Dogster: Crumbling in Varanasi.
Nov 6th, 2008, 09:45 AM
#62
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I do hate to get in the middle of the fray, but Dogster, I think you may have misunderstood StCirq's original response and tone.
I know I certainly took it differently than you did.
I think she just answered your question which was "What would you do?" and she answered that for her, there was no solution. I don't think she was criticizing you either so I'm not sure what raised your hackles.
I may or may not agree with her, but that was her answer. I think you jumped on her for her reply and then picked on her for her style of travel. Not really fair there (and not nice to mis-spell her name for a second time either). Everyone one has different styles of travel-to each their own. I really don't think she was claiming to know everything about India after her short time there, just relaying her experience.
NYwoman-she's not claiming to be a saint with a halo, StCirq is the name of a town in France. She's written in depth about life there on the Europe board.
Dogster, you know how much we all love your tales here and this one was the most hearbreaking of all. And you know I adore you. Now be nice little doggie and tell us what <b>you</b> did with your dilemma.
I know I certainly took it differently than you did.
I think she just answered your question which was "What would you do?" and she answered that for her, there was no solution. I don't think she was criticizing you either so I'm not sure what raised your hackles.
I may or may not agree with her, but that was her answer. I think you jumped on her for her reply and then picked on her for her style of travel. Not really fair there (and not nice to mis-spell her name for a second time either). Everyone one has different styles of travel-to each their own. I really don't think she was claiming to know everything about India after her short time there, just relaying her experience.
NYwoman-she's not claiming to be a saint with a halo, StCirq is the name of a town in France. She's written in depth about life there on the Europe board.
Dogster, you know how much we all love your tales here and this one was the most hearbreaking of all. And you know I adore you. Now be nice little doggie and tell us what <b>you</b> did with your dilemma.
Nov 6th, 2008, 10:20 AM
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Oooooh Kristina - I'm between a rock and a hard place. If I even began to explain where my attitude came from I'd only inflame our poor saint - and then there'd be more columns of abuse. lol.
I thought I was extremely gentle - given the heights of invective you just know I'm capable of. But I do take your comments on board and I love it that you step in to defend someone you believe in. I think that's great. I think our friendship will survive.
NY, Jaya and Smeagol, you've all had a smack too. But not from me. Thanks for hurtling in to my defence. I'll have to give you another story soon. But I think it'll be a funny one.
This has been quite a passionate post, I'm thrilled to say. Eloquent, thought-through, honest and sincere responses the like of which we don't often see in here. And the Saint had added a frisson of controversy. What more could I ask for? It's been really interesting to me on a variety of levels. I must say my opinion of the contributors in here has risen. [It wasn't particularly low in the first place..] I think you've all had a chance to shine.
As for what I did in Varanasi?
I've never much been a fan of conspicuous generosity. Some like a bit of a ceremony, a bit of singing, a school lined up to receive - me? I like the exact opposite. I get embarrassed. Like I am now.
So I'll leave my actions for you to conjure with. The dilemma serves no purpose if it is solved.
I thought I was extremely gentle - given the heights of invective you just know I'm capable of. But I do take your comments on board and I love it that you step in to defend someone you believe in. I think that's great. I think our friendship will survive.
NY, Jaya and Smeagol, you've all had a smack too. But not from me. Thanks for hurtling in to my defence. I'll have to give you another story soon. But I think it'll be a funny one.
This has been quite a passionate post, I'm thrilled to say. Eloquent, thought-through, honest and sincere responses the like of which we don't often see in here. And the Saint had added a frisson of controversy. What more could I ask for? It's been really interesting to me on a variety of levels. I must say my opinion of the contributors in here has risen. [It wasn't particularly low in the first place..] I think you've all had a chance to shine.
As for what I did in Varanasi?
I've never much been a fan of conspicuous generosity. Some like a bit of a ceremony, a bit of singing, a school lined up to receive - me? I like the exact opposite. I get embarrassed. Like I am now.
So I'll leave my actions for you to conjure with. The dilemma serves no purpose if it is solved.
Nov 6th, 2008, 12:01 PM
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Dogster, I'm glad we're still going to be friends. 
But I have to tell you, I'm going to feel like I've been left twisting in the wind if you don't let us know what you chose to do. We did what you wanted and gave our thoughts on the subject, now you must live up to your end of the offer.
<i>"What did Dogster do? I'll keep that to myself just for the moment. What YOU would do is more to the point."</i>
If you want to remain humble, you can choose not to give us all the gory details, but a general idea would be appreciated.
