Funny how a little imagination can change the world. The missus and I started to talk about our dreams at dinner tonight. I conveyed that in my dreams I always sail a yacht (any boat over 36 feet) in the Caribbean for a few months per year. She agreed that it sounded magnificent.
Life on a boat is so laid back, so easy and so simple. The only wardrobe are your flip-flops, swim trunks and a light shirt. The highlight of the day is the sleepy'n'lazy afternoons while reading a great bestseller whilst smoking a puro and the dinners cooked in the salon.
There are three talents you need on a boat: culinary, musical and nautic. If you have those three, everything else will be up to your imagination.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Plan B
A good plan coming together is like a great Bordeaux: powerful, complete and well-tasting. Today was definitely a great step forward in my plan to convert from corporate citizen to minipreneur and part-time hedonist-at-large.
I've previously mentioned about my personal mission statement for 2006 and here it is spelled out in simple qualitative targets:
- Get back in great physical shape
- Get a few of my miniprenuer projects off the ground
- Get deeper knowledge about things I really care about
When things are coming together it's the most rewarding feeling. Like today when I spent 45-minutes on the bike at the gym and started to feel psycked about the pain. Or when I'm learning how to make real pommes frites that both taste great and is healthy. Or when one of my smaller projects actually generate some revenue. Then I feel like the most successful and happiest person on mother earth.
My new world is very different but I'm starting to really like it. I cannot wait until March when the whole show goes on the road.
I've previously mentioned about my personal mission statement for 2006 and here it is spelled out in simple qualitative targets:
- Get back in great physical shape
- Get a few of my miniprenuer projects off the ground
- Get deeper knowledge about things I really care about
When things are coming together it's the most rewarding feeling. Like today when I spent 45-minutes on the bike at the gym and started to feel psycked about the pain. Or when I'm learning how to make real pommes frites that both taste great and is healthy. Or when one of my smaller projects actually generate some revenue. Then I feel like the most successful and happiest person on mother earth.
My new world is very different but I'm starting to really like it. I cannot wait until March when the whole show goes on the road.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Hedonist-at-Large
All of our coffee mugs are building their own Mount Everest in the sink except for an old and cracked Manchester United fan-mug from the early 80's and a ¡Viva España! tourist mug from the early 90's. The two latter only used in emergencies due to, erhh, the appearance of some genuine and charming fragments of original dirt. They are pre-dishwasher era I might add. The reason? I'm up to my ears in projects and mischievous thoughts.
I'm on my third cup of java this beautiful morning (mid-60's) with a blue sky and a warm hazy horizon when looking west, towards Hawaii and Asia-Pacific. My internal alarm bell went of at 4:45am and gave me time to read The Economist from last week where I yet again found lots of articles about Spain but also our next destination, South America, before the missus woke up and craved her first latte.
The reason I'm up before the newspaper boy is simple: life is good. No, let me rephrase: life is freekin' great! My new healthy regime of three 2-hour workouts per week, less restaurant food and a tad less wine is serving me well. My energy levels are back at 2004-levels but I still have ways to go before reaching the all-time high June 1999-levels when I was spending my days surfing on the Canary Islands, dancing to the tunes of the waves and contemplating during the afternoon siesta. OH right, I had also sold all my belongings and emmigrated from my native tierra.
I also don't have a pre-defined schedule, except for the workouts, which really creates energy and creativity. There is nothing I need to prepare for, wait for or be in time for. It's okay to just follow the random thoughts - one at a time, boys - that keeps popping into my head.
Today I have a visit to the wine store, golf, finding a new pair of trainers and cooking Choo Chee Hoy Phat (scallops in thick red curry sauce) for the first time, on my busy schedule. But that could change in a heartbeat cause I'm ready to enjoy the spure of the moment even if that means taking an early siesta.
I might also continue reading Lunar Park by Bret Easton Ellis, the all-american psycho's latest litterary achievement. But that's an evening activity; his books are not to be read in daylight.
I'm on my third cup of java this beautiful morning (mid-60's) with a blue sky and a warm hazy horizon when looking west, towards Hawaii and Asia-Pacific. My internal alarm bell went of at 4:45am and gave me time to read The Economist from last week where I yet again found lots of articles about Spain but also our next destination, South America, before the missus woke up and craved her first latte.
