S-C-O-R-E-

I usually use you, dear blog, as a therapist, but today I'm just going to just bounce my ideas off you. This is so typical of the way I do things! After not going to the Sunshine Center for an entire year I have just started to go to the music things and now I have a plan to change the whole Center! Interestingly enough the CEO or the head of the Center is a friend of my sister's. My sister is the mother of STIFFS as you may remember and quite the VIP around St. Pete or WAS a few years ago. So anyway at least I'll have someone to talk to about this, maybe. Oh and another thing that's interesting, he is part Indian American. His first name is J. We know it's really Jay as in victory, don't we.

Anyway, the idea is that we seniors should have an opportunity to give back to the community. SCORE means, Senior Community Out Reach Education. I think it should be put on the Center calendar as an activity for everyone to participate in if they want. It would a chance for us seniors to give something back instead of just being given to or taking. I already know what some will say....all my life I'VE GIVEN GIVEN GIVEN and now that I'm old I can sit back and be taken care of. But see I think that everyone, no matter what age or sex or religion feels better about themselves if they are also giving

Now I realize how hypocritical this sounds coming from a person who isn't doing anything for anyone...right now at least. I was a social worker at one time and even now I'm always on the look out for small opportunities. Our Tampa Bay Sai Center does lots of service with medical camps and dental camps and stuff and I haven't joined in but I've been pretty sick and besides I don't drive so it hasn't been possible.

But as a group of seniors there may be some things we could do. We could be grandparents and connect with an elementary school and arrange for a few of the young kids, to come to the center for tutoring. We could take our 'county singers ' to nursing homes to sing to the patients....if we had a bus to take us. We could help with the 'meals on wheels' program which prepares the food right in our building. We could go to Bay Pines VA and read to wounded warriors. As Christmas gets closer, we could help with the Christmas wrapping for the needy....a program which they did last year too. And there is a need in St. Pete for people to volunteer to inspect nursing homes and assisted living facilities. There is a word for that but I CAN'T EVEN SPELL IT ENOUGH TO ASK GOOGLE. Well anyway, as you can see, I've been spending my valuable meditation time THINKING instead of clearing my mind. I'm afraid all this activity is throwing me right back into the world which means MORE KARMA doesn't it. Well I've been hiding in our ashram for over 30 years now trying to avoid karma. And I guess it's really ME who feels as if I should be giving back now.

It could very well be that this is just another 'one size fits all' idea of mine resulting from being on the high end of the pole. Being a bit 'bi-polar, a lot depends on my mood swings. Remember the idea I had to start a 'Western Sai Center' with western music and study groups made up of topical subjects? Well the western music turned out to be for me to sing to my Swami and probably this grandiose idea is only for me, too. rather than for HUMANITY. I think big.

India announces $35 tablet computer for rural poor

Associated Press
Posted: 10/05/2011 04:37:01 PM PDT
Updated: 10/05/2011 06:07:53 PM PDT

NEW DELHI -- India introduced a cheap tablet computer Wednesday, saying it would deliver modern technology to the countryside to help lift villagers out of poverty.

The computer, called Aakash, or "sky" in Hindi, is the latest in a series of "world's cheapest" innovations in India that include a $2,040 compact Nano car, a $15 water purifier and $2,000 open-heart surgery.

Developer Datawind is selling the tablets to the government for about $45 each, and subsidies will reduce that to $35 for students and teachers. In comparison, the cheapest Apple (AAPL) iPad tablet costs $499, while the recently announced Kindle Fire will sell for $199.

Datawind says it can make about 100,000 units a month at the moment, not nearly enough to meet India's hope of getting its 220 million children online.

Human Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal called the announcement a message to all children of the world.

"This is not just for us. This is for all of you who are disempowered," he said. "This is for all those who live on the fringes of society."

Despite a burgeoning tech industry and decades of robust economic growth, there are still hundreds of thousands of Indians with no electricity, let alone access to computers and information that could help farmers improve yields, business
startups reach clients or students qualify for university.

The launch -- attended by hundreds of students, some selected to help train others across the country in the tablet's use -- followed five years of efforts to design a $10 computer that could bridge the country's vast digital divide.

"People laughed, people called us lunatics," ministry official N.K. Sinha said. "They said we are taking the nation for a ride."

Although the $10 goal wasn't achieved, the Aakash has a color screen and provides word processing, Web browsing and video conferencing.

