You would have been 73

In the 24 years that you have not been here, you have missed a lot.
My sister and I both qualified in our different fields. She went as far as getting a PhD, and she too is a Dr. Wijesekera, like you.
We started to work. She worked in Kandy, in Colombo and then in Houston and now, Austin. I stayed put in Colombo because I thought mother would be alone if I went too. I've changed careers multiple times; where each experience has enriched me. I learnt to drive, and can drive anything from a tiny car to a passenger bus. She's happy zipping around in a sedan.
We shifted house a couple of times. It's not been easy to leave behind the things you've touched. But what point is there in the material goods?

I'm a hot tempered mom to a little girl who carries your name. My sister is a devoted aunt (God knows why, but these are not things to question). I have had two dogs that you didn't meet, the latter especially, was the epitome of all those good qualities you spoke about. And, like you once said about how the best people die young, he went too soon.

Mother went on to become one of the most illustrous personalities in this country. You would have been proud of her.

Sitting next to your brother a few days back, we spoke about you. He looked thoughtfully at my little girl and said "she missed out". She really did.
I am grateful for the short time I had with you, and for the incredible influence you are even today.

You are sadly, fondly, desperately missed.
But you will remain forever young. Happy birthday.

It's just keratin, for crying out loud!

Keratin is a protein which is found on the upper layers of the skin of mammals, birds and reptiles. It's main purpose is to protect the softer skin cells that make up the lower levels of the skin. Hair, nails, scales, beaks, shells, hoofs and horns are all made up of Keratin.

Humans of course would find economic uses in virtually anything. But in that list, it looks to me that the only item of real value for humans is hair - in the form of wool, with which warm clothing can be made.

Back in 2001, I visited a farm in Kangaroo Island, Australia where I was lucky enough to watch a sheep being sheared. The entire process took approximately 1 minute. The sheep didn't struggle or complain. Not as much as a whimper from her. At the end of it, she simply ran away with a look of "shear" embarrassment on her face. She needed to get out there and grow herself a new coat to hide her nudity. We were also told that the sheep actually like being sheared because it unburdens them of a lot of weight and summer warmth. A win-win situation, if you ask me.

The first thing I read this morning as I sat at my computer with my cup of coffee is that a violent attack has taken place at the Thula Thula private game park in South Africa a few days ago. Two baby Rhinos, Impi and Gugu are dead - their faces have been sliced off, and their horns have been taken.

Ever since I first read "The Elephant Whisperer", my love for the African bush has been rekindled. I admire Lawrence Anthony, his work and his passion towards the great beasts that roam only in Africa. Together with his French born wife Francoise, he set up the Thula Thula game park, where sanctuary has been provided for elephants, rhinos and a host of other animals.

Built much like an armoured tank, the Rhino is a vegetarian with no natural enemies.

Enter humans. Despicable, stupid, short sighted humans.

There are 5 main types of rhinos found across Africa and Asia. At the begining of the 20th century, they collectively numbered about half a million. By 1970, this was brought down to 70,000 animals to today's 29,000. The Northern White rhino population is down to 3. The chances of natural reproduction is 0. 

Rhinos, along with elephants, buffalo, lions and leopards were hunted in huge numbers for a show of power, prestige and to decorate walls. In ancient chinese medicine, rhino horns were valued as a cure for many illnesses.
Today, many countries in the far east seek rhino horns as they believe this provides a cure for cancer. In Vietnam, a rhino horn can fetch as much as USD 300,000. The demand exists, and the poachers of Africa risk life and limb, and stop at nothing in order to ensure that the demand is met.

The world is at the brink of losing this magificent animal because of a myth that its horn can cure people of cancer. It's just Keratin. Just say the word, we'll gladly send over all our nail clippings to you - it's the exact same stuff for which no animal needs to lose it's life.

The following is an extract of Lawrence Anthony's book "The Last Rhinos";

"The author condemns past and present governments of Vietnam, China, Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan and Malaysia who have filed to take effective action to end the superstitious use of rhino horn in so called traditional medicine. Their criminal neglect has driven the rhinoceros to the very brink of extinction all over the world"

The contempt he feels is unmistakable. He, and many others work tirelessly to save these animals. And yet, there are a bigger, richer group of people who clamour to bend down to ancient myths. Myths that science today have debunked over and over again.

My heart goes out to Francoise and everybody at Thula Thula. I can only imagine the pain they must be going through.

My sincere contempt goes out to all those who choose to naively believe that keratin from a rhino horn can cure illnesses. Be as naive and superstitious as you want. But not at the cost to the lives and limbs of others.

Oh the things you can learn from a song!

On the 7th of July 2007, the world voted in response to UNESCO's call to select the 7 Modern Wonders. Back when I was in school, I'd have thought "Damn it! More things to study!" But I do remember them.

1. Chichen Itza, Mexico
2. The Great Wall, China
3. Christ the Redeemer, Brazil
4. Petra, Jordon
5. The Colosseum, Italy
6. Machu Picchu, Peru
7. The Taj Mahal, India

The first few seconds of this video is how I know I'll not forget them in a hurry; 

I was a preteen when I realized that I could pick up lots of things from just listening to popular music. But with luxuries such as YouTube and people who create music like the Piano Guys do, the visuals mean that you'll never forget what (in this instance) Chichen Itza is. 

