Archives for October 2012

GTD – Tips to Review

October 25, 2012 Filed Under: Productivity

Another important aspect of the GTD process is the ‘Review’ phase. This is where we do a periodical audit of our complete GTD system going through all the action items captured, making it current by adding what all is not captured yet, and planning for the week ahead.

What to review?

Physical items: post its, memos, articles, receipts, letters, notes, manuals, supplies, decorations, utilities, appliances, areas/places to be cleaned/organized, CDs, DVDs, tapes, camera, closets, tools, luggage, computers, basically any physical item which might have an action assigned to it.
From the psyche: projects – stalled/to be started/changed course, hobbies, travel, new things to do, R&D about stuff, bill payments, etc.
About People: commitments/events related to spouse, children, family, boss, colleagues; appointments & social/cultural events.

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I have learned

October 19, 2012 Filed Under: Philosophy

I’ve learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them;
I’ve learned that no matter how much I care, some people just don’t care back;
I’ve learned that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.
I’ve learned that you can get by on charm, for about fifteen minutes. After that, you’d better know something;
I’ve learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I’ve learned that no matter how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take it’s place.

Anonymous

Why I fell for games

October 12, 2012 Filed Under: Personal

The earliest memory I have of playing a video game was when I was in the 6th standard – losing my pocket money of 1 rupee, which was after I saved two weeks’ allowance of 50 paise each – in a video game center on Mario in the very first round. I lost and it left a very sour taste in my mouth, because Mario was supposed to be easier game in the market and I couldn’t crack even that. I was dejected. There was no way I could play Contra (the one I wanted to play). I vowed never to play video games again. I didn’t have enough money to lose. This was in the ‘arcade’ era. Home consoles were unheard of. At least in India. But, two years later when my cousin from the US handed down his Game Boy (B&W) as he moved on to GBA Color I became an instant celebrity. The only game I had was ‘Kirby’s Dreamland‘. I remember playing it countless times till the day my father decided to get rid of it and sold it for a pittance. I was not even aware. It was the first heartbreak I had to deal with. I moved on, with memories in my heart. Every handheld I see today reminds me of that.

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Steve Jobs

October 5, 2012 Filed Under: Personal

When did I fall in love with Apple? I don’t remember, probably it was the first time I saw an all-in-one aluminium iMac at a local computer store. It was the time when that concept was not heard. Then I knew, Apple manufactured gorgeous computers, but, I had my doubts about the OS. Added to that the computer costed a bomb, so I passed it over. The next time Apple caught my attention was when they released the iPod. I love mobile gadgets. Be it a gaming handheld, or a Walkman. I had an excellent CD Walkman from Sony, but, the iPod was revolutionary (I’d vote this as the best invention of our times). 40gb hard disk? That was the size of the hard disk of my desktop at home. I begged my family to give me the money and purchased it. I was in love. All my music library (which was considerable huge) fitted comfortably in the iPod I used the heck out of it. But, as time moved, devices got sleeker and sexier. My iPod felt like a brick. I bought a iPod Shuffle (Voice over edition). It was sleek, but, I had tough time with it – the voice over couldn’t pronounce the songs. But, I stuck with it. One day while working, I saw the ad for iPhone. My jaw dropped. A cellphone with only touch input? I wanted it badly.

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Mahatma

October 2, 2012 Filed Under: Philosophy

LTTE, Al Qaeda, Taliban, Mafia, Naxals, various right-wing extremists/hard-core fundamentalists – violence is in vogue everywhere. Hate of all accords burns us. Some cause violence to defend/propagate their ideals – for what they believe is true/correct – the only right way to live, and for some, violence is business. It is easy to eliminate than change. Someone in your way? terminate them. ‘Civilized’ discussions are for who can’t fight. Peace is for the weak. Once it was said it takes a greater man to walk away from a fight. Today the same man is considered a sissy. Arnold in Terminator says, “it’s in your blood to kill eachother”. So true. We bay for blood.

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