The reason I'm up before the newspaper boy is simple: life is good. No, let me rephrase: life is freekin' great! My new healthy regime of three 2-hour workouts per week, less restaurant food and a tad less wine is serving me well. My energy levels are back at 2004-levels but I still have ways to go before reaching the all-time high June 1999-levels when I was spending my days surfing on the Canary Islands, dancing to the tunes of the waves and contemplating during the afternoon siesta. OH right, I had also sold all my belongings and emmigrated from my native tierra.
I also don't have a pre-defined schedule, except for the workouts, which really creates energy and creativity. There is nothing I need to prepare for, wait for or be in time for. It's okay to just follow the random thoughts - one at a time, boys - that keeps popping into my head.
Today I have a visit to the wine store, golf, finding a new pair of trainers and cooking Choo Chee Hoy Phat (scallops in thick red curry sauce) for the first time, on my busy schedule. But that could change in a heartbeat cause I'm ready to enjoy the spure of the moment even if that means taking an early siesta.
I might also continue reading Lunar Park by Bret Easton Ellis, the all-american psycho's latest litterary achievement. But that's an evening activity; his books are not to be read in daylight.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Smoke Gets in My Eyes
Last time I tried to open our old-fashioned one-pane windows three of them came down with the force of Goliat and the poor one-panes scattered when wood met wood. Most of the windows, except for a few courageous and stubborn pieces fell six floors down and was further decimated when the glass pieces hit the concrete garden below. Such a tragic ending to a beginning I had never known.
This time I vowed on Hunter S. Thompson's scattered ashes that I would be more careful. So I pushed the bottom window as far up as I could and secured it with the string from the venetian shades. I wanted to catch the first spring rays in the flesh and have nothing between myself and the setting Californian sun. I rarely do same brutal mistake twice, hmm, and succeeded with my amateurish engineering venture.
All that work on a Sunday was inspired by an article in the latest issue of The Economist which I subscribe to but rarely read. The article that caught my attention was about the latest European ban - no smoking in several different public places in Spain. A rather shocking political stupidity by the current Socialist government. I can only concur with the owner of Madrid's La Broche restaurant: To have an armagnac without a cigar is unthinkable.
So in pure sympathy I grabbed my humidor, the cutter and a cigar match to indulge in the occasional 45-minute pleasure of smoking a puro in sympathy with all other hedonists in the world. It seems that Europe is in agreement with the US in enforcing medieval limitations on life, do anything to avoid the inexpensive and natural pleasures of life.
I don't think we need to have more anxieties in life or feel more fearful than we already do. The relentless feeding of people's fears to get everyone to sing the same tune, walk in the same pace and path and sharing the very same dream is just the worst recipe for happiness. But happiness has never been a priority in politics - only greed and fear.
This time I vowed on Hunter S. Thompson's scattered ashes that I would be more careful. So I pushed the bottom window as far up as I could and secured it with the string from the venetian shades. I wanted to catch the first spring rays in the flesh and have nothing between myself and the setting Californian sun. I rarely do same brutal mistake twice, hmm, and succeeded with my amateurish engineering venture.
All that work on a Sunday was inspired by an article in the latest issue of The Economist which I subscribe to but rarely read. The article that caught my attention was about the latest European ban - no smoking in several different public places in Spain. A rather shocking political stupidity by the current Socialist government. I can only concur with the owner of Madrid's La Broche restaurant: To have an armagnac without a cigar is unthinkable.
So in pure sympathy I grabbed my humidor, the cutter and a cigar match to indulge in the occasional 45-minute pleasure of smoking a puro in sympathy with all other hedonists in the world. It seems that Europe is in agreement with the US in enforcing medieval limitations on life, do anything to avoid the inexpensive and natural pleasures of life.
I don't think we need to have more anxieties in life or feel more fearful than we already do. The relentless feeding of people's fears to get everyone to sing the same tune, walk in the same pace and path and sharing the very same dream is just the worst recipe for happiness. But happiness has never been a priority in politics - only greed and fear.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Eye in the Sky
When I hear Alan Parsons Project's 'Eye in the Sky' I get reminded of the only public drum solo I have ever done. It was in a garage south of Gothenburg, Sweden, early one spring morning. We had a goodbye party for one one of my friends who was heading off to study at Penn State. My older brother and I were toast masters and as usual in those days, a sure bet to get a party started.
Anyhow, the evening turned into night turned into morning and I found myself alone, drunk and melancholic in the garage. My eyes wandered across the cleaned out parking spaces that had served as dance floor earlier that night. They stopped on a big gray cover and I thought that I saw part of a drum sticking out. I ripped away the cover and, yes, I had found a drum set in the wee morning hours.
