Salinas : The City of John Steinbeck

As I promised, I am writing my blog from my Cali trip, perhaps fittingly delayed. I've been here for 4 days already, and my travels around have been quite amazing indeed.

Mind you, this is my fourth trip to the Golden State, however I had never been to the agricultural region of California. It boasts almost every major fruit and vegetable crop we enjoy in the rest of the United States. The fresh produce is readily available, and the quality and cost is incomparable (i.e. cheaper and of course fresher). The nation's capitals of artichokes, lettuce, nectarines, strawberries, garlic, dry fruits, vineyards, and many more are within a few miles around this region.

It is quite ironic that I am currently based in Salinas during this trip. I'm writing this blog from the home city of one of our nation's great writers (and one of my faves), John Steinbeck. I fondly remember reading his writings while in school, mostly the Grapes of Wrath and Travels with Charley. I mostly remember the way he used examples of his hometown in his writings, which were very vivid and detailed.

I had a chance to visit the National Steinbeck Center today, which to some might be boring, but to me it was worth it. The story of Steinbeck's life and literary works are broken down with displays. It shows the influences and reasons on why a certain book, short story, or even play was written. The other side of the museum shows the agricultural history of Salinas (of which Steinbeck was influential), and how it shaped the country's agricultural technology as well.

True to the stories of Steinbeck's works, the description of Salinas of then is somewhat similar to even this day. Low income workers, with low income housing continue to exist, who work on the fields. As agriculture was the dominant economy of 100 years back, agriculture is still the dominant economy till this day.

Well I know this post might be a boring read, but I wanted to at least give an idea of where I was, and share an experience.

Next up: Carmel & Big Sur

Travels with the G-man: California

As a unique and unusual surprise for all of my readers, I'm taking this blog on the road from the West Coast of the USA, California. So for the next few days I'll be writing about my travels in and around the Bay Area-Monterey area. I hope you will enjoy these series of postings.

The G.O.P. : Growing Obnoxiously Pathetic!

Last year we had Mark Foley for being caught for breaking his own law, and then coming out with his sexuality. And now we have another few scandals in the making with the Republican party, who touts itself as the "cleaner" one of the two main parties of our country.

Idaho Senator Larry Craig was arrested at the Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport for lewd conduct in the mens bathroom a la George Michael style. The senator who campaigns with anti-gay rights and a family values, quite ironically, finds himself on the side he has been working against. Well the Senator plead guilty to the charges, but now is saying that he regrets doing so. Pretty much a confused person.

Then we have Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska taking bribes to give federal based contracts to a contractor. The bribe of course was the doubling the size of his house, which currently the Justice Department is investigating.

And it continues to get bad if not worse, with Louisiana Senator David Vitter being involved in a prostitution ring. His reply of "I committed a very serious sin", doesn't even sound serious in my opinion. What's ironic here is that he replaced Congressman Bob Livingston after his infamous adultery scandal during the Clinton-Lewinsky affair, which the Republican party used to their fullest advantage of making the public believe it is an ethical party. What's absurd is that Republican senators gave Vitter a "loud standing ovation" after his scandal broke, which is hypocritical by contrasting that with the Republican attitude towards President Clinton's marital infidelity.

Comically Senator Vitter's wife, Wendy Vitter commented on the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal by saying, "I'm a lot more like Lorena Bobbitt than Hillary. If he [Vitter] does something like that, I'm walking away with one thing, and it's not alimony, trust me," referring to the incident of Lorena Bobbitt severing the penis of her husband and to Clinton's wife, Hillary Clinton. I have one word of advice for Mr. Vitter......RUN!!!!

And with now former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales's resignation yesterday, more cans of worms might be opened with the political fight brewing on Capitol Hill. Maybe many more scandals and resignations might be on their way.

Outsourcing Bollywood

Well you've heard of outsourcing and off-shoring of resources in many fields, especially the one I work in, Information Technology. A lot of them of course are ending up in India. But lately I've been seeing an opposite trend happening, especially in the field of acting.

I've been seeing a lot more European, Australian, and some American actors making their appearances, however minimal, in Bollywood movies. And a lot more of these actors are becoming prevalent as side artistes, be it dancers or a semi-important character.

However the one woman out there to change it, and who is trying to become the next big lead actress in India, is Linda Arsenio. The Texan and former New York theatre actress who has had her hand in some South Indian films, was recently in a Bollywood flick 'Kabul Express'. She's recently moved to Mumbai, and is pursuing a career in Bollywood itself.

Not only is she doing such, but it seems Ms. Arsenio has a big heart. Her philanthropic endeavors include hosting dinners and movie outings for unfortunate children. Let's hope her unselfish work pays off in gaining something for her acting career in B'wood.

A Pretty Face In The Crowd

What a way to (re)start a blog, but to talk about beautiful women. Since I have the 'privilege' to watch Desi (Indian) TV, thanks to Dish Network, I've been seeing a lot of cute desi chics, and for some time.

Lately, there is a New York Life advert on rotation on these networks, which is geared of course towards the Indian community. The advert features facts about India, and her contribution towards the world community in her 60 years of independence, and at the same time shows a model putting on makeup. Unfortunately, the model who is Bharat Mata (Mother India) personified in the ad, isn't clearly shown. But from the basic features you see of her face, she is quite beautiful. A fitting tribute to India to say the least. Too bad I don't have a video clip to show you what I am talking about.