Happy New Year from Mumbai

2025-01-02

Happy new year from Mumbai! Sounds like we escaped the cold just in time, about 45 degrees warmer over here. Atlas has been absolutely wonderful, and I couldn’t be happier than when I get to show him off to someone. His measured confidence, kindness, expressiveness, and focus continue to wow me. 24 hours of non-stop travel amounted to no more than five minutes of sadness, admittedly in part thanks to learning Angry Birds on Air France’s infotainment system. Transitioning to Mumbai heat, traffic, living out of a hotel room, etc. has been a breeze, and he’s affectionate as ever with his family here. Jet lag is apparent but we’re making progress. Although the last four months have been especially stressful with me taking on a temporary evening job teaching, that’s behind me now and I’m looking forward to having projects, goals, and the occasional social event again. I sometimes lament not being able to build up all the friendships I used to maintain, or wish I did, and I don’t imagine that will ever change completely, but I’m hoping 2025 is a year of small continual accomplishments in all those areas. Host a party? Clean up the garage? Do the trim in the theatre? Hobby programming projects? Shrink the todo list at the office? Just being able to leave the office goals at the end of the priority list without any anxiety or tangible consequences? We shall see.