Death of a colleague and a friend

On Thursday last week I drove to my Synagogue. On the way there I cross a very busy intersection. At the lights, there was a yellow board you see a lot on London. It said “19^th October, Fatal accident, phone – number – if you have any information”. My thought was poor soul, who ever it was that died. Then thought no more of it. What an irony. This weekend, I go to hear that the person who did die in that accident, was someone I knew, and knew quite well.

Judit Nagy a very good scientist at Imperial College. I knew her from the days that she was still a student. I and other people at the Ludwig Institute taught her proteomics, and these techniques she improved so much more later on. As a scientist she was very good, as so many articles state. But she was so much more than that. She was one of the nicest people I had the opportunity to know. Always smiling and always full of humour. And even though we haven’t been in touch for a couple of years, I was just thinking I should e-mail her to meet up for lunch, considering I now work so much closer…wish I had done it a bit earlier.

She also leaves behind a husband and four children. My thoughts go out to them.

Sailing Holiday 2010

Monday morning, really early, I left to go to Holland for my sailing holiday. The journey there was unremarkable, and at Schiphol I was picked up by Ellis, Guus and Melani. When we arrived at the harbour there was a nice surprise for me – the boat – the Pelikaan – was all decorated in flags. This was done because of my significant birthday a few weeks earlier. It looked really pretty. We didn’t sail that day, as the wind was a bit strong.

Tuesday morning we left at 09:00 hours with almost no wind and some sunshine. I had the steering wheel. Once on the open water it was still not easy to find enough wind to move forward. However, the wind did increase later on. Most of that day I steered at an angle to the wind. That was a great experience. We arrived near Enkhuizen via the Naviduct and entered Ijselmeer. There the wind force increased to Bf 4 and some larger waves. I wasn’t too sure about steering in this so I gave Guus the wheel and we initially reefed the mainsail and jib but later we lowered the mainsail completely to have a smoother voyage. We sailed all the way to Medemblik (31 miles) and docked in the old Pekelharinghaven in the middle of the town. Then we went shopping and had supper cooked by Guus on board, followed by a few whiskeys. Then discussions ranging from cows, calves, politics and religion.

Wednesday 28th of July. Even though a wind force of 6 was predicted for today, when we woke up it was very quiet outside. Ellis and I went for a walk first to Castle Radboud and then we decided to set sail towards Stavoren. A crossing of about 11 miles with wind from the Northwest. I steered for the first part, but then the waves become too much for me and I gave it to Guus. The boat rocked too hard and the wind was just a wee bit too strong for my liking, but I did get used to it – although I was glad when we reached harbour. During the voyage a bumblebee landed on the sail and stayed with us all the way. I fed him a piece of apple. After three and half hours of sailing we docked in the outer Stavoren Marina. We had dinner at the harbour restaurant. Later in the evening Ellis took the bumble bee to a nice flower and we hope he recovered from the journey.

The next day the weather was still nasty, so we decided to stay in Stavoren for this day. We explored Stavoren and found a restaurant that serves Scottish food and lots of different whiskeys. As it was Guus’s birthday – I took Ellis and Guus out to eat there in the evening. We also passed the place where only on Sunday a train went through the end of it’s tracks and middle through a shop. Stavoren is a very nice little place.

Thankfully the next day (Friday 30th of July) we could leave and set sail to Enkhuizen. At first the waves and wind was a bit scary. But very soon with the small and large sail the boat settled in nicely (and with a glass of champs) and I really enjoyed that trip. So much so that when we neared Enkhuizen I asked to stay on the open water and had some lessons in sailing from Guus. Upwind sailing, tacking and so on. In the Compagnieshaven of Enkhuizen we got a spot under the boat hoist, close to all amenities. We did some washing and decorated the ship with the results (see photo). After that bit of work, Ellis and I went for a stroll in the very pretty town. We even ate an ice-lolly that we used to eat as kids. In the evening we ate out again, then spent the evening sitting on deck watching the passers by.

Saturday. We had an appointment with a friend of Guus and Ellis; Dolf and his daughter Dominique. The weather was really terrible. Wind shocks of 5 to 6, completely cloudy and occasional rain showers. So Ellis and I took Dolf’s car and drove the scenic route along the Ijselmeer to the south, while Guus, Dolf and Dominique sailed to Monnickendam. While we drove slowly they sped to the harbour. We went to Marken to see if we could spot them when Dolf called to say that they were nearly there. We ran / raced (me in a wheelchair) through Marken and came just in time at the harbour entrance to see the Pelikaan in the distance . We drove back to the Monnickendam harbour and there was the Pelikaan already neatly docked. Inside the ship, Ellis noticed quickly that there had been heavy weather. Things were everywhere on the floor and the worst was that the roof hatch of my cabin was slightly open. As the weather was so rough, the waves had come over the front of the boat and my bed, pillows and some things, including the iPAD had become wet. The iPAD was still working and all the other stuff we've thrown into the dryer.

