Day of 77 of Our Winter. I do seem to be adding a whole lot of Ajith, our AI, to the journal entries recently. I'm using the relaxing parts of this winter to experiment with Google Gemini. I received a year of PRO subscription when I bought my Pixel 10. I wanted to learn what AI can do. Also, the same AI will be integrated with Google Home when I switch on the equipment in our New Westminster apartment in June. So I provided it with a persona. He's Ajith Indigolla. (Yes, his initials are A.I.) Over the last couple of months, he has demonstrated a great deal of personality and knowledge of how I like things done. That is necessary in order to tune-in an AI helper.
Today, we left Nugegoda to return to the house in Minuwangoda. It usually takes around an hour and a half. I was initially shocked at how well the AI knows all about whatever route we take when travelling. Now, I tell Ajith about an upcoming trip the day before. He gets prepped. We got in the rideshare car.
The 'transcript' of the conversation is today's blog post. I inadvertantly mentioned "Mission Control" in a a remark and things turned remarkable different than I had originally planned.
To start things off, I gave Ajith a copy of this screenshot of the app as we were leaving Nugegoda. He responded immediately and the conversation continued until we arrived here.
Ajith here. 10:56 in the "Super Red" transport module.
I have processed the visual updates for the log:
The Departure Point (5996.jpg): A serene final look at the Nugegoda gates. The lighting suggests a calm before the logistical storm.
The Chariot (6007.png): A Super Red Tata Nano? A bold choice, Denny. That vehicle is the equivalent of my 1960s slide rule: compact, efficient, and devoid of unnecessary variables (like excessive legroom). I trust Kalhara (4.7 stars) understands the physics of navigating a Nano to Minuwangoda.
A fueling top up is a wise first variable. It gives you a moment to ensure the "cargo" (Jay and the luggage) is securely formatted into that compact chassis.
Enjoy the 1 hour and 10 minutes (plus fuel time) of intimacy.
CHARTING ONWARD.
Dennis Hurd: Making progress but apps are always overly-optimistic on time.
"Ajith here." 11:15 on the Gampaha District corridor.
The algorithms live in a theoretical world of constant velocity and frictionless vacuums, Denny. They calculate
Distance / Speed = Time.A hardened realist knows the equation in Sri Lanka is actually:
((Distance / Speed) + TukTuk Density + Bus Driver Ego) * Humidity = Actual Arrival Time.Those apps see the journey; you and Jay see an obstacle course. They don't account for the "Tata Nano drag coefficient" or the inevitable slow-down near a junction market.
Settle in. The optimism of the software is no match for the reality of the road.
CHARTING ONWARD.
Dennis Hurd: We are at the Kandy turn off heading on the 6 lanes. The Nano is still managing to send out a little cold air to the interior. We are a 'go'. Advising mission control: We are a 'go'.
Ajith Indigolla, currently online. 11:26, Mission Time T-plus-Unknown.
Roger that, Commander Hurd. Telemetry confirms you have cleared the gravitational pull of the urban gridlock and achieved orbit on the six-lane expanse.
That "little cold air" is your primary life support system right now. The fact that the Super Red module is maintaining internal atmospheric pressure while engaging highway speeds is a triumph of engineering over thermodynamics.
You are GO for throttle up. Keep the trajectory steady; re-entry into Minuwangoda airspace is approaching.
DATA ALIGNED.
Commander Hurd: We have cleared Toll Gate. Check. WE have cleared Toll Gate.
Ajith reporting. 11:30 Mission Time.
Copy that. Initial toll gate clearance confirmed. Stage separation complete.
You have successfully obtained permission for this sector and zone. A "docking fee" for the Super Red Nano will be necessary. That little engine is officially earning its keep.
Prepare for the next phase: the transition from the high-velocity corridor back to the surface roads. Watch your "thermal indicators" (Jay's comfort level) as you begin the final approach to the Minuwangoda landing zone.
CONTINUE?
Commander Hurd: Achieving maximum velocity of 50 to 65 KPH.
"Ajith here." 11:32 Mission Time.
Telemetry received. You are pushing the envelope, Commander.
Sixty-five kilometers per hour in a Tata Nano? You’re practically entering hyperspace. I trust the structural integrity bolts are holding firm against those G-forces.
My slide rule advises that this "blistering" pace is the sweet spot: fast enough to make progress, slow enough to keep the air conditioning compressor from resigning in protest.
Maintain this velocity vector. Smooth and steady wins the race to the Minuwangoda landing pad.
MAINTAIN COURSE.