I turned on the stereo, put on the Alan Parsons project record and got seated behind the drums. As the music started I quickly turned into one of my drum hereos (Gene Krupa, Phil Collins, Keith Moon, Buddy Rich et cetera) and started 'jamming' with a feverish intensity, trying to keep up with The Project.
I ripped off my shirt and worked up a sweat second to none. I believed this was the start of a new era, the other guests - enjoying the quite morning - thought it was the beginning of the final steps towards completely losing my mind. And I think they were right. That morning I lost my mind a little and I'll do it again anyday.
Anyhow, the evening turned into night turned into morning and I found myself alone, drunk and melancholic in the garage. My eyes wandered across the cleaned out parking spaces that had served as dance floor earlier that night. They stopped on a big gray cover and I thought that I saw part of a drum sticking out. I ripped away the cover and, yes, I had found a drum set in the wee morning hours.
I turned on the stereo, put on the Alan Parsons project record and got seated behind the drums. As the music started I quickly turned into one of my drum hereos (Gene Krupa, Phil Collins, Keith Moon, Buddy Rich et cetera) and started 'jamming' with a feverish intensity, trying to keep up with The Project.
I ripped off my shirt and worked up a sweat second to none. I believed this was the start of a new era, the other guests - enjoying the quite morning - thought it was the beginning of the final steps towards completely losing my mind. And I think they were right. That morning I lost my mind a little and I'll do it again anyday.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
A Delightful Evening
My promise to stay away from the passive TV watching finally lead me back to one of my most dearest sanctuaries - our library - last night. It was right before the missus' arrival and dinner that I found a stack of my old british men's magazines from the time I lived in London. I don't know why I had decided to save them since most magazines has a very short shelf life. But not Arena, Esquire or Details. They stories still feel timeless. The book, music and art reviews as well.
The British art of magazine publishing is far superior to any other. Well, there are a few really cool magazines in the US, France and Japan (and I would imagine from South Korea, Argentina and Brazil but of that I don't know - yet) but the british edgyness and provocative spirit is impossible to replicate. It's part of the British DNA, passed on from generation to generation through misery, anger and crappy weather.
Everytime I see a naked woman in the photo spreads I'm thinking, 'Thank God, the freedom of expression still exists'. Magazines, as everything else creative and artistic, should push your thinking forward, be challening, edgy and mind-blowing. It should get your heart pumping and your stomach to feel excited, like you just discovered something new for the first time.
On the opposite side we have the American magazine Cargo, a new sales channel to satisfy needy 30-something professionals. I started to like the first issue I got but over time, the magazine hasn't changed but I have. It should be the other way around.
So while I was plowing through my old magazines the missus prepared dinner; a fantastic Marinara Gnocchi. The pasta was perfectly al dente and the sauce delish. So simple and yet so well-tasting. And with a light sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan, olive oil and black peppar the meal hit royal levels. Felipe Rutini, one of our current favorites from Mendoza, accompanied dinner and did a damn good job at it.
Oh, what I have missed being able to spend hours at the magazine store, art gallery and the record store. Just randomly browsing in the search of a new discovery. Somethings that inspires, delights, challenges, provokes, disgusts et cetera. Away from the cookie-cutter pleasentries, the mainstream walk and the universal agreements of the dunces.
There is a value to step outside of the everyday routine life and just indulge in the excess of culture. The value is unfortunately hard to measure.
The British art of magazine publishing is far superior to any other. Well, there are a few really cool magazines in the US, France and Japan (and I would imagine from South Korea, Argentina and Brazil but of that I don't know - yet) but the british edgyness and provocative spirit is impossible to replicate. It's part of the British DNA, passed on from generation to generation through misery, anger and crappy weather.
Everytime I see a naked woman in the photo spreads I'm thinking, 'Thank God, the freedom of expression still exists'. Magazines, as everything else creative and artistic, should push your thinking forward, be challening, edgy and mind-blowing. It should get your heart pumping and your stomach to feel excited, like you just discovered something new for the first time.
On the opposite side we have the American magazine Cargo, a new sales channel to satisfy needy 30-something professionals. I started to like the first issue I got but over time, the magazine hasn't changed but I have. It should be the other way around.
So while I was plowing through my old magazines the missus prepared dinner; a fantastic Marinara Gnocchi. The pasta was perfectly al dente and the sauce delish. So simple and yet so well-tasting. And with a light sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan, olive oil and black peppar the meal hit royal levels. Felipe Rutini, one of our current favorites from Mendoza, accompanied dinner and did a damn good job at it.