Then Ellis put on her wetsuit to dive under the boat, to remove some plants and stuff from the boat. Guus had to help, and jumped into the water in his underpants, but even he could not find the propeller under the boat. Mission not accomplished. So we all went to out eat at the “Old Blue” restaurant at the port. What a day ....

Last day of my holiday. Sunday. The morning was sunny and calm. And we took out the Pelikaan for a short sale. Again I took her out of the harbour – this time on sail. Then we just had a bit of fun in the sun, before having to go back. Quick change from my sailing clothes to my flying clothes and on we went to Schiphol. There, with the usual small annoyances I got my BA flight and landed back in Heathrow on time. Sadly when I go home there was no welcome from Vali (my male cat) only Vitia came. This is so unusual. I found Vali sitting on the chair in the bathroom. Eyes closed and generally unwell. He didn’t want to eat or anything. In the night he came and purred for a bit. But the next day I took him to the vet. He seems to have a few infections (lets hope that this is all it is) and suffered a bit from patting and love neglect. So a bit of a sad ending to a great holiday.

Will a 20mile speed limit help? - I don't think so.

There is talk of putting the speed limit down to 20 miles per hour in all build up areas. The powers that are think that it will lower the number of death. But yesterday, while driving to the synagogue, I was nearly crashed in to twice, not because the drivers were going too fast, but because they were on the phone!

I see it so often, drivers of cars, vans and even buses! One hand on the steering wheel, the other holding a mobile to their ear and a kind of glazed look. They drive forward not even aware that they are coming up to a crossing, lights or a roundabout.

I would say that 1/3 of drivers are on the phone, and I don't mean a hands free one!

In my opinion, lowering the speed limit without really clamping down on people who talk on their mobile stuck to their ear, will result in maybe less deaths but an increase in disabled people from traffic accidents.

And also cyclists and pedestrians have to take responsibility for their safety on the roads. I see people crossing the road, chatting to each other and stepping into the road without even a look if a car is coming! Where do these people think they are?

More rules and lower speed limits is not the answer. Keeping the current laws and catching the lawbreakers as well as all of us taking responsibility whether we drive, cycle or walk is the only way to be safe on our overpopulated roads.

Letter to investors of Unitedogs and Unitedcats.com

We are writing on behalf of the users of Uniteddogs.com and Unitedcats.com (UDC) that we understand has been one of Estonia’s top new business enterprises but is now failing.

We are aware from an article in an Estonian newspaper that the site is up for sale and the site's founder, Mr. Ragnar Sass, no longer controls the site's future as it is in the hands of a group of investors.  Mr. Sass or any of the previous administrative staff are not aware that we are sending this letter.

For a long time no one made us aware that our beloved site might shut down.   We believe this is unacceptable business procedure, considering that many users have purchased champion memberships, points, etc.   However, more importantly is the viability of this unique network for lovers of cats and dogs.   There has been total silence from anyone connected with the site and the site's Community Manager was even forbidden to communicate to us the great difficulty the site was in.

Since the launch of the Estonian version of UDC four years ago, users have been meeting and getting to know people all over the world through their pets. Unlike other sites for pet owners, UDC encourages pet owners to interact with each other regarding all aspects of their pets' care, including the death of a pet and adoption of a new one.  Many people on the site have disabilities. Some are housebound and alone except for their pets. Some run shelters and some are busy professionals whose pets provide love, continuity and a sense of reality away from their hectic business lives.  There simply is no other site to compare to this one (and we have investigated almost all the other pet sites available), partly because of our own emotional and creative involvement with each other and the site itself.  It is one of those deeply human things, even though it is about animals, that should be preserved and not reduced to rubble simply because it isn’t lining someone’s pockets deeply enough.

We are asking for an explanation as to why we were not told the site was in trouble. It is very likely some of us could have helped. It was not only pointless to try to deceive us, it was and remains unethical.
We would appreciate being kept informed about this situation. For example, why did UDC stop selling advertising?  Surely this would have helped keep it solvent as the pet food industry is big business and with all the site's users, the companies had a ready-made niche-audience for their products as well as free advertising from the testimonies of pet owners themselves.    
We would also like to know why the site cannot be sold back to its founders or to another interested party.
We would like to know what is being done to keep the site alive. The site had about 350,000 users. Often over 150 would be logged in at one time just on one language site! That is not a failing site. Why then was financial support withdrawn? There are petitions to keep the site alive currently being signed with large numbers of signatures.