The Android 2.2-based device has two USB ports and 256 megabytes of RAM. Despite hopes for a solar-powered version -- important for India's energy-starved hinterlands -- no such option is currently available.

Both Sibal and Datawind CEO Suneet Singh Tuli called for competition to improve the product and drive prices down further.

"The intent is to start a price war. Let it start," Tuli said, inviting others to do the job better and break technological ground -- while still making a commercially viable product.

As for the $10 goal, "let's dream and go in that direction. Let's start with that target and see what happens," he said.

The students Wednesday were well-briefed on the goal of providing tablets for the poor, although most in attendance already had access to computers at home or in their schools.

"A person learns quite fast when they have a computer at home," said Shashank Kumar, 21, a computer engineering student from Jodhpur, Bihar, who was one of five people selected in his northern state to travel to villages and demonstrate the device. "In just a few years people can even become hackers."

India, after raising literacy to about 78 percent from 12 percent when British rule ended, is now focusing on higher education with a 2020 goal of 30 percent enrollment.

Today, only 7 percent of Indians graduate from high school.

"To every child in India I carry this message. Aim for the sky and beyond. There is nothing holding you back," Sibal said before distributing about 650 of the tablets to the students.

Sathya Sai Study Circle Workshop

Dear Center Presidents,

Please forward the following announcement to all members:

Sai Ram,

Please mark the following date on your calendars. Our region will be conducting a Sathya Sai Study Circle Workshop on Saturday, Nov 5, 2011 from 9am to 5pm, in Orlando, Florida. Hotel and transportation details will follow over the next few weeks.
Our region, as part of a pilot program, will be the first in the country to host such a daylong workshop devoted to study circles. The goal is to consider eventually issuing certification for study circle facilitators, very similar to what has been occuring with SSE teacher training sessions. National Devotional Coordinator, Vijay Sagramsingh, along with Regional Devotional Coordinator Arunima Pant have been collaborating with the regional devotional coordinators throughout the country and they will be finalizing much of the groundwork for this program during their national meeting next month in Orlando.
Study circle is an integral part of the program Swami has layed down for our spiritual unfoldment. This hands on, interactive, day long event will cover topics from the importance of study circle to the specifics on planning and implementing along with several mock study circle sessions highlighting common errors as well as best practices. While all devotees are welcome and encouraged to attend, Center Devotional Coordinators and study circle moderators should make a concerted effort to attend.

Loving Sai Rams,

Axay Kalathia MD
Regional President

Where am I

I'll start by mentioning my experiences of yesterday. Christine and I walked over to 'Save-a-lot' which is a large supermarket with low prices. It's about 8 blocks and I walked it without much trouble.

There was a woman in the check-out line who had 'tats' (tatoos) all over her arms. She was also wearing chains around her wrists and metal rings on many of her fingers. I asked her if she were a 'rocker' even tho I really didn't know what that was and she said 'no'. So then I asked if she were a 'biker' and she said yes. Christine knew her and said that she feeds dozens of feral cats each day and was written up in the papers. Feral cats are wild animals who live outside and have no home. I liked her and there was a little banter between us. After that I sat on a bench in the store. There was a burly kind of a store policeman sitting up on a pedestal behind a desk. I watched as he spoke to a bunch of little black kids who were playing around. He was also black and said he used to be with the Sheriff's department and had also taught school. I said that kids needed role models these days and suggested that he just rent himself out as a role model. Stupid remark. Anyway, afterwards we walked about 4 blocks to the bus line where we got on a city bus to go back to Peterborough. It was my first bus ride and the whole day was great.

This morning after meditation I found myself thinking about my sister. She is spending her time these days weeding the front yard. It seems there is a ground cover plant with little yellow blossoms that has been pushed out by the weeds so she pulls out the weeds which have long roots, to encourage the ground cover. I have always believed that the ordinary things we do in our lives have great spiritual significance if seen correctly and this was a good example. Our joint Pug dog needs no leash now, it seems and just quietly plays around her as she works. Both are as happy as clams which makes me also very happy even tho I'm not there.

