Longest Eclipse of the Century Blankets India in Darkness

Superstitious Pray For Protection

In a few hours, daylight will turn to darkness in India. Scientists and star gazers are speeding across the globe to witness the historic phenomenon and superstitious people are praying for protection from this rare occurrence.

At 8.50 p.m. tonight, New York time, as dawn awakens in India, the longest total solar eclipse in the century, estimated to last 6 minutes and 39 seconds will blanket the country in darkness.

Today, in Varanasi, locals and tourists gathered to pray and perform rituals for peace and protection from what they believe to be the eclipse's harmful invisible rays. Locals are warned to stay indoors to avoid being hit by the rays.

The eclipse will move east across India over Nepal, Butan and Japan before casting shadows over areas in China. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth thereby blocking the sun's rays.

Chartered flights are taking passengers 41,000 feet above the earth's surface to get a view of the eclipse and for them to take pictures.

While the rest of the world goes about its business India prepares for a dark morning.

No Fun Writing With One Hand

I admit, it's no fun typing with one hand, the left hand to be precise. And if you're a ten-finger-typist like I am, then it's a huge no. I am a writer, so typing is really me, writing, with the key board, which in turn has become my pen. In that case I've learned to be ambidextrous, but only on the keyboard.
Recently I had been forced to function one-handed. Left-handed, actually. It was the worst experience of my writing life. I produced nothing worthy, except, short emails that took hours to complete. Tap, tap, tap, that spells how, then space and then a tedious exercise of rolling the mouse in a series of circular motions before I could position it in line with the text.
Happily, I am working my way back to a ten-finger-typist, albeit a slow one. All this due to two recent surgeries on my right wrist to mend a broken fibrocartilage. Was it painful? Absolutely, beyond imagination. And now the stiff fingers and immobile wrist are gradually working themselves into usefulness through agonising therapy sessions. Soon, my fingers will be flying over the keys, as they once did. Perhaps, a year, said the therapist. Still I am thankful for the progress. Just don't ask me how long it took to complete this.

Race Against Sotomayor?

Race. Race. Race. Every time someone in this country is nominated or is in line to fill a prestigious position and is not white race jumps up like a bucking broncho. What ever happened to the best qualified and most experienced to fill the position? Everyone deserves a fair shot, even Sonia Sotomayor. And I still believe those detractors who are hammering hard at racial bias, especially, with the resurrected firefighters issue, will not see the derailment they are hoping for.

If only the wise, some who hold the highest offices in the country could see beyond skin colour, hair texture and ethnicity a person's ability to execute his/her duties, there would be less racialism in appointments. Granted there are issues with judgments Sotomayor delivered as a High Court Judge, why the intense grilling now and not back then, when the decisions were taken? Is it only because of her nomination? Perhaps. The Republican critics may be the ones with the hidden agenda and not Sotomayor, hence, their deligence in discrediting her impartiality.

Sotomayor Mucho Mujer

The battle has begun. Republican critics will fight to keep Sonia Sotomayor out of the Supreme Court but her allies, Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee will fight harder to confirm her appointment. Who will win? Sotomayor, of course.

After what I've seen of today's Senate Confirmation hearings, I have no doubt she will be elevated to Supreme Judge. The Bronx pride leaned forward gracefully as Senate critics aired their views on her nomination and why she should not be confirmed. In the Bronx fingers were crossed and prayers were whispered, eyes became teary, as many residents watched the proceedings on television hoping for her swift confirmation.

And swift it will be, a record one at that, based on today's hearing conclusion. Tomorrow's questioning session should be a breeze for the esteemed judge, who did not flinch once when the Senate hearings launched into racial politicism.

Of course, she's Hispanic, but that does not make her any less suitable or less qualified for the position. Does she have an agender? I don't think so. I believe it's her mission to successfully complete her tenure, when confirmed, as she did with past positions and academic challenges.

As a member of a minority group myself, I applaud Sotomayor for her dedication and her ability to rise above humble beginnings to such a historic stature. It is achievers like her that give hope to people like us; minorities who struggle to establish ourselves where we are sometimes made to feel we don't belong.

Sotomayor's nomination, seven weeks ago, by President Barack Obama, has catapulted her into the annals of history. She is the first Hispanic to be nominated to the Supreme Court. Tomorrow the 55-year-old nominee will reply to critics who questioned her impartiality. It would be an interesting session, for this great woman will not falter in her quest. She will indeed, bring pride to those who support and admire her. So kudos, Sotomayor, the gilded gavel is yours. And as her Hispanic followers has said, she is a "mucho mujer."