Oh, what I have missed being able to spend hours at the magazine store, art gallery and the record store. Just randomly browsing in the search of a new discovery. Somethings that inspires, delights, challenges, provokes, disgusts et cetera. Away from the cookie-cutter pleasentries, the mainstream walk and the universal agreements of the dunces.
There is a value to step outside of the everyday routine life and just indulge in the excess of culture. The value is unfortunately hard to measure.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Needs / Wants / Compact Travels
I've this dream trip I'd like to make. It's not so much the destination as the way of travelling. That said, I think the dream is very European so destinations such as Florens, Barcelona, Dublin, Paris and London would work well. Not just cause they are every urbanites dream but also close in proximity.
The idea of this trip comes from what you are bringing more than where you are going. It's about dumping the dreaded business carry-on with wheels for the stylish black or brown leather bag and nothing more.
It's about simplicity, about going beyond your luggage and hotel room when travelling and forgetting presence for present. It's very much about finding the minimum to reach the maximum.
Imagine this bag, only filled with 2 dress shirts, a pair of slacks, 2 polo shirts, three pair of socks, a pair of leisure shoes, three pair of underwear, toiletry, an iPod, a phone, a camera and a book. That's it! Nothing more, nothing less. Simplicity and style at it's best.
An of course, it's about travelling in style. You are wearing the universal gray suit that makes you fit in everywhere and ensure that you can attend any party or dinner at a whim. Passport and wallet in pocket. Cigar and lighter as well.
Think about how easy it would be getting around the airport, checking in and out of hotels, taking trains and making choices. Think about it, who are you and what do you really need on the journey in life.
If you say Martha Stewart I'll spank you!
The idea of this trip comes from what you are bringing more than where you are going. It's about dumping the dreaded business carry-on with wheels for the stylish black or brown leather bag and nothing more.
It's about simplicity, about going beyond your luggage and hotel room when travelling and forgetting presence for present. It's very much about finding the minimum to reach the maximum.
Imagine this bag, only filled with 2 dress shirts, a pair of slacks, 2 polo shirts, three pair of socks, a pair of leisure shoes, three pair of underwear, toiletry, an iPod, a phone, a camera and a book. That's it! Nothing more, nothing less. Simplicity and style at it's best.
An of course, it's about travelling in style. You are wearing the universal gray suit that makes you fit in everywhere and ensure that you can attend any party or dinner at a whim. Passport and wallet in pocket. Cigar and lighter as well.
Think about how easy it would be getting around the airport, checking in and out of hotels, taking trains and making choices. Think about it, who are you and what do you really need on the journey in life.
If you say Martha Stewart I'll spank you!
Monday, January 16, 2006
Do or do not. There is no try.
Yoda led me to the right state of mind this weekend. I've been troubled by cold feet after leaving what we like to believe is the safe corporate world. Somewhere along the line I think I got Corporiz'd. Everything got too mundaine and forseeable. I was urged to 'hang in there'. And as much as I hate to say it, I started to enjoy the security and the benefits. So I tried to 'do the time', but it didn't feel right.
The flip side is that once you leave the circle of trust the pay checks stops coming in. Well, to be honest I was hoping that the administrative system was as inferior as some of the leadership but I was wrong. No more checks.
So after some unsleepable nights and sweaty awakenings I decided to write a plan and to start executing it. I also decided to enjoy each day as much as I can and stop looking so far into the future. The time of leisure shouldn't be troubled by wordly things, it should be a time of relaxation, exploration and mindful peace.
Once that realization was clear and confirmed I started to watch 'A New Hope' and eventhough I've seen it several times over the years I was hypnotized and spellbound - once again - by the brilliant story, the fantastic characters and the amazing dialogs.
'Many of the truths that we cling to depend on our point of view.'
Obe-Wan Kenobi
The flip side is that once you leave the circle of trust the pay checks stops coming in. Well, to be honest I was hoping that the administrative system was as inferior as some of the leadership but I was wrong. No more checks.
So after some unsleepable nights and sweaty awakenings I decided to write a plan and to start executing it. I also decided to enjoy each day as much as I can and stop looking so far into the future. The time of leisure shouldn't be troubled by wordly things, it should be a time of relaxation, exploration and mindful peace.
Once that realization was clear and confirmed I started to watch 'A New Hope' and eventhough I've seen it several times over the years I was hypnotized and spellbound - once again - by the brilliant story, the fantastic characters and the amazing dialogs.
'Many of the truths that we cling to depend on our point of view.'