There's more to this track than the location. 

This is a magical fusion of George Friedric Handel's "Sarabande" and "My Own Home" taken from Walt Disney's "The Jungle Book". Don't you just love how one thing can lead to another? The Jungle Book was based on the classic "Mowgli Stories" written by British author Rudyard Kipling. The story is based in India, where he lived at one time. This track also has Mayan influences. The Mayans were one of the world's oldest and greatest civilizations. Location? Present day Mexico. 

And that's not all. While the Piano and Cello are at the forefront of the music, check out the drums. The attire. Note the artwork on the Cello. 

Macaws are found in South America. 

The Boa, Bear and Panther are characters from the Jungle Book. Did you notice the elephant trumpeting at the start? There's your Colonel Hathi and the Jungle Patrol!!! The word "hathi" means "elephant" in Hindi, one of India's main languages. 

It's all so educational! And all so effortless. 

Interestingly, unlike listening to your social studies teacher, your music teacher, your english lit teacher and your history teacher, you'd be hard pressed to forget what you learn by just paying attention to this absolute treat of a video. 

I could go on and on about this. I could write about a hundred more songs. 

But you get the general idea :-) 

Enjoy! 

A little luxury, every day

I am busy.

My day starts at 4.30am. I drag myself off my bed and walk downstairs, zombie-like, to get started on breakfast and lunch. My day ends, if I'm lucky, at around 11.30pm when I'm finally in bed again, with my book and reading-light. More often than not, I fall asleep before I've got through 2 pages.

One reads a great deal about the importance of recharging ones' batteries. Resting. Taking time off each day to meditate, to exercise, to do something that makes you happy. But in reality, who has the time to put such sage advice in to play?

I love listening to music. Music has the power to uplift the spirit, and to change a mood. But music today runs in the background for me; whether I cook, or clean, or drive, or work, or iron, or play with my daughter....the music goes on. But I rarely get to focus on its nuances and accents as I once did.

But there is one luxury that I do indulge in. Every day, and in fact, several times a day too. It's called soap.

Ah the humble cake of soap! With it's roots going back to the Babylonian era in 2800BC, the soaps of today can do more than just clean (and self-clean too!). Soaps come in a myraid of shapes, sizes and colours. And oh the perfumes and the textures! **gushes**
It's aromatherapy, physical therapy and cleanliness therapy all rolled in to one delightful albeit slippery little block that fits right in to your hand.

And this is my daily luxury. My only luxury right now. But boy do I indulge in it!
On a recent trip overseas, I shamelessly busted close to USD 100 on soaps at just one shop that my nose lead me in to. I walked out with a small bag of L'Occitane soaps and a heart bubbling with joyful glee. Before that trip was over though, I had bought poppy seed soaps, edelweiss soaps, rock salt soaps, Hungarian rose soaps, whimsical soaps shaped like sea mammals and smelt of the ocean as well as the run of the mill, mass produced Palmolive soaps.

I'm happy.
I'm tired, but at the end of the day, the bubbles that wash over my skin leave me feeling alive and well again. Thank God for good soaps.

Did you know that soaps are mentioned in popular culture too? Take a looksee ->

This has got to be one of the better feel-good-indulgences out there.

 

One of the many messages of M*A*S*H

"I'll be seeing ya, Henry!"

M*A*S*H was an Amerian tv series that ran for ll years during the 1970s and early 1980s. I always held it in the highest regard for its humour, and for the sheer genius of its language. As I grew, I came to appreciate the many messages that lay within each episode.

The finale of the 3rd season ended with this scene. I still remember watching it for the first time, and feeling as stunned by it as I later learned that the M*A*S*H cast and crew had been on the day they had filmed it too.

Lt. Col. Henry Blake (played by McLean Stevenson) commanded the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, in Korea, in this exemplerary television series. He was portraited as a fine surgeon, a great friend and a questionable soldier. He was loved by all who worked with him, in one way or another.

Stevenson was set to leave the show for different pastures and they ended his stint at M*A*S*H by killing him off. He had been served his discharge papers, and was going home. His plane was shot down over the sea of Japan, and no one walked away from that tragedy.

Subsequently, the writers of M*A*S*H were assulted with thousands of angry fan mail. How could they do this to Blake?

And herein lies the beauty of this show.

The writers responded "Take your anger, and direct it at the war. We didn't kill Henry Blake. The war did".

The sheer power of this message still strikes a chord within. Wars are started for many reasons. But a few agonizing aspects remain common to them all. Death. Destruction. Panic. Anger. Loss. Pain.

Is there no better way to deal with our differences?

I think a lot; and I forget a lot

I think a lot, much like the Wombat (who also apparently digs a lot). I have a rotten memory, which leads me to think that I should write things down.

I write a lot. I have always enjoyed it, and I'd like to think that I've honed a skill over the years. Currently going through a very challenging period of my life, I have put my writing skills to work; and work gainfully for me. It has been good; it has also been bad. But at the end of the day, it has been rewarding. 

But then there the things I think about. I don't think they are worth publication. I don't think they are worth money. But perhaps, they would be worth someone's time. 

And here I am. Careerwise, I'm a confused person. But as a human, I think I have my priorities straight - but more on that another day. 

I hope you like what you read here. 
Cheers!