Gazing at the Skies

Today, I had the opportunity to peer through five telescopes (there were eight in all, I think) at the skies, in a park at 207 Street. I saw Sirius, The Orion Belt, Mars and the Moon, whose craters looked amazing.

The group led by Jason Kendall meets regularly and the telescopes belong to amateur and professional (perhaps only one) astronomers who bring their gear and allow people--anyone to gaze at the skies, and answer questions. Jupiter shows up at 2 am, also learnt that a Galileo scope--the simplest and the kind used by Galileo costs about $30.

I was reminded that Goa, and rural India, places away from the metros would be great places to gaze at the skies, on account of less light being reflected towards the sky. The last time I visited the park it was interesting to hear the astronomers point out that, iit make no sense to have street lights that are high up. To drive around and walk the street the lights could be much lower, and this allows one to appreciate the "heavens."

Lamenting the dusk, Eclipsing twilights—and Gaussian geometries

Lamenting the Dusk, Eclipsing twilights—and Gaussian geometries is an essay in progress.

This night in the late seventies exemplified the blackness of Sumi, its wide spectrum which incloud’s a deafening depth through a range of luscious gradation: sumi no notan. This analogy, and metaphor has been gifted by the journey having led me to study Shodo and Boku-ga. It was in Batim, Ilhas Goa; the birthplace of my mother, where the night howled a storm, spraying its gaussian distribution of electricity in streaks of lighting, appearing to stand still above as if this spectacular was meant only for this quiet village. The palm trees were fleetingly projecting shadows that shivered and changed shapes, intermingling forms and presenting fresher frights. Perhaps if one were to make ink out of the soot of burnt palm tress—would it be as dark as the Japanese and Chinese made sumi? The blacks appeared blacker than the Cardinal India Ink, through which I had got introduced to the concept of blackness, abysmal in density, a  richness of material form—far distant from any analogy to wealth. This was a richness of tone: in depth, in texture, coalescing into phantasmal umbras, conjured by sudden flashes into the darkness.

A conviction or a creed

Sharing a post of mine which appeared on Goanet.

I respect conviction. Particularly when it is about who are regarded as serious observers; amd the use of the juvenile acronym LOL. And that slang/acronym does cower many people.

I have also always believed that I for one do not need to seek depth to every issue, even if say one remarks positively or negatively about my work — as close as it could get. But it is also true that I do see depth in things that many of you do not care much about. Equanimity is a worth considering here — remember, pleasure and pain. Talking and getting roiled up with talking points was never my path. I post what I like on Goanet and if I saw anyone say something interesting (within my frame of beliefs, comprehension AND egalitarianism)*****, and I would post that as long as it ALSO***** gives a sense of who I am in artistic labor. My range is broad enough — I have posted on sexuality, and other topics. Now, that I realize that they do not merit as being seen Goa-related even by a voiced minority — I stop; although I will continue my other posts.

Maddow's segment Rachel Maddow rips apart Cheney, GOP attack machine, via DailKOS Tv was of course not Goa-related; yet, as I have repeatedly done — presented to Goans (fully aware that they are very aware) — various ways of seeing, confronting, and learning responses to their own socio-religio political EXISTENCEs and interests in INDIA. That is the difference here, and had been always. I thought that was clear, although I may have on occasion interjected a marginally harsh subject line. Again, on my part I will stop aiding towards making any analogies (please continue this process though in your minds), and am comfortable with that. Actually that would be perfect. Time to do my bit to attempt to ween off anybody being tempted towards ridicule

About wisdom, John Stuart Mill (and before someone pipes up, the Unitarian) said: “In the case of any person whose judgement is really deserving of confidence, how is it become so? Because he has kept his mind open to criticism of his opinions and conduct. Because it has been his practice to listen to all that could be said against him; to profit by as much of it as was just, and expound to himself, and upon occasion to others, the fallacy of what was fallacious. Because he has felt, that the only way in which a human being can make some approach to knowing the whole of a subject, is by hearing what can be said about it by persons of every variety of opinion, and studying all modes in which it can be looked at by every character of mind. No wise mind ever acquired his wisdom in any mode but this; nor is it in the nature of human intellect to become wise in any other ” — Stuart Mill

To rip a hole (a la Cheney) does not automatically imply a new sphincter. I would have said exactly that if I needed to. Having said that, I have rarely seen so much as any sort of pithy contrition when warranted, on various issues I posted and then had to re-present via specific explanations. But I will not jog my memory any further. I am finally accepting that its not within my bandwidth to point things out. This was yet another try. Language is not about having a good sense of grammar. That is why we, and I too look at Chomsky — who many deride vociferously. Many of us keep silent, and in our silence on many ideas, views and possibilities — we snuff ourselves, or allow ourselves to be snuffed out by vociferous voices. We make these choices.

Thank heavens I was born in a simple family. No axe to grind, although I can proverbially and physically use most weapons, including the Parshu/Tabar for that matter. That's just another slice of info about me, to go along with my brush wielding skills. Surely worth a snicker. I have nothing to add. Poor me. All along I thought I had a good grip on things.

Things happen for a reason. I think I found mine at the start of the New Year.

Abfüehren Ja! Time to flush a few things. Dad passed away about ten years ago, but I feel that he with all his 4 Std (no idea whether he finished) education would have appreciated this post.