Mayhem in Mumbai

The whirlwind that is my travel schedule these days found its way to Mumbai in India today. For most of you from the west coast of the United States it will be the middle of the morning when this post goes out. Here in Mumbai it's 3:30 in the afternoon following a wicked flight schedule.

To get things started, our plane was delayed about an hour leaving LAX. Considering that we only had a 70 minute window for our connection in Singapore, this was not boding well for us. We made the connection (barely) but that meant no showers, or downtime at all. We walked off one plane, skipped down 5 gates and jumped on the next one. The first leg is 18 hours, the second leg only 6.

Upon reaching Mumbai we learned that my traveling companion had his bags misplaced by the airline. They were nice enough about it, but that doesn't give you clean clothes to wear now does it?

After finally leaving customs we looked for our customary hotel driver (funny how familiar it all felt this time around) who was nowhere to be found. It turns out there was a mix-up in the schedule and we weren't booked into the hotel until tomorrow. And tonight they were completely full up. Ugh.

We managed to find the Marriott rep and got booked into another Marriott (very sweet). After a much needed bath I'm catching up on my email. It seems like an eternity since I've used my computer. And by computer I mean the internet.

Hopefully tomorrow our driver will locate us, the missing luggage will surface, and we can get down to work. Sure. Whatever happens, it'll be exciting.

Smart != Sensitive?

From time to time I find myself drowning in the sea of over-sensitivity.  Other times, it is like I'm wearing flame retardant underwear, a concrete helmet, and beer googles.  It's like my personal sensitivity just goes right out the window.

Don't get me wrong, I work hard to be empathetic.  It's just hard for me.

I used to follow the stereotypes and excuse my void of empathy as an outworking of my objectivity.  As if the tradeoff for being able to accurately perceive the perspectives of others removed the ability to adopt any one position and subject yourself completely to it.  Being objective and quick and practicing rigorously the art of being able to see all the sides of an issue, and still act with deliberation takes skill.  To be able to routine avoid analysis paralysis, you must hone your sense of forwardness to to such a point that sometimes you can lose the ability to wallow.  That is a fatal flaw.

How can I be both objective and subjectively emotional at the same time?  Do you know?

I really try to see what troubles others so, but when I see through their eyes, my conclusions are found wanting.  As if my head just gives up and says, I see you struggle, but your prision is your own production.  If you listened to your own voice you would see the cage is your own construction.

Can one be objective and empathetic? Are those just words that waft about, ethereal and ghostly?  Why is it that when I am being most precise, most helpful, I am often most aloof?  Is there some balance that tilts when too much is placed on quadrant of the relationship or another?

If that is true, then my challenge surely is to shift swiftly and surefooted from quiet listener to patient guide.  And suppose a transition successfully is made, who then will provide the prodding poke when time it is again for people to produce?

You can have it quick, you can have it correct, or you can have it easy.  Pick any two.

You Know You Are Working Too Much...

...when the holiday you forget is Labor Day.

This week was so crazy that I actually forgot about the holiday.  It didn't become an issue until I realized that I have to work most of the weekend and the holiday.

But the good news is...I forget.  I'm sure there is some good news here somewhere...anyone got some?

Just a Shout Out

The other day I had occasion to hang out with a friend I really respect.  Before long the conversation wound around to the quality of work we were able to expect from various resources we've been working with.  As is his fashion he summarized our approach with wit and intellect.

If you can't get the best,
get the best you can get.

For an unexplained reason (ok, I was sleep deprived) I found this to be a wonderful addition to the toolset for better living.  So there you have it.  A new rule.  And absolutely no alcohol involved.

Ignorance Abounds

My good friend Harry recently brought to my attention further proof of the failings of our education system in the form of a pro-WalMart article.

Evidently, no amount of education can substitute for a fraction of wisdom.  The writer of this moronic tribute to the idiocy prevelant around us should be forced to redo his secondary education.  And Harry should be thanked for bringing it to my attention.