Today was a rotten day, about as bad as it gets, for a multitude of reasons. The only one I'm going to discuss here, however, is that today is the day Spicygirl departed for Hong Kong. She received a job offer from a top-notch firm that was too good to pass up. The whole process has taken close to one year, from initial interviews to ticket in hand. She has a very specialized skill set, and there is nothing here in India for her in the field. That means I'll spend the rest of my tour here on my own. As bad as this separation is for the both of us, we're trying to keep a long-term perspective. This opportunity can only lead to bigger and better things for her professional future. I know she'll do well, because she is one of the most capable people I've ever met. And Hong Kong is an incredible city. I can't wait to visit... I'm at a point where I could really use some quality mindfulness and introspection, both to think things over and get on a more positive track. That's what this whole weekend is going to be about. So stay tuned and check back in a couple of days...
- posted by Prince Roy @ 7/30/2005 01:50:00 AM| |

 
Last night a lame dog wandered in our yard. His leg appeared broken and he was whining. I tried to chase him off; that's when I first noticed his bad leg. I went back inside and got him some food and water. This morning he was still outside so Spicygirl contacted a local vet who makes housecalls. She came out, examined him, and said the injury is an old one that is slowly healing on its own. There's nothing she can really do for him. She gave him some medicine for a skin condition and told us she'll come back in a couple of weeks to check on him. We've decided to feed the dog, who I've named Gimpy, for the time being until he heals up a bit. He looks to be about a year old. If he's still around in a couple of weeks I'll have the vet give him some shots and look him over again. The vet said he's a street dog, so I'm hoping he'll move along after he gets better. We bought some domestic dog food, but he doesn't like it much, because his normal diet is whatever he manages to scavenge out of trash bins. For the time being, I'll mix the dog food with rice and a bit of water, slowly increasing the amount of dog food at each feeding. Gimpy Stampy observes Gimpy from a safe distance Hopefully someone will volunteer to give him a good home, because I'm not willing to keep him as a pet and I'm leaving Chennai in spring of 2006. If I did have a pet, it would be a cat, as I have never particularly cared for dogs. Gimpy is a classic example of why people should neuter/spay their pets. Or why most people should not be allowed to have pets to begin with. Poor little guy. UPDATE: Gimpy is not with us anymore. I wish I could say that someone came by, adopted him, and took him to a fabulous home, but unfortunately in this instance there is no happy ending. The vet gave us the number of an animal shelter and we called them this morning (28 JUL) to come get him. There's just no way we are ready for a pet at this juncture of our lives, and he was very quickly becoming attached to us. He's a friendly little guy, so maybe someone will fall for him at the shelter. It's a real shame how many neglected, abandoned dogs there are in Madras. And, because so few people here spay/neuter their pets, which is something I consider exceptionally unconscionable, they keep breeding. In some parts of town, it's even dangerous to walk the streets past a certain hour, because many of these animals are very aggressive and vicious. I think some of them may have bullied Gimpy. I'll probably feel guilty for quite a while, but at least we fed him for a few days and got him some medical attention. And he's off the streets, so there's always the chance his story will have a happy ending after all.
- posted by Prince Roy @ 7/26/2005 08:30:00 PM| |

 
UPDATE 28 JUL: I will give Blogger credit where credit is due; they have repaired the bug in their layout, a bug that had plagued my site since 24 JUN. It is nice to have my blog back. Thank you Blogger techie team. Taking Suggestions Because Blogger Bites As you can see, my site is in serious disrepair. It all started when I tried to adjust the number of posts that appear on the page, under the 'Formatting' tab in Blogger's settings. When I republished, there was this incredibly large gap between the Date Header and the beginning of the entry text that you see now. I have emailed Blogger several times over the past few weeks asking them what happened. I know it is a coding issue of theirs, because the problem remains even when I use a saved template, or when I try to change the template altogether. They have yet to address the issue and who knows if they ever will. Blogger was much more responsive to user issues before Google bought them out. Well, I've had it. I'm going to make the switch over to WordPress as soon as I can get around to it, but I'd like to ask any readers for web host recommendations. In order to run WordPress, I need to access MySQL databases, and my current host, Webmasters, wants to charge me an extra $5 a month for this, even though it offers them to new subscribers for free. So if any of you have a good host, please tell me about it in the comments. US-based only , please.
- posted by Prince Roy @ 7/26/2005 01:25:00 AM| |

