Blood Pressure

Yesterday was quite hectic but fun day. I attended health seminars in the morning, in preparation for my annual physical exam. The results were not encouraging: high cholesterol, border line hypertension and being overweight. It was not disastrous but not my best result so far. I attended a department meeting in the afternoon where one got a view of next year’s projects. High level stuff but enough to keep one’s hope up as the goal was aggressive, ambitious and correct. It’s a good place to be; to be part of a grand plan that would motivate people achieve goals. I am glad I had stayed and continued on because I now see it’s the most stable place to develop one self. The only thing is that the ambitious plan may have played a part in my hypertension as I took my physical exam right after the meeting.

It’s a lesson learned: not to have your medical assessment after a high level meeting. But I think it’s much more, specifically more weight in my part. I guess my body is not as young as it used to be and being overweight is not good. At least I am not obese though one may head to that direction if one is not careful. I had hoped that my results would be better considering I exercise more: at least 3 times a week; more times than I ever had in the past. So increasing exercise was not really good. Earlier this year, I also joined a weight management program but left after completing the basic course. I had thought that I learned new skills but I gained a few more pounds after leaving the course. I think that is the problem here: eating too much and sleeping less.  Exercise is not enough to keep one on the right path.

Last night my friends had dinner at home. My wife cooked fired chicken, French fries and salad. Actually, a few came after dinner for coffee because their beloved puppy just graduated from dog school. We had a nice time talking about technology – Sony Dash, i Phone, iPad, NetFlix, Archos as well as investing in gold, getting pregnant and preparing for winter. We will meet again tomorrow night to have dinner together. An old friend from Thailand is also here so we invited her to come along. She had jet lag so she could not come last night. I had worked with her a few times in Bangkok and Singapore. She was posted in China for a few months and is back in Thailand. Seeing her brought back a lot of pleasant memories with old friends. Those days are long gone after the downsizing of operations in Asia.

I did not realize how far I had gone from Asia after focusing on my work. Work has kept one further and further away from one’s memories. Soon one gets older and feebler or sicker. It’s like one’s past life is receding from memory or is it one’s youth that is slipping farther behind? Last night I showed my friends how Facebook is displayed in Sony Dash. It remains the only link to one’s past. Social networking for nomads or frequent travelers is a tool that keeps them grounded. It’s probably the best example where technology can help people retain their humanity and connections. Technology started out as making one smarter and more productive. Now technology helps in communication and keeping people connected. Perhaps this is the next technology wave that everyone has been talking about.

Return to Start

I spent a few hours going over the reasons why I wanted to buy an iPad or net book. Was it tech lust for the latest gizmo? A needed appliance in the household? Could it contribute to an earning opportunity or investment? Will it help my wife and kids learn new stuff, i.e. a learning opportunity? At first, I wanted an iPad as it seemed a truly revolutionary device but instead settled on the Lenovo Ideapad due to its value for money. But later I started to wonder why I wanted to buy the gizmo in the first place. Soon all sorts of combinations went thru my head such as buying a Sony Dash and a Barnes & Noble Nook e- reader as well. Later I settled again to buying an iPad before learning about the discount offered by Lenovo which finally settled my decision.

The key idea is that an interim device was needed I thought; something mid-point between a Laptop computer and a mobile device like a smart phone but could access the Internet. A realization the web has become indispensable. Basic web tasks like checking email, Facebook, news, movie schedules and the weather are now part of every day life at home. But it seemed a waste of time to boot up a computer just for simple web activities that took less than 10- 30 minutes. So a device like Sony Dash and Nook (with basic web browsing) made sense as an ideal low cost device. But other tasks are important too like reading online journals and web surfing but still without needing the full fledged functions of a laptop or desk top.

So the ideal device seemed an entry level iPad or net book with multi-point touch screen capability. Other interesting devices like Dell Streak soon surfaced but seemed more for techies. The small screen for web surfing and high price moved Streak out of contention. So it was beginning to look like an Apple until one sees its limitations when compared to a touch screen net book. The choice became a net book as more opportunities seem possible with a keyboard and connectivity to other devices being standard components unlike the iPad. So now comes the question on how new technology can simplify one’s lifestyle. Devices like Sony Dash seem a good choice - a smart device that allows constant Internet connection for simple tasks like email but the price seemed high.

