Road To Mysore

It's always cool when the blog world and the real world collide. That has happened 3 times the past 2 weeks. I knew that the legendary Russell of "Mysore Musings" was arriving a few weeks ago but I wasn't sure who he was. I had a feeling I knew who he was because he was the only one in Mysore who dresses like a lawyer. He seriously needs some Indian clothing. I would see him enter the shala as I was wrapping up my practice but hesitated to approach him because of his "Mysore blog star status". I've been following his blog from the very beginning and always envied his writing style. I wish I could write as well as he could. I lived in Mysore through him earlier this year.

Fortunately, Fabio his flatemate broke the ice when he asked me if I was an ezboarder. He told me that he was Russell's flatmate and that Russell was also trying to figure out who I was. Once I was certain who he was I approached him and introduced myself. It was easy to talk to him because I sort of already know him. I have to say he's not you typical uptight big city lawyer. I've worked with a few lawyers in LA and there not the most pleasant people. His pretty easy going and we're constantly laughing. I think ashtanga has soften him up a bit.

Last Saturday, Phil and I joined Russell and his crew to their weekly "Saturday Afternoon at the Movies". Everyone present would nominate a movie and we would vote on which movie to watch. No one is allowed to vote on the movie they nominated. I noticed that most of his movies were the intellectual type, so I was really happy that the movie "Old School" was chosen. When it comes to movies, I prefer the brainless ones so I can just laugh and not have to think. I watch movies to be entertained and not intellectually challenged. I wouldn't consider "Old School" a great movie but it was definitely entertaining. I think next week there's a campaign to vote for "Single White Female". I hear it's the "Fatal Attraction" type of movie. I think I could watch that.

The second blogger I met was Stephanie of "Ashtanga Traveller". She's the first ashtangi.net blogger I've met. I've been expecting her for awhile because she's been asking me questions about Mysore. I told Vincent to look for her in Goa at Sharath's workshop. When I saw a few of the people who went to Goa come back to Mysore, I knew it was any day before I bump into her.

Last Sunday, Phil and I went to the Green Hotel for breakfast. It's organic market day and I needed to pick up personal cards I had made. During breakfast, I noticed a couple with two adorable children. I had a feeling it was her but I couldn't see her tattoos because her shoulders were covered and she was wearing a long dress. If I could only see the tattoos, I know it would be her. I bumped into her at the buffet table and caught a glimpse at the tattoos on her legs. I introduced myself and talked a bit. I'm always happy to meet a fellow blogger. We spoke a little and then I hooked her up with Shiva. When she first emailed me a couple of months ago, she said she was booking a room at the Green Hotel for 10 or 20 days. I told her that she should be able to find a place in 2 to 3 days. That day she found a place, got a scooter and the following day they moved to a temporary place. They're waiting for the people to vacate the house they want to move in. It doesn't take long to get settled in Gokulam.

Yesterday, I was at Tina's for breakfast. I dropped by Russell's table just to say hi. On his table was a couple who looked very familiar. I couldn't place them. I eventually talked to them and introduced myself. It was Anne and her husband of the famed "Yoga is Youth". I could not help but smile when I found out it was them. They stopped me in my tracks before I could say anything more. Anne said she does not plan to blog while she was here. A big loss to the Mysore blog world. I'm still glad to have met them. I have always been thankful for all the Mysore bloggers before me. They have all inspired and confirmed my desire to come to Mysore.