 
The Growth Center Is Now Open July 22. I gotta get in shape now. Too much sitting has ruined my body. Too much abuse has gone on for too long. From now on I will do 50 pushups each morning, 50 pullups. There will be no more pills, no more bad food, no more destroyers of my body. From now on there will be total organization. Every muscle must be tight. With apologies to Paul Schrader and Martin Scorsese
- posted by Prince Roy @ 7/23/2005 12:00:00 AM| |

 
Did the Chinese Discover America? The Hindu carried a story in its Sunday print edition about how scholars worldwide are re-examining the theory that 15th Century famed Chinese seafarer (and eunuch) Zheng He sailed to the New World in 1421, some 71 years before Chris Columbus. I'd link to that story, but The Hindu website, home of classified after classified of India's IT prowess, has been kaput all evening. No matter, it's long been popular among the fringe 'alternative history' crowd, in the family of Erich Von Daniken's Chariots of the Gods kind of scenarios. A UK guy, Gavin Menzies, even wrote a book claiming he could prove it, and he's got the website to back it up. Although there is no doubt that Zheng He was a great maritime explorer, I never believed he made it to the New World. But new facts have come to light that have brought me around completely. I consider this evidence unassailable proof that Zheng He did indeed make it to the Americas before Columbus, and as someone of Italian descent, that is not an easy admission for me to make. On the left is Professor AB Rafter, conducting a recent archaeological dig in central Louisiana. The site is ancient Indian village inhabited for hundreds of years by Mississippi Delta tribes. Rafter, and his colleague Professor Nelson Dunn (not pictured), anthropologists at Southeastern Louisiana University, have dated this section of the ruins at almost 600 years old. The exciting finds you see in this photo, gingerly unearthed by Professor Rafter, reveal conclusively that a healthy trade existed among those early native Americans and the Chinese. They are still uncertain as to the extent of the contact between these Indians and the Chinese, but believe future excavations will provide the answers. This is pretty exciting stuff, and I can't wait to see the results of their research.
- posted by Prince Roy @ 7/19/2005 12:20:00 AM| |

 
I’m from the Deep South of the US, born in New Orleans and raised in the states of Louisiana, Alabama and Texas. In fact, I didn’t even leave the South until I was 18 when I enlisted in the Army. Most people don’t realize where I’m from unless I tell them, because I don’t have any trace of a southern accent. I do use the vocabulary though, like ain’t and ya’ll. And maybe my choice of food would give me away, especially the Louisiana part. The cuisine of New Orleans and the Louisiana Bayou country is in a class of its own. If you were to ask me what I miss most in the world right now, I would say without a moment’s hesitation, a bowl of seafood gumbo. But not for breakfast, though. For that meal, only one thing will do: Grits! This is the sure-fire test to spot a Southerner, because I think you have to be raised on them to really love them. I know plenty of Northerners who have lived many years in the South, and while they can learn to eat grits and even enjoy them, they would do just as well with a bowl of oatmeal. Blech! One of my fondest childhood memories is waking up on Sunday mornings to the smell of breakfast on the stove, especially grits and bacon. While I don’t really eat bacon anymore, I think two or three slices on top of grits, where the fat mixes in with the grits, butter and Tabasco, is one of the finest guilty pleasures in life. The Prince Mother took pity on her prodigal son a few weeks ago and mailed me four boxes of grits. I’m already practically done with the first box. So what are grits? The beauty lies in their simplicity. Basically, grits are just a kind of ground corn meal: All you have to do is place them in a pot of boiling water: The secret to avoiding lumpy grits is to make sure the water is at a high boil when you add the grits. Stir thoroughly before you bring the heat down to low medium, but keep stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper. Here they are. The red sauce you see swimming on top is Tabasco, another staple of Louisiana, often imitated, never duplicated. The way I use it, it is practically its own food group. The butter there is Amul, an Indian brand. I will give India credit where credit is due: this country has great dairy products. Now if you’re into that kind of karmic damage, on top of this is where you’d place the bacon slices. Grits are great anytime of day; they are not just for breakfast anymore. They can stand alone, but perhaps go best with eggs, preferably sunny-side up or over-easy, so you can break the yolk and mix with the grits. Scrambled is fine, however, as is an omelet. I haven’t seen grits available in India, but if you’re ever in the Realm, all you have to do is ask. I’ll whip up a serving anytime. Bon Appetit!
- posted by Prince Roy @ 7/16/2005 03:05:00 PM| |

