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15 Truths About Life You’ll Need to Memorize….

August

I love life bloggers – people who take life into perspective, look at areas of improvements within themself, bring about those changes, and then spread the word to others so that they can benefit from their wisdom too. One such blogger is JamieVaron from Intersected, and this blog post of hers is just too brilliant to let pass.

Do check it out, and comment on the original post [found here].

This are how Jamie said it…

1. Age is absolutely the worst predictor of someone’s maturity, intelligence, or general ability to operate with any sort of common sense. Related: At any given moment, most men are 20, 30, 45, 68 going on 13.

2. Love doesn’t happen when you’re not looking for it. This is a made up, fairy tale, bullshit, passive-aggressive way to view love. When love happens when you’re not looking for it or ready for it, it’s called divorce down the road, so yeah, watch out for that.

3. When you’re happy, people want you to be unhappy. When you’re unhappy, people want to cheer you up (but are probably secretly happy they are happier than you). The only way to actually be happy is to stop using anything external to determine your well-being.

4. Any time you get really nervous about doing something and want to crawl in a hole to hide, then that’s, 9 times out of 10, the thing you need to do (the scary thing, not crawl into a hole and hide). Unless you’re nervous about jumping off a cliff, then, dude, use your discretion.

5. Whatever you believe you are, you are.

6. Whatever you think you deserve, you’ll get.

7. If you learn something necessary. If you grow in the process. If you go on to make something better, more efficient, or useful. Then, you did not fail.

8. Most of the stuff you think you’ll use or want later will either end up in the trash or hauled around through every move. Your physical and mental being will thank you for letting go of all the baggage. Plus, moving sucks, why carry around all that crap?

9. As a general rule, people who do not completely lose themselves in music are not to be trusted.

10. Most of the things people say that are general rules are actually wrong. We’ve just never taken the time to challenge them.

11. The quicker all the “shoulds” get out of your head, the better off you’ll be. Related: The reason most people are unhappy? Terrible expectation management. Actively pursue the meaning of your expectations, question their legitimacy, wonder why you have them, throw them out if superfluous, and move on. Quickly.

12. If humor is not the number one thing you look for in the opposite sex, then reevaluate. The only thing that will keep a relationship together (and healthy) is being able to laugh at yourself and each other. It’s not always going to be lollipops, all day sex romps, and unicorns.

13. There’s really never a reason to lie. If your thoughts, motives, and actions are pure, then you’ll never have a reason for dishonesty. Ever.

14. Transparency on the internet isn’t about using a tactic, it’s about forcing yourself to live a life with nothing to hide (and to have a company without so many skeletons in your closet, you’ll go under if you get exposed).

15. Loving yourself is, hands down, the only way to universal compassion. When you love yourself, you can’t help but be loving towards others. If you are critical of yourself, you will be critical of others. This is a simple equation.

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Category: Me, Posts, Social network Tags: Arts, Blog, blogging, Bullshit, Business, Common sense, Education, England, Fairy tale, family, Google, google reader, Health, history, Holiday, Home, Kids and Teens, London, Me, middle east, On the Web, Online Communities, Passive-aggressive behavior, People, Psychology, Recreation, Relationships, Road, Searching, Social network, Social Sciences, Society and Culture, Summer, Twitter, UK, United Kingdom, United States, Weblogs, weekend, women, wordpress, Work 16 Comments

100 Essential Skills for Geeks…

August

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I picked up this brilliant post on Wired, and wanted to see what level of geekdom my readers can achieve!

For the record – I can relate to 30 /100 (I am still a nerd…. I am NOT a geek!)….although check out #95 in the original post (#27 on my list)… and then check out the pic…

Properly secure a wireless router.
Leech Wifi from your neighbor.
Work from home or a coffee shop as effectively as you do at the office.
Understand what “There’s no Place Like 127.0.0.1” means.

Identify all computer components on sight.
Troubleshoot any computer/gadget problem, over the phone.
Install a Linux distribution. (Hint: Ubuntu 9.04 is easier than installing Windows)
Remove a virus from a computer.
Dual (or more) boot a computer.
Boot a computer off a thumb drive.
Boot a computer off a network drive.
Protect your privacy when using a public computer.
Buy a domain, configure bind, apache, MySQL, php, and Wordpress without Googling a how-to.
Basic *nix command shell knowledge with the ability to edit and save a file with vi.
Google obscure facts in under 3 searches. Bonus point if you can use I Feel Lucky.
Build amazing structures with LEGO and invent a compelling back story for the creation.
Understand that it is LEGO, not Lego, Legos, or Lego’s.
Build a two story house out of LEGO, in monochrome, with a balcony.
Fix anything with duct tape, chewing gum and wire.
Know the difference between skills and traits.
Be able to calculate tip and split the check, all in your head.
Explain that the colours in a rainbow are roygbiv.
Understand the electromagnetic spectrum – xray, uv, visible, infrared, microwave, radio.
The meaning of technical acronyms.
Understand the difference between a comic book and a graphic novel.
Know where your towel is and why it is important.
Sleep with a Cricket bat next to your bed.
Identify evil alternate universe versions of friends, family, co-workers or self.
Be able to convince TSA that the electronic parts you are carrying are really not a threat to passengers.
Talk about things that aren’t tech related.

