2004 ends with a punch under the belt

Yes that's how you feel when you sit on the lunch table and everybody is talking about their normal plans and all of a sudden you get the feeling that they are avoiding something. Something, that's there on their mind but they don't want to discuss it. Gestures are acknowledged, messages are passed telepathically and they just sit there ensuring that nothing is said or done to upset anybody. How much more can we take?

The moment I heard about it, the only thing I said was "not again". Remember, last christmas, the earthquake in Iran? There is just too much suffering around and people are not willing to stop and weep. Maybe, that's why the world is still moving. Somebody's still got to throw the garbage. Somebody's still got to dig the graves. Maybe this is the kind of detachment the Zen monks were searching for. The ability to see and feel pain, but not react to it.

I have lost two people I know in this year's calamity. Friends at Chennai, say its not good. I try to hide my grief, by walking straight and pretending nothing happened. I have been taught to do so. But not before I have done my part from where I am.

May their souls rest in peace!