Today, after a rather brisk walk at the "Lal Bhag', my wife & I ( my son was at his morning swim)stopped by at the 'Brahmins Cafe' for a our breakfast of 'Idly & Vada'.
Our so far pleasant day was brought to a rather abrupt end by a quartet of garrulous youth who thought nothing about blowing cigarette smoke into our faces.
The spirit of the old sea dog, in me surfaced and after a few menacing words the chaps were sent on their way, not before being reminded that it is against the law in India to smoke in public.( who cares!) ( A popular call sign these days)
On the way back, with my wife driving & me getting a bit of a snooze, I was shaken by a sudden commotion as a bus from 'Phillips' overtook us rather violently from the left. Over the last couple of hours I've been trying to lodge a complaint, but the Phillips transport department does not answer the telephone!
In this regard, a mail that a friend of mine sent me a while ago comes to mind & goes as follows:
'An Obituary printed in the London Times'
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the Worm; Life isn't always fair; and Maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.
He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers: I Know My Rights; I Want It Now; Someone Else Is To Blame; and I'm A Victim
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothin.
While on the subject I reccomend a walk at 'Lal Bhag' followed by idly & vada at the ' Brahmins Cafe' at Shankarpura.
Its bliss!
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