The danger of a single story

I happened to see Maleficent the previous week and was fascinated at the refreshingly interesting manner in which the classic 'Sleeping Beauty' was revisited. Today, i stumbled upon this brilliant TED talk in which we see how misunderstood our views can be, if we listen to only one side of the story.

Note to self: Always try and imagine - had it been a different narrator, how different could the story be?

Top 10 books that influenced me

This #Top10Books thing went viral on facebook right alongside the #ALSIceBucketChallenge. This is my list.

1. The mystery of the disappearing cat - Enid Blyton
This is when I "levelled up" from Tinkle and Chacha Chowdhary
2. Sherlock holmes (the complete works)
Why, you ask? Elementary, my dear Watson!
3. The Godfather
I think I love it partly for the picture it creates in your head even while you are reading it, and partly for the 'Bollywoodish' feel it has.
4. The Fountainhead
Never before, never after, have I been introduced to protagonists with such strong character traits.
5. Harry Potter series
Opening any book in the series is like an entry to Platform Nine and Three Quarters in your mind. Magical!
6. Rich dad poor dad
The first book that made me truly think about money and savings
7. One up on wall street
Common sense equity investing principles
8. Thinking - fast and slow
Behavioural economics is one of my favourite genres and this is a masterpiece in that area. A perfect balance between academic and engrossing.
9. The devotion of suspect X
Beats any other mystery novel I have read. Awesome pace, amazing climax. I have no idea why this is not more famous!
10. Animal Farm
I remember feeling extremely jealous of Orwell; what a timeless, masterful satire!

Honorary mentions:
1. Calvin and Hobbes
Who would have thought one can capture all of the world's wisdom in conversations between a cranky child and his (imaginary?) tiger? Sadly, I lost this book to a termite attack!
2. The Intelligent Investor
It is not really about equity investing. It is much more about the principles and thought process and discipline one should employ while handling his/her money. Deserves a place just for the "Mr. Market" character creation.

What UP guys?

Though I would love to feign interest in knowing how you are, the UP in the title actually stands for "Urinal Personality". One of the greatest gifts God has bestowed on men is the ability to get in and get done with their business without much ado. Quick as the process might be, it does allow room for some unique aspects. Through extensive research and err..observation, I have arrived at the various personalities that show up in a urinal.

The Gentleman

Takes center position. Stands close. Uses both hands. Aims right.
Comes in two versions - the one who stares straight ahead into an imagined oblivion; and the one who stares straight down.

The PEE-ka-boo

The.one.dreaded.guy. Leaning and glancing to his left or/and(!) right, his sudden moves often catch you off-guard causing you to lose focus and well..miss YOUR target!

The Spitter

Comes with a terrific focus to eliminate wastes from multiple places. In an almost ritualistic manner, walks in and immediately summons phlegm from the deepest confines of his oesophagus, not sparing any chance to produce a wonderful assortment of sounds. Often leaves one wondering what his primary purpose in coming to the loo was.

The Dancer

Our man just can't stop gyrating to imagined tunes in his head. Goes about his job swaying his hips round and round and back and forth. No wonder that his favourite song typically is I-am-a-disco-dancer or Nakamuka-Nakamuka.

The Amitabh Bachchan

One hand on the waist. Posture tilted to one side. Naam hai Peehanshah. Hainn?!

Any more you think who can make the list?

Proverbs Revisited

All that glitters is not gold
Just bored with the number of times that's been told.

Better late than never
Get it done by someone; that would be clever.

Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder
Quick! Someone hide the plastic surgery folder.

Don't count your chickens before they hatch
Don't change clothes when the door doesn't latch.

Fortune favors the bold
Are we again discussing the glitter and gold?

Actions speak louder than words
Sure explains the sounds when i drop those turds.

A stitch in time saves nine
For my autograph, please get in the line.

Random Rap

Had written an impromptu rap as a comment a couple of months ago. Want to save that.

Revisiting my SMART goal post

So how did i fare?
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. No, the goal was too unAttainable after I lost out on the first couple of days.
4. Can't say! The goal was not Measurable. I should set it to something like improve from 40 bmp to 60 bpm on a metronome.
5. Yes

SMART goals for myself

I know I know - you didn't bother clicking the link in my previous post and understanding what SMART goals mean; so here - 

S - Specific

M - Measurable

A - Attainable

R - Realistic / Relevant

T - Time bound

As an attempt towards improving on something I have declared to be difficult, I am going to try setting some SMART goals for myself.

1. Watch the remaining 2 videos on the Statistics course I am taking on Coursera (refresher after MBA). Then attempt week 1 quiz. By Saturday 22/02/14.

2. Finish 150 pages of 'Thinking, fast and slow' by next Saturday. Speed reading is ok.

3. Walk/jog a distance of 20 km over the coming week. 

4. Learning to play this bit on the guitar

C#m B A 

Bulleh! ki jaana maen kaun

5. Buy a toothbrush (On my to-do list since a month now)

Will cross examine this next Saturday!

Time please!

As kids, while playing, if I ever wanted to take a small break (often coinciding with me almost getting caught), I would just shout "Time Please!".

A couple of months ago, a strong desire to do this in my adult life resurfaced. Now, it's almost 2 months since I quit my job.

While I wait to get back into the game, a little introspection. If I were to point out my greatest realization in this short-but-doesn't-feel-so period, it is this feeling about how bad most of us are in taking control of time. Routine is such a part of us we don't even feel it. Wake up, eat, work, sleep. And "work" is the productive part of our lives.

It is indeed quite difficult to independently set SMART goals for oneself as an individual. Probably yet an aspect where our education system fails us. The day this is more common-place, it will not just be individuals waking up, but an entire society.