Obe-Wan Kenobi
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Speech Recognition - Soo Yesterday!
Silicon folks usually do a lot of tech dropping so why shouldn't I being a former Silicon techie. My latest is mind recognition. It would be soo cool to be able to transfer all of my brilliant thoughts from my mind to my blog in a very simple interface. Wirelessly, I might add.
Live Where You Love
Everytime I'm on my way to suburbia for a short stop I get excited. It epitomizes adult, contemporary success. The wife, the house and the successful co-mingling of genetic materials.
Then I wake up and realize that I'm drenched in sweat, feverish and have a hard time to breath. See, my body is telling me that it's not for everyone and my mind agrees. Bertrand Russell has taught me to find happiness outside of my neighbor's domicile and lust for measurable comparisons.
The missus and I took a drive down to the Presidio in the MINI earlier today. The sky was blue, the sun was shining and the Bay looked just beautiful. All the people everywhere suddenly felt very comforting. They have made the same decision as we, to live in the most beautiful city in the world. Sure, it's shoebox living but man is it great.
Moving to suburbia - right now - feels so wrong. Like handing over my intellectual reigns to all soccer moms in their mini vans and saying: 'Yup, you were right. Driving sports cars, drinking wine and smoking cigars is a pure waste of time. I'm now converting to the obese, bored and disillusioned fellowship of the suburbian familyhood.'
But I will never - and let me here quote Sir Winston Churchill - NEVER surrender. Giving up is not in my blood, soul or mind. Following the mainstream has never been my cup of tea and there is no reason to put on the marching boots, uniforms and beret now. We are city people, proud I might add, and we'll stick together. Forever.
Then I wake up and realize that I'm drenched in sweat, feverish and have a hard time to breath. See, my body is telling me that it's not for everyone and my mind agrees. Bertrand Russell has taught me to find happiness outside of my neighbor's domicile and lust for measurable comparisons.
The missus and I took a drive down to the Presidio in the MINI earlier today. The sky was blue, the sun was shining and the Bay looked just beautiful. All the people everywhere suddenly felt very comforting. They have made the same decision as we, to live in the most beautiful city in the world. Sure, it's shoebox living but man is it great.
Moving to suburbia - right now - feels so wrong. Like handing over my intellectual reigns to all soccer moms in their mini vans and saying: 'Yup, you were right. Driving sports cars, drinking wine and smoking cigars is a pure waste of time. I'm now converting to the obese, bored and disillusioned fellowship of the suburbian familyhood.'
But I will never - and let me here quote Sir Winston Churchill - NEVER surrender. Giving up is not in my blood, soul or mind. Following the mainstream has never been my cup of tea and there is no reason to put on the marching boots, uniforms and beret now. We are city people, proud I might add, and we'll stick together. Forever.
Friday, January 13, 2006
The Best / Worst Week
Best:
- Biked 45 minutes today (well, actually 46:33 since I wanted to watch the whole new Stephen Tyler / Santana music video)
- The parking attendant accepted my sincere and honest apology for parking in the wrong spot at the gym
- Realized that I'm still corporize'd but about to find a cure (experiment, explore and exhail)
- Got our Living Room speakers hooked up to iTunes via Airport Express and can now enjoy music everywhere
Worst:
- Hungover like Hemingway on Sunday - Tuesday
- The wine fridge is empty - again
- Parking in the wrong spot which resulted in getting yelled at by an old fartette
- Finally recieved the last issue of Cargo - the shopping magazine for men
- Biked 45 minutes today (well, actually 46:33 since I wanted to watch the whole new Stephen Tyler / Santana music video)
- The parking attendant accepted my sincere and honest apology for parking in the wrong spot at the gym
- Realized that I'm still corporize'd but about to find a cure (experiment, explore and exhail)
- Got our Living Room speakers hooked up to iTunes via Airport Express and can now enjoy music everywhere
Worst:
- Hungover like Hemingway on Sunday - Tuesday
- The wine fridge is empty - again
- Parking in the wrong spot which resulted in getting yelled at by an old fartette
- Finally recieved the last issue of Cargo - the shopping magazine for men
Thursday, January 12, 2006
The Quest For Purpose
Most people have dreams, ambitions and desires. Not all, but most. They usually can be summed up in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: physiological, safety, love, esteem and actualization.
In the western world the majority of needs would fall into the three latter: love, esteem and actualization. Everyone needs to feel needed, connected and useful. Once that is in place the quest for finding your own intrinsic growth path and embarging on your own spiritual journey has enough fuel to succeed.