Now the bottom line. The purchase need to be seen as an investment, something that will allow some payback to the amount spent and avoid being seen as frivolous. So the work style of a writer needs to adapt to new technology. How can a writer be better with a net book? Once the strategy is defined then one is off to make millions.  Was life simplified? Sure, time is saved as more convenient to do short and a simple web task in a net book and, eventually in a Sony Dash once the price is right. I recall Alvin Toffler’s book ‘Future Shock’ where some people where living in the future. His examples were those few households at the turn of the century that had telephones; wherein it’s inhabitants where living in the future, enjoying the modern convenience of the telephone when about 80 percent of the population did not have this luxury yet.

I guess that is the educational value of these gizmo purchases - to learn and live in the future. Soon these devices would be ubiquitous and everyone would have them. A head start would be an advantage. But there maybe a danger when one loses the point and instead, these purchases are thought of as a privilege. Something like buying a gun to protect oneself as compared to buying a gun to show off. The true value is lost when sensible function is replaced with desire or envy for new stuff. I guess that’s the benefit of reflecting on why one should buy, what basic need it serves and possible changes to life and work style for the better. After thoughtful deliberations using all sorts of visual tools, one returns to the original choice. One’s instinct is right after all although the exercise did result in a better tactic, i.e. buying at a discount from the source instead of Best Buy.

Avoiding Frivolity

I changed my mind in buying the iPad. It looks more and more like a frivolous purchase after looking at the specs. It so limited compared to what is sold out there. So I decided to buy a Lenovo Ideapad; at the same price as a low end iPad. The Lenovo Ideapad is a so-called net book which is a low-end lap top. It is much smaller and cost less. The difference is that this model has a multi-point touch screen. So I had a formula in mind where:

Net book + Touch screen =  iPad

Yesterday I had already settled on the iPad after feeling this distaste for laptops which I thought the Ideapad was until I realized it was not a laptop but a net book. It was a distinction I missed which swayed me towards Apple. Another factor was the sales promotion from Lenovo which offered a $ 200 discount on their model with 2 GB memory plus Windows 7 Home Premium.

The best feature of the iPad is the lightness and slimness of the design, state of the art touch screen and operating system. But after that, the Lenovo is a much superior machine in all its features. For example, 250 GB hard drive, USB slots, data reader, connectivity via Bluetooth, connectivity to external monitors and webcam. So continuing to purchase an iPad makes no sense except to satisfy a lustful urge artificially created with clever marketing. It’s a good product but does not provide value for money. Another factor that was driving me towards Apple was my misguided dream to be an Apple developer and earn bug bucks. Stories abound of people becoming overnight millionaires by developing apps for the iPhone, iPad and the iPod. I don’t think it’s a realistic goal considering I have not programmed in any Apple or Macintosh systems before.

I guess I was in ‘hitting the lottery’ mode again. It’s a feeling like buying a lottery ticket in the hopes of striking big. It does not mean that being an overnight millionaire Apple developer is not possible but one need to be realistic of one’s talents. Perhaps the hype on millionaire programmers is just created by Apple to sell more boxes or one must really be an Apple nerd way back in his teens to get the so-called 10,000 hours of practice to be an expert. Reading Malcolm Gladwell’s book ‘Outliers’ takes out the myth of the lone successful genius. Using well known examples of people like Bill Gates, Bill Joy and the Beatles, the book shows that society’s perception of the successful entrepreneur is not realistic. In fact, success is due to 10,000 hours of diligent practice or experience and family support. With this in mind, my chances of being a millionaire Apple developer are slim.

The only experience where I can possibly claim to have about 10,000 hours of effort is that of being a writer. But being a writer does not mean having only writing experience but I think covers the following:

a.) reading (about 2400 hrs),
b.) writing (about 2500 hrs),
c.) interesting life experiences + self reflection (about 2100 hrs)
d.) creative writing craft skills

With this formula, I have about 7000 hours of so-called ‘writer’ experience. The only thing left is developing the remaining 3000 hours of ‘craft’ skills to achieve expertise. Being without a mentor or without professional writing experiences (as a journalist, for example) leaves attending creative writing seminars as the only solution left or through self-study via readings in blogs or journals in the Internet. I think I now have a pretty fair idea of the craft especially after reading Ellen Gilchrist’s book. So I guess I have a better chance of being a successful writer than being a successful Apple programmer.