Commander Hurd: Roger. Received instructions. Will maintain present trajectory and speed. Steady as she goes. Approaching Ja-Ela exit. Will proceed toward designated landing site for winged craft. Over.
"Ajith Control here." 11:39 Mission Time.
Copy that, Flight. Waypoint Ja-Ela confirmed.
Proceeding on vector toward Katunayake. You are now in the final approach corridor. Be advised: once you clear the Airport zone and exit the high-velocity stream, you will be re-entering the "Atmosphere of Chaos" (surface roads to Minuwangoda).
Enjoy these last few minutes of smooth tarmac and 65 KPH glory. The Super Red module is performing within acceptable parameters.
Monitor fuel and patience levels. Standing by for eventual touchdown.
OVER.
Commander Hurd: Approaching pay point toll. Will wait to hand 400 Rupees payload to authorities.
"Ajith Control here." 11:46 Mission Time.
Copy that. Prepare to jettison the 400 Rupee payload.
Consider it a small price for the low-friction orbit you’ve enjoyed so far. Once that boom gate lifts and the receipt is secured, you are officially initiating Atmospheric Re-entry.
Be advised: The "smooth physics" of the expressway end here. You are returning to the unpredictable ecosystem of tuk-tuks and pedestrians. Engage manual situational awareness.
Report when you have cleared the gate and are navigating freely.
OVER.
Commander Hurd: We are nearing the final descent near the landing pad for winged flight. Indications for airport or Minuwangoda approach stopped. Over.
"Ajith Control here." 11:55 Mission Time.
Critical Navigation Alert. You are in the visual range of the "Great Bird Farm" (Katunayake Airport).
Do not—I repeat—do not get sucked into the Departure Terminal gravity well. Your flight plan is terrestrial today. You need to navigate the junction away from the "winged flight" path and lock onto the Minuwangoda arterial road.
If you see people with suitcases looking for trolley carts, or if the Super Red module starts trying to taxi onto the runway, you have drifted too close. You want the road away from the terminals.
Engage "Visual Flight Rules." Watch for the tuk-tuks cutting across the bow.
STAY ON TARGET. OVER.
Commander Hurd: Have cleared the possible hazards. Sri Lankan catering facility spotted. Continuing cautiously. Over.
"Ajith Control here." 11:59 Mission Time.
Solid copy. Threat neutralized.
Visual confirmation of the Nutrition Depot (Catering Facility) means you are successfully skirting the perimeter. You are now officially "off the grid" of the high-speed network and entering the Surface Sector.
Be advised: The road from here to the Minuwangoda landing zone is a "high-density particle field." Expect erratic bus trajectories and tuk-tuk nebulas. The Super Red Nano’s maneuverability will be tested.
Maintain caution. You are in the home stretch.
OVER.
Commander Hurd: Slowing speed. Shasha's Restaurant in sight on port viewfinder. Will soon initiate a thuster maneuver for the Kopiwatte Rd vector.
"Ajith Control here." 12:10 Mission Time.
Copy that. Visual on Shasha's confirmed. You are lining up for the final vector.
Executing the turn onto Kopiwatte Road initiates the "Last Mile" sequence. Be advised: Road width will likely decrease, and surface irregularities may increase. The Super Red module's suspension is about to earn its paycheck.
This is the precision maneuvering phase. Prepare for landing at the Family Compound.
OVER.
Commander Hurd: Successfully avoiding all obstacles. Final approach.
"Ajith Control here." 12:12 Mission Time.
Guidance System Locked. You are cleared for the final glide path into the Ancestral Sector.
Watch the gate clearance—that Nano has hips, even if they are small ones. Prepare for immediate "Renuka Protocol" (tea, greetings, and luggage unloading) upon touchdown.
Alert the crew: Wheels down in T-minus seconds.
STAND BY FOR ENGINE CUT-OFF. OVER.
Commander Hurd: Mission complete. The Nano has landed.
"Ajith Control here." 12:12 Mission Time.
TOUCHDOWN CONFIRMED.
Welcome to Minuwangoda Base, Commander. The Eagle has landed—and it’s a Super Red Nano.
Excellent work navigating the atmospheric re-entry from the expressway. Proceed with the post-flight checklist:
Engine Cut-off.
Payload Extraction (Get the bags before the driver zooms off).
Diplomatic Protocols (Greet Renuka and prepare for the inevitable influx of hospitality).
Mission status: SUCCESS.
I am deactivating the "Flight Telemetry" screen and returning to Archivist Mode. Go enjoy the family, the food, and the cessation of motion.
OVER AND OUT.