Our main concern as loyal users is how our beloved UDC can be saved.  If it could be saved by being purchased, we plead with any interested party to look into that possibility.   If there is something that we as users can do, tell us.  

On behalf of UDC users:

Dr. Marketa J Zvelebil (UK)

Marsha Samaya Whelan (Canada)

Elizabeth Ann Scarborough (USA)

Saturday

Woke up late, V&V let me sleep.
Found out that during the night some b£&!?d has damaged my new car. No point in repairing it, as that side will only get bashed in again. People drive too fast here, and the council refuses to make it a one way street, even though only one car can pass through. And the police use it as a short cut to Harlesden - one day there is going to be a death.

As some of those that drive through this road so fast would say; some one disrespected my car. And I hate that word. Especially when so often it is misused, in my opinion, by people who don't seem to realise that respect has to be earned, that it isn't a god given right. At least not in the way I take it to mean.

Read P. Morgans book " a big mouth Brit" makes you realise that celebs don't live anything that resembles a normal life. Why do they get payed so much and are so revered when what they do is so...can't find the right word.

Fathers day tomorrow...I do miss him so.

Half a century birthday

23rd of May 2010

So, it is here at last. I have reached that age – that “middle-age” of, yes of 50!

I don’t feel 50 – however, one is supposed to feel. I only don’t feel like I thought I should feel when I was a teenager and discussing being half-a-century old with my dear friend, Ellis. Well, she has a few years to go yet. I still feel the same, like a little kid trying to find my way in this world of ours.

Sure things have changed, and yes I am more “grown-up” since then. I have a job, a house, and a feline family to look after. One of my parents is no more and the other one is much older. And a lot of things have become clearer. But…other things continue to confuse and I continue to seek answers. I still like to do “naughty” things, still get pleasure from small fun things, from seeing my friends, from having fun, from playing games. Still get sad from sad things, big and small.

So what has changed? My physical appearance – yes (although most people think I have just reached 40 when I mention significant birthday). I have more aches and pains. I am a bit less fit. I need glasses to read! So those are the changes. But otherwise I am the same as when I was 20, 30, 40 and now 50.

No, there is a change. A bit of sadness that time is passing and I haven’t done all the things I wanted to do yet. And there is less of that feeling that “I can change the world”. Those two things are different.

But otherwise I am still 21 years old at heart and mind.

I had a good party in any case – need to celebrate it – not commiserate it. Here are some photos from this do! Loved the cake.

The Elephants in London

 

 

 

 

The Elephants in London:

These are all over London, and I am trying to get as many photographed as possible. They are here to raise awareness of the plight of the Asian Elephants. If you want to help go to:

http://www.elephantparadelondon.org/

Marketa and the Crazy Canucks

It being the end of the winter Olympics held in Canada where Julia Murray participated I though it would be appropriate to dig out this old photo and fondly remember the first skiing trip we took in Austria. I think it was in 1974. In Zell am See. There were some world skiing championships going on. And in our hotel a young skiing team from Canada was staying. I and another youngster became friends during the few weeks we all were there. We and the boys were somewhat crazy – playing tricks on each other and such. Afterwards I followed the team’s ups and downs with interest and I am so glad to see that Dave Murray’s daughter is following her father’s ski-steps.

Here is the photo. It was the first time I skied again after becoming disabled. 

India Part II - Ruminations

Sitting here in Bangalore’s Taj West End Hotel in south India, my father is once more very often in my thoughts. He, of course, knew India inside out and saw her in all her different guises. I am mainly seeing the India of the well to do and the rich, with only glimpses of the less well off and the really poor. I see the colours of the rain-forest gardens with its vocal bird life and only from the comfort of a taxi do I see the crumbling dusty houses and pavements where people sleep, squat and eat.

If only all of India could be like the small protected paradise that my hotel is. It would be a true parades then – and Eden on earth. I never imagined I would come here. Even when father promised to take me here. It seemed so far away. Yet it is nearer (in flight hours) than San Francisco. It seemed so exotic, yet isn’t Japan as exotic and I have been there.

Is this the kind of India that my father fell in love with? Even before he ever came here? The India from books. Are these the people that he liked so much? I do know that here they speak one of the languages that he spoke fluently. How I wish I had gone to India while he was still alive, so I could speak to him about her. Yet this trip and the invitation to come here I only accepted, initially, because it came at the time of this years anniversary of his death and I thought it would be a fitting tribute to come and visit the place that stole his heart and mind. Sadly my mother, who was supposed to accompany me, didn’t get her visa on time and never made it on this trip. The woman, who shared her husband with India, who knew Jawaharlal Nehru and other VIPs was in the end denied this visit by some pencil-pushing clerk in the Indian consulate.

