than never. I am in a little shock at the date, I have to look twice everyday now as time is ticking fast!

B's Mom will be here soon, one more sleep until she gets the wet slap of Indias' humidity.

After about 5 days of a green pool our maintenance staff at the condo got their stuff together and the kids were eager to get in .... here is a great snap of G on his way to another Battle with the Koreans.




Jack, one of the Koreans, took a battle wound and with it 12 stiches to the forehead. He is totally ok but not allowed into the pool for another 5 days, so he and Emerson took some time out with the Play-Doh and made some cool shapes.

One Hundred Rupees

It was a casual Sunday afternoon drive, all of our bellies full from the 'onslaught' of the Mariott buffet. The tradition we have installed into the grind of the work week is gluttonous and delightful, and with all of the things that happen in work, school and life all week I think the Sunday Brunch is well deserved to both kids and parents alike.

I gave a name to Sunday's feast - the Mariott Brunch Social Club in Chennai. Each week we find another family who discovered this gem of a buffett, and while the parents chat the kids can run free - a winner for all. It's great.

Back to the drive, the basis of this post. I always like to take a little different way everywhere I drive in Chennai, it lets me either get lost and see something I haven't yet or it lets me confirm in my head that I know my way around.

I took a new street, came to a questionable intersection, turned left. Left was not right. Left was the wrong way on a one way street. Brandy knew it right away, but I just went with it as I had already committed to the turn.

Got to a light, and tried to go right (not happening) and then tried to go left to get out of there.

As I fumbled with the turn signal I saw a traffic cop waving (see older post for explaination on 'waving') and I made a few deliberate hand gestures back. I knew Brandy was right since no cars were piling up behind me.

Pulled over, window down, traffic cop arrives and says 'no entry. 100 rupees fine. No entry.'

I looked behind us and made sense of it, it was a one way street. 'Ok, ok, ok. No entry. What about 2 wheelers? I only followed a 2 wheeler.'

'Where are you going sir?'

'That way' (pointing right, towards home).

'No, no entry. 100 rupees fine.'

I reach into my pocket and pull out a 100 rupee note, and try to hand it to him. He refuses to take it, and waves me up the street a little.

He walks over to the left (passenger) side of the car and repeats '100 rupee fine. No entry'.

Again, I give the 100 bucks to B in the passenger seat and she tries to hand it to him which he refuses. 'Where are you going?' he repeats.

I point and explain, and he happily tells me the exact route to get there. No money, no fine, no license, no problem.

As we drive away I felt somewhat confused. Why wouldn't he take the money? Even if he just thought I was a dumb tourist, he told me the fine and then refused payment!

Still love it here.

DM

The Holi Album

It was fun! I am still pink.

Thanks to all who joined.

DM

Holi March 4 2007

Festival of Colour

I even spelt it like a Canadian.

Holi.

What a crazy thing these Indians do; another festival based on the death of someone evil. The killing was done by a god, much different than other religions where god does not kill. Good guy kills bad and everyone rejoices.

Holi. This is the festival of colour.

We were pleasantly surprised by some friends stopping by with paint, and the celebration began. It was about an hour of throwing, smearing, rubbing, lauging, dumping, and colouring. What a blast!

After it all calmed down we took a look around at the carnage and started the clean up. I proceeded into the shower and scrubbed and soaped and cleaned and worked and thought I did a great job getting all of the paint off. I got out of the shower and BAM I was still pink! Jane popped by later in the night and totally got stumped by me at the door; she just stared with a confused look on her face...she then said what happend? Were you in the sun for too long today?

I think it is an excellent way to look on Monday morning I am only guessing how many laughes I will get at the office tomorrow.

Gage is still green like the hulk, and Meghan said she is still red as ever. Just check the pics for the before shower shots.

Just another reason to love this place!!

Gadget Alley

It's been about 5 days since my power supply went. I have some feeling of loss; a sense that something is missing. It is actually funny but I had become slave to the grind. A helpless soul only made one through my HP Pavillion Notebook.

And since 5 days have gone by I have started a new love affair; nothing to put my marriage in jeopordy - just a little thing on the side. It is white, 12" wide and is called a Mac. Yep the backup I brought out here to the heat of India is in use, and until my 17" friend returns to the call of duty I am getting closer everyday to the little iBook that could.