 
We spent the July 4th Weekend at a resort near Chennai called Temple Bay. A big group of us went. The resort gave us a special discount, and the great thing about it is that it is close to Chennai, less than an hour’s drive. It is also relatively new, and so the grounds and rooms are in great condition. I have to say, it ranks up there with the July 2004 trip to Bangalore’s Leela Palace as my most enjoyable weekend in India. This resort has two small restaurants, but both are reasonably priced and offer tasty meals. I can especially recommend the Sunday Brunch, if for nothing more than the pasta bar. Food-wise, it comes out ahead of the Leela. The food offered in Leela’s several restaurants is mediocre at best, simply inexcusable for a world-renowned five-star hotel. Here’s our cozy villa: These were great, with a king-size bed, a porch swing and lounge chair. It had a full-bath, but in the back there is also a very private outdoor shower they call a ‘sun shower’. Very good idea, and I used it twice. The view from our porch Everyone who comes to India wants a photo of cows roaming the beach. No, this is not a sandstorm or fog rolling off the sea; this is what happens when you bring a camera outside from an air-conditioned room and try to take a picture before it can adapt to the heat. Same thing happens to my glasses almost every day. Here’s what it should have looked like: © 2005 by Some Guy From Tulsa These lizards run all over the grounds. Each has staked out a territory, and they will vigorously defend it against another lizard at the slightest sign of encroachment. We saw a full-fledged battle between 3-4 of the beasties that lasted almost 30 minutes. It might've gone on even longer, but we broke it up by taking lots of pictures. After these things inherit the Earth (again) upon the passing of man, they'll probably mythologize our intervention in their lizard-lore as something like the Organian Peace Treaty. The Never-Ending Pool View of Main Hotel From Pool Villa Row As Seen From PoolA most relaxing weekend. My goal is to get here maybe once a month for the rest of my time here in Chennai. Spicygirl got her Hong Kong work visa last week, so it looks like she may be moving there at the end of the month. Since I'll try to go visit her as often as I can, my once-a-month Temple Bay plan may prove a bit unrealistic, but I'll do my best. If life in Chennai is getting you down, and you just need to get away from it all, if only for a night or two, Temple Bay just may be your answer.
- posted by Prince Roy @ 7/11/2005 01:20:00 AM| |

 
Run Out and Buy This Beer (Unless You Buy Beer Where I Do) Things keep looking up. You're doubtless aware of my recent Guinness bounty. If left to my own devices, I've normally stuck to darker beers: stouts, porters etc. But last November-December, I had the opportunity to try a Belgian 'White' beer, Hoegaarden Witbier. I don't even remember the details. Maybe a colleague introduced me to it, maybe I just saw it there and thought I'd give it a try. Whatever the case, it was a stroke of luck. It's finally come back, and I've waited over 6 freakin' months for this day. This is easily my favorite non-dark beer, and is perfect for a hot climate like Chennai. Very 'citrusy', refreshing, with a wonderful aftertaste, kind of hefe-like, but so much better (I've never been a huge hefe fan); it has a 'cloudy' appearance on the pour because it is non-filtered. It doesn't get much better than this, and even people who say they don't like beer invariably like this one. The Good Stuff
- posted by Prince Roy @ 7/08/2005 02:50:00 AM| |

 
The Great One Let's see...the two cases of Guinness you see there, plus one more getting cold in the fridge@24 cans per case ÷ 2 cans per day (conservative guesstimate) means...um, ok, life is bearable for the next 36 days at least, sir... Well, today make that three pints...
- posted by Prince Roy @ 7/05/2005 11:55:00 PM| |

 
At the Movies I went to see War of the Worlds today; the event marked the first time I have seen a first-run Hollywood film since 1999. I obviously haven't missed much. This tale has so much potential that I didn't think even Spielberg could screw it up. That's what I get for thinking. HG Wells is certainly spinning in his grave. The experience confirmed for me that Hollywood has forgotten how to tell a story. Perhaps it simply doesn't care anymore: just fill up the screen with 90 minutes of explosions and screams, more than enough to opiate the slack-jawed yokel masses. Marketing and Product Placement will do the rest. So should you go see it? Well, if the above doesn't give you enough clues, let me just finish with this advice: if you're dead set on going to this movie, see it in Chennai; that way you'll only waste 100 rupees of your money ($2.30 to the rest of you). PS: HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA!!!
- posted by Prince Roy @ 7/04/2005 09:10:00 PM| |