In the corner of the room, next to my bed, sit my 2 cricket bats… they’re always there, and are my sporting pride and joy. Yes… no trophies for me because I have never been part of a tournament winning team – rather, the tools that win trophies.

How much of a geek are you?

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People…

August

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Following my post on Aiysha [what? you havent read it? Please do!], a couple of my tweeties asked me to do similar posts on other twitter folk. I’m a bit 50-50 on that… but if you think I can guage you well as a person, then leave me a comment, and I will surprise you with my thoughts!

In the meantime, can I introduce you to an excellent excellent person who I have come across on twitter; I intro’d her on the Aiysha post, but a more formal hello to Humera.

I connected with Humera when she was out in KSA* (now back in the States). One thing which strikes me over the span of 140 characters is the composure and sensibility which she seems to have – it is a very impressive quality! I do really hope that the 140character persona spills into reality as well!

Humera is participating in NaBloPoMo this month [check out her blog], with an aim to get back to regular blogging. Her views, opinions and advice over 140 characters is always fantastic, and as a premise to this propostion is that a bunch of us tweeties will participate in our own NaCoPoMo [i.e. we will comment on posts everyday!].

I love the big sister figure which Humera seems to be (can we call you Baji? ), and it would be awesome if you guys would join in and participate in reading and commenting on her words.

* Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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Starry eyed guest blogging….

August

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One benefit of having curiosity of OCD proportions is that you get to meet and communicate with loads of people (those questions have to be asked, no?). Some people – you meet ‘em talk to them, move on. Others, well, you keep coming back for more.

When Falakk-ji (-ji is a suffix added for additional respect) out a call out for guest bloggers, one couldn’t refuse making an appearance on her awesome blog – Starry Eyed Book Lovers. Why is this blog awesome? Simple – Falakk-ji is one amazingly hilarious little lady; it’s laughs galore without her even trying to be funny!

This August, she has lined up an array of guest bloggers to be part of her space. Do flick over to her blog, and contribute to the party that we will be having in the August Blog meet-up!

To kick it all off – she pulled my name out of the hat… check out what I had to say!

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The Initiator…

August

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I picked this up from Seth Godin’s blog; they say that one should practice what they preach…. I’m glad that this is something which I definitely do… do you?

“I’m just here to learn.”

Learning is fine. Listening is good. Consensus is natural.

But initiating is rare and valuable and essential.

How often do you or your brand initiate rather than react? How often do you tweet instead of retweet? Invent rather than exploit?

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Category: Me, Posts, Social network, Work Tags: Arts, Blog, blogging, Business, Education, English, Google, google reader, Health, Home, Kids and Teens, London, Me, Methods and Theories, middle east, On the Web, Online Communities, People, Psychology, Recreation, Relationships, Searching, seth godin, Social network, Social Sciences, Society and Culture, Student Resources, Twitter, UK, United Kingdom, United States, Weblogs, weekend, women, wordpress, Work 3 Comments

Note to future partner….

July

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[source]

I have a weak spot for gals with a little bit of grey matter.

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Category: Me, Posts, Social network Tags: Arts, Astro Particle, Blog, blogging, Business, Dark Matter, Education, family, Google, google reader, Grey matter, Health, history, Home, Kids and Teens, London, Me, middle east, On the Web, Online Communities, Organizations, Particle, People, Physics, Programming, Psychology, Recreation, Relationships, Searching, Social Sciences, Society and Culture, Summer, Twitter, UK, United Kingdom, United States, Weblogs, weekend, women, wordpress 16 Comments

The one about my tweetie Aiysha…

July

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For a change I have more words to put down, and fewer ideas to play with; so when I sent out a call to my Twitter folk to throw me a line, and give me a subject to blog about, an interesting character popped up and said “ME!”.

No really -- she said “write about me!“…

Since I don’t know how to say no, I ofcourse said -- “It’s on!”

Aiysha and I connected on Twitter a few months ago via two awesome Middle East tweeties (Humera and Dotty); infact, our subject of connection was mainly long distance running. Aiysha is a resident of… umm…. well, with the amount of traveling she does, a global resident really, but originally from The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. While she hung out in Kuwait city, I was influenced by her tweets on her daily 15k run in the crazy heat and dusty surroundings; as a result, I began my attempts at running 5k (for a start) -- and boy was it a great idea!

Now, hailing from a conservative country, Aiysha seems to be very liberal and outspoken. I have never met her personally, however browsing through the love child which she has produced with AgentWhiskers , they have some interesting views of society in KSA. Ofcourse, their views are their own, and not of a grander society. Or are they?