Most people would like to make more than a fingerprint on the skyscraper of life, possible being part of changing the world. Growth feeds growth as much as success feeds success. Once landing on the Moon, you'd like to land on Mars.
Maslow talks about finding peak experiences that transcends the self-acualization and creates purpose and fullfillment. It's beyond the ego-actualization.
I've always been fascinated by the concept of the Renaissance Man. A person schooled in languages, culture, music, art, books et cetera. A person who's home is everywhere and anywhere, open-minded, humble but still knowledgable.
One of my personal quests for entering this higher state of being is to succeed in making the perfect Cordero Asado (roasted lamb). It's a divine experience and always brings tears to my eyes when I get the opportunity to enjoy the very same.
In the western world the majority of needs would fall into the three latter: love, esteem and actualization. Everyone needs to feel needed, connected and useful. Once that is in place the quest for finding your own intrinsic growth path and embarging on your own spiritual journey has enough fuel to succeed.
Most people would like to make more than a fingerprint on the skyscraper of life, possible being part of changing the world. Growth feeds growth as much as success feeds success. Once landing on the Moon, you'd like to land on Mars.
Maslow talks about finding peak experiences that transcends the self-acualization and creates purpose and fullfillment. It's beyond the ego-actualization.
I've always been fascinated by the concept of the Renaissance Man. A person schooled in languages, culture, music, art, books et cetera. A person who's home is everywhere and anywhere, open-minded, humble but still knowledgable.
One of my personal quests for entering this higher state of being is to succeed in making the perfect Cordero Asado (roasted lamb). It's a divine experience and always brings tears to my eyes when I get the opportunity to enjoy the very same.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Less TV, More Books
I've to admit that since I left the corporate world I've spend a lot of time in front of my computer and TV. I guess it's the heritage from the complacent office life that kept me in the same doll drum life. Using the computer feels productive and being productive is important. Doing things creates happiness, they say.
And not doing things - like watching TV - relaxes you. I'm pleased to say that I strongly disagree. If watching Oprah and Dr. Phil is going to make this world a better place then we are in deep, deep trouble. Betrand Russell was right, happiness only excists when we can get over ourselves.
But there are so many new things to learn that elevates your mind, opens it up for new epiphanies if you are prepared to invest time and mind. I no longer get excited by the quick answers, the just-enough-to-pass answers. I want depth, understanding and applied knowledge.
So less time at the computer and TV, more time with reading and researching. Sure, I use the Internet to recover and discover information but only I can turn it into knowledge. I have a sense that the more information we have at our hands, the more stupid we become. Like a quaffable wine - easy to drink but lacks quality.
And not doing things - like watching TV - relaxes you. I'm pleased to say that I strongly disagree. If watching Oprah and Dr. Phil is going to make this world a better place then we are in deep, deep trouble. Betrand Russell was right, happiness only excists when we can get over ourselves.
But there are so many new things to learn that elevates your mind, opens it up for new epiphanies if you are prepared to invest time and mind. I no longer get excited by the quick answers, the just-enough-to-pass answers. I want depth, understanding and applied knowledge.
So less time at the computer and TV, more time with reading and researching. Sure, I use the Internet to recover and discover information but only I can turn it into knowledge. I have a sense that the more information we have at our hands, the more stupid we become. Like a quaffable wine - easy to drink but lacks quality.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
On Tonight's Menu
Salmon, fresh peppar, salt, oregano and freshly squeezed lime. Sauteed.
[Outro Lado by Zuco 103]
Escarole, endive and radicchio lettuce with vinaigrette dressing. Homemade, of course.
[Sugar Loaf Mountain by George Duke]
A simple Napa Valley Merlot.
[Santa Maria by Gotan Project]
It's dark outside. Candles are lit. Dinner is served.
[Outro Lado by Zuco 103]
Escarole, endive and radicchio lettuce with vinaigrette dressing. Homemade, of course.
[Sugar Loaf Mountain by George Duke]
A simple Napa Valley Merlot.
[Santa Maria by Gotan Project]
It's dark outside. Candles are lit. Dinner is served.
There Are No Limits
Being a slacker isn't always about just doing nothing, sleeping in or thinking about our contemporary societies flaws and charms. Sometimes it's about sliding on your knees - without pads - across a packed dance floor, wishing you actually knew how to ballroom dance. Sometimes it's about playing air guitar with the wedding band and belting out the chorus of classic hard rock songs. And other times, it's about challenge the conventional social etiquette and calling the male flight attendants for trollie dollies.
