David Walsh's Blog

The Burma Campaign: was a series of battles fought by the British against the Imperial Japanese forces. Particularly tough due to monsoon season. The Japanese Fifteenth army pushed into Burma and wreaked havoc on the citizen population. Fighting continued all the way through 1945 when the allies conducted offensive operations to fight back the Japanese army. The British XXXIII were in a race against the monsoon season. In the end The Burma Campaign was not significant to the defeat of the Japanese Army. However it was a distraction to their armies and was helpful to those of Burma to help regain their land. Burma and India Battle Lines from  Wikipedia Bibliography The Burma Campaign,  Wikipedia

The Burning of the Forest is definitely an interesting tale to read about. The story once again shows an interaction between the gods and people of elevated power. It is interesting how Agni refers to the forest as food. Because he is the god of fire the forest is full of "nutrition" for what he needs. Just as a fire grows bigger and stronger with the increase of resources to supply the fire Agni saw the same. The more of the forest he could consume the more powerful his fire would become. This story seems to place Agni who appears to be a what I would consider to be the villain. Since the "heroes" appear to be intoxicated they are quickly turned into play the bit of the fools who helped the bad guy. Rewarded with gifts Krishna and Arjuna assisted in the defeat of Indra as the forest was completely consumed. Wildfire near Fawnskin, California. Photo from  Columbia Magazine Bibliography: John Mandeville Macfie,  The Mahabharata, A Summary

The Mahabharata is definitely not the Ramayana. This epic takes everything to a completely different level. The Mahabharata brings things to a different level right from the beginning. Incorporating a level of gods and mythical levels. The first story Vyasa and Ganesha quickly brought everything to that elevated level that the Ramayana built too. I was a bit overwhelmed and caught off guard with the story but quickly saw how the story brought everything to the level of the gods. So based off of the first part A I am intrigued. Even in King Shantanu and Ganga you can continue to see how the influence of Gods and Goddess continue to influence the story writing. That Escalated Quickly from  Know Your Meme Bibliography: John Mandeville Macfie,  Vyasa and Ganesha Donald A. Mackenzie,  King Shantanu and Ganga

Part B of Sita sings the blues truly shows how old stories or even life events can influence a new story from a different perspective. Sita sings the blues definitely shows how your events surrounding you can inspire a different perspective of a story. With this version of the Ramayana we see more of Sita's story and less of Rama's. This gives me a different approach and idea of the story. Just as Nina was calling for Dave to take her back Sita taught her sons to call for Rama to find them again. Sita Sings the Blues is definitely a different approach to and a different view on this old story. It definitely is an interesting approach and is very enjoyable. Cover Art of Muppets  Grover Sings the Blues Bibliography: Animated film by Nina Paley,  Sita Sings the Blues

I watched the video Sita sings the Blues for this week. I will say watching this really helped me get a better and more clear grasp on the Ramayana. Reading is not my greatest gift, I am a slow reader and I often have to read back a couple times. So when I find a video that helps elaborate or explain it really helps me. This gave me a better grasp on what exactly is taking place in each part of the story. I like how they connected Sita to Jazz and Swing music singers. I am a huge Jazz fan so hearing that connection and how they tell their stories through music is really cool. In addition I found the Narration from the three narrators and their banter amongst themselves is really entertaining. I really connect with humor and I find a lot of humor in this. I will say the multiple animation styles is verryyyyyyy confusing and often I find it unnecessary. Regardless though seeing the story and actually watching it play out along with the notes very much helps. Fox's Animation Domi...

My plan for my storybook is to tell the tale of WWII from beginning of the European theatre to end by using the time line and famous battles and tying them together with the Indian Epics. For now I am going to start with three stories and if I need more then I'll add more. I will use stories from the Ramayana potentially and utilize stories like the Rama Attacks to tell the story of the deception used in the Normandy invasions,  the story of Vali's death and the bloody and sneaky battle on the beaches of normandy, and finally Battle with Khara to tell the story of the Battle of the Bulge and then the ultimate defeat suffered by the germans. The whole time tying mythological characters into the story. Bibliography: Operation Bodyguard Wikipedia,  Yama The Epic of Rama, Romesh Dutt,  Vali's Death The Battle with Khara Rama Attacks

WWII an Indian Epic Image: Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, then a flight lieutenant, with pilots of No 1 Squadron by a Hawker Hurricane aircraft in World War II in Burm.  Rediff   Visit my  Storybook

Again working my angle to tie these stories to that of WWII, Indra's Chariot has the potential to work well into just that. Just as in World War Two the axis and the allies were all in search of a bigger and better weapon or vehicle. Just as Indra provided Rama with a better vehicle to assist him in battle so did engineers throughout world war two. Just as the Jeep propelled equipment forward for US troops so did the Chariot propel Rama into battle with Ravana. Just as the B-29 was able to deliver a greater payload and inevitably the atomic bomb the Chariot was able to give Rama the ability to give Ravana the final blow. Eventually the greatest and most advanced technology will lead to the most epic battles. USAF Photo of B-29  Superfortress Painting of Ingra's Chariot from  Quora Bibliography: The Epic of Rama, Romesh Dutt,  Indra's Chariot The Epic of Rama, Romesh Dutt,  Ravana's Death Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists, Sister Nivedita,  B...

