Pratibha Patil for President!

I didn't know anything about her, until today morning (that she's the governor of Rajasthan, my state, gives an an idea of how aware I am). But now I can't stop learning about her.

Two tid-bits that impress me:

She won many table-tennis tournaments at regional and national levels. In those days (1960's), and with her background (hardly illustrious), its incredible!

She vetoed Rajasthan's " 'Freedom' of Religion" bill, aimed at controlling religious conversions.

With the latter point, she gets my vote over Shekhawat (the other candidate, also from Rajasthan).

India might just beat the US in having the first female president!

Update (Jun 16) : Pratibha Patil asked for an appointment with Shekhawat, apparently "to seek his blessings". Shekhwat drove down, instead, to meet her himself. Such warm gestures from two mature politicians... I know I have this tendency to get excited and overly optimistic, but yes, I loved this.

Biking travails

Biking has never been harder.

There are nice bikeways in Irvine. Nevertheless, the speed of the cars on the rare intersections that you come across, and the scary monsters chasing you when you bike late in the night make it less enjoyable a ride.

If that was not enough, I lost my helmet! Damn. I had pledged after a great fall last year that no more would I bike without a helmet. But my helmet just went missing! Now I will have to walk home.

I left my bike in the office last night to catch a movie. After the movie, my office-mate dropped me home in her car. And next morning the helmet is gone! Disappeared!

Must be those notorious kids of my co-workers. I was taking their photographs on Saturday. They must have thought that I am rather friendly. And there! The helmet disappears! aargh..

They are not getting away with this. I will put the Disney channel in the office TV under child lock tomorrow. Maybe I'll hide the ice-creams as well, deep into the freezer.