Do I have the arrogance to list what I love about India and what I don’t after only a few days here and living in a protective glass bowl? Yes I do. I love the people who are generally so friendly and generous, the sound of the birds, the vivid colours and the dignity yet easy going nature of the people. I dislike that there seem to be hardly any cats, that all the animals are very thin, the real poverty, that the women are afraid to go out alone after dark, the toilets.

But I hope to visit her again and this time with my mother.

India Trip part 1

I survived the flight - but landing was really bumpy! Thought the plane would shake apart.

So no I am sitting in my hotel, here it is 9:30 for me it’s 4:00am. I have the door open to the balcony and a cacophony of bird and animal sounds nearly deafens me. There are vultures flying around the hotel grounds....wonder if they are eating the remains of the hotel’s past guests!

Second day has dawned to the cacophony of the birds. I had a cup to tea on the balcony watching “my” pair of vultures/buzzards. Then I was picked up to go to the morning sessions of the conference. They were interesting.

Back at the hotel I went for lunch at the Masals Klub. Really nice real Indian meal. At this hotel, the rooms are spread out in a large garden complex. So there are buggies to take the guests to and fro. There are also various types of guards all around, some are very serious – they are those that make sure that the hotel terrorism that happened in Bombay does not happen here. Others are more to help. Every time I set foot out of my door someone appears and a buggy arrives and there is help everywhere, so much so that it is getting annoying. I managed to convince the people at the restaurant that I wanted to walk to my room. On this short walk, I was asked about 20 times if I wanted a buggy, and the last 20 meters or so I was accompanied by one of the guards, who made sure I went into my room (although I actually wanted to wander more around the gardens), opened the door and got the whole family history out of me (they are all very curious!). I think I will have to climb from my balcony to escape!

Otherwise the contrast between the haves and have-nots is incredible and it lives side by side (see next blog). For a westerner like me it is difficult to see - even though I haven’t seen the worst.

Third day is here and I am still alive and kicking, though tired, cause we had the conference buffet last night. The really nice part of that was South Indian Classical Dancing and singing. The food I didn’t dare to try and got bitten by mosquitoes.

Today I had to chair the session; it went more or less okay. The only mistake I made was saying that the penultimate talk was the final when...LOL I think it was my (and a lot of other people’s) wishful thinking.

So what about the city, Bangalore?  There isn’t much for tourists here, not much nice stuff to see – and the interesting poor stuff – the taxi goes very fast past it. The best bit was the Bull temple, but it still is rather small and in the middle of a very noisy city. Saw a few cows on the streets and some bulls. But the poor bulls do get eaten here (unlike the cows which are holy).

People tried to sell me everything from memory sticks in the middle of a busy road, to drums near the temple. I desisted. Then the taxi driver took me to a lovely set of shops, called the Cottage Industries, where much to my horror I fell in love with a hand woven carpet and suffice to say that my credit card bill is larger. I also brought a few presents. Now the carpet is in the suitcase and I am wondering what to do with my other stuff!!

 

I was hoping India would somehow help me reconnect – if that is the right word – with my father, but the only thing happening is that I miss him more and am more angry that he is dead, because I so would like to share this trip with him.

Well today I visited a place where they treat certain cancers and cartilage problems, with low level MRI (magnetic resonance) radiation. It seems to give some extremely good results.

Then I met family of family for lunch. Now I am packing.

I love India, and it drives me crazy. The people are very nice, extremely friendly, but they don’t want to see any problems. They have totally built up Bangalore, with cheep concrete buildings, destroying villages and farming in the process, for example. And I am not going to talk about the underclass of people one sees here existing side by side with the very rich. Also saw a starving horse on the street - it broke my heart. Enormous amount of dogs. Some cows. Lots of dust and pollution. And this is the garden city

Memorial trip to India for Kamil Zvelebil

is not to be - at least for my mother. Her passport expires 2 weeks before a 6 months limit to obtain an Indian Visa.

We have the tickets, we have the hotel. The whole journey had been arranged. And then at the last minute the Indian Consulate send her passport back saying that they will not issue a visa because it would be 2 weeks short of 6 months on the date of her return. We were going only for one week! To see the country my father spend so much time studying the languages of, writing them down, deciphering the ancient texts, bringing their knowledge and beauty to the world. We were going on the 18th of January - a day to the year of his death. Now I have to go alone.

This is such a sad postscript to his devotion to the Dravidian culture...