The truth to be told, there are no limits. Look at politics or business. You limit, you loose. The first who breaks the rules wins. Try it. Engage in a little inappropriate behavior now and then to spice things up. You never know, you might have found the next fad.
The truth to be told, there are no limits. Look at politics or business. You limit, you loose. The first who breaks the rules wins. Try it. Engage in a little inappropriate behavior now and then to spice things up. You never know, you might have found the next fad.
Monday, January 09, 2006
A Bundle of Joy
The missus and I have a pact. Never ever visit destinations that sports highs below 60 and lows below 40. And as to every rule, the exception in this case is only when we are going there to ski / snowboard.
But for the first time in a long time we had to break the pact this weekend when we went to Chicago for a wedding. I experienced very dark nightmares weeks ahead of the trip. It was like my own pandoras box flipped open every night and my darkest moments wanted to be relived over and over again.
Once we got there things got better. We tried to stay indoors most of the time except for a few walks up and down Michigan Avenue. We also planned all our movements in advance and made sure we had enough clothes on and stayed well fed. It worked.
We ended up having a grand old time, meeting many old college friends and family. It was very relaxing and created a lot of moments of reflexion. Hearing other people talk about their lives and future plans puts things into perspective. I also got to sing one of my favorite AC / DC tunes with the wedding band and that always put an extra smile on my face.
But home, sweet home. Returning yesterday to the bright and sunny California weather, were gloves, hats and scarfs are forbidden was nothing more than a miracle. Today I'm ready to head out and meet the world in shorts, flip flops and a sweater. I'm sure I'll be greeted well.
But for the first time in a long time we had to break the pact this weekend when we went to Chicago for a wedding. I experienced very dark nightmares weeks ahead of the trip. It was like my own pandoras box flipped open every night and my darkest moments wanted to be relived over and over again.
Once we got there things got better. We tried to stay indoors most of the time except for a few walks up and down Michigan Avenue. We also planned all our movements in advance and made sure we had enough clothes on and stayed well fed. It worked.
We ended up having a grand old time, meeting many old college friends and family. It was very relaxing and created a lot of moments of reflexion. Hearing other people talk about their lives and future plans puts things into perspective. I also got to sing one of my favorite AC / DC tunes with the wedding band and that always put an extra smile on my face.
But home, sweet home. Returning yesterday to the bright and sunny California weather, were gloves, hats and scarfs are forbidden was nothing more than a miracle. Today I'm ready to head out and meet the world in shorts, flip flops and a sweater. I'm sure I'll be greeted well.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Dusk / Dawn
Whipping up a Gratin Dauphinois with some grilled Chicken in a tasty Moroccan rub while waiting for the Missus to come home from work. I have Comodon Johnson by Los Amigos Invisibles playing. It's superb.
The dawn and the dusk brings out the best in me. I love being up around 5 or 6 o'clock to start working on my projects. It's so tranquil - my mind is rested and eager. The same goes for dusk. Right after my afternoon siesta, when the sun is about to set, the creativity kicks in again with a fury.
[Sugar Loaf Mountain by George Duke]
While the mornings works great for organizing projects and executing tasks, the evenings works great for cooking, contemplating and writing. It's funny how that works.
Mid-day I'm just doing errands. Not very productive at all. Maybe watching TV Shows or some movies. That's it.
[Maria Moita by Rosalia De Souza]
I better check on the potatoes.
The dawn and the dusk brings out the best in me. I love being up around 5 or 6 o'clock to start working on my projects. It's so tranquil - my mind is rested and eager. The same goes for dusk. Right after my afternoon siesta, when the sun is about to set, the creativity kicks in again with a fury.
[Sugar Loaf Mountain by George Duke]
While the mornings works great for organizing projects and executing tasks, the evenings works great for cooking, contemplating and writing. It's funny how that works.
Mid-day I'm just doing errands. Not very productive at all. Maybe watching TV Shows or some movies. That's it.
[Maria Moita by Rosalia De Souza]
I better check on the potatoes.
Almost Postal
Let me paint you a pictures:
Noon at the post office in the Marina. One clerk is working. 20 customers in line. I'm bringing 5 packages. And my pulse didn't change a beat. That's being relaxed. Took me over 1 hour but who's counting.
Noon at the post office in the Marina. One clerk is working. 20 customers in line. I'm bringing 5 packages. And my pulse didn't change a beat. That's being relaxed. Took me over 1 hour but who's counting.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Only By Design
It's been years since I designed websites. In the beginning of the Internet-era everyone had to do everything, especially at start-ups. So basic web design became common knowledge, at least if you worked within product development with scarce resources.