Now back to technology. I guess laptops and net books are today’s tools for writers. By linking the tasks to the hardware and soft ware tools, I have a gizmo strategy:

...TASK........................................HARDWARE..........SOFTWARE
1. Write rough draft......................Laptop/Net book......LiveJournal/Google app
2. Editing......................................Net book..................LiveJournal/Google app
3. Research..................................Net book..................websites
4. Subsequent & final drafts........Laptop.....................MS Word
5. Brainstorming & Planning........Laptop / Net book...Mind Manager
.....................................................Voice Recorder.......Novel Writer/YWrite
....................................................................................Dragon Natural Speak

Of course pen, paper or a typewriter would do for some writers. But I am trying to be more efficient by using the latest technology. Hopefully this can help supplement the lack of professional experience or attending creative writing courses. But blogging has given one a certain expertise and perhaps the future is self-publishing with readers downloading content into their e-readers. I guess I have a step up in this direction if the future does move here. With all these software and hardware accoutrements, I feel that I am fully ready to earn the big bucks. Now all I need is discipline, talent and focus. If only I won’t be distracted by the technology.

Buying an iPad

Is there really a benefit for writers to use the latest technology? One wonders as the most advanced gadgets only serve to distract folks. Latest products allow us to enjoy stuff in smaller and more mobile ways. Normally one depends on the television and computers for their entertainment. But now small devices allow one to watch movies in their smart phones or smart music players. So instead of using these new tools to achieve sober goals, one has more possibilities to enjoy himself. It moves one away from the true goal of being a writer, for example, or whatever it is one wants to do. Starting a small business for instance, where one is distracted by this whiz bang stuff instead of work.

Now comes iPad from Apple and one wonders how this fits in the scheme of never ending gadgets coming to the public. It looks more like a device between a laptop computer and a smart phone. Another device is the Sony dash which allows access to the Internet. Other devices are e-readers like Nook or Kindle which allow basic web access. The Internet is becoming an indispensable landscape where one can access information, music, movies, knowledge and all sorts of entertainment. These new devices suck you in the vortex of procrastination where time flies and one get entertained with all these content from the Internet. But these are no longer computers or television but whole new devices influencing a new lifestyle.

Hot dang! Some folks would say when technology starts to look like magic with the way it works seamlessly. The good stuff is meant to empower people so one could be all one could be but often results in being obese, coach potatoes, surfing the television or the Internet, procrastinating and ending up without meaning in life. Perhaps buying all these stuff gives people meaning; makes them proud to have all the latest stuff. I gave up this temptation basically because I have no money. New investments or large purchases have to satisfy a basic rule: the gizmo must be usable by the whole family. This would remove all sorts of impulse buying from one’s side if one thinks about the rest of the family.

But it still does not answer the writer’s dilemma. The iPad for example can be used by everyone. It also allows easier surfing for folks, an e-reader to new books like a writer’s guide, online dictionaries and thesaurus and maybe a refreshing way to look at things. I guess that’s the proper charm of this device: to introduce a new way of thinking; similar to the feeling one gets going to museums and looking at great art. Some people do see Apple products have great design and past gadgets were exhibited in museums. Maybe this would help in removing ones writer’s block or exacerbate the temptation to procrastinate. At least writing and reading blogs and online journals is easier especially web sites like Poetry & Prose.

One thinks that writing blogs is a step up from journal writing. It’s the continuance of the self-teaching effort of the solitary writer. One hopes he would have achieved the 10,000 hours that one needs to be an expert. At least putting thoughts to words is an exercise toward the goal. But now new technology is here to muck it up. But blogs anyway came about thru technology so there’s hope yet. William Gibson maybe right in his mix of cyber punk, science fiction and Mickey Spillane or Dashiel Hammett style of writing in his books. I just finished listening to his book ‘Virtual Light’ and it’s a dazzling combination. Like Murakami in the future but without Kafka and surrealism. It’s an absurd world that one lives in when one reads Murakami and William Gibson but maybe a way out in understanding the new lifestyle.