RSI and a few more important things

I'm suffering from RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury), which makes it really hard to type. That's the reason behind me not writing much here. It's getting better, though it will take atleast a few more weeks for me to be comfortable here.

So, a few short updates...

When I went to the doctor, an Indian, she asked me a few questions...

Are you allergic to any medicine?
No
Are you under any medication?
No
Do you smoke?
No
Alcohol?
No
Are you married?
No
Do you have children?
Hmm?.. NO!

We went on a trip to Crater Lake, Oregon caves and Mount Shasta. My uncle joined us too. Last weekend, my parents and brothers had gone to Thirunelveli for our temple festival. Though I saw Crater lake and a few other rivers, I miss Thaamiravaruni river, Nellaiappar, Azhwarthirunagari and Sreevaikundam temples, even after ceasing to be a devotee.

Now I have a beard that is more than 50 days old. Exactly on the 50th day, I had a realization, though it was from a column by one Manju in a local magazine here. It is not the column itself. One line, majorly exaggerated at that, struck me very hard. As I contemplated further, I found how hard it is for the other person.
It helps to know the other side. I think this completes the process started by 'Smile in Pleasantville'. I am very happy now, to let things go!

Will be back, after a while!

Life is beautiful

Few minutes back, I wrote a mail to one of my friends.
It had these few lines...

Life is beautiful, don't you agree?
Will I say this again, even after seeing Somalia, Lebanon, Hiroshima, Gujarat and Bombay? Or after seeing poverty, exploitation, failures, frustrations, bitter relationships and needless hatred?
I think, there is no other choice. I will say it again.
Life is beautiful, don't you agree?

Even as I clicked 'Send' button, I remembered my previous post in this blog, cribbing about life. Which one of these is true? To be frank, I was honest, in both the occasions. Isn't this beautiful? that one can be honest and come up with two opposite ideas about one thing?

Ok! I agree, this is too much. When I wrote that mail, I thought that this pain, struggle itself is beautiful. That's a state of mind, probably.

Still I stand by it?

Will I say 'Life is beautiful', standing in that small village 'Thiruvarangam' (not Sreerangam, this is different), near that old Perumal temple, on the banks of the river that has no water now, looking at the vast area of dry sand, that spreads across and tells you how big the river had been, once upon a time?

Come on, be frank. You are traveling in a train. Just one moment. Your co-passengers have fallen dead or are dying, you see blood and burnt flesh everywhere. Will you say 'Life is beautiful'?

Why? you are going home from office at 7 PM and are caught in a nasty traffic jam and a severe head-ache. Will you dare say 'Life is beautiful'?

No, I don't think I will.

But, give me one moment to reflect upon. Give me some time. I might say 'Life is beautiful'. Probably, this is what makes it beautiful.