Grass is always greener on the other side..

We humans often like to think more about the past and the future than the present. I am fascinated about how much our minds ruminate about our past and in particular on childhood. We feel happier thinking about our childhood. All efforts are made to move closer to that age. Whether it is artificially changing the color of our hair or falsely reducing our age, we enjoy the younger feeling. This is indeed an irony because as kids we wanted to become older as quickly as possible. We used to become happier by the thought that we are growing taller and/or moving into higher grades or standards. As kids, we used to always look upto teenagers. And as teenagers, we used to look upto college going students. And as students, look upto the salaried class and bussinessmen. And in turn I find that, money earning adults envy the carefree lives of undergraduates, teenagers and kids. This is a classic "grass is always greener on the other side" problem. You don't realise the value of something you are already enjoying but envy the lives of others/historically yours. Comfortably, god has atleast erased memories of us being babies. Imagine, the world if we can remember that as well!! The thoughts of us having food as a baby is dangerous to even contemplate :P. Is it really worth spending that much thinking about younger days and trying to become younger ? I feel it probably is not. There is enough to be busy about and enjoy in the present than to yearn about the past.

On the other hand, thinking and dreaming about the future is probably a wise thing to do. Many a life has been wasted just living the moment and not caring about future. Teenage single mums or drug addicts are extreme examples of that. Thinking about the future makes us become responsible. It allows our future "present" to be a better existence. Unlike in the "past", to make the future greener is in our hands. After all, working towards a greener future in childhood is what makes us enjoy the current greenery.

I feel becoming younger in thoughts is more important than hiding the age and indulging in similar annoying activities. Getting excited by simple things, laughing out loud at silly things, hanging out with friends, having many hobbies, playing sports just for the fun (not for health reasons) etc. All these are always possible irrespective of our ages- isn't it ? So, next time say out your age proudly like a kid and try to make people be surprised by how old you are. Grass is always greener on the other side. Should it prevent us from enjoying the grass on our side ?

Humans and our fight with climate change

The last 40 years probably has been both the best time for and probably the worst time for the humans. For most of us, we've the standards of living never imagined by our ancestors. But, we have this constant fear in the head that we probably might be racing ahead in a bus towards a concrete wall. 1) Some of us are desperately trying hard to apply brakes. The irony is that most of us are still enjoying the long drive in the AC and can't realise the impending danger. 2) Some of us can't even see the wall- it is all an illusion. 3) And some just don't care- live the moment- we might crash anyways at the end of our lives. Who cares about children-I'm not going to have kids anyways. There is an entire pot of ideas.

What ideas are the best ? The last ones are just lazy and irresponsible. I can't buy their argument. I've had so much fun in my life and a human life is definitely worth living. There are many simple things that I would like my future generations to carry on. My religion, my country, the music I'm capable of enjoying, the technology that I have been a part of, good human character to name a few. I think these are required to be represented in the next century.
For those who can't see the wall, why don't you make an effort to stand and see it ? You are again too lazy and just because of your laziness you might be bumped.

Among the passengers who can see the wall and know the outcome, there are optimists and pessimists. It requires great human character to be optimist at this juncture and well done to those. And you pessimists, I think you are the most useless of the lot. You can't enjoy your ride and you don't help the optimists who are applying the brakes as well. Constantly, sitting in the front, you are reducing their morale.

I think all of us should side with the optimists and help them irrespective of the nation or their history. Even if we fail, we can tell the future generations we gave a really good try at combating climate change. Optimism is a trait. Trait comes from habit. Habit comes from practice. Practice comes from thought. Let us seed the thought and start helping the optimists. And all throughout, we should not be lazy. Laziness along with complacency is the worst of human evils. Meanwhile, make your fellow passengers get up and see what is ahead :).

Dublin musings.

I am in University College, Dublin, seeing around Dublin and attending a conference relevant to my work. The accomodation is fabulous with self-catering kitchen etc. I arrived by the Air Deccan of Europe, Ryan Air. The funniest moment was when the flight landed on time. They had a music self-proclaiming their punctuality :D :D. Hillarious!! I was wondering, these Irish need a superfast train like the one to Paris from London- it's just too much hassle on a flgiht and too much airfuel pollution. Well, I am not Gordon Brown or even a negligble politician like Sidhu or Vijaykanth. What can I do ?

Dublin to me is 60% like any other city in UK (Ireland got independence only in 1921) . But, its got more Irish and whites compared to London. Signs are in both Irish and English. All of them speak English and are extremely friendly and helpful compaed to England. You can clearly identify it with an Indian city like Madras- lots of tradition, lots of families going around together. Nice bunch of people. I have not seen this in UK. Ppl going around are alone or with one partner :P.

Two major places, I went today: the Croke park (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croke_Park) and Guinness storehouse. Best part is Irish have two unique sports, Gaelic football and hurling (fastest game in the world). And it is followed like how we follow English premier league or IPL. Highly commendable. Both are quite interesting to look at: check out youtube videos. They are crazy. The stadium is the 4th largest in Europe and the world's longest bar, going around the stadium!!
The Guinness storehouse is where Guinness the beer is made :O. It is made here and transported thoughout the world!! The entire place was a big marketing ad for the company despite me paying to watch it. Ofcourse, they offered me a free pint (approx. 538ml) of beer. As I am like Andy Murray and George Bush, a complete teetotaller, I gave it up to a bunch of teenagers :D. The amazing part is the beer is provided in a 'gravity' bar with 360 degree view of Dublin!! Awesome.

P.S: Forgot, to mention. These guys have mostly catholic roots while rest of the British Isle is mostly protestant roots. And since the last post, I've listened to top hits of Michael Jackson. He has the next best to ARR. He is edly, king of Pop!!

Vanakkam, Vandhanam, Suswagatham...

Right!! Here we go. Finally there comes a day when I finally do decide to blog. The primary reason for not blogging is the fear of getting addicted to it and wasting time. I have decided to face the fear and blog responsibly. Besides, final year of PhD is becoming lonely. What a better to fight loneliness than blogging. My blogs are going to be short ones- they won't be a waste of yours or my time. If they are long, please tell me off. It means I'm wasting time. And ofcourse, please leave your comments as they are highly valuable. This itself took me 10-15 min. But, ofcourse it is better than checking mails or news for the nth time.

Btw, Michael Jackson passed away today. It is a sad moment for his fans and his family. But, I think he was nearly over his prime. I feel it is better to join the clouds than to suffer from celebrity syndromes.