A load of crap from an idle brainPersonal, Movies, Music, IT, India, Singapore, Politics, Fun

Orchard Road light up for Christmas more than a month in advance.  Am so used to seeing the light up for the past 11 years. Just felt ho-hum this time.  Nothing so exciting.  Maybe a classic case of familiarity breeding contempt.  Nevertheless, hats off for taking pains decking up the whole few kilometers of road in lights, glitter, trees and other paraphernalia.

Tree inside Takashimaya

Ion Orchard

Orchard Central

Orchard Central

Orchard Central Orchard Road

Paragon

Tangs

Takashimaya

Plaza Singapura

+++

The Formula1 carnival has finally reached the Indian shores.  The first day of practise has happened.  The race was as inagurated by our honourable chief guest “a dog”.  They never fail to make their presence felt.  Remember the Commonwealth Games.  Well, its better having a dog on the track than Suresh Kalmadi who is cooling heels in the Tihar Jail post all the scams.

Other than being dusty, the track seems to have got a huge thumbs up from the F1 boss, teams and players.  Anyway building the whole thing up in just 2 years has been a humungous effort.  Its the first time ever and am sure the builders (Jaypee) would learn from this effort.  The next year is gonna be awesome.  As of now the whole place looks like just another track anywhere else.  By the next year, Jaypee plans to insert some “Indianness” into the whole thing.

As long as the Indian government stays away from anything related to organising anything, am happy.  Good to see  a much much professional job by the private sector.

All pictures courtesy: ESPN

+++

Wishing all of you and your loved ones a very Happy & Prosperous Diwali

Thought the mid week holiday doesn’t give much reason to cheer.  Still, look at the bright side of the holiday.

As usual, say no to the noise and smoke generated by the crackers.  Spend some quality time with your family and friends.  Isn’t that what holidays are all about?

Ya, this blog has more or less taken a backseat.  Not that i have lost interest.  Just that there is so much to do and so little time.  Only 2 more months to end the year.  Great things to come in a few months time.  Cant wait for 2012.

+++

As someone who is on an overdrive reading books this year (more than 28 already in the first 9 months of the year), i do get asked as to what kind of books do i read and why do i read the books that i read. These are the few loose set of rules that i follow while selecting a book to read.

It has to be non-fiction. Fiction is a big no-no to me. I cant bring myself to waste time reading fiction. If at all i want to read fiction, i would rather watch a movie that is made on that book. Saves me considerable time considering the fact that iam a slow reader.

Biographies are an instant pick up for me. Doesnt matter the background of the author or the person the book is based on. I have read biographies of Warren Buffett, Lance Amstrong, Louis Gerstner, Andre Agassi, Steve Jobs, Hillary Clinton, Michael Dell, Jack Welch, Kishore Biyani, Richard Branson etc.

Books on finance, investing, stock markets, management, science etc are also my favourites.

Book recommendations in magazines or by successful people like CEOs or other management people who have read books and recommend the same.

Random search on google or amazon after i have read a particular author and liked their writing.

Listening to audio books is my favorite method of reading. Earlier, audio books had someone reading out in a droning voice which could put you to sleep as soon as the books started. Today professional readers pour emotions into their reading with perfect voice modulation which makes listening to a book very much interesting. Sometimes its the author who himself / herself reads out the book. Sometimes its a professional reader and these have made listening to audio books much interesting.

Earlier i used to complain that i had no time to read books till someone nailed it as excuses. I spend at least 2 hours daily commuting to and from work. Mostly the time is spent looking around or listening to some inane radio DJ railing about some crap in between the same songs that you have been hearing for years now. Not to mention the ads that keep popping in between the songs.

I started with one audio book first. It was a bit difficult concentrating on listening to the book. 2-3 books later, you learn to control your mind and concentrate on listening to the book. Honestly today, i hate wasting time listening to songs or radio. I put on an audio book even when i go jogging or ironing clothes at home.

List of books that i have read are here

Above picture courtesy: ArabDetroit

+++

Friggin busy.  Looks like work never ends.  When will i find time to study, upgrade myself and get some change in my life?  Am i supposed to forever do firefighting and waste my life?  Where is the quality of life that i so expected when i moved?  Life looks like a hamster running on a wheel, the faster i run, the faster the problems keep cropping up.

Time to say NO.  My weekends are mine and don’t expect any great favors in case of any problems during weekends.  I have a right to life beyond work and I intend on living it.

Now if only i could hold on and use my anger constructively.  Time to keep my cool, study and strike when the iron is hot.

Above picture courtesy: Cartoonstock

+++