I can now insert a foto. Not bad for someone who has trouble changing the time on any of his clocks or watches. I marvel at the ability of young people to master all things technological and yet remain so dumb in other ways.

Of course, I did many questionable things in my sketchy youth. This is me overlooking the Thames River some 55 years ago. Can that be correct … 55 freaking years? At least, I think this is me. After all, this guy has a full head of dark hair and is skinny as shit. I’m on my way to spend two years in India, as a Peace Corps volunteer. Ah yes, two years living in a remote desert region of Rajasthan, defecating in a hole, and trying to be an ‘expert’ in an area about which I knew virtually nothing. Actually good training for my later career as a policy wonk and academic type … refining the ability to fake things.

India was a tough site, especially back then. We were really isolated, no cell phones of wi-fi. You were on your own, battling disease and heat and loneliness. But, in the end, despite our griping, this turned out to be a special and unique experience. While India merely survived our presence, we, on the other hand, learned who we were. I know I absorbed so much about the impact that culture has on an individual, lessons I brought forward and which greatly influenced my policy and academic work.

There are three things I really miss from those years and experiences:

1. Having a full head of hair.
2. Being that skinny.
3. Having all that time to reflect on things.

I can’t share all I want about those years here. But listen, go and find Our Grand Experience, my memoir on India 44. It is a witty recollection of my fruitless efforts to be an agricultural expert along with the equally funny stories of my fellow volunteers. Humorous, sad, and insightful. End of my self-promoting pitch (for now) :-).