Im going to zero in on Vali's death with these notes: Vali's death appears to be this epic fight between Rama and Vali. This fight goes on and each fighter is relentless. To tie this story with my idea to connect WWII battles and events we cold compare the epic battle between the United States and the Japanese armies. Following the epic and bloody battle similar to that of the Pacific Theatre just as Rama and Vali fought bloodied and violent. Looking at the "sneaky" move and that Rama pulled by launching that dart at Vali we can compare that to the atomic bomb that was dropped on the Japanese. Switch the characters up a bit Rama could be the USA and Vali the Japanese Empire of WWII. Adding into this, although a serious topic, some comedy because no one likes an overly serious topic thats just a bummer. But finding a way to convey the story in what I think would be like a History episode almost like the old man in Monty Python and The Holy Grail. But Not sure I feel ...

I am going to focus in on the Epic Battles. I was reading over the Kurukshetra War  and what popped into my mind was the Cold War and in addition I thought of the  Astra  that was suggested to me for this topic. The reason why this weapon reminds me of a nuclear weapon "it requires specific invocation" and "it is impossible to counter through regular means". Tying these two together would be an interesting way to explore this topic. The second topic I am looking in on is  The Battle with Khara , I mentioned that I would like to find a way to find the similarities of Epic Indian Battles and see how they compare to battles of WWII. I found this battle to remind me of the Battle of the Bulge. Just as Kahara charged into battle with everything he had only to be defeated. Just as the Germans in WWII  made a final push into the lines of the US forces they were eventually beaten back and suffered a great loss. The third story I looked into was  Rama Attacks ...

I read  How to Give Bad Feedback Without Being a Jerk  and right of the back I knew this sounded familiar but I couldn't figure our where from. Then I saw the author Adam Grant, I have read and listened to his podcasts and articles for two business classes so far and he has a lot of good ideas on both workplace and life in general. We even discussed this topic in our HR class. The basic idea is don't hide the bad between the good, and I agree completely. You need to be honest but not brutal to. Constructive criticism is good, but if there is something bad it needs to be addressed. As a flight instructor I often have to ride that line of too far and not far enough in my evaluations. Sometimes unfortunately we need to be a jerk to the student but there is definitely a limit and we often know where that line is drawn. The idea of burry the bad in between the good is a cop out. If something stands out you need to address it professionally. Sometimes dancing around the problem is m...

The Hermit On their long journey our brave traveler Rama finds himself coming across a mysterious secluded area. Upon entering this area and making camp, out of no where and a big flash of smoke and light appears the "Great Pious Hermit", this Hermit was of great significance to Rama but he was yet to learn that significance just yet. For now he was filled with fear and concern as it was fire season and there was a burn ban. However, Rama's fears quickly resided when the Hermit spoke "Hello my dear traveler for we have been waiting many moons for you to visit". Rama was unaware of the significance of his arrival but the Hermit new it was a moment he had been long awaiting. Rama asked "why?' the "so I can drift off to the moon and stars and walk among our brothers and sisters of course". Rama looked on with disbelief. "Now is not the time for looks, but time for great food". The hermit feed them great food. Meals they had heard a...

This Part of the Ramayana seems like the "everything bad is going to get worse" part of the epic. Soley based off of Bharata Returns and Dashartha's funeral. However, this is what sets in motion the rest of the story. This is the "trial stage" of the story. Here Rama will be put through many of his trials that I think will help and shape him for the future. From my limited knowledge of epics I think there is a trend of fail, succeed, fail, succeed, fail, learn, prevail. Im curious to know if this trend continues as the story progresses. Looking a head to the end of part B with Shabari you can see what is now, I would say, a "cliche". And it is the "old wise lady/man" and they have a great amount of wisdom to deliver to the weary traveler. I am slowly starting to see many of the connections to modern movies and tails and how the all kind of seem to fit this mold that was created way back when. I like however how this part of the story is a bit...

Starting off with King Dasharatha... now I am starting to pick up on a trend that I am drawn too, there was a line right at the very beginning "there were two mighty kingdoms..." immediately making me picture "Game of Thrones" and Robin Hood. Reading further into the the story of Ramayana and the Dasharatha's Sons the detail in the writing to help convey the environment is very unique. There is a lot of flourish into the writing which I think gives it a unique flare that makes these stories what they are. As I keep reading I can not help but see Game of Thrones, I don't know why my mind keeps coming around to this theme but This is what I keep seeing when I read. I will add that sometimes the dialogue is a bit bulky and wordy. I think that is the style of the writing and what I am assuming this is a common style of epics, but thats just my two sense. The Crossing of The River reminded me of Arya fleeing after her father was killed. Living the life of peasant...

Project Ideas Travel: Traveling is something that I always thought was very interesting and India is definitely one of the many many destinations on my list to visit. Being a pilot I see the many opportunities that I have to visit these wonderful places. India always seems like this unique and unfamiliar place that I have never considered traveling too but have been interested in, sounds hypocritical but thats how I feel. Also had no idea the Himalayans were in India. Moving through this course I can give myself a better idea of what it is like to travel to India and I could see all kinds of opportunities that India holds.  Research Food: I am a food nut! I grew up cooking and traveling and trying new foods. However, Indian food is always that one cuisine that I steered away from. I am not sure why. I am always interested in trying new things and cooking new things. I think it would be fun to potentially explore these stories and the cuisine of India and also try my hand at ma...