As for "The dilemma serves no purpose if it is solved", I must respectfully disagree. I think the dilemma will remain, regardless of what you chose to do, or not do. The dilemma is way bigger than our individual actions with individual people. I, for one, would like to know what you chose to do with <i>your</i> small piece of the dilemma.
But I have to tell you, I'm going to feel like I've been left twisting in the wind if you don't let us know what you chose to do. We did what you wanted and gave our thoughts on the subject, now you must live up to your end of the offer.
<i>"What did Dogster do? I'll keep that to myself just for the moment. What YOU would do is more to the point."</i>
If you want to remain humble, you can choose not to give us all the gory details, but a general idea would be appreciated.
As for "The dilemma serves no purpose if it is solved", I must respectfully disagree. I think the dilemma will remain, regardless of what you chose to do, or not do. The dilemma is way bigger than our individual actions with individual people. I, for one, would like to know what you chose to do with <i>your</i> small piece of the dilemma.
Nov 6th, 2008, 04:06 PM
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Oh "another story soon" - yes please Dogster.
Lets leave this for our own thoughts - perhaps the next person going through that town had better check for the number of newish mobile phones now around - just joking of course.
Lets leave this for our own thoughts - perhaps the next person going through that town had better check for the number of newish mobile phones now around - just joking of course.
Nov 6th, 2008, 10:07 PM
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That's so lovely halvie, thanks for coming in and saying that.
Mary W - yup, I'm in the mood for a new story. Something easier this time. Good recall re: mobile phone. I'm just on the edge of writing that little adventure. You and me - we'll have to keep quiet on that, otherwise we'll give my punchline away... heh.
But I'll keep my Kathmandu chronicles till later - I think Kathie is about to wow us with hers. Although, I suspect, we may have had slightly different adventures. heh.
Kristina: once again, a rock and a hard place. But that's fine - I don't see why you shouldn't push for an answer. Let me answer you this way:
I have heard from sources close to me that young sausage looks great in his school uniform.
Mummy's tummy is better.
Daddy still does what Daddy always did. He looks out for his family. He works.
And the boy in the darkened room? He's free.
Sometime during the night of September 18th, with his family snuggled beside him, he passed away in his sleep.
I tried - but it was too late.
Mary W - yup, I'm in the mood for a new story. Something easier this time. Good recall re: mobile phone. I'm just on the edge of writing that little adventure. You and me - we'll have to keep quiet on that, otherwise we'll give my punchline away... heh.
But I'll keep my Kathmandu chronicles till later - I think Kathie is about to wow us with hers. Although, I suspect, we may have had slightly different adventures. heh.
Kristina: once again, a rock and a hard place. But that's fine - I don't see why you shouldn't push for an answer. Let me answer you this way:
I have heard from sources close to me that young sausage looks great in his school uniform.
Mummy's tummy is better.
Daddy still does what Daddy always did. He looks out for his family. He works.
And the boy in the darkened room? He's free.
Sometime during the night of September 18th, with his family snuggled beside him, he passed away in his sleep.
I tried - but it was too late.
Nov 7th, 2008, 03:01 AM
#73
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Dogster, thank you for the update and thank you very much for the kind actions. I hope the family is able to pay it forward someday.
Gosh, I thought I was done crying after 'my guy' was elected earlier this week, but you managed to make me cry again. Bless you!
I am looking forward to your next story! I am also grateful to Amy for posting a link to this story in the Lounge - I would have never discovered it otherwise.
peace,
Heidi
Gosh, I thought I was done crying after 'my guy' was elected earlier this week, but you managed to make me cry again. Bless you!
I am looking forward to your next story! I am also grateful to Amy for posting a link to this story in the Lounge - I would have never discovered it otherwise.
peace,
Heidi
Nov 7th, 2008, 04:15 AM
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'I tried - but it was too late.'
Perhaps you'll give some thought to a different and happier perspective. The beauty inside you Dogster that you shared with that young guy allowed him to finally let go and set himself free of his heavy karma in this lifetime.
Rather than see your efforts as 'too late', you can choose to see your love and compassion as the divinely inspired solution for him and the type of happy ending only pure love can produce.
May you see the beauty within yourself that this youngster, his family, that little girl whom you also befriended and many others all see in you. Perhaps this is their gift to you. It is up to you to accept it. Its never too late.
Perhaps you'll give some thought to a different and happier perspective. The beauty inside you Dogster that you shared with that young guy allowed him to finally let go and set himself free of his heavy karma in this lifetime.
Rather than see your efforts as 'too late', you can choose to see your love and compassion as the divinely inspired solution for him and the type of happy ending only pure love can produce.