Anyway, then I berated myself for not concentrating on my self in my thoughts. I know that Swami has put me here all alone in this flat for that express purpose. Can't seem to direct the focus inside tho. Well my thoughts at 4 in the morning are usually pretty 'right on' and it occurred to me that I have never in my life, been able to think about myself. It's like I don't exist. Of course it's only the ego self that doesn't exist but my real self has always been there. But you know, no one likes to hear that you don't think you have much of an ego because almost everyone else has a ego. People always take care of, 'number one' so why don't I. Maybe I do to some extinct but maybe I've always been more interested in other people and their problems than my own. That's why I was such a good social worker. I think it brings more problems though than it solves. I'm not good at protecting myself and am always looking for someone to take care of me. Hummmm, that sounds like ego to me. Also my small self, my personality is so subject to change. I had a friend say once, “When I come to see you I never know who I'm going to find.” Maybe my lack of ego has something to do with that. So am I enlightened? Maybe I always have been but didn't know it. Maybe we all are.

Expanding Mind

Yesterday was a red letter day. Went across the street to the Sunshine Senior Center to 'Country Classics' and sang. Sang two 'smile' song, 'Smile though your heart is breaking' and 'When you're smiling'. Most of those country songs are about 'Your

cheating Heart' and “When the role is called up yonder' so I try to cheer them up. This time I felt accepted but I also got a little negativity. The lady in charge is evidently having an affair with one of the men who sings. He has a glorious bass voice and I said something to both of them yesterday and she replied...”This is my man and you're not woman enough to take him” No that isn't the name of another song. She actually said that. I giggled. I don't know what brought this on...just because I said I thought he was cute but, good heavens! Living in India for so long I have been away from all this.

After it was over everyone came up to tell me how much they enjoyed my singing. You know, I'm 77 years old and this is the first time IN MY LIFE I've ever sung alone in public. Swami's leela and it's kind of fun. There's also a class on Drama on Mondays which I'll look into. After all I majored in Theater one year and did two seasons of summer stock so I think I'm just tying up some loose ends before I take the final voyage. My mother lived until she was 99 so it could be a long time before that voyage pushes off even though god knows I've prayed for the boat to come.

There is more good news too. Our friend Carol said that she might come for Christmas. You know, I was looking at the map yesterday and this apartment building is really amazing. It's right in the middle of downtown St. Pete within walking distance of three or four museums, two or three theaters, a movie imax and two five stars. I've been too afraid to even go out across the street to the Senior Center for about a year now and so I haven't actually seen these places. Christine took me to the movies once to see, 'Help' and just the other day I took my first bus ride oh and I walked down to the bay the other day all by myself but...I am in the center of the civic center.

So this morning I couldn't meditate because I could almost FEEL my brain expanding. OK so here goes. I could open an office for 'Community Out reach for Seniors' across the street at the Center. I hesitate to suggest anything because I was on a high last year around Christmas and went over to volunteer. Saw the social worker in charge of the 'Office on Aging' and told her I'd been a social worker in California and offered to assist in some small way maybe like keeping tract of files or something. She looked me in the eye and said, 'There is nothing you can do for me and there is nothing I can do for you' I'll never forget that but sometimes my desire to 'love all serve all' gets the better of me. I thought of lots of projects this morning when I couldn't meditate. For one thing there is a Merriot Hotel a half a block away which has a swimming pool. It's getting cooler now but maybe in the summer seniors from this building could swim there. Also I was thinking about surplus food. In India there are groups which collect surplus...uneaten...food from the five stars to give to the hungry. I was thinking that there must be surplus food at these five stars and maybe we seniors could be invited to go there for lunch about one when the kitchen was still open Lots of kind of wild ideas.

Worlwide Caution

American Citizens Services Unit
U.S. Embassy
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, 110021, India
Telephone: 91-11-2419 8000 ; Facsimile: 91-11-2419-8407
E-mail: acsnd@state.gov website: http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov


&n bsp; October 3, 2011

Dear American citizens:

We bring this message to your attention so you can carefully consider the information it contains. Please pass along the information below to the American citizens in your area or put this information on your notice boards for dissemination. Thank you for your co-operation.


The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the potential for retaliation against U.S. citizens and interests following the deaths of key figures in the terrorist group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula on September 30. This Travel Alert expires on November 30, 2011.

On 30 September, U.S. and Yemeni government officials confirmed that dual U.S.-Yemeni citizen Anwar al-Awlaki, the external operations leader of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), was killed in Yemen. Open source information also indicates that U.S. citizen and AQAP propagandist Samir Khan was killed along with him. Awlaki played a key role in advancing AQAP plots targeting the United States.

