What I think about when I think about Death

Right, I've got a few random thoughts today, so I'll

allow them free reign to resolve themselves in print.

First off, it would have been my dad's 55th birthday today, so "Happy Birthday, Pops"! I hope they're throwing you a big party up there. (or maybe what's celebrated in the afterlife is the day of your death... who knows.)

Death. I can never understand why journalists

feel a need to "make sense" of

tragedies like the one that struck Haiti this week. These are acts of nature, cruel as they may be. There is no greater logical mind up there (I think the call him "God") issuing death warrants on deserving carribean islands, south-east asian coastal villages, north american gulfs or australian country towns. Such is the nature of our planet... and whoever said life was fair? The poorer and more destitute you are, the better a person you are, the more unfair and senseless life can be.

My dad was a kind, generous and loving man who was honoured for his achievements when he was alive, and commended posthumously by the local paper. Surely it makes no sense that a human being of such calibre should have his life wrested from him at the age of 48? In a very honest and profound moment, the (very gorgeous) male protagonist in my novel reminds the female protagonist that "life sucks sometimes. Deal with it." All we can really do is live each moment (as cliched as that may be) and count every blessing.

What's also senseless is how Haiti, the only nation to gain independence as part of a successful slave rebellion, has been plagued for over 2 hundred years by tyranny, economic hardship, political instability and racial conflict, and has ultimately degenerated into the poorest country in the western hemisphere. The internet abounds with stats and figures and I'm no expert in these matters, but ultimately, Haiti, like certain other ex-colonies, continues to struggle with the social conflicts brought about by slavery and such natural calamities only serve to hamper her progress.

Nath and I did our bit and made a donation to UNICEF, but when you consider that we probably spunk more money on alcohol in a month, it is indeed with a dim sense of guilt and embarrassment that I mention this. There are many others, I am certain, who would have donated far more than common sense should have dictated, and if there is a silver lining to these tragedies, then it would have to be the humanity and empathy it draws from human beings.

Speaking of surmounting the fallout from slavery, democratically elected US President Obama seems to be "toughening up", according a friend in Hakuba who's up to his nose in powder (snow, that is). Lucky Bastard. Nath reckons it's a political move, but hey, isn't that his job? Politics? The United States is a democracy, so if his actions garner votes, then I suppose he's making the people happy and well.. it all swings in roundabouts. Let's just hope there's more bite in his bark this time.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/15/us/15tax.html?ref=business

Well, it's midday now. I'm starving and my thoughts are even more random than ever. BTW, as a final note, Fox has employed Sarah "you betcha" Palin as a news analyst. I'm sorry, but how does one analyze the news when one has scant regard for the news? But if this means she's found her true calling and won't be running for president in 2012, then I suppose we should thank good old Rupert for distracting her.

Here's the recipe of the day. It's simple, dainty and very tasty. Nothing unfair about that, is there?

Asian Prawn Ravioli

Makes 10 large raviolis

10 green prawns, shelled and deveined

5 dried shiitake mushrooms

handful coriander

2 inch ginger, grated

1 clove garlic, grated

1 tblspn soy

1 tblspn sesame oil

1 tblspn white sesame seeds

wonton wrappers

DIRECTIONS

Rehydrate mushrooms by soaking in hot water for about 10 minutes. Drain, squeeze remaining moisture out, then remove stems and chop mushrooms into small pieces. Combine all ingredients, excluding prawns and mushrooms, in a mortar and pestle, then pound to make a wet paste. Add mushrooms and mix through.

Lay out 10 wonton skins. Roll each prawn into an “O” (ie head meets the tail), place in center of a wonton skin, then mound a bit of paste in the middle of the “O”. Wet the surface of the wonton skin that is not covered by prawn, then place another skin over the top. Press edges to seal the ravioli. Boil a pot of water, dunk raviolis in for about 1 min. Remove and serve with asian greens and noodles.