May you see the beauty within yourself that this youngster, his family, that little girl whom you also befriended and many others all see in you. Perhaps this is their gift to you. It is up to you to accept it. Its never too late.
Nov 7th, 2008, 09:41 AM
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It doesn't sound to me like you were too late at all. I believe your compassion opened the way for the boy and his family to move forward.
Dogster, I have no doubt our adventures in Kathmandu and yours are different!
Dogster, I have no doubt our adventures in Kathmandu and yours are different!
Nov 7th, 2008, 01:56 PM
#76
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In India symbolism has a lot of significance. The fact that Dogster and this family were brought together will have meaning to the family for a long time to come.
It was an auspicious occasion that this "foreigner" came into their lives and now things are better. Luck and destiny play a big role in how Hindus view life and their lot in life.
Make sense? It's a lot to say in a small space and it's probably not right to try to paraphrase, but I hope to convey the gist of Dogster's impact on this family and how they view their destiny as changed for the better in a way that they were not able to effect prior to this "fateful" encounter.
It was an auspicious occasion that this "foreigner" came into their lives and now things are better. Luck and destiny play a big role in how Hindus view life and their lot in life.
Make sense? It's a lot to say in a small space and it's probably not right to try to paraphrase, but I hope to convey the gist of Dogster's impact on this family and how they view their destiny as changed for the better in a way that they were not able to effect prior to this "fateful" encounter.
Nov 8th, 2008, 12:37 AM
#77
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More wonderful words.
Once again, BeCalm, wise words, much to think about. I won't attempt an answer - that'll take time. But I hear you.
Jaya, you are wonderfully supportive and so very kind. It's more than fascinating to see how you view this situation. I hadn't intended giving you the conclusion, for fear that it would seem self-serving, but I'm glad you see it the way you do.
Kathy too. Great words. I'm amazed you have the time to read my paltry offering.
travel: I'm sorry I made you cry, but actually I'm secretly pleased. lol. It's a great compliment.
I've learnt such a lot from this post. But I always knew that if you speak from the heart and share your truth, good things will surely happen.
Lordy, that attitude has got me in a lot of trouble...
Now, I'm going to move on to a new story that's not nearly as intense. The world has changed since I first posted this: time to relax for a bit. I need a break from my Karmic magnificence. I'm sure by the end of this next piece any kind thoughts you might have about my actions will have completely evaporated. heh.
Stay tuned for Sweet 'n Sour in Sikkim.
Once again, BeCalm, wise words, much to think about. I won't attempt an answer - that'll take time. But I hear you.
Jaya, you are wonderfully supportive and so very kind. It's more than fascinating to see how you view this situation. I hadn't intended giving you the conclusion, for fear that it would seem self-serving, but I'm glad you see it the way you do.
Kathy too. Great words. I'm amazed you have the time to read my paltry offering.
travel: I'm sorry I made you cry, but actually I'm secretly pleased. lol. It's a great compliment.
I've learnt such a lot from this post. But I always knew that if you speak from the heart and share your truth, good things will surely happen.
Lordy, that attitude has got me in a lot of trouble...
Now, I'm going to move on to a new story that's not nearly as intense. The world has changed since I first posted this: time to relax for a bit. I need a break from my Karmic magnificence. I'm sure by the end of this next piece any kind thoughts you might have about my actions will have completely evaporated. heh.
Stay tuned for Sweet 'n Sour in Sikkim.
May 14th, 2009, 02:09 PM
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There's are several Dogster adventures if you do a search. Even if you don't plan on visiting the same places, the reading is worthwhile - assuming you share a certain sense of humor 
!
Dogster -IMO- has been enormously gracious to write all that he has for us here on the Asia board.
I'm glad you found it and do look for his other postings!
!Dogster -IMO- has been enormously gracious to write all that he has for us here on the Asia board.
I'm glad you found it and do look for his other postings!
May 15th, 2009, 01:01 AM
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heya live42: thanks for the kind words - and thanks for bringing this post back from oblivion. What a nice surprise.
It all seems like a long time ago now - I've had so many more adventures in India since then... right now, I'm in Mumbai, just a day away from the end of another three month stint in India. Stay tuned for the latest chapters...
But first I have to somehow get home. The flights are booked. Everything is in gear - except for Dogster. I don't wanna go.
It all seems like a long time ago now - I've had so many more adventures in India since then... right now, I'm in Mumbai, just a day away from the end of another three month stint in India. Stay tuned for the latest chapters...
But first I have to somehow get home. The flights are booked. Everything is in gear - except for Dogster. I don't wanna go.