It was therefore with a great nostalgic feeling and much anticipation that I started on my latest project: creating a new website for the missus.
I started out feeling a little bit rusty but got back into the game pretty quickly. I've always enjoyed graphical design, ever since I was working for the student magazine in college. Once in a time my goal was to become a designer and I guess I achieved that goal to a certain extent. Most things that we do these days have a design compenent associated with it: packaging, cooking, communication, writing et cetera.
Well, I'm not going to convey the project yet but I've to say it's pretty cool!
It was therefore with a great nostalgic feeling and much anticipation that I started on my latest project: creating a new website for the missus.
I started out feeling a little bit rusty but got back into the game pretty quickly. I've always enjoyed graphical design, ever since I was working for the student magazine in college. Once in a time my goal was to become a designer and I guess I achieved that goal to a certain extent. Most things that we do these days have a design compenent associated with it: packaging, cooking, communication, writing et cetera.
Well, I'm not going to convey the project yet but I've to say it's pretty cool!
Monday, January 02, 2006
I Crap You Not
Creativity starts with silence. That brings inspiration and ideas. The rest is history.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
The First Day in The Rest of Your Life
Aging tends to contradict the purpose of life, as does death. The longer we have lived the more we tend to forget the present, the future and focus solely on the past. The present sometimes become that placeholder for remebering our past or dreaming about our future, not living it.
The New Year always remind me about the limitless possibilities of life. It's the beginning of something new and wonderful, the opportunity to start all over again or just to rewrite your past resolutions.
I have written a personal mission statement every year for the past 15 years. I've named it after the city I've happened to be in at the time: Luxor, Barcelona, London, San Francisco et cetera. The purpose is to give my current plans life and longevity. 2006 is all about learning, experiencing and living. You might think that is what every year should be about and you are obviously right.
But in reality, some years are great and others are just transitional. Last year was one of those transitiional years when I decided to shift from my very corporate, scheduled lifestyle to some time of contemplation, leisure and discovery.
Change is good and creates purpose in life. Change creates turbulence which is the most powerful life force. It's scary, uncertain and frightening. But it's that kind of all-or-nothing feeling and situation that really forces you to grow, to stretch beyond your regular daily routine and to create magical new things.
We need to learn to measure success in life by more than money and corporate status. Money is obviously important for long-term survival and status the confirmation that the world appreciates our efforts. Both are easy to track and measure and what can be tracked and measured can be improved (direct quotation from my old VP). It's the same reason why team sports are so popular: the rules are clear and simple. A winner is a winner and a loser is... at best a loser.
In the end of the day, success is to go after what your want and achieve it cause you wanted it. It's to learn what and who you are, live your life the way you want it. It's like Bob Dylan said: A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do.
I would make a slight change: Success is to spend each day doing what you love, not thinking about what could have been or will be, solely about what is and enjoying every second of that moment.
The New Year always remind me about the limitless possibilities of life. It's the beginning of something new and wonderful, the opportunity to start all over again or just to rewrite your past resolutions.
I have written a personal mission statement every year for the past 15 years. I've named it after the city I've happened to be in at the time: Luxor, Barcelona, London, San Francisco et cetera. The purpose is to give my current plans life and longevity. 2006 is all about learning, experiencing and living. You might think that is what every year should be about and you are obviously right.
But in reality, some years are great and others are just transitional. Last year was one of those transitiional years when I decided to shift from my very corporate, scheduled lifestyle to some time of contemplation, leisure and discovery.
Change is good and creates purpose in life. Change creates turbulence which is the most powerful life force. It's scary, uncertain and frightening. But it's that kind of all-or-nothing feeling and situation that really forces you to grow, to stretch beyond your regular daily routine and to create magical new things.
We need to learn to measure success in life by more than money and corporate status. Money is obviously important for long-term survival and status the confirmation that the world appreciates our efforts. Both are easy to track and measure and what can be tracked and measured can be improved (direct quotation from my old VP). It's the same reason why team sports are so popular: the rules are clear and simple. A winner is a winner and a loser is... at best a loser.
In the end of the day, success is to go after what your want and achieve it cause you wanted it. It's to learn what and who you are, live your life the way you want it. It's like Bob Dylan said: A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do.
I would make a slight change: Success is to spend each day doing what you love, not thinking about what could have been or will be, solely about what is and enjoying every second of that moment.
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