I never thought I would like it, and when I first started it up I cringed with distaste at the pretty white keys and the smooth curves on the body of this G4. The keys felt funny, the OS is not windows. This is OS Ten. And after 5 days, I know where to find the files I save. I know where to find the notepad and the network settings. I feel like that sense of security I have with windows is not there yet. But I could get it.

I tried to use HP to find a new power supply. I called and called and called and called. I went from support center to support center; from USA to Canada to UK to South Africa to Dubai to India. I got nowhere. USA only ships to themselves or to Canada; Canada only ships to Canada. So its 10 days plus the time to ship to India from some lucky friend in Canada. All other sites don't have any in stock; and were't about to bring one over the ocean for me. India doesn't sell the 17" models, which means I can't get replacement parts for one, I think it's because they are all too big to be carried by these 120lb locals.

I have a friend at work who knew a place called Gadget Alley. I decided to give it a shot.

So my trip to Gadget Alley was awesome. It is an area of Chennai where you can get just about any electronic device, and it was soo busy I was in awe of the place. I didn't have my camera, but I will go back and camera will be there to preserve and share the memory.

I went with Rajesh; an IT guy on the team from Santec. He told me he has a guy there, and we went to see his guy. Once we made our way to his 'shop' I was welcomed, we sat together behind the counter and had a tea. This was big. To get a tea and sit behind the counter was big.

I told him my story, of loss and pain. Of my 180W power adapter that blew and how HP hasn't been able to find one anywhere this side of the continent. Of course I could ship it from Canada or from USA to Canada to India; but I wanted to try and get it here first. Gadget Alley was the contingency plan, since it seemed to have about everything and everywhere else was failing.

So 'guy' put down the empty tea cup and got one of his guys to take the power supply and seek. He was back in about 15 minutes; a little Tamil conversation; and he went out again. I was told that so far nothing but he is going to check some more stores.

Seeker guy comes back in another 15. Tamil talking. Head bobbling. Shop guy says no one has one, but he will fix it. I am 99% sure I can do it he says; and if not we will order one and within 10 days you will have it.

Done. Do it. Make it so. Take er up Scotty.

I tell him OK, see what you can do. I will see you Friday afternoon then? And Rajesh tells him over 'Friday. See you Friday.'

Today is Friday, and I am Mac'n it up from home. Tomorrow - he said give him until tomorrow. So I am giving him until tomorrow to deliver a fixed power supply - or else I will have 10 more days to fall in love with a Mac.

Peace
DM

Pool Fun

Its long past due - a tribute to the pool.

It has kept us happy and always been there when we need something to do, and man have the kids loved it! They both have learned to swim like fish (Gage a very strong fish; and Emmy just a little one) and have lots to do since there are so many other kids who just love to play with them.

Gage - we nicknamed this picture 'the Battle with the Koreans'. They all tried to dunk him over and over, but his skills are to great - Gage: 10 Koreans: 0




Emerson - this clip could only be called the cannonball. Love it, she is fearless in the water.

Just one more cute picture of her - a new set of googles and her 'apple swimsuit'.

And for the record Gage's hair is still HUGE. Hasn't cut even a piece since August. A couple of Indian squirrels just brought up a 42" plasma when he was sleeping, he hardly noticed.

Love Ya
Dave

Hot Dogs

Johnny and Chewie have been up to it again ...

All the nights I 'shoo'd' them away from the pool,
All the nights I drove by and honked my horn,
All the nights I never left a crumb or scrap,
All the nights we just kept on going.

They were in love!
It's a true romance.

Johnny wasn't chewing Chewie.

We thought she was a boy, with a tasty hide.
We thought she was a toy, with nothing to hide.

The litter was 6, but now only 4... they are small and soo so cute.
I think I like the little black one!

Danni - if only you were here, Little India would have a friend.
A place in our hearts might warm.
You could take out the ticks at night, and we would kick him around the hall.

Congrats to our resident stray dogs Johnny and Chewie!!

Happy Valentines Day

To Sweet B

Its another day of the year

Its one more day we have together

Its special because we are lovers

Its special because we are friends

Take my heart, its yours to hold

Take my mind its open for you

My love

My girl

Happy Valentines Day

Love D

Kolton Happy 6th Birthday!

Hey Kolton

I wanted to wish you a happy birthday from all of us here, 6 years old! I remember when you were just a little guy in the bassinet and your Dad had to throw the cat across the room because it kept trying to cuddle you.

Aunty Brandy told me you asked your Mom if Gage could come home for your birthday, I wish I could say 'sure!' but we are a long way away and we just wouldn't make it on time.

