A tale of 2 puppies

I woke up with a mild feeling of exhaustion but as soon as I got into the groove for my run, it subsided. I was doing some speed circuits around the "lotus lake" when I noticed some soul stirring sights. As I was speeding towards a narrow pathway in the forest, I noticed this huge cow nuzzling a small puppy. I slowed down with a smile and a tender feeling in my heart. I watched the cow lick the puppy just like a mother' instinct reaches out to young ones - even if they are not her own. I was tickled with the sight as I watched the puppy actually enjoying the affection poured on it.

I was well into my circuits, part of which covers the main road wherein I have to be extremely alert as cars and buses go speeding on this stretch. I was again cruising at pace when I noticed this puppy happily trotting on the road, towards me. I was alarmed at this casual sauntering and realised that the puppy will surely be run over by a car as it could hardly be seen against the brown coloured mud path. I slowed down and "bajaoed" him and reached to catch him. Whaddya know; the punter tries to bite me! I then bajaoed him even more and he realised that I must mean business cause suddenly his bravado was replaced with a whine. He now allowed me to carry him and I had to complete my rep in an uncomfortable running posture. I seemed to sway from side to side holding the puppy away from my body and down. I had to make sure he does not change his mind and again snaps at me. If he draws blood, it would mean 6 goddamn anti-rabies injections! - so much for saving a life:-)

Sunrise, sunset; quickly goes the day

The title is part of the lyrics from "Fiddler on the roof" and I thought of it because I wanted to pen my experience of double runs in a day. The log lists them as am. and pm. runs. It all began when I concluded my run yesterday morning for a decent 2 hrs and returned home to a leisurely breakfast. I was feeling exhausted from the weekend I'd spent at Coimbatore and so I decided to take the day off.

Dojo was very pleased because, I understand that he looked out for me the entire day of Sunday. He of course knows its a Sunday because he gets to gorge on some delectable mutton paya. He also has seen that I give him a bath prior to the paya treat and this was missing on Sunday. He pranced around in joy and snuggled near my feet as I put my legs up to watch television. Bryan too was pleasantly surprised on reaching home, to find me lounging in front of the TV.

I had nothing much to do in the evening except take Bryan on my "bullet" to buy some stuff from the market. I dressed for a run and as soon as I reached Bryan back at our building gates, I took off on another short run. I wanted to check whether my legs would hold and I found that I could manage a decent 45 mins at a doddering pace. About halfway on my return the heavens opened up and there was a mighty cloud burst that drenched me to the core. I was worried about the cold that was tenaciously holding on to my lungs but enjoyed the shower anyway. Well, at least I don't need to do my run tomorrow morning when I drop Bryan at his bus-stop. Maybe I'll do a set of body weight strength training exercizes to get back in muscular shape:-)

I need to take a break from this work schedule that seems to be taking a toll on me, physically and mentally. I wish I could have called in sick for 3 days and continued with my break from yesterday. Well, I guess I have to toil for now for the good lord certainly has a desire to give me a learning experience in this time of hardship. As I've often stated, the lord is my shepherd.

Good ol' friends

Although my endurance is not at its peak, I had other develpments that added cheer to my life. There was the call from Gokhale to inform me that he was down in Mumbai and that he planned to meet up with us this weekend. I look forward to it cause its been a while since he and I clinked glasses. He does call me regularly and periodically, from Dubai. Then there was Bamoo calling to check on me and Bryan and enticing me with promises of Pork roast and beef vindaloo at his place. He also asked me to plan a trip to the Press Club which, according to him, was now a swanky place. Well, I'll have to ensure that I don't have to go to work the next day, if I do accept his invitation.

There were the flurry of mails from Russell in Washington, Seattle and from Malcomn who is on board a cargo vessel. Both guys sending me PPPs that I guess are what keep Malcomn occupied and busy since he is a lonely man on these 4 month long voyages:-) I enjoyed the humor about Goan escapades and our predilection for the "high" life whenever we meet up. Malcomn has promised to wear out the rubber belt on the treadmill on board his ship, in preparation for SCMM. Lastly, there is Vernon our "land-lord" (because of the number of properties he owns) though Russell likes to refer to him as "Slum-lord", who is going to finally marry Hyacinth (our Xaviers circle of friends). May God bless them and give them a happy married life.