One of the most interesting things about Aiysha is that she is a technology freak! Some would go to the extent of calling her as a geek. The woman is also a compulsive online shopper…. she buys EVERYTHING online -- like EVERYTHING! Dude -- even I go to the shops to buy stuff! She is married to her iPhone… infact, the iPhone survived a drowning in the pool, and also goes with her during her 15k wanders -- now that’s what you call love! This is what she caught a few days ago while out on a run.

Ofcourse Aiysha, Geeks are so 2008, and Nerds are the way to go as we move into the new decade. Seriously, switch over to a crackberry already!

You cannot talk about Aiysha, and not mention deserts… or food for that instance. Since I promised you cake in the post… I shall deliver you cake! I get my desert ideas from ADigitalNomad, and she baked this a couple of days ago -- it looks OZUM!

You have to admire anyone who believes in keeping healthy, and working out so that they can enjoy every type of food; although I haven’t baked it (as yet)… this one goes out to you!

As little as I know about you, you seem to have the right sort of energy to live life in the best way possible! I’ll leave you with this track from Outlandish -- it’s a song which I very much like, and has your name written all over it…. enjoy!

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Category: Me, Posts, Social network Tags: Arts, blogging, Dubai, England, family, Google, google reader, Guides and Directories, Hajj, Health, history, Holiday, Home, Humera, India, IPhone, islam, Kids and Teens, Kuwait, London, Me, middle east, On the Web, Online Communities, People, Psychology, Recreation, Relationships, Saudi Arabia, Searching, Social network, Social Sciences, Society and Culture, Sport, Summer, Twitter, UK, United Kingdom, United States, Weblogs, weekend, women, wordpress, Work 9 Comments

A Smile…

July

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A smile is a frown turned upside down.

A smile is painted on the face of a clown.

A smile brightens a dreary day.

A smile chases tears away.

A smile is a gift that shows you care.

A smile is priceless no matter where.

A smile is the key to happiness.

A smile a sure sign of success.

When you feel lonely in a strange place.

It helps to see a smile on another’s face.

If there is any real magic around.

It is the silent magic of a smile’s sound.

– Kurt Hearth

I thought you should know… you may think you’ve lost your smile… but all of us who do care, are keeping it alive for you…

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Category: Me, Posts Tags: Arts, Blog, blogging, chicago, Education, Entertainment, family, Frown, Google, google reader, Health, kurt hearth, London, Me, On the Web, Online Communities, People, Performers, Performing arts, poem, Psychology, Recreation, Relationships, Searching, Shopping, smile, Social network, Social Sciences, Society and Culture, Summer, Twitter, UK, United Kingdom, United States, Weblogs, weekend, women, wordpress 4 Comments

Would you…?

July

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I saw this postcard on this Sunday’s PostSecret, and the question really hit home – the same question seems to be repeated endlessly at the moment; maybe I am sensitive to it now than before, who knows… but

I spent a large part of Sunday thinking about this. The context was a conversation with a friend which seemed to go ‘foul’ on Saturday night. I thought about what was said and what was said back…and wondered if something was said wrong, if anything was out of line…?

There is a saying in Hindi, which translates to – “Words which leave your mouth, the arrow which leaves a bow and time which passes by you – these three never come back”. Regrets, are something which I don’t believe in… you cannot regret something which happened in the past, you can only make sure you don’t repeat it in the future; but in hindsight, would you have done or said something differently, so that the outcome ‘could’ have been different?

My thoughts say “no..”, they always do; sometimes, hindsight is that mask which you put on to show a pretty face, but the truth will always remain hidden underneath it. Why become someone you are not and step away from your norm? However, what is important is to always be clear about every word you say – you then raise no room for doubt or misunderstanding.

As for Saturday… well, time will tell how that conversation went.

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Category: Me, Posts Tags: Arts, Arts and Entertainment, Blog, blogging, family, Google, google reader, history, Home, India, IPhone, islam, London, Marketing, Me, middle east, On the Web, Online Communities, People, Postcard, PostSecret, Psychology, Publishing, Recreation, Relationships, Searching, Social network, Social Sciences, Society and Culture, Sport, Summer, Twitter, UK, United Kingdom, United States, Weblogs, weekend, women, wordpress 8 Comments

Playing for a change…

July

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What’dya say we end this long hard week with post number 250 and some beautiful beautiful music.

This goes out to a special friend who is looking for life to stand up with her, step away from nostalgia and mediocrity, towards a direction which brings back THE real challenge of life…

For those of you who appreciate music, I hope you do enjoy these tracks. For those who don’t, well -- listen to the words…

Both tracks are courtesey of Playing for Change, track 1 is titled “A Change is Going to Come” which features Clarence Bekker and Grandpa Elliott, and they have played some AWESOME old school RnB/Soul. Listen to the words on this -- they make your hairs stand!

Track 2 is a cover of Bob Marley’s “War/No more trouble” which features Bono alongside collaborations from artists from around the globe (check ‘em out). Listen to the strings cry in this track -- you get a flavour of different cultures -- just TOO beautiful if you appreciate intricacies of sound!

Enjoy the next eleven and a half minutes as we look forward to the new week…