The death of Awlaki, in the near term, could provide motivation for anti-American attacks worldwide from individuals or groups seeking to retaliate against U.S. citizens or interests because of this action. In the past Awlaki and other members of AQAP have called for attacks against the United States, U.S. citizens and U.S. interests. Awlaki’s standing as a preeminent English-language advocate of violence could potentially trigger anti-American acts worldwide to avenge his death.

U.S. citizens are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the embassy/consulates to contact them in case of emergency.

Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on facebook as well.
For information on “What the Department of State Can and Can't Do in a Crisis,” please visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ Emergencies and Crisis link at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1212.html



U.S. citizens may contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the Embassy or the Consulates General for further information:
-- The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi is located at Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri 110021; telephone +91-11-2419-8000; fax +91-11-2419-8407. The Embassy's Internet home page address is http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov.

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Another Day Older

My sister picked me up on 9/28 and took me to 1019 for my birthday. Puggles, our joint-dog was shocked to see me and wouldn't look at me at first. I stayed one night and my sister brought me back the next day. Puggles never did jump up on the couch where I was watching TV but allowed me to pet her. She is very definite about her limits. I swear she is human but she wants constant attention and....food. I know I told you all about her history, seven litters in 3 years and I think she was kept in a cage. So now she craves attention and love. Something that I've finally gotten over.

About the singing. Singing has been my pastime since I moved into Peterborough. I have collected about 70 songs from the 50's and 60's and changed the lyrics just enough to sing to Swami. No kissing or touchy feely stuff or anything embarrassing. I concentrated mostly on His 'side long glances' and just His Darsan. I tried to imagine His Anantapur girls singing to Him. Anyway, then I went across the street to the Sunshine Senior Center and started singing in a program they call Country Classics. There are about ten elderlies who have guitars and maybe three keyboards. I have been singing since the second time I went...even though the organizer was noncommittal about my singing from the first. The others gave me lots of encouragement because frankly most sound terrible. Well, they are singing country ballads and the bar is pretty low. I sang 'Country Roads' by John Denver and 'Anytime' by Eddie Arnold but they mostly sing stuff like...'I'm lookin' over a four leaf clover' and 'If you knew Susie' Also they sing a lot of hymns. I have always been very up front about my India connection thinking people would be more broad minded than they probably are. I always say that I believe there is only one God but that He has many names. At the end of each session we sing, 'Amazing Grace' which is a great song but when we finish we hold hands and put them in the air. I feel they are saying, “I am saved” which is OK by me because I am, but not in the same way. I was told by one guy that Jesus is the savior because we are all sinners. Swami says that isn't true. I think the guy meant the Garden of Eden or something which refutes evolution. That is so ridiculous it's hard to believe the people in this civilized country can buy it . I was in a Girl Scout troop and my Mama was the leader, 65 years ago and we couldn't meet at the Methodist church because she was teaching evolution. Here I am right back in this group of really prehistoric thinking people.

Well, of course I don't fit in, never have. Mama never fit in either. But then when have I fitted in, in India, in second arch where I sat in the Hall? No, I didn't fit in there either but pretended to. I sat and read my English translation while everyone was chanting Sanskrit. Now I'm here, thinking inside about Swami saving me by giving me my belief in Vedanta while everyone else is proclaiming they are saved from their sins.

It's hard isn't it. I don't fit in anywhere except in my own wonderful little flat, by myself, singing love songs to my Swami. He has created this cozy little nest some where in the west and I am very grateful. Every morning I say three times, 'Salutations to my precious adorable Lord, Sri Sri Sri Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, my eternal Beloved, my very own Self, Kali Yuga Avatar. My very own Self, ummm does that mean that I, this Self, created this cozy nest? How can that be? I don't have any power to do that? Then, who did create all this if I didn't? God? Swami? I've never had the power to even create my own life and make good decisions. I can't even spell decisions, thank God for spell check. It's really hard to understand anything, isn't it? If I am God and I created all this world then why am I praying to 'the other'. Swami says there isn't 'the other' and we're all the same. Maybe my right hand doesn't know what my left hand is doing. Maybe my unconscious is subsciousnce. Oh hell, I can't spell that either. Hummm, 'this Self' and 'That Self' are the same Self because there is only 'One Self'. Maybe that will help.