Oh god, we are all dying, aren't we? :P Shirish, what a thread you started! :) Ashu must not be too thrilled at people using him as an example to discuss aging so I will refrain from commenting specifically on his new looks other than saying he looks very dignified in that picture :) But I will say is that even though I don't know him, I have seen his picture over the years in the Nepali Times, read his articles and seen him express his views on Sajha - and in the process have grown to like and respect him. What I do want to comment on is some of the things Shirish mentioned in his musings. It is always a sombre experience, at least for me, to watch those around you age. I remember this one time that I met my dad after a few years and every strand of gray hair on his head hit me like an arrow. I guess when we watch near and dear ones age, at some level, it reminds us of our own frailties and the path ahead that we must all follow. My friends and I have not yet hit graying time yet - it is still entirely black and mostly intact :) Touch wood! :D But we will get there and your comments stirred me up a bit because I realize there will come a time when we too will be asking the questions you asked and thinking the thoughts you thought. This is a bit cliched, and I wish there were other popular expressions for it, but I am reminded of an old quote "Count your happiness by smiles not tears, count your age by friends not years". :) If you can put aside the element of cheesiness in that quote for a moment, I feel there is a lot of substance behind those words, especially when I reflect on life and all the things that await us that we can never be too sure about. Phew - some heavy stuff there. Glad to get it out of my system. Hope everyone's having a decent evening (or day ) where ever they are To good life! :)