Murphy Stewart Lauland - 2000 to 2010 - Why we should celebrate birthday's in a special way!

We received a call today........"The Call"....the call you never want to receive when you live so far away from family and loved ones

It is one of the toughest days since we have been overseas and perhaps the most represents one of the most difficult aspects of living so far away from family..........the loss of a family member.

Murphy was our pet Maltese.........white and fluffy and extremely loving, he was truly a member of our family......and in many ways just as human as we are.

It was tough to leave him behind when our adventure began.........but our oldest son was just beginning college and while he would have loved to have kept Murphy, he was staying in a dorm and they didn't allow pets. We would have loved to have let my mom keep him, but even though he was getting older, he was still energetic enough two years ago that he would have been tough for my mom to deal with.........in addition to having a brother-in-law that is allergic to dogs........

Linda's mom came to the rescue and offered to take care of Murphy in our absence......it was great for Murphy too, because Linda's mom also has a Maltese......and Murphy and Oscar always got along very well.

In the past 2 years, I only had the chance to spend a few days with him last Christmas............Linda and the boys had more time with him..........at least twice per year for several days at a time.

The timing of these "events" in life are never perfect either..................over the next two days, both of our sons will celebrate their 17th and 21st birthdays.................and now this unfortunate incident happens just before their special days.

Life/death just isn't fair sometimes..............it just makes you want to ask...........why at this time????.........why couldn't we celebrate our son's Birthdays without a sadness in all our hearts...........

Isn't it ironic that over the next two days we will be celebrating the dates which brought us two special people into the world............while we are losing one that we all loved and cared so much for..........

Do you think there is a lesson in this? Does it take something like this for all of us to realize just how special LIFE is.......and how special celebrating a birthday is..........

Just the other day, I made the comment to some colleagues that "at my age, my Birthday is just like any other day to me"..........and I have heard others say similar things.......

I don't think I will repeat those words again...........Birthdays are meant to be celebrated........celebrate life and make your day or someone you know feel special on the day they were brought into the world.

I think I am going to go for a ride on the motorcycle and take my mind off of things for a little while.

Obama's Visit to India -Feeling Close to Home

I was in India for the Presidential election that sent Obama to the White House........that was November 2008........two years later, except for a few visits to the US, this was the closest I have been to the President of the United States of America.

Indian's love politics...........they love Indian politics, and they keep a close eye on what happens in the US.......Bill Clinton is still endeared by the India as a whole.....he left an indelible mark on the the global political atmosphere and most Indian's judge all US Presidents on the "Clinton Benchmark".

Looking back two years ago, I was fresh into India, and most of the people I was meeting, whether casually or at business meetings, would ask me what I thought about the Presidential Election in the US.

I always gave a similar evasive answer.........Why?.....My mother always explained to me that "It is never smart to discuss politics or religion with people you do not know well........you will never make friends"

Mama knows best...........and she also knows her son very well.

I am a very patriotic person..........I love my country and I respect the "Office" of the President of the United States.........for the time being, my "politics" ends with that statement.

I have had the pleasure of meeting, in person five of the last seven Presidents of the United States of America.

Jimmy Carter - Denver, Colorado
Gerald Ford - Denver, Colorado
Ronald Regan - Houston, Texas
Bill Clinton - (twice) - Denver, Colorado
George W. Bush - Lafayette, Louisiana

Hosting the President of the United States in your hotel, is no easy task..........preparations begin as early as two weeks in advance.........and for the time that the President is in your hotel, the entire property becomes the "White House". I have been through this drill several times as you can see...........so it was no surprise to me to read about the amount of preparations that were taking place in India ahead of his 3 day visit to India.

Here is a list:
Air Force One
Air Force Two
Nuclear Button - or "Nuke -u -lar" if your are George "W".....he always had trouble with that word!
33 Warships
1 Aircraft Carrier
Marine One - the Presidential helicopter
2 Jets - with advanced communications and security systems
40 - Vehicles in his "convoy"
800 "Luxury" Hotel Rooms.........none of the hotels we are managing unfortunately! That's just Mumbai....there will be another 800 for his Delhi visit.....each city!
13 heavy Lift Aircraft - to carry the vehicles and equipment
3 - helicopters
500 - Security Staff from the US alone - not counting the personnel from the Indian Armed Forces
Sniffer dogs - I remember these animals.........treated very, very well!

I have read that his visit had a price tag of $200 million US dollars per day...........I'm not sure.......

As for me..........the closest I got to Mr. Obama was to see Air Force One.......and AF Two parked at Indira Gandhi International Airport as I was boarding a flight to Visakhapatnam. I managed to "sneak" three pictures, along with several Indian passengers boarding my flight.

They were all snapping pictures with the cameras on their phones......very cool to see their excitement as well. It was very nice to see Air Force One parked at the airport in India...........it made me proud.....just as proud when I see the American Flag flying high when I pass the American Embassy here in Delhi.......its always nice to be close to home.

I missed the traffic jams............closed roads and of course the chance to meet him............but maybe there will be a time..........

I did take a picture of a very cute billboard that I saw down in Vizag on my  trip. For those readers who are not familiar with the brand "Amul", they are one of India's largest manufacturers of diary products; butter. milk, cheese, and even ice cream!

They have a very creative advertising group..........

Khanna means food or to eat

Thanks for visiting Mr. Obama............you and Hillary look great in your Indian clothing.