Meandering Musings

War & Conflict

A violent world

I visited my friend Archna yesterday. She, like so many others I know, was distraught over the Newtown shootings. What was happening to the world? We embarked on a conversation…

6 Comments
December 18, 2012
Asia / India / People

Sacred sounds

One of the greatest musical talents of our time was silenced Tuesday. Ravi Shankar died at 92. His was a name I grew up with, a name that made me…

2 Comments
December 12, 2012
Budapest

Dob Utca

We arrived at our abode in Budapest on a shuttle that took us from the southeastern end of the city into its heart, the seventh district of Erzsebetvaros. It wasn't…

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December 5, 2012
Europe

Istanbul

My journey began with work -- a seminar for journalists who cover international security and terrorism issues. I was one of the lucky ones chosen to attend the event in…

3 Comments
November 26, 2012
Uncategorized

The BIG 50

I am turning 50 this week. Whoa. Seriously? The big 50? Seems like yesterday that I was bragging about not being 40 yet. Not that I am freaking out. My…

4 Comments
October 12, 2012
Barack Obama

Obama's big night

I was thinking about the words of Joe Senato, who eight years ago at this time was an undecided voter from Berkley, Massachusetts. After hearing the keynote speech delivered by…

6 Comments
September 6, 2012
Italy

Firenze

The Duomo -- the main cathedral in Florence -- seemed to glow at night. Florence was warm in July. Very warm. But it didn't matter. It was a relief to…

2 Comments
August 26, 2012
Italy

A new world

On a gondola with Lynn (far left), Jim and Jean. Lynn and Jean had never been to Europe before this summer. Britain, France, Italy. A whole new world opened to…

0 Comments
August 20, 2012