June solstice

After being locked in with a prolonged winter, June was the month the Sun decided to show its face. It wasn't for long though, as a week of soaring temperatures brought along 2 weeks of thunderstorms. 

June is usually a fun month for us. Both M and I happen to have our birthdays this month. But we had a quiet celebration, much like the last year. London is still yet to unlock fully - even though restaurants and malls have reopened, indoor events are restricted. We decided to keep it a low key affair, which was a slight disappointment to M (who wanted her friends around), but she took it in her stride.

And this month I scaled my run duration too. Till the last month I had gotten close to a 10k. This month I doubled it. I also managed to use the runs to see more of London - ran all over Ealing and then did 2 weekend runs all the way into the City, to see the Palace and Westminster. London is gorgeously beautiful in the early mornings, when few are around and then greenery is fresh. I love running around Kensington gardens and St. James Park. If only India had such greenery in its cities.

We also got our second jabs this month, to become fully vaccinated. yay! No side effects this time around. Just waiting for the vaccines to be available for M. 

As the lockdown lifts and life starts going back to normal, firms have started calling employees back to office. I expect to go back in sometime next month. A lot of peer banks have already gotten back in. It usual now for calls to have a mix of in-office and remote teams. July should also see most of the US folks back in. It will be a welcome return to some semblance of normality after nearly a year and a half. But the virus hasn't disappeared yet, and that worries those of us who have to use public transport in.

We have taken advantage of the last of the lockdown days to get busy with board-games at home. Blokus is great fun. So is 3D labyrinth. Cluedo not as much. And we've got 3 sets of Legos and multiple puzzles yet to solve. Ah, the simple pleasures of home.

Mayday, Rainy Mayday.

For a month that was supposed to herald the beginning of spring, it was anything but. It drizzled, it rained, it poured, it hailed. The sun played hide and seek behind perpetual clouds.

Yet May had some fun moments. 

M learnt to cycle. I learnt how to run longer distances. We went on long walks. 

Work wise it was hectic. Quite a lot of interesting and good work

I read a couple of good books. One was the Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson. A small one, particularly by Brandon's standards. But a well written one that kept me engrossed. I have begun to love his books (particularly the Stormlight series, that is rather epic). 

Read/ listened to another on Audible - Steven Johnson's 'Where Good Ideas come from'. By far one of the best books on innovation I have consumed. I love it's vast foray into the history of innovation, and how he weaves common threads around adjacency and serendipity to highlight how one truly innovates. Something for repeated reading. 

Riding high

Yesterday news a momentous day. M learnt to cycle without balance wheels.

She has been cycle with supports for a few weeks now. And we had been hesitant to remove it.

But a stray jibe from a friend bought out some rage. And provided the incentive for her to try.

We thought she would take a few more weeks of practice. But didn't.

I held the seat behind for her to get on. She gave a little kick on the pedals. And off she went!

She didn't realize at first that I had let go and was just running behind. But soon was confident to go cruising on her own.

Bought tears to our eyes. A milestone reached. Yay!

Of springy steps. And breathless despair.

First, the good.

It's spring time here in London. The sun plays hide and seek, but shows more of its face than before. Temperature remains in the single digits, but early double digits are here.

The parks are green. The restaurants have opened for takeaways. People have started meeting up outside. Workplaces are slowly reopening with limited capacity. 

We did a short visit to Windsor. It was a beautiful and verdant 'long walk' beside the palace and the quaint town. It was great to get some travel-bug back. 

Puppies are M's new obsession. With her friends she has been playing with quite a few. G and I are far from being comfortable with one in the house though. 

Then, the not so good.

India is in the throes of despair from covid. Widespread struggles for oxygen and medicines. Lost of friend, a batchmate who I once shared many a laugh with. Many colleagues down. Trying to support while being remote, but it's hard to see the despair. We pray for better days.

Past the Ides of March

It's hard to believe we are already a quarter down this year. 

Spring seems finally here. After much hide and seek, the Sun showeth its face. Or maybe not. One can never be sure in this weather. 

But carpets of daffodils and crocuses are here in the parks. Fresh leaves blooming slowly in the trees. Animals and insects slowly coming out of hibernation. 

And hopefully so are we. Out of lockdowns, that is.

The schools have reopened. To the delight of the kids who have hated being cooped up at home. To the mixed delight of their multi-tasking parents, who have yearned for some quiet, but also find it a little disquieting without the little cackle.

The vaccines are here. Slowly everyone we know is getting one. They do have some pretty strong side-effects. But hopefully are worth the stronger pains avoided.

At work, everyone seems overworking. This blurred boundary between home and work time has made life a little crazy. Anxiety is an equal epidemic. For those at work. And for those without.

Ah, what would we not give for a semblance of normality. The simple freedoms of the past. Little appreciated when we had them. Much wished for without.