the start of it all...

It was to be a rare weekend at home.But its that itching to get out.. to get out and feel the fresh air. And I had a reason to... Ganesh Chathurthi it was... on Sunday.So it was decided that we make a trip to see the dude in his summer retreat.. Livermore. Set amidst the giant windmills on top of hills, it is perfect California in spring, and all green(Windows screensaver says Shank). In summer it turns into one of the many reasons why this is the Golden state. All dry and ready to burn grass.The temple is like any back home.. all dieties and lots of area around, to make you feel silent and serene. I somehow am more comfortable with this kinda place than one small hall as a temple. To me, the point of getting there is to come out feeling good and get some rare and precious moments of meditative silence.That is, if you can withstand the incessant yapping around and people unleashing their huge SLRs right in front of boards that specifically mention 'No Photography Allowed'. It riles me to no end. I almost felt like walking up to this gentleman(?), removing his lens.. and handing him a small piece of paper with Dodo1 on it.

'Please come later to the backside and collect the lens after presenting this token,Saar', I felt like telling them.

Thankfully,the place is equipped, really.. equipped to handle crowds.. and there are enough volunteers to keep over-zealous 'devotees' from cutting through the lines(and getting tripped by me!!) :))

Anyways,we finished the darshan and the as I stood in line to collect the prasadam, I realised the abundance of them all over the place. Styrofoam plates, plastic spoons etc. I'm not a tree-hugger(the perennially exaggerated reference used by those who hate common sense ideology).. but am always surprised by how good we are.... at being eco-friendly in the smallest things.. and always miss the big ticket items!

I guess it wouldn't be too tough for the temple to get bio-degradable cutlery.. for God's sake(he ha ha!) :)) And as has always been the case, there is a huge advantage to a movement when religion gets behind it. I'm sure there are enough people who dont notice it unless the Supreme Office does it. 'Ada, kovil ley idhu thaan use panraanga pa' (Even the temple uses eco-friendly stuff,dude.. in Tamil) would become a common refrain. What a huge filip the entire movement would get among the staunch followers, usually the slowest adopters. After all, what is religion if it cannot lead to the development of the community and greater good. I decided to coontact the temple to see if they respond.
Ok.. done with the serious writing.. :) now to the fun sighting....

As we picked up the food, met a few familiar faces and stood in a corner to munch on the sambhar rice, I happened to notice two kiddos next to us having an extremely animated conversation. The boy(Kid1) had a Calvinesque hairdo... as with all kids... while the girl(Kid2) was well.. lets say Susie like!! :)

Kid1: So tell me....
Kid2: what do you want to know....

Kid1: Do you sleep in a bunk bed?
Kid2: Bunk bed? Nooooo.....

I didnt know if it was at home or some camp.... but our Kid1 wasnt expecting a No for an anwer... he was confused... if there was a Calvin expression to capture the moment, it would this....
Stuttering along, obviously still not accepting the answer....he continued...

Kid1:No bunk bed? So... what... do ....you .....sleep on...
Kid2:(enthusiastically) a huuuuuge Queen size bed (with arms wide open to show the size of the bed)....

Kid1: Queen size bed(amused by the description)....
Kid2: Yes.. a big bed... :)

That when we had to walk away.. but the kid's expression stayed with me. He had just experienced Peer Pressure 101.. :)) if it was camp, he's going to pester his parents to send him to it.. while the parents are still wondering as to who put this into his head!! And if it is at home? ah! forget it... he'll not sleep unless he sleeps on a 'huge Queen bed' :) I'm sure he'll be as disappointed as being shown a bag full of candies and only given one. But as with kids and some adults too (hint hint!!) being serious/sad over extended periods is not their core competency.One bright yellow truck will do for some........ or sometimes all it takes a drive in the open road to the tune of...(right now).. ' Kya Karoon' from Wake Up Sid.. or always pep song...Be Yourself by Audioslave ....always! Peer pressure.. eco-friendliness.. all can start right in.. HIS office..... and while we delve on Him... i shall recall a saint's words... 'HE must be a Mech'!! hee haa haa! :)