 
I just got back from an unexpected visit to Bangalore. You may have read about my earlier encounter with this city, one of my first trips away from Madras. As much as I enjoyed it, I never knew if I would go back, but my desire to return became even more pronounced after I stumbled upon Chef Madhu Menon’s food blog. By all means check out that page, his restaurant site, and his personal blog. You can read all about him at the latter, so I won’t repeat any of that here. Suffice to say, he abandoned a promising cybergeek career to pursue his first love: cooking. I left a message for him at his restaurant almost as soon as I had checked in to my hotel (yes, again the wondrous Leela Palace), and I also sent him an email, because I was afraid he wouldn’t connect the person who called with my Internet persona. I arrived at Shiok at about nine. He came out of the kitchen not long after I had sat down, and as we got to talking, one of the first things that struck me was his burning passion for food, especially Asian cuisine. The menu reflects that, and there were many dishes that tempted me, but honestly, ever since I had first read this entry, my mind was made up. Here’s a breakdown of what I had, and my thoughts on each: Soup I started off with hot and sour soup, a specialty of southern China. Traditionally, this should have slivers of pork in it, but Chef Madhu offers it as a pure veg option. It was nicely done, better than most versions I have had at Chinese restaurants in the US. It had a lingering spicy afterbite which I appreciated, but could have used more vinegar. Actually, I ordered this before he knew I had arrived, and he told me if he had known, he would have made it differently. So my curiosity is certainly piqued. In China, soup is almost always the final course, or even served during the meal, but like most places outside of the Middle Kingdom, here in India it is a starter. Appetizer These sweet potato sticks with roasted chilli paste took me by surprise, as I thought I had ordered something else. Nevertheless, Chef Madhu shows true creativity with these Thai-style kabobs, using sweet potatoes instead of chicken. The dipping sauce was excellent as well. Main Course This photo does not do it justice; better off heading here This is what I had been waiting for since September 2004. So does he get it ‘right’? Well, it’s not the version you find in Chengdu, but it certainly stands up on its own. Its greatest strengths are Chef Madhu’s expert blending of the competing seasonings. He doesn’t shy away from the fieriness, and he even adds the infamous Sichuan peppercorn, which many restaurants simply fail to do. He should use even more, however. He gets the tofu from some Chinese he knows in Bangalore, but it is too firm for this dish. Classical mapo tofu uses soft (not silken) tofu. Still, this is not a serious issue-some versions use even a kind of deep-fried tofu. The brand of chili bean paste he uses (or is it the fermented black beans) impart a flavor that makes the dish somewhat on the salty side, but again, this is not a huge demerit. His meat version (I had the veg) calls for beef, which is unheard of to me; in Sichuan, mapo tofu always uses minced pork, though maybe there is a beef variety out there. It’s a big province. You can read his recipe here and compare it to Spicygirl’s Sichuan Braised Tofu. My own inspiration, which Chef Madhu might even consider for his dish, is to flash sear the green onions in sesame oil, then add on top of the dish as a garnish. Chef Madhu's Mapo Tofu gets a two thumbs-up, particularly considering where we are. The one disappointment, and I encounter this everywhere in India, was the rice. It seems that Indian rice just isn't suited for East Asian cuisine. Chef Madhu offers instructions on how to make the perfect rice, but I've come to believe that no matter what you do with rice here, it can't hope to compare with that of East/Southeast Asia. Final Analysis: I can give Chef Madhu's Shiok a full recommendation should you visit Bangalore. He's attempting something that is sorely needed in India, even in trendy mod Bangalore: Southeast Asian food (and to some degree Chinese) that attempts to remain faithful in spirit to the original, unlike what you normally find here: 'Indianized' Chinese that is oversauced, overfried and overcooked, according to Chef Madhu, and me (here, and here). I would describe his style as more of a fusion, however, because he does take liberties, but only in the sense of adapting techniques and tastes in an attempt to manifest his own originality. I wish him continued growth as a chef and all success. Here we are at the end of it all:
- posted by Prince Roy @ 7/01/2005 10:45:00 PM| |