Skip to main content

Arrivals and Departures

 Every so often I think about the human condition.  A mother delivers a baby.  That baby arrives to much fanfare in many cases amidst those that surround it.  Such is our lot.

To what end?  No one knows. This new baby might solve the energy crisis or go shoot an entire stadium full of people.  No one knows. Yet there is glimmer of hope.  Aspiration on behalf of.

Such is our condition.

Then that baby grows and eventually dies.  I think of these things as I see people I know send me birthday wishes.  Happy birthday!  May you enjoy this day some spell out.  Ironically one of my parent died the same day as my birthday, couple years back.  So now what?

Clearly most of it is muscle memory for those that are trained to follow social norms. But what of it I ask / ponder?

Should one exercise enjoyment of being born or finding out that you get to spend time on this planet and consume? Is there happiness for others that know of my existence and somehow feel good about it?

Seems bit odd to me is all.  I have clearly not done anything to remove hunger in Africa or Asia or come up with a new vaccine.

I have mostly contributed to some bureaucratic mumbo jumbo called the corporation in some form or another.  What exact benefit the society got out of it remains a mystery to me, and is so for 99% of us. We choose to believe that we are hot shit.  Far from it.

There are the 1% exceptions.  Lata Mangeshkar, an Indian vocalist of repute died today. She left a footprint in the sands of time and gave millions of Indians and beyond a remarkable legacy of music to enjoy forever.  Some choose to think the British Queen is one such on the threshold of departure.  To me she might have overseen a monarchy for decades but the benefit is questionable.

I will say that we as parents contributed to an arrival some years back who we nurtured and believe will do much to move the needle for social well being.  That might be the silver lining.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Of chocolates

I like chocolates. Godiva Dark with Almonds - not sure of the naked woman on the horse to be the icon of some choice cocoa based products but tastes good. Started in Belgium but now owned by some Turks. Cadburys - Fruit and Nut Milk Bars - awesome combination of dried fruit pieces along with a medley of nuts makes your toungue dance - started by a Brit now owen by Kraft USA. Lindt Hazelnut spheres - made by a Swiss confectioner are divine balls that melt in your mouth with a lingering nutty taste Ghirardelli Milk Crisp Squares - crunchy and light these milk squares are easy on the palate but pack some serious calories - all good I say! Originally founded by an Italian who moved around till he landed in SF Bay today also owned by the Swiss Lindt empire.

Columbia SC

 The Palmetto state.  One of the confederate kinds. History dating couple centuries back.  We visited the capital yet again this time to take in the SC State Museum. Occupying the former digs (literally remodeled) of an erstwhile cotton mill this structure is an amazing piece of reimagination.  Four floors of excitement for kids and young at heart alike. Located on the shores of the Congaree River formed when the Broad meets up with the Saluda River, this edifice is approx. 60 years old.  The front of the building has a more modern planetarium that was added about a decade ago.  The museum itself has different areas of interest segregated on each of its four floors. The first floor has gift shop and a diorama of some of the local geography including the swamps and the state beaches with audio guides to help understand what fauna thrives locally. The second floor is all about natural history and showcases animal kingdom that may have survived on this latitud...

Gab about Gaps

There are a number of news stories these days where conversation inevitably turns to discussing some sort of GAP - Gap between rich and poor is growing Gap is losing market share to other clothiers The Dow is Gapping Down (so is the NASDAQ) and the dollar is Gapping Up The guy who advised British public over the PA on dangers of tube travel with the phrase 'MIND THE GAP' has died There is a frightening Gap between our Debts and Savings Gap between Executive pay and Average worker salary is at an all time high All I am doing is listening to all this unfold with my mouth aGAPe. What me worry?