Instead of a birthday present you can unwrap, we just made you this short video. You will just have to wait while it downloads - pretend the whole time you are tearing the paper off of a great big box filled with sardines. Or hotdogs, whatever your mom makes you eat at night.

Love From
Emerson
Gage
Aunty Brandy
Uncle Dave

My First Dollar

For Joanne

To my very first

I shall always remember

To my very first

I shall always believe

To my very first

You made my day brighter

To my very first

I just spent your dollar on iTunes.

Sorry B your boob fund is back to $0.

Love ya Josail!

DM

For Siobhan

Hey Vancouver

I've heard of tall trees
Buzzing bumble beez
Many piles of delicious imported cheeze

Is Vancouver the place to stay?
Some friends live there and plant trees all day
A few are there just to be gay

I think the town is nice and clean
I think the city must be rather pretty
I don't have a clue where the apple trees are
I guess I'm just not from Vancouver

How did this poem come to fruition?
What waste in University was my tuition?

I think we know it isn't true
I haven't been smoking that funky tobacco
I just felt like putting out some M F 'in words
To you, all the way out there
In Vancouver

I Love India

This short video of Emerson really describes how she feels living in India, she yelled this at the top of her lungs for about 30 mins just until the flash drained the battery of B's camera.


We are doing good and have one more week before Ashleigh arrives, looking forward to the new nanny!!


Lova ya
Dave 

But I'm not tired!

Yep ... they were tired. Both look almost the same, except the size and amount of stripes on the PJ's.

See you in bed, I am tired today.

DM

Wants, not needs. Everyone should make a list.

Candy.
More Licorice.
iPhone.
Midnight Escalade.
World Peace.
Large Fire.
More Shoes.
Dual Core. No, Quad Core.
12 MP SLR.
Wii.
PS3.
360.
X Star.


Thats all.


Brrrrrring!!!!!!
Damn, time to wake up.




Ahhhh I love +30 in January!




Miss everyone

A run in with the cops

Hello - I just want to tell you a short story about last night.

It all started about 7:00PM when we decided to go for a drive, we ended up at local Jasmine tailors for a piece that B conceived. The kids were hyper as ususal in the store and terrorized the shop keeps to their limits!

Upon leaving the store I made a few random turns, through a familiar area with no set destination in mind. Cruizing. Rolling. The Maruti.

We were all hungry and decided after much debate to go to the food court at City Center (a new mall with a great set of food choices: Pizza for Gage, Pizza for B, some spicy Indian dishes for me, and sweet pickings for Emmy. I was past the 'usual' turn for the road we needed to reach so I just kept on going towards what I thought was the right way to go.

Enter the red light.

Waiting.

Light turns green, with only a straight arrow. I don't want to go straight, I would love to just hang a right. I decide that it is ok to turn right on a straight arrow. (Remember we drive on the opposite side of the road in India.)

I look left. I look right. I look straight. No cars; clear, ok lets go.

I take er up to 20 and clear the intersection, and on the last 10% of the turn a street cop is waiving at me. I wave back and keep going.

Brandy: Dave, you were not supposed to turn there! Whack.
Me: Ouch! It was clear. This is India!

As I catch up to the traffic ahead of me I slow to a stop and wait. Waiting.

Suddenly a motorcycle with the still waiving street cop sitting on the back pulls up on my left, and he hops off. The driver pulls over and watches our white family in the Maruti with large white eyes staring down the police.

I roll down the window; Winnipeg style. (Think 'The Retun of the Jedi; Han Solo to Chewie: Just Fly Casual!')

Cop: Sir; you can't turn right there.
Me (thoughts): Mmmm I kind of knew that officer but it was clear to go and this is India.
Cop: Can I see your license sir?
Me (thoughts): Yep that isn't possible since my Manitoba license is in my dresser drawer beside my underwear, and my Indian license is 'conceivably' there but actually doesn't exist in reality.
Me (action): reach for the wallet, and fumble around a little like it's stuck in my shorts.
Me (words): You can't turn right there? I mean I saw a couple of other cars just turn right on the previous light, and it seemed like since they turned I should be able to.
Random driver from the motorcycle that dropped the cop off: Foreigner sir.
Cop (louder): Sir you can't turn right there.
Me (words): It was clear, and I really thought it was ok.

Pause.

