I’m probably going to regret deliberately writing so ambiguously for the longest time.
When I think I can get away with just being myself, a sign presents itself telling me otherwise.
I don’t know what to do — I need a safe place to write.
Latest
Peaks, Plateaus, & Valleys
If the idea of life was to achieve balance, there would have to have to be equal number of peaks to plateaus to valleys.
Say you assigned a fixed number of each, like 500. Also say you’d clearly defined what peaks, plateaus, and valleys in life mean to you.
If you’d had 2 peaks in a row, would you make an effort to engender one of the opposing elements?
That’s a little like asking about a blackjack game in a casino. If you’d gotten lucky twice in a row, would you deliberately make a wrong move on the next hand – expecting to counter a possible turn of the tide?
Or would you go with the flow – trusting that life will create balance with the assistance of time? In any case, here’s something humorous I read and kind of agree with:
“Luck is what happens when fate gets tired of waiting.”
Full Circle
Things always have a way of balancing themselves out — and coming full circle. It’s what makes the infinity symbol so intriguing – I still haven’t decided whether I am more scared or in awe of the idea of a perpetual loop.
I suppose it’s a reflection of how eventful one’s life is as one starts to notice more and more things coming full circle. The passage of time, the resolution of events (or not), and the resulting events all serve to start a new circle, part of the bigger loop that we call life. Our loop may end at any time — which is why it is important to keep moving.
Overconnected
The age of overconnected-ness has begun.
Between Twitter, Facebook Messenger, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, Google Chat, Facetime, Whatsapp, and of course normal phone and texting — there is no logistical limitation to getting a hold of someone. Unless the limitation is self-imposed.
Conversations rarely have clear beginnings and endings anymore — communication is evolving to a Push To Talk setting – walkie-talkie communication — no more long letters or emails, but short sentences and phrases at random intervals in the day.
Good / bad? I don’t know.
Technology seems to be pushing us to share more, especially in this age of live updates. But what good does it do? We are taught to filter our words and actions before actually saying and / or doing them. Then again, it may not even be a question of technology but culture — items posted may very well be filtered beforehand. It just seems a little counter-intuitive to provide a medium to stream one’s life in public in real time and having to filter it at the same time. I suppose the consequence of this technological enabling would be that individualism is strengthened; self-expression becomes more prevalent, and more people than before feel more free to be opinionated.
Where does this take us?
Of course there’s the other side of the coin — to balance the abundance of public sharing, there will also be an increase in private sharing. As more and more public opinions are shared, there will be more and more private discussions about those public opinions. Opposing opinions will fight to have their space to be aired, as well as to discredit other opinions — ironically, having unprecedented access and abilities to share information may end up widening the communication gaps between us.
I’m not suggesting that technology shouldn’t progress – I do feel that we need more credible sources of information — and ways to verify such.
Exciting times.
Quick 2
Is this what it means to differentiate? Is this how it feels to pick a path and stay on it, even though it seems like the most difficult thing you’ve ever done? Is this the time that defines the rest of one’s life?
Many things I could have done differently – but I wouldn’t be where I am without having done things the way I did. I’m sorry.
The ends justify the means.
Quick
“Black and white gives way to black and red.”
“A one-man army conquers nothing.”
“To learn something thoroughly, teach it.”
“Sometimes doing your best is not good enough. Sometimes you must do what is required.”
Home
What is home?
Is it an address? Is it a plot of land? Is it a building?
No.
Home is an idea.
Irony
Those who don’t need anything need the most.
Those who have everything have nothing.
Those who love, lose.
Those who lose, love.
Those who are honest lie about everything.
Those who lie are honest about everything.
Those who try to escape succeed.
Those who succeed try to escape.
Those who know everything know nothing.
Those who know nothing know everything.
Those who talk much say little.
Those who talk little say much.
Those who fight everything fight nothing.
Those who fight nothing fight everything.
Happy birthday Ma!
We’ll have a proper celebration when I get back : )
RIP Steve Jobs
I was shocked when I saw this on Apple’s front page.
Then it hit me as I was explaining to my housemate – I have been through lots of phases with this guy.
First I just knew him as “the Apple dude” – disliked, almost hated him because he made expensive products that existed in their own ecosystem, separate from the rest of us mere mortals using PCs.
Then in college, I found out more about his history, NeXT, Pixar, and etc. – and bought an iPod Mini. Started to dive deeper into supply chain and order fulfillment etc. – iTunes was genius, and the iPod as a slick medium to deliver the true product – media – struck me as pure genius. Started liking this guy.
I started working, and for some reason began searching for commencement speeches – because those speeches tend to have uplifting messages about the future. Jobs’ 2005 commencement speech at Stanford was one of those that blew me away. Already then he could tell the writing was on the wall – his words were blunt, but so sincerely reflective that I could not help but admire the guy.
Then I found out more about his legendary temper, his tantrums, and his unabashed bashing of employees who were being “fucking idiots” for coming up with “bozo ideas”. Here was a guy who openly shared his feelings, however bad they made the receiving party feel – and yet he was revered, respected, loved even. Couldn’t help but feel envious.
Worked for a little longer – bought a Macbook Pro, iPad2. Saw his vision unfold at my fingertips. As I used the products it finally came full circle – the guy was a genius, and I couldn’t help but like him for what he’d done for technology, for the world. Literally a world-changer. How many people have that distinction?
Steve Jobs was a genius, and still is an inspiration. RIP.