Cop: Ok sir. (Head Bobble)(Waiving, this time to go forward not pull over)
Brandy (sound): First breath since we stopped.
Gage: Did he ask you for your license? Do you really have a license?
Me: Yes, I have a license.
Gage: Why didn't you have to give it to him?
Me: It just turned out he didn't need it.

After some laughter (quiet) by B and I we reflected on this moment.

Some thoughts:

Now try this situation in Canada, and the driver is a foreigner who barely speaks the local language. He is pulled over for turning left on a light that is straight only. The driver is not actually carrying a valid license (although in theory the license exists, as this person was trained to drive by the provincial driver training program).

Did he get a ticket or was he let free to continue driving?


We never made it to the food court; instead we decided to go to the Mariott (All of our new favorite restaurant).

Another very short story:
We missed the turn into the Mariott, but instead of going way around the block, taking a U-Turn, straight then taking anther U-Turn, and finally getting into the place - I just hit reverse.

I love it here.
Dave

Roll the Dice

Hello all!

I have the family back on the time here in Chennai; we are into the swing of school and work again and we are fortunatly blessed with +28 in January. I really feel for everyone back home as it has shown up on the weather network site at -48 a few days in a row now, this is damn cold and my heart goes out to everyone.

To all of you resort hopping - tequila popping - tanning oil slopping - hedonist beach walking - escaping minus 48 - you are the smart ones! Welcome home and I hope your skin didn't fall off in the Mexican sun. I am going to roll the dice and propose next year we all plan a trip to Mexico together it would be a blast!

Well back to the poolside it is sunny and hot out - just have to rub it in a little more (i still can't believe it is -48 in the peg!!!)

Dave

A Short Winter

SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello all!

It's been a very short winter, three weeks in Canada has come and gone faster than we even thought. We had a great time, and spent many nights away from 'home' with friends and family.

One of the best things that could have happened did ... a huge dump of snow right before New Years. It was not too cold and I think the coldest day was about -22 (without wind of course) so now that we are sweating again in +30 that just seems silly.

My Mom and Dad (thanks guys we couldn't have done it without you!), B's Mom and Dad (we had lots of fun in Delta and would have liked to stay longer), Angie and Garth's (thanks to the games room at 4AM playing dodge ball), the Brown Family Cabin in Lac Du Bonnet (Doug better fish those grease logs out of the sump pit for next year! D'Arrgh), and of course our house way out in the south that our renters graciously let us back into for a few nights.



It has been a good trip back to India with the kids except for the time adjustment, there have been a few nights in a row now waking up at midnight and 3 AM to start the day, and I hope tonight starts to get a little better with sleep and we get on track for next week (work and school begins again!).



A few pics from our travels:


Emerson got her ears pierced; they are very cute and she loves to tell everyone including her dolls that she got them done. She also decided to squeeze into baby Ava's shirt and talk on the phone.

Gage and Emerson had lots of fun in the snow, I took them out the night it really dumped on Winnipeg and we had a blast! It snowed all night and left a beautiful memory of Winter looking back. We had lots of fun with everyone, I made a collage of Christmas and New Years; sorry if I missed you on this! We had a great time and alot of plain old fun.

See ya soon

Dave Brandy Gage Emerson

Send off From Chennai

What a crew! We didn't even realize what -1 c was going to feel like, still +30 in these pictures.


See you all soon! Good luck in Germany (Elliot-McFayden) and good luck at the salon (Meghan-Jane)!


The Bus - Large and at the same time not large. We had 9 people and about 18 bags to stuff into this white Mercedes. Thanks Gregg for booking it! All sitting comfy like a can of sardines.....

I love the airport - we had two porters to manage 4 luggage carts. With the tip they made about 20 bucks, and it was worth every penny as inside we only had to stand in line and check in.

Dave

Winnipeg Bound

The bags are packed

The time has come

The bus is here

The sun has set

And we are ready

Lets get back home

And see some Snow

Not a rhyme, just some words.

Dave

Amy's final Thursday Ritual

The time has flown

The time has passed

Amy's last Thursday

Didn't really last

We tried to stay

We tried to play

At least we've had

Good times, not bad

Lets remember when

We first arrived

Lets remember Amy

How she was deprived

All outer sanity

has been removed

By three short months

of Thursday moons

PS I love pants

And Amy

You will be missed very much by this pseudo Indian family

Love the OMatthes Clan

And Dave's (Brandy's) pants

PS

Sorry B

I made a small hole in the rear.

D